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A Ground Rules Mystery #3
Flat White Fatality
Portland, Oregon, coffee barista Sage Caplin is ready to take a shot at fun and gaming with a new side hustle. But when a joke is taken too far, someone gets burned . . .
To top off her coffee business, Sage is now helping out with her boyfriend Bax’s gaming company. Conveniently for Sage, it’s located next door to her Ground Rules Roastery. That makes it easy for her to pitch in with Bax’s employee team-building event. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. And it seems to be going well—until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .
There are two suspects so far: Sage, who has no idea how the victim ended up in her space; and Bax, who was allegedly spotted arguing with Robbie the day before. But could it be a disgruntled employee? After all, Robbie’s sense of humor was known to have rubbed some coworkers the wrong way. Now, it’s up to Sage to find the culprit—before another life grinds to a halt.
To top off her coffee business, Sage is now helping out with her boyfriend Bax’s gaming company. Conveniently for Sage, it’s located next door to her Ground Rules Roastery. That makes it easy for her to pitch in with Bax’s employee team-building event. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. And it seems to be going well—until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .
There are two suspects so far: Sage, who has no idea how the victim ended up in her space; and Bax, who was allegedly spotted arguing with Robbie the day before. But could it be a disgruntled employee? After all, Robbie’s sense of humor was known to have rubbed some coworkers the wrong way. Now, it’s up to Sage to find the culprit—before another life grinds to a halt.
245 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2023
52 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Emmeline Duncan
10 books349 followersEmmeline Duncan is a mystery writer based out of Portland, Oregon. Her novels include the Ground Rules series, including Fresh Brewed Murder, Double Shot Death, Flat White Fatality, and Death Unfiltered, which comes out in the spring of 2024. She's also the author of Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop, a Halloween-themed mystery that will come out in August 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 28, 2023
Immerse yourself in the coffee culture of the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR, specifically) in this cozy mystery series! Flat White Fatality is the third in the series but is the first one I’ve had a chance to read. I had no trouble following along, but I’m sure that reading the first two would have made all the relationships clearer to me from the start. I enjoyed this one so much that I just might make the time to read books one and two, to get all the backstory!
The main character, Sage, runs a coffee food cart in Portland called Ground Rules. Her roastery shares a building with a video game development company, run by her boyfriend, Bax, and a gym. Bax’s company, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio (ha!) is doing a scavenger hunt as a team building event, and one of the employees winds up dead - in Sage’s roastery! The employees are all wearing duck-suit onesies, which was pretty funny to imagine.
In addition to the mystery, we get a good sense of the Portland area, complete with its “hipster” image as well as its homeless population. I love that Sage has an option for people to prepay for some food items and that anyone who needs one can ask for that item. There’s a diverse group of characters, including one staff member from Newfoundland, Canada - who everyone thinks is Irish, due to her accent.
There are some yummy-sounding recipes in the back of the book, along with advice on how to use coffee grounds as a refrigerator deodorizer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library, which made the hours of a long flight “fly” by. The narrator, Carly Robins, did a good job with the various voices and accents.
The main character, Sage, runs a coffee food cart in Portland called Ground Rules. Her roastery shares a building with a video game development company, run by her boyfriend, Bax, and a gym. Bax’s company, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio (ha!) is doing a scavenger hunt as a team building event, and one of the employees winds up dead - in Sage’s roastery! The employees are all wearing duck-suit onesies, which was pretty funny to imagine.
In addition to the mystery, we get a good sense of the Portland area, complete with its “hipster” image as well as its homeless population. I love that Sage has an option for people to prepay for some food items and that anyone who needs one can ask for that item. There’s a diverse group of characters, including one staff member from Newfoundland, Canada - who everyone thinks is Irish, due to her accent.
There are some yummy-sounding recipes in the back of the book, along with advice on how to use coffee grounds as a refrigerator deodorizer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library, which made the hours of a long flight “fly” by. The narrator, Carly Robins, did a good job with the various voices and accents.
July 8, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose!
Sage Caplin's Ground Rules coffee business is growing but she still has time to help out her boyfriend Bax with his gaming business, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio, and take part in the company's team-building event. Bax's partner has organized a scavenger hunt to boost morale. The employees break up into teams but the fun comes to an end when Sage finds something not on the scavenger list. Another employee dead on the floor at the Ground Rules Roastery. The police quickly put Sage, her partner Harley, and Bax at the top of their suspect list. It turns out the deceased loved to prank people and some of the pranks were pretty nasty so Sage decides to do some investigating herself knowing the police are focusing on the wrong people. Can she roast out the killer? or will there be another fatality?
______
In Double Shot Death Bax supported Sage when she took her coffee cart to a music festival so I loved the way Sage is helping him in this story to develop a new game in a fun and interesting way. She also has his back when one of his employees is killed. I enjoy the way this relationship continues to evolve as the series goes on. Harley is having a rough time being on the suspect list and that her favorite place, the roastery, was the scene of the crime. We also meet several other characters in the staff at Bax's company. Sage's baristas are back too. All of Ms. Duncan's characters are unique and cleverly written.
There were plenty of suspects regarding the victim's death and the author poured over several twists and diversions. I really enjoyed following along with Sage as she tried to solve the murder and a couple of other mysteries. The conclusion of the murder mystery had me smiling because the real culprit was who I wanted it to be throughout the whole book.
Again the author brings the Portland, Oregon area alive with the places we were able to visit on the scavenger hunt and the food truck lot, and the area where Sage and Harley's first brick-and-mortar shop will be. I think the focus of Bax's video-game-creation company was fresh and set up some funny moments. It was fun to see what happens behind the scenes about something that takes up a lot of my children's and grandchildren's time. Ms. Duncan does a great job at setting a scene with just the right amount of details.
I was especially impressed that the author shines the spotlight on current environmental issues and the homeless, even having ways for people to buy items in advance for the homeless to get a coffee and/or a baked good when they stop by the coffee cart.
There are six recipes after the story including one for Ground Rules Espresso Brownies that I will have to try. The author also includes a great way to use coffee grounds as a Fridge Deodorizer.
Flat White Fatality is a solid addition to the Ground Rules Mystery Series. The final few pages of the book have me so excited for the next installment. Death Unfiltered is set to be released on March 26, 2024.
Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose!
Sage Caplin's Ground Rules coffee business is growing but she still has time to help out her boyfriend Bax with his gaming business, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio, and take part in the company's team-building event. Bax's partner has organized a scavenger hunt to boost morale. The employees break up into teams but the fun comes to an end when Sage finds something not on the scavenger list. Another employee dead on the floor at the Ground Rules Roastery. The police quickly put Sage, her partner Harley, and Bax at the top of their suspect list. It turns out the deceased loved to prank people and some of the pranks were pretty nasty so Sage decides to do some investigating herself knowing the police are focusing on the wrong people. Can she roast out the killer? or will there be another fatality?
______
In Double Shot Death Bax supported Sage when she took her coffee cart to a music festival so I loved the way Sage is helping him in this story to develop a new game in a fun and interesting way. She also has his back when one of his employees is killed. I enjoy the way this relationship continues to evolve as the series goes on. Harley is having a rough time being on the suspect list and that her favorite place, the roastery, was the scene of the crime. We also meet several other characters in the staff at Bax's company. Sage's baristas are back too. All of Ms. Duncan's characters are unique and cleverly written.
There were plenty of suspects regarding the victim's death and the author poured over several twists and diversions. I really enjoyed following along with Sage as she tried to solve the murder and a couple of other mysteries. The conclusion of the murder mystery had me smiling because the real culprit was who I wanted it to be throughout the whole book.
Again the author brings the Portland, Oregon area alive with the places we were able to visit on the scavenger hunt and the food truck lot, and the area where Sage and Harley's first brick-and-mortar shop will be. I think the focus of Bax's video-game-creation company was fresh and set up some funny moments. It was fun to see what happens behind the scenes about something that takes up a lot of my children's and grandchildren's time. Ms. Duncan does a great job at setting a scene with just the right amount of details.
I was especially impressed that the author shines the spotlight on current environmental issues and the homeless, even having ways for people to buy items in advance for the homeless to get a coffee and/or a baked good when they stop by the coffee cart.
There are six recipes after the story including one for Ground Rules Espresso Brownies that I will have to try. The author also includes a great way to use coffee grounds as a Fridge Deodorizer.
Flat White Fatality is a solid addition to the Ground Rules Mystery Series. The final few pages of the book have me so excited for the next installment. Death Unfiltered is set to be released on March 26, 2024.
August 21, 2023
Ramblings:
Grab your favorite brew because this Kensington cozy serves up red herrings, false trails, and enough suspects to keep you on your toes. Read on to see if I guessed whodunit!
Reviewer Summary:
Sage Caplin's boyfriend, Luke Evans Baxter, co-owns a gaming company named the Grumpy Sasquatch. Even if Bax's employees are the best in their craft, no gamer is safe with a killer on the loose.
There's only one thing for certain. If Sage doesn't uncover the killer's identity soon...it'll be game over! And not even her strongest coffee blend will bring the dead back to life.
Review:
Flat White Fatality is the third installment in the Ground Rules mystery series, written by author Emmeline Duncan. It was released in June of 2023 and includes a main story with several pages of recipes. One of which is for espresso brownies.
Keep in mind that if you're searching for details and back stories, this is not a standalone. I'd recommend reading the earlier installments prior to picking-up book three. Unless, you're here "solely for the cozy"- in that case, all's well. Carry on!
Did I guess whodunit? Yes, but at the very end. I actually had a list going with four suspects. The red herrings kept throwing me off the killer's trail. I liked that Sage runs a coffee cart business rather than the standard coffee shop. And I'm in for the other installments, should the author choose to continue the series.
Tags/Themes:
Coffee; Cozy; Detective; Divorce; Fiction; Gaming; Gym; Kensington cozies; Lawyers; Mystery; Police; Scavenger hunt; Siblings
Previous Novels:
Book #1- Fresh Brewed Murder
Book #2- Double Shot Death
Read To Find Out:
#1 Who killed whom
#2 Who's in/who's out at the office shakedown
#3 Who proposed
#4 Did they say yes, no, maybe after a few, or never in a million years
#5 How to make espresso brownies
Disclosure:
I received a trade paperback copy as part of a newsletter giveaway. The author did not request a review. I'm sharing my honest thoughts/ramblings of my own accord.
Grab your favorite brew because this Kensington cozy serves up red herrings, false trails, and enough suspects to keep you on your toes. Read on to see if I guessed whodunit!
Reviewer Summary:
Sage Caplin's boyfriend, Luke Evans Baxter, co-owns a gaming company named the Grumpy Sasquatch. Even if Bax's employees are the best in their craft, no gamer is safe with a killer on the loose.
There's only one thing for certain. If Sage doesn't uncover the killer's identity soon...it'll be game over! And not even her strongest coffee blend will bring the dead back to life.
Review:
Flat White Fatality is the third installment in the Ground Rules mystery series, written by author Emmeline Duncan. It was released in June of 2023 and includes a main story with several pages of recipes. One of which is for espresso brownies.
Keep in mind that if you're searching for details and back stories, this is not a standalone. I'd recommend reading the earlier installments prior to picking-up book three. Unless, you're here "solely for the cozy"- in that case, all's well. Carry on!
Did I guess whodunit? Yes, but at the very end. I actually had a list going with four suspects. The red herrings kept throwing me off the killer's trail. I liked that Sage runs a coffee cart business rather than the standard coffee shop. And I'm in for the other installments, should the author choose to continue the series.
Tags/Themes:
Coffee; Cozy; Detective; Divorce; Fiction; Gaming; Gym; Kensington cozies; Lawyers; Mystery; Police; Scavenger hunt; Siblings
Previous Novels:
Book #1- Fresh Brewed Murder
Book #2- Double Shot Death
Read To Find Out:
#1 Who killed whom
#2 Who's in/who's out at the office shakedown
#3 Who proposed
#4 Did they say yes, no, maybe after a few, or never in a million years
#5 How to make espresso brownies
Disclosure:
I received a trade paperback copy as part of a newsletter giveaway. The author did not request a review. I'm sharing my honest thoughts/ramblings of my own accord.
January 19, 2024
It took me forever to finish this because I just didn’t care. I miss the rail yard and all the different trucks and her dad. I didn’t care for the new setting, the whole story petty much about Bax’s world etc. I really enjoyed the last book but this fizzled for me. 2.5⭐️
March 3, 2024
I almost DNFed because of the use of legit and lit in almost every conversation. Then I almost DNFEd because every chapter started with "a normal morning shift at the coffee cart" "leaving the coffee cart in the capable hands of my very capable barista." There was so much over-explaining and weird dialogue that it felt like a robot wrote it. This book was legit not lit
August 7, 2024
I really enjoy this series. I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Death Unfiltered the latest book in this series before it came out in March and enjoyed it so much that I have been playing catch up. This book also did not disappoint. I love Sage. She is a smart and thoughtful MC, I love that she and Harley actually work hard and grow their business. In this adventure, Sage is helping out the game development company her boyfriend is part owner of by doing action and posing as the main character in the game video. When one of the employees for the company disappears during a team building exercise and is then found murdered in the roastery, all of Sage and Bax's employees are considered suspects. Can Sage put a few things together to get Bax and her partner Harley off the hot seat? Is this an inside job? Is anyone safe? You will definitely want to come along on this interesting mystery, plus the coffee is A1!
December 27, 2022
First I would like to say that I love all the covers! They are the cutest and fit the series amazingly.
To top off her coffee business, Sage is now helping out with her boyfriend Bax’s gaming company. Conveniently for Sage, it’s located next door to her Ground Rules Roastery. That makes it easy for her to pitch in with Bax’s employee team-building event. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. And it seems to be going well—until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .
I love the theme and that she has two passions. The coffee sounds amazing and makes my mouth water. Video game production is another interesting career to learn about. This one has lots of twist and turns with a few side stories mixed in. Overall I really enjoyed and looking forward to the next adventure!
#FlatWhiteFatality #NetGalley
To top off her coffee business, Sage is now helping out with her boyfriend Bax’s gaming company. Conveniently for Sage, it’s located next door to her Ground Rules Roastery. That makes it easy for her to pitch in with Bax’s employee team-building event. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. And it seems to be going well—until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .
I love the theme and that she has two passions. The coffee sounds amazing and makes my mouth water. Video game production is another interesting career to learn about. This one has lots of twist and turns with a few side stories mixed in. Overall I really enjoyed and looking forward to the next adventure!
#FlatWhiteFatality #NetGalley
May 1, 2023
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and that is saying a lot because I end up disliking 75% of the ones I try. Many are just so.....lame? Poorly written?
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced peek at this awesome book.
In Flat White we meet up with Sage and Bax at his office where the staff is dressed in duck costumes because, as a team building activity the Grumpy Sasquatch team is going on a scavenger hunt around town. How cool is that? Unfortunately, someone doesn't get to finish the hunt and Sage has to bust out her mystery-solving skills to figure out who had it out for that particular character.
Here's the thing about this series: the cozy formula is there, but it is not obvious because the writing is THAT GREAT. I love all of these characters and the setting and there are two larger mysteries that continue throughout the series: what is up with Sage's mom and what on earth is Mark up to?
So, Flat White Fatality CAN be read as a standalone, but I don't recommend. I'd start with book one and get the full flavor.
One more thing before I get into my notes:
I am very concerned by how many reviewers only seem to focus on the idea that this is a "millennial mystery." That is exclusory and untrue. I get it, I truly do. I've read some cozies written in the 90s and early 2000s that just do not stand up to the test of time, but to pigeon-hole Emmeline Duncan's writing is not fair. I am Gen X and I love this series. Luckily I read the first one before I started seeing those reviews. I might not have picked it up otherwise, thinking it's not for me.
Notes: Grumpy Sasquatch is not that removed from Concerned Ape, do we have a Stardew Valley fan at the helm (squee)?
Fave quote:
"One of the game testers was a woman in her fifties who regularly rocked graphic tees and clunky Doc Martens, and had major DGAF energy coupled with kindness." location 2131
Hee hee!
"My inner child still giggles when I call it the POS system." location 2279 Haha! Me too!!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced peek at this awesome book.
In Flat White we meet up with Sage and Bax at his office where the staff is dressed in duck costumes because, as a team building activity the Grumpy Sasquatch team is going on a scavenger hunt around town. How cool is that? Unfortunately, someone doesn't get to finish the hunt and Sage has to bust out her mystery-solving skills to figure out who had it out for that particular character.
Here's the thing about this series: the cozy formula is there, but it is not obvious because the writing is THAT GREAT. I love all of these characters and the setting and there are two larger mysteries that continue throughout the series: what is up with Sage's mom and what on earth is Mark up to?
So, Flat White Fatality CAN be read as a standalone, but I don't recommend. I'd start with book one and get the full flavor.
One more thing before I get into my notes:
I am very concerned by how many reviewers only seem to focus on the idea that this is a "millennial mystery." That is exclusory and untrue. I get it, I truly do. I've read some cozies written in the 90s and early 2000s that just do not stand up to the test of time, but to pigeon-hole Emmeline Duncan's writing is not fair. I am Gen X and I love this series. Luckily I read the first one before I started seeing those reviews. I might not have picked it up otherwise, thinking it's not for me.
Notes: Grumpy Sasquatch is not that removed from Concerned Ape, do we have a Stardew Valley fan at the helm (squee)?
Fave quote:
"One of the game testers was a woman in her fifties who regularly rocked graphic tees and clunky Doc Martens, and had major DGAF energy coupled with kindness." location 2131
Hee hee!
"My inner child still giggles when I call it the POS system." location 2279 Haha! Me too!!
December 12, 2022
This is the 3rd book in this series, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
Sage is a good character, but parts of the story fell a bit flat for me.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, I do enjoy the series.
#FlatWhiteFatality #NetGalley
Sage is a good character, but parts of the story fell a bit flat for me.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, I do enjoy the series.
#FlatWhiteFatality #NetGalley
June 22, 2023
One of my favorite things in a cozy mystery is a coffee-related setting. I also have certain favorite cities that I especially enjoy “visiting” in books. The Ground Rules Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan has both! The main character Sage Caplin, together with her best friend Harley Yamazaki, own a coffee cart and a roastery, with plans to one day have their own brick-and-mortar coffee shop. Their company is called Ground Rules. The books are set in one of my favorite towns Portland, Oregon.
Fatal White Fatality is the third book in a series that keeps getting better with each book. One of the businesses next door to their Roastery is a gaming company called Grumpy Sasquatch Studio—the company is owned by Lukas Even Baxter—or Bax as everyone calls him. Bax is now Sage’s boyfriend. He has asked her to do some motion capture for one of their upcoming games, which makes her a part of his company, so she takes part in a team-building event with his other employees. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. It seems to be going well until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .murdered.
Suspects include Harper and Bax, so naturally Sage wants to find out what really happened and begins investigating. This does not make the police detective on the case, Detective Will, happy. Robbie’s pranks had a tendency to be cruel so everyone in the company has a motive. As Sage investigates, she learns that Robbie had plenty of secrets. As if that wasn’t enough, other employees appear to be targeted as well. Does someone have it out for Grumpy Sasquatch?
This series makes Portland as much of a character as the people and I love that—I feel like I have been transported to this amazing city each time I pick up one of these books! Obviously, the coffee is also a big part and as I read, I could almost smell Sage’s delicious coffee brewing. The video game element helps make this a mystery that will not only appeal to more seasoned cozy readers like myself but also to a younger generation. I always enjoy visiting Ground Rules and all of the interesting characters in Emmeline’s books, plus you get a good mystery filled with twists and turns to solve along the way. What more could you ask for? Emmeline also addresses real-life issues such as homelessness and the environment, and there are recipes at the back of the book. This has become one of my favorite series! I can’t wait for the next one.
Fatal White Fatality is the third book in a series that keeps getting better with each book. One of the businesses next door to their Roastery is a gaming company called Grumpy Sasquatch Studio—the company is owned by Lukas Even Baxter—or Bax as everyone calls him. Bax is now Sage’s boyfriend. He has asked her to do some motion capture for one of their upcoming games, which makes her a part of his company, so she takes part in a team-building event with his other employees. The plan is to boost morale with a scavenger hunt. It seems to be going well until Robbie, a programmer known for being a prankster, turns up dead in Sage’s roastery . . .murdered.
Suspects include Harper and Bax, so naturally Sage wants to find out what really happened and begins investigating. This does not make the police detective on the case, Detective Will, happy. Robbie’s pranks had a tendency to be cruel so everyone in the company has a motive. As Sage investigates, she learns that Robbie had plenty of secrets. As if that wasn’t enough, other employees appear to be targeted as well. Does someone have it out for Grumpy Sasquatch?
This series makes Portland as much of a character as the people and I love that—I feel like I have been transported to this amazing city each time I pick up one of these books! Obviously, the coffee is also a big part and as I read, I could almost smell Sage’s delicious coffee brewing. The video game element helps make this a mystery that will not only appeal to more seasoned cozy readers like myself but also to a younger generation. I always enjoy visiting Ground Rules and all of the interesting characters in Emmeline’s books, plus you get a good mystery filled with twists and turns to solve along the way. What more could you ask for? Emmeline also addresses real-life issues such as homelessness and the environment, and there are recipes at the back of the book. This has become one of my favorite series! I can’t wait for the next one.
September 27, 2023
4.75 stars
Flat White Fatality is the third book in the Ground Rules Mystery by Emmeline Duncan and is such a fun, cozy mystery with an eclectic group of likable characters. The mystery is intriguing and it’s unraveling is captivating. I had a hard time putting the book down because I wanted to stay connected with these characters and find out their fate.
The story takes place in Portland, Oregon and our primary character is Sage Caplin, a coffee cart barista who is also opening up a store front and expanding her business. Sage also helps out part-time at her boyfriend’s video game company, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio. During a team-building scavenger hunt, one of the employees is found dead in Sage’s roasting company. When Sage, her partner and boyfriend are at the top of the suspect list, Sage can’t help but investigate on her own.
While dealing with a disgruntled, fairly diabolical ex-employer, building her brand and working to gain new business opportunities, and bracing as new members of the Grumpy Sasquatches encounter suspect “accidents”, the pressure is on. But as the tension mounts, her romance deepens, and the plot unfolds in a highly entertaining mystery. This is a unique and engaging cozy mystery series I eagerly look forward to the next installment.
Flat White Fatality is the third book in the Ground Rules Mystery by Emmeline Duncan and is such a fun, cozy mystery with an eclectic group of likable characters. The mystery is intriguing and it’s unraveling is captivating. I had a hard time putting the book down because I wanted to stay connected with these characters and find out their fate.
The story takes place in Portland, Oregon and our primary character is Sage Caplin, a coffee cart barista who is also opening up a store front and expanding her business. Sage also helps out part-time at her boyfriend’s video game company, Grumpy Sasquatch Studio. During a team-building scavenger hunt, one of the employees is found dead in Sage’s roasting company. When Sage, her partner and boyfriend are at the top of the suspect list, Sage can’t help but investigate on her own.
While dealing with a disgruntled, fairly diabolical ex-employer, building her brand and working to gain new business opportunities, and bracing as new members of the Grumpy Sasquatches encounter suspect “accidents”, the pressure is on. But as the tension mounts, her romance deepens, and the plot unfolds in a highly entertaining mystery. This is a unique and engaging cozy mystery series I eagerly look forward to the next installment.
June 27, 2025
Another fun, cozy mystery. I like how this series continues to add a new element to each book to keep things from getting stale. The first book was setting the scene at Ground Rules, the second was the music festival, and this one took place mostly at the Sasquatch gaming business and added a scavenger hunt (allowing us to get to know more about the surrounding businesses).
November 13, 2024
This is the third book I've read from Emmeline Duncan and it's another very cozy mystery. A mysterious death, then other mysterious happenings create tension and suspicion with the Ground Rules and Grumpy Sasquatch studio employees. I recommend these cozy mysteries. So nice to take my mind elsewhere.
May 30, 2023
This series is just so much fun and I feel like I get to know the main characters better and better with each installment. We've seen a lot of action from the coffee carts in the past books, so it was interesting to learn more about the coffee roasting side of Ground Rules (despite the murder that happens there). I love reading about how coffee can be expanded and also utilized in other amazing sounding products. This book also really focused on Bax's business so we got to learn more about him, and read a lot about the making of video games, which even as a non-gamer I thought was so intriguing. As more secrets were spilled about the victim there seemed to be a plethora of suspects and I enjoyed following Sage as she untangles this one. I can't wait for more of this series (especially after that ending!)
December 15, 2022
Sage joins the Sasquatches on their scavenger hunt, now that she’s part of the work family. Dressed as ducks they head around town using clues to find the items needed to finish the race first. But no one was expecting to find one of the Sasquatches dead body along the way.
With Bad being a person of interest and the murder hitting a little too close to home, sage finds herself questioning how well she really knows the people she’s been working with while trying to solve the murder. Cans Sage clear Box before the detective decides he to arrest him? More importantly, can she do it without invoking the wrath of the killer?
Another solid entry in this caffeinated series. If you love coffee and mystery, this series is for you! It’s got a smart and lovable protagonist with a cute kitty and furry canine that will warm your heart along with the coffee.
Another solid entry in this caffeinated series. If you love coffee and mystery, this series is for you! It’s got a smart and lovable protagonist with a cute kitty and furry canine that will warm your heart along with the coffee.
October 5, 2023
Great Read
This was an enjoyable read. This is the third book of A Ground Rules Mystery series. It is a cozy mystery that takes place in Portland, Oregon. In this story, Sage’s boyfriend, Luke Evan Baxter, co-owns a gaming company called Grumpy Sasquatch Studios, which is located right next to Sage’s roastery. During a team-building exercise, one of the programmers of Bax’s company, Robbie, who is a prankster ends up dead in Sage’s roastery. Now, Sage needs to find out who the culprit is before someone else turns up dead. I thought the story was great. The plot was interesting. I thought that the characters were great. I thought Sage was a great main character. I thought she was smart, witty, and unique. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense. I am glad that I finally got to read this book. I cannot wait for book 4 and more Emmeline Duncan books. Death Unfiltered, here I come. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. This is the third book of A Ground Rules Mystery series. It is a cozy mystery that takes place in Portland, Oregon. In this story, Sage’s boyfriend, Luke Evan Baxter, co-owns a gaming company called Grumpy Sasquatch Studios, which is located right next to Sage’s roastery. During a team-building exercise, one of the programmers of Bax’s company, Robbie, who is a prankster ends up dead in Sage’s roastery. Now, Sage needs to find out who the culprit is before someone else turns up dead. I thought the story was great. The plot was interesting. I thought that the characters were great. I thought Sage was a great main character. I thought she was smart, witty, and unique. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense. I am glad that I finally got to read this book. I cannot wait for book 4 and more Emmeline Duncan books. Death Unfiltered, here I come. Overall, a great read.
May 22, 2023
A good and interesting murder mystery that kept me reading! It seemed like an impossible case for both the real police and Sage who was determined to find out who killed her boyfriend's employee in Sage and Harley's roastery. It made Harley look bad since she might've been the last to see the woman alive. When the clues started coming together, I had an idea of whodunit and was right, but it was fun to see how the takedown would go.
The showdown was a good one--I love when the perp incriminates themselves and someone thought to record the whole thing. The very ending was super sweet and just plain awesome as Sage, Bax and Niko celebrated Halloween in a very special way! Don't miss this latest installment of the Ground Rules Mysteries available tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
The showdown was a good one--I love when the perp incriminates themselves and someone thought to record the whole thing. The very ending was super sweet and just plain awesome as Sage, Bax and Niko celebrated Halloween in a very special way! Don't miss this latest installment of the Ground Rules Mysteries available tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
March 22, 2024
Flat White Fatality is a mystery set in Portland’s vibrant hipster community, where coffee culture intertwines with intriguing mysteries.
The plot kept me guessing up until the end, and I appreciated how it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, despite being part of a series. I did not realize it was a series until after I had read it.
I look forward to exploring more of the author’s work after this delightful read.
Thankyou to author Emmeline Duncan, Kensington and NetGalley for this opportunity!
Charlene 📚🌸🤗 @lastnownext
The plot kept me guessing up until the end, and I appreciated how it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, despite being part of a series. I did not realize it was a series until after I had read it.
I look forward to exploring more of the author’s work after this delightful read.
Thankyou to author Emmeline Duncan, Kensington and NetGalley for this opportunity!
Charlene 📚🌸🤗 @lastnownext
Currently reading
May 25, 2023I really enjoy this series. I've been hooked since the first one. I love the characters, I love the Portland scene, and I love the coffee! Sage and her partner, Harley have their own coffee space now. Sage is helping her boyfriend with some of his video game programming, when one of his employees is found dead. Harley becomes the main suspect, and Sage has to prove her innocence.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
July 9, 2023
This series gets better and better with every new entry. I love the cozy Portland world that Duncan has created and the vibrant characters that inhabit that world.
September 24, 2023
So good that I was he reading it so fast. Loved this one a lot and love her dad, uncle, and brother. Especially her lover. 😝😍
July 21, 2024
Another fun coffee and murder read
September 6, 2024
Loved every minute of this incredible mystery! Gosh I love coffee, fall vibes, and death.
October 10, 2024
idk I just couldn’t follow this audio at all too boring for me
July 7, 2023
I didn’t enjoy it and found it incredibly boring
June 4, 2023
I love this more slice of life book in the Ground Rules Mystery series! The first mention of the dolls creeped me out, but I do love the cosplay factor being included in the story! I love seeing more into the characters lives and the Portland aspects always make me more interested in visiting the area! Great book, read the series!! I can't wait to see more of these characters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
I wish I was a coffee lover because the Ground Rules Mystery series has so many delectable coffee descriptions throughout its books that it makes me crave some sort of coffee related drink.
In Flat White Fatality, we’re introduced more into the main character’s (Sage) boyfriend’s gaming company employees. On the birthday of the employees, they participate in a scavenger hunt and while on this hunt, one of the staff members/participant is found dead right in Sage’s roastery. When Sage’s business partner is named as one of the main suspects, Sage dives into solving whodunit.
Other mysterious happenings occur amongst the staff and I found these intriguing that kept the plot interesting. The red herrings were done well as I was kept guessing right up close to the end.
I especially love the Portland setting and the author points out some spots that inspire me to visit whenever I make the trek out to Portland.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
In Flat White Fatality, we’re introduced more into the main character’s (Sage) boyfriend’s gaming company employees. On the birthday of the employees, they participate in a scavenger hunt and while on this hunt, one of the staff members/participant is found dead right in Sage’s roastery. When Sage’s business partner is named as one of the main suspects, Sage dives into solving whodunit.
Other mysterious happenings occur amongst the staff and I found these intriguing that kept the plot interesting. The red herrings were done well as I was kept guessing right up close to the end.
I especially love the Portland setting and the author points out some spots that inspire me to visit whenever I make the trek out to Portland.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 22, 2023
I enjoy every new book in this series more than the one before. Delicious coffee love paired with Portland vibes served with a twisty, cozy mystery.
I loved the layers of mysteries that Sage had to keep unraveling to find the killer. Not figuring out the killer always makes me happy.
Emmeline Duncan does a fantastic job of giving the feel of Portland - with issues like the unhoused, poverty, and gentrification. I appreciate a bit of grit in my cozy. I want coffee houses in my area to do what Sage does with her board of prepaid menu items that anyone can claim - no questions asked.
But there are plenty of lighter moments to balance out the grit - like the participants of the scavenger hunt all wearing duck onesies.
And I love the coffee knowledge, recipes, and tips. I started using coffee grounds in my refrigerator as a deodorizer thanks to this series.
I loved the layers of mysteries that Sage had to keep unraveling to find the killer. Not figuring out the killer always makes me happy.
Emmeline Duncan does a fantastic job of giving the feel of Portland - with issues like the unhoused, poverty, and gentrification. I appreciate a bit of grit in my cozy. I want coffee houses in my area to do what Sage does with her board of prepaid menu items that anyone can claim - no questions asked.
But there are plenty of lighter moments to balance out the grit - like the participants of the scavenger hunt all wearing duck onesies.
And I love the coffee knowledge, recipes, and tips. I started using coffee grounds in my refrigerator as a deodorizer thanks to this series.
March 10, 2023
If you like a bit of quirky mysterious fun, then Flat White Fatality is going to tick the boxes!
Sage is passionate about coffee and building her business. Sage’s boyfriend Bax needs help with employee morale at his video game company.
The characters are all high maintenance with their own life story, a murder to solve and a series of events all keep adding to the confusion!
I felt that there was a lot going on, the readability wasn’t great for me, the flow of the storyline felt muddled.
My thanks to the publisher, NetGallery and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sage is passionate about coffee and building her business. Sage’s boyfriend Bax needs help with employee morale at his video game company.
The characters are all high maintenance with their own life story, a murder to solve and a series of events all keep adding to the confusion!
I felt that there was a lot going on, the readability wasn’t great for me, the flow of the storyline felt muddled.
My thanks to the publisher, NetGallery and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2023
2.5⭐️
This is not a bad story and I really wanted to like this book. I mean book about crime and coffee? What’s not to like..
This was a description of a daily routine life of a girl with a coffee business, her job, friends, boyfriend and gym with a crime in the background. I actually forgot about the murder at some stage. I feel like nothing happened in this book apart from making coffee and video games.
The whole murder was sorted out in exactly 2 pages, that’s it. So this book could have been about 10 pages long altogether and the outcome would have been the same.
Lovely story for someone who is looking for a “quiet/easy read” but it just didn’t do it for me.
This is not a bad story and I really wanted to like this book. I mean book about crime and coffee? What’s not to like..
This was a description of a daily routine life of a girl with a coffee business, her job, friends, boyfriend and gym with a crime in the background. I actually forgot about the murder at some stage. I feel like nothing happened in this book apart from making coffee and video games.
The whole murder was sorted out in exactly 2 pages, that’s it. So this book could have been about 10 pages long altogether and the outcome would have been the same.
Lovely story for someone who is looking for a “quiet/easy read” but it just didn’t do it for me.
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