Uncommon Grounds

Four years ago, I wrote a review of Uncommon Grounds for what I believe at the time was the only on-line mystery book review site (the same place H.K. got her on-line review start years prior). I loved the book and am beyond excited to learn that Sandra Balzo is back - and that two new Maggy Thorsen mysteries will be released this year (and yes, I have already pre-ordered them)! In honor of Ms. Balzo's new releases, I'm posting a copy of my original review of Uncommon Grounds from four years ago. It's as follows: I'm not exactly fond of cozies, but Sandra Balzo really hits the mark with Uncommon Grounds. Maggy Thorsen, recently divorced public relations expert about to turn entrepreneur, embarks on the chance of a lifetime - opening, along with two friends, her own gourmet coffee shop. Opening day doesn't go exactly the way the trio has planned; when Maggy arrives at the shop she finds Patricia Harper, one of the three co-owners, lying on the floor in a pool of milk with Caron, Maggy's long-time friend and other co-owner, standing over her. From this point on, NOTHING is as it seems. I especially like Ms. Balzo's use of an unconventional murder weapon - an espresso machine! It turns out that Patricia has been electrocuted, and not unintentionally. As with many small communities, just about everyone in Brookhills has skeletons in their closets, and in her search for the truth Maggy learns much more about her friends and neighbors than she bargains for. I especially enjoyed the characters in this book, and the action and suspense are high caliber. This is definitely not your common cozy! The plot is very complex and will keep the reader off balance throughout. This is one EXCELLENT mystery novel, and I will certainly be on the lookout for more titles by Ms. Balzo! (P.S. A small aside - while four years ago I wasn't especially fond of cozies, I find myself now reading them, by choice, more often than not, LOL. Go figure). Carol Ann Hopkins 5/11/2008

First in the Maggie Thorsen Mystery series. If you enjoy the Cleo Coyle Coffeehouse series or Janet Evanovich you'll enjoy this one too. Maggy Thorsen needs to jumpstart her life since her dentist husband left with his hygienist and when she and her two good friends decide to open up a coffee bar thing seem to be moving in the right direction. That is until opening day when she finds one of their trio dead on the floor in front of the espresso machine. Determined to find out what happened Maggy can't help herself but to jump right on in and investigate on her own. Little did she know of what was going on in her own small town. People and situations aren't what they seem, the story moves rapidly and you are quickly flipping the pages wondering what Maggy could possibly get herself into next. You'll love Maggy's sense of humor, but then again, how could you not when she explains her four basic food groups - Fat, Salt, Alcohol and Aerosol - the spray cheese kind.

On its surface UNCOMMON GROUNDS contains all the elements required for the traditional cozy --- small town, mysterious death, amateur sleuth --- while keeping the level of requisite suspension of disbelief to a minimum. The small town in this case is Brookhills, Wisconsin, where the grand opening of Uncommon Grounds, a gourmet coffee store, will be celebrated. A pall is cast upon the event, however, when Patricia Harper, one of three partners in the new business, is found face up and stone cold dead in front of the espresso machine on the morning of the grand opening. It appears that Harper electrocuted herself while brewing her daily, eye-opening latte. But we then learn that the newly installed espresso machine had been tampered with, resulting in Harper's sudden demise. The immediate suspects are Caron Egan and Maggy Thorsen (who is the book's narrator), the remaining partners in the coffee shop venture, as well as Harper's husband David. The police scrutiny places Thorsen in contact with newly-minted county sheriff Jacob Pavlik, which of course causes sparks of all sorts to fly, especially when Thorsen, dissatisfied with the investigation into her friend's death, starts kicking over investigative rocks on her own, much to Pavlik's consternation. Thorsen finds that her investigation is uncovering more suspects than she can eliminate. She also discovers, to her dismay, that her deceased friend and business partner had a secret that she never shared with Thorsen and that might have resulted in her death. Thorsen, already dealing with the pressures of opening a new business and a pending divorce, soon finds that she is placing herself in danger as well, until salvation --- and more --- come from some unexpected sources. UNCOMMON GROUNDS is a fun, addicting read, with Balzo striking a nice balance between the everyday and (occasionally) extraordinary. Her narration and plotting is extremely strong and confident throughout. She is careful not to fall into some of the traps that novels of this genre can create. As a result, Thorsen's dog is cute, but not too much so; Pavlik is a ready, but imperfect, love interest; and Thorsen's soon-to-be ex, a despicable cad who has left her for a twentysomething dental hygienist, never even makes an appearance. Sandra Balzo's first short story, "The Grass Is Always Greener," won the Robert L. Fish Award and was nominated for a Macavity Award. UNCOMMON GROUNDS, won nominations in the "Best First Novel" category from a number of organizations. It is evident from UNCOMMON GROUNDS that Balzo's talent runs strong and deep. We will see more manifestations of it, and soon. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

When former PR executive and new espresso shop owner Maggy Thorsen investigates the death of one of her partners--electrocuted by the espresso machine on opening morning--she also turns up the seamy underside of her leafy suburb. Brookhills, Wisconsin, boasts tennis Moms driving expensive SUVs, subdivisions full of mansion-like houses, and snooty residents to match. Recently divorced Maggy tootles around town trying to uncover the murderer in order to clear her own name. The cast of characters includes Kate McNamara, the annoying newspaper reporter, Gary Donovan, chief of police and former head of security for the local bank, and a distractingly handsome yet irritating new sheriff, Jake Pavlik. Maggy finds a sidekick in Sarah Kingston, a blunt-talking, chain-smoking real estate agent with a secret soft spot for children, and between the two of them they manage to take the murderer down. Amateur sleuth Maggy is good company, with her snappy phrases, funny one-liners, and wry observations. Describing the police chief, for instance, she says: "Gary had been an Eagle Scout, for God's sake. Or still was. I think that's like being an alcoholic, you never completely recover." Details of operating a gourmet coffee business give this mystery a contemporary and unique spin and make the reader long for a smooth creamy latte.

UNCOMMON GROUNDS opens as newly single Maggy Thorsen opens the door to a new business. Uncommon Grounds is going to be a place for people in the town of Brookhills to get a break from the McDonald's coffee down the road. A fresh start for Maggy and her two partners. Unfortunately, partner Patricia has been grounded. That's right, folks, she's gotten a jolt from the Espresso machine like none before and lies in a pool of spilt milk. The laughter will continue as you read this cozy "nouveau". The character of Maggy is a suburban ex with a Mike Hammer attitude. Balzo's other talents give the book a refreshing substance. The plotting is fast and well done. Small town coincidences don't seem forced. Motive, means and opportunity will keep you turning the pages. Best of all, when you're done, you'll want a second visit with the town and its people. Balzo knows the place she's writing. And, from the local preacher to the moving guy, she has the skill to give all her characters life. Are you a fan of Stephanie? Do you enjoy Joan Hess? Balzo adds another voice to the argument that cozies aren't just for teacups anymore.