Murder at the Museum Gala: A Coffee House Cozy Mystery

by Andi Cane

Maplewood Museum’s most despised security guard drops dead after dessert.

When the coffee froth and glitter settles, the only thing missing is the museum’s prized artifact…and everyone’s alibi.

Hattie Calder planned to spend the evening serving coffee, not stumbling into chaos. But when whispers of theft, blackmail, and betrayal echo through the gala hall, the barista with a talent for noticing what others miss becomes the prime candidate to untangle the truth.

Armed with her quick wit, her friend Liam’s tech savvy, and her cat Beans’ uncanny knack for being in the wrong place at the right time, Hattie digs into Maplewood’s polished surface to find the cracks beneath.


Councilwoman Dolores Grant claims Pike was “snooping” before the gala ended, and Greg Benson insists Pike threatened him about museum conspiracy theories. With false leads, and every smile masking grudges, or town secrets, someone is willing to kill again to hide the truth.

If Hattie doesn’t solve the mystery soon, the next person connected to the museum gala might not live to tell their story.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2025

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good story, but you have to be paying attention throughout the narrative. The action begins almost immediately with the murder of the museum's security chief and the clues and running begins and does not stop till the end. The whole story reminds me of a Bourne movie, with enemies and greedy people everywhere you look.I will never look at another conspiracy theorist, the same way again. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one, despite the "cliffhanger" ending.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Museum Gala is a great story about Hattie Calder and her car Beans with Sister Sam work at Cafe. They were providing refreshments at the Museum when they discover financial discrepancy. So they started to investigate with Liam who is a tech wizard. But who can they trust? Can they discover the truth?
Excellent story and beginning of a series that I enjoyed reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A suspenseful mystery filled with small-town secrets and clever twists!

This book followed Hattie, along with Sam, Liam, and Beans, as they unraveled theft, betrayal, and murder hidden beneath Maplewood’s polished surface. The plot seemed to drag on at times, but the characters were likable, and the mystery was engaging- If you’re into light, yet entertaining mysteries, this book may just be for you!

[GinaB. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice small town mystery! Hattie and her sister Sam are at their busy Brewed Awakenings cafe when there’s a murder at the museum next door. Their friend Liam helps them peel layer after layer to solve the mystery, and they share information as they learn it with Officer Rangel, their local law enforcement. There were so many twists and turns! I look forward to reading the next book in the series by this author.

[Giannina Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intriguing story featuring Hattie, Sam and Liam on tech help. Right from the start it is revealed that the Security Chief has been found murdered and the medellian is missing. Conspiricies abound and the clues lead to official involvement. With the help of Beans the cat and various cafe patrons, Hazel, Sam and Liam are able to follow the clues. A very interesting read and recommend for reading pleasure. I found this on Amazon.

[DONNA FOSS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!
Well written.
Will read more ;-)