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Kate Saxee Mystery #1
The Devil Drinks Coffee
A cow suicide, a revolving door rescue, and the birth of a bright purple pig are starting to make Kate Saxee wonder if taking a job in her small hometown of Branson Falls, Utah, was such a great idea. As The Branson Tribune editor, Kate covers local news, which, more often than not, involves her accident-prone mom. Nothing truly newsworthy has ever happened in the quiet town until local teen Chelsea Bradford turns up dead in a Branson Falls lake.
The police rule Chelsea’s death an accident, but Kate suspects there’s more to the story—and she’s not the only one. Two of Branson’s most eligible bachelors are determined to help her solve the crime—among other things. But the small town social network is faster than Twitter, and gossip about Kate’s love-life is quickly branding her the Branson Falls hussy.
As Kate learns more about Chelsea, she discovers that plenty of people are trying to cover up the real story behind the girl’s death—including Chelsea’s parents. Now Kate has to juggle work, men, her mom’s most recent disaster involving a low-speed John Deere Combine chase on the freeway, and fend off the Mormons heaven-bent on saving her soul—all while solving Chelsea’s murder. Dealing with this is going to require a lot of coffee, chocolate frosted donuts, Neil Diamond's greatest hits, and a slew of words not on the town approved imitation swear list.
The police rule Chelsea’s death an accident, but Kate suspects there’s more to the story—and she’s not the only one. Two of Branson’s most eligible bachelors are determined to help her solve the crime—among other things. But the small town social network is faster than Twitter, and gossip about Kate’s love-life is quickly branding her the Branson Falls hussy.
As Kate learns more about Chelsea, she discovers that plenty of people are trying to cover up the real story behind the girl’s death—including Chelsea’s parents. Now Kate has to juggle work, men, her mom’s most recent disaster involving a low-speed John Deere Combine chase on the freeway, and fend off the Mormons heaven-bent on saving her soul—all while solving Chelsea’s murder. Dealing with this is going to require a lot of coffee, chocolate frosted donuts, Neil Diamond's greatest hits, and a slew of words not on the town approved imitation swear list.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2013
2506 people are currently reading
1766 people want to read
About the author
Destiny Ford
11 books97 followersDestiny Ford is a pseudonym for author Angela Corbett.
As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own.
Angela is a USA Today Bestselling author, and a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology and minored in business. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She lives in Utah with her extremely supportive husband and their dog, S'more. She loves classic cars, traveling, puppies, and can be bribed with The People's Coffee mochas.
She’s the author of Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult fiction—with lots of kissing. She writes under two names: Angela Corbett, and Destiny Ford.
As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own.
Angela is a USA Today Bestselling author, and a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology and minored in business. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She lives in Utah with her extremely supportive husband and their dog, S'more. She loves classic cars, traveling, puppies, and can be bribed with The People's Coffee mochas.
She’s the author of Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult fiction—with lots of kissing. She writes under two names: Angela Corbett, and Destiny Ford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
May 27, 2013
I've been struggling for a couple days over my review of this novel because I worry whether or not I can express my love of it enough. It is perfect in so many ways. I am a huge fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, and I was thrilled when The Devil Drinks Coffee reminded me of them.
Heroine Kate Saxee is full of sass and humor, plus she even has two hunky guys that are begging her for attention, which creates sexual tension that will almost set your pages on fire! Add to that some crazy small town gossip, a caffeine addiction we can all relate to, and a mother that is such a train wreck she will make you anticipate her next accident. You will even secretly wish your mother could be as entertaining as Kate's!
You will love Ford's fresh, unique voice and you'll be happy you added this comical caper to your to-be-read pile. You MUST pick this book up. I am even going to give you an, "I told you so," in advance. :) Happy reading!
Heroine Kate Saxee is full of sass and humor, plus she even has two hunky guys that are begging her for attention, which creates sexual tension that will almost set your pages on fire! Add to that some crazy small town gossip, a caffeine addiction we can all relate to, and a mother that is such a train wreck she will make you anticipate her next accident. You will even secretly wish your mother could be as entertaining as Kate's!
You will love Ford's fresh, unique voice and you'll be happy you added this comical caper to your to-be-read pile. You MUST pick this book up. I am even going to give you an, "I told you so," in advance. :) Happy reading!
July 29, 2023
Jauks, viegls detektīvs, ar labu humora devu. Galvenā varone - žurnāliste, mazā Jūtas pilsētā, kur teju visi ir ļoti ticīgi mormoņi. Kafijas dzeršana tiek uzskatīta par nāvēs grēku (visi tāpat dzer, tik maskē kā karsto šokolādi), pilsētiņas iedzīvotāji liekas jauki un likumpaklausīgi cilvēki, līdz ezera krastā atrod noslīkušu pusaudzi.
Grāmata nedaudz līdzīga Sunshine Vicram sērijai, tomēr līdz tam līmenim neaizvelk.
Grāmata nedaudz līdzīga Sunshine Vicram sērijai, tomēr līdz tam līmenim neaizvelk.
November 24, 2020
Great Fun!
I truly enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this small Utah town, especially Kate. Oh, and her Mom, and Spence, and Drake, and Hawke, and the ladies! Just as interesting was the storyline and the mystery solved in this first book. I am looking forward to spending more time with them all.
I truly enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this small Utah town, especially Kate. Oh, and her Mom, and Spence, and Drake, and Hawke, and the ladies! Just as interesting was the storyline and the mystery solved in this first book. I am looking forward to spending more time with them all.
March 28, 2013
Funny, quirky, and a mystery to boot! The perfect beach read or something to snuggle up in bed with and read at night. Loved it!!!
May 22, 2025
This was a hilariously written who done it story.
This follows Kate returning back to her small home town to become the editor of the town paper. While running to get a story about a purple pig she learns there a body in the lake. As she rushes over and find out a local teen is dead she gets a hunch its not an accident. While trying to find out who wanted the teen dead she also finds herself being the topic of every discussion in town and her being friendly with the eligible bachelor's in town.
I had such a fun time reading this.
some fun quotes :
"My mom pursed her lips and I could see the anger building on her face. She clutched the towel hanging over her shoulder, and put her hands on the granite countertop to steady herself. "Kate! What's going on?" she asked in an angry whisper. "First I hear you're dating Dylan and making out and fighting with him in the corner booth of the Mexican restau rant. Then I find out some mysterious guy named Hawke has been seen at your house and there's this this porno video with the two of you eating a milkshake. And now you bring Spence to dinner?" Her breath was coming in gasps and I thought she might hyperventilate.
She burns down a field, destroys a truck, kills a cow, and crashes her rental car, yet she's as calm as a yogi. But I spend time with a few guys, and that's what she chooses to get upset about?"
"They live up to their names," he said. "Little terrorists, that's what they are," he winced as Annie applied some antibi-otic to the bites.
"It's not a terrorist," I tried to explain. "It's a terrier."
"Same thing!" he yelled, pointing to the bites.
This follows Kate returning back to her small home town to become the editor of the town paper. While running to get a story about a purple pig she learns there a body in the lake. As she rushes over and find out a local teen is dead she gets a hunch its not an accident. While trying to find out who wanted the teen dead she also finds herself being the topic of every discussion in town and her being friendly with the eligible bachelor's in town.
I had such a fun time reading this.
some fun quotes :
"My mom pursed her lips and I could see the anger building on her face. She clutched the towel hanging over her shoulder, and put her hands on the granite countertop to steady herself. "Kate! What's going on?" she asked in an angry whisper. "First I hear you're dating Dylan and making out and fighting with him in the corner booth of the Mexican restau rant. Then I find out some mysterious guy named Hawke has been seen at your house and there's this this porno video with the two of you eating a milkshake. And now you bring Spence to dinner?" Her breath was coming in gasps and I thought she might hyperventilate.
She burns down a field, destroys a truck, kills a cow, and crashes her rental car, yet she's as calm as a yogi. But I spend time with a few guys, and that's what she chooses to get upset about?"
"They live up to their names," he said. "Little terrorists, that's what they are," he winced as Annie applied some antibi-otic to the bites.
"It's not a terrorist," I tried to explain. "It's a terrier."
"Same thing!" he yelled, pointing to the bites.
August 1, 2013
Kate Saxee’s job is to cover the local news in her small town for The Branson Tribune. Nothing really exciting ever fills the pages. When local teen, Chelsea Bradord, winds up dead in Branson Falls Lake, the town quickly ruled it as an accident. However, Kate believes there’s something more to the story and is determined to solve the crime. With the help of two of the most eligible bachelors in town, she will learn more about the girl and discover secrets that are deep within this close-knit community. Destiny Ford’s The Devil Drinks Coffee is a thrilling mystery that will take readers into a fun and exhilarating rollercoaster ride.
Kate is the ultimate driving force in this story. She’s fun and quirky and many readers can relate to her addiction to caffeine. Her will and determination to get to the bottom of things is admirable. She is so refreshing in many ways down to how she process the clues to the town’s mystery. Ford does an awesome job of defining her characters as it shows with Kate.
Ford’s writing is very fine-tuned that even a person who’s lived in the city all their life is able to experience small town living through her words. Every city has their secret but in most small ones, the secrets are more intimate and hits closer to home. The twist that is revealed and delivered with precision was such a shocking revelation that it will hit you blind-sided. Ford has a remarkable talent of knowing exactly when to drop these moments in her story to maintain its intrigue and excitement.
The Devil Drinks Coffee is absolutely an amazing read especially if you have ever lived in a small town. It has all the elements that make a mystery book great: unforgettable characters with a plot that will have readers glued to the pages. This is an awesome start to what is expected to be a fun, exciting, and wonderful series.
Kate is the ultimate driving force in this story. She’s fun and quirky and many readers can relate to her addiction to caffeine. Her will and determination to get to the bottom of things is admirable. She is so refreshing in many ways down to how she process the clues to the town’s mystery. Ford does an awesome job of defining her characters as it shows with Kate.
Ford’s writing is very fine-tuned that even a person who’s lived in the city all their life is able to experience small town living through her words. Every city has their secret but in most small ones, the secrets are more intimate and hits closer to home. The twist that is revealed and delivered with precision was such a shocking revelation that it will hit you blind-sided. Ford has a remarkable talent of knowing exactly when to drop these moments in her story to maintain its intrigue and excitement.
The Devil Drinks Coffee is absolutely an amazing read especially if you have ever lived in a small town. It has all the elements that make a mystery book great: unforgettable characters with a plot that will have readers glued to the pages. This is an awesome start to what is expected to be a fun, exciting, and wonderful series.
November 28, 2023
The Devil Drinks Coffee, the first book in the Kate Saxee Mystery series kept me in tears from laughing almost from beginning to end, but the subject is serious and author Destiny Ford handles the murder of a teen with respect.
Kate Saxee couldn't wait to get out of her hometown when she was a teenager, but when she is offered the job as editor of the weekly newspaper, she can't resist! She is drawn to investigate the "accidental" death of a high school senior who left town a few months ago. No one knew that the teenage was back until her body turns up in a nearby lake. When a gorgeous stranger helps Kate get into the crime scene and asks her to work with him, she can't refuse; it is apparent he has resources the newspaper doesn't have, as well as a body that won't quit. Things get really tense when the governor's name gets tossed into the mix.
The humor of the novel comes both from things that happen to Kate and the way the small town watches every move and gossip blows everything out of proportion. She is a little too naive, but I know people like that. I haven't explained this well, but this book belongs in the TBR of every reader of cozy mystery or lighter suspense. I read it because it was highly recommended by friends on one of Shelly Fredman's Facebook pages. Thanks for the recommendation, guys!
Kate Saxee couldn't wait to get out of her hometown when she was a teenager, but when she is offered the job as editor of the weekly newspaper, she can't resist! She is drawn to investigate the "accidental" death of a high school senior who left town a few months ago. No one knew that the teenage was back until her body turns up in a nearby lake. When a gorgeous stranger helps Kate get into the crime scene and asks her to work with him, she can't refuse; it is apparent he has resources the newspaper doesn't have, as well as a body that won't quit. Things get really tense when the governor's name gets tossed into the mix.
The humor of the novel comes both from things that happen to Kate and the way the small town watches every move and gossip blows everything out of proportion. She is a little too naive, but I know people like that. I haven't explained this well, but this book belongs in the TBR of every reader of cozy mystery or lighter suspense. I read it because it was highly recommended by friends on one of Shelly Fredman's Facebook pages. Thanks for the recommendation, guys!
February 6, 2020
This is one of my very favourite cozy mysteries. Kate is an editor/reporter for a small town in Utah. She is intelligent, witty and funny. Her mom is a source of so much laugh out loud humour and I loved every situation. Two very sexy men enter Kate's life in this story. Drake and Hawke. There is plenty of lusty innuendo. But Kate is her own person and alpha males need to respect that. The mysteries are interesting and fun. I will be reading this series and checking out other books by this author.
November 25, 2020
Then there were three
Great characters that have wonderful sense of humor. It wasn't easy to predict future out come until the author clued one in. Wasn't your typical who did it. Lots of small town moments that you couldn't wait to turn the page to here the next adventure. The smile town newspaper finally gets a big story. That's not go check out the purple cow Kind of Event but a real story that wakes up this sleepy town.
Great characters that have wonderful sense of humor. It wasn't easy to predict future out come until the author clued one in. Wasn't your typical who did it. Lots of small town moments that you couldn't wait to turn the page to here the next adventure. The smile town newspaper finally gets a big story. That's not go check out the purple cow Kind of Event but a real story that wakes up this sleepy town.
January 26, 2021
I've found a new series
What a great first in a new to me series. There is murder, secret agents, hot guys, and the hint of romance. What more could you ask for? I think ill continue this series.
What a great first in a new to me series. There is murder, secret agents, hot guys, and the hint of romance. What more could you ask for? I think ill continue this series.
January 8, 2025
Fun Easy Read
If you grew up in a small town, you will laugh at how absurdly accurate the portrayal of the towns people are. I loved the banter and at times laughed out loud! The dynamic between Kate and Hawk is fun and I can't wait to see what happens next!
If you grew up in a small town, you will laugh at how absurdly accurate the portrayal of the towns people are. I loved the banter and at times laughed out loud! The dynamic between Kate and Hawk is fun and I can't wait to see what happens next!
January 18, 2025
It was all right. Nothing very surprising or exiting.
August 21, 2017
I'm not in the habit of reading chick lit or fluffy mystery-romance or whatever this genre is called this week, so I can't compare this book to others like it, and I'm sure not going to try to rate it compared to Hemingway or Kidd. I read it simply because I was curious why our library brings is so damn much of it. When the new acquisitions lists come out, I wade through pages of this stuff to try to find something I want to read.
Also, I needed a bit of fluff to balance out some of the more serious material I've been slogging through. After two intense books about the Colorado Plateau, a light mystery set in Utah seemed like it would be an amusing counterpoint.
The problem is that I keep forgetting I don't really enjoy chick lit or fluff mysteries. They're always fueled by stereotypes. The info-dumping and "as you know, Bob" goes on forever, even about things that have zero bearing on the plot. Did I mention predictable? The big "OMG" moment that the causes the main character's jaw to drop in chapter eight or ten was something I figured out by the end of chapter one. The "resolution" was something I predicted about two paragraphs after we were introduced to the person "whodunit." Maybe people enjoy these because they are so predictable and formulaic. When the reader solves the so-called mystery before the allegedly smart MC, the reader gets to feel smart? IDK.
But, hey, Barbara Courtland wrote more than 700 of these and laughed all the way to the bank. The only difference really is that the more modern version uses different stereotypes, more direct references to body parts, and seems to feel it necessary to focus on exactly what shade of lip gloss the MC is applying at all times or the exact brand of hair products she uses. Clearly there is a market. I'm just not it. Even taking that into consideration, though, I didn't find this one unique enough to be more than a two-star "It's OK."
Also, I needed a bit of fluff to balance out some of the more serious material I've been slogging through. After two intense books about the Colorado Plateau, a light mystery set in Utah seemed like it would be an amusing counterpoint.
The problem is that I keep forgetting I don't really enjoy chick lit or fluff mysteries. They're always fueled by stereotypes. The info-dumping and "as you know, Bob" goes on forever, even about things that have zero bearing on the plot. Did I mention predictable? The big "OMG" moment that the causes the main character's jaw to drop in chapter eight or ten was something I figured out by the end of chapter one. The "resolution" was something I predicted about two paragraphs after we were introduced to the person "whodunit." Maybe people enjoy these because they are so predictable and formulaic. When the reader solves the so-called mystery before the allegedly smart MC, the reader gets to feel smart? IDK.
But, hey, Barbara Courtland wrote more than 700 of these and laughed all the way to the bank. The only difference really is that the more modern version uses different stereotypes, more direct references to body parts, and seems to feel it necessary to focus on exactly what shade of lip gloss the MC is applying at all times or the exact brand of hair products she uses. Clearly there is a market. I'm just not it. Even taking that into consideration, though, I didn't find this one unique enough to be more than a two-star "It's OK."
August 8, 2013
When I heard the name of this book I had to read it and I am so glad I did. I enjoyed it and the characters are unforgettable.
Kate moves back to her small town of Branson Falls, Utah to become the editor of the local newspaper. Most of the stories are boring small town life with the exception of the stories that revolve around her accident prone mother. That is until one day on her way to a story about a purple pig she hears about a body being found in the lake. The police rule it an accidental drowning but Kate is convinced there is more to this story. With the help of the towns most eligible bachelors Kate sets out to find out what really happened. But nothing is ever easy in a small town filled with secrets, rumors, and lots of gossip.
Kate is such a driving force of this story. She is smart, funny, and has such a quirky personality not to mention we both have a caffeine addiction. Kate is somebody I could see myself being friends with while we try to hide all that coffee we drink from our neighbors. The other characters are just as well defined and we really get to know them and their quirks through Destiny’s writing. She has a way of bringing her characters to life that makes you feel like you know them and could be friends with them.
Every city or town has its secrets but when something happens to your neighbor in a small town you feel like it’s happening to you since it’s such a close community and we really get to feel that in this story. And when we find out the truth behind the mystery it will leave you shocked and blind sided even with the clues that get dropped through the book. I know my mouth was hanging open in shock. My only complaint if you could even call it that is I wish we would have gotten to know more about a certain character named Hawke. I am hopping we get to see more of him in the other books. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
Kate moves back to her small town of Branson Falls, Utah to become the editor of the local newspaper. Most of the stories are boring small town life with the exception of the stories that revolve around her accident prone mother. That is until one day on her way to a story about a purple pig she hears about a body being found in the lake. The police rule it an accidental drowning but Kate is convinced there is more to this story. With the help of the towns most eligible bachelors Kate sets out to find out what really happened. But nothing is ever easy in a small town filled with secrets, rumors, and lots of gossip.
Kate is such a driving force of this story. She is smart, funny, and has such a quirky personality not to mention we both have a caffeine addiction. Kate is somebody I could see myself being friends with while we try to hide all that coffee we drink from our neighbors. The other characters are just as well defined and we really get to know them and their quirks through Destiny’s writing. She has a way of bringing her characters to life that makes you feel like you know them and could be friends with them.
Every city or town has its secrets but when something happens to your neighbor in a small town you feel like it’s happening to you since it’s such a close community and we really get to feel that in this story. And when we find out the truth behind the mystery it will leave you shocked and blind sided even with the clues that get dropped through the book. I know my mouth was hanging open in shock. My only complaint if you could even call it that is I wish we would have gotten to know more about a certain character named Hawke. I am hopping we get to see more of him in the other books. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
August 12, 2013
Happy to be able to review this one because Destiny Ford is one of my favorite authors! The Devil Drinks Coffee was page turning! I really enjoyed the misty and adventure in in this one.
After reading other books from Ford (under her other author name) this is one does not fall short as well and brings you into a story you will not want to put down. Kate is not only a newspaper editor she is a Private I as well and one the biggest story happens in her hometown she is all over it. When a young girl dies ( Chelsea) Kate is determined to find out why even if the rest of her small town wants to sweep it under the rug. But she is not in this one alone she will have the help of her boss and the two most eligible bachelors in the town,
Hake and Drake. Both men the opposite of each other and both she is very attracted to.
This book is one job you will want to take with Kate to find out who killed the young girl Chelsea. So many things get uncovered and some pretty steamy events happen with Kate and her two eligible boys! The story is set in Utah and in a small Mormon community so there is plenty of gossip going around to keep you on your toes as well! There were lots of twists and turns and sometimes I just could not figured out who did it and got shocked by a few others as well!
The ending was great, through I wish there as a little more about after all the events happened and how everyone ending up Kate include. I am hoping Ford writes more on this one because I will be picking it up a.s.a.p. to see more from this one.
After reading other books from Ford (under her other author name) this is one does not fall short as well and brings you into a story you will not want to put down. Kate is not only a newspaper editor she is a Private I as well and one the biggest story happens in her hometown she is all over it. When a young girl dies ( Chelsea) Kate is determined to find out why even if the rest of her small town wants to sweep it under the rug. But she is not in this one alone she will have the help of her boss and the two most eligible bachelors in the town,
Hake and Drake. Both men the opposite of each other and both she is very attracted to.
This book is one job you will want to take with Kate to find out who killed the young girl Chelsea. So many things get uncovered and some pretty steamy events happen with Kate and her two eligible boys! The story is set in Utah and in a small Mormon community so there is plenty of gossip going around to keep you on your toes as well! There were lots of twists and turns and sometimes I just could not figured out who did it and got shocked by a few others as well!
The ending was great, through I wish there as a little more about after all the events happened and how everyone ending up Kate include. I am hoping Ford writes more on this one because I will be picking it up a.s.a.p. to see more from this one.
July 3, 2013
So, I finished this book at 4 a.m. this morning and I can not tell you how very much I loved it! I really can't.
There's purple pigs, cowcides, scary - but hilarious - revolving doors, and a mother who should be the new spokesperson for Allstate Insurance!
Also, one of the very best things, is Ms. Ford's ability to truly capture small-town life and all it's hazards...erm, pitfalls, no wait, that didn't come out right.
Ms. Ford truly captures small-town life and all it's wonderful hospitality!
Oh, did I mention the very handsome, very sexy, very mysterious Ryder Hawkins? I didn't? For shame on this reviewer. If for no other reason you must read this book to get a formal introduction! You won't be sorry.
Seriously though, if you've ever lived in a small town, heard about a small town, or know someone who's spoken about a small town, you will enjoy this book.
It has all the elements that make a story great. Mystery, intrigue, some hot, sexual tension between leading characters...oh, and one very surprising twist that even as a fellow Author I didn't seem coming till the very end!
Well done Ms. Ford. Well done indeed. Now, get to work Missy Ma'am! The cookies are awaiting Book 2!
There's purple pigs, cowcides, scary - but hilarious - revolving doors, and a mother who should be the new spokesperson for Allstate Insurance!
Also, one of the very best things, is Ms. Ford's ability to truly capture small-town life and all it's hazards...erm, pitfalls, no wait, that didn't come out right.
Ms. Ford truly captures small-town life and all it's wonderful hospitality!
Oh, did I mention the very handsome, very sexy, very mysterious Ryder Hawkins? I didn't? For shame on this reviewer. If for no other reason you must read this book to get a formal introduction! You won't be sorry.
Seriously though, if you've ever lived in a small town, heard about a small town, or know someone who's spoken about a small town, you will enjoy this book.
It has all the elements that make a story great. Mystery, intrigue, some hot, sexual tension between leading characters...oh, and one very surprising twist that even as a fellow Author I didn't seem coming till the very end!
Well done Ms. Ford. Well done indeed. Now, get to work Missy Ma'am! The cookies are awaiting Book 2!
September 4, 2024
This book was quite disappointing, I went in expecting to love it. But it was very predictable and far too easy to figure out who the killer is. Then you spend the rest of the book waiting for the story to catch up.
The other thing I really don't like, the characters feel like they were cut from a Janet Evanovich novel and pasted into an inferior story. As though the book is following a pre-set formula.
The other thing I really don't like, the characters feel like they were cut from a Janet Evanovich novel and pasted into an inferior story. As though the book is following a pre-set formula.
March 5, 2020
This is not simply a book for fans of Janet Evanovich; it is a blatant imitation, down to the supporting roles: we have a Ranger-type character with a shady life, a Joe Morelli substitute with the background involving the protagonist during their teen years, a Grandma Mazur stand-in, the sometimes funny sometimes sophomoric sexual banter, and so on.
It was clever to move the location to Utah and throw in small-town Mormon atmosphere, but not enough to keep my interest.
Mild Spoiler: When a pretty teen-aged girl gets shipped off by her parents for 5 months in the middle of the school year, does it take a genius to come up with the theory that she was pregnant? Took me about 5 seconds. Given how long it took Kate to discover this, I don't think she has the brains for sleuthing or for journalism.
It was clever to move the location to Utah and throw in small-town Mormon atmosphere, but not enough to keep my interest.
Mild Spoiler: When a pretty teen-aged girl gets shipped off by her parents for 5 months in the middle of the school year, does it take a genius to come up with the theory that she was pregnant? Took me about 5 seconds. Given how long it took Kate to discover this, I don't think she has the brains for sleuthing or for journalism.
May 11, 2019
Great story!
I enjoyed this book. It has mystery, romance and a little humor. I didn't predict the end of the story, so some twists and turns to add interest. I liked all the characters and am ready for the next installment!
I enjoyed this book. It has mystery, romance and a little humor. I didn't predict the end of the story, so some twists and turns to add interest. I liked all the characters and am ready for the next installment!
March 13, 2020
4 stars minus 1 star for too much ‘romance novel’
Likes:
-- very witty (which is better than funny) - I chuckled a number of times and laughed out loud once
-- the Mormon community. I enjoy learning new things about the tenets of their religion
-- Kate – spunky and vocally independent
-- kept my interest all the way through – a very enjoyable read
-- the title !
Dislikes:
-- I don’t read romance novels, they’re just not my cup of tea (or coffee). So, all the ‘romance novel’ sections in this book detracted from the plot.
Neutral:
-- Hawke was very reminiscent of Evanovich’s Ranger. Not a bad thing, but you probably don’t want the reader thinking about another author’s books while reading yours.
Likes:
-- very witty (which is better than funny) - I chuckled a number of times and laughed out loud once
-- the Mormon community. I enjoy learning new things about the tenets of their religion
-- Kate – spunky and vocally independent
-- kept my interest all the way through – a very enjoyable read
-- the title !
Dislikes:
-- I don’t read romance novels, they’re just not my cup of tea (or coffee). So, all the ‘romance novel’ sections in this book detracted from the plot.
Neutral:
-- Hawke was very reminiscent of Evanovich’s Ranger. Not a bad thing, but you probably don’t want the reader thinking about another author’s books while reading yours.
September 21, 2020
A bit flat, needs research
It's an okay light beach read. The characters are all rather two dimensional, and stereotypical. But what really had me shaking my head was the funeral. The faithful and wealthy parents of a teen girl are active in the Church of Latter Day Saints. When their daughter dies they supposedly have a single piece of music player at their daughter's funeral, and that was ... A selection from the musical, THE BOOK OF MORMON, in which the bulk of the plot derived from making fun of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Come on, do more research.
It's an okay light beach read. The characters are all rather two dimensional, and stereotypical. But what really had me shaking my head was the funeral. The faithful and wealthy parents of a teen girl are active in the Church of Latter Day Saints. When their daughter dies they supposedly have a single piece of music player at their daughter's funeral, and that was ... A selection from the musical, THE BOOK OF MORMON, in which the bulk of the plot derived from making fun of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Come on, do more research.
August 19, 2014
4.5/5.0
A fantastic contemporary mystery romance! “The Devil Drinks Coffee” is superbly written with a great cast of characters, comedy, a mystery with a twist, and a budding love triangle to round it out!
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
A fantastic contemporary mystery romance! “The Devil Drinks Coffee” is superbly written with a great cast of characters, comedy, a mystery with a twist, and a budding love triangle to round it out!
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
May 18, 2018
A charming and entertaining blend of mystery, suspense, and humor. Kate is quirky, funny, sassy and quite relatable. With more questions than answers about a dead girl, a problematic Mom, two eligible, attractive men trying to assist her, and being the talk of the town, she more than has her hands full. A fun and enjoyable read. This is my honest, voluntary review.
March 2, 2021
This book is entertaining. It is about a small town where everyone knows everything about each other, yet there are a few secrets. There is laughter, love, death, everything to keep you interested.
January 14, 2014
If you enjoy reading books by authors with a very left political agenda..this is the book for you.
Currently reading
October 23, 2020EBookDiscovery 99
March 17, 2018
I read this book because I've had it on my Nook for a while, and couldn't decide what to read next after finishing "The Goldfinch." As I recall, it was a 99-cent promotional book.
Kate Saxee returns to her small-town hometown to become editor-in-chief of the local paper, after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend. When she is sent to cover a story involving the discovery of a body in a local lake, it leads her to a full-fledged personal investigation of what happened. The victim is a young girl who belonged to a prominent family and is found drowned. But as Kate learns, there was actually more to it than that - the girl was pregnant.
In the small, Mormon town, this story is pretty hushed up - which is very unusual, especially given the fact that Kate's every move, and every interaction with a male seems to be headline gossip.
This book was OK. I wasn't really fond of Kate, and I'm glad I don't live in a small Mormon town. I mainly finished it to see what really happened to the girl. I'm unlikely to seek out other books in this series.
Kate Saxee returns to her small-town hometown to become editor-in-chief of the local paper, after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend. When she is sent to cover a story involving the discovery of a body in a local lake, it leads her to a full-fledged personal investigation of what happened. The victim is a young girl who belonged to a prominent family and is found drowned. But as Kate learns, there was actually more to it than that - the girl was pregnant.
In the small, Mormon town, this story is pretty hushed up - which is very unusual, especially given the fact that Kate's every move, and every interaction with a male seems to be headline gossip.
This book was OK. I wasn't really fond of Kate, and I'm glad I don't live in a small Mormon town. I mainly finished it to see what really happened to the girl. I'm unlikely to seek out other books in this series.
March 26, 2020
The male characters in this book are just awful jerks. Kate is supposed to be torn between the two guys I guess, but they come across as creepy, predatory, and they need to understand NO means no. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the book and the audience - it's possible. But even the last line of the book was supposed to be "sexy" left me feeling creeped out - he told her she was going to come over to his house and this time "I will get what I want." Geez. And what I couldn't understand is how Kate kept insisting she was a strong independent woman, but then would let the guys treat her like that, and she'd get swoony over them. Ugh. I guess this book did not age well. I can't imagine it being written in this way in the post #metoo culture.
Anyway, the mystery itself is good and had a satisfying conclusion. If the mystery hadn't been so good I probably would have DNFed it. I'm giving it only 2 stars because that's how much the characters bothered me.
Anyway, the mystery itself is good and had a satisfying conclusion. If the mystery hadn't been so good I probably would have DNFed it. I'm giving it only 2 stars because that's how much the characters bothered me.
October 12, 2020
This book randomly appeared on my Kindle one day because nephew was playing with it and clicked on the on-click-buy button.
The title and cover artwork had zero appeal to me to start with but I decided to give it a shot - never judge a book by its cover, right?
Turned out that old saying has its merits. I was almost put off by the first a couple of sentences. They are grammatical but that was it. The writing is lousy. I forced myself through six pages or so before I had to stop.
The last time this happened to me, I recall clearly, was when reading Fifty Shades of Grey (saving some fanfics written by teens that I clearly made a mistake by clicking on). That book stayed on top of my worst-written books until now, when its rival finally revealed to me its existence.
That said, I am not judging the stories at all - I am merely commenting on the writing. Both stories may be interesting but the terrible execution denied itself the chance of being appreciated.
The title and cover artwork had zero appeal to me to start with but I decided to give it a shot - never judge a book by its cover, right?
Turned out that old saying has its merits. I was almost put off by the first a couple of sentences. They are grammatical but that was it. The writing is lousy. I forced myself through six pages or so before I had to stop.
The last time this happened to me, I recall clearly, was when reading Fifty Shades of Grey (saving some fanfics written by teens that I clearly made a mistake by clicking on). That book stayed on top of my worst-written books until now, when its rival finally revealed to me its existence.
That said, I am not judging the stories at all - I am merely commenting on the writing. Both stories may be interesting but the terrible execution denied itself the chance of being appreciated.
November 26, 2020
Kate Saxee has returned to her very small rural hometown, Branson Falls, Utah, as the reporter/editor of the local paper, The Branson Tribune. Even in this rural area, Kate is kept on her toes by the local residence, especially her own mother, and their zany mishaps. When a authentic mystery involving the death of a well known youth occurs in this boring little town, Kate really earns her salary as she defies personal safety to uncover the real truth. Her detective skills have also drawn the attention of the town's two most sought-after bachelors, Dylan Drake and Ryker Hawkins, causing the local busybodies to speculate what she must be doing to retain their attentions. All of these interesting characters live in a very unconventional community that revolves around very ridge living standards. That does not mean that there aren't a few rebels, like Kate Saxee, who refuse to conform. Go Kate! This book is definitely worth reading and will be thoroughly enjoyed!!!!
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