A Cup of Jo

That’s not a typo in the title: Jo is JoLynne Penn-Williams, the events manager for a dedication of the commuter train line that will run between Milwaukee and Brookhills, Wisconsin, a small fictional town located 15 miles west of Milwaukee.

Maggy Thorsen, co-owner of Uncommon Grounds coffee shop, is on hand at the celebration with her partner, the prickly real-estate agent Sarah Kingston, when JoLynne turns up dead, marring the celebration.

Poor Maggy deserves a break: First, in Uncommon Grounds, her marriage broke up when her dentist husband recently left her for his 24-year-old dental hygienist. Then, when Maggy begins a new life and a new business, her coffee shop was destroyed in a freak May blizzard in Brewed, Crude and Tattooed, show more and the re-opening nearly spoiled due to mayhem in From the Grounds Up. But Maggy’s not about to catch a break in A Cup of Jo, the sixth novel in the series. Turns out the pretty and petite victim JoLynne, although married, was very promiscuous — even bedding her sister’s boyfriend and, according to rumor, Maggy’s main squeeze, sexy Sheriff Jake Pavlik. When she’s not waxing jealous about promiscuous JoLynne, Maggy’s worried about Milwaukee County Executive Wynona Counsel, who once dated Pavlik, too. It’s not a pretty picture, but, considering Maggy’s history — she was oblivious of her ex’s philandering — it’s understandable.

So who killed JoLynne? Was it her cuckolded husband, whom police have arrested? Or could one of JoLynne’s many lovers or their spurned wives or girlfriends have decided that enough was enough? You’ll be rooting for Maggy to find out the truth. While most will also be rooting for Maggy to patch things up with Jake, I’m ambivalent. Maggy’s a strong woman, and Jake’s a bit bullying and emotionally distant. As the kitchen magnet proclaims, “It's better to have loved and lost, than to live with a psycho for the rest of your life.” Jake’s not a psycho, but Maggy can do better.

Still, don’t let my demur put you off. A Cup of Jo will brew up a funny and clever page-turner you’ll drink in no time flat. show less

Sandra Balzo brews up a great mystery in A Cup of Jo the latest in her Maggy Thorsen series! When Maggy orders a huge inflatable coffee cup emblazoned with the Uncommon Grounds logo to promote her coffee shop, it seems like a great idea... until a body is found inside the giant decoration.

With motives all around and suspects close to heart, it's up to Maggy to sort through clues while trying to maintain a booming coffee business. Trouble has a knack for following Maggy, though, and the twists and turns in this mystery are as abundant as the quirky characters. Balzo fills her Wisconsin town with a great supporting cast of friends and fiends ensuring that Maggy's tale is heartwarming, hilarious, and perfectly puzzling.

The challenge is show more on for the reader to solve the murder alongside Maggy Thorsen. Armchair detectives everywhere will definitely want to cozy up with A Cup of Jo. show less

I thought this was a great story. The author approached a common plot line from a different angle and added a small twist, so it didn't feel like the same ole' same ole. I'm sad to be at the end of this series and having to wait for the next one to be published but I'm looking forward to the next one.