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Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite
Battered is the first book in the Whipped and Sipped mystery series by G.P. Gottlieb. At the heart of the story is Alene Baron, owner of the vegetarian café Whipped and Sipped. When Gary Vanza, the man who once owned the café before selling it to Alene, is found stabbed in a neighbor's apartment, the whole sixth floor of Alene's building turns into a hive of suspicion. Old wives, estranged children, a recovering addict daughter, a sketchy stepson nobody trusts -- the list of people who might have wanted Gary dead keeps growing. As Alene balances single motherhood, her father's declining health, and a business that never stops demanding her attention, she can't shake off the need to investigate, even as danger creeps closer than she expected.
Battered by G.P. Gottlieb left me feeling like I was overhearing a story told by a friend over coffee. The pacing moves in bursts, quick and sharp, the way real days could be if you're juggling a business, a family, and perhaps a murder investigation on the side. I especially loved how human everyone felt. Alene is no super sleuth. I could feel her struggles as she tried to balance her roles as a single mother, business owner, daughter, and amateur sleuth. The supporting cast also feels like people you’d want to get to know better. The central plot winds through old grudges, hidden money, and family wounds that never fully healed. The mystery itself twists more than once, and a few red herrings had me genuinely second-guessing myself, which is exactly what a mystery should do. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries like me, and like it with a charming bonus of recipes tucked in the back, you’ll find this one worth curling up with.
