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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #12
A Dusting of Doubt: A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Book 12
Fall’s arriving in Magnolia Grove—and this year’s back-to-school season is serving up more than cinnamon sugar lattes and donuts.
Parker Hayes thought she could handle the cozy chaos—Maggie’s wedding, Whit’s history podcast and Hazel and Renee’s dessert rivalry. But when Chief Buck Tucker asks her to help solve a fifteen-year-old cold case, her peace crumbles like a day old donut.
Beloved photography teacher Rainey Bishop vanished without a trace. Now her remains have been found, and her grandmother believes Parker’s true-crime instincts can uncover the truth the town has tried to bury.
As Parker digs through dusty yearbooks, tangled timelines and long-held secrets, she finds herself at the center of a mystery that refuses to stay cold—and a town that would rather forget.
A Dusting of Doubt is a Southern cozy mystery dusted with crisp fall leaves, baking rivalries, buried secrets and one cafe owner who won’t stop until justice is served—preferably with coffee and a fresh Apple Dabble donut on the side.
All books in the series can be read as standalones.
The Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series
A Shot of ScandalA Drizzle of DangerA Blend of BetrayalA Measure of MayhemA Sprinkle of SecretsA Hint of HomicideA Dash of DeceitA Pinch of PerilA Brew of BlundersA Roast of RevengeA Crumble of ChaosA Dusting of DoubtA Twist of TroubleA Dollop of DisasterA Whisk of WoesAlso coming to the Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery
A Cup of CrimeA Steep of SuspicionA Pour of PanicA Grind of GuiltA Splash of SuspenseA Latte of LiesA Teaspoon of TerrorA Swirl of ShadowsA Mocha of Murder
Parker Hayes thought she could handle the cozy chaos—Maggie’s wedding, Whit’s history podcast and Hazel and Renee’s dessert rivalry. But when Chief Buck Tucker asks her to help solve a fifteen-year-old cold case, her peace crumbles like a day old donut.
Beloved photography teacher Rainey Bishop vanished without a trace. Now her remains have been found, and her grandmother believes Parker’s true-crime instincts can uncover the truth the town has tried to bury.
As Parker digs through dusty yearbooks, tangled timelines and long-held secrets, she finds herself at the center of a mystery that refuses to stay cold—and a town that would rather forget.
A Dusting of Doubt is a Southern cozy mystery dusted with crisp fall leaves, baking rivalries, buried secrets and one cafe owner who won’t stop until justice is served—preferably with coffee and a fresh Apple Dabble donut on the side.
All books in the series can be read as standalones.
The Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series
A Shot of ScandalA Drizzle of DangerA Blend of BetrayalA Measure of MayhemA Sprinkle of SecretsA Hint of HomicideA Dash of DeceitA Pinch of PerilA Brew of BlundersA Roast of RevengeA Crumble of ChaosA Dusting of DoubtA Twist of TroubleA Dollop of DisasterA Whisk of WoesAlso coming to the Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery
A Cup of CrimeA Steep of SuspicionA Pour of PanicA Grind of GuiltA Splash of SuspenseA Latte of LiesA Teaspoon of TerrorA Swirl of ShadowsA Mocha of Murder
- GenresCozy Mystery
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
114 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Simone Stier
24 books70 followersSimone Stier and her husband Peter are the duo behind the bestselling Cafe Crimes cozy mystery series—clean, humorous whodunits filled with small-town secrets, quirky characters and twisty cases to solve.
Blending humor, heart and Southern charm, Simone’s mysteries are perfect for fans who love clean fun, coffee-fueled adventures and amateur sleuths who always find themselves in the middle of trouble. When she and Peter aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re exploring North Carolina with their dog Cali.
Their heroine, Parker Hayes, is a former true-crime podcaster turned cafe owner and amateur sleuth. In the charming town of Magnolia Grove, Parker serves up lattes, laughter and clever sleuthing while stumbling into mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very last page.
Ready to start your next cozy read? Discover the Cafe Crimes series and sign up for Simone’s newsletter for a free story and author updates..
Blending humor, heart and Southern charm, Simone’s mysteries are perfect for fans who love clean fun, coffee-fueled adventures and amateur sleuths who always find themselves in the middle of trouble. When she and Peter aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re exploring North Carolina with their dog Cali.
Their heroine, Parker Hayes, is a former true-crime podcaster turned cafe owner and amateur sleuth. In the charming town of Magnolia Grove, Parker serves up lattes, laughter and clever sleuthing while stumbling into mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very last page.
Ready to start your next cozy read? Discover the Cafe Crimes series and sign up for Simone’s newsletter for a free story and author updates..
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 10, 2025
Fun and happy reading
I am really enjoying the series of Cafes Crimes Mysteries. I just love the stories and characters including the dog. Every mystery should have a dog (s) or cat (s)! Small town mysteries are so much fun. I am eagerly looking forward to number 13 in the series.
I am really enjoying the series of Cafes Crimes Mysteries. I just love the stories and characters including the dog. Every mystery should have a dog (s) or cat (s)! Small town mysteries are so much fun. I am eagerly looking forward to number 13 in the series.
September 11, 2025
Great series
Sorry to see it end, but well worth reading. Only wish there would be more to the series! Filled with tension and drama but also love and laughter as each character is brought out and motivations revealed.
Sorry to see it end, but well worth reading. Only wish there would be more to the series! Filled with tension and drama but also love and laughter as each character is brought out and motivations revealed.
October 8, 2025
Very entertaining story!
October 27, 2025
A DUSTING OF DOUBT
This time it is not a new murder but a 15 year old cold case of the murder of Rainey Bishop. When the back field of the high school is being cleared for a much needed new parking lot, bones are found. After forensic testing, it Is discovers these are the bones of the beloved photography teacher. Her grandmother, Maw Verna along with Buck Tucker, the chief of police of Willow Springs come in to Catch You Latte. Maw Verna wants Parker to find out who killed her granddaughter 15 years prior & why. As Parker looks into what happened, she finds the original police file is very slim & that Doug Tucker was the investigator at the time. He is the cousin of the former corrupt sheriff of Magnolia Grove, Wade Tucker & Buck Tucker.
To add to the chaos, Maggie has asked Parker, Renee, & Hazel to do the desserts & wedding cake for her upcoming wedding. Between Hazel's normal messes & Renee's "everything in its place style", they are driving Parker nuts.
As Parker looks into Randy's murder, she uncovers corruption, scandal, & several "upstanding citizens" who are involved in events leading up to Rainey's murder!
Another great cozy mystery from Simone Stier😎
This time it is not a new murder but a 15 year old cold case of the murder of Rainey Bishop. When the back field of the high school is being cleared for a much needed new parking lot, bones are found. After forensic testing, it Is discovers these are the bones of the beloved photography teacher. Her grandmother, Maw Verna along with Buck Tucker, the chief of police of Willow Springs come in to Catch You Latte. Maw Verna wants Parker to find out who killed her granddaughter 15 years prior & why. As Parker looks into what happened, she finds the original police file is very slim & that Doug Tucker was the investigator at the time. He is the cousin of the former corrupt sheriff of Magnolia Grove, Wade Tucker & Buck Tucker.
To add to the chaos, Maggie has asked Parker, Renee, & Hazel to do the desserts & wedding cake for her upcoming wedding. Between Hazel's normal messes & Renee's "everything in its place style", they are driving Parker nuts.
As Parker looks into Randy's murder, she uncovers corruption, scandal, & several "upstanding citizens" who are involved in events leading up to Rainey's murder!
Another great cozy mystery from Simone Stier😎
September 12, 2025
Another Intriguing Mystery!
Parker has her hands full with planning her best friend's wedding, trying to keep peace between her two baking employees (who can't seem to agree on anything) and helping boyfriend Whit get his podcast up and running. Whew! The last thing she needs or has time for is another mystery. But when the grandmother of a high school teacher comes to her for help solving a 15-year-old cold case, she can't help but become involved. The very talented photography teacher disappeared seemingly without a trace, and her remains have recently been discovered after digging up the woods behind the school. Parker is reluctant but eventually starts to dig into the case, peeling away layers of secrets, lies, and coverups. Someone has something to hide and is willing to go as far as necessary to keep the past and its secrets hidden. Another great addition to the series.
Parker has her hands full with planning her best friend's wedding, trying to keep peace between her two baking employees (who can't seem to agree on anything) and helping boyfriend Whit get his podcast up and running. Whew! The last thing she needs or has time for is another mystery. But when the grandmother of a high school teacher comes to her for help solving a 15-year-old cold case, she can't help but become involved. The very talented photography teacher disappeared seemingly without a trace, and her remains have recently been discovered after digging up the woods behind the school. Parker is reluctant but eventually starts to dig into the case, peeling away layers of secrets, lies, and coverups. Someone has something to hide and is willing to go as far as necessary to keep the past and its secrets hidden. Another great addition to the series.
September 27, 2025
Just keeps getting better and better
I love the works of Simkbe Stier. I eagerly await each new novel. Each is unique and you can step in as a new reader and be swept away by the characters. Each time I think I have solved the crime...BAM, wrong. It's a fun ride. Thank you
I love the works of Simkbe Stier. I eagerly await each new novel. Each is unique and you can step in as a new reader and be swept away by the characters. Each time I think I have solved the crime...BAM, wrong. It's a fun ride. Thank you
October 6, 2025
main character
I enjoy this series. They’re quick, fun reads and well written. But Parker is especially unlikable in this one. She seems so short and snippy with everyone around her, and too self absorbed/case absorbed.
I enjoy this series. They’re quick, fun reads and well written. But Parker is especially unlikable in this one. She seems so short and snippy with everyone around her, and too self absorbed/case absorbed.
December 8, 2025
Wedding Planning Uncovers a Mystery
I loved this mystery! The sadness of the past Murder, and the joy of the wedding, made a perfect emotional combination.
This was a perfect read for a winter's evening. I highly recommend it.
I loved this mystery! The sadness of the past Murder, and the joy of the wedding, made a perfect emotional combination.
This was a perfect read for a winter's evening. I highly recommend it.
September 15, 2025
I wish Parker would break up with Whit! He’s going to be even more controlling if she marries him!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews