Tea, Tiramisu, and Tough Guys

Delightfully, Dangerously, Brewed New Series...

"'You won't be in jail!'I retorted, based solely on my own observances and not the years of police work and training that the detectives would be relying on." This is the gut reaction of Harper Lin's heroine, Franny Amaro, in Tea, Tiramisu, and Tough Guys. Franny cannot believe that her hunky high school crush, Todd, could have killed young Joe Davis and left his body behind Todd's own gym. However, Franny's current romantic interest, neighbor, and sleuthing partner, Matt Cardosi,doesn't agree.

When Todd shows an interest in Franny, Franny needs to decide whether Todd is, in fact, innocent;which man interests her more; and who to question in this touristy oceanside town. A wrong decision show more could spell the end for Franny's amateur crime - solving and her existence as well.

I was happy to discover this new series that is light and sweetly,teasingly romantic,yet clean. I am anxious to continue with the series and see how the characters develop and grow.

I was gifted a copy of the ebook from the author in exchange for a review. show less

This book is the second one in the Cape Bay murder mystery series. I listened to the audiobook while out running, just as I did with the first one. Here, Francesca is still running Alexandra’s coffee shop, still dancing around the edges of romance with her old friend Matty, and still getting involved in mysteries that don’t concern her! In this book, while Franny is preoccupied with learning how to make a good cup of tea – after some English visitors to her coffee shop weren’t impressed with her efforts – she learns of a murder in town. It’s the second in as many months and is very unsettling to the residents of the sleepy little town.

The victim, Joe Davis, was murdered in the parking lot of Todd’s Gym, which is run by show more Franny’s school crush Todd Caruthers. The police think Todd is guilty, and Franny is determined to prove his innocence. However, Matt is not so sure that Todd didn’t do it. The two of them work together to solve the mystery, all while trying to navigate their own relationship…

I did enjoy this book. Marguerite Gavin does a good job of narrating the story, told in the first person by Franny, and I really like both Franny and Matt. I do think the editing could be a bit tighter – several times the same phrasing is used twice in a sentence, which is slightly grating, but nonetheless it’s undemanding fluff. A lot of time is given over to the running of the cafe, which I quite enjoyed, but if it’s a solid murder mystery that you’re looking for, then this might not be the book for you, as the murder is just one facet of the story rather than necessarily the main part. The only thing that annoyed me a bit is that – for reasons I can’t explain because it would mean providing spoilers – the reader/listener doesn’t really get a fair chance to solve the mystery. I believe it was Agatha Christie who said that she always wanted to give readers the fair chance to solve the mystery themselves if they just put the clues together; in this case, some very pertinent information was withheld. But as stated before, the murder is one of the focusses of this book, rather than the only focus, so that did not really detract too much.

If you like cozy murder mysteries, you might want to give this series a try. show less

Tea, Tiramisu and Tough Guys by Harper Lin is a fun cozy mystery to read. It is the second book in the Cape Bay Cafe Mysteries. Francesca “Fran” Amaro owns Antonia’s Italian Café. She serves all types of coffees and some sweet treats. Thanks to a British customer, Fran is exploring adding tea drinks to the menu. Fran and Matt Cardosi have been spending more time together since Fran solved the murder of Matt’s father. Matt and Fran grew up together and are now neighbors. They are also exploring have a closer relationship (as a couple). Things are going along smoothly when the local gossip tells them that Joe Davis has been stabbed to death in the parking lot of Todd’s Gym. Joe is a few years younger than Fran, but her second show more in command, Sammy grew up with Joe. Turns out that the owner of Todd’s Gym was the guy Fran had a crush on in high school. His name is Todd Caruthers (typical sports jock). Fran decides to investigate the murder (she cannot help herself) despite warnings from Mike, the local police detective.

Todd turns out to be the main suspect, but Fran is sure he is innocent (based on two conversations). Matt tries to show Fran that Todd could be guilty based on the facts. This case puts Matt and Fran at odds with each other (I think Matt is jealous of Todd). Who really killed Joe Davis? Can Fran solve the case? What will happen to the budding relationship between Matt and Fran? You will have to read Tea, Tiramisu and Tough Guys to find out! I found this to be an enjoyable novel to read. It provided many laughs for me. I give Tea, Tiramisu and Tough Guys 4.25 out of 5 stars. My one problem is the person who committed the crime was not introduced until late in the book (and then it is obvious he committed the crime). My favorite part of a cozy mystery is solving the murder and I did not get the opportunity with this book. This book can easily be read without reading the first book in the series (I did).

I received a complimentary copy of Tea, Tiramisu and Tough Guys from the author in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own. show less

The second offering in the Cape Bay Mysteries series continues the story of Francesca, Matteo, and Antonia's Italian Café. There is now a second murder and a reunion with Francesca's high school crush, Todd Caruthers.

I enjoyed this story. Matty seems to be jealous of Todd but we are not told why. Seems he likes Franny more than he says or acts upon. As sure as Franny is that Todd is innocent, Matty is not so sure. Can it be the insecurities and jealousies of high school are rearing their ugly heads? I had fun watching Matty counter every argument Franny comes up with on Todd's innocence.

Franny is also playing with adding tea to the menu. I liked her experimentation and methodical eye to detail whether on coffee, tea, or murder. I show more like how she is right in the middle of it all. This time though she manages not to anger Mike. The mystery was good. I was totally wrong about who the murderer was until Franny figured it out and explained it to Matty. I'll never be a detective.

I look forward to more lattes, caffes, and teas as this series continues. show less

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Penny Marks's review Sep 18, 15 · edit
5 of 5 stars
Read in September, 2015

This is the first book in the Cape Bay Cafe Mysteries that I have read. I will definitely be reading book one because I loved this book two. The flow of this book was spot on with a very easy to follow plot and character development.
The main character, Libby is a very strong independent woman. She owns the Antonia's Italian Cafe which she inherited from her mother who passed away.. She has grown up in this cafe and learning to make coffee since she could stand. Tea, not one of Libb's strong areas comes into play when an older English couple comes into her coffee shop and really wants a cup of tea. She brings them tea much to their dismay. It is awful show more compared to their English tastes and can't hide how they feel. Libby becomes obsessed with making it as good as the English. This is really a fun part of the story when she begins to get advice from the old couple on how to make it properly. She also gets a lot of help from the internet and orders every tea known to mankind.
Everything in Libby's life is going ok, she is falling for her best friend Matt, her business is busy and she has great employees. What more could she need? Then walks in Mrs. D'Angelo with news of a murder. And it just so happens that it occurred in the parking lot of an old high school classmates business. So now there have been two murders in the past few months. Libby is so concerned because things like this just don't happen in Cape Bay! It is the kind of place where you don't lock your doors and now murder?? The number one suspect is a person every girl including Libby had a crush on in high school, Todd Caruthers.
Libby decides she is going to help get to the bottom of this murder. But will she find the murderer before he or she finds her? What will happen to Cape Bay now that two murders have occurred in their sleepy town?
The cast of characters in this book for great to get to know. I loved this book. The author has you from the first chapter through to the very end sitting on the edge of your seat. If you love Cozies with a great dog, mystery, suspense, and a little romance you will not want to miss this second book in the Cape Bay Mysteries.
I received this book as an ARC as a member of a review crew. Thank you for letting me read your wonderful work Ms. Lin. show less

I have to say that the mystery portion of the story was definitely better then in book 1, although if the author padded out the story a little more it would be better. At least the perpetrator was introduced during the narrative and didn't just arrive in the last scenes. I like the 2 main characters and am going to start on book 3 now.

I received an advance copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this second installment in this new series from Harper Lin. The story is easy to follow, even if you haven't read the first book, but does allow the characters of Matt and Franny to progress. I really liked how Fran decides to expand her menu.

The characters are believable, the mystery is good and the story is light and fun.

I definitely recommend reading this book!