Light Roast Larceny
Coastal Coffee Mystery, #1
by
Kate Montgomery
Great characters and an intriguing plot combine for an absorbing tale of mystery and murder.
Light Roast Larceny is the first book in Kate Montgomery’s intriguing new Coastal Coffee Mystery series. With its likable and relatable characters and fascinating plot, I was completely absorbed by the story from start to finish and absolutely ready for book two.
The main character, Graciella “Cici” Larkin, is a recently laid-off twenty-something with two feisty little dogs and Brad, her very supportive husband, and living in a well-established Miami suburb of long-term older residents. When Francine, an elderly neighbor, has her wallet stolen and encounters disrespect and dismissal by local law enforcement, Cici steps in to advocate for serious action. While at the police station, she meets new employee and Louisiana bayou transplant, Officer Chandra Boudreaux, and the young women’s friendship quickly grows over their shared love of coffee and the delicious local breakfast pastries. They soon discover there’s been a rash of petty thefts occurring in Cici’s neighborhood over the previous couple of months, all targeting elderly residents who are treated in the same disappointing manner as Francine, and all dismissed with the pronouncement that they’ve just lost or forgotten where they’ve put their missing items.
I really enjoyed this story for its fun characters and plot revolving around the elderly victims. Cici is such a well-developed, relatable, and memorable character with her reactions to being suddenly laid off, dealing with her unpleasant, self-appointed neighborhood watchdog, Edna Sparks, and her daily struggle for inspiration and producing an edible meal for the dinner table each night. Brad is a joy as he lends his support to her joint investigation with her new energetic, go-getter friend, Chandra. All three are dedicated coffee and breakfast enthusiasts, and the descriptions of their various meals and ethnic pastries are mouthwatering and serve to introduce Chandra to a new love interest.
While elderly victims are not new in fiction, this story takes this theme further, with the wholesale gaslighting of the victims taking centerstage. Readers ‘of a certain age’ or those with close relationships with older individuals will easily relate to these victims’ treatment. This tactic literally angered me as I read, and I could relate to the characters’ frustration and humiliation. These vital, competent adults were, within seconds of the start of their interview, discredited and deemed unreliable and unworthy of further attention because of their perceived age.
The perpetrators are gradually revealed, and a key element of the case remained elusive until almost the very end. However, even after the final reveal, I had questions regarding the motive for the mostly petty thefts. There doesn’t seem to be much return on investment for the extensive setup, as according to the story itself, until Gerald, the values of the items involved were minor and many of sentimental value only. Still, the story was a page-turner; I had to find out how it would all turn out.
I recommend LIGHT ROAST LARCENY to cozy mystery fans, especially those with an affinity for coffee or those who enjoy stories featuring more mature characters.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.