This is the second book I have read by Caroline Fardig in the Java Jive series. While it is not necessary to read them in series order, it does help with making the book easier to follow and understand why things are happening.

Juliet Langley runs Java Jive, a coffee house owned by Pete Bennett. In this book, Pete is booked for murdering his girlfriend. As normal, Juliet (known by her friends as Jules) cannot keep her nose out of the investigation.

Between Ryder, a police detective who is in love with Jules and detective Cromwell, she has plenty of official help to solve the murder but she just can’t let it alone. The story is about all the situations she gets in because of this and, of course, figuring out who really “done it”.

If you like a lighthearted murder story, this one will be one you should read.

Am I the only one thinking Pete and Juliet together is not the greatest idea? I get it - they love each other, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be terrible for both of them if they go there.
This was a nice next story in their lives and had some fun hijinks from Juliet and the crew. It was an okay mystery but not as stand out as the other ones I’ve read. We met some new characters, saw some ridiculousness akin to the Stephanie Plum novels, and was reasonably well entertained.
Not the best work from Fardig, but alright.

Very interesting characters, loved them. I got this book from Chatterbox for free and Random house, so I haven't read the first installment. The way the story unfolded was really interesting. A young and modern story, my kind of Mystery!

I really liked this book. The Java Jive series is fun and refreshing and a quick read. I read her first book in the series, Death by Decaf, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series

Read & reviewed in 2016:

Really enjoyed this latest installment of the Java Jive Mystery series. It was such a fun book with lots of twists, it really kept me guessing! Great characters and great story, can't wait for the next book! I've only read a few of this author's books, but now I definitely will read more - very entertaining!

Thanks to #RHMysteryPack from Chatterbox for this opportunity to read and review!

No longer interested in reading this. Clearing out old galleys.

In our second visit to Java Jive, we see Juliet single as she and Ryder split up at the end of the first book. Pete is once again dating Cecilia, and she and Juliet still can not stand one another. Juliet is dating Stan, Cecelia's brother and the opening of the book has them all at a funeral and wake for Stan and Cecilia's grandmother. When Cecilia is found murdered in the tent that Java Jive is using to sell cookies at the 5K fundraiser, Pete is not only suspected of the murder, but is actually arrested. Juliet is beside herself that her best friend is in jail and will do everything in her power to find the real killer and get Pete released. She puts herself in danger when she begins poking around in things that are none of her business. The rich have money to hire excellent lawyers and if and when they get in trouble, they tend to get out of jail quickly, not so with Pete.

The characters we met in the first book are back in another great story. The humorous and witty dialogue, mixed with romantic tension, and a puzzling mystery make this a book that I quickly read. Juliet is a wonderful heroine, she reminds me a bit of Stephanie Plumb from the Janet Evanovich books. She is humorous, constantly justifying her actions to herself and others and so loyal and loving to her friends it is impossible not to root for her and like her. The mystery-suspense elements have an emotional twist this time with Gertie and Juliet worried about Pete, she does things without thinking because she can not live without him. There are so many suspects in this one with twists and turns that I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end.

I think cozy mystery readers will enjoy getting to know Juliet, also known as The Redheaded She-Devil or Scooby, and all her friends at the Java Jive. This series is well written and extremely entertaining.

I did mostly enjoy this book, although the main protagonist was a bit annoying, and I feel she needs to grow up a bit. The story was fine, although at times a little far-fetched, but hey, it's a story. I found the continuation of the previous story interesting.

Juliet Langley and her best friend, Pete Bennett are back in the second installment of the bestselling Java Jive series, Mug Shot. Juliet is running Pete’s coffee shop near Vanderbilt University in Nashville for him and doing an excellent job. She’s also in charge of a 5K race and is working with Pete’s girlfriend to set it up. Pete’s girlfriend is a spoiled, entitled brat, and Juliet doesn’t like her – in fact, nobody but Pete seems to like her. On the morning of the race, Juliette discovers her dead body, and Pete is arrested for the murder. Besides running the popular coffee shop, Juliette must find the real murderer before Pete goes to jail for a very long time.

The Java Jive series is fun to read; the novels are cozies, which means they are light and have no graphic violence, sex, and profanity. That also means they are suitable for all ages, so younger cozy readers can enjoy them too. Fardig writes in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner. Mug Shot is easy to understand, and, although it’s never a good thing to have a murder, the character who is, isn’t liked, and most likely won’t be missed. Fardig fills this novel with plenty of humor, and while it isn’t edge-of-your-seat suspense, it definitely has a way of keeping the interest of readers.

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from a heavy, involved thriller, and this series - especially this installment, Mug Shot - is the perfect antidote. This novel is a well-written fast read with well-developed characters who are likeable and believable. For those who want to read something non-violent this is an excellent choice.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I would give this a 10 if I could. This was very very similar to the Stephanie Plum series. Loved all of back and forth between the main character (Juliet) and the two leading men (Pete & Rider).....I'm going to need to read the rest of this series to see who she ends up with.....

I was hooked from page one! I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would!!

Farding does it again! Juliet finds herself in "hot water" yet again in this light-hearted distraction. Farding has created cast of characters along the lines of Evanovitch's Stephanie Plum. Lot's of fun for all

Love doesn't even begin to describe how I felt about this book. Caroline kept me interested and on my toes throughout the whole story. She also hid the killer in this book so well that I was completely oblivious to who it was until the very end. I also couldn't wait to see how Juliet and Ryder's relationship played out. Not even ashamed to admit that she also gave me that fictional character crush on Ryder! I was a little skeptical about this one since I hadn't read the first in the series and I haven't had much luck starting in the middle of a series. I was completely wrong. She added just enough information from Book 1 that I had an idea what had happened to keep up with the current story line. Juliet also had me laughing at her quick wit and crying at her heartbreak as well.

I highly recommend anyone who loves a good mystery that starts off right at the beginning mixed with a little romance, to pick this little gem up. You will not be disappointed. I can tell you that this will be a series I follow until the very end.

This was a definite "it's me, not you" read. For one, I should have started with the first book in the series as I felt I missed out on some of the character dynamics. (Like the whole love triangle, of which I am not a fan.) I've also read very few cozy mysteries as they are very hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, this one was a miss. I was not a fan of the humor as I found it a bit juvenile. And while I enjoy mysteries where laymen investigate a crime, I many times wanted to smack Juliet for not thinking through some scenarios (or just letting the police take care of it).

ynopsis

Former musician Juliet Langley has been working hard at the coffeehouse owned by her best friend, Pete Bennett. IN addition, Pete's girlfriend, Cecilia Hollingsworth, is organizing the annual Holiday 5K Race . This year, Java Jive has a booth right at the finish line, which is where. . . Juliet stumbles over Cecilia’s dead body on the morning of the race.

Pete is arrested for Cecilia’s murder, Juliet sets out to clear his name. Julient goes undercover and enter Nashville’s high society to find any hidden skeltons in Cecilia's closet. Pete's bond is paid for by Juliet, but Juliet needs to hang onto her temper and find out who killed Pete's girlfriend.

Book Review plus 4.3

The story was good and I glad to see more of a relationship between Juliet and Pete. It is a great read and wonderful second book in the story. It is a must read!

Mug Shot is book two in the fun little cozy series call Java Jive Mysteries. I love my coffee house mysteries. 🙂

Things were going pretty good for Juliet although her love life seems to have it’s ups and downs. She always had her best friend Pete to keep her laughing even though she was not a fan of his girlfriend.

When his girlfriend is found dead and he is being blamed for it, she will do just about anything to find out who killed her. At times she helps him and at times she gets him in trouble but she is determined to figure it out. Even when her fling Ryder comes back into the picture and drives her crazy, she won’t let his jealousy of her and her friendship with Pete get in the way.

Mug Shot is a fun cozy with great characters. Juliet was a bit gung ho this go around cause it was her friend in trouble and it almost got her is a spot of trouble. Pete is a good guy and I really felt sorry for him. I was glad to see that Ryder was back in the picture though they have a troubled relationship that I hope gets straightened out. He is really jealous of Pete and I don’t blame him. My favorite character is Gertie and I missed not having more of her fun laugh out loud quips. There was a few but I remember laughing so hard in the first book.

Not my type of book. It was a little boring. I like much darker, grittier stories.

I enjoyed Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig. Fun character development. Story was interesting.

I'm a sucker for a series. The first installment "Death Before Decaf" was a quick read and brought about parallels with Janet Evanovich's writing. "Mug Shot" did not disappoint was a sequel.

The characters are fun loving and relatable. The relationships and emotions are real and the dialogue is absolutely believable and cohesive. The "I'd die for you" mentality between best friends and the chemistry between on-again off-again love interests make this more than a coffee shop murder mystery. Although they get into tough situations, and one would hope that it would not happen in real life, the book is an entertaining and quick read. I'm ready to jump in to book #3 already!

I received an e-copy of Mug Shot through the Random House Chatterbox program. #RHMysteryPack #Sponsored
I have mixed feelings about Mug Shot. The characters were likable enough. Other reviews compare the book to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, but I think the story-telling has a way to go to meet that level of humor. It seemed that every time Juliet met with one of the male characters (Pete, Stan and Ryder) she rehashed her feelings for each of them. I think the conversations and writing needs to be tighter and less wordy.
I read the entire book but won't read others in the series.