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A Coffee Lover's Mystery #4
A Bean to Die For
Perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle and Lucy Burdette, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is back on the case when a body is found in the community garden.
Lana Lewis is brewing up new concoctions at Perkatory, a popular café in Devil’s Beach, when she decides she wants to try her hand at growing her own coffee. She secures a gardening plot in the community garden, thanks to her father and the garden’s owner, Darla. Darla’s list of rules is long, but that doesn’t stop someone from leaving Jack Daggett’s body amongst the gardening plots.
Jack, an environmental activist, had been banned from the garden previously, because of his many fights with Darla about organic produce. Lana promises her boyfriend, police chief Noah, that she’s going to stay out of this case, having been too involved in previous cases. But when she learns that Jack died from an accidental overdose, and Darla is the top suspect because of her shady past, Lana can't help but poke around in an attempt to clear Darla's name.
As Lana dives deeper into the case, she learns that Jack had more enemies than she realized. When Darla turns up dead, Lana has to turn up the heat on her investigation. With Lana on the case, it won’t be long before someone spills the beans to crack this case wide open. But will she able to find the killer before they strike again?
Lana Lewis is brewing up new concoctions at Perkatory, a popular café in Devil’s Beach, when she decides she wants to try her hand at growing her own coffee. She secures a gardening plot in the community garden, thanks to her father and the garden’s owner, Darla. Darla’s list of rules is long, but that doesn’t stop someone from leaving Jack Daggett’s body amongst the gardening plots.
Jack, an environmental activist, had been banned from the garden previously, because of his many fights with Darla about organic produce. Lana promises her boyfriend, police chief Noah, that she’s going to stay out of this case, having been too involved in previous cases. But when she learns that Jack died from an accidental overdose, and Darla is the top suspect because of her shady past, Lana can't help but poke around in an attempt to clear Darla's name.
As Lana dives deeper into the case, she learns that Jack had more enemies than she realized. When Darla turns up dead, Lana has to turn up the heat on her investigation. With Lana on the case, it won’t be long before someone spills the beans to crack this case wide open. But will she able to find the killer before they strike again?
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2024
19 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lush
27 books583 followersTara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
January 5, 2024
The fourth book in the Coffee Lovers Mystery series. I have read two of the earlier books.
Main character, Lana, runs Perkatory, a coffee shop at Devil's Beach in partnership with her father. When they decide to try growing coffee plants at the local allotment they do not expect to find a dead body in between the rows. Lana's boyfriend, Noah, who is the local Chief of Police, tries to stop her from investigating because she has been injured before, but she can't help herself.
There are many suspects but Lana works her way steadily through them finding their alibis and crossing them off her list. When she does discover the guilty party it is almost by accident and it is not her fault if she gets into bit of a pickle. A nice mystery, some very interesting uses for coffee and a cute pup called Stanley who nearly steals every scene. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Main character, Lana, runs Perkatory, a coffee shop at Devil's Beach in partnership with her father. When they decide to try growing coffee plants at the local allotment they do not expect to find a dead body in between the rows. Lana's boyfriend, Noah, who is the local Chief of Police, tries to stop her from investigating because she has been injured before, but she can't help herself.
There are many suspects but Lana works her way steadily through them finding their alibis and crossing them off her list. When she does discover the guilty party it is almost by accident and it is not her fault if she gets into bit of a pickle. A nice mystery, some very interesting uses for coffee and a cute pup called Stanley who nearly steals every scene. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 10, 2024
A Bean to Die For is a great addition to the Coffee Lover's Mystery series. I enjoy visiting Lana, co-owner of coffee shop, Perkatory, her boyfriend and police chief, Noah, her best friend and barista, Erica, and wacky, hippie father, Peter. This fun series is set on an island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast near Tampa, Florida. Lana doesn't intend to but has a way of getting involved sleuthing a murder mystery. This time the suspect of murder, a customer at the coffee shop, begs her to prove her innocence. Finally, Lana, Erica, and Peter work to investigate a large pool of suspects without letting Noah find out. It is fun to watch as they are able to check suspects off the list of those who did not get along with the dead man. It is a busy week for Lana as she has a new project at work, and she is supposed to meet Noah's mom and sister during the upcoming weekend. This is an action-packed story with danger and wacky characters is a lovely Florida setting and many new changes in the forecast. Recommended for all cozy mystery lovers.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
December 21, 2023
The community garden was flourishing in Devil's Beach, and Lana's dad, co-owner of Perkatory, a highly popular cafe, took Lana there to look at a plot for growing coffee. Finding the body of Jack Daggett among the garden's growth was a shock to Lana, but knowing it wasn't a natural death made it much worse. Darla, owner of the garden, was on the top of the suspect's list, and she asked Lana and her barista and best friend Erica, to help prove her innocence. But Noah, chief of police and Lana's boyfriend, wasn't keen to have Lana investigating - she'd put herself in danger in previous cases.
But Lana investigated - she couldn't help it - and discovering that Jack had plenty of enemies didn't help. Then Darla died and Lana and Noah knew they had to find the killer/s before someone else met the same fate. With a family dinner coming closer, Lana was becoming stressed. What would be the outcome in this twisty case?
A Bean to Die For is the 4th in A Coffee Lover's Mystery series by Tara Lush and I quite enjoyed it. A little silly at times, nonetheless, it was entertaining and fun. I love Stanley, Lana's little dog who is extremely cute!! And I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But Lana investigated - she couldn't help it - and discovering that Jack had plenty of enemies didn't help. Then Darla died and Lana and Noah knew they had to find the killer/s before someone else met the same fate. With a family dinner coming closer, Lana was becoming stressed. What would be the outcome in this twisty case?
A Bean to Die For is the 4th in A Coffee Lover's Mystery series by Tara Lush and I quite enjoyed it. A little silly at times, nonetheless, it was entertaining and fun. I love Stanley, Lana's little dog who is extremely cute!! And I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
Review coming soon.
January 19, 2024
Lana co-owns a coffee shop in Devils beach, Florida. She decides she wants to grow some of her own coffee plants for her shop. Her father helps her get a gardening plot at the community garden. As they go to the garden to scope out their plot. Lana sees a dead body and that sets up a new investigation. Darla asks Lana and Erica to investigate since the police think she did it. The mystery was kind of bland. I had no clue who it could be and had no idea who the killer was. I enjoyed the writing, the book and the characters.
January 5, 2024
For the love of all things coffee, you should read this book, toss in a murder mystery, a cast of fun and quirky characters and you have entertainment for hours! Lana and her crew at Perkatory are back in action and have decided to try their hand at raising their own coffee beans, but before they can plant their first seedling, they need to figure out who murdered the former owner of their plot of ground! The story is very well written with a depth of suspects that will keep you guessing. The main character, Lana, is intelligent and insightful, so she helps guide you in unwrapping the mystery very skillfully, although not without mishaps and laughter! The uniqueness of each character is so well thought out that makes each character that much more endearing and relatable. If you have spent much time hanging around a local coffeeshop of any sort, then you realize quickly that we are a different breed of person and tend to let that uniqueness hang out in the open. The author captures that trait so magnificently! I absolutely love visiting Lana and her crew and I definitely will be waiting anxiously for the next book to come out as it looks like some really cool things are going to be happening in the characters' lives very soon! I do highly recommend that you read the books in order as each book builds out the backstories of the characters, the communities they live in and in fact the whole island. Not to mention it will be hours of fun reading time!
July 15, 2023
#ABeantoDieFor #NetGalley is a fantastic book, the latest in the series by Tara Lush.
Lana Lewis is brewing up a fantastic cup of coffee while preparing to meet her boyfriend's family.
Lana is nervous about meeting Noah's mom and sister, so she's trying to figure out how to impress them.
Getting a plot at Peas On Earth, the local community garden seems like a good idea, especially since Lana has been thinking about growing her own coffee beans.
There's plenty of drama within the garden, and when Lana discovers a body in another plot, things begin to spin out of control.
This is a great series with strong characters that make each book worth reading at least twice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy if this book.
Lana Lewis is brewing up a fantastic cup of coffee while preparing to meet her boyfriend's family.
Lana is nervous about meeting Noah's mom and sister, so she's trying to figure out how to impress them.
Getting a plot at Peas On Earth, the local community garden seems like a good idea, especially since Lana has been thinking about growing her own coffee beans.
There's plenty of drama within the garden, and when Lana discovers a body in another plot, things begin to spin out of control.
This is a great series with strong characters that make each book worth reading at least twice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy if this book.
January 5, 2024
Lana Lewis is a former investigative crime journalist who now operates Perkatory, a coffee shop, but she still seems to keep finding dead bodies. Her boyfriend and Chief of Police, Noah Garcia, usually wants her to stay away from all investigations but this time is different and Noah actually asks for some help. Lana finds herself stressed by the lack of clues in this newest case but even more stressed about the dinner she is planning along with meeting Noah's mother for the first time.
I like the variety of characters in this story with Lana's dad, Peter, who is a hippie, adding a nice touch of humor. This is the 4th book in the Coffee Lover's Mystery series and is good combination of mystery, humor and romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I like the variety of characters in this story with Lana's dad, Peter, who is a hippie, adding a nice touch of humor. This is the 4th book in the Coffee Lover's Mystery series and is good combination of mystery, humor and romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 7, 2024
I listened to this audiobook and it is the first that I’ve listened to in the series. I thought that narration was really great! The story truly came to life. I really enjoyed the story and felt like all the characters were likable and pleasant to listen about. It felt like a nice little vacation to listen to this story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Tara Lush for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Tara Lush for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book. All opinions are my own.
February 20, 2024
Lana discovers a body in the community garden and it turns out he was murdered. The primary suspect is the head of the garden, Darla, the taffy maker. Finding more suspects is easy, but they all check out. When things get tough, Noah asks Lana for help. Love these characters and this story moves well. A lot of plot lines are tied up by the end, leading the reader to guess this may be the last book of the series. I hope there are more, but if not, I am glad for the ending!
Read
March 7, 2024This was a fun installment in the Coffee Lover's mystery series! Lana, Noah, Erica, and Peter are always fun to follow, and the setting is always a blast. The mystery was well paced, and I didn't know who the murderer was until the reveal. I highly recommend this cozy series!
January 10, 2024
"A Bean to Die For" is Tara Lush's 4th book in the "Coffee Lover's Mystery" series. I've really only read the first book in this series other than the ARC of this one I received from netgalley. This one makes me rethink not reading the 2nd and 3rd books yet. I will go back to those now.
The mystery was interesting, though it was fairly well solved before the big take down. I didn't mind that though. Overall, an enjoyable story. I will have to say, they wouldn't be the first to have a latte art machine in Florida. A certain mouse park in Florida has them everywhere.
The mystery was interesting, though it was fairly well solved before the big take down. I didn't mind that though. Overall, an enjoyable story. I will have to say, they wouldn't be the first to have a latte art machine in Florida. A certain mouse park in Florida has them everywhere.
January 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, blood, violence (off-page), mention of substance use
This is one of the first cozy mystery series I had read, found through NetGalley, and it’s turned into a comfort series for me. I love the small town, island setting and it’s quirky cast of townies, especially level-headed Lana and her one-of-a-kind father. So I was ready to jump into this read for the new year.
Lana, who co-owns Perkatory with her father, Peter, is never one to sit still. She was raised by a coffee lover, and has grown to be one as well. After learning about how the climate of Florida can be a great place to grow coffee beans, she decides to give it a try, and Peter manages to get her a plot in the community garden with help from the owner, Darla. But when she gets to her plot, the body of Jack Daggett is found murdered in the garden.
Lana has promised her boyfriend, Noah, (who also happens to be the chief of police), that she will stop investigating on her own, and has her hands full preparing for an important dinner happening soon anyway. But when an acquaintance of Lana’s pleads with her to investigate and solve the crime so that the acquaintance doesn’t wind up as a suspect first. Although Lana doesn’t agree outright, I knew her inborn sense of curiosity would win out eventually, and the chaos multiplies throughout the book in a way that probably *should* have felt stressful, but didn’t.
I’m fully attributing that to the wonderful setting of this series. Devil’s Beach is a small town right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, on a little island off the southwestern coast of Florida. The weather is warm, everything you need is just a walk away, and the people in the town are quirky yet charming, for the most part.
By this point in the series, I’m president of the Lana Lewis fan club, even with her adorable non-curse-words. She cemented her place in my heart by calling snakes “danger noodles” in this book, although behind that candy-sweet exterior is a tough and brilliant interior. I always enjoy watching how her mind works—gathering all the available evidence, looking at the clues, interviewing people, and brainstorming with her little crew (aka her dad and Erica). It’s just the last part where she falls short and gets in trouble, because she doesn’t have backup.
This is a light and fluffy read, and the perfect example of a cozy mystery. Lana’s adorable pup, Stanley, is a side character in the story, not just a prop, and it’s difficult not to love him as well, since he’s just too cute. The romance between Lana and her boyfriend, Noah, is starting to get more serious, and I enjoyed seeing Lana grow a little more in this book. She learns how to set some boundaries and stick to them, and one of the big side characters has a major change in their life that affects others, so we get to see how they all grow from that.
This is a fast-paced story, that was fun and witty. I was never bored while reading this, and it was immensely entertaining as well. It was the perfect read for me, since I read this one while also reading some books featuring heavier topics. But ultimately, it was a book that I really enjoyed, and a series that I plan on continuing. If you like cozy mysteries, this is a series I’d highly recommend.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, blood, violence (off-page), mention of substance use
This is one of the first cozy mystery series I had read, found through NetGalley, and it’s turned into a comfort series for me. I love the small town, island setting and it’s quirky cast of townies, especially level-headed Lana and her one-of-a-kind father. So I was ready to jump into this read for the new year.
Lana, who co-owns Perkatory with her father, Peter, is never one to sit still. She was raised by a coffee lover, and has grown to be one as well. After learning about how the climate of Florida can be a great place to grow coffee beans, she decides to give it a try, and Peter manages to get her a plot in the community garden with help from the owner, Darla. But when she gets to her plot, the body of Jack Daggett is found murdered in the garden.
Lana has promised her boyfriend, Noah, (who also happens to be the chief of police), that she will stop investigating on her own, and has her hands full preparing for an important dinner happening soon anyway. But when an acquaintance of Lana’s pleads with her to investigate and solve the crime so that the acquaintance doesn’t wind up as a suspect first. Although Lana doesn’t agree outright, I knew her inborn sense of curiosity would win out eventually, and the chaos multiplies throughout the book in a way that probably *should* have felt stressful, but didn’t.
I’m fully attributing that to the wonderful setting of this series. Devil’s Beach is a small town right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, on a little island off the southwestern coast of Florida. The weather is warm, everything you need is just a walk away, and the people in the town are quirky yet charming, for the most part.
By this point in the series, I’m president of the Lana Lewis fan club, even with her adorable non-curse-words. She cemented her place in my heart by calling snakes “danger noodles” in this book, although behind that candy-sweet exterior is a tough and brilliant interior. I always enjoy watching how her mind works—gathering all the available evidence, looking at the clues, interviewing people, and brainstorming with her little crew (aka her dad and Erica). It’s just the last part where she falls short and gets in trouble, because she doesn’t have backup.
This is a light and fluffy read, and the perfect example of a cozy mystery. Lana’s adorable pup, Stanley, is a side character in the story, not just a prop, and it’s difficult not to love him as well, since he’s just too cute. The romance between Lana and her boyfriend, Noah, is starting to get more serious, and I enjoyed seeing Lana grow a little more in this book. She learns how to set some boundaries and stick to them, and one of the big side characters has a major change in their life that affects others, so we get to see how they all grow from that.
This is a fast-paced story, that was fun and witty. I was never bored while reading this, and it was immensely entertaining as well. It was the perfect read for me, since I read this one while also reading some books featuring heavier topics. But ultimately, it was a book that I really enjoyed, and a series that I plan on continuing. If you like cozy mysteries, this is a series I’d highly recommend.
January 20, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Lana Lewis wants to try to grow her own coffee beans to add to the offerings at Perkatory, her café in Devil’s Beach. With her dad's help, she is taking over a plot at the popular community garden, Peas on Earth, when another man has been banned for breaking the rules. She is a little concerned about all the rules but excited about her new venture. Funny, for all the rules, there isn't one about leaving a dead body in the garden but the previously banned Jack Daggett is in the garden and he is dead.
Darla Ippolito, the president of the garden is high on the suspect list because of her many disagreements with Jack. Noah begs Lana to stay out of his case and she really tries even when Darla asks for her help. She doesn't know Darla well but she does do a little digging. Then Darla is killed and Lana finds herself snooping more than serving coffee. Can she get the bean on the killer? or will she have brewed her last Americano?
_____
Ms. Lush has created such fun characters for this series. Lana and Erica's friendship continues to grow. Both women are strong, smart, and funny. They come up with new ideas for Perkatory almost every day. A cool new idea is presented in this story but the person presenting it causes a little drama. Growing coffee beans in Florida may be interesting too. Lana's relationship with Noah hits a milestone as his mother and sister come to town to meet her. Lana's dad, Peter is such a cool cat and he has a big announcement in this story too. Beware, Lana's dog Stanley will steal your heart.
The mystery is perplexing. Jack had made more than a few enemies and Darla had a bit of a shady past. Darla also had a unique way of remembering things and that leads to a major clue. Lana, Erica, and Peter try to do a little amateur sleuthing on the sly without telling Noah but you know he knows what they are doing. He loves Lana and wants to protect her. He also knows she is going to be asking questions, it's her reporter instincts that she can let go of. He also knows they make a good team when they put their heads together. After many twists and turns the case comes to a head in an unexpected place. Oh, the way the takedown played out was priceless. I loved it!
I really enjoyed all the subplots the author blended in with the main mystery. No spoilers but something happened during the dinner with Noah's mom, sister, and other guests that has happened to us at our home and I didn't handle it as well as Lana. But when not happening to me it made me laugh out loud.
A Bean To Die For was definitely A Perfect Escape. I escaped right into the pages and was completely entertained. Well-developed characters and a well-plotted story had me so captivated I read it all in one evening. Coffee, a community garden, murders, romance, drama, comedy, lasagna, lubbers and more. What more could you ask for? Cozy mystery lovers you will love this book and this series.
Lana Lewis wants to try to grow her own coffee beans to add to the offerings at Perkatory, her café in Devil’s Beach. With her dad's help, she is taking over a plot at the popular community garden, Peas on Earth, when another man has been banned for breaking the rules. She is a little concerned about all the rules but excited about her new venture. Funny, for all the rules, there isn't one about leaving a dead body in the garden but the previously banned Jack Daggett is in the garden and he is dead.
Darla Ippolito, the president of the garden is high on the suspect list because of her many disagreements with Jack. Noah begs Lana to stay out of his case and she really tries even when Darla asks for her help. She doesn't know Darla well but she does do a little digging. Then Darla is killed and Lana finds herself snooping more than serving coffee. Can she get the bean on the killer? or will she have brewed her last Americano?
_____
Ms. Lush has created such fun characters for this series. Lana and Erica's friendship continues to grow. Both women are strong, smart, and funny. They come up with new ideas for Perkatory almost every day. A cool new idea is presented in this story but the person presenting it causes a little drama. Growing coffee beans in Florida may be interesting too. Lana's relationship with Noah hits a milestone as his mother and sister come to town to meet her. Lana's dad, Peter is such a cool cat and he has a big announcement in this story too. Beware, Lana's dog Stanley will steal your heart.
The mystery is perplexing. Jack had made more than a few enemies and Darla had a bit of a shady past. Darla also had a unique way of remembering things and that leads to a major clue. Lana, Erica, and Peter try to do a little amateur sleuthing on the sly without telling Noah but you know he knows what they are doing. He loves Lana and wants to protect her. He also knows she is going to be asking questions, it's her reporter instincts that she can let go of. He also knows they make a good team when they put their heads together. After many twists and turns the case comes to a head in an unexpected place. Oh, the way the takedown played out was priceless. I loved it!
I really enjoyed all the subplots the author blended in with the main mystery. No spoilers but something happened during the dinner with Noah's mom, sister, and other guests that has happened to us at our home and I didn't handle it as well as Lana. But when not happening to me it made me laugh out loud.
A Bean To Die For was definitely A Perfect Escape. I escaped right into the pages and was completely entertained. Well-developed characters and a well-plotted story had me so captivated I read it all in one evening. Coffee, a community garden, murders, romance, drama, comedy, lasagna, lubbers and more. What more could you ask for? Cozy mystery lovers you will love this book and this series.
January 18, 2024
Another great installment featuring Lana, Noah, and of course Stanley (not the cup). Lana tries to figure out who murdered two locals while getting ready to meet Noah’s mom and sister. Let’s just say, if it can go wrong it will.
There is a surprise ending that has me wondering.
I did listen to a bit of the audiobook but was not a fan. I realize Lana’s dad is a bit quirky but the audiobook made him seem more stupid than quirky. When I read his character I picture a laid back person who loves life. When he lost his wife he understood how short life can be and decided to live it the way he wants.
There is a surprise ending that has me wondering.
I did listen to a bit of the audiobook but was not a fan. I realize Lana’s dad is a bit quirky but the audiobook made him seem more stupid than quirky. When I read his character I picture a laid back person who loves life. When he lost his wife he understood how short life can be and decided to live it the way he wants.
March 27, 2024
Lana Lewis, owner of Perkatory cafe, gets mixed up in a murder case after activist Jack Daggett is found dead in the community garden. Despite her packed schedule and promise to her boyfriend to stay out of it, Lana investigates to clear Darla's name, the prime suspect. Digging deeper, Lana discovers Jack's many enemies and Darla's murky past. When Darla also turns up dead, Lana hardens her resolve to find the killer before they strike again.
I have been enjoying cozy mysteries in recent months, but this was not one of them.
I found the writing repetitive and the story unnecessarily long. I cringed every time the boyfriend called Lana “cupcake.” Also, considering this is the 4th book in this series, I found the constant reminder that Lana was previously a reporter in Miami so frustrating. I feel like by book four, you shouldn’t have to remind your readers so much about your character’s past. I haven’t read the previous 3 books and I couldn’t forget where Lana lived or what she did for work before moving to Devil’s beach even if I wanted to.
If the writing hadn’t been so repetitive, I might have enjoyed this book more. Some of the characters were fun and I liked the idea of amateur sleuthing out of a coffee shop on the beach.
I received an advance copy of this book thanks to Tara Lush, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley.
I have been enjoying cozy mysteries in recent months, but this was not one of them.
I found the writing repetitive and the story unnecessarily long. I cringed every time the boyfriend called Lana “cupcake.” Also, considering this is the 4th book in this series, I found the constant reminder that Lana was previously a reporter in Miami so frustrating. I feel like by book four, you shouldn’t have to remind your readers so much about your character’s past. I haven’t read the previous 3 books and I couldn’t forget where Lana lived or what she did for work before moving to Devil’s beach even if I wanted to.
If the writing hadn’t been so repetitive, I might have enjoyed this book more. Some of the characters were fun and I liked the idea of amateur sleuthing out of a coffee shop on the beach.
I received an advance copy of this book thanks to Tara Lush, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley.
September 22, 2023
A Bean to Die For
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Lana Lewis is brewing up new concoctions at Perkatory, a popular café in Devil’s Beach, when she decides she wants to try her hand at growing her own coffee. She secures a gardening plot in the community garden, thanks to her father and the garden’s owner, Darla. Darla’s list of rules is long, but that doesn’t stop someone from leaving Jack Daggett’s body amongst the gardening plots.”
I love a good cozy mystery that has coffee! This one seemed very long kind of I didn’t feel the pull to keep coming back to it. But I did like the mystery overall. I like the character descriptions and want to go to Devils Beach now.
#netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Lana Lewis is brewing up new concoctions at Perkatory, a popular café in Devil’s Beach, when she decides she wants to try her hand at growing her own coffee. She secures a gardening plot in the community garden, thanks to her father and the garden’s owner, Darla. Darla’s list of rules is long, but that doesn’t stop someone from leaving Jack Daggett’s body amongst the gardening plots.”
I love a good cozy mystery that has coffee! This one seemed very long kind of I didn’t feel the pull to keep coming back to it. But I did like the mystery overall. I like the character descriptions and want to go to Devils Beach now.
#netgalley
February 8, 2025
First and foremost I would like to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for sending me an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tara Lush’s A Bean To Die For is a delightful cozy mystery that immediately pulls you into its vibrant world, where the characters are as quirky and interesting ever. From the very first page, I was impressed by the colorful personalities of the townies, both old and new, of Devil’s Beach. I especially appreciated how the narrative incorporates the hobbies and interests of the characters, adding layers of depth and making the characters feel all the more fleshed out.
Devil’s Beach, the setting of the story, is wonderfully brought to life. Lush paints the backdrop so vividly that it feels like a real, bustling tourist destination—an environment you’d want to visit again and again. The coffee shop at the heart of the plot is the perfect cozy haven, with its fun blend of interesting plot moving interactions, recipe and shop operation banter, and side plot drama.
The mystery itself is engaging and well-crafted. The plot progresses at a smooth, natural pace, offering enough twists and turns to keep me hooked without feeling rushed. Tara Lush has a way of balancing the intrigue with the charm of her characters, allowing the mystery to unfold in a way that keeps you guessing while still feeling grounded in the cozy atmosphere.
The audiobook is well done. The narrator has this natural ability to subtly apply emotions to what Lana is saying that might not be apparent while reading the physical or e-book.
Overall, A Bean To Die For is an absolute treat for fans of cozy mysteries. With its endearing characters, immersive setting, and well-paced plot, it’s a book you won’t want to put down. As a fan of the series, this has been my favorite book so far.
Tara Lush’s A Bean To Die For is a delightful cozy mystery that immediately pulls you into its vibrant world, where the characters are as quirky and interesting ever. From the very first page, I was impressed by the colorful personalities of the townies, both old and new, of Devil’s Beach. I especially appreciated how the narrative incorporates the hobbies and interests of the characters, adding layers of depth and making the characters feel all the more fleshed out.
Devil’s Beach, the setting of the story, is wonderfully brought to life. Lush paints the backdrop so vividly that it feels like a real, bustling tourist destination—an environment you’d want to visit again and again. The coffee shop at the heart of the plot is the perfect cozy haven, with its fun blend of interesting plot moving interactions, recipe and shop operation banter, and side plot drama.
The mystery itself is engaging and well-crafted. The plot progresses at a smooth, natural pace, offering enough twists and turns to keep me hooked without feeling rushed. Tara Lush has a way of balancing the intrigue with the charm of her characters, allowing the mystery to unfold in a way that keeps you guessing while still feeling grounded in the cozy atmosphere.
The audiobook is well done. The narrator has this natural ability to subtly apply emotions to what Lana is saying that might not be apparent while reading the physical or e-book.
Overall, A Bean To Die For is an absolute treat for fans of cozy mysteries. With its endearing characters, immersive setting, and well-paced plot, it’s a book you won’t want to put down. As a fan of the series, this has been my favorite book so far.
January 8, 2024
A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush is the 4th Book in the Coffee Lovers Mystery series.
I absolutely love this series!
The Setting of Devil's Beach in Florida is fantastic.
The main character Lana who co-owns Perkatory, a coffee shop with her father has her hands full.
She is looking to expand her business by growing her own coffee.
When she goes to visit the garden plot, she finds the body of Jack Daggett. The main suspect asks Lana to find out who did it and clear her name. This definitely didn't make her boyfriend Noah (chief of police) thrilled as he told her not to investigate.
I absolutely LOVED this cozy mystery. The characters are well developed, unique and funny.
The mystery was well written and kept me guessing.
Coffee, Murder Mystery with a little romance, the best combination for mystery.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series.
I absolutely love this series!
The Setting of Devil's Beach in Florida is fantastic.
The main character Lana who co-owns Perkatory, a coffee shop with her father has her hands full.
She is looking to expand her business by growing her own coffee.
When she goes to visit the garden plot, she finds the body of Jack Daggett. The main suspect asks Lana to find out who did it and clear her name. This definitely didn't make her boyfriend Noah (chief of police) thrilled as he told her not to investigate.
I absolutely LOVED this cozy mystery. The characters are well developed, unique and funny.
The mystery was well written and kept me guessing.
Coffee, Murder Mystery with a little romance, the best combination for mystery.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series.
January 17, 2024
I had not read any of this series before, but had no trouble following along with this book. Lana is expanding her business and wants to grow coffee in the community garden. Unfortunately there is a dead body already there and she feels that she needs to find out why to get things back to normal. She works with her boyfriend, who is the police chief to figure out who is responsible especially when things get a little close to home. Thinking about going back and reading/listening to other books in the series.
January 5, 2024
Gardening can be… murder? Little did Lana know that when she decided to try growing some of her own coffee, she’d be stumbling across yet another dead body. Will all her talents as a former investigative journalist be enough to identify a killer before it’s too late? I had a lot of fun with this book. I didn’t notice any of the things that had been pain points previously and I was able to just sink into the story and try to out-sleuth Lana. Which I failed at quite miserably, by the way. The author kept me guessing about the “who?”s and the “why?”s all the way to the end. And I particularly loved what we got to see of Lana and Noah’s relationship progressing. That makes me very curious where this series is going to go next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
December 27, 2023
I like this series and liked this cozy mystery, a well plotted story that kept me guessing. I was glad to catch up with the characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 15, 2024
Lana found herself involved in the murder investigations by choice and as a favor for a friend. Now, that friend has become victim number two, and Lana feels the need to help solve the murder mystery in honor of her friend.
October 1, 2024
Super entertaining - loved the culture of the Florida keys. Adorable characters, colorful setting. Zany characters. Funny the dad and the contraption at the dinner party. Can’t wait for the next book.
February 28, 2024
Awesome book! Fantastic ending! I didn't see it coming, but I loved the wrap up to the case. Excited for more Lana and Noah!!!
February 8, 2024
audiobook courtesy of netgalley
November 20, 2023
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A BEAN TO DIE FOR (Book 4 of the Coffee Lover’s mysteries) by Tara Lush in exchange for an honest review. Lana Lewis has marked her life through cups of coffee. Lana is now a part owner of a popular café and coffee shop in Devil’s Beach. Lana decides to make an attempt at growing her own coffee on a community garden plot. However, it looks like more plotting than planting is going on because someone was using an environmental activist for fertilizer. When the prime suspect is also murdered, Lana and the police have to explore alternative theories of the case.
I like this book. I haven’t read the prior three books, but I had no problem connecting with the characters or following the storyline. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring coffee and quirky family members.
#ABeantoDieFor #NetGalley
I like this book. I haven’t read the prior three books, but I had no problem connecting with the characters or following the storyline. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring coffee and quirky family members.
#ABeantoDieFor #NetGalley
October 5, 2023
Ich bin letztes Jahr beim dritten Teil dieser Serie eingestiegen, und habe mich jetzt sehr über die Fortsetzung gefreut. Tara Lush’s Coffee Lover’s Mystery – Reihe spielt in Florida, auf der sonnigen kleinen Insel Devil’s Beach, einem eigentlich gemütlichem Touristenspot, aber „un-eigentlich“ passieren hier reihenweise Morde, in die die Heldin der Serie Lana Lewis, immer hereinstolpert 😊. Also, #cozycrime ist angesagt 😊. Lana, Anfang 30, ist in Devil’s Beach aufgewachsen, hat aber nach der Schule lange Jahre auf dem Festland in Miami als Kriminal-Reporterin gearbeitet. Nun, nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter, ist sie wieder auf der heimatlichen Insel und führt gemeinsam mit ihrem Vater Peter Lewis das Familienunternehmen „Percatory“ weiter – ein Coffeeshop und der „place to be“ auf Devil’s Beach. Ihre Freundin Erica, ihres Zeichens Chef Barista im Percatory, ist bei jeglichen Ermittlungen immer enthusiastisch dabei, und gemeinsam mit Papa Peter bilden sie ein unschlagbares (aber auch skurriles) Team. Lanas Freund Noah, lokaler Polizeichef, ist von diesen Aktivitäten nur semi-begeistert, kann aber den Erfolg der drei nicht kleinreden.
Soviel mal an generellem Hintergrundwissen zu dieser Serie.
In diesem Band nun geht es ganz gemütlich los; Lana, Erica und Peter besichtigen eine Art Kleingartenanlage, in der Peter schon länger Mitglied ist, und Lana gedenkt, ein paar Probezüchtungen mit Kaffeebohnen anzugehen. Auf dem Grundstück, das man ihr zuweisen würde findet sie – man glaubt es kaum – eine Leiche. Der über 80jährige Jack, Vorbesitzer des Grundstücks, liegt zwischen Tomatensträuchern tot am Boden. Schon bald zeigt sich, dass war kein natürlicher Tod, und die drei Hobbyermittler haben einen neuen Fall. Wobei Lana dieses Mal eher zögerlich dabei ist, denn einerseits hat sie mit Percatory, ihrem Hund Stanley und den Vorbereitungen zu einer privaten Feier gerade genügend andere Dinge zu tun, und zum anderen möchte sie ihrem Freund Noah nicht bei offiziellen Ermittlungen bedrängen. Als dann aber ein weiterer Mord geschieht, muss auch Lana eingreifen…..
Ja, was soll ich sagen, mir hat es wieder sehr gut gefallen, in Devil’s Beach unterwegs zu sein 😉. Ich mag cozy crime, und ich finde gerade hier das Setting wunderbar. Wer mag nicht auf einer Trauminsel sein? Das Florida-Sommer-Sonne-Urlaubsfeeling kommt für mich hier immer voll rüber; ich mag diese Kleinstadtatmosphäre sehr gerne, und im Percatory würde ich auch sehr gerne mal eine der vielen Kaffeekreationen genießen. Auch die Protagonisten wachsen einem echt ans Herz. Althippie Peter ist eine coole Socke, und zusammen mit Erica, hin und wieder ihrem Freund, mit Lana, mit Noah, nicht zu vergessen Stanley, haben wir hier ein sehr liebenswertes und witziges Team an Hauptdarstellern.
Flüssig geschrieben, mit viel spritzigen Dialogen, machen diese Bücher einfach Spaß. Und natürlich sind die Krimis gut, Die Bücher sind relativ kurz (das waren jetzt 230 e-book-Seiten), und da passiert jederzeit relativ viel. Das Spannungslevel ist also permanent hoch. Natürlich ist es „cozy“, sprich hier gibt’s keine hardcore thrillige Action, und auch die Ermittlungen selbst sind eher althergebrachte Befragungen und Zufallsfunde, aber nichtsdestotrotz stimmig und gut geplottet.
Ich hoffe, die Serie wird es auch mal auf Deutsch geben, ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass gerade dieses Inselfeeling auch hierzulande viele Fans findet. Den Crooked Lane Books Verlag finde ich auch ganz spannend, den gibt’s erst ein paar Jahre, aber sie haben ein interessantes Programm mit vielen Krimis; sollte man mal im Auge behalten 😊.
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
Soviel mal an generellem Hintergrundwissen zu dieser Serie.
In diesem Band nun geht es ganz gemütlich los; Lana, Erica und Peter besichtigen eine Art Kleingartenanlage, in der Peter schon länger Mitglied ist, und Lana gedenkt, ein paar Probezüchtungen mit Kaffeebohnen anzugehen. Auf dem Grundstück, das man ihr zuweisen würde findet sie – man glaubt es kaum – eine Leiche. Der über 80jährige Jack, Vorbesitzer des Grundstücks, liegt zwischen Tomatensträuchern tot am Boden. Schon bald zeigt sich, dass war kein natürlicher Tod, und die drei Hobbyermittler haben einen neuen Fall. Wobei Lana dieses Mal eher zögerlich dabei ist, denn einerseits hat sie mit Percatory, ihrem Hund Stanley und den Vorbereitungen zu einer privaten Feier gerade genügend andere Dinge zu tun, und zum anderen möchte sie ihrem Freund Noah nicht bei offiziellen Ermittlungen bedrängen. Als dann aber ein weiterer Mord geschieht, muss auch Lana eingreifen…..
Ja, was soll ich sagen, mir hat es wieder sehr gut gefallen, in Devil’s Beach unterwegs zu sein 😉. Ich mag cozy crime, und ich finde gerade hier das Setting wunderbar. Wer mag nicht auf einer Trauminsel sein? Das Florida-Sommer-Sonne-Urlaubsfeeling kommt für mich hier immer voll rüber; ich mag diese Kleinstadtatmosphäre sehr gerne, und im Percatory würde ich auch sehr gerne mal eine der vielen Kaffeekreationen genießen. Auch die Protagonisten wachsen einem echt ans Herz. Althippie Peter ist eine coole Socke, und zusammen mit Erica, hin und wieder ihrem Freund, mit Lana, mit Noah, nicht zu vergessen Stanley, haben wir hier ein sehr liebenswertes und witziges Team an Hauptdarstellern.
Flüssig geschrieben, mit viel spritzigen Dialogen, machen diese Bücher einfach Spaß. Und natürlich sind die Krimis gut, Die Bücher sind relativ kurz (das waren jetzt 230 e-book-Seiten), und da passiert jederzeit relativ viel. Das Spannungslevel ist also permanent hoch. Natürlich ist es „cozy“, sprich hier gibt’s keine hardcore thrillige Action, und auch die Ermittlungen selbst sind eher althergebrachte Befragungen und Zufallsfunde, aber nichtsdestotrotz stimmig und gut geplottet.
Ich hoffe, die Serie wird es auch mal auf Deutsch geben, ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass gerade dieses Inselfeeling auch hierzulande viele Fans findet. Den Crooked Lane Books Verlag finde ich auch ganz spannend, den gibt’s erst ein paar Jahre, aber sie haben ein interessantes Programm mit vielen Krimis; sollte man mal im Auge behalten 😊.
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
November 10, 2023
Do you know what a mushroom log is? You will after reading this book. It's actually rather intriguing, gotta admit, as was the latte art machine. Being a former Floridian, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, happy that I didn't live in quite as quaint and quirky and area. In this case, Lana is living the good life on Devil's Island, It seems to be a cross between a mecca for hippy types and those wanting to start a new life. The gardens overseen by the community seem to bring them together although it isn't always in peace. Even worse, Lana stumbles across a body in the community garden. Her coffee related plans will have to wait.
Who killed cranky Jack Daggett? Unfortunately for Lana, she has no time to play sleuth. Boyfriend Noah's mother and sister are due to arrive in a few days and Lana desperately wants to make a great impression on them. So why can't she even seem to find the time to go shopping for dinner ingredients? Why are community residents arguing over....monkeys? Will Lana be able to withstand the pleading of suspect Darla to help her clear her name? Even with the help of her best friend and barista Erica, she's definitely feeling stressed. Her forever hippy father isn't exactly helpful. Amazingly enough, her boyfriend, Police Chief Noah, ultimately doesn't even try to stop her sleuthing behind his back. He simply asks her to do it safely, it via online and such, not in-person snooping, er, questioning. That's rather a pleasant twist of the ol' trope of the romantic partner being strongly discouraging. I do give kudos to Lana for not being TSTL, ie too stupid to live, too. I liked that her character didn't go rushing blindly into danger as many cozy mystery amateur sleuths do. In other words, this book offers up some refreshing twists in addition to an intriguing plot full of quirky characters.
Even better, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these characters again (having read the previous book). Lana is a former crime reporter, so delving into crimes isn't exactly new to her. She'd hoped to have left all that behind her when she left Miami but, well, life (or death?) happens. Erica is a hoot. She seems far more into the sleuthing than Lana, to be honest, but isn't exactly subtle in her questioning. Read the room, Erica! And don't make Erica mad, either. Lana's father Peter, the once-and-forever hippy, is an odd mix of ol' hippy and techno pop, oddly enough. Ol' timer with a modern twist. He definitely enjoys the sleuthing. And, Noah? Well, he sounds like a saint. A good looking saint with patience to spare. So, why is Lana so anxious about meeting his mother and sister? They're....oh, enough teasers. Their meeting is....no, no, no more hints. Let's just say there is a lot going on when they meet.
It's a fun read, full of likable, interesting characters, soft/sly humor that will make you smile, a cute dog, and a setting with some bizarre critters and townspeople Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me down to spend some time in Florida. It's always an adventure.
Who killed cranky Jack Daggett? Unfortunately for Lana, she has no time to play sleuth. Boyfriend Noah's mother and sister are due to arrive in a few days and Lana desperately wants to make a great impression on them. So why can't she even seem to find the time to go shopping for dinner ingredients? Why are community residents arguing over....monkeys? Will Lana be able to withstand the pleading of suspect Darla to help her clear her name? Even with the help of her best friend and barista Erica, she's definitely feeling stressed. Her forever hippy father isn't exactly helpful. Amazingly enough, her boyfriend, Police Chief Noah, ultimately doesn't even try to stop her sleuthing behind his back. He simply asks her to do it safely, it via online and such, not in-person snooping, er, questioning. That's rather a pleasant twist of the ol' trope of the romantic partner being strongly discouraging. I do give kudos to Lana for not being TSTL, ie too stupid to live, too. I liked that her character didn't go rushing blindly into danger as many cozy mystery amateur sleuths do. In other words, this book offers up some refreshing twists in addition to an intriguing plot full of quirky characters.
Even better, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these characters again (having read the previous book). Lana is a former crime reporter, so delving into crimes isn't exactly new to her. She'd hoped to have left all that behind her when she left Miami but, well, life (or death?) happens. Erica is a hoot. She seems far more into the sleuthing than Lana, to be honest, but isn't exactly subtle in her questioning. Read the room, Erica! And don't make Erica mad, either. Lana's father Peter, the once-and-forever hippy, is an odd mix of ol' hippy and techno pop, oddly enough. Ol' timer with a modern twist. He definitely enjoys the sleuthing. And, Noah? Well, he sounds like a saint. A good looking saint with patience to spare. So, why is Lana so anxious about meeting his mother and sister? They're....oh, enough teasers. Their meeting is....no, no, no more hints. Let's just say there is a lot going on when they meet.
It's a fun read, full of likable, interesting characters, soft/sly humor that will make you smile, a cute dog, and a setting with some bizarre critters and townspeople Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me down to spend some time in Florida. It's always an adventure.
February 18, 2024
Like so many cozy mysteries, this book was chock-full of hilariously cute puns and adorable characters, and I can't wait to spend more time with them.
When I first asked for this book, I didn't realize it was the fourth in a series. I just saw cozy and was like "yes, please." When I noticed, I was like well most cozies are kind of standalone. And this one didn't suffer too much from being the fourth in a series. The biggest issue is that one of the best parts of cozies is the characters, and when a book is the fourth in a series they are usually written believing that you know the characters already. If, like me, you're just picking the series up, it leaves you feeling a little bit like you walked in on a friend group that doesn't quite have room for you yet.
But it's okay, eventually they ended up feeling like friends. And I definitely want to go back and read the ones before this one. It's a great cozy. It features a former journalist, one of my favorite type of cozy leads, and the cop boyfriend. She has a cast of kooky friends and town people surrounding and helping her, including a loving and mostly helpful dad. We usually see moms in cozies, so it was nice to see a dad. I loved him and look forward to seeing more of him. Seeing a strong father-daughter relationship is so powerful these days, when so often we don't see those bonds portrayed. And often growing up, when we did see a dad, he was goofy and mostly a big joke. Once I got used to them, I really enjoyed all the characters and their interactions.
I'm not a big beach fan, so the setting wasn't my favorite. However, I do love coffee shops and dogs so that kind of balanced it out. Living in a tourist town, I can also appreciate the author's portrayal of the sometimes annoying nature of dealing with tourists all the time.
The mystery was full of twists and red herrings. I kept thinking I had it figured out and was then completely surprised by the ending. It definitely surprised me more than the typical cozy mystery, which is a credit to Ms. Lush's writing.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kae Marie Denino. It took me a little time to get used to her voice, but after a few minutes, it was delightful. She really brought the story to life and helped me envision the characters and scenes. And she's someone I'd have no trouble listening to twenty books of audio by, which is something you have to consider when you get invested in a cozy series. And whatever format I start with is what I like to stick with.
Also, I love the name of the coffee shop - Perkatory - sooo much! And "what the fluff!" is one of the cutest non-curse, curse-words I've heard yet.
Who's It For?
If you love a cozy mystery, this is a pretty good one. If you're tired of winter and longing for some sunshine, this is set in Florida, so the beachy setting might appeal to you. And, if you've never tried cozies, they're full of sweet romance, an adorable cast of side characters, and murder that keeps the story going, but also somehow seems to be beside the point.
Content Warnings: Infidelity, Adult Situations, Murder, Betrayal
When I first asked for this book, I didn't realize it was the fourth in a series. I just saw cozy and was like "yes, please." When I noticed, I was like well most cozies are kind of standalone. And this one didn't suffer too much from being the fourth in a series. The biggest issue is that one of the best parts of cozies is the characters, and when a book is the fourth in a series they are usually written believing that you know the characters already. If, like me, you're just picking the series up, it leaves you feeling a little bit like you walked in on a friend group that doesn't quite have room for you yet.
But it's okay, eventually they ended up feeling like friends. And I definitely want to go back and read the ones before this one. It's a great cozy. It features a former journalist, one of my favorite type of cozy leads, and the cop boyfriend. She has a cast of kooky friends and town people surrounding and helping her, including a loving and mostly helpful dad. We usually see moms in cozies, so it was nice to see a dad. I loved him and look forward to seeing more of him. Seeing a strong father-daughter relationship is so powerful these days, when so often we don't see those bonds portrayed. And often growing up, when we did see a dad, he was goofy and mostly a big joke. Once I got used to them, I really enjoyed all the characters and their interactions.
I'm not a big beach fan, so the setting wasn't my favorite. However, I do love coffee shops and dogs so that kind of balanced it out. Living in a tourist town, I can also appreciate the author's portrayal of the sometimes annoying nature of dealing with tourists all the time.
The mystery was full of twists and red herrings. I kept thinking I had it figured out and was then completely surprised by the ending. It definitely surprised me more than the typical cozy mystery, which is a credit to Ms. Lush's writing.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kae Marie Denino. It took me a little time to get used to her voice, but after a few minutes, it was delightful. She really brought the story to life and helped me envision the characters and scenes. And she's someone I'd have no trouble listening to twenty books of audio by, which is something you have to consider when you get invested in a cozy series. And whatever format I start with is what I like to stick with.
Also, I love the name of the coffee shop - Perkatory - sooo much! And "what the fluff!" is one of the cutest non-curse, curse-words I've heard yet.
Who's It For?
If you love a cozy mystery, this is a pretty good one. If you're tired of winter and longing for some sunshine, this is set in Florida, so the beachy setting might appeal to you. And, if you've never tried cozies, they're full of sweet romance, an adorable cast of side characters, and murder that keeps the story going, but also somehow seems to be beside the point.
Content Warnings: Infidelity, Adult Situations, Murder, Betrayal
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