Moonlight Murder Mystery Club: A Bitter Taste

by Blake Rivers

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2026

Reviews

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: A Bitter Taste by Blake Rivers
The Perfect Blend: Cats and Coffee
What makes a Cozy Mystery truly gripping for me is the atmosphere, and this book nailed it. As someone who absolutely loves coffee and cats, having those elements woven into the story made it feel personal and incredibly immersive. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a hot cup of coffee and your favorite feline friend while you dive into the secrets of Crescent Harbor.
The Mystery: More Than Just Scones
The plot starts with a bang—or rather, a corpse—and never lets up. Sage Holloway is a fantastic protagonist. Watching her defend her employee while navigating the "bitter taste" of local politics and dangerous secrets was thrilling. The "strange sediment" in the coffee cup was a clever touch that kept me guessing until the very end.
A New Indie Discovery
This was my first time reading Blake Rivers, and the only question I have is: Why did it take me so long to discover this author? The writing is polished, the pacing is spot on, and the world-building is charming yet mysterious. As a reader committed to supporting Indie authors, finding a talent like this is like finding a hidden gem in a bookstore.
Final Verdict
If you love small-town mysteries with heart, high stakes, and a touch of caffeine, this is a must-read. It’s professional, engaging, and atmospheric. I’m officially a fan and can't wait to see what else is brewing in this series.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars ★★★★★
Excellent Work!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a first in a series this is pretty good but I will say I have some issues. Firstly there is a lot of repetitive statements. I don’t know if this is just an editing issue or on purpose but it’s confusing because you’re like didn’t they just figure that out like five pages ago? Also when Sage starts her investigation she locks onto a person with no justification and then builds a case based on that initial feeling. Now grated the evidence does come but unless you’re writing a Columbo type book where we see the crime happen and know who it is and then follow along as the detective/sleuth figures it out it doesn’t work. It’s careless and is the exact reason why every cop in every mystery says leave things to the professionals. So overall a decent beginning but I think there is some room for improvement. My two cents your mileage may vary. I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest review.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bitter Taste, first in the Moonlight Murder Mystery Club series is a hit for me. It has everything I like in a cozy mystery, a relatable main character, a fun mystery and an adorable cat!

Sage Halloway opens a bakery in Crescent Harbor. When a Victor Hale, a developer drops dead, police hone in on Sage's employee. Sage knows that she didn't commit the murder and does all she can to prove that.

I really enjoyed this book. It shows exactly what small town life can be like. Shadow needs more to do in the next few books!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the most hated man in Cresent Harbor dies, the small town's gossip mill begins. Sage begins to investigate when her employee Lily is suspected of killing Victor Hale. With help from members of the Moonlight Murder Mystery Club, Sage begins to realize small town's may know everyone's business, but there are still lots of secrets hidden. The vivid and detailed descriptions of the town, people and scenes really helped immerse me into this story. I love the continuing mystery at the end of this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series. I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bitter Taste is a Superb story and start of a series about Sage Holloway a Coffee Shop Owner and a cat who suddenly appeared that she called Shadow. Someone was found dead in his office. Chief Angela Reyes comes to investigate. Sage begins to look into the mystery with the assistance of Owen. They follow the clues and some clues are very surprising. But can they uncover the truth?

I enjoyed the story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical cozy and I feel this is a series you will need to read in order. It had a death and the mystery was solved BUT, there's a bigger mystery that is just getting started. That is the part that isn't typical and very intriguing.

This is also about strong, smart, independent women and a town that works together if you are looking for those types of characters.

Really looking forward to the next book in this series as I want to see where this mystery goes.

Received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion

[L.B.F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an easy and quick story, but ultimately the story felt a bit too simple or easy for my taste. The pacing moves quickly, which keeps the book easy to get through (I literally read it in 2 hours), but it also felt a little lacking in depth of the plot and characters. (Why add the weird cat if it is not going to play a bigger part in the mystery than looking at people or acting weirdly?) Most of the twists were easy to anticipate, which took away some of the tension and surprise. Honestly, while not a bad read, it didn’t leave much of a lasting impression for me.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written Cozy Murder Mystery. Sage moved to her childhood vacation town to open a bakery. She has a quizzical mind and when a real estate developer is dead from an alleged heart attack, Sage starts asking questions.

This story is a wonderful little cozy story and she gets lots of help from everyone.

But there are secrets that need to be discovered. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Good read for young chapter readers and older adults as well.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Kill is Book 5 in an Egret's Loft Murder Mystery by T E Harkins. Madeline is looking forward to peace and quiet, wanting nothing to do with murder. Of course, Belly has other ideas. While I am sad to see this series come to a completion, it is a wonderful series. I found the "killer" to be unique and it was an excellent mystery. If you enjoy good books, with an excellent mystery, I think you will enjoy Egret's Loft. I received an arc for free and have left my review voluntarily.

[BookHound]

This is the first book I've read of Blake Rivers and plan on continuing, especially this series. If a book has cats, I will read it. This cozy mystery kept my attention throughout the story. Sage just wanted less stress being her own boss in a bakery, she didn't count on solving a murder. Characters are relatable (just substitute a person you dislike for the developer ;) ), small town cozy feel, and a side kick Shadow cat. I received an ARC and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. A good cozy that had suspense with Sage and her pup Shadow trying to help Lily. When Lily becomes the main person of interest in a murder Sage knows she must help her employee. Good mystery with the twists keeping me off balance as I read the book. I can't wait for the next one in this series.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable start to a series. Sage runs a coffee shop and bakery and decides to investigate when her employee becomes the main suspect in the murder of the main real estate developer in town. He was not a popular man but who would go that far?

I liked how Sage, despite being new in town, quickly gets to know the locals and finds many are eager to pass on beneficial information to her. To what end though? The presence of the cat adds a bit of a supernatural nature to the story and as for those lavender scones...mmmm....

It was a short enough read but that was fine. No unnecessary padding present at all, and it was a very easy read. I look forward to reading the next one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Callista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy murder mystery if there ever was one, I loved the intrigue and the way the bakery became the central meeting place. The description of Shadow added to the mystery and delight in these pages. Sage is such a believable and real character that knows just how to ask the right questions without getting into trouble. Something you don't see often enough in most murder mysteries. It proves you don't need to be a damsel in distress to solve a crime. I certainly didn't expect the twist at the end and can't wait for the next book. What will happen when the mastermind behind it all is finally unmasked? I NEED to know!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great first book in the Moonlight Murder Mystery Club series. I plan to read future books. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know Sage and the other people of Crescent Harbor. I loved the cat, Shadow, who pretty much “adopted” Sage. The characters provide a real sense of small town community. And how can you not fall in love with Emma?! I am looking forward to spending more time at The Proving Ground.

Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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