Crema Crimewave: A Coastal Coffee Mystery

by Kate Montgomery, Ki Charm Kim (Illustrator)

CiCi Larkin knows her beloved community, Palmetto Breeze, is powered by two things-- strong coffee and small-town gossip. Working the counter of Azucar's coffee bar, CiCi is ready for chatting with friendly regulars and perfecting that creamy layer of crema on every latte.

 

What she didn't see brewing? A sudden crimewave that slams into downtown with the force of a hurricane.

 

Break-ins, thefts, and vandalism targeting local businesses leave shattered glass and shaken nerves in their wake. With the town's peace cracking under the strain and the people she loves caught in the crosshairs, CiCi can't resist poking around for answers.

 CiCi teams up with her crime-solving bestie, a no-nonsense police sergeant, and a sharp-witted circle of senior sleuths to follow clues from beachfront shops to shadowy back doors.

 

Because this trouble isn't random...

 

And CiCi may be the real target.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

Reviews

[MinsBookNook]

I really wanted to like this book and I can see how others will love it, unfortunately it did not capture my attention. Maybe if I was reading it at a different time it would keep my attention.

[Evelin]

MY RATING: none (I DNF'd it)
BOOK FEATURES:
• Mystery
• Amateur Sleuth
• Small Town Secrets

MY THOUGHTS:
I couldn’t wait to read this book because the blurb sounded so good, and I was hoping I could finally read a great ARC. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I couldn’t finish this book because it irritated me so much that I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.

First of all, the prologue felt so weird and messy, I couldn’t understand anything that was happening. As the story started, random characters appeared out of nowhere without any backstory, leaving me completely confused. I don’t even remember all of those characters because they disappeared just as fast as they appeared.

It irritated me so much that the story was constructed so illogically. I don’t think any police officer would share active investigation details, even if they are the best friend of the main character. On top of that, random people were investigating the case without the police knowing about it. It felt highly unrealistic, especially because most of the people who investigated were over 60 years old.

Things just happened so quickly that it was hard to keep up. One moment, no one knew who the bad guy was or had seen their face or figure, and moments later, they had someone draw a composite sketch based on their memories. I think the author should have fleshed out the details of how they got any information about the burglar.

There were even more illogical plotlines and plotholes in the story, like the accident of a certain character (I won’t mention their name to avoid spoilers). After taking them to the hospital and doing some tests, the doctors just let them go home and rest. But based on how the accident hapened, it seemed way more severe. The exact injury wasn’t really specified, so I just guessed it could have been a minor one. Halfway through the book, it was also mentioned that somebody might have died, but nobody said who exactly.

The author left out crucial details from the story, and it made it so much worse. Otherwise, it could have been an enjoyable read, but I got so bored and frustrated that I needed to DNF it at 50%.

Thank you BookBuzzPR and Kate Montgomery for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

CONTANT WARNINGS:
• Accident (on-page)
• Shooting

[Meg Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so cute but in a cosy crime way! It’s definitely very unrealistic, but it’s just fun to read and has plenty of tension and humorous moments.

Cici is a total sweetheart. She’s a bit frustrating at times and she’s definitely a bit ADHD—constantly losing things and dropping stuff. But I actually loved that about her, it made her feel real. She probably shouldn’t drink so much coffee, I think she is obsessed !

Her relationship with her husband Brad, is goals, and I love her friendship with her bestie, Chandra-who tells her all the gossip (and probably as a police officer, she shouldn’t tell!)

I’m obsessed with her friendship with the whole community. Everyone in Palmetto Breeze is so nice and supportive, it made me want to move there! Apart from nosy, rude Edna, Cici’s octogenarian nemesis!

The prologue was confusing (it didn't click until the very end, so it probably should’ve been an epilogue) and the middle was a little slow. But I loved the beginning and the end with the dramatic events.

I definitely wish I’d read the first book because there are a ton of characters to keep track of. I thought you could read it as a standalone but it’s better to read as the series so you know the characters.

One part was a bit weird where it was heavily implied a character had died, but then they were suddenly just back? I felt like that took away from the drama of the storyline and didn’t make it feel as shocking as it could have been.

Overall though, it’s just such a sweet cosy crime story. If you like small-town vibes and a mystery with lots of heart, and humour; you'll really like this one. I am looking forward to reading more about Cici, and her sleuthing in Palmetto Springs in the future!

[Lottie Pickering · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. I really did. The premise had all the right ingredients… small community, a mystery to untangle, and a cast with potential charm. But getting into it felt a bit like wading through custard. Slow, slightly confusing, and not immediately rewarding.

The opening left me feeling oddly adrift. Not in a mysterious, intriguing way… more in a “wait, what is actually happening here?” sort of way. It took a fair chunk of the book before things clicked into place, and until then, I struggled to fully invest.

That said, once the story settled and the plot became clearer, I found myself enjoying it more. There’s a definite cosy, community-led sleuthing vibe that will appeal to fans of that genre. If you enjoy a group dynamic where everyone’s a little bit involved in solving the mystery, this does start to deliver.

Cici, in particular, caught my attention. There’s something there. A spark. If this turns into a series, the idea of leaning more into a PI angle with her could genuinely elevate future books. That’s where I see the most promise.

Overall, it reads very much like a debut. Not a bad thing, but you can feel the uneven pacing and a slight lack of grounding that stops it from fully landing. It’s not that it’s doing anything terribly wrong… it just never quite reaches that immersive, believable rhythm.

In the end, a mixed experience. Some intrigue, some charm, but a slow start and pacing issues held it back from being a standout.

Thank you Kate Montgomery for providing this ARC of Creme Crimewave in exchange for my review.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Montgomery delivers another delightful installment with Crema Crimewave, successfully building upon the foundation laid in Light Roast Larceny. This sequel maintains the charming small-town atmosphere that fans of the genre adore while ramping up the stakes just enough to keep the pages turning. Returning to the world of A Coastal Coffee feels like catching up with old friends, with CiCi and her circle of investigators keeping the energy high from start to finish.
​CiCi remains a standout protagonist whose relentless curiosity and inability to mind her own business drive the plot forward in a way that is both authentic and entertaining. The supporting cast adds genuine depth to the investigation, ensuring every conversation feels essential to the narrative fabric. The pacing is excellent, allowing tension to build naturally as the story reveals its secrets at just the right moment.
​There is an added layer of suspense in this sequel that gives the story a refreshing edge without losing the warmth of a classic cozy. If you enjoy a curious lead character and a mystery with a touch of danger, this series is a fantastic addition to your shelf. I feel very fortunate to have received an advanced copy of this book and am happy to share my honest thoughts.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 1/2 Stars!

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a cozy mystery book and part of the series A Coastal Coffee Mystery. The main character is CiCi who is married to Brad. The moment I read the prologue I was drawn in wondering what was going on. CiCi now works at a coffee bar. While at work one day chaos breaks out in town. Will CiCi get to the bottom of what is going on? Will she figure out who is behind everything before it’s too late? Will she put herself in more danger? This book is full of suspense from the beginning which I love. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept wondering who would do what happened and why. I love when a book keeps you guessing. I loved seeing CiCi and Brad together as they are such a great couple and so supportive of each other. I loved seeing previous characters from the first book like Chandra and Seb. I was so excited to read this book after I read the first one. I was not disappointed. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to my kindle read this aloud on my commute last week. It was an entertaining story with fun, unique characters. It includes an amateur sleuth with a tight knit small town community, who bands together to solve the crime and protect one another. Cici, her husband Brad, her best friend and cop Chandra and her man, Seb with a whole crew of neighbors and friends work together to protect their historical down town when it is threatened. Unfortunately the shops/ storefronts are not the only thing threatened as accidents and attacks follow the initial crime. Some of the little plot twists were a little unbelievable and maybe not fully developed, making the plot a little choppy, but it is a quick and fun read. I laughed at the feisty neighbor nemesis, groaned at some of the characters bad decisions, and smiled as things were wrapped up.
Thanks to BookBuzzPR and Kate Montgomery for providing me with a e-copy. All thoughts above are my honest opinion.

[Stasia Roze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery! This can be read as a standalone book or part of a series.

Montgomery has an electric way of creating her characters' voices. The words on the page ooze personality and charisma, and it really draws you into the story. The close nit friendships and community built in this book are actually inspiring. I'd love to live in a place where my neighbours got on like this together. It's whimsical and devouted to the human connection.

The mystery element was well thought out. I was surprised by the twist and reveal, which is unusual for me!

In the best possible way, this is such an easy read. You can relax knowing that Montgomery has your back and that you'll be carried through this story without issue.

I really recommend this book if you like mysteries and human connections and need a real escape from everyday life.

[Beatriz Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The small town setting and the coffee shop atmosphere made it very easy to settle into the story, and I loved the sense of community between the characters.

Cici is such a fun main character to follow. She has a curious nature and cannot seem to stay out of other people’s business, which ends up pulling her right into the middle of the mystery. Watching her piece things together with the help of those around her kept the story entertaining the whole way through. The mystery itself had some nice twists and enough tension to keep things interesting while still keeping that comforting cosy feel.

Thank you to Book Buzz Pr and Kate Montgomery for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Judith Samuel]

DNF at 20%

I really tried to finish this book because it was an Advanced Reader Copy and I didn’t want to disappoint. But I struggled; I wasn’t feeling it.

To me, the stakes weren’t high enough and there seemed to be too many facts and characters brought in too quickly into the story, which I also didn’t find relevant to the plot. I couldn’t keep up.

I’m used to cozy/humorous mysteries where the characters take things quite seriously while cracking jokes in between. But the characters here seemed too enthusiastic to be solving the mystery, like it’s a fun adventure and not an actual crime.

While I found the writing style impressive, I’d say the story isn’t for me. Though I hope its ideal readers find it.

[Laura Aguirre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not feel the coastal vibes for some reason the scenery could have been more detailed if that was the feel that was being sought. I don’t understand what the need was to have so many characters with nothing standing out and looking like the same person over and over again with a different name. They did not add anything to the story. I don’t usually rate books a 2 but being that this is a recurrent problem I don’t find it fair to give it anything else. Don’t understand how someone cannot identify the face of the criminal at first and yet give a description of a face. And why is Brad’s character not better developed he is the love interest.

Thanks for the advanced ARC

[Miranda Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and enjoyable mystery read. The story follows a woman who has a knack for investigating things around town, but the more she uncovers, the more obvious it becomes that someone wants her to stop digging.

The pacing kept things moving, and the tension builds as the story unfolds. I appreciated how the mystery slowly reveals itself without giving too much away too soon.

If you enjoy small-town mysteries with a curious main character and a touch of danger, this is definitely worth picking up.

[welshliz75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an arc, one of my favourite things to do as get to experience all sorts of books. This was a great crime versus small town. The characters were very eclectic, and vibrant.. I loved getting to know each character as the book went on, to me there weren’t main characters as so many were involved from start to finish. I love crime stories and this mixed into a small town setting was a great idea, I enjoyed following the clues throughout the book and I would recommend it, the only downside for me is that it went on a bit too long, but I still enjoyed it.

[Christine Bonacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cici, amateur sleuth and friends once again lend a hand to local law enforcement . Cici witnesses a bakery store robbery and shooting and finds herself in harms way and targeted. Can Cici and friends of Palmetto Breeze find the robbers before someone gets hurts?
This is book 2 in The Coastal Coffee Mysteries. It can be read as a stand alone.
Cozy mystery fans this is a must read! Humorous, small town, close knit friends to family who dunit

@bookbuzzpr @KateMontgomery @magnolias_and_manuscripts thank you for the ARC read!

[theenchantedalibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clean, cozy read and definitely an enjoyable mystery. I did find the amount of characters to be a little bit excessive and confusing, but I loved the community and love demonstrated in this book. All of the characters were really well articulated and I loved the small town vibe of this mystery. The ending was unexpected but wrapped everything up really well. The plot was good and I loved all of the different shops involved. Overall, this book was good and definitely would be a good beach read!

[T.S. Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crema Crimewave is an adorable follow up to Light Roast Larceny!
You pick back up with the same beloved characters, ready to follow them on new adventures. You'll be rooting for them as you go, and I can't wait to see what's next for the whole crew.
Montgomery has made the perfect cozy mystery that will be lovely on rainy days, beach trips, or a back porch afternoon.
Pour your sweet tea, grab a scone, and cuddle up with this fantastic read.

[Rebecca Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read and an adorable cosy mystery. I haven't read the first in the series but aim to now as i read this in one sitting.

I might be showing my age but this resonated with me as it gave me Nancy Drew vibes but for the older generations.

What's not to love about an amateur sleuth with a reliable friendship group to aid in her investigations, when all the while there is someone who wants her to stop looking.

[KD Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. Crema Crimewave was amazing! Kate Montgomery is an amazing author and I feel so lucky to have been able to be an ARC reader for her! Crema Crimewave is the sequel to Light Roast Larceny. CiCi and the gang keep me entertained the whole way through; there is never a dull moment. If you like cozy mysteries, then you’ll love this series! I’d give it more stars if I could!

[bookishtales.jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be easy to read cozy mystery types of books. I personally kinda loved this book as it has the small town vibe and the main character sassy vibes. We can feel the tension of this book as we read. This book has a lot of drama and tension to keep it interesting without losing the cozy feel of this book. I also personally loved the coffee vibe ☕ Overall it was the great experience to read this book

[Angel Tartaglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Review of an Advance copy ✨

It was a short mystery read, but it was enjoyable trying to follow the clues with Cici. The more she uncovers the more someone tries to stop her from uncovering the truth. The pacing was wonderful with the tension building.

Threw me back into my adolescence, when I read Nancy Drew and Miss Marple all the time. A 10000% recommendation read for those who want a short mystery featuring a coffee-crazy amateur sleuth.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This another account by @welshliz75 as my phone updated and I lost access to the above account.. I enjoyed this arc, the characters were bright and easy to see them as you read . It was a mix of crime and small town. With the small town being the backdrop to this and some amateur detective work at its finest when all you need is a close knot town to help you !

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery that is full of colorful characters, danger and intrigue. Graciella or CiCi is an amateur sleuth who finds herself in the middle of another mystery. So done is targeting businesses in her small town. Working with her friend who is on the police force and members of the community they set out to solve the crime. All is well, until it becomes dangerous.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun mystery! Hard to put the book down and I loved that it kept you guessing until the end. I have all of Kate’s books. I’m very particular and will toss a book part way through if I’m not interested. All of her books have kept me engaged and are just cozy and a joy to read. Please check out this new author!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute and cozy murder mystery. I loved how CiCi decided to take things in to her own hands to solve the crime. The team was cute, I loved playing detective right alongside them. So well written and just tons of great moments.

[Kyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a cozy read. I loved every moment of it. From the moments with friends to all the coffee consumed, it made me look forward to picking it back up when I unfortunately had to stop reading. I wanted to continue reading more of CiCi Larkin and the Porch Patrol after the book was over.

[Debby C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an older lady who loves a cozy mystery. The characters in this are well-developed and make me ready to head to Florida!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute cozy mystery. I loved it! Really enjoyed the small town setting and the strong sense of community among the citizens of Palmetto Breeze, especially the downtown area. Cozy mysteries are becoming one of my favourite things and this one definitely did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author and bookbuzzpr for my early copy!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[Shania · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was great its for sure a keep reading because it gets better each chapter book, it's for sure something I would re-read
☺☺☺ but it's such a recommender for readers who want to begin reading but don't know where to start

[Smutty Professor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a nice cozy mystery with just enough drama to keep things interesting. CiCi is one of those characters who just cannot mind her business, and honestly, that’s what makes the whole thing possible. Once everything starts happening around town, she’s up in everyone's business, even when it’s obvious she probably shouldn’t be. I really liked the small-town atmosphere. The coffee shop, the gossip, and the group helping her investigate everything made it lovely. The side characters actually mattered too, which I really liked. The mystery was good, and I liked that there was a little more tension than a typical cozy, especially with the hint that CiCi might be the target. It adds a bit of edge without losing that cozy vibe.

This was just an easy and enjoyable read. If you like small-town mysteries, a strong friend group, and a main character who gets a little too involved, this one is definitely worth reading!