Book Review: Uncommon Grounds

Reviewed By: Carol - SLC - RAM

Uncommon Grounds     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sandra Balzo
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Maggy Thorsen # 1
Five Star, 2004, 247 pages

I’m not exactly fond of cozies, but Sandra Balzo really hits the mark with Uncommon Grounds. Maggy Thorsen, recently divorced public relations expert about to turn entrepreneur, embarks on the chance of a lifetime -- opening, along with two friends, her own gourmet coffee shop. Opening day doesn’t go exactly the way the trio has planned; when Maggy arrives at the shop she finds Patricia Harper, one of the three co-owners, lying on the floor in a pool of milk with Caron, Maggy’s long-time friend and other co-owner, standing over her. From this point on, NOTHING is as it seems. I especially like Ms. Balzo’s use of an unconventional murder weapon – an espresso machine! It turns out that Patricia has been electrocuted, and not unintentionally.

As with many small communities, just about everyone in Brookhills has skeletons in their closets, and in her search for the truth Maggy learns much more about her friends and neighbors than she bargains for.

I especially enjoyed the characters in this book, and the action and suspense are high caliber. This is definitely not your common cozy! The plot is very complex and will keep the reader off balance throughout. This is one EXCELLENT mystery novel, and I will certainly be on the lookout for more titles by Ms. Balzo!

Carol - SLC - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol - SLC - RAM