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Book Cover for: Fatal Brouhaha, Emmeline Duncan

Fatal Brouhaha

Emmeline Duncan

Twentysomething master barista and owner of Portland, Oregon's popular Ground Rules coffee cart, Sage Caplin is ready to celebrate her growing business at a weekend long maker's festival, complete with live music, a cornhole tournament, 4th of July fireworks--and murder . . .

In addition to her beloved coffees, Sage is thrilled to be expanding her offerings in collaboration with the local whiskey company that is throwing the festival. And how better to launch their new product than with fellow entrepreneurs. But among the crowd of artists and creators, Sage is surprised to spot Left Coast Grinds owner Mark Jeffries, who has it out for Ground Rules. The distillery didn't invite Mark and they apologize. But nothing can make up for the glare Mark aims at Sage and her co-owner, Harley. And that's just a taste of what's to come . . .

Soon Mark incites a loud argument with Harley and is ousted from the property. But later that night, Sage finds Mark's body by the Ground Rules Subaru. She knows that when investigators learn that Harley and Mark had a history of butting heads, Harley will be a prime suspect--and she's right. But Mark rubbed many people the wrong way, and several are at the festival. Now Sage will have to filter through secrets, grudges, and blackmail to get to the bitter truth--and as her sleuthing heats up, the closing fireworks won't just be the ones in the sky . . .

Book Details

  • Publisher: Kensington Cozies
  • Publish Date: Apr 29th, 2025
  • Pages: 240
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 0.00in - 0.00in - 0.00in - 0.81lb
  • EAN: 9781496744906
  • Categories: • Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths

About the Author

Emmeline Duncan is the Portland, Oregon-based author of the Ground Rules Mystery Series, as well as YA novels written under the name Kelly Garrett. She is a 2020 Oregon Literary Fellow, a board member of the Northwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, and co-organizer of the Friends of Mystery's Bloody Thursday lecture series. She's also a member of Sisters-In-Crime, Willamette Writers, and SCBWI. Visit her online at EmmelineDuncan.com, on Instagram and Facebook as @writeremmelineduncan, and on twitter as @duncanemmeline.

Praise for this book

Praise for the Ground Rules Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan:

"Portland's beloved food carts provide a tantalizing backdrop for a new cozy mystery by Portland author Emmeline Duncan...A creative way to address both the quirkiness and the more dismaying aspects of life in contemporary Portland." --The Sunday Oregonian on Fresh Brewed Murder

"Duncan's strong debut and series launch...Lively characters help propel the intricate plot. Cozy fans will hope to see a lot more of Sage and friends." --Publishers Weekly on Fresh Brewed Murder

"Coffee-lovers, this book is for you...Sage Caplin is wise beyond her years thanks to her troubled early childhood. Her deep love and knowledge of Portland, as well as her motley crew of relatives and friends--encompassing bar owners, lawyers, street-wise social workers, and a grifter mother--will undoubtedly populate future storylines." --Criminal Element on Fresh Brewed Murder

"[A] clever sophomore installment...embraces coffee and music culture in an entirely wholesome way, even as Sage has to puzzle her way through a murder mystery that is light on clues and heavy on suspects. Bonus points, too, for the introduction of an adorable orange cat who adopts Ground Rules for its own." --Criminal Element on Double Shot Death

"A clever sleuth, music trivia, and plenty of West Coast vibes add up to an enjoyable read." --Kirkus Reviews for Double Shot Death

"Solid prose, a well-crafted plot, and plenty of coffee lore draw the reader in." --Publishers Weekly on Double Shot Death

"Great characters, fun setting and coffee-lots and lots of coffee." --Lisa Joyce, Portland Public Library (Portland, ME)

"All of the delicious coffee talk you could want without it ever becoming overwhelming to the story...Perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle, Abby Collette, or Tara Lush." --Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library (Milford, OH)