Death by Irish Coffee

Bookstore Cafe Mystery #15

by Alex Erickson

In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping—and bodies are dropping—as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick’s Day mystery . . .

Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day—though without a liquor license, she’ll have to team up with a local bar owner to complete the recipe. It’s a perfect chance to distract herself from her upcoming wedding . . . and her worries about how her beloved cat will get along with his new canine stepsiblings.

As she doles out some much-needed caffeine the day after the festivities, she learns that the town is dealing with something worse than a homicide. Like many a reveler before him, the bar owner ended up green around the gills, but after he passed out, he never woke up. Now, between brewing, bookselling, and house-hunting, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[vicinthemeadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krissy is back on the prowl of solving mysteries when a local bar owner turns up dead in his ex girlfriends truck after the towns st patricks day festivities kick off! In this latest instalment we get to see death by coffee grow and blossom as well as Krissys engagement and wedding planning. The mystery itself kept me on my toes and never knowing what narrative was true! While it could have used a bit more seasonal magic, I really enjoyed this latest cozy mystery by Alex Erickson!

Thank you Kensington via Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kathy McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars. Book was just meh! It was ok for light reading’.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

St Patrick’s Day is a big thing in Pine Hills, Ohio and, for the first time, bookstore cafe, Death by Coffee, owner, Krissy Hancock is joining forces with a local bar to provide supplies and expertise for an Irish coffee event. When the new owner of the eponymous Bucky's Bar is found dead the next day having previously complained of an intestinal disorder, and needing to know for herself what happened to a man she was beginning to consider a friend, Krissy begins her own investigation even though no one is sure any foul play occurred. If nothing else, it takes her mind off house hunting, the prospect of buying another business, wedding planning, and her dad, who has recently injured himself but refuses all offers of help! With her mind overflowing, she knows she has to keep looking, whatever the risks and danger that will expose her too.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way it seemed to be neatly completing some characters' storylines, which could mean this series will soon be drawing to a close. As with previous stories, book fifteen kept me guessing, there were clues and red herrings aplenty and although fast moving there was plenty of back story to enjoy. I hope there will be at least one or two more books in this series, and I enjoyed this very much.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krissy Hancock and her cop fiancé, Paul, just can't seem to avoid another murder investigation. A local business owner looks ill at the St Patrick's Day festivities and is later found dead in an odd place, but it seems like natural causes. Next up to make Krissy nutz while she is thinking about wedding plans is contact from an old rival who wants Krissy to buy out the similar bookstore café in the town where Krissy's father lives. In California. And Krissy and local police lieutenant Paul live in southern Ohio! And now Paul tells her that the man who died was murdered! Good read with lots going on with everyone, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Loved it.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Pub Date Jan 27, 2026
#DeathbyIrishCoffee by #alexerickson #BookstoreCaféSeriesBk15 @kensingtonbooks #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble **** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #bookshop_org_ca #kobo #Waterstones #thriftbooks @the.storygraph

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krissy Hancock is gearing up for St. Patrick's Day, and she's partnered with another business owner to create their own Irish Coffee.
The bar owner, Bucky, and Krissy are becoming friends, but Krissy notices he's acting strange, and he admits to her he doesn't feel well.
The last thing she expects is to find out Bucky has died, and it may not be from natural causes.
Krissy can't stop herself from getting involved, and before long she realizes that Bucky may have been poisoned.
As she begins to put the clues together, she's determined to find out who killed Bucky.

This was a good installment in this series, and I enjoyed reading it.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alex Erickson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death by Irish Coffee coming out January 27, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love Irish stories. I need to read the other books in the series. It was a fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters.

[Kelli Palasek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uhhhh too many characters, it dragged on forever. Boring. I just wanted it to be over. Cute cover though!

[Kaitlyn Myers]

Not much to say on this one. It was a good, fun holiday cozy mystery with a developed cast of characters! The drink concoctions did make me thirst and anxious for St. Patrick Day flavors!

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death By Irish Coffee (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery #15)" by Alex Erickson has Krissy Hancock and her bookstore cafe (pretty much just cafe) celebrating St. Patrick's Day. She even had a collaboration going with a new tavern style bar to do true boozy Irish Coffee. Unfortunately the tavern owner isn't seeming too well when Krissy runs into him on St. Patrick's Day.

He's later found dead and Krissy's excuse for investigating, this time, is her guilt over not realizing that he was more than a little ill. I was already thinking it was more than he was a little ill before he was found dead, but it is a cozy mystery after all. Well, one thing leads to another. Krissy figures it all out. I personally had the culprit at the top of my list despite really only one good clue before the reveal started.

Krissy does all this investigating while worrying about her dad, her upcoming marriage/moving and also possibly buying out the knockoff version of her cafe. Honestly, I don't know why she was worried about money in all of this when she can afford to barely work herself and hire on potentially three new employees. I think her cafe is doing more than well enough to open a new one or at least afford a house she really likes.

[Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, how is Alex Erickson not a woman? It still blows my mind every time he writes Krissy so well you’d swear he lived half his life running a small-town coffee shop with a stack of to-be-read murder mysteries behind the register. Krissy Hancock is back for her fifteenth round, stronger, sharper, and so delightfully real. She joins forces with Bucky for an Irish festival drink, and that’s right where everything unravels: Bucky keels over, and suddenly coffee isn’t the only thing at risk of getting cold in Pine Hills.

This St. Patrick’s Day installment brings cozy small-town vibes with a shot of intrigue. Fast where it counts, but never skimping on small-town charm. The supporting crew, Vicki, Mason, and Rita, are lively as ever, while the Chief’s retirement twist knocked me out of my chair (retiring? In Pine Hills? We’ll see about that). Erickson has a knack for letting real-life anxieties simmer alongside the whodunits. Krissy’s cat-dog drama and wedding jitters add just enough heart. And let’s give it up for that utterly unexpected killer! Rarely does a cozy mystery genuinely surprise, but this one threw me a curveball in the best way.

By the end, I was pleading for the next installment, ARCs and all. There’s just something about Krissy’s mix of grit and warmth, and Erickson’s easy, unshowy humor, that turns even the third act suspects into characters you root for, and worry about long after the final chapter closes.

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. Death by Irish Coffee delivers exactly what I crave in a cozy, charming town, clever mystery, and characters who feel like old friends. If you’re a fan of series like Bakeshop Mysteries or Coffeehouse Mysteries, this is a must-read addition to your TBR. ☘️

Brewing Up Suspects: Your Take?
That killer twist… did it shamrock your world too? Spill your fave Pine Hills moment or cozy mystery recs below! Who’s grabbing this on release day?

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Irish Coffee, the 15th installment in Alex Erickson’s Bookstore Café Mystery series, serves up a pleasant cozy mystery perfect for fans of the genre. Set against the lively backdrop of St. Patrick's Day in Pine Hills, Krissy Hancock partners with local bar owner Bucky to offer festive Irish coffees to the celebrating crowd. When Bucky suddenly falls ill and is later found dead, Krissy can’t resist digging into the case—despite her own packed personal life.

The mystery is well-constructed with a large cast of suspects (I could have used a character list in the front of this book), red herrings, and a fairly intricate plot. I appreciated the added complexity; it kept me engaged and guessing until the end. Krissy’s character had some depth to it, and the supporting cast feels richer with ongoing storylines—a wedding on the horizon, coffee shop franchising plans, and a new police chief—building up anticipation for what’s next.

While the pacing occasionally lets you set the book down, the charming small-town vibe, coffee-shop setting, and solid sleuthing make it an enjoyable read. New readers can jump in without feeling lost, though longtime fans will especially love seeing the series’ threads advance.

A great pick for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy bookstore or café settings, light suspense, and a touch of holiday flair. Pair it with your favorite cup of coffee (Irish or otherwise) for the full experience.

I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. Krissy is at it again: trying to solve murder while the local detective is not happy about it (well, her fiancée, also a police officer isn't so judgmental). This time the bar owner she joined up with to offer Irish Coffee on the big St. Patrick's Day celebration ends of dead of poisoning. Feeling guilty that she didn't do more when she saw that he was sick, Krissy is determined to look into the parade of suspects including an ex, competitive bar owners and his own girlfriend.

Overall, a pretty standard cozy, enjoyable but not one that will necessarily stay with me long. I enjoyed the fact that not all the suspects were eager to answer Krissy's questions. Why should they? If someone asked me questions like that I would be offended to be thought a suspect and why should I talk to a stranger? Too often in cozies, the suspects are too willing to answer all the questions the amateur asks even if they are quite personal or even offensive. Some of the suspects even lie to Krissy and it has nothing to do with them being guilty.

There was some aspects of the story that seemed a little superfluous. One thing did wrap up a thread from a previous story but it just seemed to complicate things needlessly and didn't add anything to the overall story. But, overall, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[TsarinaTyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good book in the Bookstore Café series from Alex Erickson. This time around, Krissy Hancock is busy not just with her work as co-owner of Death by Coffee but also with planning festivities for the town's St. Patrick's Day celebrations and planning her upcoming wedding. Life is going along well and she's looking forward to seeing how the locals and tourists will take to the Irish coffee collaboration from Death by Coffee and Buckey's Tavern. She and the owner of Buckey's Tavern, Buckey himself, decided to cross promote their businesses with a St. Patty's Day coffee with a kick. The day finally arrives and while the coffee is a hit Buckey isn't looking too well at the parade. As is usual in Pine Hills, before long, a body is found and foul play is suspected. Krissy, of course, can't seem to stop herself from doing some investigating into the death even though her fiance, Paul, and Detective Buchanann seem to have things handled for the police department. This story has great characters, a solid storyline, a plethora of potential suspects, and an ending that will see some changes in future books in the series.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

First off, as a long time reader of this series I really appreciate the fact that Alex Erickson has kept this series so consistently good. I always love spending time with Krissy and the cast of characters, and the town hasn’t yet become stale. It looks like the series may be up for a few changes in future too, with different settings and perhaps a few characters taking more of a main part, and I think that will help keep it fresh!

Cozy mystery series readers will recognise when a series is deserving of loyalty and love, and this one definitely fits that bill. It has all the elements of cozy I love; small town characters, a mystery within that circle, books, cats, and a constant theme (coffee) running through. It’s not a revolutionary formula but when it’s done right like this one it is such a relaxing read!

If you’re new to this series go back and read some of the older books to really get a feel for the characters and the town. This definitely can be read as stand alone but you do get a lot of background that way.

Four stars.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books by the author and have enjoyed every one of them.
This Bookstore Coffeeshop and its owner are once again involved in solving a crime.
The author writes easy to read and easy to picture it happening as you read cozy mysteries.
This one revolves around St. Patrick's Day and its celebrations.
Krissy has a popular bookstore/ coffeeshop and wants to have a celebratory festive holiday drink but being that she doesn't have a liquor license she has to team up with a local bar owner and she'll provide the coffee for this festive drink, Irish coffee. While the drinks are popular and selling fast the bar owner feels pretty sick but makes light of it.
In this bar you can get a delightful drink, but it may not be such a popular choice when it's found to be served up with a side of murder after the bar owner is found dead.
The mystery was a good one and there was quite the suspect list. I didn't figure out who did it before it was revealed.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krissy is teaming up with a local bar owner to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day. Then the bar owner's body was found the next day. Between brewing, and bookselling, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects.
This was a great holiday cozy mystery to curl up with on a cold night with your favorite hot cocoa or coffee. Krissy is a great amateur sleuth who tries to work with her detective husband in finding the truth over her friend's death. I find all the characters likable, and the plot kept me guessing until the culprit was revealed in the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not like Krissy doesn’t have enough going on in her life right now, with a wedding coming up. But when the bar owner she partners with on her St. Patrick’s Day Irish coffee special is found dead, she finds herself adding so and get another murder to her list of things to do. Well, the luck of the Irish be with Krissy or will the murderer strike again before she can solve it?

This is the 15th book in this series and never has any one of the books ever been a disappointment. Each and every entry delivers a solid cozy for my coffee, loving heart. I also love that the author progresses are protagonist life through each and every book. It’s like a visit with friends each and every time.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I'm enjoying the recent books even more than the earlier ones. Krissy is a great main character, very likeable. She goes around town asking lots of questions (about the death of a new friend/colleague) but generally doesn't put herself into danger. I like that her relationships and work life are in a stable place now (no great personal drama) so she can focus on solving crimes and helping people. It looks like some changes are in her future. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock teams up with a local bar owner for an Irish coffee drink for St. Patrick's Day. When the bar owner ends up dead, Krissy feels the need to investigate and discover who had reason to kill him. Is it the other bar owners, not happy with having another competitor? Or is it one of the dead man's employees? In the midst of wedding plans, house hunting, her father's accident and the possibility of buying another business, Krissy is determined to reveal the murderer.
#DeathbyJava #Kensington Publishing #KensingtonCozies #NetGalley

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A St. Patrick’s Day murder but why and by whom? Coffee shop co-owner Krissy can’t rest until she figures out what happened to Bucky but with multiple suspects things are not easy and who exactly is the mysterious young woman who appears in a video?
I’ve never read anything in this series before but that wasn’t a problem as I had no problem in following relationships etc. hooray for the author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Irish Coffee by Alex Erickson has Pine Hills, Ohio celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The story is easy to read, with a relaxed pace and vivid descriptions that make the town feel real. Pine Hills was certainly going all out for St. Patrick’s Day. We get to meet the local bar owners which includes Bucky who Krissy was collaborating with for a St. Patrick’s coffee drink. When Bucky ends up murdered, Krissy, of course, feels compelled to investigate. Krissy runs around town asking questions. The mystery is simple and easily solved before the reveal. Krissy picks up three new employees along the way and considers buying her shop’s doppelganger from her rival in California. Wedding planning and looking at homes for sale are worked in between sleuthing and working. Death by Irish Coffee is the fifteenth A Bookstore Café Mystery and it can be read as a standalone for those new to the series (or for those who may have missed a book or three along the way). Death by Irish Coffee is a Éadromchroíoch cozy with a St. Patrick’s Day parade, a painful pinch, a dead bartender, house hunting, an injured father, nuptial planning, and a killer to catch.

[Lindsay Schukei · Rating 3 out of 5]

after first 3 chapters it got a little better. as the beginning just throws character out that u have no idea about. But after the third chapter it kinda starts becoming more like a regular mystery book. Definitely have a pen and pencil to write down all these characters to be able to keep track as the bookshop owner basically knows and talks to everyone in town in the book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I had not read the previous books in the series but I didn't feel lost. However, there were alot of characters to keep up with. I had requested an eArc of this book due to the bookstore environment/theme but there was not much of that in this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for a review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mystery for St. Paddy's Day!

[Guera25 · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's nothing new here, but at least there's a decent mystery if you're looking for something cozy and inoffensive.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Irish Coffee by Alex Erickson
Published by Kensington Cozies — many thanks to them and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest, mildly caffeinated thoughts.

Book fifteen. Fifteen! And yet somehow, this series still manages to pull a rabbit out of its plaid-lined, murder-mystery hat and serve it up fresh with a side of cinnamon-sprinkled intrigue. Death by Irish Coffee finds Krissy Hancock, Pine Hills’ unofficial detective-slash-bookstore café owner, knee-deep in another cozy crisis. Only this time, she’s mixing caffeine with St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans—and let me tell you, someone’s luck runs out real fast.

Krissy, ever the multitasker, is trying to plan a wedding, house hunt, AND run Death by Coffee while still managing to look human without mainlining espresso. To add to the chaos, she partners up with Bucky, the new bar owner in town, for a festive Irish Coffee collaboration. It’s a great idea—until Bucky drops dead, quite literally, the day after the party. And no, he didn’t just drink too much green beer and call it a night. This death has mystery written all over it—and when the police start shrugging their shoulders, Krissy rolls up her sleeves and grabs her investigative latte.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Does Krissy ever not find a body?” the answer is: not if she can help it. But that’s the charm of this series. Like a reliable friend who always has the tea (or in this case, the dark roast), Krissy doesn’t back down when something smells off—and this time, it’s not the Irish whiskey.

What makes this installment sing is how well Erickson juggles cozy with chaos. The murder mystery is genuinely twisty. I had my list of suspects, and just when I was ready to smugly pat myself on the back, the real killer came out of left field like a Guinness-fueled curveball. That never happens with cozies anymore. Most follow a formula, and while this one respects the tropes, it also plays with them just enough to keep things interesting. Bucky’s death feels layered—not just a plot device, but something that actually shakes Krissy up emotionally. You feel the impact.

Now, let’s talk supporting cast—because these people are half the reason I keep coming back. Vicki continues to be a chaotic delight. Mason remains dependable and just broody enough to keep you guessing if he’s going to finally spill some tea of his own. Paul, Krissy’s fiancé, is still criminally underrated and honestly deserves a vacation and a therapy session at this point. And Rita? Still queen of sass and smarts. Their dynamic adds humor and heart in equal measure, and you can tell Erickson knows these characters like the back of his coffee-stained notebook.

Also, can we please appreciate the actual real-life stress woven through the plot? Krissy isn’t just chasing down murderers in her spare time—she’s panicking over dog introductions, trying to balance finances, and figuring out how to move in with a man without losing her mind. These aren’t just side notes; they’re integrated into the story in a way that makes her feel like a real person—one you want to hug and then gently shake by the shoulders for getting involved yet again.

The pacing is solid. It never drags, even with all the subplots humming underneath the main murder arc. And the writing? Classic Erickson—smart, snappy, and refreshingly unpretentious. His sense of humor is subtle but sharp. I laughed out loud more than once, especially at Krissy’s internal commentary, which is basically every millennial woman who’s ever had to choose between investigating a murder or fixing her relationship with a passive-aggressive cat.

Favorite quote? Easy:
“Sometimes the truth doesn’t hit you over the head—it slips in while you’re distracted with a latte and a list of bad suspects.”
Honestly, frame it. Put it on a mug. I’ll buy ten.

The ending lands with impact—not just with the killer reveal (which was genuinely chef’s kiss), but with some subtle hints that bigger changes might be coming for Krissy and her crew. No spoilers, but if book sixteen doesn’t involve an awkward honeymoon, I’m writing a strongly worded letter to Pine Hills’ Chamber of Fictional Affairs.

Would I recommend this book? You bet your last biscotti I would. If you’re a cozy mystery fan who likes a well-paced whodunit with heart, humor, and enough caffeine to keep your TBR stack from collapsing in on itself, Death by Irish Coffee is the fix you need. You don’t have to read the whole series to enjoy it—but why deny yourself fourteen other charming little murder sprees?

Final rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // 5 perfectly brewed stars

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in my opinion rates higher than five stars. Alex Erickson writes a great mystery that makes me want to read all his books. I have never been disappointed in one of his Cozy mysteries. This book drew me in like water to a sponge. The mystery was baffling and not an easy one to solve. The Whodunnit a surprising shock. Every thing that makes a mystery intriguing for readers.
I highly recommend Death by Irish Coffee to readers of cozy mystery, suspense thrillers,
and to fans of the Author. It’s scheduled for release on 1/27/26. Available for preorder now.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
#DeathbyIrishCoffee #NetGalley