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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold revolves around detective and author Sara Cain, who faces writer's block while working on her murder mystery novel until a stray beagle named Magnum leads her to the murder of his owner. Sara takes care of Magnum while investigating the case with her partner, Sean, and together they begin to peel back a series of linked mysteries, including a murder involving bowler Cliff Cunningham and a highly suspect woman he was speaking to before his death. Sean has his own personal grief to work through and is drawn closer to Sara. Undeterred, the pair goes undercover as a couple from Texas to investigate Cliff's past and dig up leads. As they progress and start to make some headway, Sara advocates for more control over the cases, Sean is overwhelmed by an unexpected legal document, and both confront emotional shake-ups while working to uncover the truth and deliver justice to those involved.
In her novel Bowled Over Americano, author Carolyn Arnold taught me two very important things: bowlers know a lot of super dodgy women, and fake beards exist off film sets. I also learned that Arnold is a crackerjack of a writer. The book has several things going for it that make it a really well-balanced cozy mystery, and the standout is Arnold's ability to develop really good characters. Sara is struggling somewhat professionally but it's clear she has the tenacity to push through because, as we find out, this is a woman who does not give up. She is imperfect and that tenacity to push through is sometimes just plain pushy, but that's Sara, and we like her because Arnold got us there comfortably. Sean is lifted up several times by Sara and it ultimately pays off. We'll leave it at that. Overall, this is the perfect book for a beach weekend or a couple of nights on the sofa. I look forward to seeing what Arnold gives us next in the Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series. Very highly recommended.
