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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #19
A Grind of Guilt
Magnolia Grove’s big music night was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, Parker Hayes gets a front-row seat to murder.
When Magnolia Grove launches its new Shindig in the Square with live music, string lights and two returning performers, Parker Hayes is expecting a fun night—not a body in the middle of the performance.
With gossip flying and old secrets resurfacing, Parker starts digging into the lives behind the applause. The deeper she gets, the clearer it this wasn’t a random tragedy. Someone in Magnolia Grove knew exactly how the night would unfold—and they’re counting on the chaos to keep the truth buried.
In Magnolia Grove, even a night of music can come with a grind of guilt.
A Grind of Guilt is a witty Southern cozy mystery with coffee shop charm, small-town secrets and a sharp amateur sleuth with a true-crime past.
Perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
All books in the series can be read as standalones.
When Magnolia Grove launches its new Shindig in the Square with live music, string lights and two returning performers, Parker Hayes is expecting a fun night—not a body in the middle of the performance.
With gossip flying and old secrets resurfacing, Parker starts digging into the lives behind the applause. The deeper she gets, the clearer it this wasn’t a random tragedy. Someone in Magnolia Grove knew exactly how the night would unfold—and they’re counting on the chaos to keep the truth buried.
In Magnolia Grove, even a night of music can come with a grind of guilt.
A Grind of Guilt is a witty Southern cozy mystery with coffee shop charm, small-town secrets and a sharp amateur sleuth with a true-crime past.
Perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
All books in the series can be read as standalones.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2026
About the author
Simone Stier
27 books98 followersSimone Stier writes humorous cozy mysteries with coffee shops, bookshops, small towns and clever twists.
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 11, 2026
An excellent cozy mystery! Entertaining!
May 11, 2026
couldn’t put down
Okay….so “who done it” made me sad, but to get there, to know “who done it” was very “sitting on the edge of my seat” kinda read. I couldn’t put the book down!
Okay….so “who done it” made me sad, but to get there, to know “who done it” was very “sitting on the edge of my seat” kinda read. I couldn’t put the book down!
May 16, 2026
Lays Potato chips
Just like Lays potato chips you can't just read one. I love this series and being a Boston mom makes it just more fun!!!! Parker and Major make my day
Just like Lays potato chips you can't just read one. I love this series and being a Boston mom makes it just more fun!!!! Parker and Major make my day
May 19, 2026
Parker Hayes!
I look forward to each release! Parker Hayes is one of my favorite characters in a very long time. Worth the wait!
I look forward to each release! Parker Hayes is one of my favorite characters in a very long time. Worth the wait!
May 24, 2026
Catch you Latte owner Parker is a retired crime podcaster, and her new coffee shop owner life in Magnolia Grove is Mayberry style idyllic. Parker, boyfriend professor historian Whit, her baker gal pals Renee and Hazel are the community she never expected and adores. Life is good, though unexpected murders keep popping up.
Hazel, her assistant sleuth and coffee shop support, has started open mic nights at Parker’s shop. Musical duo Ivory and Rhett are terrific there along with a couple of other entertainers, who have unexpected history.
So when Ivory and Rhett are performing at the new Shingdig on the Square and an unexpected death occurs, one of them becomes a suspect, and Parker, Hazel and the coffee shop gang work overtime to help Sheriff Sinclair find the killer.
It’s musical madness, mayhem and chaos in one big ball while Parker begins separating the notes and looking in between them for clues.
The slow buildup to the last chapter is intense and powerful, and the villain is indeed a shocker - book 19 continues the cafe crimes legacy with fast paced action, incredible storytelling and a shocker reveal of the villain, and an absolutely worthwhile read
Hazel, her assistant sleuth and coffee shop support, has started open mic nights at Parker’s shop. Musical duo Ivory and Rhett are terrific there along with a couple of other entertainers, who have unexpected history.
So when Ivory and Rhett are performing at the new Shingdig on the Square and an unexpected death occurs, one of them becomes a suspect, and Parker, Hazel and the coffee shop gang work overtime to help Sheriff Sinclair find the killer.
It’s musical madness, mayhem and chaos in one big ball while Parker begins separating the notes and looking in between them for clues.
The slow buildup to the last chapter is intense and powerful, and the villain is indeed a shocker - book 19 continues the cafe crimes legacy with fast paced action, incredible storytelling and a shocker reveal of the villain, and an absolutely worthwhile read
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews