I'm three books into this entertaining series and still not regretting it, even though I'm a guy. The writing is light and airy and smooth. The characters are likable, the situations are mostly believable and the mysteries are intriguing. This time around there is a higher body count and fewer clues and suspects than ever before. There is also more trouble for the first-person narrator, Juliet, and more complications to her love life.

It's not rewarding to overthink the motivations and actions of amateur sleuths in this sort of book. You have to suspend your disbelief and you want them to get involved and push the story along. In retrospect, though, Juliet might go a step too far in a couple of cases, including breaking and entering a crime scene and interrogating suspects. It wasn't enough to knock me out of the story, though. I did struggle a bit with the plethora of characters and names to keep track of. And the extended sequences of searching for a missing person could have had a better payoff in how it explored the City of Nashville.

On the whole, I can recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries.


Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and Alibi/Random House for providing a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. ( )

I enjoyed this latest installment of this series immensely. I think the main character has really developed and is much more relate-able. I don't question her decisions and can really focus on enjoying the story (which moves along at a good pace). It kept me guessing until the end. I can't wait for the next one. Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Juliet Langley manages the Java Jive, a coffee shop near a college in Nashville, Tennessee. The shop is owned by her best friend, Pete Bennett. Juliet’s boyfriend, Ryder Hamilton, has just been promoted to homicide detective, causing Juliet much worry. This seems a little ironic, because really Ryder should be worried about Juliet. She has a knack for finding dead bodies and getting involved in the murder investigations.

A young college girl has gone missing, causing fear and alarm amongst the local residents. When Juliet's friend and neighbor Chelsea is found dead in her apartment, Juliet begins to suspect that the two cases may be connected. Juliet soon finds herself involved in investigation the deaths and of course things get out of hand.

This is the third book in the Java Jive Mystery series. Because this is a cozy mystery, there is not much graphic violence, and we get a good dose of Juliet's personal life mixed into the story. I felt Ryder acts more like a spoiled child in this one, and his disagreements with Juliet become frustrating. The mystery was pretty solid and well written. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next book in the series. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a free ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I so enjoyed the romp that was the first two books that I immediately started this.

Maybe I shouldn't have binge read or I might have enjoyed this more. I'm also not a huge fan of mysteries so not the best source for an opinion.

I'm not necessarily dine with the series, but this one was a bit much. Too much of everything thrown in. Too many characters. Too many romantic shake ups. Too much of those shake ups plus the mysteries themselves depended on tossing out completely what the first two books told us about certain characters.

What my rating scale means:

★★½☆☆ = Liked parts; parts only okay. Would read more by author ( )

A Whole Latte Murder by Caroline Fardig is a 2016 Alibi publication.

The redheaded she-devil is back and once more finds herself involved in a murder investigation.

When Juliet discovers the body of a woman, who just so happened to be the best friend of one of her Baristas, Ryder asks her to do a little investigative work for him.

Meanwhile, Pete is still working through his grief, and Juliet is struggling with Ryder’s big promotion up to the homicide department. With Ryder working long hours, Pete gets drawn into the investigation as Juliet’s partner in crime, which also means they are spending a great deal of time together alone…

This installment in this madcap series continues to develop, with more knotty plot lines and a slightly more serious tone. These stories have a nice, even blend of romance and mystery, featuring Juliet’s complicated love life, which involves her lingering and confused feelings for Pete, and putting up with the moody tough guy, Ryder.

The mystery this time around might have gotten just a tiny bit too ‘busy’ and so you will want to read slowly and carefully to keep up with a few fast curves and twists. I’m not sure how accurate the plot might be as far as some details are concerned, and a there were times when my plausibility meter tanked, but I never did puzzle out who the killer was, so I can’t really complain.

It is always fun to check up on Juliet and her famous temper. I’m not sure what to make of the relationship ups and downs and felt a little befuddled by the developments this time around, but am keeping my fingers crossed on Juliet’s behalf.

Overall, this was another enjoyable outing with Juliet, Pete, and the gang at Java Jive.

3.5 stars ( )