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Kate Saxee Mystery #2
The Devil Wears Tank Tops
"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!" –InD’tale 4.5 Star Review
It’s the most exciting time of the year in Branson Falls, Utah—the annual county fair and parade. Branson Tribune editor, Kate Saxee, is busy covering stories involving animal auctions, the popular “poop drop” lottery, and a clown crash. Oh, and the Branson sugar factory just exploded.
The sugar factory explosion seems strange, and when an unidentified body is found inside, Kate is even more suspicious. In the middle of that investigation, Kate starts noticing other odd things going on around town, like a hot air balloon robbery, and a man’s attempt to wrestle a deer. After Kate has an eventful night that she can’t remember—she realizes something fishy is happening in Branson, and there’s more to it than a little memory loss.
Her investigation leads her down a rabbit hole of mysteries—secrets the mysterious P.I., Hawke, and politician, Drake, are more than willing to help her uncover. Along the way, a poorly negotiated wager forces Kate to spend time with Drake, and suddenly, her feelings about the men in her life are starting to conflict.
As if those things aren’t enough, the Ladies have started a Hate Kate Facebook Group, and Kate’s mom is on a baking vendetta that’s bound to cause an epic Catasophie. Kate’s not sure what waits for her at the end of the rabbit hole, but chances are good it’s more bodies, and if Kate’s not careful, her body might be one of them.
A Kate Saxee Mystery Series Reading Order
1. The Devil Drinks Coffee (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Book 1)
2. Devilishly Short #1 (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Novelette 1)
3. The Devil Wears Tank Tops (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Book 2)
It’s the most exciting time of the year in Branson Falls, Utah—the annual county fair and parade. Branson Tribune editor, Kate Saxee, is busy covering stories involving animal auctions, the popular “poop drop” lottery, and a clown crash. Oh, and the Branson sugar factory just exploded.
The sugar factory explosion seems strange, and when an unidentified body is found inside, Kate is even more suspicious. In the middle of that investigation, Kate starts noticing other odd things going on around town, like a hot air balloon robbery, and a man’s attempt to wrestle a deer. After Kate has an eventful night that she can’t remember—she realizes something fishy is happening in Branson, and there’s more to it than a little memory loss.
Her investigation leads her down a rabbit hole of mysteries—secrets the mysterious P.I., Hawke, and politician, Drake, are more than willing to help her uncover. Along the way, a poorly negotiated wager forces Kate to spend time with Drake, and suddenly, her feelings about the men in her life are starting to conflict.
As if those things aren’t enough, the Ladies have started a Hate Kate Facebook Group, and Kate’s mom is on a baking vendetta that’s bound to cause an epic Catasophie. Kate’s not sure what waits for her at the end of the rabbit hole, but chances are good it’s more bodies, and if Kate’s not careful, her body might be one of them.
A Kate Saxee Mystery Series Reading Order
1. The Devil Drinks Coffee (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Book 1)
2. Devilishly Short #1 (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Novelette 1)
3. The Devil Wears Tank Tops (A Kate Saxee Mystery, Book 2)
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2014
847 people are currently reading
454 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 59 reviews
March 14, 2020
Quickly became a favorite
This series has quickly become one of my favorites. Katie and the rest of the gang will keep you laughing while you quickly turn the pages. #TeamDrake or #TeamHawke ? I’ll never tell!
This series has quickly become one of my favorites. Katie and the rest of the gang will keep you laughing while you quickly turn the pages. #TeamDrake or #TeamHawke ? I’ll never tell!
November 22, 2020
The Devil Drinks Coffee and Wears Tank Tops. The Devil in Branson Falls is most definitely Kate Saxee, even if someone else is running around killing people and she’s the one trying to figure out whodunit.
It’s summer in Branson Falls, and it’s hot–not really to those of us who practically live on the equator, but I digress. So, like lots of reasonable women, Kate wears tanks tops. But that doesn’t fit in with the good Mormon values of Branson Falls, especially when teens in the area start following her sinful example. Neither does her drinking coffee or having a love life. As is typical in cozy mysteries, Kate is as sassy, smart, and fiery as they come. Besides the dangerous mystery at hand, she can’t decide between her two beaus – a choice made even harder this time around as the one she’d taken off the table becomes decidedly more attractive in this book. And no matter what she does, the Ladies of Branson Falls are prepared to take her to task for it – especially with their new fangled Facebook page devoted to spying and chronicling her many sins.
It’s time for the annual county fair, and people are turning up sick and acting wacky all over town. Almost like they’ve been dosed with drugs. Maybe exactly like they’ve been dosed with drugs. And once again it’s up to Branson Fall’s star newspaper editor to save the day. The second book in the Kate Saxee series features the same zany characters and cozy feel as the first one. Anyone from a small town – or the South – will likely recognize a cast of characters similar to those from their own hometowns. Though I’ve never been to Utah, it felt like any number of small Southern towns I’ve called home through the years.
The only thing that gave me pause about this one, making it a little less enjoyable than Kate’s debut was the slight “Reefer Madness,” drugs are always bad tone the book took on as Kate figured out the case. Sure, it’s completely logical that a hyper-religious town wouldn’t want even medical grade marijuana legalized. It’s less believable that Kate, billed as a liberal and educated rule-breaker, would be anti-marijuana in this day and age. When this book was published, Utah already allowed the medical use of CBD and THC. In 2018, their Senate passed a bill legalizing some medical usage. It felt a little like the writer wanted to promote the health benefits, but couldn’t quite stomach it. This is fine, but it stretched the Kate’s character in ways that didn’t feel true to her design.
Despite this strange trip down DARE memory lane, the book was quite enjoyable. Kate’s love triangle inched along, muddying the waters and offering no resolution, which is par for the course in the genre. I’ve seen some drag on for over ten books before offering any real resolution in the romance department. As long as you make it enjoyable – which the author has – it can be the best kind of torture. She teases us appropriately with the two love interests, who are both wrapped up in their own work, which leaves Kate plenty of time to have her own career and interests–like repeatedly getting threatened and almost killed by nefarious groups.
If you love cozy mysteries, you will love these books. Ford hints at naughtiness a little more than some other cozy mysteries I’ve read, which were all G-rated and ready for their Hallmark adaptation, but these characters stop only just shy of the naughty bits. So, if a thrilling mystery with a side of (mostly) clean romance is your preference, this will meet those criteria. I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, "The Devil Drinks Coffee," but this one isn't terribly hard to follow if you stumble upon it first by accident. I’m a big fan of the genre and am pleased that my Kindle advertised this to me.
It’s summer in Branson Falls, and it’s hot–not really to those of us who practically live on the equator, but I digress. So, like lots of reasonable women, Kate wears tanks tops. But that doesn’t fit in with the good Mormon values of Branson Falls, especially when teens in the area start following her sinful example. Neither does her drinking coffee or having a love life. As is typical in cozy mysteries, Kate is as sassy, smart, and fiery as they come. Besides the dangerous mystery at hand, she can’t decide between her two beaus – a choice made even harder this time around as the one she’d taken off the table becomes decidedly more attractive in this book. And no matter what she does, the Ladies of Branson Falls are prepared to take her to task for it – especially with their new fangled Facebook page devoted to spying and chronicling her many sins.
It’s time for the annual county fair, and people are turning up sick and acting wacky all over town. Almost like they’ve been dosed with drugs. Maybe exactly like they’ve been dosed with drugs. And once again it’s up to Branson Fall’s star newspaper editor to save the day. The second book in the Kate Saxee series features the same zany characters and cozy feel as the first one. Anyone from a small town – or the South – will likely recognize a cast of characters similar to those from their own hometowns. Though I’ve never been to Utah, it felt like any number of small Southern towns I’ve called home through the years.
The only thing that gave me pause about this one, making it a little less enjoyable than Kate’s debut was the slight “Reefer Madness,” drugs are always bad tone the book took on as Kate figured out the case. Sure, it’s completely logical that a hyper-religious town wouldn’t want even medical grade marijuana legalized. It’s less believable that Kate, billed as a liberal and educated rule-breaker, would be anti-marijuana in this day and age. When this book was published, Utah already allowed the medical use of CBD and THC. In 2018, their Senate passed a bill legalizing some medical usage. It felt a little like the writer wanted to promote the health benefits, but couldn’t quite stomach it. This is fine, but it stretched the Kate’s character in ways that didn’t feel true to her design.
Despite this strange trip down DARE memory lane, the book was quite enjoyable. Kate’s love triangle inched along, muddying the waters and offering no resolution, which is par for the course in the genre. I’ve seen some drag on for over ten books before offering any real resolution in the romance department. As long as you make it enjoyable – which the author has – it can be the best kind of torture. She teases us appropriately with the two love interests, who are both wrapped up in their own work, which leaves Kate plenty of time to have her own career and interests–like repeatedly getting threatened and almost killed by nefarious groups.
If you love cozy mysteries, you will love these books. Ford hints at naughtiness a little more than some other cozy mysteries I’ve read, which were all G-rated and ready for their Hallmark adaptation, but these characters stop only just shy of the naughty bits. So, if a thrilling mystery with a side of (mostly) clean romance is your preference, this will meet those criteria. I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, "The Devil Drinks Coffee," but this one isn't terribly hard to follow if you stumble upon it first by accident. I’m a big fan of the genre and am pleased that my Kindle advertised this to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
Very good!
The devil wears tank tops is a book that kept me interested the whole time! It was an easy read
The devil wears tank tops is a book that kept me interested the whole time! It was an easy read
October 2, 2020
This book is hilarious and definitely a quick read, since you want to keep reading to find out what happens. Kate Saxee is a newspaper reporter in Branson Falls, Utah, and is covering several interesting stories. A sugar mill has exploded and burned down with an unidentified body inside, a clown in the annual parade seems to be hallucinating and has a heart attack during the parade, and there is a disastrous hot air balloon robbery which ties up traffic and causes several accidents. Worst of all, though, is the situation with Kate's mother, who has always won the cookie contest at the fair. This year, not only does she not win, but the competition is distributing and selling cookies with which the whole town is enamored, a situation that has Sophie, the mom, beyond furious. As Kate has to decide which mysteries to delve into, she is beset by the decision between two extremely handsome men, both of whom want to date her. There are just so many great moments in this book, and quite a few laugh-out-loud ones. This is definitely a great read!
August 19, 2025
Second book in the series! Another fun read! Quick and easy! On to the third!
March 15, 2015
Enjoyed this installment of Katie's adventures in Utah. This time she's working on tracking down the source of some cookies that rival her Mom's famous home-made ones. I figured out what was going on by about halfway through the book but that didn't stop me from enjoying it or reading about her 2 wonderful potential romances.
Was a good read and had a good ending leaving you wanting to pick up the next book to continue the story.
Was a good read and had a good ending leaving you wanting to pick up the next book to continue the story.
February 6, 2020
The series continues perfectly in this second novel. All our favourite characters are back as is the humour, adventure and mystery. The mystery includes a good twist. The potential love triangle between Kate, Drake and Hawke continues to develop. The character development with other town characters also continue to develop. I love the writing in these books. The action captures me in the first pages and continues through to the end. I can hardly wait for the next book.
November 11, 2021
This is the last one in the series for me. While a relatively standard cozy mystery with a decent mystery, (although in this one, the mystery was blindingly obvious from the beginning,) it just seems like the mystery is merely window dressing to talking about lustily panting about sexy men and bashing the Mormon religion.
August 20, 2020
Even as a "fluff" book, this was annoying. I finished it as I wanted to see what the plot line was, the Mother is especially annoying, no one is that naïve and stupid. I did read book 1 which was actually better but the characters are still ditzy and unbelievable. Sorry.
October 11, 2020
Ok, can I just say...I’ve switched from Team Hawke to Team Drake? Lol this book was great read just like the first one!
November 28, 2020
Kate is really drawn into a wacky mystery when stangely potent cookies appear in the only store in town causing usually docile citizens to aggressively fight to possess every last cookie. The lunacy continues as Kate tries to identify an unknown mangled victim that was found in a factory explosion. This interesting drama will entertain you as the mystery is slowly revealed. As always, Kate is the target of the local "Ladies" hate and reproach. And as always, Kate will do her best to ignore their nosiness and live her life. Good Story With Lively Characters and Plenty of Suspense!!!!
February 8, 2021
Lucky girl
Kate has got to be one of the luckiest girls living in Utah. She has the hot and sexy bad boy, Hawks after her and the hot and sexy lawyer turned politician after her as well. One is there when she's in trouble and the other is there when she isn't. This time she gets in trouble with a marijuana protest group. How this all ends will be the end of the book and I'm only going to say that I am loving this series.
Kate has got to be one of the luckiest girls living in Utah. She has the hot and sexy bad boy, Hawks after her and the hot and sexy lawyer turned politician after her as well. One is there when she's in trouble and the other is there when she isn't. This time she gets in trouble with a marijuana protest group. How this all ends will be the end of the book and I'm only going to say that I am loving this series.
October 24, 2020
Still great read but it got a bit repetitive and not as sarcastic as the first book... or maybe I shouldn't have read it right after the first book. The plot with pot was rather obvious even though it got a bit convoluted towards the end. Kate's relationship with Drake got more serious and I am not sure if I like it or not... I am more Hawke team I guess... :-) Let's see what happens next...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
Okay Read, Too Much Like the Evanovich Series.
This book is written well, but still reminds me too much of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. The characters are so exactly like the ones in the Stephanie Plum series that I'm a bit offended. I bought 3,so I will read them...but I just don't feel like I'm reading something "new".
This book is written well, but still reminds me too much of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. The characters are so exactly like the ones in the Stephanie Plum series that I'm a bit offended. I bought 3,so I will read them...but I just don't feel like I'm reading something "new".
August 12, 2025
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Relateable characters, I haven't been so entertained since Janet Evanovich created Stephanie Plum. The plot .moves along quickly enough to keep the reader engaged. Have had several laugh out loud moments and recommend this series to all readers who want to read to be entertained.
Relateable characters, I haven't been so entertained since Janet Evanovich created Stephanie Plum. The plot .moves along quickly enough to keep the reader engaged. Have had several laugh out loud moments and recommend this series to all readers who want to read to be entertained.
May 14, 2019
Great
A very suspenseful book for the 2nd installment in this series. I hope there are more to come! I enjoy all the characters in this small town, and I really want to know what happens next
A very suspenseful book for the 2nd installment in this series. I hope there are more to come! I enjoy all the characters in this small town, and I really want to know what happens next
October 31, 2019
Feeling Good!
I love books with humor and a good story. I also like books that make me feel better. The Devil Wears Tank Tops counts in all of these areas and I'm looking forward to the next book!
I love books with humor and a good story. I also like books that make me feel better. The Devil Wears Tank Tops counts in all of these areas and I'm looking forward to the next book!
January 30, 2020
Such a great read
I have read this book (and the first in the series) several times now. I just completed a reread in anticipation of the new book coming out. I love the snark, humor, mystery, and well rounded characters.
I have read this book (and the first in the series) several times now. I just completed a reread in anticipation of the new book coming out. I love the snark, humor, mystery, and well rounded characters.
March 6, 2020
I love Kate's adventures! This book centers on her Mom and her cookies. I'm intrigued by Kate and her love triangle. Who to pick? Can you choose both? I thought that it was a great read that left me chuckling out loud. I want Kate's mom.
October 8, 2020
Reporter Discovers Source of Drugged Cookies
I enjoyed this second book in Angela Corbett's dried featuring Kate Saxee. I enjoyed her mother's antics and t the escapades of other characters.
I enjoyed this second book in Angela Corbett's dried featuring Kate Saxee. I enjoyed her mother's antics and t the escapades of other characters.
December 5, 2020
So Fun!
I enjoy going along with Kate as she investigates stories for her local newspaper and solves mysteries with her three hunks! I loved this one just as much as the first and am looking forward to the third. More catasophies, please!
I enjoy going along with Kate as she investigates stories for her local newspaper and solves mysteries with her three hunks! I loved this one just as much as the first and am looking forward to the third. More catasophies, please!
January 1, 2021
I enjoyed
It kept me reading while Late was chasing details for a huge story. Still nosey Ladies club in her business with 2 or should I say 3 hot men to keep you dreaming and interested. I already have the next books of hers to read during this New Year's weekend😊
It kept me reading while Late was chasing details for a huge story. Still nosey Ladies club in her business with 2 or should I say 3 hot men to keep you dreaming and interested. I already have the next books of hers to read during this New Year's weekend😊
May 19, 2021
It keeps getting better
Wowza, what a book! It’s definitely a mystery but an, the sparks fly with both of Kate’s suitors and I really don’t care who she ends up with, they’re both great. It was funny and well written, I loved it!
Wowza, what a book! It’s definitely a mystery but an, the sparks fly with both of Kate’s suitors and I really don’t care who she ends up with, they’re both great. It was funny and well written, I loved it!
January 18, 2024
Nice smooth read
Found this series by accident and so glad I did!
The writing is fast paced and fun, keeps you guessing, twisting and turning.
Its a cute page turner after reading a darker book. Its PERFECT!
Found this series by accident and so glad I did!
The writing is fast paced and fun, keeps you guessing, twisting and turning.
Its a cute page turner after reading a darker book. Its PERFECT!
April 24, 2024
Cute story, although I pretty much figured out what was happening early on, and just needed the why. I also like that the story moves Kate's story forward, and spends time fleshing out some of the other main characters. I'll be reading the next one soon!
January 4, 2018
Fun
A goof lite read when you want to escape the heavy stuff of life. Predictable in some places but good twists at the end. Would have given 3&1/2 if that was available.
A goof lite read when you want to escape the heavy stuff of life. Predictable in some places but good twists at the end. Would have given 3&1/2 if that was available.
January 30, 2018
A fun, light read
I love how quickly I can read these books. They make me giggle out loud. I can't wait for the next one.
I love how quickly I can read these books. They make me giggle out loud. I can't wait for the next one.
August 8, 2019
Unexpected
Another good book in this series. Can't wait for the next book. Good story, romance, mystery and humor. Can't ask for anything more.
Another good book in this series. Can't wait for the next book. Good story, romance, mystery and humor. Can't ask for anything more.
February 8, 2020
Oh my I just love the antics in these books! Can't wait to read the next one!
July 27, 2020
This is a fun series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews