An entertaining bookstore cozy mystery with higher stakes, familiar faces, and a series that’s finding its footing.

Goodreads | Death by Vanilla Latte

Release date: May 30, 2017

Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Narrator: Melissa Moran

Synopsis:

Ever since café owner Krissy Hancock settled into a relationship and—mostly—forgot about old flames, life has become surprisingly serene. Too bad her father, famed mystery writer James Hancock, had to pay an unexpected visit to Death by Coffee and brew up a batch of trouble…

While caught off-guard by her dad’s presence, Krissy never dreamed he’d become the biggest murder suspect in town. But that’s exactly what happens when James’s boorish agent—a man he allegedly fired just hours earlier—is found cold and lifeless, a still-warm vanilla latte resting by his hand…

With Pine Hills divided over her father’s innocence and a fanatical fan keen on locking the author away for safe keeping, Krissy must end the madness and identify the real criminal—even if that means meeting an ex or two along the way. But as her social life becomes increasingly chaotic, Krissy may be caught in a case that’s far too hot to handle…

Review:

I’m four books into the Bookstore Café Mystery series now, and I have to say, things are definitely improving! The first couple of books were a little rocky for me, but the last two have been much stronger, and I’m starting to feel more invested in Krissy, the secondary characters, and the charming little town of Pine Hills. It’s always satisfying when a series starts finding its groove, and I think that’s exactly what’s happening here.

This time around, things get personal for Krissy when her father’s former agent is murdered and her dad becomes the prime suspect. Naturally, Krissy isn’t about to sit back and let him take the fall, so she’s determined to clear his name and figure out who the real killer is. I liked that the stakes felt higher this time because of her personal connection to the case, and I thought the mystery itself was pretty solid. There was enough going on to keep me interested and guessing along the way.

One of my biggest complaints with the earlier books was Krissy herself, but thankfully, she’s becoming less annoying to me with each installment. 😂 I’m also enjoying getting to know the supporting cast better, and Pine Hills is beginning to feel like a familiar place rather than just the backdrop for another murder. Those little details and relationships make such a difference for me when I’m reading a long-running cozy series.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Melissa Moran, who has such a pleasant, melodic, and soothing voice. Her narration is a wonderful fit for this type of cozy mystery, and she adds another layer of enjoyment to the experience. She’s easy to listen to and really complements the overall atmosphere of the series.

Overall, Death by Vanilla Latte was another solid four star read for me! The series is steadily improving, the characters are growing on me, and I’m enjoying spending more time in Pine Hills. I’m glad I stuck with these books through their slightly rocky beginning, and I’m looking forward to seeing where things go next. Onto book five!

Perfect for Readers Who Love:

• ☕ Bookstore cafés and small-town cozy settings
• 🔎 Amateur sleuths investigating personal mysteries
• 📚 Long running cozy series with familiar characters
• 👨‍👧 Family connections that raise the stakes
• 🎧 Gentle, soothing audiobook narration
• 🏡 Charming communities with recurring supporting characters
• 🕵️ Solid whodunits with plenty of suspects
• 💕 Cozy mysteries where the setting and characters grow on you

Overall rating: 4/5

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