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Mariposa Cafe #1
Murder in Mariposa Beach
Libby Marshall has one rule…She doesn’t date lawyers or cops.A former prosecutor, Libby was once married to a lawyer, which about got her killed…literally. Witness Protection provided her with a new life, a new home and a new career as a coffee house and café owner in Southwest Florida. Instead of focusing on her espresso machine and scones, however, Libby finds herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation and involved with super-hot detective Jack Seiler. Will Jack make her consider breaking her rule a second time, and if she does, will she live through the consequences?Murder in Mariposa Beach – Mariposa Café Mystery #1 – is Friends meets Miami Vice.Welcome to the Mariposa Café Mystery Series where it’s all about fun Florida mysteries featuring fearless, female sleuths.PRAISE FOR MURDER IN MARIPOSA “Such a fantastic debut book for first-time author Teresa Michael! She’s got a new fan in me! I love her humor. Her characters are terrific! The mystery is solid and intriguing. And the chemistry between her hero and heroine are hotter than the coffee served at the heroine’s café. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!” --- D. D. Scott, International Bestselling Author“MAGIC…Murder in Mariposa Beach is a wonderfully entertaining story with a perfect balance of mystery and romance. Once I started reading about Libby and her friend Pilar, I couldn’t put it down and read the entire book in one sitting. I told all of my family and friends to buy this book!!” --- Trish, Louisville, KY“Kudos to Teresa Michael! MURDER AT MARIPOSA BEACH is an exciting read. Ms Michael combines a spunky heroine, a handsome detective, and a baffling murder; all set in the steamy Florida heat.” --- Judy T. Goodreads ReaderABOUT THE Michael’s professional career is in health information management and technology and she is currently the Director of Health Information Management at a large health care system in Florida. She returned to college in her fifties, and instead of following the healthcare informatics path, she followed her passion and earned a degree in Creative Writing from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.Teresa has always loved a good mystery and has turned her love of writing and mystery stories into her first mystery novel. She likes to read and belongs to a book club whose members have pushed her out of her comfort zone into enjoying all genres, though a good mystery is still her first choice.She loves to travel and has visited forty-nine states having spent nine years on the road working for a healthcare software vendor. She also spent many years as the Team Manager of the U.S. Archery team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia as well as other international tournaments all over the world.She lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and two cats, Lily and Lido. She enjoys visiting her children and grandchildren and loves spending time with her family creating new memories. She’s busy working on the next Mariposa Café mystery and planning her next trip, hopefully to that fiftieth state.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
301 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2018
About the author
Teresa Michael
11 books52 followersTeresa Michael is the award-winning author of the Mariposa Café Mystery Series and the Harrington House B&B series. "Murder with a Terrace View" won the 2025 FWA Royal Palm Literary Award for mystery and was voted one of the 2025 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Top Picks. She is a full-time author since retiring from a career in health information management and technology. She enjoys reading, writing, chocolate chip cookies, nature walks, planning road trips, and travel adventures with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She has visited 49 states, having spent 9 years on the road working for a healthcare software vendor and many years as the Team Manager for the US Archery Team for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and other national and international tournaments. She is a member of the Florida Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and is a past president of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Teresa lives in Sarasota, FL with her husband and Lily, the cat, and is working on the next Harrington House mystery, developing the next Mariposa Café mystery, and hoping to someday make it to that 50th state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 27, 2018
“Teresa Michael has a way of catching your attention and luring you into each character in a unique way. She is one of those rare writers that can paint the picture and bring you into the scene with her attention to detail. Teresa’s ability to build the suspense and add the “twist” is amazing and thrilling. I look forward with anticipation the Mariposa sequel…” Sheila S., Bradenton FL
December 9, 2018
A fun page turner
This mystery is a real page turner. It kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next twist and then never failed to deliver those twists and turns.
This mystery is a real page turner. It kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next twist and then never failed to deliver those twists and turns.
May 8, 2021
A Great Read!!
What a great mystery book. I thought it was very descriptive and interesting. It was full of suspense. And kept you interested throughout. A very well written book. A great job. A great read!
What a great mystery book. I thought it was very descriptive and interesting. It was full of suspense. And kept you interested throughout. A very well written book. A great job. A great read!
October 27, 2022
Cute New Cozy Series
This is the first in a series that now has several titles. So many good things, like humor, courage and intelligence make the main character a stand out. Love the romance! Also there’s a tour from Sarasota to Miami and all the places in between. Can’t go on vacation? Just pick up this book!
This is the first in a series that now has several titles. So many good things, like humor, courage and intelligence make the main character a stand out. Love the romance! Also there’s a tour from Sarasota to Miami and all the places in between. Can’t go on vacation? Just pick up this book!
August 18, 2022
After meeting Teresa through Florida Mystery Writers of America and Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime meetings, I knew I had to read her Mariposa Beach series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a Floridian myself, the setting felt real and I love the cafe. Libby, Mimi and David feel like new friends to me. The plot is well thought out with a terrific mystery and great ending.
September 4, 2026
Murder in Mariposa Beach by Teresa Michael is exactly the kind of mystery I love getting lost in. From the moment I met Libby Marshall, I knew this was not going to be the typical cozy mystery where the heroine simply happens to stumble across a crime and spends the rest of the book asking questions. Libby has a past, secrets she would rather leave buried, and very good reasons to be careful about the people she lets into her life. That made her immediately interesting to me.
What really pulled me into the story was the combination of mystery, romance, humor, and that wonderful Florida atmosphere. There is something about a murder mystery set in a sunny coastal community that makes the danger feel even more delicious. You have the cafés, the heat, the friendships, the food, the personalities, and then underneath it all there is a murder that needs to be solved. Teresa Michael does a wonderful job of letting those different elements work together instead of allowing one to completely overpower the others.
Libby is such a fun character to follow. She is smart, independent, determined, and just stubborn enough to make things interesting. I especially enjoyed the fact that she has a complicated history and is not simply presented as an ordinary café owner. Her former life as a prosecutor and her experience with Witness Protection give her a fascinating background, and they also make her involvement in the investigation feel more believable. She has knowledge and instincts that other amateur sleuths might not have, but she is still vulnerable enough that I genuinely worried about what could happen to her.
And then there is Jack Seiler.
The chemistry between Libby and Jack was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their relationship brings a completely different kind of tension to the story. Libby has made a very clear rule for herself about not dating lawyers or cops, and naturally, Jack is exactly the sort of man who could make her question that rule. I loved watching that push and pull develop. Their interactions add warmth and humor to what could otherwise have been a much darker story.
Pilar was another character I really enjoyed. The friendships in this book are one of the things that make the story feel so inviting. There is a sense that these characters actually enjoy being around one another, and that makes the Mariposa Café feel like a real place rather than simply a convenient setting for the mystery. I could easily imagine sitting in the café, listening to conversations, drinking coffee, and watching all these personalities move in and out while wondering which one might be hiding something.
The mystery itself kept me interested throughout. I enjoy mysteries where I can make my own guesses, change my mind a few chapters later, and still feel surprised when the pieces finally come together. Teresa Michael gives the reader enough information to start playing detective without making the solution completely obvious. There were moments when I thought I had everything figured out, only to reconsider my theories as new details appeared.
I also appreciated the humor. Murder mysteries can sometimes become so focused on the crime that the story starts feeling heavy, but Murder in Mariposa Beach has a lighter, more playful energy. The humor works particularly well alongside the danger because it gives the reader a chance to breathe before the tension rises again. It is one of those books that can make you smile one minute and make you wonder what is going to happen next the following minute.
The Florida setting is another major strength. The story has a bright, warm, almost cinematic quality to it, and I could practically feel the Florida heat while reading. There is a great contrast between the beautiful surroundings and the fact that someone has been murdered. That contrast gives the book its own personality and helps it stand apart from darker traditional mysteries.
What surprised me most was how easily I became invested in Libby's personal life in addition to the murder investigation. Her past is not just a piece of information included to make her character sound interesting. It affects the way she thinks, the decisions she makes, and the risks she is willing to take. Knowing that she has already had a terrifying experience makes her attraction to Jack and her involvement in another dangerous situation even more complicated.
There is also something very satisfying about discovering a new mystery series with a strong female protagonist. By the end of the book, I felt like I had gotten to know Libby, Pilar, Jack, and the world around the Mariposa Café well enough that I wanted to spend more time with them. That is always a good sign for me. A first book does not have to answer every question about its characters. Sometimes the best thing it can do is make you curious about what comes next.
Murder in Mariposa Beach has that addictive quality I look for in a cozy mystery. It is entertaining without feeling empty, romantic without allowing the romance to completely take over, and mysterious without becoming unnecessarily complicated. The characters give the story heart, the setting gives it personality, and the murder gives you plenty of reason to keep turning the pages.
I went into this expecting a fun mystery and ended up enjoying the entire package. Libby is a heroine I would happily follow into another investigation, even if common sense tells her she should probably stay far away from trouble. And considering her history, trouble seems to have a way of finding her anyway.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong female sleuths, a little romance, plenty of personality, friendship, humor, and a sunny Florida setting hiding a darker secret underneath, Murder in Mariposa Beach is definitely worth picking up. Teresa Michael has created a very enjoyable start to the Mariposa Café Mystery series, and I am genuinely curious to see where Libby's next adventure takes her.
This was a fun, engaging read with characters I actually wanted to spend more time with. Sometimes that is the highest compliment I can give a mystery. When I reach the final page and my first thought is, "I want another one," the author has done something right.
What really pulled me into the story was the combination of mystery, romance, humor, and that wonderful Florida atmosphere. There is something about a murder mystery set in a sunny coastal community that makes the danger feel even more delicious. You have the cafés, the heat, the friendships, the food, the personalities, and then underneath it all there is a murder that needs to be solved. Teresa Michael does a wonderful job of letting those different elements work together instead of allowing one to completely overpower the others.
Libby is such a fun character to follow. She is smart, independent, determined, and just stubborn enough to make things interesting. I especially enjoyed the fact that she has a complicated history and is not simply presented as an ordinary café owner. Her former life as a prosecutor and her experience with Witness Protection give her a fascinating background, and they also make her involvement in the investigation feel more believable. She has knowledge and instincts that other amateur sleuths might not have, but she is still vulnerable enough that I genuinely worried about what could happen to her.
And then there is Jack Seiler.
The chemistry between Libby and Jack was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their relationship brings a completely different kind of tension to the story. Libby has made a very clear rule for herself about not dating lawyers or cops, and naturally, Jack is exactly the sort of man who could make her question that rule. I loved watching that push and pull develop. Their interactions add warmth and humor to what could otherwise have been a much darker story.
Pilar was another character I really enjoyed. The friendships in this book are one of the things that make the story feel so inviting. There is a sense that these characters actually enjoy being around one another, and that makes the Mariposa Café feel like a real place rather than simply a convenient setting for the mystery. I could easily imagine sitting in the café, listening to conversations, drinking coffee, and watching all these personalities move in and out while wondering which one might be hiding something.
The mystery itself kept me interested throughout. I enjoy mysteries where I can make my own guesses, change my mind a few chapters later, and still feel surprised when the pieces finally come together. Teresa Michael gives the reader enough information to start playing detective without making the solution completely obvious. There were moments when I thought I had everything figured out, only to reconsider my theories as new details appeared.
I also appreciated the humor. Murder mysteries can sometimes become so focused on the crime that the story starts feeling heavy, but Murder in Mariposa Beach has a lighter, more playful energy. The humor works particularly well alongside the danger because it gives the reader a chance to breathe before the tension rises again. It is one of those books that can make you smile one minute and make you wonder what is going to happen next the following minute.
The Florida setting is another major strength. The story has a bright, warm, almost cinematic quality to it, and I could practically feel the Florida heat while reading. There is a great contrast between the beautiful surroundings and the fact that someone has been murdered. That contrast gives the book its own personality and helps it stand apart from darker traditional mysteries.
What surprised me most was how easily I became invested in Libby's personal life in addition to the murder investigation. Her past is not just a piece of information included to make her character sound interesting. It affects the way she thinks, the decisions she makes, and the risks she is willing to take. Knowing that she has already had a terrifying experience makes her attraction to Jack and her involvement in another dangerous situation even more complicated.
There is also something very satisfying about discovering a new mystery series with a strong female protagonist. By the end of the book, I felt like I had gotten to know Libby, Pilar, Jack, and the world around the Mariposa Café well enough that I wanted to spend more time with them. That is always a good sign for me. A first book does not have to answer every question about its characters. Sometimes the best thing it can do is make you curious about what comes next.
Murder in Mariposa Beach has that addictive quality I look for in a cozy mystery. It is entertaining without feeling empty, romantic without allowing the romance to completely take over, and mysterious without becoming unnecessarily complicated. The characters give the story heart, the setting gives it personality, and the murder gives you plenty of reason to keep turning the pages.
I went into this expecting a fun mystery and ended up enjoying the entire package. Libby is a heroine I would happily follow into another investigation, even if common sense tells her she should probably stay far away from trouble. And considering her history, trouble seems to have a way of finding her anyway.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong female sleuths, a little romance, plenty of personality, friendship, humor, and a sunny Florida setting hiding a darker secret underneath, Murder in Mariposa Beach is definitely worth picking up. Teresa Michael has created a very enjoyable start to the Mariposa Café Mystery series, and I am genuinely curious to see where Libby's next adventure takes her.
This was a fun, engaging read with characters I actually wanted to spend more time with. Sometimes that is the highest compliment I can give a mystery. When I reach the final page and my first thought is, "I want another one," the author has done something right.
August 14, 2021
The perfect read for a week at Florida's Southwest coast, Murder in Mariposa is set around Sarasota and mentions the area. It feels like you are there as female sleuth Libby Marshall, former prosecutor runs around trying to solve a murder and kidnapping that hits close to her coffee cafe family. This is a self published cozy and is a great start to a series I'll continue reading. Libby has left her life up North behind in hopes of starting over. She is divorced from her husband and her former career and is settling into Florida life when she is hit with a crime close to what she used to have to investigate. She uses her skills along side detective Jack Seiler, who she finds herself thinking about breaking all her new rules because of, as they get to the bottom of a missing persons case. Full of humor, chemistry, and a great back story this series is a winner for me.
April 29, 2019
Murder in Mariposa Beach
I really liked this book. I was hooked on the story plot. It kept my interest and I wanted to keep reading and not put it down. I really liked the characters and felt like I got to know them. Looking forward to the next book. Can’t wait.
I really liked this book. I was hooked on the story plot. It kept my interest and I wanted to keep reading and not put it down. I really liked the characters and felt like I got to know them. Looking forward to the next book. Can’t wait.
December 3, 2019
What a fabulously entertaining mystery!
Absolutely loved this book. The sense of place is wonderful, and the characters so likeable you feel as if you want to hang out with them. Maybe stop in the café and do some people watching. Admittedly the mystery might have been a bit too easy to solve, but I enjoyed the journey so much, I'll put that aside. Truly a fun book, can't wait for the next one!
Absolutely loved this book. The sense of place is wonderful, and the characters so likeable you feel as if you want to hang out with them. Maybe stop in the café and do some people watching. Admittedly the mystery might have been a bit too easy to solve, but I enjoyed the journey so much, I'll put that aside. Truly a fun book, can't wait for the next one!
July 10, 2022
Caught Me At Hello
This book caught me at Hello!
I got caught up with the story immediately because I live In the area. The story line was interesting and characters real. Started reading it at 11:00 am and finished at 3:15pm. I love Libby and Jack. Story great characters like neighbors next door. I'm moving on to her second book. Thanks for creating such fascinating story!
Iva Fadley-Dane, PA
This book caught me at Hello!
I got caught up with the story immediately because I live In the area. The story line was interesting and characters real. Started reading it at 11:00 am and finished at 3:15pm. I love Libby and Jack. Story great characters like neighbors next door. I'm moving on to her second book. Thanks for creating such fascinating story!
Iva Fadley-Dane, PA
December 13, 2018
A great story about a small Florida town where murder comes to entice the owner of the local cafe out from behind the counter and into the world of mystery and intrigue.
I really want to know what happens to Libby and how she comes to solve the crime and bring the 'bad guys' to justice.
Read this book. It's a delight!
I really want to know what happens to Libby and how she comes to solve the crime and bring the 'bad guys' to justice.
Read this book. It's a delight!
November 25, 2019
This was such an enjoyable read! Perfect for time on the beach or time you wish you were on the beach. The characters are all comfortable to spend time with Wich makes the book easy to keep reading. And watching the mystery unravel was exciting and fun at every turn. I'm very excited to continue the story, hopefully soon!
April 18, 2025
Perfect beach read for mystery fans, or for anytime
This is just an amazing first book in the Mariposa Beach series. I met Ms. Michael at Bouchercon 2024 and picked up a copy. I wish I hadn’t put off reading it. But as I’m on Anastasia Island (FL), this Murder in Mariposa Beach turned into the perfect beach read. But I plan to finish the series while I’m at home.
This is just an amazing first book in the Mariposa Beach series. I met Ms. Michael at Bouchercon 2024 and picked up a copy. I wish I hadn’t put off reading it. But as I’m on Anastasia Island (FL), this Murder in Mariposa Beach turned into the perfect beach read. But I plan to finish the series while I’m at home.
August 29, 2019
This book was such a fun read! A friend suggested this book to me and I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved the characters and was so sad to see it end. Thank you Teresa for bringing back my desire to read!
May 28, 2021
Great rainy day read
This is one not to put down, which makes it perfect for a rainy day. It has great story line, realistic characters, a real location, plus recipes to try out. Everything to make it a Plus! I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.
This is one not to put down, which makes it perfect for a rainy day. It has great story line, realistic characters, a real location, plus recipes to try out. Everything to make it a Plus! I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.
December 24, 2022
I met this author at a seafood Fest in Cedar Key, FL and picked up this book. I was pleasantly surprised with the story/writing style. I'm definately going to hunt down the next book Teresa wrote. I'm glad I found her. The book is a fast read with a decent plot.
April 20, 2020
Light, fun. Fast read.
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April 20, 2020Very good read for this Author's first work. She is a personal friend.
May 16, 2021
This was a delightful police murder mystery set in Florida. The characters were charming and there was a nice dollop of romance, too. It's the perfect beach read!
September 11, 2022
Such a fun read!
This was an amazing first novel. I loved the development of the characters and how the story evolved. Im looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was an amazing first novel. I loved the development of the characters and how the story evolved. Im looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 4, 2023
Really good series!
December 17, 2023
Yay, Sarasota!
Really fun to read a mystery taking place right where we live! Good mystery, great pacing and romance to boot!
Really fun to read a mystery taking place right where we live! Good mystery, great pacing and romance to boot!
December 23, 2025
This was such a fun and addictive start to a mystery series. I immediately connected with Libby. She’s smart, cautious, and has a past that adds real tension to every decision she makes. The Florida setting felt vivid and lively, especially with the café atmosphere woven into the story. The mystery itself kept me guessing, and I loved how the investigation unfolded without feeling rushed or overly complicated. The chemistry between Libby and Jack added just the right amount of heat and humor without overpowering the plot. Overall, this book struck a great balance between cozy mystery vibes and real stakes, and it definitely left me eager to continue the series.
April 5, 2026
Murder in Mariposa Beach is an absolute delight from start to finish a fresh, fun, and addictive debut that perfectly blends cozy mystery vibes with a splash of romantic tension.
Libby Marshall is the kind of heroine you instantly root for smart, resilient, and just the right amount of stubborn. Her backstory adds real depth, making her more than just your typical amateur sleuth. Watching her try to rebuild her life while getting pulled into yet another murder investigation keeps the stakes high and the pages turning.
Libby Marshall is the kind of heroine you instantly root for smart, resilient, and just the right amount of stubborn. Her backstory adds real depth, making her more than just your typical amateur sleuth. Watching her try to rebuild her life while getting pulled into yet another murder investigation keeps the stakes high and the pages turning.
November 6, 2025
I absolutely loved Murder in Mariposa Beach! Libby is such a strong, relatable character smart, witty, and determined to rebuild her life after everything she’s been through. The Florida setting adds a fun, breezy vibe while the mystery keeps you guessing till the end. And the chemistry between Libby and Jack? Perfect balance of tension and charm. A great start to what I can tell will be an addictive cozy mystery series!
October 11, 2025
What I loved most is how effortlessly Teresa Michael balances humor, romance, and suspense. The café setting feels warm and inviting, the dialogue sparkles with personality, and the murder mystery keeps you guessing right to the end. You can almost taste the coffee and feel the Gulf breeze while turning the pages.
October 8, 2026
Murder in Mariposa Beach was a fun and entertaining mystery. I enjoyed Libby’s character, the Florida setting, and the mix of mystery, humor, and romance. The chemistry between Libby and Jack added another enjoyable layer to the story. Overall, a light, engaging read with characters I’d be happy to follow into the next book.
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August 22, 2021Murder in Mariposa Beach recently won the Firebird Book Award in the Mystery category.
March 28, 2026
Mum got me this from a mutual of the writer! Fun mystery read, plus I enjoyed the use of FL towns.
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October 25, 2026Very entertaining especially for those of us living in the area!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews