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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #7
A Dash of Deceit
A Dash of Deceit is the seventh book in the Cafe Crimes series—a clean culinary cozy mystery featuring amateur sleuth and former true-crime podcaster Parker Hayes in the charming small town of Magnolia Grove.
Parker Hayes is ready to brew up a winning season at Catch You Latte, serving up Spring Fling Lattes and zesty lemon tarts. But when a beloved town fixture vanishes just days before a celebration—leaving behind a cryptic note—Parker’s coffee break turns into a high-stakes hunt for answers.
With a secret manuscript, shady dealings at the Dollar Dash and an author duo acting strange, Parker’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the clues become—until an unexpected twist turns Magnolia Grove upside down. Parker and friends, along with her dog, Major, must crack the case before Magnolia Grove’s biggest party becomes yet another crime scene.
A Dash of Deceit is the seventh brew in the Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery series—filled with Southern charm, twisty secrets and a caffeine-fueled amateur sleuth you won’t forget. Grab your favorite mug and settle in!
Parker Hayes is ready to brew up a winning season at Catch You Latte, serving up Spring Fling Lattes and zesty lemon tarts. But when a beloved town fixture vanishes just days before a celebration—leaving behind a cryptic note—Parker’s coffee break turns into a high-stakes hunt for answers.
With a secret manuscript, shady dealings at the Dollar Dash and an author duo acting strange, Parker’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the clues become—until an unexpected twist turns Magnolia Grove upside down. Parker and friends, along with her dog, Major, must crack the case before Magnolia Grove’s biggest party becomes yet another crime scene.
A Dash of Deceit is the seventh brew in the Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery series—filled with Southern charm, twisty secrets and a caffeine-fueled amateur sleuth you won’t forget. Grab your favorite mug and settle in!
- GenresCozy Mystery
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2025
About the author
Simone Stier
27 books98 followersSimone Stier writes humorous cozy mysteries with coffee shops, bookshops, small towns and clever twists.
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 3, 2025
Author Simone Stier hits it out of the park with this seventh installment of A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery. This story is my favorite one now. The main character's are soooo likeable, plus the mystery is soooo great, the book was hard to put down. Ms. Stier is definitely an author to watch.
April 5, 2025
This was the best book in the series! They are all so good but this one had the best premise and so many fun elements. Perfect nostalgic book vibes with lots of surprises along the way. I don’t want to spoil anything so I will just say make sure you pick this one up and see what goes down this time in Magnolia Grove!
April 13, 2025
A Dash of Deceit and a Whole Ton of LOVE!!!
This was one of Simone Stier’s BEST yet in this Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery series!! I loved every moment of it right down to the very deceitful ending!
This was one of Simone Stier’s BEST yet in this Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery series!! I loved every moment of it right down to the very deceitful ending!
April 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The series drew me in right from the start with the small-town charm, and a likeable sleuth, and this installment was the best one yet. I've come to enjoy the characters and how they relate to each other, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
February 10, 2026
Parker Hayes owns her wonderful Catch You Latte shop in Magnolia Grove. Dangerously dashing boyfriend Whit Hawthorne, local historian, lends a hand periodically to help her at the counter and Hazel, her baker friend and assistant also assist frequently.
So when their gal pal at the local Dollar Dash, Ethel, is turning a spectacular 100 years old, the locals are excited…well, most of them, until Ethel unexpectedly disappears without a trace, and is missing for a shocking 11 days.
Parker, well known as a retired and respected crime podcaster and amateur crime sleuth, immediately goes on the hunt to locate her missing friend.
As the days increase, Parker and the community become panicked - Ethel may be dead…the clues are coming together and the puzzle is almost finished. If only Ethel is still alive, and Parker isn’t knocked off by the killer as well. Ending with a slam bang surprise finish, this is an absolutely worthwhile read
So when their gal pal at the local Dollar Dash, Ethel, is turning a spectacular 100 years old, the locals are excited…well, most of them, until Ethel unexpectedly disappears without a trace, and is missing for a shocking 11 days.
Parker, well known as a retired and respected crime podcaster and amateur crime sleuth, immediately goes on the hunt to locate her missing friend.
As the days increase, Parker and the community become panicked - Ethel may be dead…the clues are coming together and the puzzle is almost finished. If only Ethel is still alive, and Parker isn’t knocked off by the killer as well. Ending with a slam bang surprise finish, this is an absolutely worthwhile read
August 2, 2025
This was an enjoyable book. The mustery was very puzzling. The characters are interesting and gun.
Amazon synopsis:
Parker Hayes is ready to brew up a winning season at Catch You Latte, serving up Spring Fling Lattes and zesty lemon tarts. But when a beloved town fixture vanishes just days before a celebration—leaving behind a cryptic note—Parker’s coffee break turns into a high-stakes hunt for answers.
With a secret manuscript, shady dealings at the Dollar Dash and an author duo acting strange, Parker’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the clues become—until an unexpected twist turns Magnolia Grove upside down. Parker must crack the case before Magnolia Grove’s biggest party becomes yet another crime scene.
Amazon synopsis:
Parker Hayes is ready to brew up a winning season at Catch You Latte, serving up Spring Fling Lattes and zesty lemon tarts. But when a beloved town fixture vanishes just days before a celebration—leaving behind a cryptic note—Parker’s coffee break turns into a high-stakes hunt for answers.
With a secret manuscript, shady dealings at the Dollar Dash and an author duo acting strange, Parker’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the clues become—until an unexpected twist turns Magnolia Grove upside down. Parker must crack the case before Magnolia Grove’s biggest party becomes yet another crime scene.
February 23, 2026
I started reading this series a couple of weeks ago, and I LOVE it! This was my favorite of the series so far, but I've loved them all. Parker Hayes comes to a small, cozy town to run a cafe after being a true crime podcaster. But she can't help getting involved when something happens in town, especially to her friends. If you love cozy mysteries, you need to read this series!
April 2, 2025
This is a great book!!
I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the small town atmosphere and all the characters. The ending in this one had me fooled though. I'm anxiously waiting for the next in the series.
I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the small town atmosphere and all the characters. The ending in this one had me fooled though. I'm anxiously waiting for the next in the series.
April 12, 2025
Intelligent Cozy Mystery
This series is just pure delight! A well crafted, well written, intelligent cozy mystery that doesn’t insult your intelligence with stupid antics. The characters are smart, savvy, and stand on their own two feet.
This series is just pure delight! A well crafted, well written, intelligent cozy mystery that doesn’t insult your intelligence with stupid antics. The characters are smart, savvy, and stand on their own two feet.
September 4, 2025
Suspense central
One mystery leads to another in this well written and often surprising story. The characters each have a different portion of the puzzle but the final product is a wholesome and satisfying ending. Really like this one!
One mystery leads to another in this well written and often surprising story. The characters each have a different portion of the puzzle but the final product is a wholesome and satisfying ending. Really like this one!
March 30, 2025
This series gets better with each sip!
I laughed, I cried, I held on to this roller coaster! Caught me off guard. Absolutely love this series. Thank you!
I laughed, I cried, I held on to this roller coaster! Caught me off guard. Absolutely love this series. Thank you!
April 2, 2025
Wowzers 🤩
Another great cozy mystery solved by Parker and the gang! Kept me on my toes the whole time and I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one night! Keep them coming 🥰🤗🧐
Another great cozy mystery solved by Parker and the gang! Kept me on my toes the whole time and I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one night! Keep them coming 🥰🤗🧐
April 21, 2025
Lots of moving parts in this mystery—just as good as all the previous books! I love these characters!
April 22, 2025
I love this series.
May 19, 2025
Awesome Read
Great book. I love all of the books in this series. Love whit and Parker. Hazen is a hoot. Every charter is well done.
Great book. I love all of the books in this series. Love whit and Parker. Hazen is a hoot. Every charter is well done.
June 2, 2025
A Dash of Deceit
Good story, with a a little suspense. I liked how the author put an Agatha Christie spin in this book.!! It had a lot of suspects!! Loved it !
Good story, with a a little suspense. I liked how the author put an Agatha Christie spin in this book.!! It had a lot of suspects!! Loved it !
April 13, 2026
So bingeable and fun! This mystery has a unique premise, which I really enjoyed. I loved the focus on so many of the amazing "cast" characters in this series. Can't wait for the next book!
December 8, 2025
Review of A Dash of Deceit
Once again Simone you have done a great job of deceiving me. I thought Ethel was dead. I also thought since her car kept getting mentioned that her body might be in the trunk. There did seem to be a lot of guilt to go around just not murder. Great job! I look forward to your next Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Book.
Once again Simone you have done a great job of deceiving me. I thought Ethel was dead. I also thought since her car kept getting mentioned that her body might be in the trunk. There did seem to be a lot of guilt to go around just not murder. Great job! I look forward to your next Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews