Thanks to Netgalley,  the publisher and the author for providing this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The “Sara and Sean Mystery” series is Carolyn Arnold’s next offering to the cozy mystery genre. I had stopped reading cozy mysteries lately because of the almost nonsensical actions of the amateur sleuths, who usually drive the story along. I was not able to enjoy it when characters neither were thinking logically nor weighing their actions, when they were into their “investigation.” Because Arnold has always impressed me with her writing, I wanted to give this series a chance and I am happy to say I am not disappointed. 

In the first book “Bowled Over Americano,” Sara Cain and Sean McKinley are homicide detectives working as partners for about two years. Both harbor attraction and feelings towards each other but have decided not act on their feelings due to the rules of their department.

It so happens that Sara stumbles into a crime scene while returning a beagle to its owner. When the detective assigned the case does not investigate thoroughly and pins the murder on the victim’s girlfriend, who is a close friend of Sara’s mother, she promises to help her and thus begins her undercover sleuthing along with her partner. 

The investigation of this series along with another case they were already working on create the perfect backdrop for this new alliance that begins to form between them. Arnold uses these interesting circumstances as a springboard to create a cute and light romantic thriller which is greatly appealing. Though we meet Sara and Sean about two years into their working partnership, we begin to feel like we have known them for long and can’t help but root for them.

Everyone who loves to read something both fun and thrilling should definitely check this out to know where the story goes. You won’t regret reading this cozy story.

This book gets 5 out of 5 stars.