’Tis the season for celebrating when Gia Morelli’s holidays include both a wedding and yuletide festivities. Until someone naughty delivers a most unwanted Christmas gift—murder. . .
For a native New Yorker, palm trees and warm temperatures don’t equal winter, much less Christmastime. Nevertheless, Gia Morelli’s friends have decked the halls and trimmed the trees to truly welcome her into their “family” with an old-fashioned Boggy Creek, Florida holiday season. Even more joyous, Savannah Mills is getting married on Christmas Eve—the greatest gift Gia could ever wish for her best friend.
But when Gia and Savannah stop by the caterer for a final tasting a week before the wedding, they overhear another bride arguing with her son about her husband-to-be. Moments later, the woman is sampling a piece of wedding cake—gorgeously decorated with mistletoe frosting—then suddenly dies.
Now Gia’s caterer friends are the prime suspects in what appears to be murder by poisoning. To clear their names and ensure Savannah has a merry matrimony will require Gia to conjure up a Christmas miracle . . . Includes recipes from the All-Day Breakfast Café!
Whole Latte Murder and Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory are the fifth and sixth books in the cozy All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. Each book in the series centers around it’s own mystery that will be fully solved within the book so they could be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, there is some continuing character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.
The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series features Gia Morelli who is a New Yorker at heart but after going through a messy divorce Gia decided to follow her best friend down to central Florida. The small town of Boggy Creek is certainly the exact opposite of what Gia was used to but she was determined to make a success out of her new diner she’d opened, the All-Day Breakfast Café.
Somehow Gia’s life in the small town has been balanced between running her cafe, taking care of her puppy Thor and solving murders. In Whole Latte Murder Gia was waiting for her friend Savannah who is a realtor to show a property and then meet Gia to shop. When Savannah didn’t show Gia went looking only to find a dead body and no Savannah anywhere to be found. Then in Mistletoe Cake Murder Gia again happens to be near when another woman nearby suddenly died after eating at the business so of course Gia looks into the mysterious death.
The All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series is another cozy series I have been following from the beginning and really do enjoy. This is one that has that great mix of humor and quirkiness that I enjoy. Of course after six books it’s obvious that I enjoy the characters in the stories and there’s some cute animal action on occasion too. The location is a different more laid back version of Florida than the touristy side one might expect too with a small town charm. I will definitely keep coming back to this series as long as the author continues to expand it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
You may hear New York native Gia Morelli humming Let It Snow but the only snow falling Boggy Creek, Florida will be of the artificial variety courtesy of her friend Trevor Barnes who has gone all out decorating his home for the Christmas Eve wedding of Gia’s best friend Savannah Mills. Gia and Savanah are finishing up all the details for the nuptials and that includes the final tasting with the caterer. When they arrive they overhear another bride embroiled in an argument with her son. He is definitely not on board with her getting married. A short time later Gia and Savannah hear a bloodcurdling scream. When they rush to see what is happening they find the other bride dead after sampling a piece of wedding cake. The cake was beautifully decorated with fondant mistletoe and berries and the same cake Gia and Savannah had just sampled too. Savannah loved it so much she wanted to switch the cake she had chosen with this mistletoe cake.
Gia and Savannah are clearly alive and well as were all the other people that had a piece of the deadly cake. It is also clear that the bride’s slice of cake contained some type of poison. Of course, the caterers are the number one suspects but Gia just can’t wrap her head around them killing one of their customers. She also wants to be sure Savannah’s big night is marvelous and merry so she is going to be sure this murder investigation is wrapped up before Savannah walks down the aisle.
I loved this story. This is the second book I have reviewed this week that had a great mystery set during the holiday season where the characters created by the author are the reason I couldn’t wait to read this story. Gia and Savannah have such a strong friendship, it is what brought Gia to Florida. They are also in strong romantic relationships. Savannah and Leo are getting married on Christmas Eve at Trevor’s opulent home. Gia’s relationship with Hunt is progressing comfortably. Their jobs sometimes get in the way but they work hard to spend time together even if it is just a few minutes at a time.
Sadly all this romance is marred by a murder. A murder that could blow up Savannah’s wedding plans. I really enjoyed the way the mystery was plotted out. I had theory right away but the author provided several clues that changed by theory time and time again. It was not the easy solve I had first imagined. Finding the right person with the right motive is key and I didn’t find it until Gia did.
I really love Lena Gregory’s writing style. Her in-depth descriptions are well placed and she knows when to pull back and let the characters drive the story. I was so thankful for her detailed description of the magic Trevor created for Leo’s and Savannah’s wedding. I had my virtual invitation and I was able to feel like I was right there. He created a winter wonderland and all the characters we have grown to love were in attendance. And when the clock struck midnight . . . nope you have to read the book yourself.
Mistletoe Cake Murder was a wonderful Christmas gift for readers. Lena Gregory never disappoints. The characters in this series are absolutely delightful and some of my cozy faves. I am so excited to see what happens next for them. I am so glad the future of this series is merry and bright.
Gia is one of those characters that you smile about. She reminds you of someone you know, maybe a family member. She gets into mischief without even trying but always doe sit out of love. Her best friend, Savannah, much like Gia, makes readers happy. The latest book in the “All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery” series, Mistletoe Cake Murder, is exceptionally enjoyable. It’s time for Savannah’s wedding and Christmas festivities; there should be nothing but joy and happiness. But as readers know, nothing is ever easy with these two friends; the word just isn’t in their vocabulary.
A murder takes a slice out of the girl’s holiday fun. And as usual, neither of them can keep out of the investigation. But they have a good excuse, Savannah’s wedding is just around the corner, and her caterer is a suspect after the victim ate a piece of cake decorated with mistletoe. Gia can’t have anything spoil her BFF’s wedding day. But the Christmas rush at her cafe, not to mention all the work that friends have put into making Savannah’s big day, well… big, is starting to take a toll. It’s up to Gia to make things right for everyone.
Suspects come out of the woodwork, and no one is exempt. Motives range from bad relationships, accidental death, greed, and jealousy to plain old rage. Evidence is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Mistletoe is the cause but no one knows how the victim got a hold of it. Gia and Savannah become incredibly frustrated when their progress stalls, and they call upon the help of friends. Leo, Savannah’s fiance, is investigating; after all, it’s his job, but Gia can’t help involving herself and Hunt, her boyfriend, to bring the investigation to a quick end. Luckily, the All-Day Breakfast Cafe staff hold the fort, giving Gia all the time she needs to help her friend with the wedding and solve the crime before the big day.
The crime is solved just in time, but Gia and Savannah are in for a surprise when the culprit is finally caught. Mistletoe Cake Murder is a delightful Christmas holiday read and a great addition to the series. Characters continue to grow and mature. The cafe keeps me hungry and craving to try the recipes at the end of each book. The wedding venue is described beautifully, and there isn’t a bride out there who won’t be inspired. The ending to this book, in particular, will make readers happy. I am thrilled with this book and hope that the series continues for many years to come.
I. Love. This. Series. I just do. It’s one of my fave series that I keep up with, and I get a little giddy when I know a new book is releasing. Such was the case with Mistletoe Cake Murder – add in Savannah’s wedding & CHRISTMAS too and I’m there for it. (The way this book ended – while I loved it – made me a little nervous that the series was ending, but my googling informs me that there are at least 3 more books in the works. Hooray!)
Gia’s cafe is the place to be in Boggy Creek, and it doesn’t take much reading of the series to understand why. Her warm personality and genuine affection for the people in her circle make it more than just a place to get yummy waffles or breakfast casseroles – the cafe is a bright light in the community and so is Gia. I always love hanging out there on the pages, even as my mouth waters over all the delicious sounding food that she & her cafe family serve up. It’s also a great source for intel (otherwise known as ‘local gossip’) which acts as a sort of enabler for Gia’s sleuthing urges. I enjoy how the author frames her snooping in a way that makes sense and that, overall, she doesn’t make foolish decisions… mostly.
The mystery is smartly done, and I had to keep changing my guesses as to whodunit. There are certainly enough characters who could have murdered the victim, whether intentionally or accidentally, which ensures that Gia, Savannah, and their law enforcement boyfriends have their work cut out for them. In the middle of solving a murder (with a valid motive for Gia to be doing her own sleuthing), they are gearing up for Savannah & Leo’s Christmas Eve wedding, and I thought the author did a great job of weaving those moments throughout the story without distracting from the mystery (or vice versa).
Bottom Line: Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory is full of suspects and friendship and, of course, all kinds of Christmas goodness. A clever murder mystery will keep you guessing, and you’ll be cheering for romance and the power of friendship (the latter is often the case in this series). The recurring supporting cast – including the 4-legged variety – adds so much color to the story, whether they are adding dimension & layers to the plot or buoying Gia with affection and help. I love everything about this series, including this latest book, and I can’t wait for the next one!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I have enjoyed the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series from book #1. Mistletoe Cake Murder is book #6 and the stories, mysteries, and characters are just as enjoyable and engaging as there were in the beginning. Author Lena Gregory has a wonderfully descriptive writing style which allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story. Character-driven cozy mysteries always keep me returning to a series and Ms. Gregory has continued to grow and develop these characters to keep readers attached and wanting to continue with their journey. The friendship between Gia and Savannah is at the heart of this series - their bond is strong and they are always there for each other. Their respective romances with Hunt and Leo are progressing nicely. In fact, it's Christmas and time for Leo and Savannah to finally walk down the aisle. Unfortunately, there is another murder in town and once again Gia put's on her amateur sleuth had to try to make sure the murder is solved before the wedding. After all, two of the potential suspects are the individuals hired to cater the event.
The mystery is well done. There are several suspects for the reader to consider and Ms. Gregory provides us with plenty of clues to consider. She doesn't make it too easy to figure out the identity of the killer. With all the clues each suspect has a plausible motive so the reader needs to pay attention in order to narrow down their choice. I was not correct in my choice but the killer's identity was not surprising but not a foregone conclusion wither.
I really enjoy this series and with the way this book ended, I am looking forward to more to come. The good news is that the author has signed a contract to write several more books in this series.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Princess Fuzzypants here: When Gia and Savannah are at the caterer sampling the fare for Savannah’s upcoming wedding, the last thing they expect to encounter is the death of another bride who is also sampling menus. It seems the wedding cake was poisoned but not nearly as much as the relationships between the bride to be, her son and her fiancé. The Savannah’s groom and best man are both knee deep in the investigation into the murder and there is enough vitriol to go around. The groom of the deceased has a track record of sudden death in his multiple marriages and the deceased’s family dynamic is decidedly toxic. So who was the intended victim and who did it?
Partly by intent and partly by accident Gia and Savannah are drawn into the mystery. After all, the guests at Savannah’s nuptials will be nibbling on the food provided by the caterer. Sometimes these two come perilously close to qualifying for a Darwin Award but this time, even though they do get into trouble, they have not been overly foolhardy.
The relationships in this series are a delight. The friendships between Gia and Savannah and their various friends and employees is lovely. The fact that their beaux work together solving crime makes for an interesting twist and the foursome are fun to read. There is enough muddle that the real killer is a surprise as is the depth of the villainy. It was an entertaining read that made me yearn for more. Just not a mistletoe cake.
Mistletoe Cake Murder is the 6th book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series.
Gia Morelli runs the 'All-Day Breakfast Café', a diner in Boggy Creek, Florida. With just a few days until her best friend, property and estate agent, Savannah Mills's Christmas wedding, Gia and Savannah witness the death of another bride-to-be.
Mistletoe Cake Murder was my 3rd in this series as I dived in late at book four in A Waffle Lot of Murder. I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Gia and Savannah have a brilliant friendship and protagonist Gia is a great character who I find to be instinctive and keen. The great cast of characters, including the hilarious townsfolk, and strong friendship bonds, help to zhoosh up this winter cozy as does Thor, Gia's Bernese Mountain Dog. I was sold on this compulsive story from the very beginning, and Lena Gregory once again really impressed me with her fluid writing. The details of the plot were very well-executed, the story was amusing and easy to follow, and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The story was scattered with scrumptious food references and clues were sprinkled throughout. This was an amazingly good cozy and I really hope this series continues. If you adore a great cozy mystery, don't miss out on Mistletoe Cake Murder!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Getting used to Christmas in Florida without cold and snow is challenging enough without adding in her best friend's Christmas eve wedding. Going with Savannah to the caterer's place to finalized them wedding meal choices should have just been an enjoyable ticking off of one more last minute wedding chore, until another wedding party has a medical emergency in the other room. Savanah and Gia both attempted CPR but the other bride died before reaching the hospital. As the groom and Gia's boyfriend are both the law in Boggy Creek, finding the murderer becomes one more to do before the wedding. Both Savannah and Gia are women that I would love to hang out with. They are caring, strong and supportive of each other and their friends. A full cast of characters are suspects with a rabge of motives. Plenty of red herrings, the plot moves right along and kept me enthralled. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Christmastime mystery with a plot as twisted as a candy cane. Jealousy, money and illicit relationships all seem to play into a murder leaving a long list of murder suspects.
I've read all the books in this series and appreciate how the plots have become more intriguing with each book. Thanks to Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Gia Morelli's best friend Savannah is finally getting the wedding of her dreams to her longtime love, Leo Hunt. The café is doing well though and Gia couldn't be more proud of herself for sticking with it. She loves her business, her home, her new community and especially her pets. Gia is thrilled for her friends but also a bit sad thinking of Savannah leaving Gia's house and possibly the café. Their relationship will never be the same. With Trevor handling the wedding planning, all Gia has to do is make sure Savannah stays calm and on track, which is why Gia is with Savannah at the final cake tasting with the caterers. While waiting for the caterer to let them in, Gia and Savannah witness an argument between an older bride and her adult son. Even though they try to put it out of their minds when they try the amazing mistletoe themed cake, a scream from the lounge room later on draws their attention. The older bride, Robyn, has collapsed on the floor and all anyone in her party can do is wring their hands, argue and accept her death. Not on Gia's watch! Unfortunately, Robyn dies of toxic poisoning at the hospital and the police believe it was something in that cake. With Savannah and Leo getting married in THREE days, Gia feels she needs to help Hunt solve this one ASAP so Leo's mind can focus on the wedding and honeymoon and not on murder. For once, Hunt actually agrees and knows Gia can't help herself-just be safe, all right! Even though Gia knows Hunt loves her, she can't bring herself to let go of her demons. Will they end up with a happily ever after or will Gia's past continue to haunt her forever?
This story is more weighted towards the cozy side. There's a lot more romance and friendship than actual mystery. There are four or five named suspects and possibly a random unknown murderer. Even with the limited suspect pool and obvious motive, I was still surprised by everything that happened. I was also rather surprised by the romantic conclusion to the novel. That seems to have come out of left field after a lot of discussion pointing away from that happening right now. I LOLd a lot at a Floridians idea of Christmas. They crank the a/c up, put on a pair of cozy pjs and turn on the fireplace and pretend it's snowing outside. I don't think the author has been to New York City at Christmas. I don't think it's as cold as they think it is and certainly not cold enough to snow. It's not in New England anyway. I caught a few typos which are unacceptable in a professionally printed book.
I really like Gia. She's come a long way since she first moved to Florida. She's still scared of spiders and critters but I am too and there's no way I'd ever move there. I'm a city girl anyway and rats are enough to deal with. I don't need spiders, gators, bears, bugs, etc. Gia is warm, compassionate and caring. She's a true friend to not just Savannah, whom she's known for a very long time, but also to Cole, Earl and Willow too. She's even learned to accept the nosy busybodies who come to the café for gossip. They, too, have come a long way and now accept her as one of them. She's done a lot for Boggy Creek. Her wedding gift idea seems a little strange to me but as Savannah is very indecisive right now and still struggling mentally, I guess it's a kind gesture well meant and fits the story. Gia and Hunt's relationship is progressing but she still doesn't consider him her official boyfriend because they never get to spend much time together. She admits, deep down inside, she's scared of being hurt and she's the one holding them back. Her past still haunts her. That rat turd ex of hers needs to be forgotten and not ever forgiven for what he did. She knows Hunt isn't the same guy and she knows Hunt wouldn't hurt her but she's worried anyway, irrationally so. At least she admits it and Savannah has some good advice for Gia. Hunt seems ready to move forward and commit to being Gia's boyfriend if she'll let him. He's sweet to let her have the space she needs to figure it out but I think she's a bit right to be wary. He's something of a loose canon sometimes. Hunt states his intention of fighting for those he loves, even if Gia wanted to leave town again. I don't agree with that. Maybe she does need to return to New York to confront her past and see where she stands. I know she'd come back. I think she needs closure with her dad before she can truly love a man. I don't think it's her ex's bad behavior standing in her way.
Savannah is the biggest sweetheart. I feel so bad for her that she still has PTSD from a previous book and can't return to her real estate job. Her love for her friends and family is so special. Her sunny personality and big heart make everyone love her and want to defend her fiercely. Leo is a darling for letting her go and figure out life on her own. That's true love. He's pretty special but like most men, doesn't have any real requests for the wedding just tell him when to show up and where. *sigh*
The rest of the cast takes a back seat for the most part. Trevor is another true blue friend who would do anything for his friends. Who knew he was a secret wedding planner wannabe? His wedding plans are AH-MAZING. Funny, because it's Florida, but spot-on for a romanticized version of Christmas. (It's seriously never a green or white Christmas in the northeast. Brown and gray more like it.) Trevor is a secret sweetheart. I'm glad he's moving forward from his early feelings for Gia and now it seems like he and Zoe are an item. Earl is adorable. I love how he doesn't care about his heart and he's right. His wife was the one who died young. He looks as Gia as another one of his large brood and looks out for her. Cole is so much happier working all day he's even willing to stay and help prep. He, too, looks after Gia and thinks of her as family. Willow and Skyla don't have anything major to say but Willow is there working a lot while Gia is off doing wedding and sleuthing stuff.
The new characters are all suspects in the murder of a middle-aged woman named Robyn. Robyn, a recent widow, was about to marry Jeremy, who her son Isaac claims is a gold digger. Isaac is a whiny, spoiled man child who can't shut up and let his mother be happy. All Isaac cares about is his mother's money and not his mother as a person. He does seem truly broken up over her death and I don't think anyone can fake that being as drunk as he is as often as he is. If Jeremy had died that would have been way too obvious. Jeremy seems sleazy to the max. He hits on women and behaves inappropriately around them a lot. He's caused trouble between a married couple and probably lied about it. Once we learn some background information on him, it seems like he is beyond sleazy. Is he a gold digger? Why was he always hanging around Robyn's husband? Why did her husband seem uneasy around him? That was never fully explained.
The maid of honor, Mallory, is a piece of work. She's a nasty so and so and totally unprofessional, uncaring and selfish. I do believe her that she loved her brother and wants justice done but I'm not certain she isn't the murderer. Who is this Ethan dude who never showed up to the tasting? He may have been spotted lurking about earlier and then disappeared. Did he poison Robyn's slice of cake? Ethan seems like a shady character. None of them seemed to truly care about Robyn.
Alyssa Rinaldi is the baker of a pair of caterers. She seems very nice and friendly. Alyssa is a sugar wizard and makes her mistletoe cake look like the decoration is actually mistletoe, which is poisonous. Her husband, Carlos, on the other hand, had better be arrested ASAP! Carlos is the angry, jealous, possessive type. He even quit his job to join her catering business, a business he wasn't happy about in the first place, so he could keep an eye on her. He's gotten her unto massive debt for numerous incidents involving his anger issues. Appearances can be deceiving and there's no way they're a happy couple. Why would Alyssa put up with this abuse? Why isn't he in jail or rehab for anger management? At least no one chalks it up to the Latin machismo stereotype. I kept waiting for that and was glad when it didn't come. Abusive is abusive and I'm CERTAIN this guy is a murderer. He MEANT to kill Jeremy but got Robyn instead accidentally. Either that or someone needs to kill Carlos. Why hasn't Hunt done something about this guy?
I enjoyed this mystery as part of the series but it didn't make me want another one ASAP. I did like that Gia cooked more breakfast items like pancakes and French Toast. There are two recipes for French Toast in the back but neither is out of the ordinary. I always put vanilla in my French Toast along with the eggs, milk and cinnamon but never butter. That's something different.
Mistletoe Cake Murder All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #6 Lena Gregory 5 Stars
Synopsis:
Tis the season for celebrating when Gia Morelli’s holidays include both a wedding and yuletide festivities. Until someone naughty delivers a most unwanted Christmas gift—murder. . .
For a native New Yorker, palm trees and warm temperatures don’t equal winter, much less Christmastime. Nevertheless, Gia Morelli’s friends have decked the halls and trimmed the trees to truly welcome her into their “family” with an old-fashioned Boggy Creek, Florida holiday season. Even more joyous, Savannah Mills is getting married on Christmas Eve—the greatest gift Gia could ever wish for her best friend.
But when Gia and Savannah stop by the caterer for a final tasting a week before the wedding, they overhear another bride arguing with her son about her husband-to-be. Moments later, the woman is sampling a piece of wedding cake—gorgeously decorated with mistletoe frosting—then suddenly dies.
Now Gia’s caterer friends are the prime suspects in what appears to be murder by poisoning. To clear their names and ensure Savannah has a merry matrimony will require Gia to conjure up a Christmas miracle . . . Includes recipes from the All-Day Breakfast Café!
Praise for Lena Gregory
“As breezy and salty as a gust of wind off the chilly bay waters.” —Juliet Blackwell, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchcraft Mysteries on Death at First Sight
“An intriguing opening to a fun new series.” —E. J. Copperman, national bestselling author of the Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries on Death at First Sight
“Hold on to your plates for this fast-paced mystery that will leave you hungering for more!” —J.C. Eaton, author of the Sophie Kimball Mysteries, on Scone Cold Killer
“It’s fast paced, [Gregory] never misses a beat. There’s mystery mixed with just a small hint of romance and paranormal activity. It’s the perfect blend for cozy mystery fans. I’m hoping to read more in this captivating series.” —Socrates Book Review on Occult and Battery
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Gia and Savanna are the best of friends, as close as sisters. I really enjoy spending time with them, they are so much fun. They are getting ready for Savannah's wedding and all that entails. When they go by the caterer for a final tasting, another bride is killed. When Savannah’s caterer is considered a prime suspect, they decide they will have to find the killer themselves. And they better do it quickly, Savannah has a wedding.
The writing style flows smoothly and defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and it pulled me onto the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and I was entirely sure who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am already looking forward to reading the next one in the series
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Savannah’s wedding is fast approaching and she and Gia are finalizing all the plans for the big day, including one final tasting as they nail down the menu for the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Their plates are so full right now that when a woman is murdered at the caterer’s they can’t help but try to figure out what happened, even if it’s the last they they’ll ever do, with no I do.
I’ve been reading this series since the very start and love the mystery as well as the natural progression of the lives of the characters. That combination is what makes you feel like each entry is visit with friends you’re catching up with. ADORE it!
4 stelle e mezza Altra serie che ho finito. Mi è piaciuto il finale, davvero appropriato. Per quanto riguarda la storia gialla c'erano tanti possibili colpevoli e alla fin fine la donna assassinata non era amata da nessuno, ma non per sua colpa: mi sono dispiaciuta per lei.
When a bride-to-be dies at her food tasting, Gia Morelli investigates the crime to ensure her best friend bride’s wedding isn’t affected by the investigation.
Overall, I found this book to be a pleasant and enjoyable cozy mystery read. Though it’s holiday-themed, I often forgot it was the Christmas season since it’s set in Florida. I understood the main character’s comments about the stark difference between southern and northern Christmases well!
I found the characters in this book to be well-developed, likeable and believable. The pacing of the story was good throughout. There were a few scenes that I found confusing or that had a few minor inconsistencies but it did not detract from the overall story much.
I did not read the first book in the series, but had no trouble following this book or keeping the characters straight. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it!
Gia Morelli is almost as excited about the wedding of her best friend Savannah as the bride. Almost all the preparations have been taken care of, but they need to go to the caterer to finalize Savannah's choices for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. When they arrive, a mother and her son run out of the caterer's building, arguing with each other. It seems the son doesn't like the choice of husband, and claims he's only after her money. They wait for the situation to die down, then they enter. The caterer is also a friend, and she tells them that these people have been arguing all day. But barely ten minutes pass when the women hear another woman scream, and they head to the source. The mother is on the floor motionless, and no one is doing anything to help her. Gia jumps into action giving the woman CPR, and Savannah calls her fiancé, police detective Leo Dumont.
When the police arrive the woman is taken by ambulance to the hospital, but Gia learns that she later died. Now Gia wants to know who killed the woman and why, but it appears that every one of the people in the room had a motive, perhaps even the caterers. Determined to solve the mystery before Savannah's wedding, Gia sets out to discreetly question the suspects, hoping one of them will drop their guard and say the right thing...which is that they committed the crime. That is, if the killer doesn't find Gia first...
This is the sixth book in the series and I have read all of them. Ms. Gregory is a talented writer that brings you into her stories easily, and you wander through the pages along with the characters, trying to figure out who Did The Deed. It's a pleasant romp through the mystery, and it keeps you interested while you watch Gia do her magic.
This book was especially fun because I love Christmas and everything surrounding it, so reading about all the preparations that took place before the wedding made me long for the holiday to arrive (but not too soon, mind you). The descriptions were delightful and brought us into the winter wonderland that stood before the two women.
The suspects all had secrets, and it brought to mind a Sir Walter Scott quote: Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. (Marmion; 1808). All of the suspects are deceiving in one way or another, but Gia is trying to sift through the lies to discover the truth. Luckily, she has her friends to help her, and Savannah always has her back.
But it's not as easy said or done. No one wants to talk, and when they do, they accuse each other. So Gia and Savannah are on their own (they can't tell Leo or Gia's boyfriend Hunt what they are doing, obviously -- even though Hunt knows anyway); and it's a lot of fun to watch them race the clock to find out the truth.
When they do figure out the killer, it does come as a bit of a surprise, but that is always a good thing; and although it's a motive as old as time, it's still rather sad to watch deluded people who think their reasons are good enough to keep them from the law. In the end, I loved the entire book, including the final scenes, and I can't wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Mistletoe Cake Murder is the sixth book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series by Lena Gregory, and I can’t wait to read more.
Mistletoe Cake Murder is the first book I’ve read in the series, and there were enough details to give me some background from previous books. It’s also the first book I’ve read by Ms. Gregory, and I look forward to reading more of her books if this is her caliber of writing.
The characters and the story had depth. There were many characters, and while best friends, Gia and Savannah, are front and center, many other characters add layers to the story. Of course, Gia and Savannah are amateur sleuths and help their significant others, who are on the police force, solve several murders. There are clues galore sprinkled throughout, along with lots of finger-pointing of who could be the murderer. Money seems to be the root of all evil in this tale, and there are many stories woven together to get us to the conclusion of whodunnit!
There is lots of food since Gia owns the cafe, and a lot of the story is set there. There are also other businesses sprinkled throughout as well as family and friends. There is angst, sadness, tears, injuries, wedding planning, lots of shout-outs to Christmas, happiness, and a happily ever after, all set in a small town in Florida. There is a good flow to the story, and it’s a quick read as I kept turning the pages. There is nice closure and a happily ever after along with another in the offing.
The book to me was reminiscent of those written by both Maria Geraci, now writing her mystery series as Maggie March, and the Auntie Clem Bakery series by P.D. Workman.
I look forward to reading the books I missed in the series and hope there will be more since there seem to be more stories to tell.
In Mistletoe Cake Murder, Savannah and Leo are preparing to marry on Christmas Eve. Things are going smoothly until they visit the caterer for the last tasting right not too long before the wedding. The caterer has another bride and groom doing their tastings at the same time. Savannah and Gia overhear the bride and her son arguing about her soon-to-be husband. Then, the bride falls down inside the caterer's shop after sampling some wedding cake. Her death casts a horrible shadow over Gia and Savannah, along with their friend Alyssa's catering company. Gia goes on the hunt to catch a killer to save her friend's reputation and keep Savannah and Leo's wedding on track.
I love Gia. She came from New York one person and has since evolved into another as she gets used to the differences in Florida. Gia is a very strong character and I enjoy the books about her world. Samantha and Hunt are wonderful characters. Savannah is a wonderful best friend and Hunt is another person who has Gia's back. The character development continues as we learn more about the characters, old and new, without being bogged down with useless filler.
Mistletoe Cake Murder is another great book in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. The book is perfectly paced - not too fast and not too slow. I was pulled in from the very beginning and engaged in the plot. The story was fun, exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. I had a wonderful time trying to figure out just what happened and who was responsible. The continued world building is great, and I was able to visualize the story.
Every single character in this book is likable, the setting in Florida is nice, and the assortment of suspects kept me on my toes. The chemistry between Gia and Hunt is sweet and believable. I prefer a little bit of soft romance in my cozy mysteries and this series hits the mark. I really enjoy the author's writing style and devour every book she publishes.
I totally love the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series! I binge read all 6 books straight through because I thoroughly enjoyed them and couldn't wait to see what happens next and.what mischief Gia and Savannah get into! Luckily another book is coming out soon! I read a lot of cozy mysteries and I haven't enjoyed a series this much in a long time! I would rate it higher if I could. Mistletoe Cake Murder is the.6th book in the series and the best yet! Gia Morelli owns All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Her employees are also good friends especially her best friend Savannah. The two are constantly getting into trouble and difficult situations but they help the police and it adds humor and a little intrigue to the story. Gia's boyfriend Police Captain Hunter (Hunt) Quinn is Savannah's cousin. Savannah is due to marry Leo who is Hunt's police partner. It is fun when the four of them hang out together. Savannah and Leo are getting married in two weeks on Christmas Eve. The rehearsal and wedding are being held at their friend Trevor's beautiful home. Gia and Savannah have a meeting at the caterers. Another family is also there for a tasting but all they are doing is fighting... loudly. One of the other group ends up dead from poisoning. Savannah is afraid the death will cause problems for her caterer. Plus there are rumors about the catering owners. Gia and Savannah of course begin to poke around and ask questions. Gia and Hunt are much closer in this book (finally) and their relationship is explained a lot more. There is a good balance between the mystery (figuring out whodunnit), the wedding, the relationship advancement, and friendships. This book was even more difficult to put down than the others! I loved everything about it! I got this ebook from the library. #MistletoeCakeMurder #AllDayBreakfastCafe #LyricalPress. #KensingtonBooks
Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory. Savannah and Leo are finally going to have their dream wedding in just over a week. She and Gia had moved in to Trevor's mansion, where the wedding was to be held, to help with the final touches. They had an itinerary, thank you, Trevor, and first on the list was Rinaldi Catering, Alyssa and Carlos, although the menu was set. As Alyssa brought them samples of a new cake, they heard yelling from the inside of the building. Alyssa explained that was why she was outside. It had been that way all morning: aggressive customers, Jeremy and Robyn. Just moments later, Robyn was on the floor and Gia was doing CPR. The people in her party were just gaping. By then Savannah had called 9-1-1 but on route to the hospital, Robyn died. What in the world was going on?
Gia's boyfriend was Hunter Quinn, a police captain, so of course he arrived along with the ambulance, as well as Leo, his partner. After being warned to stay out of it and stay safe, Savannah and Gia left to go to work at Gia's cafe, All-Day Breakfast Cafe. Hunter was strong and brace and intelligent and he loved Gia, despite the fact she wasn't sure she could commit (based on her past experiences). Gia was clever, but not always as careful as she could be. The murderer turned out to be the logical one, but not necessarily the obvious one. It was a well-crafted mystery with lots of personal details added to make it a very entertaining book, one well worth the read.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Mistletoes Cake Murder by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #mistletoecakemurder #lenagregory
MISTLETOE CAKE MURDER by Lena Gregory The Sixth All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery
It's the week before Christmas and Gia Morelli is preparing, not only for her second Christmas in Florida, but her best friend's wedding. The final tasting at the caterer's turns out more final than everyone thought when another bride screams and collapses after eating a sample of the wedding cake. With her son accusing the fiance of murder and rumors abounding that the intended groom was having an affair with the very married caterer, Gia's boyfriend and Savannah's betrothed have a powder keg of a mystery to solve. Between finding the perfect Christmas gifts and keeping the bride-to-be calm, Gia will still manage to fit in a little snooping. After all, it wouldn't do for the caterer to be arrested before the wedding!
While I certainly prefer a white Christmas, I'm happy to spend this holiday in Boggy Creek, Florida, especially with the promise of Savannah's wedding. I love the holiday ambiance and am stunned by Trevor's house and his decorating abilities. I want to live there,!!! Or at least visit! In addition to Christmas and a murder, there is romance, nicely balanced with reality, culminating in a dream wedding.
I like how the murder was tied to Gia, but not intrinsically so. The murder mystery itself was fascinating, with so many components and I wanted most of the suspects to be guilty! What a nasty crew of characters, it made me feel for the victim even more. Lots of surprises and smart moves by Gia and Savannah made for a fun, exciting, and fist bumping read. "You go girl!" I said to myself more than once.
MISTLETOE CAKE MURDER delightfully blends the Christmas holiday, a beautiful wedding, and all of the feels to create a wonderful mystery.
Another delightful cozy series that has never disappointed me. #6 is another winner and it's an invitation to the Christmas Even wedding of Gia and Leo but homicide was not part of the planned festivities. While Savannah and Gia are taking care of the finishing touches with their caterer, another bride to be dies after her cake testing session. Not only a tragic event but the prime suspects are the caterers and if they are hauled away to jail, there go Gia's wedding plans. What's a bride to do? Team up with her BFF (Savannah) and track down the killer. With a list of suspects longer than her arm, Savannah sets out to solve the crime, run her diner, etc. etc. but will she have enough energy to get it all done in time for Gia and Leo to say their "I do's". The motives are abundant, the main characters are in fine form and the mystery is top notch. It's the sign of a good series when the reader wants a friend like Savannah, can't wait to pack their bags and head for a long vacation in Boggy Creek, Florida and reads each mystery like reading a catching up letter from friends. It also can work as a stand alone if you are new to the series but make sure to catch up so you'll be ready for the next missive from Savannah and the rest. My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory Publisher: Kensington Books Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Publication Date: October 12, 2021
Mistletoe Cake Murder by Lena Gregory is the sixth book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series. This book can easily be read as a standalone cozy mystery or as part of the series.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I love that it is set in Boggy Creek, Florida, so it brings me back home. While I did not live near the Ocala National Forest, a lot of the nature Gia experiences was found throughout Central Florida.
I loved the Christmas Eve wedding and all of the preparation that took place leading up to it! It made for a fascinating storyline. This was a great book to read to welcome the Christmas season!
This is such a fun cozy mystery! I love the characters and how they all look out for each other. The story was so much fun to read and very interesting! The mystery was great! There was a lot of depth to it with great twists and turns!
I can't wait to read the other books in the series! I would definitely recommend this to cozy mystery fans!
I'm so grateful to Lena Gregory, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Christmas in Florida is about as different from New York as can be but Gia is adapting. Her focus this year is more on the upcoming wedding of her best friend Savannah. When a final cake tasting becomes a deadly event, everyone becomes a suspect, or at least a person of interest. The future groom and the best man are officially on the case, but Gia and Savannah are smack in the middle of everything. Was the deceased even the intended victim? Everyone is keeping secrets and telling lies. What about the caterers? Will they be able to handle the rehearsal diner and wedding? Gia will let nothing spoil Savannah and Leo's big day.
You will best enjoy this book if you are familiar with the continuing storyline, but it can be read as an edge of your seat stand alone. The focus is on family and friendships. Every time Gia leaves the cafe she finds herself in danger, and sometimes it even tracks her down. I love the relationship between Gia and Savannah. Also how Hunt, Gia's boyfriend, describes the relationship. It made me smile. This is a story about trust and moving forward despite obstacles.
This is my favorite book in the series yet! The mystery leading up to Savannah and Leo's wedding was a good one and if anything, it kept Savannah busy instead of worrying about details which their awesome friend Trevor had covered anyway. I'm with Gia, I hope we see wedding bells between him and Zoe sometime soon! He's one of my favorite characters and needs a happily ever after.
I kind of had a feeling all along of whodunit, but falling for the red herrings was still fun and seeing Gia and Savannah in sleuthing action's always worth it. The showdown was great and featured our two fave couples.
I loved how nearly the whole town was gathered in Trevor's magical setting for Savannah and Leo's wedding. All our favorites were there like Earl and his family, Cole and Cybil as well as Willow and her mom Skyla. Trevor had gone all out, and with the author's gift of just the right amount of description, it was so easy to picture this amazing Christmas Eve wedding. Get a tissue ready, because the ending is sweet, funny and absolutely perfect!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, an my opinions are my own.
Gia Morelli accompanies her friend Savannah to a cake-tasting one week before Savannah's wedding which is on Christmas Eve. As they are parking their car, they see a woman and a young man come out of the venue, arguing loudly and then going back inside. Once inside, as they are waiting for their turn, they hear voices raised in the next room, followed by a scream. It turns out that the woman they saw arguing is on the floor, and in spite of Gia's CPR efforts, she eventually dies.
She was also there for a cake-tasting, and they learn the young man she was arguing with was her son, who was trying to convince her that her fiance was only marrying her for her money. Then the caterers become the main suspects, and Gia and Savannah decide to see if they can find out what really happened, so that Savannah's wedding reception can proceed as planned.
There are a lot of people in this book who are shady, and at different times seem to clearly be the killer. It was fun to try and figure it out.
Mistletoe Cake Murder (All Day Breakfast Cafe 6) by Lena Gregory
Gia’s back!
Gia’s definitely in my top 10 favorite modern female sleuths. So, I was very excited to see the new release. While the Christmas theme is a little early for me in reality. I couldn't force myself to wait a month before devouring this sixth installment!
We pickup where we left off from Whole Latte Murder (ADBC 5) Savannah is finalizing preparations to get married. We join her, Gia and the crew in this book to celebrate her wedding and a Christmas surprise!!!
While finalizing the cake the ladies witness a family altercation. This is the start of our murderous adventure. It was a wonderful addition to a fabulous series with mystery, serious emotional growth, small town gossip, and laughter. 5*****
Wedding, family, Christmas, surprises and Murder!
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the ARC.
At the beginning of the book, there was a list of characters in the story, which I thought was a great idea. However, as I read, I found myself wishing I were reading a print book., so I could quickly (and often) refer back to it. Maybe because I couldn't bring myself to read straight through it, I had a hqrd time keeping track of some of them. Honestly, the story felt SO long to me that I even checked Amazon to see if it had 500 or so pages. Otherwise, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it didn't seem to move so slowly. Also, I think it would have helped if I had read previous installments in the series.
Gia and Samantha are best buddies who are preparing for Samantha's wedding. As they attend a cake testing, they hear a scream through the wall and discover another bride-to-be has been killed. The plot revolves around the two of them trying to discover who the murderer was, even both of your boyfriends are police officers.
Thank you NetGalley, Lena Gregory and Kensington Books for the book Mistletoe Cake Murder. This is my personal review. This is the first book I have read in this series, and I have to say after reading this book I am excited to go back and start the series with book one. Gia and Savanna are two woman I want to get to know better. I like the way they just click together. The author makes them feel like someone I have known for a long time even with this being the only book I have read in the series. The mystery was so well written, and I thought I had it figured out who did it but was I wrong! Thank you, Lena Gregory, for this series that is new to me. I have put this series on my birthday wish list for my husband to buy me. That solves the mystery for him of what to get me this year!
Gia and Savannah are best friends and would do anything for each other. Savanna is getting married and Gia and Trevor were helping her with the wedding plans and they are going to have the wedding at Trevor's mansion. While making plans for the wedding coming up they are getting ready for a tasting at the caterers. While they are waiting for their turn, the group ahead of them screamed and a lady fell over.
As you read this book and it starts to unfold in front of you, you begin to fall for Gia and Savanna. Those two seem to be around when trouble starts and they get caught in the middle. It is a really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.