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All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery #8
Home Fries and Alibis
When a belligerent woman moves in across the street, café owner Gia Morelli has to call off the welcome wagon and call in the homicide squad . . .
When a nasty new neighbor moves into their peaceful community, Gia and everyone else in the neighborhood is ready to blow a fuse. The spiteful woman has quickly made a nuisance of herself, complaining to and about everyone there. Then she makes the grave mistake of falsely claiming Gia’s dog tore up her yard, and Gia goes ballistic, telling the woman to back off . . . or else. It was an impulsive move for Gia, but someone else decides an even more extreme approach is called for, and silences the woman—permanently.
Unnerved by the thought of a murderer living in her neighborhood, Gia begins digging into the victim’s life to figure out who would have wanted her dead. She soon discovers that the woman was not only malicious but was blackmailing people in the community. Even more surprising is that nearly everyone in the neighborhood has something to hide. Dead-set on rooting out the culprit, Gia has to determine who stood to lose the most if their secret was revealed, unaware that she’s perilously close to losing her own life . . .
Praise for the Books of Lena
“Hold on to your plates for this fast-paced mystery that will leave you hungering for more!” —J. C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, on Scone Cold Killer
“This has quickly become one of my favorite series! A well-written cozy mystery with a touch of the paranormal, making for a delightful story full of unexpected twists.” —Books a Plenty Book Reviews
“The future shows much success for this series! Fun, vibrant characters (as well as a sexy smolder or two for good measure) give the novel just the right tone.” —RT Book Reviews on Death at First Sight
About the
Lena Gregory is the author of the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, the Coffee and Cream Café Mysteries, and A Mini Meadows Mystery. She grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, and recently relocated to Clermont, Florida, with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking.
When a nasty new neighbor moves into their peaceful community, Gia and everyone else in the neighborhood is ready to blow a fuse. The spiteful woman has quickly made a nuisance of herself, complaining to and about everyone there. Then she makes the grave mistake of falsely claiming Gia’s dog tore up her yard, and Gia goes ballistic, telling the woman to back off . . . or else. It was an impulsive move for Gia, but someone else decides an even more extreme approach is called for, and silences the woman—permanently.
Unnerved by the thought of a murderer living in her neighborhood, Gia begins digging into the victim’s life to figure out who would have wanted her dead. She soon discovers that the woman was not only malicious but was blackmailing people in the community. Even more surprising is that nearly everyone in the neighborhood has something to hide. Dead-set on rooting out the culprit, Gia has to determine who stood to lose the most if their secret was revealed, unaware that she’s perilously close to losing her own life . . .
Praise for the Books of Lena
“Hold on to your plates for this fast-paced mystery that will leave you hungering for more!” —J. C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, on Scone Cold Killer
“This has quickly become one of my favorite series! A well-written cozy mystery with a touch of the paranormal, making for a delightful story full of unexpected twists.” —Books a Plenty Book Reviews
“The future shows much success for this series! Fun, vibrant characters (as well as a sexy smolder or two for good measure) give the novel just the right tone.” —RT Book Reviews on Death at First Sight
About the
Lena Gregory is the author of the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, the Coffee and Cream Café Mysteries, and A Mini Meadows Mystery. She grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, and recently relocated to Clermont, Florida, with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 4, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A cantankerous neighbor of Gia Morelli is disrupting the whole neighborhood. She has even said Gia’s wonderful dog, Thor, has dug holes all over her yard. Gia decides to install cameras all around her house to prove the woman wrong, but before the matter can be put to rest, someone has killed Gladys Hoffmeier, and her murder was caught partially on her new camera. Not enough to identify the killer, though.
Gia can’t believe there is a murderer nearby, so she decides to investigate the woman’s death herself and finds plenty of suspects. Gia’s neighbors have secrets, and Gladys was using those secrets to her advantage. Gia digs deep to determine which neighbor’s secret was big enough to warrant murder, but before she can figure it out, she may be the next neighbor being buried six feet under.
In this 8th All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, all our favorite characters return to solve another mystery. Gia, Samantha, and the men who love them are some of my favorite cozy characters. Alfie is a fun character too, already ready to use his advanced techy knowledge to help with any investigation. In addition to our faves, Ms. Gregory has created a character that easily gets our dander up, even before all of her vile actions were fully brought to light. Thor is an awesome pup, and she was blaming him for behavior with no actual evidence.
This mystery is very well-plotted with layers that are peeled back with every twist, turn, and well-placed red herring. When Samantha makes a keen observation, they do call Hunt and Leo, but soon thereafter, all hell breaks loose. There are some tense and scary times. The community really pulled together as chaos broke out around them. But once order was thought to be restored, we see the chaos has just moved to a different location; all of it had me on the edge of my seat. Then it was the waiting, and again the community gathered together in support. One character took a monumental leap to answer a question and to be there in support. Soon, the clues, information, and evidence started to come together thanks to the wonderful Alfie, but there was still an important piece missing … oh my stars, back to the edge of my seat until an epic takedown.
I love the way Ms. Gregory tells a story. Her wonderful characters draw you into every All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, and the mystery takes hold until the very last page. Home Fries and Alibis is an excellent example of this. With geniune characters, a very perplexing mystery, plenty of drama tempered by some truly heartwarming moments, this book will delight every cozy mystery fan. Lena Gregory has served up another Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
A cantankerous neighbor of Gia Morelli is disrupting the whole neighborhood. She has even said Gia’s wonderful dog, Thor, has dug holes all over her yard. Gia decides to install cameras all around her house to prove the woman wrong, but before the matter can be put to rest, someone has killed Gladys Hoffmeier, and her murder was caught partially on her new camera. Not enough to identify the killer, though.
Gia can’t believe there is a murderer nearby, so she decides to investigate the woman’s death herself and finds plenty of suspects. Gia’s neighbors have secrets, and Gladys was using those secrets to her advantage. Gia digs deep to determine which neighbor’s secret was big enough to warrant murder, but before she can figure it out, she may be the next neighbor being buried six feet under.
In this 8th All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, all our favorite characters return to solve another mystery. Gia, Samantha, and the men who love them are some of my favorite cozy characters. Alfie is a fun character too, already ready to use his advanced techy knowledge to help with any investigation. In addition to our faves, Ms. Gregory has created a character that easily gets our dander up, even before all of her vile actions were fully brought to light. Thor is an awesome pup, and she was blaming him for behavior with no actual evidence.
This mystery is very well-plotted with layers that are peeled back with every twist, turn, and well-placed red herring. When Samantha makes a keen observation, they do call Hunt and Leo, but soon thereafter, all hell breaks loose. There are some tense and scary times. The community really pulled together as chaos broke out around them. But once order was thought to be restored, we see the chaos has just moved to a different location; all of it had me on the edge of my seat. Then it was the waiting, and again the community gathered together in support. One character took a monumental leap to answer a question and to be there in support. Soon, the clues, information, and evidence started to come together thanks to the wonderful Alfie, but there was still an important piece missing … oh my stars, back to the edge of my seat until an epic takedown.
I love the way Ms. Gregory tells a story. Her wonderful characters draw you into every All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, and the mystery takes hold until the very last page. Home Fries and Alibis is an excellent example of this. With geniune characters, a very perplexing mystery, plenty of drama tempered by some truly heartwarming moments, this book will delight every cozy mystery fan. Lena Gregory has served up another Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
October 2, 2025
"Home Fries and Alibis (An All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery #8)" by Lena Gregory starts off with Gia and her friends trying to figure out how to prevent an obnoxious neighbor from potentially harming her dog, Thor. The neighbor claims Gia's dog was getting into her yard and digging holes. Then threatened to harm the dog or make Gia pay somehow if he was in her yard again. Luckily Gia has a very techie friend who set up cameras around her house and just happened to catch some of the neighbors yard. In case they could find out who really is digging up the lady's yard.
Well, good thing they do. It wasn't a hole digger they caught but something that required a wellness check by the police. This all unravels into a murder investigation and some blackmail within the HOA community.
I had a couple minor complaints about this book. They're just personal annoyances though. Overall this one is a fairly standalone book. You still get attached to the characters but you might be a tiny bit more so if you'd read the past books.
Well, good thing they do. It wasn't a hole digger they caught but something that required a wellness check by the police. This all unravels into a murder investigation and some blackmail within the HOA community.
I had a couple minor complaints about this book. They're just personal annoyances though. Overall this one is a fairly standalone book. You still get attached to the characters but you might be a tiny bit more so if you'd read the past books.
August 29, 2025
Gina Morelli, owner of the All Day Breakfast Café and recent transfer to Boggy Creek, Florida, has just about got used to living alongside bears, snakes, and raccoons while also avoiding her new and very unpleasant neighbour. That is until the woman threatens her dog, Thor, and then Gia finally loses her cool. Unfortunately, not long afterwards, a body is found just across the street from Gia’s house and everyone who had a disagreement with her is a suspect in the unexpected death. Gia’s fiance, Chief Hunter Quinn, is straight on the case but it's soon clear the victim wasn't above a spot of blackmail and there are a lot of potential suspects to consider. When the killer strikes again, far too close to home, Gia knows she has to work harder to help Hunt before someone else dies.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Beyond the Page Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. Although this was my first visit to this series I had enjoyed other work by this author so was hopeful. I wasn't at all disappointed, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and liked Gia especially. She was a fun main protagonist and easy to want to succeed. I will definitely be looking out for any new books in the series as well as those which have gone before.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Beyond the Page Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. Although this was my first visit to this series I had enjoyed other work by this author so was hopeful. I wasn't at all disappointed, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and liked Gia especially. She was a fun main protagonist and easy to want to succeed. I will definitely be looking out for any new books in the series as well as those which have gone before.
August 26, 2025
First an admission, with another review already waiting to be written, I didn't set out to read this one in one day. Just a quick peek, I thought. I'm always drawn to character driven stories, however, and the next thing I knew it was almost time to think about a mid-evening snack as I pondered the ending. All-Day Breakfast Cafe owner Gia Morelli is beginning to feel at home in the Rolling Pines area on the outskirts of Florida's Ocala National Forest but wasn't prepared to find herself living across the street from a murder scene. Ironically, she'd just had a confrontation with the victim, Gladys, earlier when Gladys accused her dog of digging up her lawn and threatened to take care of it permanently if it happened again. Gia's dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Thor, had been inside at the time and was always closely monitored and on leash when out, but the woman had loudly persisted. Turns out that this sort of run-in with a neighbor wasn't a rarity for Gladys, so the suspect list was rather long when she was found dead.
Although a relative late-comer to the series, as noted, I've come to like the characters and how well they mesh their skills and personalities to work through their amateur investigations. Given that Gia's best friend Savannah's husband Leo is with the police, as is Gia's boyfriend Hunt, they obviously aren't just flailing around in the dark. Alfie, their friend with some serious computer and hacking skills, is a stand-out this go-round and I had admired him for potentially putting himself in hot water with the police near the end for the benefit of his friends. A sense of community shines forth in this installment, making Gia realize she really, really needs to get to know her neighbors better. Let's just say, the neighbors are their for them when the time comes. Another stand-out character, one willing to fight his own inner demons that prevent him from being easily being able to enter a building of any sort, is Harley, who I recalled vividly from the previous book. He's there for Savannah in her time of need once again, offering support.
In other words, it's the characters that drew me into the series and made this one a stand-out to me. Now, true, I did have a couple quibbles with Gia, such as her tendency to venture out without her cell phone on her instead of someplace else in her purse or on a table. As she acknowledges, she let her guard down, so it's obvious she's recognizing some basics she needs to work on. Let's face it, how many of us really think we're going to be attacked when we venture out our doors, though she's trying. Bottom line, a fast-paced mystery that held my attention from the beginning. Thanks #BeyondThePagePublishing for this early peek at what's going on with Gia and her circle of friends. What a great ending after that emotional roller-coaster at the end.
Although a relative late-comer to the series, as noted, I've come to like the characters and how well they mesh their skills and personalities to work through their amateur investigations. Given that Gia's best friend Savannah's husband Leo is with the police, as is Gia's boyfriend Hunt, they obviously aren't just flailing around in the dark. Alfie, their friend with some serious computer and hacking skills, is a stand-out this go-round and I had admired him for potentially putting himself in hot water with the police near the end for the benefit of his friends. A sense of community shines forth in this installment, making Gia realize she really, really needs to get to know her neighbors better. Let's just say, the neighbors are their for them when the time comes. Another stand-out character, one willing to fight his own inner demons that prevent him from being easily being able to enter a building of any sort, is Harley, who I recalled vividly from the previous book. He's there for Savannah in her time of need once again, offering support.
In other words, it's the characters that drew me into the series and made this one a stand-out to me. Now, true, I did have a couple quibbles with Gia, such as her tendency to venture out without her cell phone on her instead of someplace else in her purse or on a table. As she acknowledges, she let her guard down, so it's obvious she's recognizing some basics she needs to work on. Let's face it, how many of us really think we're going to be attacked when we venture out our doors, though she's trying. Bottom line, a fast-paced mystery that held my attention from the beginning. Thanks #BeyondThePagePublishing for this early peek at what's going on with Gia and her circle of friends. What a great ending after that emotional roller-coaster at the end.
November 1, 2025
Home Fries and Alibis
By: Lena Gregory
Book 8 of An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery
Publish Date: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Cooking, Food and Wine/ Mystery and Thriller
#HomeFriesandAlibis#NetGalley
I would like to thank both Beyond the Page publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Book Review:
This is the first book that I have read in the series. The author does a great job in letting you know a little background of each character that you really don't need to read the other books. But, if you want the true back story you should read this series in order., which I will do in the future.
With that being said I gave this book 4 stars. I love the friendship in this book and how they stand beside each other during good times and bad times. I also love the fact that each character has a love for animals.
In this book Gia is confronted by a neighbor about how her dog is digging holes in her yard. It gets a little nasty, and Gia is threatened that her could get hurt. This neighbor has been nasty to several other people in the area, so Gia tries to shake it off.
To protect herself and her dog Gia has a security camera installed by a friend. Early the next day Gia notices something across the street and calls her fiancé who is a detective with the police force. Come to find out the nasty neighbor is dead and looks like she was murdered. This upsets Gia because even though she didn't like the lady she didn't want her dead.
As the investigation goes on they find out some not nice things that this neighbor was doing, and a lot of people would have like to have seen her dead. Who killed her and why? Too many suspects to go through. You will have to read the book to find out who did it.
By: Lena Gregory
Book 8 of An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery
Publish Date: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Cooking, Food and Wine/ Mystery and Thriller
#HomeFriesandAlibis#NetGalley
I would like to thank both Beyond the Page publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Book Review:
This is the first book that I have read in the series. The author does a great job in letting you know a little background of each character that you really don't need to read the other books. But, if you want the true back story you should read this series in order., which I will do in the future.
With that being said I gave this book 4 stars. I love the friendship in this book and how they stand beside each other during good times and bad times. I also love the fact that each character has a love for animals.
In this book Gia is confronted by a neighbor about how her dog is digging holes in her yard. It gets a little nasty, and Gia is threatened that her could get hurt. This neighbor has been nasty to several other people in the area, so Gia tries to shake it off.
To protect herself and her dog Gia has a security camera installed by a friend. Early the next day Gia notices something across the street and calls her fiancé who is a detective with the police force. Come to find out the nasty neighbor is dead and looks like she was murdered. This upsets Gia because even though she didn't like the lady she didn't want her dead.
As the investigation goes on they find out some not nice things that this neighbor was doing, and a lot of people would have like to have seen her dead. Who killed her and why? Too many suspects to go through. You will have to read the book to find out who did it.
October 5, 2025
HOME FRIES AND ALIBIS by Lena Gregory
The Eighth All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
Life in Central Florida is agreeing with Gia Morelli. She owns the popular All-Day Breakfast Café and has a dynamic group of friends as well as a fiancé who loves her. She has a wonderful home in a peaceful neighborhood. She's even getting used to the bears, raccoons, snakes, and other critters that live nearby. What she can't get used to is her new neighbor. The once idyllic community has been shattered by the arrival of Gladys Hoffmeier. Gladys is nasty, belligerent, and has called 911 on her neighbors so many times she's been banned. But she crosses the line when she descends on Gia's home accusing Thor, Gia's Bernese mountain dog, of digging in her yard. Gia manages to control her temper until Gladys threatens to shoot Thor. The following morning Gladys is found dead. Pretty much everyone who met the woman had a reason to want her dead, but who actually did the deed?
Emotions run high in the eighth All-Day Breakfast Café. Gia is a better person than I. If someone threatened my animals and wound up dead I'd be satisfied and ready to dance on that person's grave. Gia and Savannah actually feel bad, wanting the woman gone, but not dead, and are ready to figure out just who killed her.
HOME FRIES AND ALIBIS is a well plotted mystery with no end of suspects and a wide range of motives, a list made even longer when blackmail comes to light. There are thrilling, pulse pounding moments. There are also quiet contemplative moments and moments of fun.
The characters are the heart of the story. Gia and Savannah's friendship so close as to be family. Leo and Hunt, Cole and Earl, Alfie's exuberance, I could go on. The people are more than characters on a page. They're people you want to make a part of your life.
With a heartwarming sense of community HOME FRIES AND ALIBIS is a cozy hug in book form.
The Eighth All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
Life in Central Florida is agreeing with Gia Morelli. She owns the popular All-Day Breakfast Café and has a dynamic group of friends as well as a fiancé who loves her. She has a wonderful home in a peaceful neighborhood. She's even getting used to the bears, raccoons, snakes, and other critters that live nearby. What she can't get used to is her new neighbor. The once idyllic community has been shattered by the arrival of Gladys Hoffmeier. Gladys is nasty, belligerent, and has called 911 on her neighbors so many times she's been banned. But she crosses the line when she descends on Gia's home accusing Thor, Gia's Bernese mountain dog, of digging in her yard. Gia manages to control her temper until Gladys threatens to shoot Thor. The following morning Gladys is found dead. Pretty much everyone who met the woman had a reason to want her dead, but who actually did the deed?
Emotions run high in the eighth All-Day Breakfast Café. Gia is a better person than I. If someone threatened my animals and wound up dead I'd be satisfied and ready to dance on that person's grave. Gia and Savannah actually feel bad, wanting the woman gone, but not dead, and are ready to figure out just who killed her.
HOME FRIES AND ALIBIS is a well plotted mystery with no end of suspects and a wide range of motives, a list made even longer when blackmail comes to light. There are thrilling, pulse pounding moments. There are also quiet contemplative moments and moments of fun.
The characters are the heart of the story. Gia and Savannah's friendship so close as to be family. Leo and Hunt, Cole and Earl, Alfie's exuberance, I could go on. The people are more than characters on a page. They're people you want to make a part of your life.
With a heartwarming sense of community HOME FRIES AND ALIBIS is a cozy hug in book form.
October 6, 2025
Home Fries and Alibis is the eighth book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Gia has a new neighbor causing all kind of havoc in the HOA. When Gladys brings her drama to Gia's front door, Gia is having none of it and gets into a heat argument with her nasty neighbor. Shortly after the confrontation between the two, Gladys is found dead in her yard. Knowing that murder isn't the answer, Gia, Samantha, and others in their friend circle start looking into Gladys. What they find out about Gladys is shocking, sickening, and, infuriating. Now the group must try to figure out who among those in Gladys's sights could have committed the deed. There are so many suspects with means, motive, and opportunity.
Full disclosure, certain scenes in this story made me sob. When you've been invested in these characters for so long, and you have a magnificent writer, you can't help but become emotional. This book though? Absolute mess (me, not the book)!
Lena Gregory does a remarkable job setting up the mystery, creating suspense and drama, creating and developing wonderful characters, and continually expanding an enjoyable world. I love Gia and Samantha. They both have pasts that have defined who they are in the present - good and bad. I love watching them both evolve, develop, and grow. Hunt and Leo are the amazing men in our favorite gals' lives. The secondary characters in this book continue to bring realism to this series.
Home Fries and Alibis is another great book in this series. The book is perfectly paces - not too fast or too slow. I was pulled in from the very beginning and engaged throughout the entire book. The story was exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. With volume and caliber of suspects, I found it difficult to pinpoint the actual perpetrator of the crime. Once revealed it made sense but the author did a great job masking and then unmasking our bad guy. I really enjoy the author's writing style and devour every book she publishes.
Full disclosure, certain scenes in this story made me sob. When you've been invested in these characters for so long, and you have a magnificent writer, you can't help but become emotional. This book though? Absolute mess (me, not the book)!
Lena Gregory does a remarkable job setting up the mystery, creating suspense and drama, creating and developing wonderful characters, and continually expanding an enjoyable world. I love Gia and Samantha. They both have pasts that have defined who they are in the present - good and bad. I love watching them both evolve, develop, and grow. Hunt and Leo are the amazing men in our favorite gals' lives. The secondary characters in this book continue to bring realism to this series.
Home Fries and Alibis is another great book in this series. The book is perfectly paces - not too fast or too slow. I was pulled in from the very beginning and engaged throughout the entire book. The story was exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. With volume and caliber of suspects, I found it difficult to pinpoint the actual perpetrator of the crime. Once revealed it made sense but the author did a great job masking and then unmasking our bad guy. I really enjoy the author's writing style and devour every book she publishes.
September 17, 2025
In Home Fries and Alibis (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery), Lena Gregory delivers another delicious cozy mystery that readers are sure to enjoy! Gia Morelli finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation when a neighbor is murdered. Sure, no one liked her. I guess that’s what happens when you blackmail them! With her unlikable personality, there are lots of potential killers, and that’s only counting people in the neighborhood!
Lena Gregory is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. I’ve never been disappointed by any of her books, and Home Fries and Alibis definitely doesn’t disappoint! I loved it! Since it’s been about 18 months since the last All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, I had to reacquaint myself with the town and its characters. Once I got a few chapters in, I was right back in the thick of things in Boggy Creek, Florida with Gia and her friends.
Reading this reminded me of just how much I love these characters! I don’t want to share spoilers with you; however with this being book 8, you know the homeless character Harley almost never enters a building. Therefore, you will really be crying at how he supports Savannah, Gia’s BFF, when she really needs her friends. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this emotional reading a cozy mystery! I love how the characters in the book are so close and are like a found family.
Not only does the author excel at bringing her main characters to life, she also brings well-written side characters, including murder victims, to the book. You love to hate Gladys…though we shouldn’t hate people in real life! She’s really sleazy and scheming, and the more you find out about her, the more you can’t stand her! Then there are the side characters who are suspects and red herrings. They seem nice on the surface, but you just don’t know if that’s all an act!
All in all, Gregory delivers a first-rate cozy mystery. It has a meticulously-plotted mystery, delicious food (can’t leave that out!), well-written characters, and an emotional element that really makes it stand out! I highly recommend it! 5 stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Lena Gregory is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. I’ve never been disappointed by any of her books, and Home Fries and Alibis definitely doesn’t disappoint! I loved it! Since it’s been about 18 months since the last All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, I had to reacquaint myself with the town and its characters. Once I got a few chapters in, I was right back in the thick of things in Boggy Creek, Florida with Gia and her friends.
Reading this reminded me of just how much I love these characters! I don’t want to share spoilers with you; however with this being book 8, you know the homeless character Harley almost never enters a building. Therefore, you will really be crying at how he supports Savannah, Gia’s BFF, when she really needs her friends. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this emotional reading a cozy mystery! I love how the characters in the book are so close and are like a found family.
Not only does the author excel at bringing her main characters to life, she also brings well-written side characters, including murder victims, to the book. You love to hate Gladys…though we shouldn’t hate people in real life! She’s really sleazy and scheming, and the more you find out about her, the more you can’t stand her! Then there are the side characters who are suspects and red herrings. They seem nice on the surface, but you just don’t know if that’s all an act!
All in all, Gregory delivers a first-rate cozy mystery. It has a meticulously-plotted mystery, delicious food (can’t leave that out!), well-written characters, and an emotional element that really makes it stand out! I highly recommend it! 5 stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
October 8, 2025
This is the eighth book in the All-Day Breakfast Café mysteries and has all the usual suspects. Gia and Samantha and Leo and Hunt along with Alfie and his crazy computer skills. I will admit, Alfie is one of my favorite characters.
In this story, Gia has a new neighbor who is downright nasty. When she knocks on Gia’s door, accusing her dog of digging up her yard, Gia loses it. With the help of Alfie, she sets out to prove that it is not Thor that is doing the digging. But what they uncover is murder. And Gia is the main suspect.
The friends come together to find out who killed the nasty woman and in doing so, uncover some hidden nastiness in their town. Blackmail, embezzlement, cheating, and more are discovered in their search, but it is Alfie’s skills that finally help Gia solve the mystery – but not before her own life is endangered.
I love the characters the author has created and the small-town vibe. I want to go sit at the diner and have some sweet potato hash. I love that Gia gets to experiment with new recipes that sound so good that I want to try them. I also really liked the ending and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
December 18, 2025
Gladys was an evil woman. There can be no doubt about that. Whoever murdered her did the world a favour but murder is murder and frowned upon when your fiance is a local detective. Gia is shocked when she learns of the murder. She and Gladys had a run in the morning before but that was a common occurrence where Gladys was concerned. Thanks to the reliable grapevine of gossip, she learns more about Gladys’ various plots and schemes and with each one, more suspects come to the forefront. It seems she had a thriving blackmail business and some of her victims will do anything to get hold of the book with the names and details.
Gia’s best friend, Savannah, and tech whiz Alfie work together but Gia realizes there is something bothering Savannah. Soon she is going to have more concerns piled on each other. But the strength of the “family” Gia has developed since coming to town are there to support friends in need. One in particular will be a guardian angel. Even though I twigged quickly to the two major twists, it is always interesting to see how things evolve in the story and there are enough unexpected bits to satisfy immensely. I stayed up too late reading which is a compliment to the author. Five pools and two paws up.
Gia’s best friend, Savannah, and tech whiz Alfie work together but Gia realizes there is something bothering Savannah. Soon she is going to have more concerns piled on each other. But the strength of the “family” Gia has developed since coming to town are there to support friends in need. One in particular will be a guardian angel. Even though I twigged quickly to the two major twists, it is always interesting to see how things evolve in the story and there are enough unexpected bits to satisfy immensely. I stayed up too late reading which is a compliment to the author. Five pools and two paws up.
September 14, 2025
I love me a cosy murder mystery, but I have to be honest, this wasn't one of my favourites.
I like my main character to be smart and in this one at least, Gia just kept putting herself in harms way for no real reason and needing someone else to come to her rescue. I've not read the others in the series and maybe I should have done - these books should work on their own, but it felt as if I was missing important context clues because I've not read the rest.
There was also a moment when she uses her phone for it's flashlight, only to then panic and be in danger but she can't call for help because she's left her phone in the car. It's bits like that, where a proof reader would have been very useful just to help.
There were plenty of enjoyable mini moments, and I enjoyed the found family vibes at the diner.
The main reason I can't rate it any higher however is because of how little impact any of the main character's actually have on the plot. She barely investigates and the dramatic conclusion would have happened in exactly the same way, even if she had done nothing.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I like my main character to be smart and in this one at least, Gia just kept putting herself in harms way for no real reason and needing someone else to come to her rescue. I've not read the others in the series and maybe I should have done - these books should work on their own, but it felt as if I was missing important context clues because I've not read the rest.
There was also a moment when she uses her phone for it's flashlight, only to then panic and be in danger but she can't call for help because she's left her phone in the car. It's bits like that, where a proof reader would have been very useful just to help.
There were plenty of enjoyable mini moments, and I enjoyed the found family vibes at the diner.
The main reason I can't rate it any higher however is because of how little impact any of the main character's actually have on the plot. She barely investigates and the dramatic conclusion would have happened in exactly the same way, even if she had done nothing.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
September 15, 2025
I picked up this book expecting a good ole' cozy murder mystery set in a quaint town with lovable characters - that's what they usually are right? This unfortunately doesn't deliver. It has all of the elements of that kind of story, while sadly never bringing them together.
Gia - the main character - is way too much of a damsel in distress. Rather than being gritty and determined; she's scared of everything outside her front door, constantly in need of rescue and somehow literally every decision she makes is wrong. Her fiance Hunt is - I presume - supposed to be the MMC, but is absent and ineffective throughout. None of the characters we meet actually have any effect on the plot or its conclusion, and there are some pretty major logic leaps and plot holes which let this book down.
However I didn't hate this by any means. A couple of the characters - particularly Alfie and Harley - seemed adorable and I'd like to know more about them. There were moments of humour and could have been moments of real intrigue - but sadly I don't think enough to entice me back into this world.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Gia - the main character - is way too much of a damsel in distress. Rather than being gritty and determined; she's scared of everything outside her front door, constantly in need of rescue and somehow literally every decision she makes is wrong. Her fiance Hunt is - I presume - supposed to be the MMC, but is absent and ineffective throughout. None of the characters we meet actually have any effect on the plot or its conclusion, and there are some pretty major logic leaps and plot holes which let this book down.
However I didn't hate this by any means. A couple of the characters - particularly Alfie and Harley - seemed adorable and I'd like to know more about them. There were moments of humour and could have been moments of real intrigue - but sadly I don't think enough to entice me back into this world.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
September 23, 2025
Gia Morelli has a difficult neighbor who falsely claims that Gia's Bernese Mountain Dog Thor is tearing up her yard - and she is threatening toward the dog. The neighbor ends up dead and Gia sets out to solve the mystery - especially as she feels she is in danger herself.
I wanted to read Home Fries and Alibis because I love the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series. I try to read each of the books when they are released.
This was an engrossing, fast moving mystery. As always, I enjoyed Gia's sleuthing with the help of her friends Savannah and Alfie. They combined technology and old fashioned sleuthing in this mystery.
I also like the setting, the foodie details from the breakfast cafe, and the atmosphere of Gia's Florida small town.
Her relationship with police captain Hunt is moving along, and her dog and cat were featured prominently in this story. As an animal lover, I appreciated that Gia and Savannah were very careful to keep their pets safe in the midst of all the danger in their little neighborhood.
I recommend Home Fries and Alibis - and this whole series - for other cozy mystery fans! It is such a well written, smartly plotted mystery series.
I wanted to read Home Fries and Alibis because I love the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series. I try to read each of the books when they are released.
This was an engrossing, fast moving mystery. As always, I enjoyed Gia's sleuthing with the help of her friends Savannah and Alfie. They combined technology and old fashioned sleuthing in this mystery.
I also like the setting, the foodie details from the breakfast cafe, and the atmosphere of Gia's Florida small town.
Her relationship with police captain Hunt is moving along, and her dog and cat were featured prominently in this story. As an animal lover, I appreciated that Gia and Savannah were very careful to keep their pets safe in the midst of all the danger in their little neighborhood.
I recommend Home Fries and Alibis - and this whole series - for other cozy mystery fans! It is such a well written, smartly plotted mystery series.
September 22, 2025
"Home Fries and Alibis" is the 8th installment in Lena Gregory's "All Day Breakfast Cafe" Mystery series, and it's a real treat. I love this series, and each book seems to get better than the last.
The relationships between Gia, Savannah, and the café staff are truly special. They're like a family, and their interactions are warm, caring, and sometimes humorous. It's great to see how they support each other through thick and thin.
The story is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I was hooked from the start and couldn't put the book down. The hospital scene was particularly emotional, and I almost cried a few times.
The characters are well-developed, and the story is full of intrigue. I read this book in one sitting, and I'm already eagerly awaiting the next instalment hopefully I won’t have to wait another year.
I highly recommend "Home Fries and Alibis" to all my cozy lover friends. Lena Gregory has a way of crafting stories that are both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The relationships between Gia, Savannah, and the café staff are truly special. They're like a family, and their interactions are warm, caring, and sometimes humorous. It's great to see how they support each other through thick and thin.
The story is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I was hooked from the start and couldn't put the book down. The hospital scene was particularly emotional, and I almost cried a few times.
The characters are well-developed, and the story is full of intrigue. I read this book in one sitting, and I'm already eagerly awaiting the next instalment hopefully I won’t have to wait another year.
I highly recommend "Home Fries and Alibis" to all my cozy lover friends. Lena Gregory has a way of crafting stories that are both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
If you love your mysteries cozy and your characters delightfully nosy, Home Fries and Alibis is a tasty treat. Lena Gregory serves up another helping of chaos in the All-Day Breakfast Café series, and this time, Gia Morelli’s peaceful neighborhood gets a rude awakening—a new neighbor who’s got more venom than vinegar.
Things spiral fast when the neighbor ends up dead and Gia finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, blackmail, and small-town drama. The plot is snappy, the suspects are plenty, and the stakes feel real without ever losing that cozy charm. Gia’s sleuthing is equal parts clever and chaotic, and her dog—who’s falsely accused of yard destruction—is an absolute star.
It’s got all the ingredients: quirky locals, a dash of danger, and just enough sass to keep you flipping pages. Perfect for fans of mysteries that come with a side of pancakes and a whole lot of personality.
With thanks to Lena Gregory, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Things spiral fast when the neighbor ends up dead and Gia finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, blackmail, and small-town drama. The plot is snappy, the suspects are plenty, and the stakes feel real without ever losing that cozy charm. Gia’s sleuthing is equal parts clever and chaotic, and her dog—who’s falsely accused of yard destruction—is an absolute star.
It’s got all the ingredients: quirky locals, a dash of danger, and just enough sass to keep you flipping pages. Perfect for fans of mysteries that come with a side of pancakes and a whole lot of personality.
With thanks to Lena Gregory, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 24, 2025
Home Fries and Alibis is book #8 in the An All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series by Lena Gregory.
I really enjoy this series. Gia has a neighbor who doesn’t get along with anyone. She delights in causing problems for others and then she decides to blame Gia‘s dog Thor for damage to her yard. When she turns up dead, there’s plenty of suspects. Gia investigates and may end up in the crosshairs of the killer. As much as I enjoyed the mystery in this book. my favorite part is the characters. We’ve grown to know them throughout the series and it’s fun seeing how relationships have developed and the characters have grown. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really enjoy this series. Gia has a neighbor who doesn’t get along with anyone. She delights in causing problems for others and then she decides to blame Gia‘s dog Thor for damage to her yard. When she turns up dead, there’s plenty of suspects. Gia investigates and may end up in the crosshairs of the killer. As much as I enjoyed the mystery in this book. my favorite part is the characters. We’ve grown to know them throughout the series and it’s fun seeing how relationships have developed and the characters have grown. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 23, 2025
I always love catching up with Gia, Savannah and all their friends and family down in Boggy Creek, FL. The neighbors in Gia’s subdivision had that neighbor that no one could stand, and when that person was murdered, no one really knew who they could trust. Gia and Savannah did their usual sleuthing around.
There were some sad, anxious then happy moments that I’ll recommend having a tissue or two on hand for. The showdown was really awesome and I absolutely loved what Gia did to that perp. The final chapter was filled with food, family and fellowship along with some happy news from some of the friends. I can't wait to read the next book now!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
There were some sad, anxious then happy moments that I’ll recommend having a tissue or two on hand for. The showdown was really awesome and I absolutely loved what Gia did to that perp. The final chapter was filled with food, family and fellowship along with some happy news from some of the friends. I can't wait to read the next book now!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
This was such a fun and fast-paced cozy mystery. Gia Morelli is a great main character smart, caring, and always ready to jump into a mystery, even when danger is close.
In this story, Gia’s not-so-friendly neighbour causes trouble, especially by threatening her dog. When the neighbour ends up dead, things get serious fast. Gia knows she didn’t do it, but with so many suspects, she has to help figure out who did before someone else gets hurt.
I liked how Gia worked with her friends to solve the case. The teamwork and friendship was a good addition. The mystery had lots of twists. The small-town setting, with its wildlife and cozy café, made everything feel vivid and real. The mix of suspense and humour made this a great read
In this story, Gia’s not-so-friendly neighbour causes trouble, especially by threatening her dog. When the neighbour ends up dead, things get serious fast. Gia knows she didn’t do it, but with so many suspects, she has to help figure out who did before someone else gets hurt.
I liked how Gia worked with her friends to solve the case. The teamwork and friendship was a good addition. The mystery had lots of twists. The small-town setting, with its wildlife and cozy café, made everything feel vivid and real. The mix of suspense and humour made this a great read
September 3, 2025
When Gia’s grumpy neighbor is murdered she and Savannah are on the case. Who had it in for the woman, a total Karen.., because Gia know it wasn’t her. Can she figure it out before she’s next?
I had just been thinking about this series and the next entry popped up. I’ve been reading this from the very beginning and absolutely enjoy every single visit to Boggy Creek, Florida, gators and snakes aside. The author does a great job at building out her mystery and fills it with twist turns and red herrings galore. It always keep me guessing to the end and I absolutely cannot wait for each new entry to be released.
I had just been thinking about this series and the next entry popped up. I’ve been reading this from the very beginning and absolutely enjoy every single visit to Boggy Creek, Florida, gators and snakes aside. The author does a great job at building out her mystery and fills it with twist turns and red herrings galore. It always keep me guessing to the end and I absolutely cannot wait for each new entry to be released.
October 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC
Gia and her all-day breakfast club mystery series is involved in another cozy who-done-it.
A nasty neighbor has moved into Gia’s neighborhood, and someone has killed that neighbor.
It us up to Gia and her friend, Savannah, to find the murderer
I loved that this book was set in Boggy Creek, Florida with all of the central Florida settings that created a cozy atmosphere.
I haven’t read the past books yet but I plan on catching up this winter. There is nothing better than reading a book set in Florida during a northern winter.
Gia and her all-day breakfast club mystery series is involved in another cozy who-done-it.
A nasty neighbor has moved into Gia’s neighborhood, and someone has killed that neighbor.
It us up to Gia and her friend, Savannah, to find the murderer
I loved that this book was set in Boggy Creek, Florida with all of the central Florida settings that created a cozy atmosphere.
I haven’t read the past books yet but I plan on catching up this winter. There is nothing better than reading a book set in Florida during a northern winter.
August 31, 2025
Gia’s new neighbor is accusing Gia’s dog of digging up her lawn. Gia knows it’s not her dog, but the woman is hateful and threatening. When the woman is found dead, Gia finds out that the woman had targeted most of the residents in the neighborhood and everyone is now a suspect.
The mystery keeps you guessing as there are many possibilities and things get worse before they get better. But the warm friendships and support of the community shine through and make this cozy mystery a winner.
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
The mystery keeps you guessing as there are many possibilities and things get worse before they get better. But the warm friendships and support of the community shine through and make this cozy mystery a winner.
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 14, 2025
This is quite the book. Gia and Savannah are living life and making people happy with the all day breakfast cafe. But all is not well in the housing development where Gia lives. A bad neighbor is causing issues for Gia and many of the other neighbors. She winds up dead the night after she threatens Gia.
Danger lurks for Gia and those she holds dear. There is a lot of emotion sparked by this mystery.
I enjoyed reading Home Fries and Alibis.
Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
Danger lurks for Gia and those she holds dear. There is a lot of emotion sparked by this mystery.
I enjoyed reading Home Fries and Alibis.
Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
September 22, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lena Gregory for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Home Fries and Alibis coming out September 23, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t realize it was the 8th book. I really enjoyed it. I love cozy mysteries. It was short and sweet. I would check out other books by this author!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t realize it was the 8th book. I really enjoyed it. I love cozy mysteries. It was short and sweet. I would check out other books by this author!
September 26, 2025
I did not enjoy this volume as much as I enjoyed the last. The MC felt TSTL at times in this volume but my biggest reason was that the editing needed to be tighter. As an example there was a part of the book where she was using her phone's flashlight functionality and then needed to call the police but couldn't cause she left her phone.
But I did like that she isn't like most leads who is so unsure of her romantic partner. They are planning their wedding and both into it.
But I did like that she isn't like most leads who is so unsure of her romantic partner. They are planning their wedding and both into it.
Read
September 24, 2025Culinary/Pet/Law Enforcement
Ms.Gregory pens a great tale of friends who work together and lovers who work together with friends to piece together information. Set in a H.O.A. She brings some of the tensions that happens in them to the fore and adds the intrigue of a murder. It's a great read.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same
Ms.Gregory pens a great tale of friends who work together and lovers who work together with friends to piece together information. Set in a H.O.A. She brings some of the tensions that happens in them to the fore and adds the intrigue of a murder. It's a great read.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same
August 29, 2025
This was a quick read. My main problem with it is that the main character, Gia, kept putting herself in harms way. I’m not a fan of amateur sleuths who keep having to be rescued because they’ve done something stupid.
September 6, 2025
A great addition to a delightful series. Many wonderful characters. A clever mystery that keeps one guessing. Some surprises and a misty moment. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
September 28, 2025
We didn't spend much time in the All Day Breakfast Cafe this time, but it was still an enjoyable read. The mystery was well constructed and held my interest.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 25, 2025
I did not finish this - too much exaggeration and attempt at humour which misses the mark. Why would someone be arrested because of a complaint about a dog digging in a garden. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 19, 2025
Great new addition to this series! I could not put it down-I had to know if my guess for the murderer was right! (Yes and no!)
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