Deadly Decaf

by Betsy Breitenbach

When her most regular customer drops dead while she’s serving him coffee, Immie’s day becomes much more complicated.

Now Imogene “Immie” Sharp is trying to juggle her classes as an acting student at Fort Wayne University, a rapidly approaching opening night performance, and upcoming finals, all while trying to clear herself from the suspicion that she made a mistake that cost her customer his life.

In the midst of this, Immie discovers there’s more to the world around her than she previously realized. Can she navigate all that’s going on in her life amid epiphanies that shatter her world?

Contains murder, strong language, drug and alcohol use/abuse, and racism along with mention of mental and emotional abuse, accidental death, suicide, sexual violence, and infidelity.

253 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2025

About the author

Betsy Breitenbach’s life has been defined by unconventional decisions from dropping out of high school to tossing in a fifteen year career to follow her lifelong dream of writing. That unconventionality translates in her writing to quirky characters, unforeseen twists, and madcap antics balanced by serious underpinnings, resulting in page turner whodunits.

Reviews

[Rosey Rhyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly decaf tells the story of a theater student working at a coffee shop when suddenly folks near her start dropping like flies. She works to solve the classic "whodunit" mystery while trying to clear her name-all without missing class. I recommend this book to anyone interested in thrillers and mysteries because this book had me guessing until the very end.

[Orla King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The combination of a cozy coffee shop setting with a compelling murder mystery kept me turning the pages. Immie was an easy character to root for, and I liked how she balanced everyday challenges with unraveling the mystery. The story had plenty of suspense while still feeling character-driven, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.

[Jonathan Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former theatre major, I found Deadly Decaf absolutely delightful and I'm thrilled it appears to be the first in a series--I'm already missing these characters and can't wait to see what happens next. Smart, funny, fast-paced and imminently readable.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fast read with read with really interesting characters.

[Naomie Barnabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and emotionally layered mystery, this novel masterfully blends college life, dark secrets, and personal awakening into a suspenseful and thought-provoking journey.