Please note that this is the first book I have read in this series. I would not recommend reading this first. There is a lot of back story in this book that made me feel like I missed a lot. The mystery overall was a solid mystery. I feel this mystery would be better for someone who loves coffee and is better informed on coffee making. So, I think there was a good book but not for me. #netgalley

This series just keeps getting better and better! And this is the first time that I really was rooting for this victim to be killed off. The mystery was well-paced and kept me invested the whole time despite not caring for the victim. The setting is one of my favorites and I love how I learn a little bit more about coffee with each installment of this series. The event at the end was perfect with just a hint of a mystery guest that made this one that much better. Highly recommend the whole series but start at the beginning.

I’d been waiting since the get-go to see something happen to Sage and Harley’s nemesis who was such a condescending jerk. He truly deserved what the author had in store for him, thank you Ms. Duncan! But Sage had an extra interest in sleuthing this one, to keep the police off Harley’s back since she and the victim had argued publicly.

Sage faced off with yet another killer after getting the final clue from a really unlikely source, which she rightfully credited later on. Thanks to her quick thinking and some nearby security personnel, Sage lived to see her wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see what she and her pals get into next—if they don’t get into murder and mayhem on the honeymoon lol.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

What is keeping this series fresh is the mobility of Sage's coffee cart providing new, interesting settings, providing new opportunities for drama and characters. There's plenty of room for solid suspects, and of course, interesting coffee information included while the crime is being solved.

Emmeline Duncan's Fatal Brouhaha, the fifth installment in the Ground Rules Mystery series, delivers another engaging blend of Portland's vibrant coffee culture and a compelling whodunit. The narrative provides an insightful glimpse into the local coffee industry, seamlessly woven into a well-crafted mystery that maintains suspense until its logical conclusion. Fans of the series will appreciate the satisfying and cozy ending we’ve been waiting for, making this a worthwhile addition to the Ground Rules collection. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the digital ARC all opinions are my own.

Fatal Brouhaha is another fun, fast-paced read from Emmeline Duncan. It’s great to see how much the characters have grown over the series — they feel more real and relatable than ever. A cozy, satisfying story that keeps you hooked until the end! (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

Sage has partnered with a whiskey maker to create a canned coffee/whiskey drink. At a Fourth of July festival to introduce the product Sage is the preferred coffee vendor. All is going well until a coffee competitor shows up. After a couple unhappy encounters with Sage, Hayley and others, he is removed from the event. As Sage is leaving for the night she finds his body next to her van. When Hayley becomes the chief suspect, Sage begins asking questions and even Niko gets involved. A great read with good recipes too. Love these characters. Not sure if more books are planned for the series, but it feel ikr a good ending.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

A good addition to a pleasant and engaging series. A clever cozy mystery. A fun location for the regular group of characters to work and play. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I do love this cozy mystery and the latest installment is no exception. Sage is a great main character/protagonist. Plus if you've been reading this series, it was great for there to finally be.a resolution with Mark. The setting was great and if love coffee and cozy mysteries, you will love this one!

Fatal Brouhaha comes out next week on April 29, 2025 and you can purchase HERE.

It's always fun when decisions from over a year ago come to fruition. My coffee empire, Ground Rules, had partnered with a local company, Doyle's Oregon Whiskey, to create a canned Irish coffee. We provided the coffee grounds and expertise they distilled the whiskey, procured the locally sourced cream, and managed the canning part of the manufacturing process. Doyle's Irish-To-Go tasted smooth, with the perfect balance of coffee and Irish-style whiskey distilled by the Doyle brothers, Tierney and Shay.

I love this series so much! These books always make me long to fly to Portland and wish that I could taste Ground Rules coffee (and other fun sounding drinks!) I love Sage and how she can come across as "all business" because she is so passionate and determined, but also has a fun playful side when with her friends and family. She always gets to attend the best festivals with her camper and this one was no exception. I really want to go to a live music festival again thanks to this description (though without the tragedies please). I am patting myself on the back because I picked up on a potential clue super early on (yay me), but there were plenty of suspects and self doubt. I love all the people Sage chooses to surround herself with and how much fun they all have together. The wedding was of course fabulous and I cannot wait for more!

FATAL BROUHAHA is the fifth book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmeline Duncan. It doesn’t get much better than pairing whiskey with coffee and launching the joint venture with a 4th of July festival and fireworks display to celebrate! Protagonist Sage Caplin and her business partner, Harley, own Ground Rules, a successful and expanding coffee company in Portland, Oregon. Sage is a wonderful character. She’s ambitious, yet down-to-earth, relatable, and a good friend to all her employees and customers. The author does an admirable job in giving each character individual personalities with well-developed backstories. She also brings the setting of Portland and the festival to life, so that the reader feels like they’re right there, smelling the mouthwatering aroma of fresh-ground coffee and tasting the invigorating brew, while listening to bands playing popular music. Harley is a good foil to outgoing Sage. She’s the character behind the scenes making things happen while developing the specialty coffee grinds their company is known for. She’s quiet, yet steady, so when their nemesis, Mark, creates a brouhaha and Harley lashes out, it’s unexpected.

Mark has been a thorn in the Ground Rules business from the very first book. And while murder is never the right answer, it seems karma has finally caught up to him… except it doesn’t take long for Harley to become the primary suspect. As if launching a business venture and planning a wedding isn’t enough, Sage knows Harley is innocent and pulls out all the stops to prove it. The author provides a well-plotted mystery with twists and turns that kept me engrossed in the pages, with plenty of suspects who might have wanted the rival coffee house owner dead. The subplots added interest and intertwined with the story perfectly. There is a touch of humor and heartwarming scenes to make you want to come back and see what happens next in Sage’s life, while keeping the reader guessing with a clever whodunit!

Fatal Brouhaha is everything a cozy mystery lover dreams of—sharp-witted sleuthing, small-town charm, and a plot as rich and layered as Sage’s signature espresso. From the first page to the final clue, this installment in the Ground Rules series serves up a tantalizing blend of suspense, humor, and caffeinated chaos.

The plot is fast-paced but never rushed, perfectly balancing moments of laugh-out-loud charm with escalating tension. Sage is a refreshingly savvy and relatable protagonist, fiercely loyal and endlessly curious. Her dynamic with Harley is filled with heart, and their friendship adds depth and warmth, especially as Harley becomes the prime suspect. The supporting cast—colorful artists, secretive entrepreneurs, and one or two grudge-holders with questionable motives—make for a tangled web of suspects that will keep readers guessing until the final pages.

And let’s not overlook the setting—festive, boozy, and buzzing with creative energy. The sensory detail practically lifts off the page: you can smell the roasted beans, taste the barrel-aged notes in the air, and feel the tension crackle beneath the festival lights.

With just the right mix of red herrings, witty banter, and shocking revelations, Fatal Brouhaha is a must-listen (or must-read!) for fans of cozy mysteries with a kick. Pour yourself a cup, press play, and settle in for a murder that’s as bold as the brew.

Sage already has a lot on her plate (a wedding, a new collaboration for her coffee) when Mark, a competitor, has an argument with her business partner Harley and then Mark is...wait for it..murdered! Cozy fans know that Harley will be a suspect and that lots of people didn't like Mark. What sets this apart is Sage's found family of friends, which includes her fiance and his son Nico. While it's the latest in a series, it should be fine as a standalone. I liked that this advanced Sage's life even as it satisfied the cozy mystery itch. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. And there are recipes!

I adore revisting Sage and her coffee business. This is full of delicious descriptions of coffee and coffee drinks. Perfect reading when you want a fast-paced mystery with a cozy feel, engaging characters with a likable sleuth, and a limited circle of suspects. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. Bonus recipes!

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest addition to an already fun and exciting series. Sage is thrilled to expand her offerings through a collaboration with the local whiskey company hosting the festival—a perfect setting to launch their new product alongside fellow entrepreneurs.

However, the festivities take a dark turn when a murder occurs, committed by someone with a grudge against Ground Rules. When one of Sage’s employees becomes a prime suspect, she’s determined to uncover the truth and clear their name.

A delightful read with just the right mix of mystery, charm, and suspense. Loved it!
#FatalBrouhaha #NetGalley

This is the first title I've read in the Ground Rules series. I like Sage, the main character, who's level-headed and pretty realistic. I admit there are a couple of times here where the coffee info dump is too much for me. But the festival setting and range of recurring (I assume) and one-time characters are all pretty strong. It's a bit hard to keep everyone straight with such a large cast of characters, but it's a good read overall. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love when I see that a new Emmeline Duncan book is coming out. This series brings me joy and excitement. This new installment in the Ground Rules Mystery is so much fun. The mysteries in each book are different and still keep you captivated throughout the story. I hope this series keeps going and we get see Sage at more events in life. Thank you Emmeline Duncan, NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for this 5th book in the series!

Fifth in the Ground Rules Mystery series continues the adventures of coffee business owner Sage. A quick delicious read where music, coffee and murder is being served. This series keeps getting better with each installment! Love the characters and setting. Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

For anyone who loves coffee, this series is a must! I really like Sage, she is an intelligent and rather low-key main character who comes across as very real. The setting for the story is a festival where Ground Rules has a cart and is also rolling out a new product in collaboration with the whiskey distiller sponsoring the festival. With a wonderful new product, an Irish coffee cocktail in a can and her wedding only three weeks away, Sage has a lot to he happy about. Unfortunately, Mark, Sage and Haley's nemesis, has arrived at the festival, although he was denied a booth and is definitely looking to stir up trouble. When he is found murdered in the parking lot next to the Ground Rules Subaru, only hours after a loud argument with Haley, things take a turn. Can Sage manage a busy festival, a new product roll out, and keep her partner out of police lockup? With the festival as a backdrop and all of Sage's wonderful family, friends, and employees along this is a very enjoyable read. Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #FatalBrouhaha #Ground Rules Mysteries #EmmelineDuncan #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Fatal Brouhaha is the fifth book in the Ground Rules Mystery series, set in Portland, Oregon it follows coffee business owner Sage Caplin. Sage runs a successful coffee shop, cart and roastery with her business partner Harley. This mystery takes us to a 4th of July music festival that is celebrating a new coffee cocktail that features ground rules coffee and whiskey made at the distillery hosting the event. Things look to be going well until Mark Jefferies arrives uninvited. Mark runs a rival coffee shop that both Sage and Harley got their start at. He's been a thorn in Ground Rules side since its inception and the 1st book in this series. He's not just causing a disruption at the event, he ends up at the center of a murder and Sage is one again pulled into the investigation. Fast paced and action packed, with lots of potential suspects to keep you guessing.
There's also lots of great moments with Sage's friends and family including her adorable step son to be, Niko. The book ends with a wonderful wedding and the potential appearance of Sage's fugitive mother. Is it a tease for book 6?
I hope there's more to come from this wonderful series.