Bowled Over Americano is a good start to a new cozy mystery series. It's easy to read, and well-written, has a great plot, and it has likeable characters and a lovely dog. I thank Ms. Arnold, her publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

This is the first book in a new series by Carolyn Arnold. In Bowled Over Americano we meet Sara Cain, a detective and unpublished author, and her partner, Sean McKinley and a lovable beagle named Magnum.

When the weather turns cold, I love to dive into cozy mysteries. This book was perfect. It is fun, smart and full of twists. Definitely a great pick for anyone who loves a good Hallmark Mysteries Movie.

Sara Cain needing a break from her writing decides to take a walk to clear her head. She takes a walk down to the park. While out on her walk Sara sees this little dog, a beagle running around the park with no leash. She knows who the dog belongs to so decides to take him home.

Upon arriving at the dog’s home she notices the front door is a jar. Sara is a part-time sleuth and has a lot of questions running through her mind like why is the front door open and why is the dog off his leash? Upon entering the residence she finds the dog’s owner lying on the floor dead. Someone has bashed his head in with a trophy. Who killed this man? What was their motive?

Sara and her partner Sean decide to do a little sleuthing on their own after Sara’s mother ask her to look into the case as her best friend was arrested for the murder.

In the meantime, Sara and Sean have another case to look into as well for their daytime job. Another body has been found. As a reader, one of your first questions may be are the two cases related? Really want to know? Yeah, well, grab a copy of Bowled Over Americano the first book in the Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series.

Bowled Over Americano is a great start to a brand-new series by author Carolyn Arnold. Like most of her novels Bowled Over Americano will grab your attention from the first page and pull you so far in that you won't want to let go until you have read that last page as you will be hooked and lost in Sara and Sean’s world.

Bowled Over Americano is one of those warm and cozy reads where you will want to grab a snugging and sit by a warm, glowing, cozy fire as you are pulled in deeper and deeper into its world of mystery, murder, and suspense.

Bowled Over Americano reminds me of those mystery shows like Remington Steele, Murder She Wrote, and/or Hart to Hart just to name a few. There is a piece of each one of these shows that reminds me of Bowled Over Americano in one way or another.

I would like to suggest that you give this new series a chance. Pick up a copy today to solve a murder or two. Be sure and check out all of Carolyn Arnold’s books for more mystery-solving crimes.

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 ameteur 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 the "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.

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 owing 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 throughly and pins the murder on the victim's girlfriend, who is a close friend of Sara's mother, Sara 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. Author 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; and everyone who love to read something fun and thrilling at the same time should definitely check this out to know where the story goes. Trust me, you wouldn't regret reading this cute story.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Bowled Over Americano is the first book in the Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series by author Carolyn Arnold. The story caught my attention early on and I was engaged throughout the sleuthing tale.

Sara Cain is one of Albany’s finest – a homicide detective but she is also a mystery writer by night! Her special elixir allowing her to go like the ‘ever ready’ bunny is coffee – and her partner Sean McKinley – knows this (though not sure he approves of the quantity she drinks…but what the heck). During a bout of writer’s block, Sara goes for a walk in a local park. Here she notices her neighbours dog NOT on a leash nor the owner in sight. As Sara tries to catch “Magnum”, the reader is given a hilarious scene where Sara is running around trying to catch the dog, but to no avail for quite a while, and there are young on lookers in the park giggling to no end. Certainly made me chuckle! As the tale unfolds – Sara returns Magnum to her neighbour, only to discover that Cliff Cunningham is dead. As Sara discovered the body (while off for the night in her official capacity as a homicide detective) the detective assigned to the case was Detective Davenport, whom Sara was not a fan of. He tends to jump to the first presented scenario without fully investigating, which can be problematic for those that actually might be innocent!

A friend of Sara’s mother is the prime suspect and with little confidence in Davenport’s investigative skills, Sara decides to investigate on the down low (undercover as she is not assigned to this homicide!). With the assistance of her work partner, Sean, they search for the truth. What a journey the reader is taken on. The other “suspects” are many and the elimination process that Sara and Sean go through is at times quite hilarious. Acting like groupies for the bowling circuit…had me chuckling many times as they slyly talked with many people at the bowling alley!

As Sara and Sean work through the case, even more potential suspects emerge. We also get a glimpse of a potential romance between the two? There is attraction for sure – but Sara feels that they should keep it professional – for the sake of their jobs. We shall see – since the attraction is palpable. I for one, can’t wait to see if and how their relationship progresses as the series continues. Though Sean had better lighten up on the “too many coffee comments” he makes with respect to the quantity of coffee that Sara consumes.

I loved that the author fashioned Magnum (Cliff’s run-away dog) after her own pups, all being beagles! And the fact that Sara took the dog home after discovering his owner dead, spoke volumes as to her love of animals. That always endears a protagonist to me ☺.

The story also has an in-depth look into one of the persons that meant a lot to Sean in his life – a senior named Douglas Quinn. Sean came to Douglas’ aid while on the job and since that time – they became friends, regardless of the age difference between the two. Unfortunately, Sean must deal with the loss of this important person in his life and what that means for him in this story. The reactions from Sara show how much she does care for Sean:

“Sara hadn’t wanted to leave Sean alone tonight of all nights, even if she sensed he wanted time to process the news. It was just that she felt somewhat responsible because she’d been the one to deliver the bomb.”

I also have a soft spot for Sean as he drives a Sentra – which in fact is the first car that I bought. Talk about engaging this reader! Bowled Over Americano was a fun filled, engaging cozy mystery which kept my interest for the entire story. It caught my interest to the extent that I cannot wait for Sara and Sean’s story and sleuthing ways to continue. I will also investigate other stories written by Carolyn Arnold.

I can’t say enough how much I loved this book! This was my first time reading this author, and it won’t be my last. I was almost to the end before I figured out who I thought was the killer and just kept getting surprised at how wrong I was. Sara and Sean just made the book that much better, their personalities shone through, not to mention Magnum. A must read.

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold lets us see within the lives of two detectives fighting their feelings for each other.

Will Sara and Sean have a happily ever after?

Sara and Sean are the two main characters and love interests. Sean has been with Albany PD since he was a rookie and always knew he wanted to be a cop. The reason is that his father was one, and he wanted to become one to honor his father's legacy. Sean has been a good cop all these years and is good at catching bad guys and putting them away.

Sara was a cop in her small hometown that isn't that far away from Albany but enough away to make her parents worry about her. She has only been a detective at Albany PD for two years, and within that time, she has learned a lot. Sara has started to write a book about a sleuth and continues to work on it. Sean and Sara are pretty good together as detectives and want something more. Except they can't because cops can't date each other if they stay partners.

I love how the two of them interact with each other and how everyone around them suspects they are a couple when they aren't. Sara and Sean are a great team, and I hope that continues within the other books.

The Mystery
Sara and Sean have two different mysteries that they are solving. One is part of their job as detectives, and the other is who killed Cliff Cunningham. Sara and Sean are trying to solve a case of an investor getting killed at his office, which is sad. Sara's mom begged her to take the other one, which Sara stumbled on when she found Magnum running around loose. So, Sara takes it and brings Sean to help her solve it. They are partners, and it is what they do, plus Sean likes to spend time around Sara.

I have to say that I did fall for the red herring on the Cliff Cunningham investigation. Then again, the clues didn't fall into place until Sara and Sean put them together. Ms. Arnold got me good on this one!

Five Stars
Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is a fantastic start to a new series. I must confess I did read the second book when a different publishing company published it, but it was many books ago that I don't remember the book much. Reading this first book makes me want to read this entire series as it is being republished, as it is so good. Ms. Arnold's excellent writing style immerses you in the characters' world and makes you want to finish the book. Especially to find out who did kill the bowling champion.

I am giving five stars to Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold and recommending it to anyone interested in a great and wholesome cozy mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

*** Thank you to Netgalley, Carolyn Arnold and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. for the copy***
Publish Date: 04.11.2023

Are you a fan of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel? If so, I have a great recommendation for you! Sara and Sean are coworkers who refuse to bring up the undeniable chemistry between the two of them as they are partners working in homicide. Sara is writing a novel and during a bout of writers block goes for a walk. Sara finds a loose dog while out and about and brings said dog back to his owners home only to find his owner dead - murdered. Saras subpar coworker is on the case, does little to get the actual details and really doesn't care what happens to the dog. Sara takes the dog and decides she'll figure it out. The following day Sara gets a call from her mother and tells her to come over. Sara's mother is friends with the woman who is being accused of the murder and Sara must find the real killer, without anyone besides Sean know shes covertly working on the case - with Seans help. Sean is also dealing with the loss of one of his friends that he lost contact with, an older gentleman, who left him something in his will.

I thought this book was really cute and I devoured the first 3/4's of it. Towards the end I did begin to lost interest because of Seans sudden proposal with little prior romance (I understand that it works for the story line, it just doesn't work in my head). I found Sara to be quirky in her own way but a very realistic character. When the two go "undercover" I was reminded of when Bones and Booth (from Bones) except both Sara and Sean have the ability to talk to people. Although it wasn't a crazy intense murder mystery, I did like the continuous guessing of who-done-it and let's be real, I got it wrong. I am going to keep my eye out for more of this series as they come.

While reading this book, the story seemed very familiar. I wasn't sure why until I realized that she took her short story, The Day Job is Murder, and added more details and extended the book.

I have always enjoyed Sara and Sean's stories, so I was happy to see that she decided to take the series and rewrite them to extend them and share more of their lives.

Even though I had read this story previously, I certainly didn't remember all of the details. It was like reading a new mystery! I sifted through the clues about who killed Cliff Cunningham and have to admit I was stumped. There are clues, but nothing that pointed me in the right direction...or I just missed them! I enjoyed Sear and Sara's adventures while solving the crime and revisiting how they came together as a couple.

Malcolm, the beagle, grabs a piece of my heart. That always happens when there is a dog involved. I chuckled during the scenes where Sean admits that he is not an animal person. That will have to change if he wants to be with Sara.

I noted the nod to her Madison Knight series in this book by making it a TV series. I haven't read this series yet, either, but I will one day!

This was still as good as the first time I read it, and I give it 4 paws up.

I started this book and had a bit of a blond moment as I was thinking wait a min I have read this - a quick check and discovered that this is a revamp of the McKinley Mysteries #1 The Day Job is Murder! I loved that book and the only thing I wished was that it was longer and it seems I was not alone and Arnold has revamped that series of books and made them into full blown stories and fleshed them out and given this story a reimagining if you will.

Sean and Sarah are partners for Albany PD, and unfortunately for them they have fallen in love with each other but Sarah has decided that as long as they work together all they can be is friends, much to Sean's dismay. Whilst on a case Sean hears about the passing of his friend Quinn who he hasn't seen for a few years, but discovers when attending his funeral that he has mentioned Sean in his will. What ensues results in Sean being set for life and the chance for him to be with Sarah.

For all I have previously read the short version I by no means remembered every detail but I loved how the budding romance between the two was more fleshed out and also the aftermath of Sean inheriting from Quinn.

I love how Caroline can give you a gritty read with her Madison Knight series and then give you a great cozy mystery with this series, great author and great series cant wait to see what is in store for Sean and Sarah next.

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is the first book in the new Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series. This book was a lovely quick read and a book you can get stuck into and easy to get to know the main two characters Sara Cain and Sean McKinley they work together at the Albany police departments. But, at night Sara writes a mystery novels.

This book starts when Sara is out for her regular run when she sees a beagle running loose. She knows who the beagle belongs to and runs after it to try and catch it so she can return to their owner. Arriving at the owner's home, she discovers their front door open.
Sara opens it and discovers that Cliff, the dog's owner, is dead and has been murdered. She phones the police, and a detective arrives, she was interrogated, even though she is a detective herself, she is made to feel guilty!!!

Sean McKinley, is currently working on a case and is searching for another killer. Sara can not let this lie and wants to investigate Cliff's murder herself! He agrees to help Sara with this case but in secret and not telling their boss!

Will they both find the killer before they strike again?

This was a great read and looking forward to Carolyn Arnold next book within this series. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it,

If you love cosy mystery books this is a new series for you

Thank you to Netgalley and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟 3/5 stars

Bowled Over Americano is a cute, fun start to a new cozy mystery series. Sara and Sean are homicide detectives who are secretly in love with one another. When Sara stumbles upon a body when she is off the clock, they team up to solve the crime since an inept co-worker is assigned to the case. With the help of Magnum the beagle, the two work to solve the case.

This was a breezy read that I read in one sitting. I loved the romance storyline and the small town feel. Overall, an entertaining, fast-paced cozy.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fun first book in a new series. Sara Cain is in the process of writing her first book, needing a break she heads out for a walk, and ends up chasing a loose beagle to deliver back to his owner. When she gets too the house to deliver the wayward beagle things are not what it should be. Finding the owner dead, her brain goes into her day job mode, which being a detective, but the case ends up in the hands of another detective.
Things get a bit complicated when her mom’s friend becomes suspect number 1. Sara promises to look into it after hours, and her work partner Sean McKindley gets roped into the undercover investigation.
Love the banter and undercover work of Sara and Sean, and under current romance both don’t want to give into at this time
Perfect light mystery with a fun romance – looking forward to book 2

3.5 stars

Bowled Over Americano is a quirky mystery with two homicide detectives on the case – one of whom also happens to be a mystery writer on the side. In fact, the story begins with Sara bemoaning writer’s block, and I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek look at how a writer’s mind works. I would have actually loved even more focus on Sara’s ‘mystery writer’ side as I felt it brought a unique flair to her character and potentially to the overall story if it had been allowed a bit more page time.

My thoughts on Bowled Over Americano is really a ‘tale of two books’, so to speak. On the one hand, I thought the mystery (really, mysteries plural) was nicely plotted with several layers, unexpected twists, and clever red herrings that all keep Sara and Sean – and readers – on their toes. While homicide detectives aren’t your typical cozy mystery sleuths (usually they’re the ones the cozy mystery sleuth is helping), they also aren’t supposed to be solving the main case they’re working on. A fact that forces them to go undercover after hours with some amusing costumes and alter egos. Not to mention that this part of the plot sets the story apart from the ‘same old, same old’ of cozies.

On the other hand, I never connected to the characters. Don’t get me wrong – I liked the characters, especially Sara and her partner Sean. But I never really felt like I was able to get in their heads and live the story through their eyes. Neither ‘felt’ like a homicide detective to me, either. Sara especially seemed too flighty or that she was just making it up as she went along, like maybe she just picked ‘homicide detective’ as a role to play until she figures out what she wants to do. We’re told what’s in their heads so much (too much), but not shown it. As a result, the character & content development fell flat for me in several ways – especially the events of the last few chapters.

Bottom Line: Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold has an adorable dog, more than one murder to solve, homicide detectives in love with each other (but unable to act on it), a few surprises, and a handful of quirky characters. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story, and I liked Sean and Sara as protagonists. And how could I not mention Magnum the beagle who stole every scene he was in, as any good cozy mystery pet should? I did find it difficult to get beyond a surface connection with Sean & Sara, though, or to make sense of some of their decisions. There was more telling than showing, and a lot of the telling got repetitive and bogged down the story even further. Overall, however, I thought this was a cute introduction to a promising series!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Having read Carolyn Arnold's Detective Amanda Steele series, I was eager to read a new series with new characters.

Sean and Sara work for the Albany police department they have been tasked to investigate a crime where a man was shot in broad daylight. But that isn't their only case. Sara's mother contacts her about her friend who is being wrongly accused of murdering her boyfriend Cliff Cunningham. The problem is, it's been given to another detective to investigate, a detective who is both lazy and incompetent. This leads them to go undercover to find the real culprit.

Bowled Over Americano was a fun mystery that was quite heavy on the romance, but still an enjoyable read.

Sara was a strong character. Determined, independent with a coffee addiction, she loves to write in her spare time. She ends up adopting the very cute Magnum, a mischievous Beagle.

For the most part, I found Sean unlikeable. There was just something about him and his constant ramblings about his father, Magnum PI, and his love for Sara. It was until the end that I warmed to him.

As for the story, I found the parts where they were undercover much more enjoyable and, overall, a better mystery than their other case.

As it's the first in the series, I feel there were a lot of setups for future books which I can forgive the storyline for not being as strong. I would definitely read more stories featuring these characters.

Disclosure. This is a review of an ebook I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

This is the first title in the Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series, but as soon as I started reading it, I knew I had already met and loved Sara and Sean in Exercise is Murder, a McKinley Mystery. I’ve now discovered that the McKinley Mysteries were unpublished last year, in order to be expanded into full-length novels. However I hadn’t read the original that this one is based on, so all new and fresh to me.

The story begins with Sara, a detective rescuing a lost dog in the park, but when she returns him home, she finds his owner Cliff Cunningham murdered. Certainly an opening to get the reader hooked.

She ends up having to take Magnum the dog home with her, but sneaking him into the police station for work the next day doesn’t go down well with the Sergeant. What will she do with Magnum?

Sara and partner Sean aren’t assigned to the Cunningham case, but when her mum calls to ask for help because her friend Gladys has been arrested for the murder of Cliff Cunningham, she and Sean set about some moonlighting on the case.

Can they do a better job at it than Detective Davenport? Is Gladys innocent?

Have a laugh at the antics of how they deal with Magnum.

The author has done a great job at filling in the back story for this, the start of a series, which is interwoven into this tale. And a fab twist at the end.

Most of Carolyn Arnold’s other series are dark psychological thrillers. Yes this is still murder, but a much more light-hearted fun mystery style.

A highly recommended whodunnit style mystery, that will leave you looking forward to reading more Sara and Sean tales.

I’ve come to know and love Carolyn Arnold for her ability to portray crime thrillers in writing with such accuracy and depth. I was excited when I learned that she was adding a cozy mystery series to her works. Throughout the book, I enjoyed the little “Easter eggs” that were in place such as the Detective Madison Knight TV series that Sean watches, along with the beagle — a nod at Carolyn’s own beagles, I presume! If you’ve read her other books, you’ll smile when you find them.

Sara and Sean are incredibly perfect for each other. I love their back story and how they hold back on their personal feelings to accomplish great things as work partners. They balance each other out in all the best ways and I love their individual idiosyncrasies (i.e. Sean’s opinion about taking a cell phone into a restroom and Sara’s need for order).

In true cozy fashion, the murder of Cliff Cunningham is kept off-page, yet we’re given enough detail to help see the case through. There are plenty of twists in the storyline that have you sniffing in one direction, then twisted to another in order to find the real culprit. I had my suspicions, but alas, I was wrong! Magnum’s contribution needs to be noted as he poses as a police dog early on in the book, then actually becomes one of the crucial parts in stopping the murderer.

I’m excited to see where Sara and Sean take us in future books and hope to see more fun undercover costumes from Molly’s!

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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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 is the start of a new cozy series. Sara Cain is a police detective who works days and nights sleuthing, along with the help of her partner Sean McKinley. While investigating a case involving a champion bowler who is murdered, Sara ends up adopting the bowler's beagle Magnum, and the dog goes along on a few cases.

I wanted to read this book because the bowling storyline sounded like fun. I love cozy mysteries and I also liked that this is the first book in a new series.

This is a great start to a new series with Sara and Sean solving mysteries together. They are a great pair - detectives and friends, but there is also a sweet romantic storyline. The mystery aspect of this story is well written. Sara and Sean have great sleuthing experience because of their work. There are several possible suspects, and it was fun to tag along with Sara and Sean as they worked to solve the case.

Magnum the beagle was a fun addition to the story! The author captures the beagle personality perfectly in this book. I am a lifelong animal lover and especially enjoy mysteries that involve dogs or cats.

I look forward to future books in this series, and recommend Bowled Over Americano to other fans of cozy mysteries. This is a lively, well written start to a new series!