The Man in the Microwave Oven

Theo Bogart Mysteries #2

by Susan Cox

Following Susan Cox’s MB/MWA First Crime Novel award-winning debut, this is her next delightfully quirky mystery featuring San Francisco transplant Theo Bogart.

Following Susan Cox’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel award-winning debut, The Man on the Washing Machine, comes her next quirky, charming mystery featuring San Francisco shop owner Theo Bogart. To escape a family scandal in her native England, Theo changed her name and moved to San Francisco, where she runs a soap store called Aromas. But her quiet new life was upended when a murder rocked her neighborhood. Now, just as the dust is settling, Theo’s best friend, Nat Moore, finds a human finger in the microwave oven at his coffee shop. Not knowing what it means or what to do, he turns to Theo for help. Meanwhile, Theo’s grandfather is disappearing back into the shadowy world he used to inhabit as an agent for the British Secret Service, and he may have brought an even bigger breed of trouble right to Theo’s doorstep.

Once again Susan Cox has painted a delightful portrait of a colorful San Francisco neighborhood and a woman finding her way through just the kind of scandalous mystery she was trying so hard to leave behind.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Amateur Sleuth

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 2017

About the author

Like the heroine of my traditional mysteries I was born in England, and before The Man on the Washing Machine won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur Books First Crime Novel Award I was a journalist, a non-profit fundraiser and marketing specialist for a safari park.

If my schedule allows, I would be happy to participate in your book club meeting via Zoom to discuss The Man in the Microwave Oven. Contact me via my website: www.susancox.net

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo left England after family drama and the paparazzi became too much for her, and when she relocated to San Francisco, she assumed a new identity. Now she owns a shop called Aromas which sells scented soaps and shampoos. When an obnoxious attorney from the neighborhood is murdered, Theo starts to investigate. Was the woman blackmailing people, and did she know Theo's true identity? Did her mysterious past in Kiev have any bearing on her death? I especially enjoyed this entertaining mystery's San Francisco setting. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What joy to find a new (to me) modern mystery series. I love author Susan Cox’s stylish and funny narrative, quirky characters, San Fran setting, and gutsy protagonist, Theo Bogart. That crazy title and colorful cover sealed the deal.

I dug the first chapter so much that I knew I had to read book one first.* I did, and became an instant fangirl.

Book two is also set in San Fran, with many of the same offbeat characters, wry humor, and gripping mystery.

Theo, once a paparazzo in Europe, is now owner of Aroma, a bath and body shop. She’s been on the run from a terrible family tragedy in England, her birth country, and hopes to create a new anonymous life in the City by the Bay.

But bodies start piling up and Theo, in part to protect her past, feels compelled to investigate. As she toils to uncover the truth, she finds more unsettling things about her family, especially her British grandfather who moved to SF to keep an eye on her. Can you say, “Spies?” I knew that you could.

I think Theo and I could be besties. She’s funny, bright, inquisitive, and her own person. When she left her Louboutins behind in London, she switched to tees and jeans. Plus she loves jazz and Jobim and tea — a hip trifecta. What a gal! What a book!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 03 Nov 2020

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheManintheMicrowaveOven #NetGalley

* (The Man on the Washing Machine, Cox’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel award-winning debut.)

[3 no 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Man in the Microwave Oven” is eccentric, funny, and original. This book two in the “Theo Bogart Mystery” series, but Cox carefully folds previous characters and relationships into the current storyline so first-time readers can easily follow along. Theophania Bogart has escaped drama and trauma in England, has relocated to San Francisco, and readers are glad of it. The atmosphere and personality of the city comes through on every page. Theo gets coffee from a place where the letter “o” is fashioned into a coffee bean and a one-car garage in the Mission District sells for $300,000. If the day were sunny, she could see a panoramic view of the wide sands of Ocean Beach, but mostly she sees the completely opaque curtain of fog.

The drama unfolds in Theo’s first person narrative. Readers hear what she says, what others say, and what she thinks about it all. She is a fierce, following in the grand tradition of fierce women in underwear: Wonder Woman, Brandi Chastain. When her friend Nat finds something “shocking” in a microwave oven, Theo is the person to dive in and look for answers, although having the microwave seized by police can be seen as positive by people who want to avoid GMOs, high tension power lines, and cell phone radiation. Another body is found, and things get more serious after that – NOT!

“The Man in the Microwave Oven” has mystery, but not at the expense of fun and entertainment. Clues are hidden in the trash among the McDonald’s wrappers and coffee cups. The characters are compelling with a sense of humor. I received a copy of “The man in the microwave Oven” from Susan Cox and Minotaur Books. It has enough crime, suspense, and mystery to be compelling but an abundance of hilarity and amusement to balance it out.

[Gail C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in a series by Susan Cox featuring Theo Bogart who has moved to San Francisco from England to get away from a troubled past. Her past is alluded to numerous times in the book but there is no explanation. There are also references to the first book and how her relationships to secondary characters in this novel may have developed and changed there, however these are also not explained. The result is a slight feeling that I’ve come in on the second half of a story and I’m left trying to piece together how past relationships are affecting present ones. I would strongly recommend if someone is interested in this series they begin with the first book so they have a better understanding of how the various characters all piece together.
The book is complete, with a well defined mystery and sufficient clues for the reader to solve the puzzle on their own. It moves at a rapid pace, sometimes feeling as if portions of the book are not as flushed out as they might be to give the story more depth. The characters, also, are a bit shallow although there is information that indicates they could be interesting if more details were there for the reader to delve into during the read.
It is an easy read, one that can be picked up and put down as you engage in other activities; so it might be a good beach or airplane read. There are several interesting elements in the series, particularly Theo’s grandfather’s history and group of friends. Theo’s relationship with two other characters, Davie/Davo and Haruto; both of whom seem to have unique characteristics that would be interesting to explore.

[Nev March · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping mystery will keep you guessing

Enjoyed the San Fran ambiance , the delightful characters and the never ending red herrings. Most of all I simply loved the voice!

Susan Cox writes a droll complicated and riveting mystery, which is also side splittingly funny.
An impossible task, you say? You haven’t read this one!

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Cox's second offering in the Theo Bogart Mystery series seems a whole lot less Tales Of The City...
And entirely too much...
Espionage and geriatric spy rings, dead priests, mutilated body parts, philanthropic endeavors gone awry, and just plain weird.

Not helping matters in the least is the fact that most of the original cast that helped to make the first book so readable was either killed off or jailed in said first book. Has left for some reason or other. Or has paired up in some semblance of decidedly murder free domesticity.
Causing Theo to call in the help of her grandfather and by extension the aforementioned geriatric Branch of the Secret Service. To solve the murder of resident bitch, Katrina Dermody.

A woman who, as luck would have it. Proves tons more interesting in death than she was in life.
With ties to a dead priest, whose mutilated hand ends up inside the microwave at the local coffee shop. A not so above board orphanage in Kiev, and the local homeless man who often camped out on front of their building.

While it is quite clear that Ms. Cox makes a valiant effort to both construct and support both a captivating storyline and plot. The transience of the new cast members. Coupled with the forced complexity that the espionage elements brings to things. Takes away away from the homey atmosphere of the first book and makes the Katrina's killer far easier to spot.
A great many of the more jaw dropping moments are found in those revelations about Katrina and her connections. Than can ever be attributed to her untimely demise.

*I would like to take this opportunity to thank Netgalley and Minotour Books for providing the review copy on which my honest critique is based.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man in the Microwave Oven is a fast-paced mystery set in San Francisco. The main character is Theo Bogart, a woman who fled London after her parents died suddenly and is living under an assumed name. Her backstory is explained somewhat in the book, so, even though I haven’t read the first book in this series, I got the gist of things pretty easily. Theo (short for Theophania) is the owner of a store that sells upscale soaps, shampoos, lotions and things of that sort. She is active in her neighborhood association. Her neighborhood is threatened by a planned condominium development and that provides the backdrop for this story. The story gets kind of convoluted with references to an orphanage in Ukraine, but it all works out in the end, of course. I’d call it a cozy mystery, in that Theo is trying to get to the bottom of a crime and she’s an amateur, but this is not your typical cozy mystery setup. Trouble seems to find her, as this is not the first crime she’s been involved in, in just the short amount of time she’s lived in this San Francisco neighborhood.

I enjoyed the many neighborhood characters and Theo’s grandfather and his “friends.” The lyrics of Dire Straits song about a microwave oven became an ear worm while I read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Susan Tunis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd read the first book in this mystery series several years ago, and somehow missed this sequel published in 2017. And I'll be honest, this was comfort reading, pure and simple.

What's so comforting about murder, I hear you asking. Well, not only is it set in my erstwhile home of San Francisco, it's set in a fictionalized version of my exact neighborhood of the last several years. Living an isolated life in an unfamiliar city for the last eight months, that level of familiarity is deeply comforting. Even if someone has to die.

And while there's nothing comic about these mysteries, there's a bit of a lightness nonetheless. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it might just be that SF setting again. It's such a colorful city that it's basically a character itself. Speaking of characters, British expat-with-a-secret Theo continues to be an appealing lead, and her neighbors provide excellent support. The mystery itself is competently executed.

Having discovered this book a few years late on the virtual shelves of the SFPL, I am now disappointed to see this is the author's last published work to date. Looks like that provocative ending never will be resolved in a third in the series. Bummer.

[Myarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man in the Microwave Oven by Susan Cox 4 stars

This is the next book in a series featuring Theo Bogart. I'll confess I didn't read the first book, The Man on the Washing Machine, but I read an excerpt of this book in Cozy Case Files Volume 10 and had to ask for an ARC. The main character, Theo Bogart, runs a store (Aromas) in San Francisco. She has a lot of quirky neighbors and is a representative of the local neighborhood association. She happens to stumble on two dead bodies during the course of this book and has to solve the mystery because her grandfather ends up as a suspect for one of the murders.

I really enjoyed this book over a period of several evenings and laughed at a few of the scenes. The author got the color and character of the City By the Bay spot on. In fact, the city of San Francisco could be called an additional character. There is a mystery surrounding Theo and the author sets things up that even if you haven't read the first book, you are not lost. I look forward to the next book in this series and seeing Theo hit the next part of her life - co-habitation.

Thank you Netgalley and St, Martin's Press for this ARC.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first in this series, and I loved this one, but only if such an emotion can be combined with a deep annoyance at the heroine's idiocy. Just to try something that isn't a spoiler--she flees London before the first book starts, landing in San Francisco, dyes her hair, changes her last name--but keeps her rather distinctive first name, Theophania. When an obnoxious lawyer with many enemies in the neighborhood is murdered, Theo knows that the murderer did her a favor: the lawyer was one of three people in San Francisco who knows who she was. But she finds it necessary to break into the lawyer's office to remove any documents that named her. Then an elderly priest comes looking for Theo's grandfather, and is promptly murdered, leading Theo to find some secrets about her family. Indignant as she is about being kept in the dark, she continues to lie to her significant other and her close friends. And she walks into the killer's clutches and is almost dispatched.

[LeeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frothy, fun, funny brain candy. I was halfway through when I realized this was the second book in a new series. Off to read the first. Definitely pick this one up if you're in the mood for something light and entertaining.

[Sandra Hutchison]

I was offered a copy of this by the publisher, and since I'd enjoyed the first volume of the series I was happy to accept. I would say it's probably a better read if you've finished the first book more recently than I had, because I spent the first half wondering how well I was supposed to remember the secondary characters, though they do establish themselves well enough for this to stand on its own. The heroine, Theo, is once again a lot of fun and her interactions with her small neighborhood community in San Francisco are once again my favorite part of the book. Her grandfather and his friends play an interesting role in this one, too. As for the plot ... well, it's creative, but I'm not really a big mystery reader and I figured out who it was really early. And I'll confess I was a bit annoyed when the heroine at one key point was pretty stupid even after she had her suspicions. Over all, though, this was a very fast and enjoyable read, and it was fun to hang out with people who aren't having to take precautions and social distance in a pandemic. I look forward to future books in the series. Disclaimer: I'm also Facebook friends with the author.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband hates the word “plopped.” I feel the same about “quirky” a ubiquitous word used in describing many, many cozies. But sometimes “quirky” (just like “plopped”) actually applies. In the case of Susan Cox’s Theo Bogart mysteries. I was surprised at almost every turn, and delightfully so, by the array of characters and situations presented by this obviously talented new writer. Quirky does apply.

This is book two in this series, the first one winning the Minotaur/Mystery Writers of America First Crime novel award, and it’s been a long time coming. The first novel, The Man on the Washing Machine, was published in 2015. Theophania Bogart is a poor little rich girl. She’s fled a terrible family tragedy back home in England, and landed in San Francisco, where she’s established a comfortable new life for herself.

She’s part of a small neighborhood within the city, and she’s a small business owner. Her store, “Aromas” sells high class soaps and lotions, and her best buddy, Nat, owns a coffee shop “The Coffee” down the street. The neighborhood is in a battle with a woman who wants to destroy their – yes, quirky – neighborhood with a tower of fancy condos. No one likes her. When Theo discovers her dead in her car one morning, she’s drawn into the investigation, as the woman’s death seems to touch many elements of her own life.

This sounds like a pretty standard cozy set-up, really, down to the adorable, classy English grandfather who has followed Theo to San Francisco. When a man who appears to be a Russian priest shows up in Theo’s shop looking for her grandfather shortly after the murder, and Theo reaches out to her grandfather, only to be told they must meet in person and not discuss this over the phone, the plot really becomes tricky.

Cox ties together a number of elements in this original and surprising narrative. She creates a cozy universe for her character – but it’s San Francisco, so her universe includes a homeless man, a priest running a day shelter, her gay coffee shop owning sidekick, and an assortment of neighbors as well as her employees. One of them is a computer whiz (and hacker) and one is getting through high school on his own despite the best efforts of his negligent father.

Then there’s Theo’s boyfriend, who is off at law school but who appears halfway through the book, stirring up all kinds of conflicting emotions for her. Her new friends don’t know about the notorious tragedy she’s fled from (spelled out, again, about halfway through) and she’s reluctant to expose her past and be tracked down by the world’s paparazzi.

Her grandfather turns out to have a surprising past of his own which reveals itself throughout the novel, which ties into the mystery. The mystery includes some body parts found in the microwave at the coffee shop, a disappearing homeless man, spies, Russian priests, an orphanage, and a main character who is finding herself through solving crimes. That last is the only actual traditional cozy element. Cox has more in common with, again, quirky writers like David Handler, Lawrence Block (in Bernie Rhodenbarr mode) or E.J. Copperman than she does with the traditional cozy universe. As a twist, her dog is cranky and there’s no cat to be seen anywhere (except for feral city cats).

As I read I was captivated, surprised, puzzled, delighted and all around captivated by this book. I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I loved Theo and wanted to know more about her. I was impressed with the plotting which seems like a mish mash of elements until the talented Cox at last draws the threads together at the end. Clues were provided for the astute reader throughout, and I caught some, but not all, of them. What a great reading experience, one I hope will be repeated with another book sooner rather than later.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I missed the debut mystery by Susan Cox, The Man on the Washing Machine and almost missed this one. It didn't take me long to remedy that. First, I had no trouble reading them out of order. Enough information was supplied about Theo's situation to let me enjoy The Man in the Microwave Oven. Theo has a major life secret and it's getting harder and harder to keep it secret. She has changed her name, bought an apartment building using a shell company and has opened Aromas where she sells essential oils, soaps and related bath items. Part of her secret is that she is wealthy and famous back home in England but tragedy struck her family and caused her to run to San Fransisco and a new life. That life should be good but there is one serious fly in the ointment. Real estate is very, very expensive and a most unpleasant neighborhood lawyer is trying to do a deal to build condos, threatening the local vibe. The woman knows how to find info on people so she can use it against them. She has a file on Theo and some of her friends. Was any of that the reason the woman is found dead in her Tesla at 5am not far from Theo's shop? Did one of Theo's neighbors bash her head in? When her employee, Davie and her grandfather are arrested for murder, Theo has to find the killer. There are more than a few things about her past and that of her grandfather that the police inspector doesn't know and Theo would like to keep it that way.
The first thing that hooked me was the pace of the writing and Theo's voice. It's smooth and kept me totally immersed in the story. The vivid setting of San Fransisco was a big plus. The mystery itself was very well crafted and had me guessing wrong more than once. I hope there will be future mysteries for Theo to solve and more information about her past. I'm holding a spot on my TBR list for them.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Carol lowkey.bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series, The Man on the Washing Machine, to get some background before reading the current book. Although it isn’t necessary to do so, I am glad that I did.

In this second installment we get to learn more about Theo and her Grandfather. There are also a whole host of characters from the neighborhood, some from the first book plus a handful of other new characters. This is both a blessing and a curse--the characters are colorful and add a ton of interest, but most of them lack the depth I needed to get to know them better. Especially Ben, I need more of Ben. Who is he really? I need some depth to his character and their relationship ASAP.

The setting is perfect, a small neighborhood in San Francisco. It sounds like a place I’d like to visit with the coffee shop, sweet shop, soap shop...but seriously, where is the bookstore? I am rooting for a bookstore in the next installment.

At one point, Theo thinks to herself that this murder could have a cast of dozens like a modern version of Murder on the Orient Express. I agree. Because of this, I was happy the author used a plot device that I really enjoy, especially when I am a bit tangled up like I was in this story. The author takes a chapter and has the main character run through all of the players and their possible motives and alibis. This saved the book from being a total jumbled mess where I had the potential to be lost the entire time. However, this came a little late for me, with only 10% of the book to go.

All in all, I enjoyed the characters, setting, and mystery enough to gladly read the next installment in this mystery series.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a title that can't be ignored for obvious reasons. And the cover art reminds me of that picture that made its rounds on twitter last year of the diner--where the longer you looked at it, the more wrong it became. I was thrilled to be approved and quickly gave it a read.

Theo is adjusting to life outside of England in a colorful neighborhood in San Fran where she runs a soap shop. She's made some friends and has adjusted well after some family upheaval, but her life takes a chaotic turn when a murder rocks her neighborhood.

This is my first experience with a cozy mystery, and it was delightful. Theo was a quirky narrator with a lot of heart. I loved her descriptions and her reactions to the English language. You never realize how difficult and odd English is until you get an outside perspective, and her handling of, for example, coffee or java added such charm to her character. Her relationships, too, were fun. I loved Nat and his coffee shop, and their interactions felt wonderfully awkward--not cringey, but cute.

The mysteries, too, are endearing and fun. Standard as far as suspect lists and scouting out suspicions, but Cox handles the structure well, and the plot reveals are well-paced and executed.

Overall, this is a great summer read--the perfect blend of entertainment and action--but it would also fit right at home in front of a fire with a PSL and slippers.

Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining novel this is! I don't know how I missed the first one but I did and that didn't matter a whit because Cox wisely catches you up (spooling it out a bit) on the life of Theo Bogart (not her real name btw), a British expat resident (hiding out) in San Francisco, along with her grandfather. Theo fled the UK after a tragic incident involving her parents; she's resettled nicely, bought a business, built a life. Then one day a priest turns up and wants to speak with her grandfather who, as it turns out, worked as an intelligence officer. Oh, and she finds the local pain in the neck attorney murdered in her new Tesla. You will quickly find yourself in Theo's world- alongside Nat who owns a coffee shop and the others who populate her neighborhood. Then she and Nat find a hand (well, entwined fingers) in a microwave oven he's just bought and they're off. There's more murder, a kidnapping, and some slightly implausible if amusing things that go on. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Great dialogue, a plucky heroine, and terrific use of local color make this an excellent read. Oh- and the plot and the storytelling are wonderful. I hope to see more from Theo.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3.5 stars!

This title makes me giggle in itself because it is so unique. This series can’t be ignored because the titles and covers are so good. This series is a perfect blend of action, mystery, and entertainment. A lighter mystery that doesn’t require too much thinking.

The Man in the Microwave Oven is the second book of the series and it definitely picks up where book one, The Man on the Washing Machine, left off. My only complaint about the second book is I don’t think it can act as a standalone. There are so many characters and references to the first book that don’t include an explanation. I know that’s the point of a series, but I personally prefer an explanation to book one’s references!

This story is fast-paced with a lot of important moving parts that ends up tying together really well. It’s quirky and humorous that kept me on my feet.

But one of my favorite things about this series is that it takes place in San Francisco. After living there for three years, I enjoyed all the local references and knew exactly where the characters were at all times.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy series, this is for you.

Big thank you to Net Galley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This second Theo Bogart mystery, with its well-depicted San Francisco setting, doesn't disappoint. Theo has a mystery past involving a horrid crime in her aristocratic British family, which caused her to flee to the U.S. and change her name and appearance to avoid a public outing. Even her boyfriend and closest friends don't know her real identity and that is a problem for Theo as time passes and she feels guilty about her deceptions.

Theo and her neighbors are fighting with a developer when the developer's bitchy lawyer is found shot. This same woman had threatened Theo with exposure so Theo is nervous about what the murder investigation will uncover. In the meantime, side plots emerge having to do with Theo's upper class grandfather's secret agent history, and a Russian orphanage that might be a front for embezzlement. And priests -- there are several in this story and things don't end well for them.

Theo is a good character although she sometimes cluelessly puts herself in danger. The plotting is complex but interesting and the set of characters is well-drawn. San Francisco and its culture are affectionately sketched and this is an enjoyable read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thinking that this is also a kind of satire on spy novels as well as being a pretty good murder mystery. Theo is a Britisher who ran to the far side of the US because of majorly bad press, but the reader doesn't get to know what the issues were until a third of the way into the book. When she fled, her wealthy grandfather promptly followed to be there for her as well as provide further financial backup. Theo owns and operates a fragrance business and has an assortment of friends in the neighborhood and one bete noire common to all the neighbors, a nasty blackmailer of a lawyer. Of course Theo is the one to find the lawyer murdered in her Tesla, and not long enough later she finds fingers in the microwave of her friend's coffeeshop and the rest of the body in another area of the neighborhood. But then things get crazy. Even crazier than the characters. A very interesting read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book suffered a bit because of my mental state while reading it. First, really stressed out, followed up several days of having a fever. I still wanted to read it, though! But I'm sure I missed some details.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a complicated and interesting mystery with lots of action. The characters are a lot of fun. I did not yet read the first book in the series, and I did miss a more comprehensive overview. I felt like I was jumping into the middle of a story that I wasn't oriented to, making it hard for me to keep the characters straight or understand their history with our protagonist. A little more introduction of the established background would have been extremely helpful.

There was one twist that came out of left field for me and felt really unresolved. I hope that Cox comes back to that bit in the next book because it could use some more wrap-up.

I've already reserved the first book from the library and would be happy to read more in this series. An interesting and unique series for sure!

[Bri Childs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming and quirky mystery with a cozy atmosphere and colorful characters.

This was a lovely and quick read for cozy mystery lovers. I enjoyed the familial cast of characters in their San Francisco neighborhood and there were so many highlights of human decency and reminders to care for those around you. As an avid mystery reader, I found it well played out, but not a hugely shocking reveal at the end. The finale also came on a bit quickly, but I realize the focus here was more on environment and characters than suspense.

Overall, a quick and fun read that’s easy to pick up even if you missed the first one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press + Minotaur Books for the advanced review copy!

[Alicja · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful cozy mystery. Theo Bogart has made a life for herself in San Francisco after leaving England due to a family tragedy. It seems like this gets covered in the first novel, but enough was hinted throughout that it was fine to be read as a standalone. Great setting, atmospheric San Fran neighborhood, quirky cast of characters and some dead bodies turning up. Theo, with the help of some of her friends, scurries around San Fran trying to solve the murders, from decrepit buildings to a strip club, all while running her small business and keeping an eye on the neighborhood. I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to mystery lovers. It's a little more colorful and gory than a traditional cozy mystery but it has some of those characteristics. Can't wait to go back and read the first installment. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to the first Theo Bogart mystery, The Man in the Washing Machine. Theo is a mystery herself, due to the fact the she moved a continent away from her native London, change your name and and now lives a boring existence as the owner of Aromas, a shop where she makes soap and shampoos. The only people that know her true identity and history are her Grandfather and a Homicide Inspector with the San Francisco Police Department. When Katrina, a journalist from a gossip rag magazine starts asking around about Theo. She knows its only a matter of time before everybody knows her true identity. Until Katrina turns up murdered at it leads to more questions than answers

[McGarvey Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, zany characters and a dead body. This is the second Susan Cox book I've read. Her strength, aside from crafting clever mystery plots with many twists and turns is in developing complicated and rich characters with warts and quirks galore. Not only are her characters unique and memorable but the setting itself is so exquisitely described that it too becomes another character. There is a cozy element to this book but also moments where it gets gritty and those come as a nice surprise throughout the story. Highly recommend!

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free ebook copy of The Man in the Microwave Oven from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Theo is a British expat who owns a soap store in San Francisco. She is trying to keep a low profile and avoid detection after events in her native England. Murder is not very low profile and so when her neighborhood becomes the scene of one, she is definitely concerned. The murder ends up leading to a world of international espionage, old spies, and more entanglements with her family. An okay mystery read.

[Emily Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.

The Man in the Microwave Oven is a murder mystery set in San Francisco, centred around main character Theo...Bogart (you'll understand when you read it) and a cast of her unique friends, family and neighbours. I was hooked from the early pages, and found it easily readable (and enjoyable) despite not having read the first book. Hoping there are more to come in the Theo Bogart Mysteries series!

[Lacey Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. I felt I need to go back and read the first to truly understand the characters full story. Theo Bogart who has moved to San Francisco from England to get away from a troubled past. As she is settling in and deciding how much to share of her past life she finds a body in her Tesla. This is my first time reading a Susan Cox novel and it won’t be my last. The title alone catches your attention!
#TheManintheMicrowaveOven #NetGalley

[PeggySue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook. I did read the first book, The Man on the Washing Machine, which introduced and gave added depth to some of the characters in this book. It is helpful to have read that book but probably not absolutely necessary. I did enjoy this book but somewhat less than the first one. The ending is slightly ridiculous but no spoilers so I can’t explain. There is a bit of a cliff hanger at the end so I will likely read book three.

[John Keyse-Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful sequel to the award-winning The Man on the Washing Machine. The San Francisco location is revisited, with many of the unique and quirky characters from the first book returning, as well as an enticing cast of new blood. Protagonist Theo Bogart has more snippets of her life revealed and (spoiler alert) it includes spies! A solid plot rounds out this winner. What could be better? Bring on the next one, Sue.