Brew Unto Others by Sandra Balzo is a cozy mystery that can be read as a standalone, though it’s part of a larger series. The story follows female characters investigating a potential crime, and while the concept is intriguing, the writing feels a bit slow at times. The pacing affects the overall experience, making it feel more drawn out than necessary. Despite the slower pace, the book offers a short and sweet mystery perfect for light reading. However, while it was an enjoyable read, it didn’t leave a strong enough impression to encourage me to dive into other books in the series.

I'm not always a fan of Sandra Balzo's cozy mysteries but I thoroughly enjoyed this one as it was entertaining, well plotted, and featuring a solid mystery that kept me hooked and guessing.
Likeable and relatable characters, a perfect read if you liked coffee
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Brew Unto Others by Sandra Balzo is a cozy, engaging mystery set in the aromatic world of coffeehouses. Balzo skillfully combines suspense with a touch of humor as her protagonist navigates the complexities of small-town life while unraveling a puzzling mystery. The novel is filled with colorful characters, witty dialogue, and a richly detailed setting that coffee lovers will find especially enticing. With its blend of intrigue, charm, and a dash of caffeine, Brew Unto Others is a delightful read that keeps you guessing until the very end, perfect for fans of cozy mysteries looking for their next page-turner.

3.25 stars
I've read other things by this author and enjoyed her writing. I thought this book sounded cute, but didn't realize it was the 17th book in the series. I would have enjoyed it more if I had read some of the prior books. Even though some background information was provided, I never felt like I got to know the characters. I liked the main character, Maggy, even though she has a tendency to give people too much information. I also liked Maggy's fiancé, Jake Pavlik, who is a sheriff and how supportive of her he was. However, I didn't care for Maggie's business partner in the coffee shop, Sarah. Sarah was so negative and pessimistic that it didn't take long for me to get tired of her attitude.

The mystery itself was more complicated than I originally thought it would be and the ending was clever. I think fans of the series will enjoy the book, but as a new reader I struggled with parts of it.

I appreciate receiving an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Severn House, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

This latest in the long running series sees Maggie helping Sarah after her mother's death when her sister Ruth is found suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. It's all about family secrets and lies, lies that Maggie, Sarah, and Arial set out to uncover. While it's not too twisty, it's still a good read for. a lazy day. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Should be fine as a standalone for fans of the genre.

This was my first book by this author and not the first in this series but that wasn’t an issue. Still easy to follow the storyline. Honestly what drew me to this book was the title. I’m all about coffee! It’s was a cute sleuthy mystery, cozy and a bit funny at times. A good read for those looking for a light thriller. This was an ARC review through NetGalley.

Quick read. The dialogue was some times spinning out of control, as it does in some movies. But in a movies it’s easier to keep up because you hear the different voices and don’t get distracted by the thought ‘who said that’.

Book 17 in the series, but you can read this one without having read the others. Have enjoyed this series and I enjoyed this addition to it also! I mean coffee! The nectar of the Gods! The mystery has everything a cozy needs. Great characters, good story plot with lots of red herrings. Thanks #Netgalley and #SevernHouse for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

This was a great little cozy mystery— I read the first book and then moved on to this book which is book 17 in the series, and you can easily follow the story and read it as a stand alone with no issue. The story and characters kept me interested throughout. The book is fast-paced , and humorous — the characters are great and are fun to follow through their sleuthing. The writing is strong and carefully crafted.

Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Honestly, I had no idea this was a series until I finished the book and went on to mark it as read. Now I have a whole series to get to. I love coffee, and I love cozy mysteries. I saw the cover and said "Yup, gonna request this one". I won't post quotes or spoilers, but right off the first page of chapter one I laughed out loud at the scarf bit. Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and publisher for this ARC. This is my first book by this author and won't be my last. If you like coffee or cozy mysteries, this one might be for you!

This is a mystery novel that jumps right in! Right away, the reader is drawn in to finding out what is going on within this screwed up little family. I found it so easy to crush this book. This novel served as a lesson that not all is what it seems and that people may have reasons for the way that they are. This book goes to show that you may never truly know someone until after they're gone - or almost gone. What a perfect cozy mystery!

“These Kingston women were hardcore,” opines Maggy Thorsen, co-owner of coffee shop Uncommon Grounds. A vast understatement, as the entire dysfunctional family is equally outspoken, cutting and opinionated. And Maggy doesn’t even know the half of it, as we say in New York City!

Maggy and her prickly partner Sarah Kingston await Sarah’s sister Ruth and niece Arial at the wake for the family matriarch: self-righteous, hypercritical, domineering Edna Kingston, mother to Sarah and Ruth, grandmother to the illegitimate Arial. But Ruth never shows. When they head to family home, they find Ruth at death’s door due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

At first, everyone figures it’s been a terrible accident resulting from Edna’s penny-pinching and stubborn ways; however, it’s gradually revealed that there might have been murder afoot. No spoiler, naturally, as it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery otherwise. Author Sandra Balzo has definitely not lost her touch, even in this 17th entry in this delightful series. While longtime fans will adore catching up with the Brookhills, Wis., crowd, newbies can enjoy this page-turner as a standalone.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.

When Sarahs mother passes away, and her sister is poisoned by carbon monoxide, Maggy and Sarah team up for more than coffee. Because something isn’t right in the Kingston family. Can the ladies survive delving into the Kingston, family, secrets, or their effort to be tamped to death?

This is a wonderful series and this being book 17 confirmed that I am not the only one who thinks this. If you are looking for a well written cozy series, with a strong female protagonist, for fueled by caffeine, then you must pick up a copy of this book! No fear if you’re starting with this book, as each one reads fine as a standalone. But the best part of all? More books to go back and binge on!

This was not for me! I found the writing quite bad, and the characters lacked any form of characterization, but are instead puppets to keep a stilted unnatural dialogue going. There's for example some really awkward dialogue with the character Pavlik, where they're discussing Ruth's coma, where he randomly gives a wikipedia length description about obituary pirates... or where the main character goes on a tangent about how much she "covets" a Hermes bag.

There's also some overwriting, take this exchange:

"It would be good to know her wishes about..." I glanced at Arial, "life support and such."
At what point she would want us to pull the plug, if it comes to that," Arial said, leaning down to retrieve her purse. "That would be a good thing to know."
It would, unfortunately.

Or choices in tone that just feel entirely inappropriate, like the opening of this chapter, where the couple is discussing a person they know being in a coma:

"Ruth is in a coma," I told Pavlik later that night. "They don't expect her to come out of it."
Sheriff Jake Pavlik had tousled hair that curls at his collar and gray eyes that could go to nearly blue or nearly black depending on his mood. We were sitting on the couch in the living room with out two dgs, sheepdog Frank and chiuahaha Mocha, stretched out on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. Mocha was using Frank's paw as a pillow. In other words, life was good.
Except for our subject matter.

I was a Maggy Thorsen book virgin before reading this book, and I get the hype now.
I partly picked this book up because I wrote a few stories (screenplays) set in coffee shops, and I like to see how other creatives and writers approach the setting.
I came for the coffee and stayed for the characters, the mystery and the contemporary wit.
A quick and enjoyable read.
3.5 stars.
I will look into the other books in the series. “We have a coffeehouse.”

I am just so amazed at this book. Its been days and I can not stop thinking about it. It was absolutely incredible. So well done! Highly recommend

This is my first reading of a novel by this author. As a consequence I had a lot to catch up with as initially there were gaps that needed filling on the relationship between Maggie and her close friend Sarah. This is a very fast-paced novel with a group of women ‘playing’ detective when one related family member dies and within a few days another suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning. As a reader from the UK, some of the expressions and terms were new to me and at times the writer seemed to take it for granted that readers were familiar with the individuals’ history. A quick easy-going read, culminating with a predictably positive result.

Sandra Balazo's "Brew Unto Others" is a delightful blend of humor, wit, and a touch of mystery, set against the charming backdrop of a small-town coffee shop. The novel follows the journey of Jenna Harper, a barista with a knack for brewing the perfect cup of coffee and an unfortunate talent for stumbling into trouble.Balazo’s writing shines with her ability to create vivid, relatable characters. Jenna is a lovable protagonist, whose adventures and misadventures in the quaint town of Silver Springs make for an engaging read.One of the standout features of "Brew Unto Others" is its setting. The coffee shop, Brewed Awakening, feels like a character in its own right. Balazo’s descriptions are so evocative that you can almost smell the freshly ground beans and hear the chatter of customers. The cozy atmosphere provides the perfect contrast to the suspenseful elements of the plot.The novel’s pacing is well-crafted, balancing the lighthearted moments with the more serious undertones of the mystery that unfolds. Balazo keeps readers guessing with cleverly placed clues and red herrings, leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion."Brew Unto Others" is more than just a mystery; it's a heartwarming tale about community, friendship, and the little joys in life. Balazo’s skillful storytelling and keen sense of humor make this book a perfect read for anyone looking to escape into a world where coffee and camaraderie go hand in hand.In summary, Sandra Balazo's "Brew Unto Others" is a delightful and engaging novel that will charm readers with its memorable characters, cozy setting, and intriguing plot. Whether you're a mystery enthusiast or just in need of a heartwarming story, this book is sure to satisfy.

"Brew Unto Others" by Sandra Balzo is a charming and delightful addition to the Maggy Thorsen Mystery series. As the 17th book, it stands on its own but will surely make you want to start from the beginning to truly get to know Maggy's character. This book invites readers into the world of a coffee shop owner who often finds herself solving murder mysteries, much like Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series and Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden series.

The story begins with Maggy attending the funeral of her new partner Sarah's mother. Things take a dark twist when they find Sarah's sister almost dead in her home, surrounded by carbon monoxide. The plot explores whether it was intentional poisoning or suicide and introduces a mysterious woman from the funeral with multiple identities. The intricate mystery and quirky, observant characters create a captivating atmosphere reminiscent of Hallmark movies, making it surprising that the series hasn't been adapted for TV yet.

Balzo's writing is sharp and humorous, with well-developed characters that feel incredibly real. The dynamic trio of Maggy, Sarah, and Sarah's niece, Arial, drive the story with their determination and unique personalities. Their interactions, even in grim settings like funerals, are full of humor and wit, making for a fun read.

Fans of thrillers, mysteries, and cozy detective stories will find "Brew Unto Others" irresistibly addictive. The book's strong writing, engaging characters, and intriguing plot make it a must-read, especially for the upcoming cold season!

Inventive As Ever..
The seventeenth outing in the Maggy Thorsen series of mysteries and family secrets are keeping Maggy awake at night. When those secrets spill over into murder, Maggy needs to dig a little deeper. Another enjoyable and entertaining cosy caper, inventive as ever and laced with much wit, with a likeable protagonist and a cast of eclectic characters populating the fast moving plot. The well imagined setting, as always, adds great charm to the proceedings. Another worthy addition to this frothy series.