I am so delighted today to provide a review for you at my blog stop for A Cold Brew Killing by Lena Gregory on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. Scroll down to enter for your chance to win this very special Giveaway!
A Cold Brew Killing (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Lyrical Underground (November 6, 2018)
Print Length Approximately 250 Pages
Digital ASIN: B079R5Y14L
When an ice cream vendor discovers a frozen stiff, Florida diner owner Gia Morelli has to serve up some just desserts . . .
Gia has become good friends with Trevor, a fun, flirtatious bachelor who owns the ice cream parlor down the street from her popular All-Day Breakfast Café. Trevor has the scoop on all sorts of local attractions and activities. But when he bursts into her diner, trembling and paler than a pint of French Vanilla, she can tell something’s very wrong. Trevor points her toward his shop then passes out cold. When Gia runs down to his shop, she discovers a chilling sight—a dead body in the open freezer. But the ice cream man’s troubles are just beginning. The police suspect him of this murder a la mode, especially when details of his questionable past surface. Gia believes in her friend and is determined to clear his name and find the real cold-blooded killer before someone else gets put on ice . .
This is the third book of the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series and my second with the series and author. All the special characters of the series are back including protagonist Gia and her BFF Savannah Mills, possible heart-throb and acting captain Hunter Quinn, owner of the Storm Scoopers, Trevor Barnes, and Thor, a Bernese Mountain dog, who is definitely growing into his paws. I think my favorite support staff, however, is Earl (first customer ALWAYS in the morning) along with Cole, who works the grill in this Boggy Creek, Florida cafe.
Gia is trying to spread her wings and her menu by adding a cold brew which is not catching on as fast as she’d like. After arriving early to greet her staff, she is confronted by Trevor who has discovered a man in his walk-in freezer. Frozen, of course. Trevor is a good buddy and she positively, absolutely, without doubt knows Trevor couldn’t have done it, but you know he’ll get hauled in any way, setting her up for some sleuthing.
The well-plotted and engaging storyline delves into political headlines with candidates unfit to win and the games played in high school. The author puts quite a spin on the conspiracy and includes a number of red herrings, and if you haven’t paid attention you’ll keep guessing the antagonist. Gotcha! This is one you won’t have caught! (Okay, I didn’t. Maybe you will.)
I love the little scenes with Thor, who still thinks he’s a lap-puppy. And the dialogue is very natural, particularly between Gia and Savannah. But between her and Hunt?
“It’s just a scratch, Gia.” “It’s a bullet wound.” Hunt laughed. Laughed! The nerve. “Don’t worry, the EMT’s will fix you up. I’m pretty sure they have Band-Aids.” “Band–?”
(Well, I’m insulted, too!) In Book 2, he was “Tall, Dark, and Compelling.” In this one, he is “Tall, Dark, and Snippy.” (I’m ready to dump his ass but I guess she is more forgiving.)
Gia has collected a solid group of homebodies willing to cover her back and given her early childhood is just what she needs–driving home a theme of family. The conclusion wraps up all the loose ends that seamlessly includes a small subplot. My only complaint is the heavy description of food service, although I must admit she sounds like a well-choreographed juggler.
The town reads like small town USA and has a comfortable sense to the area. On the whole, the author has put together a solid group of main and support characters that can be read as a standalone.
I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley for this book tour and greatly appreciate the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for southern cozy mystery readers and those who enjoy the adventures of women sleuths.
Don’t miss your chance to enter this special giveaway for a (3) $10 Amazon Gift Card in this Rafflecopter giveaway
Lena Gregory lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband and three children.
When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/
Purchase Links
Thank you for visiting my stop on the tour and please visit the other stops listed below!
Tour Participants:
November 6 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 6 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
November 7 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 7 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
November 8 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW
November 8 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
November 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 9 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 11 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 11 – cherylbbookblog – SPOTLIGHT
November 12 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
November 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
November 13 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
November 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW
November 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 15 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
November 16 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
November 16 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 17 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
November 19 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST 
Thanks to Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this cozy mystery!
©2018 V Williams 
Rosepoint Publishing 
Sounds like a good series that I need to make time for. I do not like when a possible romantic interest is an idiot and the protagonist doesn’t see it. Good review Virginia.
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Thank you, Carla. Yeah, I hate shouting at the protagonist in a book. They never hear you.
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Sounds great!! Loved your review (and your new opinion of Hunt. 😂).
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Oh thank you! Yeah, life is just too short, huh? Time to move on.
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Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. I’ll have to see if Hunt can redeem himself in the next book! 😉
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You are so welcome! Yeah, Hunt–I’ll be looking for him!
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Thank you!
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😀
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