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A Scoop of Deceit
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26
From author Lena Gregory comes another decadently delightful cozy mystery ...
Spring has finally sprung on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, and Danika Delaney is ready to take a break from running her old-fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, to help her mom start planting for the season. With visions of colorful tulips and delicate daffodils in mind, Danika and her mother browse through the local garden center, where they can’t help but notice a confrontation between out-of-towner Sebastian Krane and the local cashier. Unfortunately, as Krane storms off, aggravated and not paying attention, he hops into his BMW, and crashes right into Mrs. Delaney as she’s backing up in her borrowed pickup truck. As if that weren't enough to put a damper on her sunny mood, Krane then has the nerve to file a lawsuit against her. But when Dani shows up at his mansion to try to straighten things out, she finds him dead, with a knife in his back. Apparently, someone had it out for Sebastian. Someone other than her mother. A fact Dani she sets out to prove with the help of her sidekicks, Gwen and Eli, wading through a slew of shady suspects from the victim's stormy past. Can Dani clear her mother's name and find the truth behind Krane's murder? Or will Dani be in danger of pushing up daisies herself this spring?
What critics are saying about Lena
"Readers are going to fall in LOVE. I can tell you right now that this series is going to be a huge success!!!"
~Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
"I didn’t want it to end!"
~Kings River Life Magazine
"Author Lena Gregory sure didn’t disappoint. She cooked up a tale so tasty I devoured it!"
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews
Spring has finally sprung on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, and Danika Delaney is ready to take a break from running her old-fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, to help her mom start planting for the season. With visions of colorful tulips and delicate daffodils in mind, Danika and her mother browse through the local garden center, where they can’t help but notice a confrontation between out-of-towner Sebastian Krane and the local cashier. Unfortunately, as Krane storms off, aggravated and not paying attention, he hops into his BMW, and crashes right into Mrs. Delaney as she’s backing up in her borrowed pickup truck. As if that weren't enough to put a damper on her sunny mood, Krane then has the nerve to file a lawsuit against her. But when Dani shows up at his mansion to try to straighten things out, she finds him dead, with a knife in his back. Apparently, someone had it out for Sebastian. Someone other than her mother. A fact Dani she sets out to prove with the help of her sidekicks, Gwen and Eli, wading through a slew of shady suspects from the victim's stormy past. Can Dani clear her mother's name and find the truth behind Krane's murder? Or will Dani be in danger of pushing up daisies herself this spring?
What critics are saying about Lena
"Readers are going to fall in LOVE. I can tell you right now that this series is going to be a huge success!!!"
~Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
"I didn’t want it to end!"
~Kings River Life Magazine
"Author Lena Gregory sure didn’t disappoint. She cooked up a tale so tasty I devoured it!"
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews
- GenresCozy Mystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 10, 2026
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is number 7 (I think!) in the "Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries" and we're back with Dani, Gwen, Eli, and all the other wonderful characters in this cozy mystery. Dani runs a cafe that specializes in unique ice creams, drinks, and pastries. On Sundays, the entire Delaney clan get together at Dani's mother's house for Italian family dinners. And family includes a lot of extras (and I would love to be one of them!). In this one, Dani goes to the garden shop with her mother to help load plants for her mother. As they are leaving, a car backs into their truck and the man driving gets out and accuses them of causing the accident, then sues them. Then ends up dead, and Dani's mother is one of the suspects. Dani, Gwen, Eli, and Meghan put their heads together and come up with way too many suspects, but when Eli takes off to prove he knows the perp, things go from bad to worse.
I love the characters in these stories. They draw me in and entice me to be one of them. And I would love some of the ice cream concoctions they come up with--blueberry cheesecake ice cream in this one. Yum. There are lots of twists and turns through the story and, while setting isn't prominent, you know you're in a small town near the ocean in springtime. And sometimes, that's all you need. Just a taste. Like the banana split Uncle Jimmie made. And while all of the books are stand-alone, you get so much more from the stories if you start with the first one. Then you really get to know the people well. And all have a satisfying ending.
Definitely 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” Thanks to Gemma Halliday publishing for providing this ARC.
I love the characters in these stories. They draw me in and entice me to be one of them. And I would love some of the ice cream concoctions they come up with--blueberry cheesecake ice cream in this one. Yum. There are lots of twists and turns through the story and, while setting isn't prominent, you know you're in a small town near the ocean in springtime. And sometimes, that's all you need. Just a taste. Like the banana split Uncle Jimmie made. And while all of the books are stand-alone, you get so much more from the stories if you start with the first one. Then you really get to know the people well. And all have a satisfying ending.
Definitely 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” Thanks to Gemma Halliday publishing for providing this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Scoop of Deceit is the 7th fabulous book in Lena Gregory's Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries. Danika (Dani) Delaney runs the Coffee & Cream Cafe, an ice cream shop that serves food and gossip. I love this series especially the friendship between Dani, Gwen, Eli, and Dani's sister Meghan who is dating Eli. Dani is dating Jake, a Police Detective and they are cute together and are getting more serious. *Sigh* Eli is a tech wizard and Gwen works at a hair salon but both help out at the cafe along with Uncle Jimmie. Dani is helping her Mom and Aunt Miriam get some flowers for the garden when Sebastian Krane hits their car. He threatens to sue Dani's Mom. He ends up dead and Dani and friends need to find the culprit to clear her Mom. The mystery kept me guessing and changing which suspect I thought was the culprit. This is such an enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery and the wonderful characters make it one of my favorite series! It has everything I love about cozy mysteries! I received an advance copy from Author Lena Gregory and I voluntarily leave this review.
#AScoopOfDeceit #Coffee&CreamCafeMysteries #GemmaHallidayPublishing
#AScoopOfDeceit #Coffee&CreamCafeMysteries #GemmaHallidayPublishing
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Friends, snooping, and figuring things out!
When Dani went to the nursery with her mother and aunt, she never bargained for anything more than buying and planting flowers for her mom. A rude customer, who was careless, backed into the truck her mother was driving. Threatening lawsuit, he tried to blame Dani's mom in spite of witnesses who said differently. The next morning Dani and friends went to talk to the man only to discover him murdered. Yes murder. No way he stabbed himself in the back! Dani and her friends start to gather information, and it just gets more and more confusing. Fast paced sleuthing interspersed with running the cafe and too many close calls had me racing to finish and find out what really happened. Fun, exciting, and some sweet moments add up to a terrific book!
When Dani went to the nursery with her mother and aunt, she never bargained for anything more than buying and planting flowers for her mom. A rude customer, who was careless, backed into the truck her mother was driving. Threatening lawsuit, he tried to blame Dani's mom in spite of witnesses who said differently. The next morning Dani and friends went to talk to the man only to discover him murdered. Yes murder. No way he stabbed himself in the back! Dani and her friends start to gather information, and it just gets more and more confusing. Fast paced sleuthing interspersed with running the cafe and too many close calls had me racing to finish and find out what really happened. Fun, exciting, and some sweet moments add up to a terrific book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I always enjoy this series. The characters are great and the ice cream/coffee shop is fun. Dani, who manages Coffee & Cream Cafe, is a hoot and cannot keep out of trouble. Her sidekicks, Eli and Gwen, are tasked with helping Dani in finding out who killed an obnoxious man who had threatened to sue Dani's mom over an accident. But the cheating man has lots of possible suspects. And Dani's boyfriend Jake, Detective Delicious, tries to keep her in line but it is hard. The revealing scene that exposes the killer is tense and dangerous but also has a sweet ending.
I received a copy from the publisher. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy from the publisher. These are my thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is one of my favorite series because it is a great blend of mystery, friendship, family and romance.
In this book, Danika once again proves she is a magnet for trouble. There is a car accident, a murder and an incident with the large donation bin. She is also struggling with how to define her relationship with hunky detective Jake.
The characters are great and the story is captivating to the very end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this book, Danika once again proves she is a magnet for trouble. There is a car accident, a murder and an incident with the large donation bin. She is also struggling with how to define her relationship with hunky detective Jake.
The characters are great and the story is captivating to the very end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews