The Latte Stops Here

Brown's Grounds #1

by Wendy Meadows

The victim had no shortage of enemies… and if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.Monica Brown’s grandfather always used to say that home is where the heart is. So when she inherits his old estate, she ditches her unsuccessful big-city life and starts fresh in a quaint and quiet country town. From the moment she arrives, she falls in with a fancy and charismatic estate owner who introduces himself as Forest – but Monica makes a shocking discovery when she finds his dead body the very next day.

Teaming up with local cop Nathan and determined to find the culprit, Monica realizes that this will be no cut-and-dry case – Forest was a known playboy, and that almost everyone in town had a reason to want him dead. As the list of suspects grows and the clues appear to lead her in circles, Monica struggles to balance her investigation with her dream of opening a coffee van business.

And after somebody vandalizes her truck, it quickly becomes clear that the murderer has her in their sights – and that if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next…

Can Monica unravel the murder of Forest Millman? Or will she be driven out of town and forced to abandon her dreams?

Genres: Mystery

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2024

About the author

Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author who creates the perfect escape for readers who love amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries you can solve with a cup of tea in hand.

Her beloved series—including Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy Mysteries, and Travel Writer Mysteries—feature quirky characters, family bonds, and charming whodunits with no gore, just gentle intrigue that keeps you guessing.

When she's not plotting her next puzzle, she's spoiling her pets, enjoying time with her two adult children, and hunting for the perfect hybrid tea rose to inspire her peaceful settings.

Join her cozy community and get a free ebook plus behind-the-scenes peeks into her stories and characters.

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Forest Millman? . . .

Monica Brown is ready for a new start. So when she inherits her grandfather’s house in a small town, she packs up and heads for Millpond. She meets a pleasant man, Forest Millman, who gives her a ride to her new residence. Forest was supposed to take Monica the next day to talk to someone who was trying to sell an old taco truck, but when Forest didn’t show up, she went to his house. When she knocked on the door, it opened on its own. So she went in and started looking for him. Upstairs, she found his dead body and called the cops! When Chief Nathan Thomas arrives to begin his investigation, he tells her to stay downstairs, but Monica insists on joining him since the killer could still be in the house. Although he thought that was absurd, he shook his head as she followed him upstairs. But she didn’t like the Sheriff’s attitude, so she decided that she had to help (whether he wanted her help or not). The victim seemed to have quite a number of enemies who will need to be questioned.

But has Monica opened herself up to danger from the murderer? When she was awakened out of a sound sleep hearing glass breaking outside, she discovered the coffee truck for her new coffee business has been damaged. Is this a warning to her? Will Monica be motivated to work even harder to solve Forest’s murder? Or will she heed the implied warning and return to the city she had left? This is a fun start to a new series… at least it will be if Monica decides to stay in town. Grab your copy and meet the characters. I’m hoping we will be seeing much more of them in the future!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The victim had no shortage of enemies… and if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.

Monica Brown’s grandfather always used to say that home is where the heart is. So when she inherits his old estate, she ditches her unsuccessful big-city life and starts fresh in a quaint and quiet country town. From the moment she arrives, she falls in with a fancy and charismatic estate owner who introduces himself as Forest – but Monica makes a shocking discovery when she finds his dead body the very next day.


This contemporary cozy mystery is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are realistic and captivating. Their journey is enthralling with the latte stops here, teaming up with a local cop named Nathan to try to solve the mystery of Forest, a known playboy who had almost everyone in town wanting him dead, drama, supberb sleuthing skills, adventure, drama, solving Forest's murder, somebody vandalizes Monica's truck and have their eyes on her to try to stop her from using her sleuthing skills to find the murderer of the town's Playboy-which could run Monica out of town and failing at her dream job. I recommend reading this book to find out what happens and if there is a happily ever after in the land of sleuthing for Monica. This author is extraordinary and knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the latte stops here and a cozy murder mystery that is sure to transport readers into a mysterious world that is wild and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica is heading to Mill Pond to live in her grandpa's house. He passed and she inherited. When she gets there by bus she gets off and starts to walk. A truck comes along and the guy in it offers her a ride. She declines. She makes it to the dinner after the downpour. As she having a hot cup of coffee the Sheriff comes in. Total shock it's the creep in the truck who offered her a ride. He offers to drive her to her place but again she declines. On the way she is almost hit by a car. The guy stops and takes her the rest of the way to her new place. He offers to take her to a guy who's selling his food truck. The next day she is on way to the town when she sees a garage sale across the street. She stops in and buys a bike. Then she bikes over to the house if the guy who told her about the food truck. She knocks and there's no answer. She goes in and tells for him. No answer. She goes into the bedroom. Dead body on bed!!! She calls the cops and get herself outside. Then Nathan, the sheriff, shows up. And that gentle readers is how Monica starts her life in her new town-- convincing the sheriff he needs her help.
This is such a hilarious story. It may be a mystery but the banter between Monica and Nathan is to die laughing!!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica inherits her grandfathers house in Millpond Maine. Since things are not working out for her in Bangor, she decides to take a chance and check it out. The bus stops a few miles away from town so she is walking in the rain when a good looking man in a beat up truck stops and offers her a ride. She is a bit uncomfortable so she turns him down and continues her walk. She gets to the coffee shop and stops in to get a drink and dry out a bit. She also needs directions to the house. Once she does that, she is off again. This time a guy in a Corvette stops and asks if she wants a ride and she accepts. He drives her home and is going to come and pick her up the next morning to go get a food truck that she is going to turn into her coffee business. Unfortunately he gets killed that night. She teams up with the local sheriff (the cute guy in the beat up truck) to find the killer and sets up her coffee truck. Her truck is a instant success until it gets trashed.

Can she help the sheriff find the killer before any one else gets killed or until any more damage is done on her truick, house or person.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this first story in a new series. Love the new characters - Monica who is new to town and plays amateur sleuth, Nathan who is the town sheriff and appears to be interested in Monica along with Patty, owner of the diner and Carol, Monica's neighbor.

Monica's grandfather died and left her his home in Maine. She decides to leave her home and start something new there. A handsome male stranger offers to give her a ride from the bus stop but she turns him down. As she continues on her journey, she's almost run over. She accepts this man's offer for a ride and he's also told her that he knows of someone willing to sell a mobile taco truck.

The next morning, she seeks out the 2nd man but instead finds his body and calls 9-1-1. When the sheriff arrives. low and behold, the sheriff is the handsome man who had offered her a ride.

You must read to find out who the murderer is as well as Monica's 'help' in searching for the killer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica is down to her last resort, moving into her late Grandpa's little house in a small town. Her dreams of becoming a famous barista and finding a rich guy in the city didn't pan out, but finding her place in a small town is just as much of an adventure. She meets some nice guys right off the bat, but one of them ends up dead the very next morning. Although she gets busy with a new coffee-related job opportunity, Monica can't help but think she would be useful in solving the murder, seeing as she's the only neutral party in town. But if it risks not only her new mojo mobile but also her life, is it worth it to stay on the case?

This little cozy mystery has a lot of fun sprinkled in, and the plot is remarkably well developed for such a short book. I don't love the characters, but the concept is fun, and the writing compelling. I'll probably pick up another Wendy Meadows book if I see it.

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LATTE STOPS HERE is the first installment in Wendy Meadows new series, A Brown’s Grounds Mystery series. This is a fun and entertaining cozie murder mystery. This story is filled with humour, twists, turns and suspense. I enjoyed the fast moving storyline and the cast of characters.

Monica Brown's grandfather left his home in tiny out-of-the-way town called Millpond to her. She manages to rudely insult the first person she meets, the next man stranger almost hits her with his car. After his cute apology, she accepts a ride to her new home.  The next morning she finds her new neighbor - dead. She then proceeds to insert  herself into the Sheriff’s investigation.  Not long into the investigation there are far too many suspects to interview them all. 

This story is perfect for curling up in a comfy chair and reading for a couple of hours.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike most of Meadow's other series, this one is more of a typical cozy and less intense than the others. Set in Maine, when Monica's grandfather leaves her his house after his death, she moves to the country for a quieter life than the big city she moved to for adventure. Originally when they talked about her leaving the big city, I thought it was NY or at least Boston, but it was Bangor, ME, so it is a matter of perspective.

It was like her grandfather is guiding her hand as she starts over from the house itself to an unopened espresso maker that motivates her to open her coffee truck Monica's Mojo. When murder hits the town, the developing love/hate relationship with the local sheriff that she got off on the wrong foot with as she was entering town, on foot, evolves.

I received a complimentary ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica Brown does not know what is in store for her when she inherits her grandfather's house at Millpond. On her way there, she is dismayed when there is a downpour but a handsome man offers her a lift which she refuses only to find out much later that he is the Sheriff. Then she meets a charming man, Forrest, who promises to help her purchase a taco truck for her proposed business as a barista. Only Forrest does not turn up and when she goes to his house, she finds him dead. Monica is determined to find out who killed him and persuades the Sheriff to allow her to investigate and lands herself into tricky and dangerous situations. An intriguing mystery with a touch of romance. I like the description of Millpond and its inhabitants. Forrest's character has been aptly portrayed.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica returned home to start over and in the process stumbled into a mystery. She was a stranger in her hometown and the person to find a body which led her into more adventure than she anticipated. It also made for a cute story that was a super quick read. I am sure this is just the introduction to a how new cast of characters with a coffee truck baristra solving crimes. After all, as Monica points out, the town is starting to feel like home and for her home is where the adventure begins. I hope to see that adventure and antics continue in future books.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica is having a hard time in life, she has no job, no family, is short on money and has no car. She takes a bus to get hold of her inheritance - the house her grandpa left her in a small but charming small town. She will see herself involved in a murder and in a murder investigation and things get a little bit out of control. She also might have found the man of her dreams. As always, Ms. Meadows wrote this story with charming and likeable characters, and mystery, providing a few hours of great entertainment. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series. I thank the author for this ARC.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is shaping up to be another great series by Wendy Meadows and I already love it. Monica had been living in Bangor, ME when she finds out that her grandfather has passed away and that she has inherited his house in Millpond. The first day in her new house and she finds a dead body setting into motion a series of events that lead to so many suspects that the no one would be able to interview them all. I love the backstory, the characters and setting of the small town. Wendy Meadows at her best always striving to plot an amazing story which she never lets a reader down. Awesome.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Latte Stops Here is book #1 in the Brown's Grounds Mystery series by Wendy Meadows.

I really enjoyed this book. Monica, Nathan, Patty, and Carol are interesting characters. I look forward to seeing how Monica’s business does. I liked Monica’s perspective on the victim, though not really thrilled about some of her actions. I was kept guessing until the end and guessed it just before Monica did. I can’t wait for more of this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Wendy Meadows. I highly recommend all her books. This is the first book in the new Brown's Ground series and it doesn't disappoint. Monica decides it's time she starts fresh and when she inherits her grandfathers house is the small town of Millpond she decides to jump at the chance. Things quickly take a turn for the worse when Forest turns up dead in his house and she is the one who finds him. Can she solve the mystery and keep the town from thinking the new girl is a stone cold killer?

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed everyone of Wendy Meadows series thus far, and the first book in the Brown's Grounds mystery is no different. There's mystery, action, and friendships building along with a little spice between Monica (our new resident of Millpond) and Nathan (the sheriff). Monica isn't one for listening well to others especially Sheriff Nathan and gets herself involved in solving a mystery of a man who was nice to her on the day of her arrival but isn't so beloved by the rest of the town. I can't wait to read the second book

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman starting over again in the house her grandfather left her in rural New England finds a lot of craziness, some hope, a few supportive potential friends, and a small handful of chances at a new livelihood.

Stumbling over a bruised law enforcement officer along the way just makes things more complicated, and a bit intriguing, if also befuddling.

Small town community, mysteries and adventures in a quirky and fun to read about locale.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of Brown's Grounds Mystery starring Monica Brown and local cop Nathan. Hilarious and so much fun I have to say I was not sure who did it and loved reading this murder mystery. I loved how sassy and witty Monica is and can’t wait to see what happens next with Nathan and Monica.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a cute, quick, cozy mystery with really funny dialog and plenty of adventure. Plenty of twists and turns that keep you entertained as Nathan and Monica seach for a murderer. What a great mystery with fun characters. This is going to be an amazing series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to be introduced in your new town then finding a dead neighbor. Monica gets right to work with the Sheriff trying to convince him that she is the person to help him solve the case. The humor in the book will have you laughing along with trying to keep up with solving the crime.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series, the storyline is entertaining and the characters are well written. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a lovely and exciting read that’s perfect for fans of spirited female sleuths and quaint small-town settings. I think it is a great way to make sure you love it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Brown's Ground Mystery series. Monica was a nice character, but I didn't really connect with any of the other characters.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set aside three hours for this laugh-out-loud contemporary cozy mystery set in Millpond, Maine where 5'5 Monica Brown has just inherited her Grandpa's house.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is short but a funny book. Monica new in town clashes with the sheriff. It's a good story and the characters are so fypun to read about. I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Sayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Brown moves to small town when she inherits her grandfather’s house. She soon joins the local sheriff in trying to solve the death of a man who had many enemies. This was another great book by Wendy Meadows!!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica and Nathan’s relationship starts out rocky. He rubs her the wrong way. Then, there’s a murder, mystery, and humor that really makes for an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.