This review first appears on Brooke Blogs. I received an ebook for review purposes, but this did not influence the content of my review.Kelly's Koffee Shop by Dianne Harman is the first book in the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series. Kelly lives in the little ocean-side town of Cedar Bay and runs a small breakfast and lunch diner. She is dating the sheriff and this leads to her getting a little more involved than she should with cases he is working on. In this first installment of the series, a teenage girl is missing and then found murdered. There are several viable suspects and Kelly is determined to do her part in solving the case. Kelly is a trusted confidant for many of the people in the town, plus she overhears gossip at her diner, so she has a lot of information coming her way that the sheriff may not hear otherwise.There are several things that I enjoyed about this book. I liked the character of Kelly - she's a bit older, with grown children, and she seems to give off that soothing motherly vibe. She's smart and she's stubborn. She and her dog, Rebel, have a close relationship and he would protect her at all costs. I liked that Kelly's thoughts were italicized throughout the story. I've read some reviews where they found that distracting, but I didn't mind and it helped me be sure that it was something she was really just thinking rather than saying or doing. The mystery was solid and I didn't guess the killer until right at the end when Kelly did.There were a few things about the book that I had trouble with and that prevented me from giving the book a higher rating, though 3 stars is not a bad rating! First, the amount of information that the sheriff provides Kelly with is unbelievable, even for a small town and the fact that they are in a relationship. My degree is in criminal justice, and I've worked within that field and the healthcare field, and it just doesn't seem plausible to me that a sheriff would go to his girlfriend's house for dinner and giving her pertinent, private details of an ongoing murder investigation. The sheriff also seemed to just take Kelly's word at things related to the investigation. I definitely understand maybe talking about the case, or Kelly offering her opinion, but I did not feel that the sheriff sharing so much information was appropriate or believable. Another thing I had trouble with was the vast pool of suspects. It seemed like there were so many and it just wrapped up rather quickly at the end.Overall, I did like the story itself. The mystery aspect was strong and I did not guess the killer prior to the main character discovering the killer. Some of the story didn't feel real to me, but I still enjoyed the characters and the setting of the town. I will read the next book in the series and give it a try. I liked the character of Kelly enough that I will continue the series for at least the next book.
This cozy just didn't make it for me. First, no matter all the other problems I may find in a cozy, I usually end up liking the main character. Not so with this book. Kelly is compassionate and determined, I have that to say about her. And she has a boxer. But for a dog-lover why would she put her dog as well as herself at such great risk? Kelly comes across to me as a busybody trying to act like she is a private detective. Others have mentioned that fact that her boyfriend, the county sheriff, is extremely unrealistic in that he shares too much information regarding an ongoing investigation, as though she were a partner or his deputy. What really got to me was Kellly's stupidity in constantly going out on her own (with the dog) to question suspects in this murder mystery. More than once she puts her dog's life at risk. But after she is told by her boyfriend/county sheriff, not once, not twice, but more to not go talk to suspects she does it anyway. Knowing that she is stubborn and will go anyway why would he be stupid enough to throw temptation at her feet?*spoiler*As some other reviewers have pointed out, the guilty party is introduced at the end, which isn't really a good mystery, the reader needs to have someone to suspect. Once the character is introduced, he's identified as the murderer and that's pretty much it. There is no discussion with the boyfriend/Sheriff of why he "might" be guilty. It all was a hurried finish. Added to that, here is this woman he loves, risking her life, almost being a murder victim herself. If I were him I would be angry with her and yes, I'd get over it. But I sure as heck wouldn't want to propose to marry someone just after she pointedly ignored his advice and instructions (as the sheriff he has a right to give her instructions here.) Personally, I just can't see why the sheriff is that much in love with her. He mentions that she's good looking and that she cooks wonderful meals for him. Her cooking, being her livelihood, it's okay to mention it but he always says that's why he wants to be with her, to get a good home-cooked meal.
What do You think about Kelly's Koffee Shop (2014)?
Kelly's Koffee Shop (A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Author Dianne HarmanKelly Conner is a widow who lost her husband to cancer at a very young age. She manages to raise her two young children by making a life for herself and her family at Kelly's Koffee Shop. Although Cedar Bay is a tourist town, even in the off season, Kelly's business prospers. The local people in this quaint little town frequent her establishment on a regular basis for good home cooking and the exchange of local news.On one particular morning, Amber, a local high school student and reliable employee of Kelly's, does not show up for work. Amber is daughter to Kelly's best friend Ginger and her husband Bob. Kelly is also Amber's godmother, therefore, the mysterious absence of Amber hits her especially hard. It doesn't take long to discover that she has been murdered and the residents of this little seaside town are in a state of shock. Before you know it, Kelly is caught up in trying to solve the murder of this young Homecoming Queen. She manages to identify five prime suspects and along with the county Sheriff and her boxer dog, Rebel, she sets out to solve this mystery.Kelly's Koffee Shop is a well-written murder mystery that is sure to appeal to a wide reading audience. It is a captivating, enjoyable, and similar to a present day Nancy Drew mystery novel. Good clean reading...can't wait to read Book 2 in this series!Inspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores Ayottehttp://www.amazon.com/Up-The-Down-Lad...
—Dolores Ayotte
This was ok for a first book in a series. A big warning that you do need to suspend your belief in certain areas in order to enjoy (for ex. how law enforcement operates).However there was one story line that was not resolved in a manner that I think is acceptable to the reader. ((Potential secondary character spoiler ahead)) A character was discovered to be lying about their past and found to be in possession of some very despicable material but you never get the relief of seeing this man brought to justice. Not only that but when this crime is uncovered he isn’t arrested right away and is free to go about his daily life. Then once the murderer is caught rather than immediately turning to this man and arresting him for his crime he is getting thanks and apologies! This was a huge sore point for me. I could curb my disbelief in other areas but not here. The reveal of the murderer, while I guess not implausible and has certainly been done similarly in other cozy mysteries, was a bit of a let down.There were some enjoyable characters, some interesting side stories and some characters that were spoken of but we have not yet been introduced to.Looking forward to going on to the second book to see what happens next and to see the characters flushed out a bit more.
—Nikki / Tinyavenger
I usually enjoy murder mysteries that include recipes and I did read this one through to the end. However, I also purchased the next 3 in the series, and even though I've paid for them, I cannot make myself read them. I was rather annoyed with her manner of telling a story. For one example, the small town's high school has their graduation and the last sentence of the principal is "Graduates, you may toss your caps in the air and begin your new lives." So, they have to be told to do something they will automatically do anyway? Many of the conversations between characters, and even their "thoughts" are written as though the reader's are incapable of figuring out anything on their own or understanding a description given. The characters have to spell it out for you.Sorry - I'll get off my soapbox now. :)
—Nancy
