Grounds for Murder: A Small Town Coffee Cozy Mystery

Bean There Done That #1

by Maisy Marple

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2026

Reviews

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepping into the bustling world of Sarah Stall and her quaint café, Bagels & Beans, "Grounds for Murder" brewed up a delightful mix of suspense and charm that had me hooked from the get-go. Maisy Marple crafts a tale where dough, danger, and delicious intrigue rise together like a perfectly baked loaf. Sarah, a former corporate climber, finds herself in the thick of a mystery when a food critic keels over after indulging in one of her famous bagels. With her business on the line, Sarah dives headfirst into sleuthing, despite her lack of detective experience. The small town of Clancy is painted with vibrant characters, all of whom seem to have their own closely guarded secrets. The combination of eager amateur sleuth Sarah, her mystery-loving best friend, and her faithful dog, Bean, kept me turning pages faster than a barista making a morning espresso.
This cozy culinary mystery isn't just a whodunnit; it's a delightful escape into a world where the stakes are high, but so is the fun. The pacing is brisk, with enough twists and red herrings to keep even the most seasoned mystery reader guessing. The town of Clancy, with its deeply embedded grudges and buried secrets, adds an extra layer of intrigue that makes "Grounds for Murder" much more than your average cozy read. I found myself rooting for Sarah as she raced against time to clear her name and save her café. The satisfying conclusion tied up the narrative as neatly as a bow on a holiday gift, leaving me eager to dive into more of the "Bean There, Done That" series.
If you’re looking for a story that’s as satisfying as your favorite brew, "Grounds for Murder" is the perfect pick-me-up. So brew yourself a cup, sit back, and let Maisy Marple's tale perk up your day. You’ll find yourself craving more of the "Bean There, Done That" series faster than you can say "double espresso!"

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the4 first in the series. The main character is Sarah. She owns and runs a bagel shop. A food critic is in town and is known for bad reviews that tend to force businesses to close. When the food critic dies in her shop, she is left with only a couple of customers. She decides to start asking questions and tries to figure out who did it. Toward the end she gets some help from the local cops. Can they figure this out before someone else dies?

[Anthony R Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great murder mystery

Missy Maple is a great story teller. This is the fourth murder mystery series I have read. They are all great stories filled with wonderful characters and lots of twists and turns 😀.

[Karen Geurts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story. Wonderful characters and fast paced storyline.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

that’s a cute little short I’ll feel a little funny

I like the way the characters had their own personalities, and it wasn’t necessarily a slow rate. It was also very lighthearted

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

New beginnings

Lots of interesting people, good storyline and plenty of tension makes this a very good beginning book of a promising series—well done!

[XOX · Rating 1 out of 5]

ai;dr.

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