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All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery #1
Scone Cold Killer
For Florida diner owner Gia Morelli, there’s no such thing as too much breakfast—unless it kills you . . .
When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . .
When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . .
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2018
230 people are currently reading
1671 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
January 8, 2018
Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory is the first book in the new cozy All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. This series introduces readers to Gia Morelli who after recently divorcing her husband who had been accused of stealing money from wealthy clients has decided to make a fresh start by moving from New York to a small town in Florida. The one person in Gia’s life who has stuck by her and believed she was innocent in her husbands crimes was her old friend who invited to move down to Florida with her.
Gia has spent her last cent she had to go about opening her new cafe, the All-Day Breakfast Café, and everything is hinging on it running smoothly when she opens. But for Gia her first day was not off to a good start with her hired cook not working out and a few other errors here and there but nothing could top heading out back to dump the trash at closing and finding her ex-husband’s body shoved into her dumpster.
Now as with most cozy reads our main character is not a detective or knows a thing about crime solving but she is a woman that fears taking the blame for the crime. Gia is actually the total opposite of anyone you’d find crime solving since she jumps at pretty much everything including her own shadow. This over abundant fear in Gia though brought in a trip to the shelter to pick up her very first dog, a cuddly Burnese Mountain Dog puppy she named Thor who of course stole my heart as I’m a sucker for cutsie critters in my books.
As the story gets going I actually came to like Gia and the secondary characters surrounding her. There’s a bit of a glimpse of a possible love interest in future reads and all of the components to make this a solid mystery. So when all was said and done with Scone Cold Killer I found myself looking forward to seeing where the story heads in the next book with Gia and her All-Day Breakfast Café.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Gia has spent her last cent she had to go about opening her new cafe, the All-Day Breakfast Café, and everything is hinging on it running smoothly when she opens. But for Gia her first day was not off to a good start with her hired cook not working out and a few other errors here and there but nothing could top heading out back to dump the trash at closing and finding her ex-husband’s body shoved into her dumpster.
Now as with most cozy reads our main character is not a detective or knows a thing about crime solving but she is a woman that fears taking the blame for the crime. Gia is actually the total opposite of anyone you’d find crime solving since she jumps at pretty much everything including her own shadow. This over abundant fear in Gia though brought in a trip to the shelter to pick up her very first dog, a cuddly Burnese Mountain Dog puppy she named Thor who of course stole my heart as I’m a sucker for cutsie critters in my books.
As the story gets going I actually came to like Gia and the secondary characters surrounding her. There’s a bit of a glimpse of a possible love interest in future reads and all of the components to make this a solid mystery. So when all was said and done with Scone Cold Killer I found myself looking forward to seeing where the story heads in the next book with Gia and her All-Day Breakfast Café.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
January 27, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Divorced from her scam artist husband Gia moves to Florida to reboot her life by opening the All-Day Breakfast Café. She has been working on the project for weeks with her old college roommate and best friend Savannah and is excited about her grand opening. The opening wasn’t very smooth, first Gia didn’t have grits on her menu and her fry cook was way out of her depth when she has to cook more than one meal at the same time. Gia can get grits and she can fire the cook but finding the body of her ex-husband in the café’s dumpster is not something she can fix. In fact, most of the town thinks she committed the murder. When another body is found she starts thinking she may have been safer in New York. Before she can pack up her pots and pans Detective Hunter Quinn tells her he knows she is not guilty and will do everything to protect her. But Gia and Savannah decide to investigate on their own and the good detective may not be able to save them this time.
Ms. Gregory has created such wonderful characters for her All Day Breakfast Cafe Mysteries. Gia thought she left her troubles behind but they have followed right behind her. Her diner should be pretty successful after she handles a couple issues with her staff. She is not your typical cozy protagonist because she fears almost everything around her and Florida has many things to be scared of in addition to a murderer, you know, like snakes, spiders, and bears, oh my!
Savannah is a wonderful best friend. She tries to be supportive and find something positive about all the big and little bumps in the toad that rise up to meet Gia. I love the way she decided Gia needed a dog and Thor seems to be the perfect fit. Detective Hunter Quin “Hunt” and Gia have a little romantic spark, but after her past experience, Gia is a little gun shy about dating or having a man in her life.
My favorite supporting character though is Earl. Gia’s first customer who is shocked there are no grits on the menu. But he quickly becomes a regular customer and Gia is thrilled about that. Earl reminds me of an elderly gentleman that frequented my mother’s restaurant many years ago. It is that man’s image that pops into my head as I read about Earl.
This story ebbs and flows at a perfect pace. The author has a nice descriptive writing style that brings the characters and each scene to life. The mystery is complex with plenty of suspects. Filled with twists and some scary turns, this was not an easy mystery to solve and I didn’t figure out until the reveal.
I enjoyed the touches of humor and romance that are expected in a cozy mystery. There is so much for the author to build on as the series continues.
Kudos, Ms. Gregory, this series is off to a terrific start. Cozy lovers, you will love this story!
Divorced from her scam artist husband Gia moves to Florida to reboot her life by opening the All-Day Breakfast Café. She has been working on the project for weeks with her old college roommate and best friend Savannah and is excited about her grand opening. The opening wasn’t very smooth, first Gia didn’t have grits on her menu and her fry cook was way out of her depth when she has to cook more than one meal at the same time. Gia can get grits and she can fire the cook but finding the body of her ex-husband in the café’s dumpster is not something she can fix. In fact, most of the town thinks she committed the murder. When another body is found she starts thinking she may have been safer in New York. Before she can pack up her pots and pans Detective Hunter Quinn tells her he knows she is not guilty and will do everything to protect her. But Gia and Savannah decide to investigate on their own and the good detective may not be able to save them this time.
Ms. Gregory has created such wonderful characters for her All Day Breakfast Cafe Mysteries. Gia thought she left her troubles behind but they have followed right behind her. Her diner should be pretty successful after she handles a couple issues with her staff. She is not your typical cozy protagonist because she fears almost everything around her and Florida has many things to be scared of in addition to a murderer, you know, like snakes, spiders, and bears, oh my!
Savannah is a wonderful best friend. She tries to be supportive and find something positive about all the big and little bumps in the toad that rise up to meet Gia. I love the way she decided Gia needed a dog and Thor seems to be the perfect fit. Detective Hunter Quin “Hunt” and Gia have a little romantic spark, but after her past experience, Gia is a little gun shy about dating or having a man in her life.
My favorite supporting character though is Earl. Gia’s first customer who is shocked there are no grits on the menu. But he quickly becomes a regular customer and Gia is thrilled about that. Earl reminds me of an elderly gentleman that frequented my mother’s restaurant many years ago. It is that man’s image that pops into my head as I read about Earl.
This story ebbs and flows at a perfect pace. The author has a nice descriptive writing style that brings the characters and each scene to life. The mystery is complex with plenty of suspects. Filled with twists and some scary turns, this was not an easy mystery to solve and I didn’t figure out until the reveal.
I enjoyed the touches of humor and romance that are expected in a cozy mystery. There is so much for the author to build on as the series continues.
Kudos, Ms. Gregory, this series is off to a terrific start. Cozy lovers, you will love this story!
November 27, 2018
If you love breakfast foods (especially grits!!) then you will love this cozy mystery. I loved getting to know the characters and lots of twists and turns that had me guessing until the end!
November 25, 2017
It took a chapter or two but then I was totally hooked by the story. Very well paced and the characters, the setting and a dash of romance make for a true cozy read.
I even had to pull up my feet from the ground to the safety on my couch at one time - you'll know what I am talking about when you get to that scene... Haha....I would have reacted the same way she did!
The twists and turns kept me guessing but I didn't recognize the killer until he was revealed.
I very much enjoyed the writing style.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with a copy.
I even had to pull up my feet from the ground to the safety on my couch at one time - you'll know what I am talking about when you get to that scene... Haha....I would have reacted the same way she did!
The twists and turns kept me guessing but I didn't recognize the killer until he was revealed.
I very much enjoyed the writing style.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with a copy.
December 19, 2017
The first book in a new series and a new author for me. The writing flows easily and the editing of the book is excellent. This makes it easy to read. The MC, Gia Morelli come off as an unstable person afraid of her shadow. It is hard to understand how a person who plans and opens a restaurant could be afraid of all insect life. No wonder her ex-husband was able to take advantage of her. The author should learn more about dogs and other animals before incorporating them in her books. The mystery was not much but the romance was.
Gia flees to Florida after her husband is convicted of fraud. The first day her breakfast cafe is open she finds her ex-husband dead and stuff into the trash receptacle behind her shop. Gia is the center of the action as both the authorities and the crooks tried to find out what her ex-husband was doing. Both believe that Gia has knowledgeable of the scam and where the money is located.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Gia flees to Florida after her husband is convicted of fraud. The first day her breakfast cafe is open she finds her ex-husband dead and stuff into the trash receptacle behind her shop. Gia is the center of the action as both the authorities and the crooks tried to find out what her ex-husband was doing. Both believe that Gia has knowledgeable of the scam and where the money is located.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 20, 2021
A delightful culinary cozy debut! Friends, Gia and Savannah are fun to get to know. The murder mystery is a good one! I’m looking forward to reading future stories in this series.
February 10, 2018
After her marriage ends in a bitter divorce, Gia Morelli leaves New York and is ready to start over. With some help from her best friend, Savannah, she starts over in Florida. Gia opens an all day breakfast cafe. She’s nervous about the whole endeavor, but also feels good about it.
However, on the day of her grand opening, things take a unexpected nasty turn. Gia discovers a dead body in her dumpster. It’s not just any dead body. It happens to be the body of her ex-husband. Now, all eyes are on Gia. She quickly becomes the prime suspect in the murder. She wonders what her ex was doing in Florida in the first place. Then, she begins receiving threats and wonders what her ex was involved in and what she is now involved in, thanks to him.
To add to her troubles, her business begins to suffer. Gia questions her choice in coming to Florida.
I enjoyed this one. I loved that this is set in a cafe in Florida. Two of my favorite things. It’s a fast-paced story with quite a few twists and turns. The characters are vividly portrayed and come to life on each page.
The main character, Gia, is vulnerable but she has a great support system with her friend Savannah. Savannah even convinces Gia to get a dog who is the perfect companion.
This is the first book in the series and it’s off to an extremely strong start. It's well written and a great addition to the cozy mystery genre. I will be waiting for the second book to be released.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
However, on the day of her grand opening, things take a unexpected nasty turn. Gia discovers a dead body in her dumpster. It’s not just any dead body. It happens to be the body of her ex-husband. Now, all eyes are on Gia. She quickly becomes the prime suspect in the murder. She wonders what her ex was doing in Florida in the first place. Then, she begins receiving threats and wonders what her ex was involved in and what she is now involved in, thanks to him.
To add to her troubles, her business begins to suffer. Gia questions her choice in coming to Florida.
I enjoyed this one. I loved that this is set in a cafe in Florida. Two of my favorite things. It’s a fast-paced story with quite a few twists and turns. The characters are vividly portrayed and come to life on each page.
The main character, Gia, is vulnerable but she has a great support system with her friend Savannah. Savannah even convinces Gia to get a dog who is the perfect companion.
This is the first book in the series and it’s off to an extremely strong start. It's well written and a great addition to the cozy mystery genre. I will be waiting for the second book to be released.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 19, 2018
Lena Gregory has done it again! She created an engaging mystery with likable characters. A Scone Cold Killer is the debut book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series, and it doesn’t disappoint. New York native Gia Morelli is starting over in Florida after a nasty divorce from a sketchy husband, but it seems her ex-husband and his shady past catch up with her despite the 1,000 mile move. When her ex shows up dead in the dumpster behind her new diner, Gia is forced to figure out who did it to clear her name and fight for the life she is building anew. I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 6, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Incredible start to a brand new series that now has me hooked moaning the fact that I have to wait for the next one. Meet Gia as she moves to Florida, where her best friend lives, to escape the chaos of her life in New York after her ex-husband is convicted of financial illegal activities. She is hoping that she left that all behind as she opens her new cafe. On opening day she finds the ex dead in her dumpster and despite the fact that she may be the only person to not wish him dead she of course is the main suspect. What follows is a fascinating story with lots of twists that drew me further and further into the story with lots of heartwarming moments to balance the murders. I especially love the puppy named after Thor from the movie (which is my favorite of the superhero movies) as he is just too cute for words. I like how this story has a different set up from the other cozies I read and The quirks in Gia are a hoot. The hint of romance was sweet plus it was nice to have a supportive detective instead of one convinced of their guilt. If you enjoy very well written culinary cozy mysteries you really have to read this one at it will just make your day. I absolutely loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Incredible start to a brand new series that now has me hooked moaning the fact that I have to wait for the next one. Meet Gia as she moves to Florida, where her best friend lives, to escape the chaos of her life in New York after her ex-husband is convicted of financial illegal activities. She is hoping that she left that all behind as she opens her new cafe. On opening day she finds the ex dead in her dumpster and despite the fact that she may be the only person to not wish him dead she of course is the main suspect. What follows is a fascinating story with lots of twists that drew me further and further into the story with lots of heartwarming moments to balance the murders. I especially love the puppy named after Thor from the movie (which is my favorite of the superhero movies) as he is just too cute for words. I like how this story has a different set up from the other cozies I read and The quirks in Gia are a hoot. The hint of romance was sweet plus it was nice to have a supportive detective instead of one convinced of their guilt. If you enjoy very well written culinary cozy mysteries you really have to read this one at it will just make your day. I absolutely loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
January 24, 2018
Author Lena Gregory has served up a wonderful first course in her All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series.
I was hungry for this series the moment I heard about it! I mean, an All-Day Breakfast Café? That’s my kind of place to eat! So, I had very high hopes going into SCONE COLD KILLER. I wasn’t disappointed.
I enjoyed the setting, and could vividly picture the café in my mind. The eclectic cast of characters made for an interesting read. I enjoyed most of them. There is one character that I’m still unsure about, but am withholding judgment until the next book in the series. I look forward to seeing how all the characters grow, and how author Gregory fleshes them out.
An easy, flowing read, I flew through this tale quickly in one setting. The mystery was tight, and well done. I thought I had it figured out, only to find I had missed an important clue, and guessed wrong. So, that made for a surprising ending for me.
SCONE COLD KILLER is story cozy fans are sure to love. And the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries will certainly be on your must read list!
I was hungry for this series the moment I heard about it! I mean, an All-Day Breakfast Café? That’s my kind of place to eat! So, I had very high hopes going into SCONE COLD KILLER. I wasn’t disappointed.
I enjoyed the setting, and could vividly picture the café in my mind. The eclectic cast of characters made for an interesting read. I enjoyed most of them. There is one character that I’m still unsure about, but am withholding judgment until the next book in the series. I look forward to seeing how all the characters grow, and how author Gregory fleshes them out.
An easy, flowing read, I flew through this tale quickly in one setting. The mystery was tight, and well done. I thought I had it figured out, only to find I had missed an important clue, and guessed wrong. So, that made for a surprising ending for me.
SCONE COLD KILLER is story cozy fans are sure to love. And the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries will certainly be on your must read list!
February 11, 2018
Mi è davvero piaciuto questo libro, il primo di una nuova serie. La protagonista mi ha colpito con i suoi attacchi di panico e le sue fobie per ragni e serpenti (non sono ai suoi livelli per quanto riguarda queste ultime, ma la capisco benissimo!). Il detective Hunt è troppo bello per essere vero per quanto è empatico: tutte le donne vorrebbero trovarlo un uomo così!
La storia mi è piaciuta e alla fin fine non avevo capito tutta la soluzione del giallo. Ho già prenotato il volume successivo.
La storia mi è piaciuta e alla fin fine non avevo capito tutta la soluzione del giallo. Ho già prenotato il volume successivo.
January 24, 2018
Scone Cold Killer is the first in a new series by Lena Gregory.
It took a bit for me to become wrapped u in the story, but once I did, there was no stopping me until I got to the very end. This is no way reflects the book or the writing, it is typical for the first in a new series. There is always a lot to learn about the characters and the settings, and of course to follow the mystery.
Gia is a fun character and very likable. She is trying to rebuild her life after a bitter divorce and when her ex husband's nefarious deeds catch up to her, she finds herself the target of a killer.
I reviewed an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
It took a bit for me to become wrapped u in the story, but once I did, there was no stopping me until I got to the very end. This is no way reflects the book or the writing, it is typical for the first in a new series. There is always a lot to learn about the characters and the settings, and of course to follow the mystery.
Gia is a fun character and very likable. She is trying to rebuild her life after a bitter divorce and when her ex husband's nefarious deeds catch up to her, she finds herself the target of a killer.
I reviewed an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
January 16, 2018
Yesterday I read Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory and I did not want to put it down, I did not want it to end and I loved everything about it. That doesn't always happen with cozies I read. I honestly would not have changed one thing about this cozy mystery. The characters are great and develop really well over the story. The way the dog comes into main Character Gia's life was perfect and I think her best friend Savannah is perfectly written. I can see great things in this first in series and I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next in this series. I could see how this would quickly become a favorite series of mine. This one is out January 23rd from Lyrical Press and should be on your to be read list for sure! I still have no idea what Grits are but really want to try them now! Wish there was a recipe. Loved the cover as well.
May 14, 2018
4.5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Lena Gregory since her first book came out in 2016. Her Bay Island Psychic Mystery series is one of my favorites. When I found out she had a new series, I have to admit I was skeptical. I tend to have a favorite series by an author and find that at times, the new series fall short of my expectations. In my opinion, Lena has proven that she isn’t a one series hit wonder. Scone Cold Killer has captured everything I love about Lena’s writing.
Gia Morelli was living a happy life. She loved her job working behind the counter at a New York deli. She knew her customers by name. They knew her. She also loved her husband Bradley and the life they built together. So what, if he worked long hours and he didn’t really discuss his job. When he was indicted for stealing millions from clients, she believed in him and stood by him. That is until tons of victims started coming forward and she found out about all of his extramarital affairs. Now that Bradley has been found guilty, their divorce is final, and Gia has been proven innocent in her former husband’s misdeeds, she’s ready to move on and start over.
With the encouragement of her best friend Savannah, Gia moves to Boggy Creek, Florida and opens her own restaurant, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Gia is all excited for her first day. Things get off to a shaky start when Gia doesn’t have a southern breakfast staple and her cook turns out to not really be much of a cook. This is all stuff Gia can overcome. Unfortunately, things get worse. Gia finds the dead body of Bradley in the dumpster behind the cafe and the police are looking at her. Good thing she has Savannah and Savannah's cousin Detective Hunter Quinn on her side.
Scone Cold Killer is a wonderful start to Lena’s All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. I loved the characters and the character building. I found myself enjoying the story rather than focusing on who the killer was. Lena is very good at misdirecting which is something I appreciate. I have to admit I was surprised by the killer, but my spidey senses did go off. I simply love Lena's mysteries and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
**I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
I’ve been a fan of Lena Gregory since her first book came out in 2016. Her Bay Island Psychic Mystery series is one of my favorites. When I found out she had a new series, I have to admit I was skeptical. I tend to have a favorite series by an author and find that at times, the new series fall short of my expectations. In my opinion, Lena has proven that she isn’t a one series hit wonder. Scone Cold Killer has captured everything I love about Lena’s writing.
Gia Morelli was living a happy life. She loved her job working behind the counter at a New York deli. She knew her customers by name. They knew her. She also loved her husband Bradley and the life they built together. So what, if he worked long hours and he didn’t really discuss his job. When he was indicted for stealing millions from clients, she believed in him and stood by him. That is until tons of victims started coming forward and she found out about all of his extramarital affairs. Now that Bradley has been found guilty, their divorce is final, and Gia has been proven innocent in her former husband’s misdeeds, she’s ready to move on and start over.
With the encouragement of her best friend Savannah, Gia moves to Boggy Creek, Florida and opens her own restaurant, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Gia is all excited for her first day. Things get off to a shaky start when Gia doesn’t have a southern breakfast staple and her cook turns out to not really be much of a cook. This is all stuff Gia can overcome. Unfortunately, things get worse. Gia finds the dead body of Bradley in the dumpster behind the cafe and the police are looking at her. Good thing she has Savannah and Savannah's cousin Detective Hunter Quinn on her side.
Scone Cold Killer is a wonderful start to Lena’s All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. I loved the characters and the character building. I found myself enjoying the story rather than focusing on who the killer was. Lena is very good at misdirecting which is something I appreciate. I have to admit I was surprised by the killer, but my spidey senses did go off. I simply love Lena's mysteries and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
**I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
February 27, 2018
“Scone Cold Killer” earns 5/5 Fried Eggs with a Side of Karma!
Gia Morelli moved from New York to Florida for a fresh start; her bitter divorce from her scam artist husband, hassling phones calls, and friends no longer friends facilitated a need for a drastic change of scenery. Thanks to her BFF Savannah, she can look forward to the grand opening of her All-Day Breakfast Café in the touristy community of Boggy Creek. But her ex followed her, and Karma followed him. She finds him dead in the dumpster behind the café, and now her ex-wife motive just might trump those the ex scammed of their money. Detective Hunter Quinn comes on the scene, and although only trying to do his job, he gets scolded by Gia’s BFF. He's Savannah’s cousin, and should know better than to assume Gia is a legitimate “person of interest.” But, Gia and Savannah will not sit on the sidelines, even if her innocence is more obvious. They take it upon themselves to uncover the truth, putting themselves, of course, in danger.
Breakfast? Good. Small town community? Great. Murder of a low-life ex-husband? Priceless! Lena Gregory has penned a great cozy with a “karma” bite. Although you think you know in what direction the mystery will take, she has provided some delightful twists, turns, and dead ends (literally, dead!) to keep you engaged to the “Oh, know I didn't see that coming!” ending. “Scrambled” into the story we have the ins and outs of running the café with good, or not, employees and gaining a local clientele, learning about the community and her friends, and gaining independence and confidence. Great descriptions and dialogue bring the small community and personalities to life. Gregory’s characters are already well defined for a first-in-the-series book: favorite patron Earl who reminded Gia of the need for ‘grits,’ homeless good-guy Harley, a couple of badged friends and foes, four-legged Thor, and the best BFF, a great Ethel to Gia’s Lucy! I admire Gia, our heroine, desperately trying to overcome the emotional damage from her husband’s betrayal, and although she recognizes her insecurities, she also recognizes there just might be a nice bit of romance on the horizon. I highly recommend this book; it all works well and has made me eager for the next book.
Gia Morelli moved from New York to Florida for a fresh start; her bitter divorce from her scam artist husband, hassling phones calls, and friends no longer friends facilitated a need for a drastic change of scenery. Thanks to her BFF Savannah, she can look forward to the grand opening of her All-Day Breakfast Café in the touristy community of Boggy Creek. But her ex followed her, and Karma followed him. She finds him dead in the dumpster behind the café, and now her ex-wife motive just might trump those the ex scammed of their money. Detective Hunter Quinn comes on the scene, and although only trying to do his job, he gets scolded by Gia’s BFF. He's Savannah’s cousin, and should know better than to assume Gia is a legitimate “person of interest.” But, Gia and Savannah will not sit on the sidelines, even if her innocence is more obvious. They take it upon themselves to uncover the truth, putting themselves, of course, in danger.
Breakfast? Good. Small town community? Great. Murder of a low-life ex-husband? Priceless! Lena Gregory has penned a great cozy with a “karma” bite. Although you think you know in what direction the mystery will take, she has provided some delightful twists, turns, and dead ends (literally, dead!) to keep you engaged to the “Oh, know I didn't see that coming!” ending. “Scrambled” into the story we have the ins and outs of running the café with good, or not, employees and gaining a local clientele, learning about the community and her friends, and gaining independence and confidence. Great descriptions and dialogue bring the small community and personalities to life. Gregory’s characters are already well defined for a first-in-the-series book: favorite patron Earl who reminded Gia of the need for ‘grits,’ homeless good-guy Harley, a couple of badged friends and foes, four-legged Thor, and the best BFF, a great Ethel to Gia’s Lucy! I admire Gia, our heroine, desperately trying to overcome the emotional damage from her husband’s betrayal, and although she recognizes her insecurities, she also recognizes there just might be a nice bit of romance on the horizon. I highly recommend this book; it all works well and has made me eager for the next book.
January 14, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I read a lot of cozy mystery, so it's always a shame when one falls flat for me. I didn't really enjoy any single aspect of this book; not the characters, the setting, the mystery or the romance. Even Thor, the puppy, felt like a tool and a badly used one at that!
Basically everything felt like it was too simple; the writing and mystery especially. For me a cozy mystery needs to make you LIKE or at least know the character getting killed off, not just throw you in. I didn't care about Bradley, and Gia's stories after about the way he'd treated her didn't endear me. Why would I care if she 'solved' the mystery of his death? (except she doesn't try and solve it. There is one scene where she hunts for evidence, otherwise she is being stupid/and or looking at Hunt and pining. For no real reason. Definitely a case of insta love, and I HATE that) I probably should care about Gia then, and the impact the crime has one her? Nope.
Definitely not my favorite cozy. Two stars.
I read a lot of cozy mystery, so it's always a shame when one falls flat for me. I didn't really enjoy any single aspect of this book; not the characters, the setting, the mystery or the romance. Even Thor, the puppy, felt like a tool and a badly used one at that!
Basically everything felt like it was too simple; the writing and mystery especially. For me a cozy mystery needs to make you LIKE or at least know the character getting killed off, not just throw you in. I didn't care about Bradley, and Gia's stories after about the way he'd treated her didn't endear me. Why would I care if she 'solved' the mystery of his death? (except she doesn't try and solve it. There is one scene where she hunts for evidence, otherwise she is being stupid/and or looking at Hunt and pining. For no real reason. Definitely a case of insta love, and I HATE that) I probably should care about Gia then, and the impact the crime has one her? Nope.
Definitely not my favorite cozy. Two stars.
October 21, 2020
What a great mystery! This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be my last! The two main characters(Gia and Savannah) are so likeable. What a wonderful friendship they have. Two of my favorite characters were Harvey and Earl. Looking forward to seeing what parts they play in the other books in the series. And of course, last but not least....I can't wait to see what adventures little Thor will get into next!
November 29, 2018
Lena Gregory has written an engaging mystery with likable characters. A Scone Cold Killer is the debut book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series, and it doesn’t disappoint. New York native Gia Morelli is starting over in Florida after a nasty divorce from a scoundrel. He not only cheated on her, but he cheated many people who want to get even. As Gia is starting a new business, her ex shows up dead in the dumpster behind her new diner. She is immediately suspected by many of the locals and her business is about to go bust. Not only that, but she is being threatened for some reason and she does not know what is going on.
I enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting. I loved the characters in Boggy Creek, especially her best friend Savannah and local fisherman Earl. Gia is a great character. She is so real (has reasonable fears of things like spiders), is kind to the homeless man Harley, is spunky and smart as well as being a great cook. The ending was well done and although I was suspicious of someone all along, the reveal confirmed those suspicions and explained the motive. With the case officially solved and Gia deciding she will stay in Boggy Creek with her dog, Thor, and possible male relationship with Hunter, police detective and Savannah's cousin, I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes. A nice debut in a new series that I recommend to those who enjoy a culinary cozy. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
I enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting. I loved the characters in Boggy Creek, especially her best friend Savannah and local fisherman Earl. Gia is a great character. She is so real (has reasonable fears of things like spiders), is kind to the homeless man Harley, is spunky and smart as well as being a great cook. The ending was well done and although I was suspicious of someone all along, the reveal confirmed those suspicions and explained the motive. With the case officially solved and Gia deciding she will stay in Boggy Creek with her dog, Thor, and possible male relationship with Hunter, police detective and Savannah's cousin, I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes. A nice debut in a new series that I recommend to those who enjoy a culinary cozy. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
January 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to the next one. "Scone Cold Killer" is both a mystery, and the story of a woman rediscovering herself after a rough divorce. She's left her life in New York City and moved to a small town in Florida. She has a lot of adjusting to do and I cracked up so many at her thoughts about and encounters with local wildlife. She is not a fan of spiders, lol. Or bears. Or alligators. Gia is feeling raw and insecure after the end of her marriage and her self-esteem is in the pits. She constantly questions herself, and after her ex-husband's dead body is found in her cafe's dumpster, she decides about a half dozen that she should give up and go back but each time she decides to stay. It helps that her best friend lives in town, and that friend's brother is romantically interested in Gia.
Gregory did a good job not only in writing the mystery, with red herrings and lots of shenanigans, including a couple of stupid moves on Gia part, but also showing us Gia's pain, her insecurities, and her growth. Starting a business is nerve-wracking at the best of times but add in moving to a new location, one very different from your old location and life, and Gia was dealing with a lot even before her ex's murder and the suspicion that she killed him. Gregory kept me entertained, kept me reading, and kept me guessing. There were a couple of characters who it seemed clear weren't what they appeared, and while I was right about that, I was wrong about who they really were. I was saddened to find out the truth about one as I really liked that character and had hoped their story line might go in a different direction.
"Scone Cold Killer" was a light, fast, entertaining read and a strong start to a new series.
Favorite quote:
"All right. Calm down." Leo lifted his hands as if in surrender, but the look of sheer panic in his eyes gave him away. He'd obviously never dealt with a hysterical woman before. "Calm down? Calm down? Seriously? That's the best you can do?" He'd also never read the top ten list of things never to say to a hysterical woman.
Gregory did a good job not only in writing the mystery, with red herrings and lots of shenanigans, including a couple of stupid moves on Gia part, but also showing us Gia's pain, her insecurities, and her growth. Starting a business is nerve-wracking at the best of times but add in moving to a new location, one very different from your old location and life, and Gia was dealing with a lot even before her ex's murder and the suspicion that she killed him. Gregory kept me entertained, kept me reading, and kept me guessing. There were a couple of characters who it seemed clear weren't what they appeared, and while I was right about that, I was wrong about who they really were. I was saddened to find out the truth about one as I really liked that character and had hoped their story line might go in a different direction.
"Scone Cold Killer" was a light, fast, entertaining read and a strong start to a new series.
Favorite quote:
"All right. Calm down." Leo lifted his hands as if in surrender, but the look of sheer panic in his eyes gave him away. He'd obviously never dealt with a hysterical woman before. "Calm down? Calm down? Seriously? That's the best you can do?" He'd also never read the top ten list of things never to say to a hysterical woman.
January 20, 2018
Scone Cold Killer
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #1
Lena Gregory
5 Stars
Synopsis:
For Florida diner owner Gia Morelli, there’s no such thing as too much breakfast—unless it kills you . . .
When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed meeting Gia and her friend Savannah. Gia has had a tough time of it lately, learning of the terrible crimes that her husband has committed. She leaves New York to try to start over, but trouble seems to follow her. Savannah has stayed by her side, helping her get her diner up and running and trying to help her get her life back. I enjoyed reading the interactions between Gia and Savannah, you can tell they really care about each other.I really enjoyed Gia’s fears of snakes and spiders, it made her seem more human to me. The secondary characters added a lot to the story. And Thor, the puppy that Gia gets, sounds just adorable and I wanted to play with him.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story, I felt like I was right there, watching the action take place and eavesdropping in on conversations. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is also very talented in creating a homey setting and I enjoyed how everyone was quick to help Gia and welcomed her.
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and it was not easily solved. I had narrowed it down to two likely candidates and I had a fifty-fifty chance of being right, which I was, for once.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am going to check out this author’s other series, Bay Island Psychic Mystery, because I like her writing style so much.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #1
Lena Gregory
5 Stars
Synopsis:
For Florida diner owner Gia Morelli, there’s no such thing as too much breakfast—unless it kills you . . .
When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed meeting Gia and her friend Savannah. Gia has had a tough time of it lately, learning of the terrible crimes that her husband has committed. She leaves New York to try to start over, but trouble seems to follow her. Savannah has stayed by her side, helping her get her diner up and running and trying to help her get her life back. I enjoyed reading the interactions between Gia and Savannah, you can tell they really care about each other.I really enjoyed Gia’s fears of snakes and spiders, it made her seem more human to me. The secondary characters added a lot to the story. And Thor, the puppy that Gia gets, sounds just adorable and I wanted to play with him.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story, I felt like I was right there, watching the action take place and eavesdropping in on conversations. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is also very talented in creating a homey setting and I enjoyed how everyone was quick to help Gia and welcomed her.
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and it was not easily solved. I had narrowed it down to two likely candidates and I had a fifty-fifty chance of being right, which I was, for once.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am going to check out this author’s other series, Bay Island Psychic Mystery, because I like her writing style so much.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
May 18, 2020
Gia Morelli is finally escaping the nightmare that was her life in New York. With a lying, cheating, felonious ex-husband behind her, she's ready to start fresh in Boggy Creek, Florida opening an all day breakfast cafe. With the help of her best friend Savannah, everything is up and ready to go by opening day. Unfortunately, opening day doesn't quite go as planned and to make matters worse- much worse- Gia discovers the body of her ex-husband in the dumpster behind the cafe. The police seem interested in Gia as a suspect. She had no idea Bradley was in Florida let alone at her cafe! With any number of people wanting her ex dead, it's no wonder he was killed but who did it? Gia intends to find out but first she has to contend with a tall, dark and dangerous detective who thinks someone is trying to kill Gia next. Then there are some bears, a break-in or two and a spider. With all the wildlife out there trying to kill her, who needs human enemies? With the help of a good friend and an adorable puppy Gia may may be able to crack the case. Then what? Should she return to New York now her reason for leaving is gone or stay in unfamiliar Florida with the creepy wildlife and not so friendly locals?
I really enjoyed this mystery a lot. It's slightly different and a tiny bit darker than the average cozy. Whodunit was very difficult to guess. We know why but who could be any number of people. It seems a little obvious but it isn't so simple. The writing is good and fast-paced. I stayed up late to finish it even though I was tired. I couldn't put it down. I did noticed ONE grammatical error. It would be nice if professional editors would do their job and learn some basic rules of grammar, like where apostrophes go. There was too much cooking of eggs, potatoes, savory items, bacon and coffee for my personal tastes. All day breakfast diners are my favorite but give me pancakes, French Toast specialties and waffles over nasty savory items and yucky coffee. She does mention pancakes but not what kind.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Gia and I liked her in spite of her naivete. Gia is way, way too trusting, especially for a New Yorker! You would think she wouldn't hire someone without checking work experiences and checking references but she does it TWICE! Gia keeps giving away coffee and food yet she's massively in debt. I don't know how she can afford to adopt a puppy let alone pay for doggie day care. What good is a puppy going to do if someone breaks in or threatens Gia? Thor, a Bernese Mountain Dog, is adorable (and hooray for rescue!) but he isn't great protection. I would have expected Savannah to scold Gia for being too trusting or be too trusting herself. Gia has a lot of trust issues with men but apparently not everyone. She has a good reason not to trust people so I don't understand why she does. Savannah, being a Floridian, would come from a place where people don't lock their doors but she had a rough childhood and lived in New York for 5 years. Savannah is a great friend other than that though and I really like the female friendship bond in this novel. They've been through a lot together. Savannah has good instincts so I think Gia should ask Savannah to vet all relationships - personal and professional- from now on. The little bit of silliness in this novel seems out of character for Savannah and I didn't approve of her egging Gia on but Gia is a great friend when Savannah needs one.
Bradley, Gia's ex, is a convicted felon. He's a slimeball of the worst sort with a sordid, checkered past. His numerous mistresses include Gia's former friend! What Bradley did was completely inexcusable. Yet, I like that he's a little more complicated than a cartoon villain. The spider thing has to count for some feelings? However, his rat turdness outweighs his kindness and Gia is well rid of him. I don't blame people for thinking Gia must have known what he was up to but they take their anger out on someone else and that is not OK. Even if she did know, these people chose to trust Bradley and were taken in by Bradley. Whether or not Gia knew is immaterial. It would have been nice if the FBI knew what Bradley was up to and rescued Gia and gotten her help instead of leaving her to deal with death threats!
The local color comes from the characters. Harley, a homeless man, hang around the diner and around town. The locals look after him since it seems he's not quite right in the head. I wonder what his story is? He is in a position to notice everything but also in a dangerous position because if the killer comes after him the police wouldn't notice or care. Willow, the cafe's one and only waitress, is charming. She's young, perky and friendly yet wise beyond her years. She has some good advice for Gia. I think, from what she says, she is the daughter of a single mom and that has shaped her outlook on life. She has a close relationship with her mom it sounds like and that's really refreshing to read about. Maybelle is a hot mess. She's the worst short order cook ever, she has an attitude problem and is lazy. Yet Gia, bless her heart, can't bring herself to confront Maybelle. Maybelle is a nasty woman and her husband even more so. Earl, an older man, becomes the cafe's first regular. Aside from his obsession with grits, he seems kind and caring. I really like him and I can tell how much he misses his wife.
Other characters include Officer Leo Dumont. He seems tough at first but he becomes more likable once you know more about him. However, I forgot who he was when he was mentioned by first name later on. Detective Hunter Quinn, aka "Detective tall dark and dangerous" (also sexy) is the lead detective on the case. He's understanding, sympathetic and kind, even if he gets a little overprotective. He was probably a pill when he was younger but Savannah likes him best of all her family. I can see why. He really seems to care about keeping Gia safe and solving the crime. Hunt seems attracted to Gia but maybe not. Captain Hayes is a jerk and a terrible cop. He automatically suspects Gia. It's a good thing Detective Quinn is on the job. The other officers, even Quinn, seem a bit afraid of Captain Hayes and act differently around him. I think he's going to be a problem in the future. Detective Quinn apparently has a romantic partner, Sonny. She seems like the jealous type and not very kind or more standoffish anyway. She comes across as the type who could be Mean Girlish if she wanted to be.
Caleb Williams, aka Mr. tall, dark and stylishly disheveled (Gia seems to have a type) another New Yorker visiting Florida. He's handsome and charming and seems interested in Gia. I do NOT think she should be going on a date with anyone, let alone a stranger, right now. There's also Trevor Barnes, who owns the ice cream shop near Gia's cafe. Socially awkward, nerdy and shy, he isn't romantic relationship material. Not yet anyway but I can see Gia becoming attracted to who Trevor is and not what he looks like. He loves dogs so that's a plus. I can't help but be a little bit suspicious of him. He asks her out very soon after her arrival and he knows her dog's name without her telling him. Is he trying to get information? Mark Cooper, a recent arrival in town, is an excellent cook and a big help to Gia in the cafe. He's a smooth talker and moves quickly. He seems suspicious to me but Savannah and Hunt don't question the situation so maybe not.
The suspect list is super long. Did Bradley's friend Jim know he was in Florida and why? Jim should be in jail too for his awareness and support of Bradley's schemes. He threatens or does he warn Gia that something bad is going to happen to her? It would be nice if the police could nab him for murder as well as fraud. Horace Rabinowitz, Bradley's lawyer, is mentioned by name but never seen or heard from. He can't be a suspect but he must know more about why Bradley was in Florida, unless he's dead too. A man named Don Reynolds claims to be Bradley's lawyer yet Gia has never heard of him. He seems like a shady character and certainly goes on the suspect list. Bree, Gia's former friend and Bradley's mistress is also on the suspect list for reasons of revenge. Does she know more than she's willing to tell Gia? Miranda Ainsworth seems like a viable suspect. She's rude, nasty and suspects Gia was involved in Bradley's business. Surely she was another mistress come for her share of the supposed money and when she found out there was none she killed Bradley? Gia is sure that is the case. At least she came for something anyway.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series. The local library owns it and is open for curbside pickup hooray!
I really enjoyed this mystery a lot. It's slightly different and a tiny bit darker than the average cozy. Whodunit was very difficult to guess. We know why but who could be any number of people. It seems a little obvious but it isn't so simple. The writing is good and fast-paced. I stayed up late to finish it even though I was tired. I couldn't put it down. I did noticed ONE grammatical error. It would be nice if professional editors would do their job and learn some basic rules of grammar, like where apostrophes go. There was too much cooking of eggs, potatoes, savory items, bacon and coffee for my personal tastes. All day breakfast diners are my favorite but give me pancakes, French Toast specialties and waffles over nasty savory items and yucky coffee. She does mention pancakes but not what kind.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Gia and I liked her in spite of her naivete. Gia is way, way too trusting, especially for a New Yorker! You would think she wouldn't hire someone without checking work experiences and checking references but she does it TWICE! Gia keeps giving away coffee and food yet she's massively in debt. I don't know how she can afford to adopt a puppy let alone pay for doggie day care. What good is a puppy going to do if someone breaks in or threatens Gia? Thor, a Bernese Mountain Dog, is adorable (and hooray for rescue!) but he isn't great protection. I would have expected Savannah to scold Gia for being too trusting or be too trusting herself. Gia has a lot of trust issues with men but apparently not everyone. She has a good reason not to trust people so I don't understand why she does. Savannah, being a Floridian, would come from a place where people don't lock their doors but she had a rough childhood and lived in New York for 5 years. Savannah is a great friend other than that though and I really like the female friendship bond in this novel. They've been through a lot together. Savannah has good instincts so I think Gia should ask Savannah to vet all relationships - personal and professional- from now on. The little bit of silliness in this novel seems out of character for Savannah and I didn't approve of her egging Gia on but Gia is a great friend when Savannah needs one.
Bradley, Gia's ex, is a convicted felon. He's a slimeball of the worst sort with a sordid, checkered past. His numerous mistresses include Gia's former friend! What Bradley did was completely inexcusable. Yet, I like that he's a little more complicated than a cartoon villain. The spider thing has to count for some feelings? However, his rat turdness outweighs his kindness and Gia is well rid of him. I don't blame people for thinking Gia must have known what he was up to but they take their anger out on someone else and that is not OK. Even if she did know, these people chose to trust Bradley and were taken in by Bradley. Whether or not Gia knew is immaterial. It would have been nice if the FBI knew what Bradley was up to and rescued Gia and gotten her help instead of leaving her to deal with death threats!
The local color comes from the characters. Harley, a homeless man, hang around the diner and around town. The locals look after him since it seems he's not quite right in the head. I wonder what his story is? He is in a position to notice everything but also in a dangerous position because if the killer comes after him the police wouldn't notice or care. Willow, the cafe's one and only waitress, is charming. She's young, perky and friendly yet wise beyond her years. She has some good advice for Gia. I think, from what she says, she is the daughter of a single mom and that has shaped her outlook on life. She has a close relationship with her mom it sounds like and that's really refreshing to read about. Maybelle is a hot mess. She's the worst short order cook ever, she has an attitude problem and is lazy. Yet Gia, bless her heart, can't bring herself to confront Maybelle. Maybelle is a nasty woman and her husband even more so. Earl, an older man, becomes the cafe's first regular. Aside from his obsession with grits, he seems kind and caring. I really like him and I can tell how much he misses his wife.
Other characters include Officer Leo Dumont. He seems tough at first but he becomes more likable once you know more about him. However, I forgot who he was when he was mentioned by first name later on. Detective Hunter Quinn, aka "Detective tall dark and dangerous" (also sexy) is the lead detective on the case. He's understanding, sympathetic and kind, even if he gets a little overprotective. He was probably a pill when he was younger but Savannah likes him best of all her family. I can see why. He really seems to care about keeping Gia safe and solving the crime. Hunt seems attracted to Gia but maybe not. Captain Hayes is a jerk and a terrible cop. He automatically suspects Gia. It's a good thing Detective Quinn is on the job. The other officers, even Quinn, seem a bit afraid of Captain Hayes and act differently around him. I think he's going to be a problem in the future. Detective Quinn apparently has a romantic partner, Sonny. She seems like the jealous type and not very kind or more standoffish anyway. She comes across as the type who could be Mean Girlish if she wanted to be.
Caleb Williams, aka Mr. tall, dark and stylishly disheveled (Gia seems to have a type) another New Yorker visiting Florida. He's handsome and charming and seems interested in Gia. I do NOT think she should be going on a date with anyone, let alone a stranger, right now. There's also Trevor Barnes, who owns the ice cream shop near Gia's cafe. Socially awkward, nerdy and shy, he isn't romantic relationship material. Not yet anyway but I can see Gia becoming attracted to who Trevor is and not what he looks like. He loves dogs so that's a plus. I can't help but be a little bit suspicious of him. He asks her out very soon after her arrival and he knows her dog's name without her telling him. Is he trying to get information? Mark Cooper, a recent arrival in town, is an excellent cook and a big help to Gia in the cafe. He's a smooth talker and moves quickly. He seems suspicious to me but Savannah and Hunt don't question the situation so maybe not.
The suspect list is super long. Did Bradley's friend Jim know he was in Florida and why? Jim should be in jail too for his awareness and support of Bradley's schemes. He threatens or does he warn Gia that something bad is going to happen to her? It would be nice if the police could nab him for murder as well as fraud. Horace Rabinowitz, Bradley's lawyer, is mentioned by name but never seen or heard from. He can't be a suspect but he must know more about why Bradley was in Florida, unless he's dead too. A man named Don Reynolds claims to be Bradley's lawyer yet Gia has never heard of him. He seems like a shady character and certainly goes on the suspect list. Bree, Gia's former friend and Bradley's mistress is also on the suspect list for reasons of revenge. Does she know more than she's willing to tell Gia? Miranda Ainsworth seems like a viable suspect. She's rude, nasty and suspects Gia was involved in Bradley's business. Surely she was another mistress come for her share of the supposed money and when she found out there was none she killed Bradley? Gia is sure that is the case. At least she came for something anyway.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series. The local library owns it and is open for curbside pickup hooray!
February 27, 2024
Leaving her troubles behind Gia Morelli moves to Florida to open the All Day Breakfast Buffet. Gia thinks her biggest problem is her cook who can only cook one meal at a time. However it turns out her troubles are going to get a lot worse when she discovers an arm hanging out of the dumpster behind her restaurant. That arm belongs to her ex-husband.
This is a good first in the series story. I got to know enough about the characters to like them but there were teasers to let me know there is a lot more I want to know. The author did a good job making me curious enough to read the whole story in one day and leave me wanting more answers. I look forward to the next book in the All Day Breakfast Café Mystery series.
I was given an ARC of this story in exchange for a honest review.
This is a good first in the series story. I got to know enough about the characters to like them but there were teasers to let me know there is a lot more I want to know. The author did a good job making me curious enough to read the whole story in one day and leave me wanting more answers. I look forward to the next book in the All Day Breakfast Café Mystery series.
I was given an ARC of this story in exchange for a honest review.
November 15, 2021
Book One in the All-Day Breakfast Café series starts out with a bang when Gia Morelli’s ex-husband is found dead in the dumpster behind her brand-new café. She’s just moved to Central Florida to be near her friend Savannah and to escape her infamy in New York, where her ex-spouse was convicted of fraud. A swindler and scam artist, he’d apparently come to Florida for some purpose unknown to her. But so have others who demand Gia give them what’s rightfully theirs. She has no idea what they mean but gets alarmed when things turn nasty and several break-ins occur that threaten her well-being. Fortunately, police detective Hunt is on the job and vows to protect her. This debut title is an entertaining and fast-paced read. I’ll look forward to visiting Gia’s café again.
July 14, 2018
Lena Gregory's first All-Day Breakfast Cafe mystery has knocked it out of the park! The main character, Gia, is one tough, determined protagonist. Florida, with its snakes and bugs and bears, is not exactly New York, as Gia soon finds out. Despite mounting setbacks, she shoves away her fears one by one instead of giving up her dream of making her cafe a success. A budding romance added a sprinkle of spice to the mystery. I am so looking forward to reading the second installment in this delicious new cozy series.
January 18, 2018
This book was everything I like in a cozy and more! It's a brand new series by established author Lena Gregory.
Gia Morelli has come to Florida to start her own cafe, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Her life has been really crazy up to this point. Her ex-husband Bradley Remington was running a lot of schemes and scamming money out of people. Gia is tired of having anything to do with him and being in the spotlight. She just wants a quiet place to live and run her business so her friend Savannah talked her into coming to Boggy Creek, FL. Gia's bought a house and even adopts an adorable puppy--Savannah insisted on a medium size breed since due to Bradley's schemes, she thinks her friend will need protection.
The diner is off to a nice start with the exception of Gia having hired a woman who turns out to be too lazy to be a cook. Finding the body of her ex in the dumpster outside sort of tops that off. Savannah's cousin, Det. Hunter Quinn is on the case and he's going to make sure that Gia is protected while he investigates. Gia and Savannah take matters into their own hands when another body is found, this time in Gia's own backyard. At least she's not the one that finds it. Their trip to snoop around a local bed and breakfast is actually really funny. I could totally see it happening in a funny mystery show.
There were so many awesome characters that quickly became new friends. I just loved Earl, the regular at the cafe who made sure that Gia knew to serve grits. Harley, the local homeless guy with a real heart of gold is another one. I loved that Gia was kind to him and left him food--he didn't want to come inside buildings but when push came to shove, he overcame that just for Gia. It was fun to meet one of Savannah's brothers too. The one named Joey watched Gia's puppy Thor for a little bit while the girls went on their little errand.
The ending was pretty exciting and although I was suspicious of someone all along, the reveal still came as a surprise to me because I wasn't suspecting that person of actual murder.
With the case officially solved and Gia happy with her new little family in Florida, I'm super anxious to read the next book. Hunter has been so sweet to her so I hope they become even better friends in the following books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader's copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Gia Morelli has come to Florida to start her own cafe, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Her life has been really crazy up to this point. Her ex-husband Bradley Remington was running a lot of schemes and scamming money out of people. Gia is tired of having anything to do with him and being in the spotlight. She just wants a quiet place to live and run her business so her friend Savannah talked her into coming to Boggy Creek, FL. Gia's bought a house and even adopts an adorable puppy--Savannah insisted on a medium size breed since due to Bradley's schemes, she thinks her friend will need protection.
The diner is off to a nice start with the exception of Gia having hired a woman who turns out to be too lazy to be a cook. Finding the body of her ex in the dumpster outside sort of tops that off. Savannah's cousin, Det. Hunter Quinn is on the case and he's going to make sure that Gia is protected while he investigates. Gia and Savannah take matters into their own hands when another body is found, this time in Gia's own backyard. At least she's not the one that finds it. Their trip to snoop around a local bed and breakfast is actually really funny. I could totally see it happening in a funny mystery show.
There were so many awesome characters that quickly became new friends. I just loved Earl, the regular at the cafe who made sure that Gia knew to serve grits. Harley, the local homeless guy with a real heart of gold is another one. I loved that Gia was kind to him and left him food--he didn't want to come inside buildings but when push came to shove, he overcame that just for Gia. It was fun to meet one of Savannah's brothers too. The one named Joey watched Gia's puppy Thor for a little bit while the girls went on their little errand.
The ending was pretty exciting and although I was suspicious of someone all along, the reveal still came as a surprise to me because I wasn't suspecting that person of actual murder.
With the case officially solved and Gia happy with her new little family in Florida, I'm super anxious to read the next book. Hunter has been so sweet to her so I hope they become even better friends in the following books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader's copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. There was much more suspense than in your average cozy mystery - Gia flees New York to get away from her past, but it seems to follow her there and you're just not sure whom you can trust in this book. Of course there is a cute guy and a pet (in this case, a Husky named Thor); the book also takes place in a small-town, which is one of my favorite aspects of a cozy mystery.
I would definitely recommend this book and can't wait to continue reading this series.
I voluntarily reviewed this book on Netgalley.
I would definitely recommend this book and can't wait to continue reading this series.
I voluntarily reviewed this book on Netgalley.
October 1, 2021
Fun, light cozy mystery. Always fun to read a mystery with small town southern charm. I look forward to visiting Boggy Creek again.
January 20, 2018
Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, and no believe her when she tells them she had no idea her husband was a lying, cheating, scumbag. She knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town. She has become their target for revenge, and she can’t take any more.
On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning after she opens when she finds her ex-husband crammed inside her dumpster. As the main suspect, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before the killer strike again, and she becomes the body in the dumpster.
--
Series: All-Day Breakfast Cafe - Book 1
Author: Lena Gregory
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Culinary/Lyrical Underground
Author Lena Gregory has created a wonderfully fun entertaining story with believable characters and interesting scenarios. Scone Cold Killer will have the reader laughing happily and a bit concerned for Gia’s future but will also keep them turning the page and cheering her on.
Gia is a woman who is desperate for some peace in her life. Finding out that the man you loved, married and spent many years believing in was nothing more than a cheating con artist isn’t easy. Add in death threats, revenge of all manner and the “yeah, sure you didn’t know” game, puts Gia in the path of people who want revenge no matter what the cost. She’s a good person trying to stay one. Trying to start over isn’t easy and being the suspect in your husband's murder doesn’t make things any better.
Savannah and Hunt are fantastic characters who help Gia even when she doesn’t want them too. Hunt may be a cop, but he is on her side, and even if she were guilty, he would still treat her with respect and care. Savannah is Gia’s best friend, but while trying to clear her name, she learns that she doesn’t know as much about her friend as she thought she did. Everything they go through makes their friendship stronger, and even though Gia doesn’t want to get involved with a man again, she can’t keep from liking Hunt and maybe more.
A small Florida town with forest views to die for and decent, hard-working people are the perfect setting for murder and intrigue. The town holds festivals, art shows and is filled with crafters. It is a dream come true for most people who have ideas and dreams and just want peace.
Scone Cold Killer is well written, filled with action and lovable characters. Readers will quickly fall for these characters and the town and will want to see everything turn out right for Gia. Overall this is a great first book in a new series and is extremely recommended to readers of cozies with a culinary and pet bent that is intricate to the plot and development of the characters.
On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning after she opens when she finds her ex-husband crammed inside her dumpster. As the main suspect, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before the killer strike again, and she becomes the body in the dumpster.
--
Series: All-Day Breakfast Cafe - Book 1
Author: Lena Gregory
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Culinary/Lyrical Underground
Author Lena Gregory has created a wonderfully fun entertaining story with believable characters and interesting scenarios. Scone Cold Killer will have the reader laughing happily and a bit concerned for Gia’s future but will also keep them turning the page and cheering her on.
Gia is a woman who is desperate for some peace in her life. Finding out that the man you loved, married and spent many years believing in was nothing more than a cheating con artist isn’t easy. Add in death threats, revenge of all manner and the “yeah, sure you didn’t know” game, puts Gia in the path of people who want revenge no matter what the cost. She’s a good person trying to stay one. Trying to start over isn’t easy and being the suspect in your husband's murder doesn’t make things any better.
Savannah and Hunt are fantastic characters who help Gia even when she doesn’t want them too. Hunt may be a cop, but he is on her side, and even if she were guilty, he would still treat her with respect and care. Savannah is Gia’s best friend, but while trying to clear her name, she learns that she doesn’t know as much about her friend as she thought she did. Everything they go through makes their friendship stronger, and even though Gia doesn’t want to get involved with a man again, she can’t keep from liking Hunt and maybe more.
A small Florida town with forest views to die for and decent, hard-working people are the perfect setting for murder and intrigue. The town holds festivals, art shows and is filled with crafters. It is a dream come true for most people who have ideas and dreams and just want peace.
Scone Cold Killer is well written, filled with action and lovable characters. Readers will quickly fall for these characters and the town and will want to see everything turn out right for Gia. Overall this is a great first book in a new series and is extremely recommended to readers of cozies with a culinary and pet bent that is intricate to the plot and development of the characters.
December 21, 2017
This is the first book in a new series for author Lena Gregory and I found it to be a fun, fast-paced, very enjoyable cozy mystery. The book was well written with a fast pace that kept me turning the pages. For me, Gia Morelli was a likable character and I could relate to her "irrational" fear, having one of my own. Gia is surround by a cast of diverse and likable secondary characters along with a loveable puppy named Thor. Trying to start over, Gia moves to Florida, where her troubles follow. That is the basis of a mystery that I thought was solid and woven nicely throughout the story.
I think this is a terrific start to what I hope is a long running series for this author. I will be back for the next book to see what the author has in store for her readers.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I think this is a terrific start to what I hope is a long running series for this author. I will be back for the next book to see what the author has in store for her readers.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
February 18, 2018
Lena Gregory has several good cozy series and this book is the first in the new series All-Day Breakfast Cafe mystery. It introduces you to small town, Boogy Creek Florida and it's cast of strange and eccentric characters who love their food, especially grits. Gia has fled New York to open the All Day Breakfast cafe since her husband has been indicted for stealing money. When he turns up dead in her dumpster and then his lawyer is found dead too, Gia is the perfect patsy for the crimes. Nice touch of adopting a shelter dog and best friends helping each other. Looking forward to next book.
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