Death by Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #1)
320 pages
Published: May 2015
Read: November 2022
When Krissy Hancock and her best friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore café in their new town of Pine Hills, they decide to call it “Death by Coffee,” after Krissy’s father’s most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits…
On their very first day of business, Brendon Lawyer huffily takes his coffee…to the grave. It seems he had a severe allergy to peanuts…but how could there have been nuts in his coffee? And who stole his emergency allergy medication?
Fortunately, Krissy’s love of puzzles and mysteries leads her not only to Officer Paul Dalton, but also to many of her new neighbors, who aren’t terribly upset that the book is closed on Brendon. But one of them is a killer, and Krissy needs to read between the lies if she wants to save her new store—and live to see how this story ends…
Main Characters
- Krissy – main character, dad is semi famous mystery writer
- Robert – Krissys ex, he cheated on her so she moved to start a new life
- Vicki – Krissy’s best friend that owns the book store portion
- Brendon Lawyer – Insurance agent, allergic to peanuts; the murder victim
- Paul Dalton – Officer in the town, Krissy likes him
- Rita – town gossip
- Raymond Lawyer – Brendon’s dad that is his boss
- Heidi – Brendon’s wife
- Tessa – owns the dress store, had an affair with Brendon
- Beth – Brendon’s secretary, had an affair with Brendon
- Patricia Dalton – in the writing club, Officer Dalton’s mom; chief of police
- Officer Buchanan – wants to prove himself and has something against Krissy
My Review
This is the first book in a series and I think I will be reading more of it. While it didn’t wow me, I enjoyed the coziness of it. There’s something about a bookshop in a mystery that makes me happy.
Krissy’s dad helps fund their bookshop/coffeeshop combo to get it off the ground. It struggles for a bit while a murder is being investigated – Brendon Lawyer dies right after drinking the coffee from Death by Coffee (rough choice of a name for the shop!). Krissy has always been fascinated in mysteries, so takes it upon herself to investigate the murder herself. It was a little slow burning, but overall, I would recommend it for an easy, cozy mystery.
Likes
- Cozy mystery in a small town
- I love the coffee shop/bookshop combo – really made me want to go visit
- Vicki is such a good friend
Dislikes
- The cat is such a jerk! Peeing all over the place except in the litter box is not okay…
- The way Krissy inserts herself into conversations and people actually talk to her is a little unbelievable
Spoilers
Do not expand this section unless you want to see spoilers
Lawyer is killed by peanut powder in his coffee. He forgot his EpiPen, which NEVER happened. Krissy gets sent up on a date with Officer Paul Dalton.. by his mom!
Heidi ALSO had an affair with Tessa. Tessa was the one that murdered Brendon because she wanted to continue a relationship with Heidi and Brendon was ruining everything. Krissy helps get Tessa arrested after she figures it out. The coffee shop ends up getting more business after she helps solve the mystery.
Death by Tea (Bookstore Mystery #2)
320 pages
Published: November 24, 2015
by Kensington
Read November 2022
Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year’s book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock’s bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths—and send Krissy to the remainder bin forever.
Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off at Death by Coffee, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.
To clear her name and find the real killer, Krissy turns to an old flame, Officer Paul Dalton. But even Paul can’t ignore the trail of evidence that seems to point in her direction. And with Krissy’s personal nemesis, Officer John Buchannan, working overtime to pin the murder on her, it will take an amazing feat of detective work to close the book for good on an elusive killer. . .
Main Characters
- Lena – works for Krissy and Vicki
- Mike – works for Krissy and Vicki
- Albert – leader of rival book club
- David – The murder victim, handsome British man, new-ish to town
- Dan – was kicked out of the book club so that David could be in the club
- Sara – David’s rich girlfriend, in the book club
- Brendon’s brother from the first book, dating Vicki
- Krissy’s nosy neighbor
My Review
I still do not like the cat….
I think this one was, again, a cozy read. I was soooo frustrated with how much evidence Krissy was withholding from the cops!
Spoilers
*SPOILERS – Do NOT expand this section unless you want to know the spoilers!*
Mike, the employee of Krissy and Vicki, was the killer. He was skimming money from the cash register. David caught him one night and wanted a cut of it. When David confronts Mike he tells him he wants a cut. David realizes that it’s not enough money and wants more. Mike hits him with the teapot. David was actually a man named Caleb – he had lots of fake IDS. This didn’t have anything to do with his murder, it was a red herring. Mike attacks Krissy, but Paul saves her when her nosy neighbor thought they were having loud sex. Paul ends up having a girlfriend.
Death by Pumpkin Spice Latte (Bookstore Mystery #3)
★★★☆☆
320 pages
Published: September 27, 2016
by Kensington
Read: December 2022
Bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock would rather spend Halloween serving pumpkin goodies than wearing costumes with Pine Hills’ wealthiest at Yarborough mansion, especially when the soiree shapes up to be more trick than treat . . .
As if a run-in with an old flame and a failed marriage proposal weren’t enough to horrify Krissy for one night, a woman is found strangled to death in a room filled with ominous jack-o’-lanterns. All signs suggest a crime of passion—but when the hostess’s jewelry disappears, malevolent intentions seem way more likely . . .
With the estate on lockdown and a killer roaming the halls, Krissy must help Officer Paul Dalton investigate each nook, cranny, and guest for answers—while also confronting a few demons of her own. Someone has lots of skeletons in the closet, and Krissy better tread lightly to expose them . . .
Spoilers
*SPOILERS – Do NOT expand this section unless you want to know the spoilers!*
Margaret hired Phillip to murder Elaine. Elaine was Howard’s biological daughter and had left everything to her. Krissy figures it out from seeing a picture of Howard and remember Elaine’s distinct nose is a match to his.
Death by Vanilla Latte (Bookstore Mystery #4)
★★★☆☆
320 pages
Published: May 30, 2017
by Kensington
Read:
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…
Spoilers
Warning: This section contains spoilers! Do not expand this section if you don’t want to be spoiled!
Barrett Drummand was the killer. He had left his manuscript and then went back and grabbed it when he killed Rick. He was angry at how Rick had talked to his wife Theresa.
Harland Pennywinkle had gone back to the murder scene for his manuscript.
Death by Eggnog (Bookstore Mystery #5)
295 pages
Published: September 2017
Read: January 2023
Unfortunately, Krissy’s been roped into filling in for a sick elf in the local holiday musical extravaganza. With a demanding director, backstage gossip, and two men in fierce competition for the starring role, it isn’t all sweetness and Christmas lights. Then a murder puts a stop to the production, and Krissy is faced with a pageant of suspects.
Could her ex-boyfriend, a fellow elf, really be the culprit as the police are claiming? Or will the actor playing Santa be trading his red suit for an orange jumpsuit? When her behind-the-scenes investigation starts getting dangerous, the only thing Krissy really wants is to make it to Christmas dinner alive. But first she’ll have to finish wrapping up this case . . .
Spoilers
Warningu003: This section contains spoilers! Do not expand this section if you don’t want to be spoiled!
Greg (the production engineer person) was in love with one of the actresses, Asia. He was mad at Chuck for not giving Asia the time of day… weird? So he snapped and killed him. Krissy ends up catching him when they are at the theater – Brad has a chance to help out but is a coward and leaves. Greg slips on the ice and hits his head and Krissy gets away.
Vicki and Mason announce their engagement.
Death by Espresso (Bookstore Mystery #6)
284 pages
Published: June 2018
Read: February 2023
Krissy is meeting Vicki’s parents at the Pine Hills, Ohio, airport–it’s the least she can do as maid of honor, even if her relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Patterson is a bit strained. Besides, her own dad is coming in on the same flight. But there are a few additional arrivals, too. Her father’s brought a date–and the Pattersons, both actors, seem to have an entire entourage trailing behind them.
Uninvited guests are a headache–especially when one turns out to be, allegedly at least, the most important wedding planner in all the world. Though Vicki and Krissy have already made arrangements for a small, simple party, Vicki’s snobby drama queen mother has her own ideas. Cathy the wedding planner is raring to go, possibly energized by the chocolate-covered espresso beans she compulsively munches. But while the caffeine keeps her awake, it doesn’t keep her alive–and after Cathy chokes on an espresso bean after being hit in the head, Krissy has to find out who ended her supposedly stellar career . . .
Spoilers
Warning: This section contains spoilers! Do not expand this section if you don’t want to be spoiled!
Vince is the killer. He supposedly was only going to knock her out for the necklace but she choked on her espresso beans. Vince was in love with Lyric and wanted to get the necklace for her.
Will and Krissy break up because Will is moving away for a dream medical job.
Death by Iced Coffee (Bookstore Mystery #XX)
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