Bowled Over Americano (Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series) by Carolyn Arnold

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Bowled Over Americano (Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series)

by Carolyn Arnold

Bowled Over Americano (Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. (April 11, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 263 pages

Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

Excerpt from Bowled Over Americano

“You didn’t touch anything, I hope.” Detective Davenport was one of the most incompetent and irritating officers on the force. He looked at Sara as if she were a first-day rookie and not a third-year detective.

She’d found a leash for Magnum, and they were on the front porch with Detective No-Good. Neighbors had spilled from their houses, finding the unfolding scene at 816 Cedarwood to be exciting enough to pull them from whatever they might have been watching on TV. After all, they had a real-life crime drama going on right on their street to entertain them. “Are you going to have uniforms cordon off the area?”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me how to do my job, Cain.”

Guess he doesn’t like to be patronized either! “Would never dream of it.”

Davenport bellowed over his shoulder to the closest uniformed officer and requested he usher people back inside their homes. To Sara, he said, “Just answer my question, Cain. Did you touch anything?”

He hadn’t asked before; he’d made a statement, but she’d let that slide. “Of course I didn’t.”

Davenport perched his elbow on his substantial belly and scribbled in a notepad.

He’s probably doodling…

“Why are you here this evening?”

“We’ve been through this.” Magnum winced at her side as if he too were tiring of Davenport’s attitude.

“Yadda. Yadda. So this guy”—he pointed at the dog—“led you here?”

“I wouldn’t put it like that.” She took a deep breath, thankful she had a lot of patience to pull from, but Davenport threatened her reserves. If he didn’t get on with the investigation, the victim’s friends and family could never hope for justice.

“And how do you know Cliff Cunningham?”

“I don’t.”

“Yet here you are at his house.” He gestured toward the structure with the tip of his pen.

“I’ve seen him around. That’s how I knew where Magnum lived. When I brought him here, that’s when I found Cunningham.” She prattled off the entire story again without an ounce of energy, exasperated. “Listen, are you going to go inside, look around, or do you plan to interrogate me all night?” The sun was low in the sky, and she’d guess the time was after eight.

“I have seen the vic, and I will— Hey, you’re doing it again,” Davenport huffed.

She wasn’t intentionally telling him how to do his job; it just kept spilling out. But given how fast he “closed” his cases, he’d benefit from a refresher course on murder investigation. “How did Cunningham die?”

“He was murdered.”

“That would be the manner of death.”

He grimaced.

“I asked how.”

“Someone hit him hard on the old…” He tapped his head. “And how the heck should I know how? If you’re talking all technical and stuff, that’s what Needham is for.”

Albert Needham was the chief medical examiner in the area. Sara gave the detective a few seconds to cool off before she went on. “I am curious if you’ve figured out what caused the man’s injuries yet.” There was nothing near the body, but it wasn’t like she’d had a chance to look around. Upon discovering Cunningham, she’d backed out of the house, taking the dog with her—preservation of the crime scene of utmost importance.

“Don’t know yet.”

Then again, how could he when he’d spent the last hour and a half talking with her? Sara pressed her lips. Her mother had taught her if she had nothing nice to say, then keep quiet.

About Carolyn Arnold

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers readers police procedurals, hard-boiled and cozy mysteries, thrillers, and action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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