Coffee Blog

Coffee and a book review

Writing Sparkle

Here we are in 2025! This year, for our virtual coffee dates, I’m trying something new.

Welcome to book review one of fifty-two for this year’s virtual coffee shares. I’ve picked books related to the Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils theme—coffee, books, and puzzles.

Murder by the Book|
Author Lauren Elliot
Re-issue edition published in October 2018
The publisher is Kensington Publishing Corp
Available in eBook, Audio, Paperback (304 pages) & Mass Market
Amateur Sleuths | Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)

“Someone steals a copy of Alice in Wonderland.” – Murder by the Book

What more could I ask for in a book? First, I love Alice in Wonderland. That there is a crime involving one of my favourite books drew me. But this book offered more—Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott is a cozy mystery that promises crime, books, family secrets, and coffee drinking.

Addison Greyborn—Addie—is the main character. She takes up the role of amateur sleuth when her store and home get broken into and a series of other events, including murders, seem to all be linked. But how are they linked? Throughout her investigation, Addie makes a new best friend named Serena and a budding romance starts between Addie and the chief of police.

This book is for series readers. There are nine books in the series.

You can find my full review on Goodreads, March 2024.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I changed up my virtual writing and editing plan for this year. I signed up to try the MasterClass. It is an online learning platform taught by various field experts. There are classes for topics other than writing, but my primary interest is writing. There are classes with Margaret Atwood, Harlan Coben, Ken Follett, Lee Child and many other wonderful authors.

If we were having coffee, I would share a picture of the second new game that entered the family collection over the holidays. It’s called Sagrada. I was happy that I could play it as a solo game if the family wasn’t able to join me.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I have yet to pick my word/intention for 2025. I know where I’d like to go with the year’s word, but need to pick one that resonates with me. Previous years’ words:

2018 = Transformation
2019 = Hope
2020 = Goals
2021 = Health & Happiness
2022 = Success
2023 = Laughter
2024 = Progress

Do you set an intention for the year? What is yours? Happy New Year and here is the coffee pot. Tell me about you?

By Shari Marshall – 2025

13 thoughts on “Coffee and a book review”

  1. That sounds like a fabulous book (I host a book link up the first Thursday of every month called Share Your Shelf; please feel free to link up with us if you’d like!). That is an impressive pile of books. The game sounds neat; I like that you can play solo too.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. The master class sounds SO exciting!!! In my 20’s I read everything by Margaret Atwood that I could find. I was almost obsessed by her writing. The class sounds very interesting.

    My intention for 2025 is “balance”. I’ve been working hard for the past few years, since I got back from the US, to create a good work-life-family-balance and I like where I am right now. If I would choose a second word for the year it would be “mindful”.

    Cheers to a FABULOUS 2025!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I also devoured Margaret Atwood novels in my twenties. I would like to reread a few this year. I took her class already and enjoyed listening to her speak.

      Balance is a great intention. I read Lisa’s post yesterday and her word is ripples; another great word/intention. I’m still working on mine.

      Happy New Year, Maria.

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  4. Happy New Year Shari, and good luck for the Masterclass. The books sounds very interesting. I haven’t chosen my word yet. Trying to give it time to choose me, and I think I almost have it.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi Shari, I’ve got my word set to go next week. It came to me out of the blue, and never left. That seems to be what they all do .

    Besides signing up for the Master Class, how else did you change up your plan?

    Best for 2025!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi, Marsha.

      Taking the Master Class instead of purchasing a ticket to the Women in Publishing Summit this year is the biggest change. Then for my other education pieces, I think I am going to take a few more college and university courses about editing and writing. I start my final class for my editing certificate later this month. I would also like to look for some other new learning experiences.

      Best wishes for 2025.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I have looked at Master Class before. Seems like a great platform for more than just writing. I am still interested…

    I’ll admit I am not huge on series. There are exceptions, but for the most part, when I finish a book, I like it to be done, I hate to feel obligated. Still sounds interesting and I do love “Alice in Wonderland”.

    Enjoy your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi, Trent. Yes, the Master Class does offer lots of other great topics, which I also plan to make use of.

      If the first book in a series doesn’t capture me, I don’t go on. That used to bother me because I felt like I owed it to the books to read them all, but there are too many wonderful books to read to stay reading something that isn’t a page-turner.

      Happy Saturday.

      Liked by 1 person

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