JUNKED: Book Two in the JUST ADD COFFEE MYSTERIES

by Ruth Bainbridge, B.Z. Hercules (Editor)

Samantha Powell … Mountain Valley’s Favorite Over-Caffeinated Amateur Detective is Back … and Just in Time!

Mountain Valley is in an uproar. Someone is taking unsolicited naughty pics of the town’s kitties. Sam’s cat-loving friends are outraged and enlist her services to track the sicko photos down. But it’s not until Sam’s beloved chonk of a Maine coon Taz gets ‘ cat-junked’ that she gets serious. Fueled on caffeine, she nails the salacious snapper, but not before her archenemy Detective Noah Jennings arrests the same picture-taking culprit for the murder of one of the women whose cat was victimized. Mr. Recently Incarcerated swears he didn’t hurt anyone, and begs for the Queen of Bean Brewing to intervene. She does, but not because she believes a word he says. Her motive goes much deeper. For Sam, this is a chance to show Jennings up while honing her mystery-solving skills, because the only way to prove the prisoner innocent, is to prove Jennings wrong.

Join Sam Powell and her bdff (best diva friend forever) Lydia Wexler as they rip Mountain Valley a new one in the quest to solve a murder! Of course, the rest of the gang will be there to spur them on. So if you love coffee … bickering fashionistas … town gossips … demanding kitties … super-hot detectives … did we mention demanding kitties? …, you’ll love JUNKED . The second in the JUST ADD COFFEE MYSTERY SERIES , it contains the one secret ingredient the other Cozy Mysteries are missing … and that is PLENTY OF SNARK ! So lighten up your fine self and purchase your copy now! And as always, Happy Caffeinating!

237 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2023

Reviews

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is ok but some of the subject matter is a bit odd, people being sent pictures of their cats' junk (this do lead to a murder and someone being falsely accused, so there is more to it). I also find the personality of some of the lead characters to be like middle school age with the hormones of high schoolers. That, and baby talk to their cats was just a bit too much for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Annarella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the plot is a bit over the top as I would more worried about people breaking and entering than any hot pic of my three cats. BTW they're all neutered so it would not be so hot.
People get very angry in this story and I had to suspend my belief
Plus I wasn't a huge fan of Samantha as I found her a bit too supermodel-like.
There's fun, there's a good plot but I recommend it you are a fan of this series
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is #2 in the Just add coffee series and can be read as a stand alone. Samantha owns the local coffee shop and has solved some crimes in the past. When someone starts sending naughty pictures of their cats to owners the town is shocked and in an uproar. The police think it’s funny until one of the owners is found murdered. Is the photographer a murder or did he just open the can of worms. A nice cozy for cat lovers.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very humorous book in the Just Add Coffee series by Ruth Bainbridge. I know a few people who are as concerned about everything about their kitties. So, all in all, a fun book of break in's and kitty pictures. Fun, fun, fun.

I also liked the characters. I think we all know someone like the main character.

[Renee Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky. Zany antics. Yes some parts are like slapstick comedy buy hey don't we need some laughter right now. Naughty cat pictures and murder! Who would have thought! If your in the mood for some fun with your dose of murder then here is the read for you. I had a blast! Thanks #Netgalley and #RuthBainbridge for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

[Danielle Connelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The over-the-top style of the main character made it somewhat hard for me to get through this book. Everything was either the best event of her life or the worst. There was also a bunch of repetitive statements that made me want to skip parts of paragraphs after a while.

However, the storyline was moderately engaging and I did enjoy the detective work, so I'm giving it 3 stars.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Junked" by Ruth Bainbridge is wow the drama. I didn't know people got this worked up about their cats. I would think most people would just be oh cute, but who broke into my house to get this picture. Not WHOA! Cat smut! oh and someone broke into my house to get this picture. Also, all the skievie guys in this one is a bit over the top. Not all men are that way. I know there's a couple that don't get the full dirt bag description but more do then don't. I personally had a hard time getting through this one with the contestant drama and over the top behaviors of the main character, but I know some do like this and will enjoy the book. It certainly had it's funny moments, at least I hope they were meant as funny moments.