Scene of the Grind

Killer Coffee #1

by Tonya Kappes

After a bitter divorce, Roxanne Davis (her friends, though few call her Roxie) has moved back home to Honey Springs, Kentucky where she's opened the tourist lakefront town's first coffee house, The Bean Hive.

With the excitement of the Bean Hive opening and rush of business, Roxie is moving on with her life until she finds that one of her best customers, Lilia Walters, was found dead after eating one of Roxie's best-selling doughnuts after Roxie's aunt Maxine gave Lilia as a peace offering.

Gossip in Honey Springs is as hot at the coffee served at the Bean Hive and Roxie has to uncover who is behind the murder not only to save her shop, her aunt, but her life.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

208 pages, ebook

First published January 27, 2017

About the author

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...

Webpage
tonyakappes.com

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Twitter
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes
1st of the Killer Coffee mystery series. Cozy mystery.
Roxie moves back home to Honey Springs, KY and opens a coffee shop. The rebuilt boardwalk is going to bring business back but murder may put a crimp in the plan. Throw in family, a tricky oven, a former beau and a favorite pet and going home gets very complicated.

A cozy with a bit of romance and a cute dog. Plus recipes sprinkled at the end of various chapters. There is actually a lot of world building in the first part of the book. The body, or mystery, is almost mid way through rather than closer to the beginning. A good bit of relationship rebuilding on the romance side.
An enjoyable read.

[Tonya Kappes]

🎧Available in Audio!🎧
Narrated by Madeline Mrozek

Audible US: https://bit.ly/3Eh11NH
BingeBooks: https://bit.ly/45KLZLW
Audiobooks: https://bit.ly/44uLEvK
Scribd: https://bit.ly/3CJzJyX
Chirp: https://bit.ly/43XKUzY
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3Pf2z14
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3qRw93j
Barnes & Noble Audio: https://bit.ly/3YYRi8u
Audiobooks.com: https://bit.ly/3swY1u0

Or you can always download review copies of Tonya's audiobooks on StoryOrigin if you are are an ARC listener and enjoy leaving reviews.💕

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tonya Kappes has started a new series that will be enjoyed by many! It is a murder mystery that is built around a mythical town on a lake with a boardwalk of shops for tourists. Sounds like someplace I would like to go to visit-or maybe even live. For sure I would want to make friends with Roxy and Pepper! Roxy Bloom is the owner of the Bean Hive-coffee house right in the middle of the boardwalk at the end of the pier. A perfect spot to see and be seen. Her Aunt Maxie owns the building, and is quite the local character. Pepper is her newly adopted dog and constant companion. When Roxy was growing up she spent much of her summers here with her Aunt Maxie. So when she moved back to open the Bean Hive, she knows a few people and a little bit about the town. However in the twelve years she has been gone, Roxy never came back or kept up with anyone. Now she is starting fresh, divorced a year from her philandering husband and fellow lawyer. (Loved his name! Ken Swindle.) It doesn't take long for her former boyfriend to show up and their friendship resumed. I like all of the characters we meet, and have a feeling there will be more in coming books as well since the boardwalk shops are just opening in this book.

I will have to say the description of the foods being served in the Bean Hive sounded wonderful and made me hungry. Nice that recipes are included at the end of the book! Now if someone would just make me a 5 minute chi tea to go along with a doughnut, I would be in heaven!

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I don't know how Tonya keeps coming up with all of these great characters and stories, but she does! This will be another favorite of mine, I loved the main character Roxy, and her little coffee shop. I am not a coffee drinker so I wasn't sure how I would like the storyline, but lucky for me, she sells other things besides coffee! This would definitely be a place I would visit. The story also has a little bit of romance in it, I can't wait to see what happens there. The setting of the book is great also, you feel as though you are right there on the boardwalk. I look forward to the next book!!

[AmBerGUR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a few days to finish this one cos I’ve been so sick…again! Lol anyways I loved it! I love the cozy small town vibes. The banter between characters in cozy mysteries always make me smile. And this book in particular has a mini schnauzer!! I have two mini schnauzers. So I picked up this book cos of that and I enjoyed it so much. 😬

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book and I loved it just as much if not even more. This is one of my favorite books by Tonya Kappes.

Original review
I was excited to read Tonya Kappes new book and it did not disappoint. This just might be a new favorite for me. The characters are fun. There's a little romance. I caught myself smiling and holding my breath. Can't wait for book two.

[Peter Monn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Bea]

The romance moved much too quickly. The mystery kept me guessing. Full review to come.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I just love cozy mysteries so much!

Read my full review here-

https://booknerd777.blogspot.com/2026...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Honey Springs, Kentucky. This
is the quaint town where Roxanne Bloom
( Roxie ) spent her summer with her Aunt
Maxine Bloom ( Aunt Maxi ) when she was
growing up.
Now Roxie is returning to live and start a
business. She needs to start a new life after
a nasty divorce plus leaving her job as an
attorney. She will now take on being a barista
and pastry chef.
On the new renovated lakefront boardwalk,
Roxie opens a coffee shop called The Beanhive.
It is the only shop of it's kind there. The shop is
up and running for Honey Festival held by the
town each spring.
Roxie discovers that the head contractor of
the company doing the renovations is an old
friend and former crush, Patrick Cane. Will
these two connect again??
Then murder muddles the waters. The local
bookstore, the Crooked Cat proprietor is
found dead. Was it something she ate from
the Beanhive or was Aunt Maxi involved.
Roxie decides to investigate to clear both
the store name and prove her Aunt Maxi
innocent.
You will meet Pepper, the silver schnauzer
that has adopted Roxie and Sassy, a poodle
that has taken a liking to a Patrick.
The characters are colorful, well developed,
vivid, quirky and so likable. The setting makes
you feel right at home. Many suspects to
eliminate make this a good mystery.
I highly recommend this book.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scene of the Grind is set in the touristy lake town of Honey Springs, Kentucky. After a bitter divorce, Roxy Bloom leaves her old life as an attorney behind to return to her Aunt Maxi's hometown. Roxy spent her summers there and it feels like home. With the help of Aunt Maxi, she opens a cute little coffee shop. The Bean Hive is located on the town's revitalized boardwalk across the street from the pier on Lake Honey Springs. The annual Honey Festival has been moved from the town square to the boardwalk. The festival is scheduled to start in a few days and it will be used as the grand opening for the shops on the boardwalk. Everything is going great until the bookstore owner is murdered in her store on the boardwalk just before the festival begins. Aunt Maxi has had a disagreement with the victim and becomes the lead suspect. When Roxy starts to investigate to help clear her aunt and is almost killed herself, she realizes that she must hurry and help solve this case, not only for Aunt Maxi, but to possibly save her own life. I loved Roxy's little rescue Schnauzer, Pepper, and how he just fit right in to her new life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a little mystery, a little laughter, a little romance and a little Southern charm!

[Farren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good: Super short book, recipes included, I like coffee and baked goods so that's one of the more interesting standard cozy mystery professions, dogs.
The Bad: I don't care if they dated 12 years ago - this was the worst form of instalove, the mystery wasn't all that engaging, too many characters that were all so alike that I kept mixing them up, I couldn't figure out anyone's age unless explicitly stated, MC had no business trying to solve the mystery once her aunt was cleared as a suspect but did anyway.

This book was bad, wasn't great, I would consider reading the next but I'm not intrigued by the idea.

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tonya Kappes is off to a good start with this first book in the Killer Coffee Mystery Series. SCENE OF THE GRIND introduces us to Roxy Davis and her adopted home town of Honey Springs, Kentucky. Roxy spent her childhood summers in Honey Springs with her Aunt Maxi so after she catches her husband cheating she decides to start over, leaving her law career to open her own coffee shop The Bean Hive. Her shop is in a prime location on the lake’s boardwalk, and renovations to the walk and the other shops are almost complete, just in time for the Honey Festival. When the proprietor of the local bookstore dies, and Aunt Maxi becomes the prime suspect, Roxy’s investigative nature takes over to clear Maxi’s name. And, to make matters worse, she is forced to face her ex-boyfriend whom she did not leave on good terms.

Kappes excels at writing interesting, quirky characters that ooze Southern charm. I can definitely see myself being friends with Roxy, and, Oh my, Pepper the schnauzer is the cutest thing ever. He and Roxy seem destined to be together, and I love the image of him riding in the Roxy’s bicycle’s basket. I know that his daily presence in the coffee shop would not fly in real life, but I really enjoy him being there. Roxy makes a fine amateur sleuth with her intelligence, legal training, and naturally nosy nature. Her love interest Patrick is appealingly down to earth and charming. How can you not love a guy who has held a torch for his first love for the past twelve years? Aunt Maxi and the other town’s residents add lots of local character to the story.

The mystery itself is relatively easy to figure out but well written. The array of suspects and clues Roxy gleans along the way kept me engaged and reading past my bedtime. The story moves along at a quick pace, and I read it all in one sitting. I highly recommend SCENE OF THE GRIND to readers looking for a mix of mystery, romance, humor, and coffee.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS, BUT A 'HIGH' 3 STARS.

PREMISE: With the excitement of the Beanhive opening and rush of business, Roxie is moving on with her life until she finds that one of her best customers was found dead after eating one of Roxie's best-selling doughnuts. Gossip in Honey Springs is as hot at the coffee served at the Beanhive and Roxie has to uncover who is behind the murder not only to save her shop, but her life.

THOUGHTS: Not a fave, but not a bad book either. More of an average read for me. I loved meeting Roxie's dog Pepper and I love that it's set in a cafe. I also really loved how everything ramped up for the big reveal. Otherwise though, I didn't find it gripping. I will read book 2 and see how I go.

3 Stars
xoxo.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come soon

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scene of the Grind is the first book in the cozy mystery series Killer Coffee by Tonya Kappes.

Having read the 8th book in the series a few days ago, I just knew that I had to read the series in order to be able to enjoy it to the maxixum and I was right!

Roxanne Davis has just divorced and moved into the small town of Honey Springs, Kentucky for a fresh start. She opened up Bean Hive, a coffehouse with her Aunt Maxine and it's not long after she runs into her past flame Patrick Cane.

Things are looking up for her when the owner of the town bookstore Crooked Cat is found dead and Aunt Maxine becomes the prime suspect.

I had so much fun getting introduced to all the residents of Honey Springs in this one and the mystery kept me on my toes right until the end. I didn't suspect the killer at all for most part of the book and was at a dead end. Finding out about how exactly Roxie and Patrick got together was also very entertaining. Although, I don't like romance in my cozy mysteries usually, this very well may be an exception.

Personally, I could have gone without the ex husband making an appearance but I am just glad that he wasn't given chapters upon chapters worth of attention.

4 stars.

[Jackie Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, clean cozy mystery with a dash of romance.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This is a new author to me. The story was enjoyable. I liked the descriptions of the businesses along the boardwalk and can see why Roxanne would want to return there to live, even though it meant she would probably run into her first love, Patrick. A story of second chances, new beginnings, a little mystery, quirky characters, sweet pets, and a HEA.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll love Scene of the Grind if you like small southern towns, animal rescues, coffee shops, and cozy mysteries. Scene of the Grind is the first book in A Killer Coffee Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes. The book also contains recipes for both humans and canines.

Roxanne “Roxie” Davis moves to the town of Honey Springs, Kentucky after a bitter divorce. She wants a fresh start so she leaves behind her law practice and old life to move to the town where she spent her childhood summers to be near beloved her Aunt Maxi. Roxi with Aunt Maxi’s help opens a coffee shop called the Bean Hive on Honey Springs’ newly renovated boardwalk. Shortly after Roxie opens a neighboring shop owner is killed and Roxie finds the body. Upon finding out her Aunt Maxi is the prime suspect, Roxie sets out to prove her aunt’s innocence and the real killer. Roxie has help from her newly adopted schnauzer, Pepper, a sweet rescue poodle, Sassy, and her childhood boyfriend whom she obviously still has feelings for, Patrick.

I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I love the small southern town setting, the adorable rescue animals, and the quirky lovable characters. The touch of romance really added to the story without overwhelming the plot. Kappes includes enough twists and turns to keep you guessing whodunit.

UPDATE:
This was my second time reading this book. This time I listened to the audiobook. The Narrator Madeline Mrozek does a fabulous job bringing Roxy and her friends to life. She is great at capturing the Southern charm of the characters and their quirky personalities.

All thoughts and opinions are my own; in no way has anyone influenced my opinion.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and this is a very good one - the debut in the Killer Coffee series. First off, the cover art is very appealing and made me want to choose the book to read. I loved Roxy - a former lawyer, newly divorced, moving to the small town where she spent summer vacations with her aunt. She is the proud owner of the Bean Hive. Everything is going along so well for the grand opening of the boardwalk shops - such cute names! But then the bookshop owner is killed. Roxy's aunt Maxi was seen having a disagreement with that owner, so Roxy sets out to solve the case. The author really shines with her descriptive writing style you can easily picture the cozy Bean Hive décor as well as the cute little stores on the boardwalk. As with most debut books, some of this one is dedicated to establishing the characters - I loved Pepper - I know he has a special place in the author's heart. The touch of second-chance romance added to the story as well for me.

I predict the author will have great success with this series! I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roxy used to spend her summers with her Aunt Maxi in Honey Springs when she was younger but she hasn't been back in 12 years, after getting a divorce from her cheating husband she changes career from lawyer to Barista and sinks her savings into a small cottage and a business on Honey Springs boardwalk that she calls The Bean Hive, she finds herself face to face with her first love again (Patrick Cane) and swallows her disappointment at seeing him with an attractive female and a young boy, what she does do is adopt a cute Miniature Schnauzer called Pepper.  Things start to get a little bumpy from there on in with Roxy discovering a dead body in the bookshop and her Aunt being suspected of the killing!

Now with both Patrick and the Detective trying to catch her eye (she discovered Patrick wasn't married) and more suspects Roxy needs to discover the truth, serve up great coffee and help the local pet rescue - surely no problems can arise from any of this (oh but of course they can!)

[Barbara Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonya Kappes' new series is set in a small Kentucky town and centers around Roxanne (Roxy) Bloom, owner of a coffee shop/eatery, The Bean Hive. As luck would have it, Roxy reconnects with an old love, meets up with old friends, and solves a murder in the course of a long weekend.

I read my first Tonya Kappes' book just over a year ago, and my only regret is that I didn't find her sooner. Kappes writes effortlessly across genres, ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal mysteries. Her books are filled with interesting, fun, and sometimes quirky characters coupled with plot lines that include love, murder, mystery, and witches. Her latest series includes these same wonderful characteristics and should be another winner for Kappes.

I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. My review is voluntary, and the opinions my own.

[Jennifer Dicenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when the writing in the book can paint me a picture of how places are supposed to look. In the first book in this new series by Tonya Kappes you can picture how Honey Springs looks with it's boardwalk, store fronts, and pier. I loved Roxy, her coffee shop, The Bean Hive, Patrick and all the assorted characters. The mystery was good, it kept me guessing until the end. I think my only issue with the book, and you run into this sometimes in first of series books, is just trying to get characters introduced without being overwhelming. And in this case, it sometimes overwhelmed me with people and trying to keep them straight. By the end of the book it was so much easier. I look forward to what is next in this series.

[Dianne Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new series is the bee's knees!

Welcome to Honey Springs! A quaint small town with a rejuvenated boardwalk, a cozy coffeehouse with delicious java and yummy treats... and a dead body?!

I love that this series is about Roxanne Bloom's new beginning and new business in Honey Springs. You are along for the ride as Roxanne - Roxie, to friends- gets her coffeehouse up and running, explores the town on her bike, reconnects with old friends and one very important former boyfriend, and discovers a dead body.

You will love Roxie, her Aunt Maxine, and Honey Springs' cast of characters. Including dogs and cats!

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like mysteries where the person investigating actually works out who the killer is. Unlike this one where they just flail about until the killer gets annoyed with them and reveals themselves to the investigator by trying to kill her.

Then there's the part where the main character is suspecting her ex of being the killer, and then a few hours later is enthusiastically agreeing to marry him.

Combined with clunky dialogue (lack of contractions makes much of the speech sound stilted and unrealistic), this all means that while I finished this book, I won't be bothering with any more in this series.

[Lisa G. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT NEW SERIES!! "The Scene of the Grind" is an exciting first look into the Killer Coffee Mystery Series. It is wonderfully entertaining from start to finish! With an excellent set of believable characters, a quaint setting of Honey Springs, renewed friendships, rekindled romance and a murder mystery - this book has it ALL! You won't be disappointed!!

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roxanne Roxy to great friend. Came to Honey Springs Kentucky. To set up Bean Hive cafe. It has breakfast casserole, pie, cookies, quiche. But mostly it has coffee speciality and Gourmet Teas. Roxy
Aunt Maxy lives in Kentucky so Roxy decided she wanted to move there where she used to visit. Her old flame Patrick. The bookstore owner got murdered and Aunt Maxy is a suspect

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first in a new series

I love this is author so it's no surprise that this is a fantastic book.
The characters are fun and lively and I can't wait to read more.

[Witchy Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun cozy mystery to read. It had very few typos, the characters were fun and the story line worked really well.

[Cynthia Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Surprised by who did it!