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Zion Sawyer #2
Cafe Au Lait
Zion has settled into her new routine in Sequoia. She runs her coffee shop, spends her evenings on dinner dates with her lawyer boyfriend, and enjoys the calm, quiet of her little cottage. However, summer tourist season begins and the Sequoia Chamber of Commerce decides to hold Redwood Stock.
The rock festival brings a whole new clientele to sleepy Sequoia – loud music, tattoos, and late night parties – but it also brings revenue. Until a young woman drops dead after the concert and everyone becomes a suspect. Once again, Zion teams up with ex-cop Tate Mercer to find the murderer before anyone else is killed.
The rock festival brings a whole new clientele to sleepy Sequoia – loud music, tattoos, and late night parties – but it also brings revenue. Until a young woman drops dead after the concert and everyone becomes a suspect. Once again, Zion teams up with ex-cop Tate Mercer to find the murderer before anyone else is killed.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2017
94 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Hamilton
114 books424 followersML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 21, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
The second installment in the Zion Sawyer series is as good as the first one.
Zion has finally found her place in Sequoia, with the coffeee house to run and friends she can talk to - that's her comfort zone. But when a new murder lands at her door, she must team up with Tate again to prove one of her friend's innocent...
Zion is all for getting herself involved in the case, Tate unwilling to go back to the police work he left behind when he moved to Sequoia - but once a cop, always a cop, and so he can't refuse when he's needed... And he gets to work with Zion, a huge advantage for him... Or not? Will his feelings for her get in the way of a professional investigation? Well, you have to read or listen to the book to find out:)
This is a very entertaining cozy mystery, with a well thought-out plot, many leads that lead nowhere (pun intended:)), many suspects who don't really have any motives for killing a girl everyone liked and a whole bunch of colourful old and new background characters. There is also a lot of humour in the book, with Zion's mother taking up yoga (oh, her smoothies:)), with a rock star working as a barista and with Zion questioning her life choices and decisions almost every step of the way...
Narration by Ms Hazen is very good; although some of the male voices may sound strange to you if this is your first in her interpretation, you quickly get used to them and stop noticing the strangeness (well, I did:)). Other than that, as always, the emotions are conveyed clearly, the characters' personalities really shine and the whole experience is a pleasure.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The second installment in the Zion Sawyer series is as good as the first one.
Zion has finally found her place in Sequoia, with the coffeee house to run and friends she can talk to - that's her comfort zone. But when a new murder lands at her door, she must team up with Tate again to prove one of her friend's innocent...
Zion is all for getting herself involved in the case, Tate unwilling to go back to the police work he left behind when he moved to Sequoia - but once a cop, always a cop, and so he can't refuse when he's needed... And he gets to work with Zion, a huge advantage for him... Or not? Will his feelings for her get in the way of a professional investigation? Well, you have to read or listen to the book to find out:)
This is a very entertaining cozy mystery, with a well thought-out plot, many leads that lead nowhere (pun intended:)), many suspects who don't really have any motives for killing a girl everyone liked and a whole bunch of colourful old and new background characters. There is also a lot of humour in the book, with Zion's mother taking up yoga (oh, her smoothies:)), with a rock star working as a barista and with Zion questioning her life choices and decisions almost every step of the way...
Narration by Ms Hazen is very good; although some of the male voices may sound strange to you if this is your first in her interpretation, you quickly get used to them and stop noticing the strangeness (well, I did:)). Other than that, as always, the emotions are conveyed clearly, the characters' personalities really shine and the whole experience is a pleasure.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 13, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Probably a briefs kind of guy."
Sequoia small town is used to tourists: the quaintly named shops depend upon them for survival. But they were ill prepared for, and not overly delighted by, the enormous surge of increased visitors which accompanied Redwoodstock, the first rock music festival held on the fairground venue. And even more young people flocked to meet Jaguar, lead singer of the headliner group, who elected to stay on with his two body guards, working in Zjon's cafe after the concert was over. He'd grown up in the town and wanted to be close to his sick mother as well as, hlpefully, write something to revive his group's flagging stardom.
Jaguar's help was very welcome, apart from the crowds he attracted. He was an expert with the recalcitrant espresso coffee machine and the usual barrister, Dimos, was under unofficial house arrest following the death of his girlfriend. Once again, retired police officer Tate was seconded to help the local force investigate with Zion helping him.
This second book in the Zion Sawyer series is even better than the first, filled with quirky well developed protagonists and ongoing decisions of romance. The rock singer Jaguar, is a delight, despite his tats and piercings, and the mystery is pretty good, too. A fun book and an easy listen,, with narrator Kelly Hazen giving excellent voicing to all of the story's inhabitants, bringing them still further to life, as well as reading the intervening text with delicious tone and good inflection. A good performance of a good cozy mystery.
Recommended.
"Probably a briefs kind of guy."
Sequoia small town is used to tourists: the quaintly named shops depend upon them for survival. But they were ill prepared for, and not overly delighted by, the enormous surge of increased visitors which accompanied Redwoodstock, the first rock music festival held on the fairground venue. And even more young people flocked to meet Jaguar, lead singer of the headliner group, who elected to stay on with his two body guards, working in Zjon's cafe after the concert was over. He'd grown up in the town and wanted to be close to his sick mother as well as, hlpefully, write something to revive his group's flagging stardom.
Jaguar's help was very welcome, apart from the crowds he attracted. He was an expert with the recalcitrant espresso coffee machine and the usual barrister, Dimos, was under unofficial house arrest following the death of his girlfriend. Once again, retired police officer Tate was seconded to help the local force investigate with Zion helping him.
This second book in the Zion Sawyer series is even better than the first, filled with quirky well developed protagonists and ongoing decisions of romance. The rock singer Jaguar, is a delight, despite his tats and piercings, and the mystery is pretty good, too. A fun book and an easy listen,, with narrator Kelly Hazen giving excellent voicing to all of the story's inhabitants, bringing them still further to life, as well as reading the intervening text with delicious tone and good inflection. A good performance of a good cozy mystery.
Recommended.
June 26, 2023
I'm very much enjoying this series by M.L Hamilton and I'm already well into the third book. The characters are appealing, and the murder mystery plots are sufficiently complex to keep one guessing but, for the discerning reader, there are clues along the way. My only issue is with the storyline around Rebeccah, the main character's best friend. In one book, she gets engaged with a fabulous diamond from a doctor; in the next, no diamond but she's moved in with the guy she said she wouldn't live with until formally engaged; in the third, she leaves the guy because he can't imagine why he'd ever buy her a ring... the discontinuity, though minor, is a bit jarring. I've no idea how e publishing works or if these minor disconnects can be easily fixed or not. I recommend the series to anyone who enjoys light cozy mysteries with a healthy dash of romance.
December 26, 2018
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. Zion is settling in nicely to small town life. She likes both her house and her business as well as the people in town. Until a music festival changes all that when her barista becomes a prime suspect to a murder. As she and Tate work to solve the case, her life gets more mixed up when a rock star wants to make coffee at her shop and her mother comes to town. The characters and the story line is so enthralling you just keep listening wondering what will happen next. This combination of author and narrator never fails to draw you into their world. Hopefully Book 3 will be ready soon.
May 3, 2019
Zion is settling in to her new life in Sequoia. She’s come to the realization that running her little coffee shop is exactly what she wants to do. When her barista is the primary suspect in a murder at the local music festival, Zion joins forces with Tate, an ex-cop, to try and get to the bottom of things.
M.L. Hamilton has written another great cozy mystery. I loved the details and twists and turns. I enjoy it when I’m kept guessing til the end.
Kelley Hazen is quickly becoming one on my favorite narrators. Her use of different voices for so many characters is impressive. I really feel like I’ve gotten to know each of the characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
M.L. Hamilton has written another great cozy mystery. I loved the details and twists and turns. I enjoy it when I’m kept guessing til the end.
Kelley Hazen is quickly becoming one on my favorite narrators. Her use of different voices for so many characters is impressive. I really feel like I’ve gotten to know each of the characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
May 19, 2020
Wow wee!
ML Hamilton hits a home run with this cozy mystery! I am so glad I didn’t read the ending to this book 1st (something I tend to do on occasion-especially one describing every grass blade from here to Timbuktu. I have to decide if there is enough interest left to finish it).
The story is so easy it doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat or turn one in to a nail biter but it will certainly keep you interested. You just can’t help learning to care about these characters. And, yes, I did again figure out the so called “culprit” prior to the end and even the reason for their actions. That didn’t take away from the ending though. Can’t wait to read book 3 in this delightful saga.
ML Hamilton hits a home run with this cozy mystery! I am so glad I didn’t read the ending to this book 1st (something I tend to do on occasion-especially one describing every grass blade from here to Timbuktu. I have to decide if there is enough interest left to finish it).
The story is so easy it doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat or turn one in to a nail biter but it will certainly keep you interested. You just can’t help learning to care about these characters. And, yes, I did again figure out the so called “culprit” prior to the end and even the reason for their actions. That didn’t take away from the ending though. Can’t wait to read book 3 in this delightful saga.
June 10, 2017
A Murder With Too Many Suspects And None
A friend of Zion's barista, Deimos, dies horribly after going to a rock concert with him. It turns out to have been arsenic poisoning, but how did she get a fatal dose when no one else did? Zion asks Tate to help clear Deimos when he becomes the primary suspect since the girl died in his apartment. But what about David, Zion's almost boyfriend? He doesn't seem very happy about her spending so much time with Tate. Things come to a totally unseen climax with Zion, her Mom, Tate, David, and the Caffinator crew, and you don't want to miss it!
A friend of Zion's barista, Deimos, dies horribly after going to a rock concert with him. It turns out to have been arsenic poisoning, but how did she get a fatal dose when no one else did? Zion asks Tate to help clear Deimos when he becomes the primary suspect since the girl died in his apartment. But what about David, Zion's almost boyfriend? He doesn't seem very happy about her spending so much time with Tate. Things come to a totally unseen climax with Zion, her Mom, Tate, David, and the Caffinator crew, and you don't want to miss it!
January 15, 2019
Cafe Au Lait by ML Hamilton is a wonderful cozy mystery that has some romance involved. I really enjoy the characters of Zion and Tate. I hadn't expected some of the twists in this book, and really enjoyed them. The imagery in the story is wonderful too! I can envision so much of what is going on. The performance by Kelley Hazen was spot on. She gives various characters distinguishable voices, so I know exactly who is speaking. She conveys the right emotions to fit the scene. This book is both a standalone listen and part of a series. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
March 28, 2021
Book 2 is really a good follow up to Cappuccino. The story is equally as clever as it’s predecessor. You don’t see the end of the story (I never saw it coming).
A Rock Band headlining the local Rock Festival amid the ‘usual’ sex, drugs and Rock n Roll... (& murder). The relationship between David and Zion is still in the dating phase, whilst the relationship between Tate and Zion is still in the friendship phase. Gabby, Zion’s mother, is on a Yoga/Zen Juice phase (having given up the piano phase), and the rest of the community is as enjoyable as ever.
I’m reading the box set of 5 books, and fully expect to move seamlessly from one to the other without pause.
A Rock Band headlining the local Rock Festival amid the ‘usual’ sex, drugs and Rock n Roll... (& murder). The relationship between David and Zion is still in the dating phase, whilst the relationship between Tate and Zion is still in the friendship phase. Gabby, Zion’s mother, is on a Yoga/Zen Juice phase (having given up the piano phase), and the rest of the community is as enjoyable as ever.
I’m reading the box set of 5 books, and fully expect to move seamlessly from one to the other without pause.
December 30, 2017
Zion Sawyer Series
This is the second book in the Zion Sawyer series. When a young woman mysteriously dies while with one of Zion's employees Zion helps Tate find out what happened. The book in the beginning says Cleo was six weeks old when Zion found her but she was really only three weeks old. Otherwise the editing was good and the characters come to life much more in this second book. The ending was a total surprise. A great book and a great new series. Highly recommend this book and the series.
This is the second book in the Zion Sawyer series. When a young woman mysteriously dies while with one of Zion's employees Zion helps Tate find out what happened. The book in the beginning says Cleo was six weeks old when Zion found her but she was really only three weeks old. Otherwise the editing was good and the characters come to life much more in this second book. The ending was a total surprise. A great book and a great new series. Highly recommend this book and the series.
December 22, 2018
Pleasant cozy where the lives of the characters and the ambiance of a Northern California town take up more of the story than the crime, but that's why we read cozies, right? It's part of the Zion Sawyer series, although the former cop, Tate, who is deputized to look into the murder, takes a large role in investigating this mystery, with Zion apparently providing support--until she finds an overlooked detail that leads to the unexpected resolution. Enjoyable read.
January 10, 2019
This 2nd book was even better. I love cozy mysteries and this one did not disappoint. I think Zion's mother is a little over the top with her health food kick if it is making her husband sick. I didn't quite guess who the killer was but I did figure out early on who fathered whom. I hope there will be more in this series because I'm not ready to have it finished. I was given this free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 19, 2019
Cafe au Lait was another great read by M.L. Hamilton. This is the second book in A Zion Sawyer Cozy Mystery Series. Zion is getting settled into her new life in Sequoia. Her life is much different than it was back home in San Fran. It is summer tourist season and a rock festival brings many tourists. At the festival a young woman turns up dead. Zion teams up with Tate again to find out who the killer is. I loved reading Zion’s story and cant wait to read the rest of this series.
July 28, 2024
Riveting Read
Loved the new character's and after much frustration Zion reminds me of Suki Stackhouse in a love triangle. Gabi is Zion's mom and she loves her " grandcat". Interesting character's and back story's. Cafe Au Lait has an Awesome Ending . You will never guess who the killer was ,who the real target was and why they wanted the person dead . I enjoyed this book and on to book #3.
Loved the new character's and after much frustration Zion reminds me of Suki Stackhouse in a love triangle. Gabi is Zion's mom and she loves her " grandcat". Interesting character's and back story's. Cafe Au Lait has an Awesome Ending . You will never guess who the killer was ,who the real target was and why they wanted the person dead . I enjoyed this book and on to book #3.
April 18, 2022
Mais uma divertida narrativa de detetives. Não que eu considere crimes divertidos, mas a investigação sempre pode ter um toque de humor, o que não falta na escrita desta autora. Muito bom. Tenho de admitir que demorei para descobrir o criminoso, mas ainda desconfiei antes que o detetive o fizesse. Adoro estes livros, com suas misturas de romances policiais e belas história de amor.
December 18, 2020
I enjoyed this very much. Loved the ending. I love the names of the quaint shops in this little town. Love how Zion started making the business boom and working along with Tater Tot....Started reading book #3.
May 14, 2023
Another good read!
ML Hamilton, I enjoyed this story as much as the first one. The only thing I didn't really like is that it is the end of the Zion Sawyer character ( or is it?) I may not find any more with this character, but I will definitely find more written by you!
ML Hamilton, I enjoyed this story as much as the first one. The only thing I didn't really like is that it is the end of the Zion Sawyer character ( or is it?) I may not find any more with this character, but I will definitely find more written by you!
September 27, 2023
I started the first book in the Zion Sawyer series not knowing anything about the author or the series. After I finished the first book I had to continue until I had read all of the books in the series. Fun and easy to read mystery series.
June 10, 2017
Good book!
Easy to read! Good story! Can't wait for the next one! Now I want to read all her books. Wow!
Easy to read! Good story! Can't wait for the next one! Now I want to read all her books. Wow!
July 30, 2017
thoroughly enjoyable. Plot and characters were well-developed. I like the way ML Hamilton writes. The read is easy and yet there is depth.
June 14, 2018
Interesting Story
What can I say, But wow. M.L. Hamilton knows how to tell a story that keeps one guessing. I thought I had the murder all picked out, boy was I ever wrong.
What can I say, But wow. M.L. Hamilton knows how to tell a story that keeps one guessing. I thought I had the murder all picked out, boy was I ever wrong.
August 2, 2018
enjoyed the story, can't wait to read what happens next time...
June 5, 2019
Care So Lait
This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of murder mystery, and romance novels.
This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of murder mystery, and romance novels.
December 5, 2022
It’s good. I enjoyed it.
February 8, 2024
Cafe Au lait
I love love this series! I can’t wait to read the next novel Espresso then all the others. I am very invested in all the characters.
I love love this series! I can’t wait to read the next novel Espresso then all the others. I am very invested in all the characters.
Read
March 26, 2024I absolutely love this series.
July 21, 2024
The new age version of strong women
great story, good characters, a lot of “filler” to make the page count quota… and the typical new woman heroine.
great story, good characters, a lot of “filler” to make the page count quota… and the typical new woman heroine.
July 23, 2024
This series is so much fun! Zion’s life has been crazy since she took over her birth mother’s coffee shop. I can hardly wait to start the third book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews