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About the Book
When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin Records, a record-slash-coffee shop in Cedar River, Texas, they knew there could be some scratches on the track, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet.
Family is everything to the Jessups, so when their uncle is arrested by Juni’s heartbreaking ex on suspicion of murder, the sisters don’t skip a beat putting Sip & Spin up for bail collateral. But their tune changes abruptly when Uncle Calvin disappears, leaving them in a grind. With their uncle’s freedom and the future of their small business on the line, it’s up to Juni and her sisters to get in the groove and figure out whodunit before the killer’s trail—and the coffee—goes cold.
Music and mocha seem like a blend that should be “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” but caught up in a murder investigation with her family and their life savings on the line, Juni wonders if she might be on the “Highway to Hell” instead.
My Review
I tried reading the ARC of this one earlier this year, and while I was intrigued by the concept found myself struggling with the book. Still, something about it called me back when I saw the audiobook version, and I thought it might be just the kind of cozy mystery I enjoy listening to.
I was absolutely correct.
I don’t know if it was the way the narrator brought the characters to life or if this type of story just works well for me as a listen, but I really enjoyed it and was delighted that I gave it a second chance. The narrator is excellent, managing to imbue each character with her own unique personality through voice, while never devolving into melodrama or overly done accents or tenors. The story is a cute one and the family is endearing, as is their small town. The relationship between the sisters was fun, as were the various love interests.
I’m not a fan of romance, but have come to expect at least some elements of it in cozies of this kind and I liked the way the author managed it here. It was a fun component of the story without ever taking over and overwhelming the mystery. I also really loved the idea of the record shop / coffee shop and wish we had one in our small town!
I will definitely be on the lookout for the next in the series…
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
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