Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan is the 1st book in A Ground Rules Mystery series, and my first book by this author. Sage Caplin and her business partner, Harley, run Ground Rules a new coffee cart in Portland. There is a lot of tension around the carts, protesters against a new high rise, Sage getting a prime cart spot, and Sage's mother. When a man is murdered in front of Sage and Harley's cart, the sleuthing begins. I really enjoyed this book, Sage has an interesting background that makes me want to get to know her more. Harley doesn't have a big part in this book, but that will probably change in the coming books. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, and I highly recommend this book for cozy mystery book lovers like me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The first in a new series, Fresh Brewed Murder is a fantastic cozy mystery. Sage and her friend Harley are opening their new coffee food truck and running a coffee roasting business. As Sage’s background unfolds, we learn some interesting things about her upbringing.

Unfortunately, on day three Sage arrives at work to find the body of a rude customer beside their truck. She immediately becomes a suspect in his death, as it turns out said suspect is a business rival of her uncle’s and her mother’s ex-boyfriend, and he hates her family.

What I liked about this cozy is that Sage’s focus is still on her business and her life, she doesn’t upend everything to investigate. She’s letting the police do it and turning over information to them as she gets it. I also really liked how Portland is its own character without focussing on the all things tourists love about it, instead on how people live there.

There are a few subplots - a few dates/potential love interests for Sage, developing the business, and a young homeless girl named Gabby who comes to the cart for mocha lattes.

The community of the food carts is also integral to the plot - how they support each other, especially as they are concerned that that development around them may force them out of the space. It is particularly impressive how much development of the worldbuilding is embedded into the plot line and neither feels like it’s being sacrificed for the other at any point. The cast of characters is neatly established and does not feel cookie-cutter.

There are several threads that I assume will be picked up in the next book, and I look forward to it.

A modern take on the cozy mystery, this book brought me to Portland and had me rooting for Sage all the way! There were a few plot devices that made this one keep going, but I loved the characters and the descriptive sense of place. A fun read, but also makes you think!

This was such a good kickoff for a new cozy mystery series! The book centers around the food truck scene in Portland which was full of characters and suspects. I really enjoyed the many layers to the mystery and the family drama mixed with a little humor and romance. Some cozies tend to feel a little outdated or Hallmark-ish but this one felt to current day. I loved it!

Sage didn't kill David, even though her box cutter was the murder weapon and even though her family, especially her mother, has a track record of hostility with the developer. Along with her partner Harley, she's about to take on the Portland coffee scene with her new truck but this might derail things so she's got to investigate. Luckily, her dad is a law enforcement officer and she's got some good friends. You will learn a lot (a lot) about coffee in this debut of a new series (I'm not sure what more there will be to add to the subject in subsequent installments but I'm sure there's something). It's very much a set up to introduce Sage's complicated family. That said, it's good to have a fresh new cozy protagonist and Duncan does a nice job with the Portland atmospherics. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

3.5 STARS - This new cozy mystery centres around the food truck scene in Portland, Oregon and it is a good blend of coffee and murder with a splash of humour, a sprinkle of potential romance and the promise of intriguing future story lines.

The plot balances the murder mystery with the local coffee culture well and I appreciated how the author set her mystery within important social issues such as homelessness and gentrification. I learned more about coffee but, at times, the detailed coffee descriptions were a bit too much for this Plain Jane 'double double' coffee drinker. Sage was an okay main character, but she's a bit bland and I hope we see a bit more chutzpah from her (and her friend Harley who was pretty much ignored) in future books.

This is a cozy mystery with a social conscience that has good twists and is a java lover's dream. I think the author has set herself up with a few interesting plot options in future books - particularly Sage's Uncle Jimmy and her nefarious mother hovering in the wings. Coffee lovahs will enjoy the recipes included at the end of the book.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Kensington Books for my complimentary copy of this book given in exchange for my honest review.

A fresh cozy mystery with a unique Portland setting!

Loved this cozy mystery following Sage Caplin as she opens the coffee cart of her dreams with her BFF, Harley. The relationships were complex and felt so real, my favorite being that between Sage and her brother, Jackson.

The setting was fantastic, really capturing the Portland vibe, and there was some meat to this cozy that I found refreshing.

I wish I could visit the Rail Yard and enjoy a taco or falafel from one of the food trucks, and of course enjoy a pour-over coffee from Ground Rules!

As you know, I love cozy mysteries and I have a feeling that this series will become a fast favorite if the first book is any indication! I've spent a lot of time in Portland and not only does this book set the scene perfectly but it had everything I want in a cozy mystery. First, an interesting setting and job. Second, a great lead character in Sage. Third, a true murder mystery. I could not have asked for more from this book and I can't wait for more in this series!

Fresh Brewed Murder comes out soon on March 30, 2021, and you can purchase HERE!

I'm still waiting for the day when I magically turn into an adult. One day I'll wake up, and my laundry will be washed, dried, folded, and even put away. I'll like smooth jazz, and the thought of a long lease, let alone a mortgage, won't scare me. My wardrobe will be elegant. I'll relish responsibility.

Really enjoyed this book. Sage is a coffee maker that I would love to be friends with since she knows all about coffee and brewing techniques. When a murder occurs by her food cart, Sage is suspect number one. There is a great story behind the plot that keeps the reader in suspense until the end. I'm looking forward to the next in the series! Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good first book in a series. The introductions to the characters were well done - not too much information all at once, slowly parsed out as the story goes on. I really enjoyed the setting of the food truck pod and I learned a lot about coffee. There were a few too many coffee-related phrases along the lines of my heart raced as if I'd downed a million espressos (not a direct quote) but these dropped off almost completely as the book went on. Also, potential love triangle is not ideal. I will read the next one in the series.

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#FreshBrewedMurder #NetGalley

As a rule, I don’t typically expect much from cozy mysteries. That’s kind of the allure, they aren’t too deep or heavy. I love the concept of this new series. I’m an avid coffee drinker & connected with the main character’s love of it too. However, I felt there was far too much “padding”. There were a lot of events that had nothing to do with the story, paragraphs that sounded like filler (like a paragraph telling you how the dishes were washed and packed away and would be reswashed at the next use... unnecessary). I would’ve like to read a little more character development, that probably would’ve helped me to connect with the protagonist. I do have to say, I would read more installments in the future. Maybe the additional stories would help round out this first book.

Have you heard about this coffee themed cozy mystery yet?! It comes out 3/30 and is a great start to a new series!! I loved everything about it - the setting, characters and mystery were all fantastic.

It takes place in Portland and centers around the food cart scene. The MC obviously operates a coffee cart. Now I’ve read quite a few coffee themed cozies, but this one felt very original and even hip. My husband is a coffee fanatic, he grinds his own beans and has every coffee gadget out there so I’m very familiar with the equipment and terminology. I loved how this story didn’t focus on just the basic orders, but also added in chatter about coffee cocktails and even sodas. I enjoyed all of the various food trucks and seeing what each character specialized in. I definitely would have order the falafels with special zhug sauce!! This story also includes Portland’s homeless population which provided some intriguing side characters.

Sage was a great lead!! She is witty and very realistic. I particularly enjoyed learning about her past. Her mother is a con artist who caused a lot of emotional baggage for Sage which was an unique twist. I can’t wait to see how that storyline progresses. I liked the scenes with her overprotective brother. There might be a love triangle brewing too, but I’m all for Team Bax.

The mystery was captivating from start to finish. I was definitely surprised once the culprit was revealed since there were numerous, believable suspects and red herrings.

It concludes with several recipes that appeared throughout the story. I loved learning about Kopi Jahe.

This was a fantastic debut and I look forward to reading more from this author!!!

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the A Ground Rules mystery by Emmeline Duncan and Kelly Garrett.

I really liked the ambiance and setting in this. Having Sage’s mother have such a sordid past was really unique. I feel like she might be Murdock to Sage’s MacGyver. Murdock is the character that always causes trouble dies in the end and some how manages to come back to life to bother him again in another episode.

Loved the entire backstory of the characters and how unique the food truck lot and its inhabitants were. This is definitely a series I want to see more of. I am intrigued.

The book was well written, the plot intense and complex as well as a complete page turner! Cozy mystery loves will totally dig into this caffeinated confection of goodness.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Fresh Brewed Murder is the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series by Emmeline Duncan. Set in Portland, Oregon it features a very interesting young woman named Sage Caplin as she open's Ground Rules, a coffee cart she started with her bean roasting genius best friend. Navigating Portland's coffee culture, foodie scene and gentrification is just the tip of the ice burg in this series. We also learn Sage's mother is a criminal on the lam and left her as a child alone in Portland. Sage had to find her way to her uncle and later her father, who she had not known prior, spending a few days living on the street. She has a soft spot for the street youth and displaced people in the city that are struggling with rising rents and developments. When she finds a building developer from the site across the street dead in front of her coffee cart, Sage is immediately considered a person of interest. With the help of her lawyer half brother, police detective father and Portland legen Uncle Jimmy, Sage tries to find out what's really going on.

I always love a modern cozy mystery that deals with grittier issues and bad ass female characters, while holding onto the fun and spirit of the genre. This book would able to readers young or old and I can't wait to see what happens in book 2. A fantastic new series that you don't have to be a huge coffee lover to adore, but you'll like even more so if your are!

It has been some time since I last ready a cozy mystery. I got tired of reading the same formula where the main character made poor choices and was made out to look like they were incompetent. So glad this book was different! Sage is a strong and smart main character. The themes in the story are current. There was a lot of information about coffee, but it wasn't over the top.

This is the first in a new mystery series, happy to be among the first readers and looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

Thanks to Kensington Books, NetGalley, and the author for the Digital Review Copy.

"Fresh Brewed Murder" by Emmeline Duncan provides a wonderful mix of caffeine, murder, romance, and sass in this first novel to the Ground Rules series. A quick and fun read about the art of coffee and how it helped solve a murder!

Ground Rules is a coffee cart set up in Portland's local food truck scene. It's run by two best friends, Sage Caplin and Harley who create one-of-a-kind caffeinated drinks to compete with local coffee sellers. A few days into their start-up and a dead body is found in front of their cart with Sage as the prime suspect. Except, it could be anybody from the owners of the food trucks who aren't happy about Ground Rules opening on a coveted spot to the people protesting a new high-rise. With her business, life, and reputation on the line, Sage makes it her responsibility to find the person trying to frame her for a crime she's innocent of.

"Fresh brewed Murder" was an absolutely delightful read. There's a lot to know about the art of brewing coffee and how to create a variety of drinks with their own unique flavor. Even those who are not coffee drinkers or fans of its bitterness will appreciate the time and effort to brew the perfect cup. Sage and Harley are hilarious business partners who create non-stop entertainment for their friends and readers with their easy banter and love for all things caffeinated.

One aspect of this novel that is unlike other cozy murder mysteries is Duncan's decision to disrupt someone's life with murder as realistic as possible. A murder happens and it leaves a major impression on those impacted, including Sage who becomes the police's prime suspect. Yet, it doesn't take precedence over the story. Life never seems to stop when someone dies, and that's the truth for Sage who works to bring her coffee skills and beans to notoriety while juggling personal issues, relationships, homelessness in the community, and murder. The story remains light and charming with easy banter from friends and freshly brewed coffee with a dose of murder to shake things up.

I highly recommend this novel for those who love your classic cozy murder mysteries. Sage and Harley are the coffee duo of everyone's dreams! Look for "Freshly Brewed Murder" by Emmeline Duncan on its expected publication date of March 30th, 2021, and add it to your reading lists!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a free e-arc to read for an honest review.

I think this series has potential but this story is a very average cozy mystery and the heroine is a bit too weak for my taste.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sage Caplin has just opened a coffee cart in a court yard for food trucks. On the third morning she finds a dead man in front of her cart, apparently killed with a box cutter she had borrowed from one of her neighbours. The dead man has a link to her past and this makes the police quick to ask pointy finger questions.

Despite this, the story lacks urgency. There’s no “I must solve this murder or it’s my livelihood/freedom on the line”. Probably because Sage has so many irons in the fire, a murder doesn’t upset her balance. In any case, she does very little sleuthing. If she learns anything about the victim or possible suspects, it is because people come to her cart and tell her. Or she does a search on the internet, all the while keeping an eye on her business and developing new business opportunities.

Something irked me throughout this story - Sage takes speak no ill of the death to a whole new level. She keeps reminding herself (and the reader) how bad it is that a man was killed. She didn’t even know the man. Is she equally considerate of the on average 50 people a day that are killed in the USA? (That’s over 1000 more murder victims during the course of this story.) Plus, it seems this guy was a jerk in business as well as in private.

Anyway, not a story for me. Not enough mystery, too much Sage is a wonderful business woman and all round nice person content.

Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

How can a book about a murder be so charming? — A hip setting, multiple romantic interests, a lovable heroine, and lattes galore! — that’s how!

Days after open her coffee cart in the Rail Yard in Portland, Oregon, our protagonist Sage Caplin finds a man dead outside her business. Shortly after the incident and receiving a phone call from her estranged con-artist mother, suspicion falls on Sage. The murder victim is a former acquaintance of her mother and the housing developer of a controversial development across the street from her food cart. It doesn’t help that Sage keeps finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The vibrant craft coffee and beer references as well as the vivid descriptions of Portland really helped to set the stage for this book!

This was a super fun, quick read for me. The start to a new cozy series, the action takes place in Portland, Oregon around a coffee cart in a food cart pod (all very Portland). As the first book, a significant amount of effort went in to introducing the myriad of characters that formed Sage's world. While it might slow down the plot a little, I think it's worthwhile since the background network of characters is key to a successful series. The mystery itself had plenty to keep me interested, with several suspects with plausible motives to keep readers guessing. I really like the way Duncan wrote the various relationships, keeping Sage at the center while letting us see others through her eyes. For coffee drinkers, the recipes at the end are great for a fun, creative experiment!