In Roast Mortem

Roastwood Hollow Cozy Mystery Series ( #1

by Kristin Helling

She’ll do whatever beans necessary...

When coffee roaster Clementine Matthews finds her landlord facedown in a pool of blood in the back room of the roastery, the police are quick to call it a staged suicide.

But Clementine knows something about the scene doesn’t add up.

With the future of her roastery on the line and a killer hiding somewhere in her small, cozy town, Clementine starts digging for the truth. But the more secrets she uncovers, the more she realizes Roastwood Hollow may not be as harmless as it looks.

In Roast Mortem is the first book in the Roastwood Hollow Cozy Mystery series. If you love amateur sleuths, animal companions, small-town drama, coffeehouse charm, and aaaall the cozy vibes, you’ll love Clementine Matthews and the mysteries brewing in Roastwood Hollow.

Books may be read in any

Book 1: In Roast Mortem
Book 2: In Cold Brewed
Book 3: Roastly Apparitions
Book 4: Roastly Harmless

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery, Christmas, Fiction, Holiday

246 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2024

About the author

Kristin Helling writes stories that invite readers into small-town secrets and edge-of-your-seat suspense. She is the author of the Roastwood Hollow Cozy Mystery series, where charming coffee shops, quirky neighbors, and autumn festivals are never too far from a chilling murder. Kristin also writes thrillers and suspense novels, blending heart-pounding twists with deeply human characters who face danger, deception, and dark truths.

A lifelong booklover, Kristin grew up with a passion for storytelling and the idea that even the coziest places can hold the deepest mysteries. When she’s not writing, she owns a coffeehouse/roastery/bakery, co-owns her publishing company Wordwraith Books, is married to a photographer, and is Mama of two.

Her writing reflects her love of community, mystery, and the delicate balance of warmth and danger. Whether you prefer a comforting whodunit by the fire or a thriller that keeps you up all night, Kristin has a story to share.

📚 Series: Roastwood Hollow Cozy Mystery (In Roast Mortem, In Cold Brewed, Roastly Apparitions, with more to come!)

🔎 Genres: Cozy mystery, thrillers, suspense

☕ For fans of: Gilmore Girls, Agatha Christie, and stories that blend charm with chills

Reviews

[Emily Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and entertaining! Loved that this was a clean book that I can recommend to others! Thanks Kristin for the great read, I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Brandon Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and cozy mystery. Glad we picked this one up at ComicCon. The author really knows her craft when it comes to both writing and coffee roasting. Makes me wish I could visit the small town of Roastwood Hollow.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read of a story by a author new to me. I thought the bearded dragon was cute but I totally discounted Clem as a sleuth because she failed badly at working out who the killer was.
I liked the back characters, but this is not a story I would read again, once was enough.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

good beginnings

I really enjoyed the start of it but as I got to the end I wasn’t sure I really wanted to follow the antics of some of the citizens based on what happened to Clementine.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet mood reading discovery! I'm not a coffee drinker at all but I was completely absorbed by all the coffee roasting details. I didn't realize the artisanal nature of the craft so that was a fun side benefit of reading 'In Roast Mortem.' This is on the shorter side for a cozy mystery, but the author still manages to deliver an excellent cozy/mystery combination. A great introduction to the series and I love all the pun-y titles!

[Angela Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delightful cozy mystery. Full of interesting and likeable characters in the setting of a quaint town. Murder, mystery, and intrigue made this book a page turner. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & cozy. Perfect series to start for fall.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a cozy treat. I picked it up because I love small-town mysteries, and it delivered everything I hoped for with quirky characters, a charming setting, and a murder that kept me guessing.

Clementine Matthews is a coffee roaster with a big heart and a sharp mind. She’s trying to keep her business afloat when she stumbles upon her landlord’s body. The police think it’s a suicide, but Clem isn’t convinced. I loved how determined she was to find the truth, even when others told her to back off.

Officer Simon Drake, the new cop in town, brought a little tension and a hint of romance, which made things even more interesting.

The mystery itself was well-paced, with just enough twists to keep me hooked. I’m already looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Janel Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorable Short Review:

Brewed with charm and suspense, She Will Do Whatever Beans Necessary is a delightful cozy mystery with a dark twist. Clementine Matthews is a witty, relatable heroine whose determination to solve a murder blends perfectly with small-town secrets and coffee shop vibes. With just the right mix of humor, heart, and whodunit, this fun, fast-paced read is the perfect pick for mystery lovers looking for something both cozy and compelling.

[Lee Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cozy treat to read. The story set in a small town filled with fun and quirky characters was just the read I needed to start my fall reading season. It is well written, and I could not guess who the killer was until the end.

[Rhea Vynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved warming up with this cozy little mystery which is a lot different than my usual go to reads...but how can you go wrong with coffee?

The main character Clementine is easy to connect with from the start, she owns a roastery in Roastwood Hollow and she has the most adorable little supervisor, a beaded dragon she called Ro. When a body is found inside her roastery she does what anyone would do...search for answers even when she's told she needs to stop by the new in town, good looking officer, Simon Drake.

There's a bit of romance, twists and turns, and that ah ha moment that your heart starts racing as all the pieces begin to come together.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

[S.C. Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery! I love books like this when I’m in a reading slump and want to ponder on who was the killer. Plus there was a bearded dragon pet which was a cute touch and the theme was coffee- reading the book made me want to drink coffee the whole time. I did not guess the killer (which I love) and I liked the sassy tattooed Clementine. Great work!

[Sarah Wakeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book! I felt like I was roasting the beans and had a bearded dragon as a bestie! Great writing, great characters and great plot! Can’t wait for the rest of this series!

The author, in all genres, is always a MUST READ!

[Pranav Bhatnagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Mystery Brewed with Coffee, Friendship, and Unexpected Twists.....
In Roast Mortem by Kristin Helling is such an enjoyable cozy mystery! Clementine Matthews is a coffee roaster whose ordinary working evening takes a shocking turn when she discovers her landlord dead inside her roasting facility. When the authorities seem ready to dismiss the case, Clem cannot shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. I loved how her passion for coffee, sharp instincts, and determination gradually pull her deeper into the mystery. Her bearded dragon, Robusta, is an absolute delight, and the friendship between Clem and Josie adds so much warmth to the story. The small-town setting is full of interesting personalities, gossip, secrets, and suspicious behaviour, making it fun to question everyone's motives. I also enjoyed the growing connection between Clem and Officer Simon Drake, which brings a sweet touch of romance without taking away from the mystery. The plot kept me curious, and the twists made the investigation even more engaging. What I especially appreciated was Clem's journey as she learns to trust her instincts and find her place in a community that does not always understand her. With its coffee-themed charm, humour, suspense, and heartfelt moments, this is a lovely read for anyone who enjoys amateur sleuths and small-town mysteries.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I do not drink coffee, but I live in a small town with a coffee company. Every Monday morning, I can smell the coffee being roasted. Since I know nothing about coffee, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about the beans and how they are processed for consumption.

Clementine Matthews owns a small business roasting beans for her partner, who sells brewed coffee in a coffee shop in town. Clementine is rather quirky because she has a bearded dragon as a pet. She spends long hours roasting coffee beans in a rented building. One day, Clem finds her landlord dead in the back room of the roastery. Not trusting the police, Clem starts investigating.

On the positive side, the story was interesting and unusual, and I did not figure out the murderer early. On the negative side, Clem was socially inept and showed up with her best friend when she was invited to eat with a young police officer who was interested in her.

Clem's tattoos and strange pet seemed to yell that the author was looking for an unusual hook. Clem was given a direct order to stay out of the investigation. Either she was stupid, or she thought she was smarter than the police. In the end, citizens called her a hero for pushing for a solution to the murders. Really?

Roastwood Hollow - Total of 6
*** 1. In Roast Mortem
2. In Cold Brewed

[Michealine Trotter · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

It had great potential.

The reasoning behind the fmc actions were a bit frustrating but my biggest issue was the plot holes.

**Spoilers below**








Like the flash drive stuff. Initially it wasnt just the flash drive beibg left for her to find but the gas line outside and gage that was inside was also tampered with but in the conclusion it was the cops that put it there to set up a ploy(?) And the tampered equipment was just forgotten. Or the initial murder the door had slammed shut meaning someone had run out of the door but it was never mentioned again. Not to the police or even by the main fmc inner monolog about the incident, which is crazy bc her whole storyline was proving the first murder wasnt a suicide.

[CR1017 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Roast Mortem is the first in a series of cozy mysteries featuring Clementine Matthews, owner of a coffee roasting business in the small town of Roastwood Hollow.
Clementine has a pet bearded dragon named Robusta, or Ro for short, which makes for a change of pace, given that the animal sidekick in most cozies is a dog or cat

I enjoyed this first book, it was quick paced, and a fun read.
I received an advance review copy from Hidden Gems & I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading In Roast Mortem: A Roastwood Hollow Cozy Mystery Book 1 and how Kristin Helling kept us guessing who the real killer was. I had read most of the book in one sitting! If you like mysteries and fairly fast reads, then this book is for you! I highly recommend this book and I can't wait until the next in this series comes out!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is going to need to find the truth when she finds her landlord dead. The police seem it a suicide but she knows it is more than that so she she will need to find the truth or lose everything she has done so far. See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great murder mystery

[Jacci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, cozy mystery centered around a small town and coffee. I enjoyed the descriptions of the coffee roasting process and the bearded dragon. Those were new topics for me. Three stars is not a bad review for me, but I felt the story could be fleshed out more. I liked it enough to go on to the second book, which already feels stronger.

[Skater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coffee & Murder

Another cozy mystery centered around a coffee house and coffee roaster, but the characters are fresh, the writing crisp and the details of actual coffee roasting add depths not found in other mysteries. Very enjoyable quick read.

[Holly]

DNF @23%

[L.B. Holding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, cozy read where you get to learn all about coffee roasting, from beans to brew. Thanks for this one, Kristin!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grab your cup of coffee and enjoy this cute, cozy read on a cold winter day!! Really enjoyed how there was a touch of romance and action in this short fun read.

[Janice Romanini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible. This is one of the worst books I’ve read and I average 90 books a year.