Bowled over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is the beginning of A Sara and Sean Cozy Mysteries. The author introduces us to Sara Cain and Sean McKinley who are detectives with the Albany police department. The pair are work partners and friends. The attraction between them is apparent. Sean would love to take their relationship out of the friend zone, but Sara does not want to lose her partner. I felt that Sara took advantage of Sean’s feelings. She knew Sean would do anything for her and used that to get him to help her with an investigation (plus finding a dog sitter for Magnum). Magnum is a cutie. I wish he had a bigger role in the book. The story is told from Sean and Sara’s point-of-view. It allows you to see things from both perspectives, but it also leads to repetition (I lost track of how many times we are told that Sean loves the show Magnum PI—the original). I quickly tired of hearing how Sean felt for Sara (he loves her, we get it, no need to keep telling us). The romance seemed to overpower the mystery portion. There are two mysteries in the book. Sara and Sean have their own case to solve at work. Then, Sara gets a call from her mother asking for help. It appears that the Albany PDs laziest detective is determined to pin a murder on the victim’s girlfriend (and Sara’s mother is convinced the woman is innocent). Sara persuades Sean to go undercover (when they are not on duty) so they can make sure the wrong person does not end up in jail for Cliff Cunningham’s murder. The story lacks action. There is paperwork for Sean and Sara to process. You cannot get a subpoena without filing the proper paperwork. Sean and Sara ask questions and search for clues. I was not a fan of how the mysteries were laid out. My favorite part of a cozy mystery is solving them, but we need all the details in order to accomplish that task. There are some over-the-top characters in the story as well as some unbelievable situations. Bowled over Americano did not feel like a cozy mystery (it lacked some of the traditional elements). Bowled over Americano is a lighthearted story with humor, romance, mystery, a coffee obsession, and an adorable dog. ( )

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is a departure from her normal writing of police procedurals and thrillers, veering off into the world of cozies, and I am eager to see how she does. The cover looks fun…sooo….let’s go bowling.

Sara Cain is a detective by day and a writer by night. An evening run has her meeting Magnum, a beagle, who leads her to his murdered owner. Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler. Douche Detective Davenport is on the case. He is incompetent, choosing the easy way out to close his cases. She is drawn into the case, when her mother makes the request.

Sara and Sean are partners….and that’s all. They both acknowledge their attraction, but she won’t let it go any further. No mingling in the work place.

Sean is a kind and compassionate person and a kindness given reaps Sean more than he ever could have imagined. He is so romantic, so sweet. How has he not been snatched up yet? Sara better be careful.

Carolyn Arnold handles her foray into cozy mysteries with the same panache as her police procedurals and thrillers. The writing flows smoothly, leading me from page to page, devouring the words, becoming involved with the richly developed characters, walking with them step by step to the very end…enjoying every minute of it.

I am eager to see what adventure comes next for Sara and Sean.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold.

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