Juni Jessop is a lot of fun and very likable. Often, in cozies, the main sleuth can be annoying or treats the local law enforcement as incompetent. Juni isn't like that, thankfully. While she continually breaks her promises to Detective Beau Russell to stay out of it, she just can't help herself. And, in some cases, she's hit in the face with information without looking for it.

Her relationship with her sisters, her mother, and even her crazy uncle, is heartwarming. The way they aren't afraid to disagree is nice. They know in the end that all will be forgiven and that they'll always have one another in a pinch.

As is often the case, there is a bit of a love triangle as well. Juni is torn between her childhood friend, Teddy, and her ex-boyfriend, Beau. Beau also happens to be the local detective, so he's not going anywhere anytime soon, nor should he. Juni needs someone keeping an eye on her. Since I haven't read the first book in the series, something I'm going to remedy soon, I can't say which I like better. Although, Teddy seems like he'd be more fun, even if Beau comes off as an upstanding sort of guy.

The mystery itself is good. I'm never very good at guessing who did it, but at times I thought I did know. However, the author is good at distracting and placing red herrings to knock you off track. In the end, it was both a surprise and not. The murderer wasn't a surprise, but their motives weren't what I would have guessed in the beginning.

I really enjoy this series. The relationship between Juni and her sisters is cute and funny. The rest of the cast of characters make the story that much better. And all the music talk makes me so happy! I can't wait for the third book!

Pub date: 7/25/23
Genre: cozy mystery
Series: Record Shop mysteries, book 2
Do I need to read book 1 first? I think this one works well as a standalone! All you need to know is that three sisters named after flowers own a record store/cafe.
Quick summary: Juni and her sisters are set to serve coffee to all the Bluebonnet festival attendees - until the town mayor drops dead after drinking a cup of their brew.

Book 1 of the series, VINYL RESTING PLACE, introduced this millennial cozy mystery series, and A FATAL GROOVE keeps up the momentum and leans into the series' Texas location. The plot centers on the annual bluebonnet festival, and I loved learning more about this flower and the related festivities. Mayor Bob's murder isn't the only crime associated with the festival - years ago, there was a mysterious bank robbery, and legend has it there's a lot of cash buried somewhere in town.

Blacke did a great job balancing the mysteries past and present to keep me interested. I also enjoyed learning more about the three sisters - Juni is the main MC, but Tansy and Maggie helped fill out the narrative well. The punny coffee/tea drinks the sisters served kept me laughing, and I'm looking forward to book 3!

Thank you to St. Martin's Paperbacks for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed both of the books in the Record Shop series I have read by Olivia Blacke. Great cozy mystery with wonderful characters. The author does a great job of getting you invested in the lives of the Jessup sisters — Maggie, Tansy, and June. They have great and differing personalities which makes life interesting as they work together in their record shop/coffee shop. While there is the typical mystery, there is also the added intrigue of a treasure hunt. I would just encourage you to grab a copy and get lost in the pages as you explore all the clues. It will be time well spent.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

This is a fun cozy mystery that was a joy to read. It has wonderful characters, a great setting and will keep you guessing until the end. I love this series and look forward to the next book.
I received a complimentary copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Bluebonnets, vinyl records, and coffee. Sounds perfect to me.
This was a fun read, and it’s got to be the most welcoming record store in the book universe. No one here is judging anyone’s music taste, just enjoying the music and the coffee. I really appreciate that, wish I could visit this record store in real life!
The main character is Juniper, one of the 3 sisters that own the Sip&Spin record store/coffee shop. Juniper tries to solve the murder of the town’s mayor, which was a bummer cuz he never even got to drink his iced amaretto coffee with whip. The mystery itself was clever and brought in a cold case that made it very interesting. I read maybe half of Vinyl Resting Place, but I liked this one a lot more.
Daffy🐈 has my heart he has the cutest antics. For me, having a pet in a cozy mystery is either one of my favorite parts of the book or it just feels very forced and flat. I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters, which is weirdly not always found in cozy mysteries. Juniper is a likeable protagonist, and the town’s residents are very sweet. I love all the drinks named after classic songs.
Anyway I liked this book, and I think I’m going to go back and finish the first one.

This book is what cozy mysteries were meant to be. A little fun, alot of investiagors and a crime/ murder of someone who deserved it!!! The music references were perfect for the background community set up and the coffee the perfect vehicle for murder. A fast, fun read.

My favorite of the Record Store Mysteries so far! I'm rooting for Juni to pick between Beau and Teddy (I'm team Teddy) and this one made me want to hop into the book and their town with them. I can't wait for the next one!

Olivia Blacke mixes vinyl records and decadent coffee in the second of the Sip and Spin mysteries. When one of the three sisters that run the shop is accused of murder, the girls have to prove their sister didn't do it. Maggie, Tansy, and June make this a good read and the sisterly bond is well done. I hope there are many more in the series.

"A Fatal Groove" by Olivia Blacke is the second installment in the Record Shop Mysteries series, and while I haven't read the first book, it can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery. Set in the charming town of Cedar River, Texas, during the annual Bluebonnet Festival, this book offers a delightful mix of small-town charm and murder mystery.

The story revolves around Juni Jessup and her sisters, Tansy and Maggie, who own Sip & Spin Records, a coffee and record shop. What starts as a joyous celebration takes a sinister turn when the mayor is poisoned by their coffee. Tansy, the one responsible for brewing the fatal cup, and Juni, the unfortunate discoverer of the mayor's body, find themselves entangled in a web of suspicion.

One of the highlights of this book is the strong emphasis on family bonds and the Jessup sisters' unwavering support for one another. Their dynamic adds depth to the story and makes the characters relatable. Juni's determination to clear her sister's name and find the real killer is both endearing and admirable.

Olivia Blacke infuses the narrative with a good dose of humor and wit, making it an enjoyable and lighthearted read. The small-town setting is vividly portrayed, and the Bluebonnet Festival adds a colorful backdrop to the unfolding mystery. The inclusion of a treasure hunt and even an accidental cow adds a quirky charm to the plot.

While "A Fatal Groove" is a cozy mystery, it still manages to keep readers guessing about the identity of the killer. The pacing is well done, with a steady build-up of suspense, and the resolution ties up the loose ends satisfactorily.

However, some readers might find the plot a bit formulaic, as cozy mysteries often follow a predictable pattern. Additionally, those who prefer complex and intricately woven mysteries might find the story lacking in depth.

In the second book in the series, Juni and her sisters, Maggie and Tansy, once again find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. Taking place not too long after the first book, maybe a month or two, Juni just wants to see their record shop be successful. However, finding another dead body puts her smack in the middle of a crime scene.

Fatal Groove is less about the music than the first story and more about the relationships between the three sisters and other members of their town. With Juni’s wit and instincts, it doesn’t take her too long to figure out who the real murderer is! There are some light side stories too, which round out the book well, including Juni's two suitors. I am looking forward to the third installment in the series.

I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

The idea of a coffee shop and record shop combo made this an interesting storyline. I liked the small town setting and the interactions of the sisters with the cool names! The characters are a bit quirky and the combination of two different mysteries adds interest to the story. Skip the love triangle though.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The second book does not disappoint in this series. When the mayor is murdered and is holding a cup from Sip &Spin Tansy is the prime suspect. Juni and company work their magic to find the real killer. A fun read with a great vibe. Great characters and a good plot keep you reading past midnight! Looking forward to the next adventure.

I adored this book! It is such a fun continuation to this series. Sip and Spin was a great setting. I loved the characters and their personalities. The plot twists were so fun to follow. I am so excited to read more by Olivia Blacke!

I love records and coffee so this was a really fun read read for me. Second book in the Record Shop Mystery has Juni and her sisters trying to solve the murder of the mayor who was served coffee from their shop! So many suspects plus the cold case! Loved it! Likable characters and the small town setting makes this a fun cozy mystery. I love the puns and music inspired drink names in the coffee shop, names of the stores and restaurant. I hope there's going to be more in the series!


Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I love these Texan, no BS sisters. They are going to be part of any investigation that is out there even though they have no credentials. Because men in power are little slow. They cannot put two and two together. Tansy, Maggie and Juni might be turntable and coffee masters but they are also expert mystery solvers.

The youngest of Jessup girls found another dead body. It was only been so long since she returned from Oregon, and she was finding herself in the middle of crime scenes. It would be okay if she only found the bodies; she would be cleared off after a questioning. But last time her record shop was the murder scene; this time the victim had the cup from the coffee shop in his hands. Jessups could not take a break.

Of course, like the last time, Jessups decided to clear their own names. You won't believe how many people were involved in this, which unlikely people end up begin suspects. I cannot wait for book #3 and their ever creative coffee of day names.

this cozy series is so fun. olivia blacke has proved that she can make a consistent series with charismatic characters, wholesome setting and i love the sit and spin. you don't need to have read the first book to pick up this one. this time around, the mayor has found himself dead and juni has to solve the mystery -- like you do. it's a great summer/fall read. can't wait for the next book! thank you to St. Martin's Press for the release copy! it was amazing -- definitely do yourselves a favor if you like music, cozy mysteries and a fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks for accepting my request to read and review A Fatal Groove.

This is the second in the Record Shop Series -- A cozy mystery with sisters with flower names (it's true) that own a record shop. When young people enter the shop the reactions are funny given my age. I had everything: 8-tracks, cassettes, 45s.

The sisters solve the recent murder while keeping the record shop open, serving coffee, and getting in the way of an ex-boyfriend who is the lead detective. It's A cozy.

The series ends for me here. There is not enough substance to outweigh the whining.

I do see this as a nice transition from middle grade to grown up books with fiction written on the cover in Sharpie.

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

When the mayor is killed, the Jessup sisters are caught in the thick of things. One finds the body and the coffee that killed him is linked to their record/coffee shop. I enjoyed this second book in the series just as much as the first. The setting is very cozy and I just love the sisters. I can’t wait to read the third book..