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All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery #3
A Cold Brew Killing
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 . . .
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 . . .
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 2, 2018
A Cold Brew Killing by Lena Gregory is the third book in the cozy All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. Each book in the series centers around it's own murder mystery so they could be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, there is some continuing character development from book to book that may be missed if not starting from the beginning of the series.
The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but has moved to Florida and opened up her own breakfast cafe after a divorce. Set in a small town many of the locals are returning characters to the books along with a bit of a romantic interest and Gia's puppy Thor and all have been fun to get to know.
In A Cold Brew Killing Gia is busy working on her new cold brew menu in her cafe when her friend and fellow shop owner Trevor stumbles into the diner mumbling about a dead body in his freezer. When the police point the finger at Trevor as a murder suspect Gia can't help but again begin to investigate to prove her friend's innocence.
From the colorful cast of characters with the small town vibe this is a series that I've continued to enjoy coming back to book after book. Gia's about as far from detective as she can be but she knows how to work the small town gossip mill and get her answers. The only thing I'd somewhat complain about is the author tends to focus a bit too much on the diner work, cooking, waiting tables, plating up dishes of delicious breakfast. It doesn't need to be overly detailed repeatedly but I'm willing to overlook this to enjoy the rest of the mystery.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but has moved to Florida and opened up her own breakfast cafe after a divorce. Set in a small town many of the locals are returning characters to the books along with a bit of a romantic interest and Gia's puppy Thor and all have been fun to get to know.
In A Cold Brew Killing Gia is busy working on her new cold brew menu in her cafe when her friend and fellow shop owner Trevor stumbles into the diner mumbling about a dead body in his freezer. When the police point the finger at Trevor as a murder suspect Gia can't help but again begin to investigate to prove her friend's innocence.
From the colorful cast of characters with the small town vibe this is a series that I've continued to enjoy coming back to book after book. Gia's about as far from detective as she can be but she knows how to work the small town gossip mill and get her answers. The only thing I'd somewhat complain about is the author tends to focus a bit too much on the diner work, cooking, waiting tables, plating up dishes of delicious breakfast. It doesn't need to be overly detailed repeatedly but I'm willing to overlook this to enjoy the rest of the mystery.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 7, 2019
Trevor shows up at Gia's diner in a state of shock after discovering a dead body in his ice cream parlor's freezer. Trevor soon becomes suspect number one in the case, and Gia sets out to prove her friend is innocent.
The third book in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series by Lena Gregory. This is the first book in the series that I have read, but it was easily read as a standalone. Gia runs the local diner in a small Florida town. A light and fun cozy mystery series.
This book opens with the discovery of a dead body, and the mystery gets started. Gia, amateur sleuth, wants to clear her friend's name and find the real bad guy. Things aren't as clear as they may seem, making this a fun read. The setting is quaint. The characters are likable. The mystery is entertaining.
A typical cozy mystery with a small town setting, quirky characters, and a murder mystery for the local amateur sleuth. I enjoy these types of books, so this one was right up my alley. A good read for fans of cozies.
I won a free Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The third book in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series by Lena Gregory. This is the first book in the series that I have read, but it was easily read as a standalone. Gia runs the local diner in a small Florida town. A light and fun cozy mystery series.
This book opens with the discovery of a dead body, and the mystery gets started. Gia, amateur sleuth, wants to clear her friend's name and find the real bad guy. Things aren't as clear as they may seem, making this a fun read. The setting is quaint. The characters are likable. The mystery is entertaining.
A typical cozy mystery with a small town setting, quirky characters, and a murder mystery for the local amateur sleuth. I enjoy these types of books, so this one was right up my alley. A good read for fans of cozies.
I won a free Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
January 24, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It gets mighty chilly in Florida when a dead body is found in the freezer of the ice cream parlor of Gia’s new friend Trevor. She and Trevor had big plans for bringing cold brews to both their businesses but that is on ice for now. Of course, Trevor is the prime suspect of the police but Gia just knows in her heart the man is innocent. Now she just has to find the evidence to prove it.
It was so good to get back to these characters. I don’t know how I got behind on this series but I plan to rectify that very soon.
Gia, Savannah, Hunt, Leo, Willow, Earl, Harley, Cybil, Cole, and Thor all return and are joined by several new characters. Two mayoral candidates, although one doesn’t last long, ice cream shop owner, Trevor, Willow’s mom, Skyla, join the cast. Ms. Gregory’s characters are all realistic. People you would expect to find in Boggy Creek at Gia’s All-Day Breakfast Café. I enjoy Gia and Savannah’s friendship. This time it is tested just a bit but I really liked the way Savannah convinced Gia it was okay to take some time off. Their relationship is believable and steady. They have each other’s back even when things get downright crazy.
The new secondary characters along with Harley play key roles in the mystery. They have been Boggy Creek residents for a long time and while the murder maybe political it could also be something in their pasts that has gotten Ron Parker killed. There are several twists and turns, shots fired, and another death before all the clues align and secrets come out for the killer to be revealed. The author has plotted an intriguing mystery with many possibilities.
The book also has a message and a revelation for Gia regarding families. It is so true and heartwarming.
A Cold Brew Killing was so entertaining! Great characters, a wonderful mystery and don’t even get me started on the food. We did have breakfast for dinner during the time I was reading this book. Yummy!
Stay tuned, in my quest to get caught up on this series I will be reading A Waffle Lot of Murder soon so I am ready when Whole Latte Murder hits stores on April 27.
It gets mighty chilly in Florida when a dead body is found in the freezer of the ice cream parlor of Gia’s new friend Trevor. She and Trevor had big plans for bringing cold brews to both their businesses but that is on ice for now. Of course, Trevor is the prime suspect of the police but Gia just knows in her heart the man is innocent. Now she just has to find the evidence to prove it.
It was so good to get back to these characters. I don’t know how I got behind on this series but I plan to rectify that very soon.
Gia, Savannah, Hunt, Leo, Willow, Earl, Harley, Cybil, Cole, and Thor all return and are joined by several new characters. Two mayoral candidates, although one doesn’t last long, ice cream shop owner, Trevor, Willow’s mom, Skyla, join the cast. Ms. Gregory’s characters are all realistic. People you would expect to find in Boggy Creek at Gia’s All-Day Breakfast Café. I enjoy Gia and Savannah’s friendship. This time it is tested just a bit but I really liked the way Savannah convinced Gia it was okay to take some time off. Their relationship is believable and steady. They have each other’s back even when things get downright crazy.
The new secondary characters along with Harley play key roles in the mystery. They have been Boggy Creek residents for a long time and while the murder maybe political it could also be something in their pasts that has gotten Ron Parker killed. There are several twists and turns, shots fired, and another death before all the clues align and secrets come out for the killer to be revealed. The author has plotted an intriguing mystery with many possibilities.
The book also has a message and a revelation for Gia regarding families. It is so true and heartwarming.
A Cold Brew Killing was so entertaining! Great characters, a wonderful mystery and don’t even get me started on the food. We did have breakfast for dinner during the time I was reading this book. Yummy!
Stay tuned, in my quest to get caught up on this series I will be reading A Waffle Lot of Murder soon so I am ready when Whole Latte Murder hits stores on April 27.
September 25, 2018
Cold Brew Killing is the third book and continues what has been an enjoyable series for me. The author has crafted a quaint small town Florida setting, and populated it with relatable and interesting characters. I really enjoy the friendship between Gia and Savannah. Gia has shown growth since the very first book and she is opening up a bit more to people. In this book, we get to see more of Cybil and I hope that she become a regular, frequent secondary characters. I think she is a wonderful influence on Gia in terms of providing wisdom and guidance. The secondary cast of characters are wonderful and provide Gia the self-made family that she has been missing. There are some romances among the characters but they don't distract from the story. The mystery involves two murders among a group of high school friends from the town so the pool of suspects is not vast. However, as the story unfolds there are plenty of secrets and twists that will keep the reader guessing about the identity of the real killer. My only criticism would be that I felt the ending was a bit rushed with this book.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
October 16, 2018
Reading the third book in the All-day Breakfast series I found it much improved from t the first one I read. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Gia Morelli's cafe is busy when her friend and ice cream vendor, Trevor arrives in the cafe and immediately collapse. He tells the group there a dead body in his refrigerator. As the police investigate the death Trevor becomes a suspect. Her boyfriend acting police chief, Hunt Quinn refuses to tell Gai anything about the murder. Some of Gai's actions put her in harm's way. Most of the characters went to school together and the motive for MURDER reaches back to their high school days. Is Trevor guilty or is he being framed? I highly recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Gia Morelli's cafe is busy when her friend and ice cream vendor, Trevor arrives in the cafe and immediately collapse. He tells the group there a dead body in his refrigerator. As the police investigate the death Trevor becomes a suspect. Her boyfriend acting police chief, Hunt Quinn refuses to tell Gai anything about the murder. Some of Gai's actions put her in harm's way. Most of the characters went to school together and the motive for MURDER reaches back to their high school days. Is Trevor guilty or is he being framed? I highly recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 12, 2019
Another great addition to the series! I very much enjoyed the mystery and the characters. I'm hoping this series will continue!
September 2, 2018
Likable characters, clever plot twists and quirky cozy elements make A Cold Brew Killing a worthy read! Gia, a transplant from New York, runs a breakfast diner in sunny Florida. When the dead body of a local politician mysteriously turns up in the freezer of her flirtatious friend’s ice cream parlor, Gia is pulled into investigating the perplexing homicide. The story flows at a perfect pace and unfolds smoothly. The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series is delightfully fun and engaging and will leave you “hungering” for more in the series.
November 19, 2018
A Cold Brew Killing
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #3
Lena Gregory
5 Stars
Synopsis:
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 . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Although Gia does not have a conventional family, she has a family of friends and co-workers who mean so much to her. I love the relationship between Gia and Savannah, it seems so warm and sincere. All of her relationships feel that way.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and drew me into the story from the very beginning. Boggy Creek and all of the shops and restaurants came to life in my mind and it is a place I would like to visit.
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of twists and turns and red herrings thrown in and it was a difficult mystery to solve, which is fine with me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. It has humor, personable characters, loving friendships and an intriguing mystery. I have read all the books in this series and they just keep getting better.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #3
Lena Gregory
5 Stars
Synopsis:
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 . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Although Gia does not have a conventional family, she has a family of friends and co-workers who mean so much to her. I love the relationship between Gia and Savannah, it seems so warm and sincere. All of her relationships feel that way.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and drew me into the story from the very beginning. Boggy Creek and all of the shops and restaurants came to life in my mind and it is a place I would like to visit.
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of twists and turns and red herrings thrown in and it was a difficult mystery to solve, which is fine with me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. It has humor, personable characters, loving friendships and an intriguing mystery. I have read all the books in this series and they just keep getting better.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
November 20, 2018
A COLD BREW KILLING by Lena Gregory
The Third All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
Gia Morelli has had it with politics! She's tired of Earl and Savannah bickering over the upcoming mayoral election and concerned with Skyla's reaction to one of the candidates. The election is thrown a curve when Trevor finds one of the men murdered in his ice cream parlor's freezer. Gia is certain of Trevor's innocence, but she soon discovers there's much more to him than she realized. More and more people are acting angry and scared and Gia soon realizes that all of them were friends in high school. Something that happened back then must be the root of the current murder, but what?
Can you ever escape your past? Should people be made accountable for past transgressions? Can people really change? The third All-Day Breakfast Café provides a fascinating look at these questions from a variety of angles. The themes explored are particularly relevant today, in relation to entitled young men, politics, and those who seek justice.
I love how the basis of the mystery was created in the past, a past about which Gia is totally unfamiliar. Gia's reacting without thinking and her jitteriness still annoys me, but her dedication, loyalty, and devotion to friends makes me like her. Her negative habits are slowly abating and I enjoy seeing her grow as a person. I'm also excited to see the development of some of the secondary characters, Cybil in particular.
A COLD BREW KILLING is a fast paced mystery that holds particular relevance in today's world. It's important to stand up for what you believe in and trust that your friends and family will support you. And remember family doesn't have to be blood, we can make our own family with those friends we hold dear.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Third All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
Gia Morelli has had it with politics! She's tired of Earl and Savannah bickering over the upcoming mayoral election and concerned with Skyla's reaction to one of the candidates. The election is thrown a curve when Trevor finds one of the men murdered in his ice cream parlor's freezer. Gia is certain of Trevor's innocence, but she soon discovers there's much more to him than she realized. More and more people are acting angry and scared and Gia soon realizes that all of them were friends in high school. Something that happened back then must be the root of the current murder, but what?
Can you ever escape your past? Should people be made accountable for past transgressions? Can people really change? The third All-Day Breakfast Café provides a fascinating look at these questions from a variety of angles. The themes explored are particularly relevant today, in relation to entitled young men, politics, and those who seek justice.
I love how the basis of the mystery was created in the past, a past about which Gia is totally unfamiliar. Gia's reacting without thinking and her jitteriness still annoys me, but her dedication, loyalty, and devotion to friends makes me like her. Her negative habits are slowly abating and I enjoy seeing her grow as a person. I'm also excited to see the development of some of the secondary characters, Cybil in particular.
A COLD BREW KILLING is a fast paced mystery that holds particular relevance in today's world. It's important to stand up for what you believe in and trust that your friends and family will support you. And remember family doesn't have to be blood, we can make our own family with those friends we hold dear.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
December 1, 2018
This is another of my favorite series that just keeps getting better. One of the Facebook book clubs I'm in had the first book in this series for our November discussion, and since I'd read the second one this summer, I was in the mood to read this one--especially since I had all the characters and situations fresh in my brain! ;)
When a local guy who was running for mayor was found dead in Trevor's ice cream shop freezer, Gia had the need to help find the killer despite what her sorta-boyfriend (as she calls him) acting-Captain Hunt Quinn says. He is awfully sweet to her and I loved the awesome scenes they had together! He had his few little moments of jealousy over Trevor, but Gia assured him he had nothing to worry about. I liked the side mysteries as well that centered on Harley and Skyla.
A new character introduced was Skyla who was Willow the cafe waitress' mom, and she had a secret of her own, as did the gentle homeless man Harley that Gia has kept supplied with dinner since the first book. Harley is such an awesome character. He doesn't say much, but he sure is always there for his pal Gia. Another character that was somewhat new but introduced in the second book was a retired cook named Cole who was now working for Gia and loving it. He said retirement was boring. Earl (my fave since the first book since he makes me think of Columbo) got more page time as well, since he's also a helper in the cafe when Gia needs him as well as a regular breakfast customer. A really cool character that I liked from the second book was Cybil, a somewhat mysterious woman who always walked in the woods. Gia became closer friends with her and invited her to the cafe. Cybil was a widow that Gia thought might enjoy meeting Earl, a widower.
Savannah is such a hoot! She's the perfect bestie and she was determined that she and Gia would get a girls' getaway. It didn't quite happen the way she planned, but it was still some good adventure. Gia and Hunt are in a really good place right now. I like how their relationship has been a little slow, sometimes shaky but not stormy. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book!
When a local guy who was running for mayor was found dead in Trevor's ice cream shop freezer, Gia had the need to help find the killer despite what her sorta-boyfriend (as she calls him) acting-Captain Hunt Quinn says. He is awfully sweet to her and I loved the awesome scenes they had together! He had his few little moments of jealousy over Trevor, but Gia assured him he had nothing to worry about. I liked the side mysteries as well that centered on Harley and Skyla.
A new character introduced was Skyla who was Willow the cafe waitress' mom, and she had a secret of her own, as did the gentle homeless man Harley that Gia has kept supplied with dinner since the first book. Harley is such an awesome character. He doesn't say much, but he sure is always there for his pal Gia. Another character that was somewhat new but introduced in the second book was a retired cook named Cole who was now working for Gia and loving it. He said retirement was boring. Earl (my fave since the first book since he makes me think of Columbo) got more page time as well, since he's also a helper in the cafe when Gia needs him as well as a regular breakfast customer. A really cool character that I liked from the second book was Cybil, a somewhat mysterious woman who always walked in the woods. Gia became closer friends with her and invited her to the cafe. Cybil was a widow that Gia thought might enjoy meeting Earl, a widower.
Savannah is such a hoot! She's the perfect bestie and she was determined that she and Gia would get a girls' getaway. It didn't quite happen the way she planned, but it was still some good adventure. Gia and Hunt are in a really good place right now. I like how their relationship has been a little slow, sometimes shaky but not stormy. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book!
January 13, 2019
REREAD FOR BOOK DISCUSSION.
This is such a fun series. I love Gia and Savannah and the entire All Day Gang.
Poor Gia hasn't had it easy. Finding out her ex husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, she moved from NY to Florida to start a new, to only find him dead in her dumpster. Fast forward to the present and with the Cafe and her life back on track (even romance), could history begin to repeat itself? Is it possible that someone close to her may not be who they seem? With an election on the horizon, between two "friends" in a small town, secrets are bound to come out. Could it be that someone is out to stop the competition or does it go deeper than that? How far is this someone willing to go to keep the past in past? Leave it to Gia and the gang to dive in and find out what's happening. Can they find out before one of their own gets buried too deep in this?
Read the book to find out.
This is such a fun series. I love Gia and Savannah and the entire All Day Gang.
Poor Gia hasn't had it easy. Finding out her ex husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, she moved from NY to Florida to start a new, to only find him dead in her dumpster. Fast forward to the present and with the Cafe and her life back on track (even romance), could history begin to repeat itself? Is it possible that someone close to her may not be who they seem? With an election on the horizon, between two "friends" in a small town, secrets are bound to come out. Could it be that someone is out to stop the competition or does it go deeper than that? How far is this someone willing to go to keep the past in past? Leave it to Gia and the gang to dive in and find out what's happening. Can they find out before one of their own gets buried too deep in this?
Read the book to find out.
January 29, 2022
The web of characters and mystery was awesome in this one! I was drawn in from page one and trying to untangle the connections as I read. So fun to join Gia & Savannah again!! Another great book in this series, definitely add this one to your list.
September 25, 2018
Loved this book. This was a fun read. I love when characters aren't what you think they are, or have more depth than you originally think. Very excited to see what happens next for this group.
November 11, 2018
How appropriate for this book to release on Election Day, since part of the plot revolves around a local election for mayor. Don’t worry though – politics isn’t the focus. Instead, it’s a cozy mystery that also celebrates the bonds of friendship in many different ways. Which is what I love most about this series.
Gia has grown so much as a character since the first book, and she seems to finally be settling in to the quaint Florida town and her all-day breakfast cafe. While she rallies around her friend Trevor – who is falsely accused of murder – her friends rally around her, watching out for her and pitching in at the cafe when needed. There’s a slight romance thread but it’s definitely in the background, and there are also a couple of intriguing subplots involving some of the supporting characters. I loved spending more time with Cybil in this book, and of course i can’t forget to highlight Gia’s adorable dog Troy. He’s such a sweetie!
Bottom Line: A Cold Brew Killing is another great read in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series! Gia continues to be a compelling – and evolving – character and her friendships are the highlight of the non-mystery portion of the book. The mystery itself is well-plotted with several layers and twists. Looking forward to more adventures with Gia and her gang!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Gia has grown so much as a character since the first book, and she seems to finally be settling in to the quaint Florida town and her all-day breakfast cafe. While she rallies around her friend Trevor – who is falsely accused of murder – her friends rally around her, watching out for her and pitching in at the cafe when needed. There’s a slight romance thread but it’s definitely in the background, and there are also a couple of intriguing subplots involving some of the supporting characters. I loved spending more time with Cybil in this book, and of course i can’t forget to highlight Gia’s adorable dog Troy. He’s such a sweetie!
Bottom Line: A Cold Brew Killing is another great read in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series! Gia continues to be a compelling – and evolving – character and her friendships are the highlight of the non-mystery portion of the book. The mystery itself is well-plotted with several layers and twists. Looking forward to more adventures with Gia and her gang!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 6, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Gregory has become one of my go-to cozy mystery authors when I am felling in the mood and this new installment to the adorable series was no exception. I fell in love from the very first page as Gia yet again charms the reader as she runs her breakfast cafe with efficiency. Things are going pretty well until her friend Trevor finds a dead body in the freezer of his ice cream shop. Well of course Gia has to get involved in the mystery even if she does try not to. Her curiosity just will not abate but that is what this so great. The blend of the characters, the cafe, and the mystery comes together to create this absolutely fantastic cozy that I just could not put down once I started. If like great characters, food, and a mystery you really have to read this one though the whole series has been amazing. In case you cannot tell I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Gregory has become one of my go-to cozy mystery authors when I am felling in the mood and this new installment to the adorable series was no exception. I fell in love from the very first page as Gia yet again charms the reader as she runs her breakfast cafe with efficiency. Things are going pretty well until her friend Trevor finds a dead body in the freezer of his ice cream shop. Well of course Gia has to get involved in the mystery even if she does try not to. Her curiosity just will not abate but that is what this so great. The blend of the characters, the cafe, and the mystery comes together to create this absolutely fantastic cozy that I just could not put down once I started. If like great characters, food, and a mystery you really have to read this one though the whole series has been amazing. In case you cannot tell I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
October 16, 2020
It’s election time in Boggy Creek, Florida and residents are all abuzz about the upcoming mayoral race. Former friends Mitch Anderson and Ron Parker are both in the running. Both seem a little too slick and their smiles are a little too practiced and fake. After only arriving in town six months ago and opening the All-Day Breakfast Cafe, Gia Morelli is curious about what her new friends and residents think about the candidates.
The race takes an interesting and tragic turn when Gia’s new friend, Trevor Barnes runs into the cafe after discovering Ron dead in the freezer of Storm Scoopers, the ice cream parlor owned by Trevor. When Trevor refuses to cooperate and answer questions asked by Gia’s boyfriend, Detective Hunter Quinn, Trevor is arrested for Ron’s murder. While Trevor is definitely acting strange and not like himself, Gia knows there’s no way Trevor would kill anyone. Gia makes it her mission to prove Trevor is innocent. If she also just so happens to find the real killer in the process, all the better.
Lena Gregory has written a mystery all about secrets and those secrets coming to light. She’s introduced several new characters who are all connected by the past. Through the course of Gia’s search to clear Trevor, she discovers new things about people she considers to be her friends, and along the way, some questions about characters readers have grown to love are answered. Lena definitely has you guessing as to what is happening and who the killer is up until the very end of the book. I only wished that she would have used more descriptions for some of the characters, as I had a hard time remembering who some people were and how they were all linked to each other. Now that I have some questions answered, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“The things you appreciate most in life are those you have to wait for.”
“Family doesn’t have to be related by blood.”
“Sometimes friends aren’t what they seem.”
“Circumstances change over time; the heart doesn’t.”
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**
The race takes an interesting and tragic turn when Gia’s new friend, Trevor Barnes runs into the cafe after discovering Ron dead in the freezer of Storm Scoopers, the ice cream parlor owned by Trevor. When Trevor refuses to cooperate and answer questions asked by Gia’s boyfriend, Detective Hunter Quinn, Trevor is arrested for Ron’s murder. While Trevor is definitely acting strange and not like himself, Gia knows there’s no way Trevor would kill anyone. Gia makes it her mission to prove Trevor is innocent. If she also just so happens to find the real killer in the process, all the better.
Lena Gregory has written a mystery all about secrets and those secrets coming to light. She’s introduced several new characters who are all connected by the past. Through the course of Gia’s search to clear Trevor, she discovers new things about people she considers to be her friends, and along the way, some questions about characters readers have grown to love are answered. Lena definitely has you guessing as to what is happening and who the killer is up until the very end of the book. I only wished that she would have used more descriptions for some of the characters, as I had a hard time remembering who some people were and how they were all linked to each other. Now that I have some questions answered, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“The things you appreciate most in life are those you have to wait for.”
“Family doesn’t have to be related by blood.”
“Sometimes friends aren’t what they seem.”
“Circumstances change over time; the heart doesn’t.”
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**
October 31, 2021
This was a quick read which I enjoyed. I always love the diner setting and the experimentation with new dishes/coffee drinks - everything sounds yummy. The relationships between the characters seems a little too idyllic at times; everyone does everything together. Where I have issues with this series is Gia herself - her nosiness is annoying. She needs to investigate and does some foolish things. There's nothing I hate more than the breaking-and-entering that the sleuths feel they have to do. Other than that, the mystery itself was pretty good with the murderer being pretty obvious from the get-go. I will continue with the series but always hesitate to pick them up because I know there will be those issues that drive me nuts.
November 12, 2018
A Cold Brew Killing by Lena Gregory is the 3rd book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series, and a great start. Gia Morelli moves from New York to a small town in Florida to start over and get away from her ex. Gia is now the owner of the All-Day Breakfast Cafe, settling in and making friends. Gia's friend Trevor runs into her cafe, all upset there was a body in his freezer. Trevor owns the ice cream shop in town. When Trevor becomes the prime suspect, Gia is determined to find the real killer. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book/series.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
February 19, 2021
4 stelle e mezza
Ho capito ben presto il motivo dietro l'omicidio, ma non il colpevole. Il libro si lascia leggere; se devo fare un appunto, non mi piacciono molto le descrizioni su come la protagonista prepara il cibo nel suo locale perché le trovo un po' troppo lunghe (e le colazioni all'americana sono proprio troppo strane per me).
Ho capito ben presto il motivo dietro l'omicidio, ma non il colpevole. Il libro si lascia leggere; se devo fare un appunto, non mi piacciono molto le descrizioni su come la protagonista prepara il cibo nel suo locale perché le trovo un po' troppo lunghe (e le colazioni all'americana sono proprio troppo strane per me).
June 2, 2020
Gia Morelli has finally decided to stay in Florida. She can even laugh (a bit) about snakes now. The cafe is doing OK but dinnertime could be better. Her friend Cole has plans to help boost dinner business. Savannah is making plans for a girls' weekend away but Gia is distracted. She worries about leaving her cafe and her puppy, Thor. Then her worries get even greater when her friend Trevor discovers a dead body in his ice cream parlor freezer. When Hunt and Leo question him, Trevor clams up and won't answer questions without a lawyer, making him look guilty. Gia knows Trevor wouldn't kill anyone. He's a bit awkward but fun to be around, especially when Savannah is with Leo and Hunt is busy at work. To make matters worse, Gia's employee friend Willow's mom is acting suspiciously. The murder victim, a politician named Ron Parker grew up in Boggy Creek with Trevor, Willow's mom Skyla and Ron's political rival Mitch Anderson. Gia is determined to prove Trevor is innocent but as she investigates, she turns up secrets from the past that someone may have killed to keep silent.
UGH. I did NOT enjoy the plot of this novel, if novel you can call it. It sounded more like a recent news story. I wasn't happy with the dark plot. I did figure out what the secret was and why Skyla was acting so strange but Gia did too once she had the information. I did stay up really late to find out which character was the murderer but then I had to go look at something else so I wouldn't have bad dreams. I was disappointed the plot didn't resolve anything from the previous book and now Hunt is acting Captain, he doesn't have time to be a boyfriend so gone is the swoony romance. There are a lot of repetitive cooking scenes and multiple mentions of cold brew. These are mere filler and make the book a lot longer than it needs to be.
I don't drink coffee (yuck) but some of those cold brew creations sound amazing! Skip the coffee and I'd try s'mores and peppermint. I love peppermint hot chocolate! I do not like all the savory cooking Gia does. She DOES make homemade waffles but she's never shown making them! I was hoping for more ice cream involved in this story too and am eager for Gia to start teaming up with Trevor to make some delicious ice cream specials. Yes Trevor, DO use Gia's homemade waffles for your ice cream!
Gia is back to her annoying, nosy self in this book. Here she drags Savannah along on the investigation when Savannah is reluctant to get involved. Gia almost gets herself and her friends hurt. Thor is mostly a sidekick here and doesn't really have much to do. Hunt acts kind of like a jerk, letting his personal feelings affect his investigation. He tries not to but he can't help but be jealous of Gia's friendship with Trevor and protective of Gia. Gia trusts Trevor. He's a great friend and I agree that he wouldn't kill someone because a)he loves his dog and b)he ran into the cafe in a state of shock. Doesn't his shock count for something or does Hunt think that was caused by someone who committed murder and is now in shock because they can't believe what they did? Also, as Gia notes, where is the blood? Leo seems to believe Gia's instincts a little more than Hunt does. Leo is also a softer touch than Hunt. They're both nice guys but I didn't like the way Hunt acted here.
The All-Day Breakfast Cafe crew are a fun bunch. Earl is lively, fun and a sweetheart. Cole is intelligent and quick on his feet. Willow is friendly, strong and smart. Her mom, Skyla, is coming to be a part of the crowd but the upcoming mayoral election and murder seem to be taking a toll on her mental health. She seems like a lovely woman who does not deserve any of the things that happened to her in the past. I fear the police will zero in on her next if they clear Trevor. He may be trying to protect her if he knows her secrets. I agree with Gia that she should have shared her story with Willow. It's an important thing to tell your daughter even if it's difficult to tell. That part of the story broke my heart but it wasn't entirely surprising. Harley, as reclusive as he is, is part of Gia's new family too. He's such a sweetheart. My heart broke when I learned what made him the way he is.
Gia is slowly making new friends. Cybil, the creepy, witchy woman from the woods, turns out to be a lively retiree and widow who enjoys walking for exercise and solitude. She's not creepy or psychic. I think she's a good friend for Gia because she can stand in as a mother figure to help Gia navigate life and love. Another new friend for Gia is Donna Mae Parker, a florist who seems to have some connection to the murder victim. She seems nice and friendly but she does confide an awful lot of personal information to a stranger. She's friends with Harley and knows Gia looks after the homeless man so perhaps that's why she trusts Gia. I think Donna Mae counts in the new friend category, even if she does eat oatmeal for breakfast. ew! Zoe, who runs the doggie daycare, is a new acquaintance, almost a friend. She seems nice but timid and possibly on her way to heartbreak. She does care about the dogs though. Debby, from the rescue shelter, is another friend. She loves dogs and is passionate about rescue. Debby may know more about what happened with Ron and Mitch but she's too busy to bother digging into her memories of high school.
The new characters here all grew up in Boggy Creek as part of a brat pack. They were spoiled, entitled, rich kids. Some remained in Boggy Creek and others moved away only to return recently. Ron and Mitch were once friends and are now political rivals. Both seem insincere to Skyla but she favors one over the other. She has her reasons but won't say why. Neither seems like a good person for mayor. Ron is fake, smarmy and rude. Gabriella and Bobby Fischetti are returning to Boggy Creek for the first time since high school. They seem like the smug, rich type. Gabriella doesn't seem like she's that bad of a person, maybe too perky and cheerleaderish. She's seen arguing with a woman named Allison outside the cafe. Who is Allison and what are they arguing about? It sounds like Allison and someone else may be fighting over a man, but which one? Allison was part of this brat pack in high school and may know more about what happened back then but she's very elusive. I DO understand why Trevor hung out with these kids in high school. You don't really have a choice. They live in your neighborhood, your parents are friends, they're in all your classes, they're your only real peers and habit and proximity keep you together. Trevor did the right thing after the events of their senior year and cut ties with these people. He went his own way as an adult and I admire him for being that strong. Felicity Anderson is a woman who means business from the brief glimpse of her we get. None of these rich, entitled people are all that appealing and I didn't really care who killed whom as long as it wasn't Trevor and as long as no one killed any of Gia's friends. One of them is a murderer though. It's either love/jealousy or trying to keep the secrets of the past buried.
A note on content
UGH. I did NOT enjoy the plot of this novel, if novel you can call it. It sounded more like a recent news story. I wasn't happy with the dark plot. I did figure out what the secret was and why Skyla was acting so strange but Gia did too once she had the information. I did stay up really late to find out which character was the murderer but then I had to go look at something else so I wouldn't have bad dreams. I was disappointed the plot didn't resolve anything from the previous book and now Hunt is acting Captain, he doesn't have time to be a boyfriend so gone is the swoony romance. There are a lot of repetitive cooking scenes and multiple mentions of cold brew. These are mere filler and make the book a lot longer than it needs to be.
I don't drink coffee (yuck) but some of those cold brew creations sound amazing! Skip the coffee and I'd try s'mores and peppermint. I love peppermint hot chocolate! I do not like all the savory cooking Gia does. She DOES make homemade waffles but she's never shown making them! I was hoping for more ice cream involved in this story too and am eager for Gia to start teaming up with Trevor to make some delicious ice cream specials. Yes Trevor, DO use Gia's homemade waffles for your ice cream!
Gia is back to her annoying, nosy self in this book. Here she drags Savannah along on the investigation when Savannah is reluctant to get involved. Gia almost gets herself and her friends hurt. Thor is mostly a sidekick here and doesn't really have much to do. Hunt acts kind of like a jerk, letting his personal feelings affect his investigation. He tries not to but he can't help but be jealous of Gia's friendship with Trevor and protective of Gia. Gia trusts Trevor. He's a great friend and I agree that he wouldn't kill someone because a)he loves his dog and b)he ran into the cafe in a state of shock. Doesn't his shock count for something or does Hunt think that was caused by someone who committed murder and is now in shock because they can't believe what they did? Also, as Gia notes, where is the blood? Leo seems to believe Gia's instincts a little more than Hunt does. Leo is also a softer touch than Hunt. They're both nice guys but I didn't like the way Hunt acted here.
The All-Day Breakfast Cafe crew are a fun bunch. Earl is lively, fun and a sweetheart. Cole is intelligent and quick on his feet. Willow is friendly, strong and smart. Her mom, Skyla, is coming to be a part of the crowd but the upcoming mayoral election and murder seem to be taking a toll on her mental health. She seems like a lovely woman who does not deserve any of the things that happened to her in the past. I fear the police will zero in on her next if they clear Trevor. He may be trying to protect her if he knows her secrets. I agree with Gia that she should have shared her story with Willow. It's an important thing to tell your daughter even if it's difficult to tell. That part of the story broke my heart but it wasn't entirely surprising. Harley, as reclusive as he is, is part of Gia's new family too. He's such a sweetheart. My heart broke when I learned what made him the way he is.
Gia is slowly making new friends. Cybil, the creepy, witchy woman from the woods, turns out to be a lively retiree and widow who enjoys walking for exercise and solitude. She's not creepy or psychic. I think she's a good friend for Gia because she can stand in as a mother figure to help Gia navigate life and love. Another new friend for Gia is Donna Mae Parker, a florist who seems to have some connection to the murder victim. She seems nice and friendly but she does confide an awful lot of personal information to a stranger. She's friends with Harley and knows Gia looks after the homeless man so perhaps that's why she trusts Gia. I think Donna Mae counts in the new friend category, even if she does eat oatmeal for breakfast. ew! Zoe, who runs the doggie daycare, is a new acquaintance, almost a friend. She seems nice but timid and possibly on her way to heartbreak. She does care about the dogs though. Debby, from the rescue shelter, is another friend. She loves dogs and is passionate about rescue. Debby may know more about what happened with Ron and Mitch but she's too busy to bother digging into her memories of high school.
The new characters here all grew up in Boggy Creek as part of a brat pack. They were spoiled, entitled, rich kids. Some remained in Boggy Creek and others moved away only to return recently. Ron and Mitch were once friends and are now political rivals. Both seem insincere to Skyla but she favors one over the other. She has her reasons but won't say why. Neither seems like a good person for mayor. Ron is fake, smarmy and rude. Gabriella and Bobby Fischetti are returning to Boggy Creek for the first time since high school. They seem like the smug, rich type. Gabriella doesn't seem like she's that bad of a person, maybe too perky and cheerleaderish. She's seen arguing with a woman named Allison outside the cafe. Who is Allison and what are they arguing about? It sounds like Allison and someone else may be fighting over a man, but which one? Allison was part of this brat pack in high school and may know more about what happened back then but she's very elusive. I DO understand why Trevor hung out with these kids in high school. You don't really have a choice. They live in your neighborhood, your parents are friends, they're in all your classes, they're your only real peers and habit and proximity keep you together. Trevor did the right thing after the events of their senior year and cut ties with these people. He went his own way as an adult and I admire him for being that strong. Felicity Anderson is a woman who means business from the brief glimpse of her we get. None of these rich, entitled people are all that appealing and I didn't really care who killed whom as long as it wasn't Trevor and as long as no one killed any of Gia's friends. One of them is a murderer though. It's either love/jealousy or trying to keep the secrets of the past buried.
A note on content
June 11, 2022
There are only a few series I will read back to back, this has become one of them, more to the point one I will re-visit again and again! We have murder, mayhem and history coming back to bite in Boggy Creek, we find out more about the history of some of the regular members of the pages of Lena Gregory's books, we discover treachery, honour and sadness, all wrapped in a wonderfully crafted tale.
Gia is settled in Boggy Creek, she now has a relationship with her best friend's cousin and some more good friends (as close if not closer than family, not that Gia knows about close family), and the main one, Savannah, has chivvyed her into taking a few days away from her beloved All Day Breakfast Cafe, Earl and Cole are going to man the kitchen and Willow will do her usual fantastic job front of house, but everything comes to a screeching halt when Trevor (another friend and the owner of the local ice cream parlour ) comes staggering into the cafe and faints, having uttered that there was a dead body in his freezer! Add in local politics, secrets coming home to roost and injuries, Hunt and Gia having a misunderstanding (and Savannah and Leo coming to an understanding) this is another fun, semi fast paced, cozy that hits all the right spots!
Gia is settled in Boggy Creek, she now has a relationship with her best friend's cousin and some more good friends (as close if not closer than family, not that Gia knows about close family), and the main one, Savannah, has chivvyed her into taking a few days away from her beloved All Day Breakfast Cafe, Earl and Cole are going to man the kitchen and Willow will do her usual fantastic job front of house, but everything comes to a screeching halt when Trevor (another friend and the owner of the local ice cream parlour ) comes staggering into the cafe and faints, having uttered that there was a dead body in his freezer! Add in local politics, secrets coming home to roost and injuries, Hunt and Gia having a misunderstanding (and Savannah and Leo coming to an understanding) this is another fun, semi fast paced, cozy that hits all the right spots!
January 27, 2019
Cold Brew Killing is more hot than cold
The story was interesting.
Characters
The characters were well developed. Fun guys and gals. Not too many characters in this story. I liked how the backstory was tossed in. Especially at odd times, not the classic, but when you least expect it. It made it more memorable.
Lots of characters, but there weren’t any thrown in for filler sake, or to just add as a red herring. All were needed.
Gina seemed a bit of a wild horse here. Some very silly actions to try to find the killer. They were fun, but not sure if they should be in here. You’d think with all these adventures, she’d get in some serious trouble. Maybe she did in the prior books, and I just don’t know about them.
Setting
I had a bit of trouble with the settings. Very vivid, but lots of the same old, same old. I wish she would have created a new vision for her town, instead of what every author has in their stories. Although Trevor... that’s another story.
Dialogue
Good, snappy dialogue going on here. I could tell the difference in the various voices. It wasn’t like some books, where there was page after page of dialogue with nothing else.
Pace
The pace moved pretty fast in this. I had no trouble finishing this one at a faster clip than I’ve been doing lately.
The beginning seemed a little slow, but the further you got into the story, the faster the pace went.
Plot
The one problem I had with the plot was the amount of time the diner descriptions took away from it. She could have cut down the diner scenes by like 35% and still got away with everything else.
There were red herrings galore. Too many red herrings! I had no clue who the killer was because of this!
The only thing I didn’t like about the ending is it was a little abrupt for me. I didn’t feel like there was closure.
The Verdict
3 out of 5 stars. But willing to give this author another shot.
The story was interesting.
Characters
The characters were well developed. Fun guys and gals. Not too many characters in this story. I liked how the backstory was tossed in. Especially at odd times, not the classic, but when you least expect it. It made it more memorable.
Lots of characters, but there weren’t any thrown in for filler sake, or to just add as a red herring. All were needed.
Gina seemed a bit of a wild horse here. Some very silly actions to try to find the killer. They were fun, but not sure if they should be in here. You’d think with all these adventures, she’d get in some serious trouble. Maybe she did in the prior books, and I just don’t know about them.
Setting
I had a bit of trouble with the settings. Very vivid, but lots of the same old, same old. I wish she would have created a new vision for her town, instead of what every author has in their stories. Although Trevor... that’s another story.
Dialogue
Good, snappy dialogue going on here. I could tell the difference in the various voices. It wasn’t like some books, where there was page after page of dialogue with nothing else.
Pace
The pace moved pretty fast in this. I had no trouble finishing this one at a faster clip than I’ve been doing lately.
The beginning seemed a little slow, but the further you got into the story, the faster the pace went.
Plot
The one problem I had with the plot was the amount of time the diner descriptions took away from it. She could have cut down the diner scenes by like 35% and still got away with everything else.
There were red herrings galore. Too many red herrings! I had no clue who the killer was because of this!
The only thing I didn’t like about the ending is it was a little abrupt for me. I didn’t feel like there was closure.
The Verdict
3 out of 5 stars. But willing to give this author another shot.
November 12, 2018
A COLD BREW KILLING by Lena Gregory is the third book in the All-Day Breakfast Café mystery series but the first I’ve had the chance to read. While it can be read as a stand-alone, there is some backstory regarding a couple of the characters that I wished I had known. Despite that, I found the characters to be engaging and I especially loved the sweet interaction the protagonist, Gia Morelli, has with a couple of elderly people in her town. I also greatly enjoyed the heartwarming rescue dog adoption scene the author included along with the theme that family doesn’t always have to mean blood relations. There are bits of humor sprinkled throughout, like Gia’s description of her boyfriend, Detective Hunter Quinn, aka “Tall, dark, and snippy”.
The murder revolves around the mayoral election for the town. It also includes a long ago crime that the author intertwines with the victim, which I found intriguing. There were plenty of suspects and secrets for Gia to weed through and kept me guessing and turning pages. The pace, for the most part, was good although I felt like the reveal was a bit rushed. Overall, this is a good cozy mystery and an entertaining read.
I was provided an advance copy from Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The murder revolves around the mayoral election for the town. It also includes a long ago crime that the author intertwines with the victim, which I found intriguing. There were plenty of suspects and secrets for Gia to weed through and kept me guessing and turning pages. The pace, for the most part, was good although I felt like the reveal was a bit rushed. Overall, this is a good cozy mystery and an entertaining read.
I was provided an advance copy from Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 13, 2019
“Family secrets, old mansions, and murder"
Politics can be murder, at least that is how it seems to Gia. When a local mayoral candidate is murdered and left in the freezer of Trevor's ice cream shop, he becomes suspect number one. Nothing is going to keep Gia out of the murder investigation now that it seems to affect not one but two of her close friends.
Each book in this series seems better than the last for me at least, The story pulled me in straight away and held my attention till the very end. There were plenty of twists and turns, and enough intrigue to keep you reading throughout and per usual with this series I read in one sitting.
Gia is a determined, and loyal protagonist that you can't help but love and now you also want to route for the rest of her friends. We also got a bit more background information about Trevor and Harley's pasts and I was happy we saw more of Sybil and her dog, Caesar in this story.
I will be reading this series as long as there are new books. While it can be read as a stand alone, the reader will get more out of "A Cold Brew Killing" if the previous books have been read.
Politics can be murder, at least that is how it seems to Gia. When a local mayoral candidate is murdered and left in the freezer of Trevor's ice cream shop, he becomes suspect number one. Nothing is going to keep Gia out of the murder investigation now that it seems to affect not one but two of her close friends.
Each book in this series seems better than the last for me at least, The story pulled me in straight away and held my attention till the very end. There were plenty of twists and turns, and enough intrigue to keep you reading throughout and per usual with this series I read in one sitting.
Gia is a determined, and loyal protagonist that you can't help but love and now you also want to route for the rest of her friends. We also got a bit more background information about Trevor and Harley's pasts and I was happy we saw more of Sybil and her dog, Caesar in this story.
I will be reading this series as long as there are new books. While it can be read as a stand alone, the reader will get more out of "A Cold Brew Killing" if the previous books have been read.
October 15, 2018
Lena Gregory’s Cold Brew Killing is a delightful continuation to her All Day Breakfast series.
Gia’s cafe is becoming successful and she is trying to expand her menu to include dinner entrees and cold coffee brews. When a man is found murdered in the ice cream shop freezer next door, the owner, Trevor, becomes the main suspect. Gia realizes that she really knows little about her friend Trevor and his involvement with the victim, but doesn’t really believe he is a killer. She can’t help but dig into the investigation with her friend Savannah, her staff waitress, Willow, and cook, Cole. Her boyfriend Hunt, acting police captain, is dismayed by their involvement into his investigations. There are several twists and close call for Gia before the murder is solved. I can’t wait to read more books in this series!
I received a free Kindle copy of this book by winning a Goodreads giveaway.
Gia’s cafe is becoming successful and she is trying to expand her menu to include dinner entrees and cold coffee brews. When a man is found murdered in the ice cream shop freezer next door, the owner, Trevor, becomes the main suspect. Gia realizes that she really knows little about her friend Trevor and his involvement with the victim, but doesn’t really believe he is a killer. She can’t help but dig into the investigation with her friend Savannah, her staff waitress, Willow, and cook, Cole. Her boyfriend Hunt, acting police captain, is dismayed by their involvement into his investigations. There are several twists and close call for Gia before the murder is solved. I can’t wait to read more books in this series!
I received a free Kindle copy of this book by winning a Goodreads giveaway.
December 21, 2018
“A Cold Brew Killing” earns 5/5 earns Scoops of Frozen Treats…Murderously Fun!
I love breakfast! So, besides eggs, bacon, and toast, you get a side order of murder with Lean Gregory’s entertaining third book. This book is much like a standalone making it easy for newbies to start here…engaging murder mystery than concludes, no spoilers to other books, and character connections are revisited. The murder mystery is very clever requiring Gia Morelli to step in and support her friend who has found a dead body in his freezer tucked in next to the Italian Ice. Plenty of suspects with motives and secrets revealed make it a nice mystery all the way to a satisfying conclusion. Characters are developing nicely with fun banter and budding and endearing relationships. “A Cold Brew Killing” was a great read…definitely recommended!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
I love breakfast! So, besides eggs, bacon, and toast, you get a side order of murder with Lean Gregory’s entertaining third book. This book is much like a standalone making it easy for newbies to start here…engaging murder mystery than concludes, no spoilers to other books, and character connections are revisited. The murder mystery is very clever requiring Gia Morelli to step in and support her friend who has found a dead body in his freezer tucked in next to the Italian Ice. Plenty of suspects with motives and secrets revealed make it a nice mystery all the way to a satisfying conclusion. Characters are developing nicely with fun banter and budding and endearing relationships. “A Cold Brew Killing” was a great read…definitely recommended!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
December 26, 2018
Murder made to order was a very good book and I was looking forward to reading A cold brew killing, but I didn't find it as good. I had completely forgotten that Gia had a boyfriend since he was so briefly mentioned and he appeared only to cause some tension between him and Gia. The author needs to work on that relationship because is not going anywhere and it doesn't feel solid. Trevor is a lot more present and I didn't like that. The main focus of the book is the mystery-solving rather than the connections the characters have with each other. The mystery was good, but not wow. Some parts were weird and a little over the top if you ask me. I was just disappointed with the book, which is a shame since I wanted to read it so much! I hope that the next installment will be improved.
PS. I love the cover. It's so cute!
PS. I love the cover. It's so cute!
November 6, 2018
Stand alone – absolutely. This is the third in the series, All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series.
I usually enjoy books set in Florida. The story was interesting and I was surprised upon reveal.
The series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but has relocated to Florida after a divorce.
Trevor finds a dead body in his freezer so of course Gia is going to help solve & prove he didn’t do it.
What I did like:
The cast of characters – their diversity, the developing relationship between Gia & Savannah.
Lots of twists and turns, leading to a not so easily picked culprit.
What I did not like: the rush to end the story.
Looking forward to another installment.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by Lyrical Underground and NetGalley.
I usually enjoy books set in Florida. The story was interesting and I was surprised upon reveal.
The series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but has relocated to Florida after a divorce.
Trevor finds a dead body in his freezer so of course Gia is going to help solve & prove he didn’t do it.
What I did like:
The cast of characters – their diversity, the developing relationship between Gia & Savannah.
Lots of twists and turns, leading to a not so easily picked culprit.
What I did not like: the rush to end the story.
Looking forward to another installment.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by Lyrical Underground and NetGalley.
August 31, 2018
A Cold Brew Killing (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery #3) by Lena Gregory is a delightful cozy mystery. I liked the characters of Gia and Savannah and their friendship, and I enjoyed the cafe setting. The characters in the book are interesting and didn't distract from the overall storyline. I especially enjoyed the character of Willow. I hope she is featured more in future books. And also, Thor, Gia's dog; love books with cute dogs! I look forward to reading more of this series and this author.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 27, 2018
Great
I love Gia!! This time she has to help a friend get out of some trouble and not get herself into trouble . The mayor race is on and this time there is no mud slinging just murder. Things from the past can't stay hidden for ever.
I love Gia!! This time she has to help a friend get out of some trouble and not get herself into trouble . The mayor race is on and this time there is no mud slinging just murder. Things from the past can't stay hidden for ever.
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