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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #11
A Crumble of Chaos
A Crumble of Chaos is the eleventh 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.
Every August, the town’s biggest motorcycle rally brings chrome, leather jackets and a whole lot of noise. Between managing Hazel’s conspiracies, Whit’s podcast production and serving Peachy Keen Lattes, Parker Hayes already has her hands full.
But when a beloved biker nearly dies in a suspicious crash, Parker’s plans for low-stress crumble fast. Everyone says it was a freak accident. Parker’s gut says otherwise.
As the peach crumble cools and the engines roar, Parker, her loyal dog Major, Whit, and friends dig into the truth behind the “accident.” The deeper she goes, the more she realizes Magnolia Grove’s latest chaos isn’t about rival bikers or rowdy tourists—it’s about family, fear and a secret someone would do anything to keep buried.
A Crumble of Chaos is a cozy mystery filled with secrets, twisty red herrings and the reminder that sometimes, the toughest battles aren’t fought on the open road—but in the quiet moments when you decide to fight for the people you love.
Every August, the town’s biggest motorcycle rally brings chrome, leather jackets and a whole lot of noise. Between managing Hazel’s conspiracies, Whit’s podcast production and serving Peachy Keen Lattes, Parker Hayes already has her hands full.
But when a beloved biker nearly dies in a suspicious crash, Parker’s plans for low-stress crumble fast. Everyone says it was a freak accident. Parker’s gut says otherwise.
As the peach crumble cools and the engines roar, Parker, her loyal dog Major, Whit, and friends dig into the truth behind the “accident.” The deeper she goes, the more she realizes Magnolia Grove’s latest chaos isn’t about rival bikers or rowdy tourists—it’s about family, fear and a secret someone would do anything to keep buried.
A Crumble of Chaos is a cozy mystery filled with secrets, twisty red herrings and the reminder that sometimes, the toughest battles aren’t fought on the open road—but in the quiet moments when you decide to fight for the people you love.
- GenresCozy Mystery
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 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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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 15, 2025
Excellent cozy mystery! I really enjoyed this plot! The main characters are a great group. Hint: This one’s not your ‘normal’ cozy mystery, but it’s still a cozy mystery!
August 13, 2025
I can’t read these fast enough! So of course I planned for my TBR list to be free and clear the day this was released!
As usual I enjoyed this mystery and I continue to love the town’s characters. I did enjoy the minor plot twist, too. That said, I felt like this one maybe wrapped up too quickly? I mean it was complete and all the pieces were there and it all made sense…so maybe it’s just my brain wanting MORE?!
Random: I also think this is the first book in which it’s actually spelled out that Major is a Boston Terrier?! I’ve been looking/waiting for it since Book 1 (I actually selected this series because I saw a Boston on the cover but then it was never actually mentioned). I keep waiting for him to get the zoomies.
ETA: I posted on facebook about the Boston Terrier issue and the author said “And yes, for some reason we were keeping Major's breed more to the imagination, despite him being on EVERY cover... Not sure what that logic was about.“
As usual I enjoyed this mystery and I continue to love the town’s characters. I did enjoy the minor plot twist, too. That said, I felt like this one maybe wrapped up too quickly? I mean it was complete and all the pieces were there and it all made sense…so maybe it’s just my brain wanting MORE?!
Random: I also think this is the first book in which it’s actually spelled out that Major is a Boston Terrier?! I’ve been looking/waiting for it since Book 1 (I actually selected this series because I saw a Boston on the cover but then it was never actually mentioned). I keep waiting for him to get the zoomies.
ETA: I posted on facebook about the Boston Terrier issue and the author said “And yes, for some reason we were keeping Major's breed more to the imagination, despite him being on EVERY cover... Not sure what that logic was about.“
August 24, 2025
Motorcycles and Mystery!
This was another enjoyable and entertaining addition to the series. The annual Biker rally is about to begin, and not everyone is happy about it. Some residents resent the noise and chaos it brings, while others welcome the revenue it will provide. There is also a new business in town, right next door to Parker's cafe. A combination biker shop and help center, and Parker's dad has caught the biker bug. After purchasing a three-wheel motorbike and donning motorcycle gear, he is ready to embrace the biker lifestyle, much to the chagrin of his wife.
On the day of the biker roar, there is a near-fatal accident involving one of the riders. Due to some shady-looking characters in town and suspicious activity, Parker's crime antenna is on full alert. But as she starts to investigate what to her appears to be a clear motive for murder, others are convinced it's just a wild conspiracy theory with no concrete evidence to back it up. Convinced her suspicions are correct, Parker goes into full sleuthing mode. But is she barking up the wrong tree, seeing events that don't exist? Convinced that she isn't wrong, she continues to search for answers as things come to a head with a very surprising ending!
This series continues to evolve around community, family, and unique relationships. You won't be disappointed with any of the books in this continuing saga.
This was another enjoyable and entertaining addition to the series. The annual Biker rally is about to begin, and not everyone is happy about it. Some residents resent the noise and chaos it brings, while others welcome the revenue it will provide. There is also a new business in town, right next door to Parker's cafe. A combination biker shop and help center, and Parker's dad has caught the biker bug. After purchasing a three-wheel motorbike and donning motorcycle gear, he is ready to embrace the biker lifestyle, much to the chagrin of his wife.
On the day of the biker roar, there is a near-fatal accident involving one of the riders. Due to some shady-looking characters in town and suspicious activity, Parker's crime antenna is on full alert. But as she starts to investigate what to her appears to be a clear motive for murder, others are convinced it's just a wild conspiracy theory with no concrete evidence to back it up. Convinced her suspicions are correct, Parker goes into full sleuthing mode. But is she barking up the wrong tree, seeing events that don't exist? Convinced that she isn't wrong, she continues to search for answers as things come to a head with a very surprising ending!
This series continues to evolve around community, family, and unique relationships. You won't be disappointed with any of the books in this continuing saga.
February 12, 2026
Parker and her Catch a Latte shop routines flow smoothly. Hazel, and now Renee, bakers extraordinaire are finding their groove as part of their partnership in Parker’s shop, a work in progress.
As Magnolia Grove moves into the Halloween season, a busy time in their community and a new haunted tour opens, a tragedy occurs that rocks the core of their hometown, and Parker is called for assistance to help quietly investigate, because of her retired past as a respected nationally known crime podcaster with a talent for solving murders, Parker begins piecing the clues together.
Fast paced action and of course the capable assistance and support from Parker’s beloved local historian boyfriend Whit Hawthorne, Hazel in her sleuth assistant Chaos Muffin mode 😜, hilarious, stalwart and supportive Nellie and the host of community members that makes every novel the jewel it is in the cozy community. The puzzle pieces lock together for Parker and she is stunned when she confronts the villain. When the villain is revealed, what a shocking surprise it is and an absolutely worthwhile read
As Magnolia Grove moves into the Halloween season, a busy time in their community and a new haunted tour opens, a tragedy occurs that rocks the core of their hometown, and Parker is called for assistance to help quietly investigate, because of her retired past as a respected nationally known crime podcaster with a talent for solving murders, Parker begins piecing the clues together.
Fast paced action and of course the capable assistance and support from Parker’s beloved local historian boyfriend Whit Hawthorne, Hazel in her sleuth assistant Chaos Muffin mode 😜, hilarious, stalwart and supportive Nellie and the host of community members that makes every novel the jewel it is in the cozy community. The puzzle pieces lock together for Parker and she is stunned when she confronts the villain. When the villain is revealed, what a shocking surprise it is and an absolutely worthwhile read
December 7, 2025
Motorcycle Mystery
I love these mysteries! This one centered around motorcycle culture. I loved that Parker's Dad tried to join the motorcycle mania in Magnolia Grove
There was some very thoughtful ideas in this book.
I love these mysteries! This one centered around motorcycle culture. I loved that Parker's Dad tried to join the motorcycle mania in Magnolia Grove
There was some very thoughtful ideas in this book.
August 24, 2025
Brilliant
Oh this one had me on the edge of my seat and biting my tongue and of course like Parker, got it totally wrong! Keep them coming Simone 😊
Oh this one had me on the edge of my seat and biting my tongue and of course like Parker, got it totally wrong! Keep them coming Simone 😊
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews