Photo de l'auteur

Sandra Balzo

Auteur de Uncommon Grounds

21 oeuvres 748 utilisateurs 43 critiques 1 Favoris

A propos de l'auteur

Sandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including two cozy mystery lists published by Severn House. She turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management, and publicity. Her Maggy Thorsen Mystery Series is a bout a female coffee shop afficher plus owner in Wisconsin. "To the Last Drop" (2016) is the latest in that series. "The Importance of Being Urnest" is being released in December 2017. "Hit and Run" (2014) is the latest in her Main Street Murder series, set in a popular resort vacation destination in North Carolina. Her novels have been nominated for both Anthony and Macavity awards and have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. In addition to her books, Sandra has written short stories, two which have won the Macavity, Derringer, and Robert L. Fish awards Sandra has run publicity for three World Mystery Conventions, as well as the International Association of Crime Writers. She has served as a national board member of Mystery Writers of America. (Bowker Author Biography) afficher moins

Séries

Œuvres de Sandra Balzo

Uncommon Grounds (2004) 190 exemplaires
Grounds for Murder (2007) 76 exemplaires
Bean There, Done That (2008) 61 exemplaires
From the Grounds Up (2010) 53 exemplaires
Brewed, Crude and Tattooed (2009) 51 exemplaires
Murder on the Orient Espresso (2013) 51 exemplaires
A Cup of Jo (2010) 43 exemplaires
Running on Empty (2011) 43 exemplaires
Triple Shot (2011) 38 exemplaires
Dead Ends (2012) 33 exemplaires
Heaven's Fire (2011) 32 exemplaires
To The Last Drop (2016) 16 exemplaires
The Importance of Being Urnest (2017) 13 exemplaires
Murder à la Mocha (2018) 10 exemplaires
Death of a Bean Counter (2020) 9 exemplaires

Étiqueté

Partage des connaissances

Date de naissance
20th century
Sexe
female
Lieux de résidence
Wisconsin, USA
California, USA
Agent
Nancy Yost

Membres

Critiques

Maggy Thorsen is part owner of a brand new cafe, but the electrocuted body of her business partner is found on the very day the cafe is set to open for business. Maggy takes it upon herself to solve the crime. (No spoiler here; this happens on page 1.)

I found this story unremarkable. Having identified a big red flag before page ten, which helped me identify the killer roughly a third of the way through, I skimmed to the end where Maggy caught up with me. I don’t like to solve these mysteries before the big reveal, but in this case I was right.

Regardless, Sandra Balzo creates some entertaining characters and her depiction of cafe operations is accurate. I can confirm this as a former bookseller who sometimes worked as a barista in our store’s cafe. Three stars.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
CatherineB61 | 14 autres critiques | May 31, 2023 |
This is one of those cozy series that is always satisfying, but not so gripping that I'm chomping at the bit to read the next one. That sounds a bit back-handed, but I don't mean it that way. The characters, plotting and mysteries in this series offer me a nice balanced pleasure when I'm looking for cozy without the cloy. They feel like a healthy habit, as opposed to the series that I binge or feel the need to purge.

It's been awhile (years) since I read about Maggie and Sarah and Pavlic, but everything came back nicely and I was able to fall right back into things in Wisconsin. The mysteries are solid, but the narrative is easy and light; the dialog crackles with wit and sarcasm as Maggie and Sarah trade affectionate barbs and play off each other verbally. Maggie is the resigned owner of her college age son's Old English Sheepdog, and finds a long-haired Chihuahua runaway one night on her way home. The interactions between sheepdog and chihuahua guarantee laugh-out-loud moments as do the scenes at a local dog park. Dog lovers may or may not like the mystery, but will probably find a lot of relatable moments in all the scenes involving dogs.

I was delighted to discover that I'm three books behind this long running series; I've ordered the next two already, happy in the knowledge that once I get them, they'll sit comfortably on my TBR, neither nagging nor languishing, until I'm ready for another well-written cozy.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
murderbydeath | Apr 18, 2022 |
This series is one of my quiet champions; nothing flashy, nothing mind-blowing, but always solid writing, intelligent plotting and biting wit. There's nothing cutesy or trendy about this series. I am solidly in its demographic and just enjoy the dialogue, the plotting, the friendships, even the romance (what there is of it).

This book swirls around several different events: a shoot-out that leaves Maggy's boyfriend (also the Sheriff) injured; the unfortunate death of an elderly lady who had just been in Maggy's coffeeshop; the social drama surrounding the local assisted living; a friend's new job at the mortuary and crematorium. There's a very obvious bad guy in the mix but how it all comes together in the end was cleverly done.

I'm not sure what else I can say except I'm looking forward to more.
… (plus d'informations)
1 voter
Signalé
murderbydeath | Jan 23, 2022 |
Uncommon Grounds (Maggy Thorsen Mystery #1) by Sandra Balzo

Maggy Thorsen is opening a Coffee shop, until (her partner) Patricia ends up dead. Maggie begins to investigate, it seems everyone has something to hide, and there are many suspects. The deeper she digs the more secrets are revealed, and Maggy is in danger.

A fast paced cozy murder mystery, set in a small town in Wisconsin, where everyone knows each other. The suspect list grows, with twits and turns and secrets revealed. The characters are well developed and Maggy is very likable. Overall I enjoyed Uncommon Grounds and feel those who love a great (cozy) murder/mystery will as well.… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
SheriAWilkinson | 14 autres critiques | Nov 27, 2020 |

Prix et récompenses

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Statistiques

Œuvres
21
Membres
748
Popularité
#33,983
Évaluation
½ 3.6
Critiques
43
ISBN
88
Langues
1
Favoris
1

Tableaux et graphiques