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Book Review
Reviewed: 03 February 2025

Death Unfiltered

by: Emmeline Duncan

Ground Rules Mystery - Book 4

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starstar outline (4/5)

Who knew coffee could kill?

Felt a little like the kitchen sink was thrown at the story but the themes were woven in well. Not a lot of police interaction compared to other cozy mysteries. But also not a lot of the amateur running off to sleuth and finding themselves in a sticky situation, a good thing I suppose.

I admit to having an inkling of how things were going to turn out but not sure why. 

The series is different in how it structures families and impact of one’s younger years on their adult life, all while give a great education on coffee and the Portland food scene. I think the characters are relatable. I do wish dad and Harley were around a bit more in this one. I feel like Sage’s uncle could give some great business and how to be a mentor lessons despite the hit of not always being on the right side of the law. Some of that may be rubbing off on Sage.

Looking forward to the next book, I bet it has a lot going on with game launch and wedding. That’s my wish at least.

 

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 26-March-2024
Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Food Mystery, Female Sleuth

Plot Summary

As the owner of Portland, Oregon’s popular Ground Rules coffee cart, hard-working young master barista Sage Caplin is excited to expand her business with a brick-and mortar store. But not everyone gives her a warm welcome . . .

Ground Rules isn’t the only newcomer set to open in Portland’s grand new Button Building. Fortunately, most of the fellow micro-restaurant owners and patrons are great—with two exceptions. There’s Rose, a true-crime podcaster and active TikToker who’s pestering Sage for an interview about her estranged con-artist mother; and Bianca, the familiar and perpetually unpleasant owner of Breakfast Bandits. Bianca is abrasive to everyone, so Sage doesn’t feel singled out. . . . Until Bianca falls dead at the building’s grand opening—a to-go cup of Ground Rules coffee in her hand. Laced with Ketamine, also known as Special K.

It doesn’t help that just before she collapsed, Bianca was publicly rude to Sage. Or that Bianca’s boyfriend points the police toward Sage. Or that Rose, still hung up on investigating Sage’s mom, has declared she’ll solve the murder. Now it will be up to Sage to sift through a complex blend of motives, blackmail, and old and new rivalries to get to the truth of a very bitter brew . . .