A Brew of Blunders: A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Book 9

A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #9

by Simone Stier

A Brew of Blunders is the ninth 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.

Opening night of Murder by the Decades was supposed to be a triumph. Instead, it ends in real tragedy—and Parker Hayes finds herself once again pulled into a mystery with more twists than a pretzel at intermission.

First, the cafe's AC gives out. Then her apartment flunks inspection. Now she’s crashing with Nellie Pritchett, whose house rules are longer than a Broadway playbill. But when the historic theater is threatened with closure, Parker must find a way to save it. Between serving up Iced Alibis and managing Major’s antics, she dives into the investigation—questioning dramatic divas and frazzled crew members.

Because in this production, the drama isn’t confined to the stage.

A Brew of Blunders is a charming, clue-filled cozy mystery with theatrical flair, eccentric suspects and one feisty sleuth who won’t let the curtain fall on justice.

THE CAFE CRIMES SERIES
Start your journey in Magnolia Grove with A Shot of Scandal (Book 1), then continue the adventure with A Drizzle of Danger (Book 2) and A Blend of Betrayal (Book 3). This is an ongoing mystery series, with new adventures in Magnolia Grove released regularly—so be sure to visit the Cafe Crimes Series Page for the latest updates!

All books in the series can be read as standalones.

Perfect for fans Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander, and Laura Childs.

Featuring favorite

Small-town Southern charmAmateur sleuth (Former true-crime podcaster)Culinary cozy (Coffee shop setting)Clean & wholesome mystery (No gore/profanity)Quirky animal sidekickLove the small-town charm of Magnolia Grove? Head to the coast for more mystery in Simone Stier’s Cape Fear Bookshop Mysteries, starting with Stacked in Suspicion.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Simone 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

Reviews

[Starr Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker and her Catch a Latte shop have seen a lot of brewing delights, danger and drama collide.
After all, Parker is a retired and well respected national crime pod show host and crime sleuth.
After being stalked and terrorized by a fan (now in prison) and her parents mugged in the city, Parker hung up her crime cast podcasting host shoes and fled a few state away, for a quieter life in picturesque Magnolia Grove.

Now that the beautifully restored theater has opened up and a new play debuts, Parker and local historian boyfriend Whit Hawthorne attend the show on opening night.

Parker’s plan for a peaceful romantic weekend for herself with Whit, while pet sitting her cafe shop restorer friend Clyde’s adorable dog Major is derailed, when murder strikes and the main actress of the play Lucinda, is murdered opening night.

With no shortage of suspects as the potential killer, local friend Sheriff Sinclair quietly asks Parker to assist quietly in the investigation.

Part of the cafe crime cozy mystery series delight is in the community family charm and the familiar hometown feel in the story- this group IS a family and one that as a reader, creates nostalgia for the days of my parent’s hometown. It isn’t as much like that today, even for me as a reader in my mid 60s where I live in a city, and I know my neighbors by name, pets, kids etc., but the feel of the story is evocative of the smaller towns where my sisters still live and has that kindness and charm and the appeal - neighbors know each other well, they still help each other out and look out for each other.

So Parker begins to search for clues, with help of her friends, talking to the actors, seeking motive, opportunity, possibly love, revenge, money etc, always fascinating to think through the how and why with the help of Parker’s sleuthing pals and her own process. By the end of the novel and the unexpected villain reveal, it is quite a surprise and an absolutely worthwhile read

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very puzzling murder mystery, a cast of unusual characters, filled with drama and guile!

Amazon synopsis:
Opening night of Murder by the Decades was supposed to be a triumph. Instead, it ends in real tragedy—and Parker Hayes finds herself once again pulled into a mystery with more twists than a pretzel at intermission.

First, the cafe's AC gives out. Then her apartment flunks inspection. Now she’s crashing with Nellie Pritchett, whose house rules are longer than a Broadway playbill. But when the historic theater is threatened with closure, Parker dives into the investigation—questioning dramatic divas, frazzled crew members and one suspiciously calm playwright.

Because in this production, the drama isn’t confined to the stage.

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of confusion

Plots galore make for several storylines that finally straighten out and give the reader a solid story that does work out. Telling more would ruin a really good story! Read it and enjoy!!

[Skater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a good story

This series never disappoints. Whether it’s the cast of characters, the great story telling, or just Major, they fail to keep you interested.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theater Performance Leads to Murder

I loved this mystery. The twists at the end were surprising. I loved this mystery!
I love the characters, and I love the town.