There's nothing more delightful than curling up on the couch to read a book that just makes you feel warm and cozy inside, and that's what A Cold Brew Killing was like for me.

Which is kind of weird for a book that deals with the murder of a politician who's found inside the freezer of the local ice-cream parlour... but there you go.

I'm beginning to understand the types of cozy mysteries that I really enjoy reading, and this book was that for me. It was equal parts enjoyable whodunit with likeable characters that made me want to understand how everything fit together.

Gia's friendship with local ice-cream shop owner Trevor is thrown into disarray when the body of a man running for mayor is found dead in his freezer. With Trevor suspected of murder, Gia sets out to prove his innocence putting herself in the crosshairs.

Gia was really fun, and I identified a  lot with her character. While I may not run a cafe, I can appreciate her strong sense of self and a desire to always give herself 100% to her career and to her friends and loved ones. She's warm and likeable and a great narrator for the story. She has wonderful relationships with the people around her and makes time for them... even if sometimes she does go digging for information that other people might politely wait for others to offer up.

I loved all the friendships in this book, and how it was the antithesis of the murder plot which saw the hidden pasts of former residents of the town come back to haunt them. It was a nice juxtaposition to read on the page.

While I haven't read the first two books in the series, I do look forward to future instalments in the All Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. It's just too fun.

Overall, this mystery will thrill and make you smile. I have considered Gia a dear friend through the series, and have been so happy to see her becoming a stronger, happier version of herself. If you a looking for a fun, light-hearted mystery here is your book!

I enjoyed this latest installment in this series. The writing style is easy to read and follow and the characters are well developed and interesting. Lena Grehirys writing just gets better with each book. Tganks netgalley for the arc in exchange for my options and this review.

When a body is found at an ice cream store owner by a her friend Trevor, Gia Morelli refuses to doubt his innocence and investigated to clear him. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and the author has even improved from that one. Plot tightened and the characters continue to grow in depth. Very enjoyable!

This is the third in series and I have enjoyed both previous books in the series.
A Cold Brew Killing is a enjoyable well plotted mystery with fun charcters and a great setting that is pleasing to the reader. The descriptions of the food and cafe, customers and daily life are always fun to read and experience through the author's eyes.
I received a ARC from the publisher for review. My opinions are my own.
Protagonist Gia runs the All Day Breakfast Cafe and is skilled at solving two previous murders. The cafe is popular and has a fun set of regular charcters that add to the fun of the story. Gia arrives early only to find a body is in their walk in freezer. Her employee Trevor is under suspicion and Gia is determined to clear his name. She begins to investigate and finds that the background of the victim has a shady side of politics and dates back to high school. friends that are equally shady and come under suspicion. It becomes more interesting and well plotted to the end and I was unable to guess the ending.

The author has every element of a cozy mystery here including a small charming location, good friends, a possible romance and strong returning support characters. I look forward to the next in series. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to review this next in series.

A COLD BREW KILLING by Lena Gregory
The Third All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery

Gia Morelli has had it with politics! She's tired of Earl and Savannah bickering over the upcoming mayoral election and concerned with Skyla's reaction to one of the candidates. The election is thrown a curve when Trevor finds one of the men murdered in his ice cream parlor's freezer. Gia is certain of Trevor's innocence, but she soon discovers there's much more to him than she realized. More and more people are acting angry and scared and Gia soon realizes that all of them were friends in high school. Something that happened back then must be the root of the current murder, but what?

Can you ever escape your past? Should people be made accountable for past transgressions? Can people really change? The third All-Day Breakfast Café provides a fascinating look at these questions from a variety of angles. The themes explored are particularly relevant today, in relation to entitled young men, politics, and those who seek justice.

I love how the basis of the mystery was created in the past, a past about which Gia is totally unfamiliar. Gia's reacting without thinking and her jitteriness still annoys me, but her dedication, loyalty, and devotion to friends makes me like her. Her negative habits are slowly abating and I enjoy seeing her grow as a person. I'm also excited to see the development of some of the secondary characters, Cybil in particular.

A COLD BREW KILLING is a fast paced mystery that holds particular relevance in today's world. It's important to stand up for what you believe in and trust that your friends and family will support you. And remember family doesn't have to be blood, we can make our own family with those friends we hold dear.

A Cold Brew Killing
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #3
Lena Gregory
5 Stars

Synopsis:

When an ice cream vendor discovers a frozen stiff, Florida diner owner Gia Morelli has to serve up some just desserts . . .

Gia has become good friends with Trevor, a fun, flirtatious bachelor who owns the ice cream parlor down the street from her popular All-Day Breakfast Café. Trevor has the scoop on all sorts of local attractions and activities. But when he bursts into her diner, trembling and paler than a pint of French Vanilla, she can tell something's very wrong. Trevor points her toward his shop then passes out cold. When Gia runs down to his shop, she discovers a chilling sight—a dead body in the open freezer. But the ice cream man's troubles are just beginning. The police suspect him of this murder a la mode, especially when details of his questionable past surface. Gia believes in her friend and is determined to clear his name and find the real cold-blooded killer before someone else gets put on ice . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Although Gia does not have a conventional family, she has a family of friends and co-workers who mean so much to her. I love the relationship between Gia and Savannah, it seems so warm and sincere. All of her relationships feel that way.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and drew me into the story from the very beginning. Boggy Creek and all of the shops and restaurants came to life in my mind and it is a place I would like to visit.

The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of twists and turns and red herrings thrown in and it was a difficult mystery to solve, which is fine with me.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. It has humor, personable characters, loving friendships and an intriguing mystery. I have read all the books in this series and they just keep getting better.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This is the third book of the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series and my second with the series and author. All the special characters are back including protagonist Gia and her BFF Savannah Mills, possible heart-throb and acting captain Hunter Quinn, owner of the Storm Scoopers, Trevor Barnes, and Thor, a Bernese Mountain dog, who is definitely growing into his paws. I think my favorite support staff, however, is Earl (first customer ALWAYS in the morning) along with Cole, who works the grill in this Boggy Creek, Florida cafe.

Arriving early to greet her staff, Gia is confronted by Trevor who has discovered a man in his walk-in freezer. Frozen, of course. Trevor is a good buddy and she positively, absolutely knows Trevor couldn't have done it, but you know he'll get hauled in any way, setting her up for some sleuthing.

The well-plotted and engaging storyline delves into political headlines with candidates unfit to win and the games they played in high school. The author puts quite a spin on the conspiracy and includes a number of red herrings. I love the little parts with Thor, who still thinks he's a lap-puppy. And the dialogue is very natural.

Gia has collected a solid group of homebodies willing to cover her back and given her early childhood is just what she needs--driving home a theme of family. The conclusion wraps up all the loose ends that seamlessly include a small subplot. My only complaint is the heavy description of food service, although I must admit she sounds like a well-choreographed juggler. The town reads like small town USA and the area lends a comfortable sense. The author has put together a solid group of main and support characters with stories that can be read as a standalone.

I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciate the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for southern cozy mystery readers and those who enjoy the adventures of women sleuths.

The name of this book comes from the fact that Gia has begun to introduce cold brew coffee in her Florida diner. When a political candidate's body is found in the ice cream shop down the street, Gia becomes involved in solving the mystery to try to vindicate her friend, the shop's owner. That's not easy, given her boyfriend is the detective on the case.
The story line was paced for easy reading, and some of the secondary characters (the lonely widow and the homeless man) were interesting, but I found the main storyline a bit too predictable. The interesting characters seem to be inserted, but don't really achieve resolution to their stories in the book. The inclusion of food notes is somewhat unique, but the food didn't seem all that appetizing to me.

Thank you NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review

An election story everyone can enjoy. Lovely cozy that keeps the reader interested beginning to end. Strong likable characters and a killer you won’t guess before the end. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and curl up with this good read.

A Cold Brew Killing

by Lena Gregory

A group of former high school friends converge on their hometown in Florida as two of their number compete for the job of mayor. As all eyes are focused on the politics, one is found murdered in the ice cream shop belonging to Gia’s friend, Trevor. Trevor appears guilty, and Gia wonders if she knew him as well as she thought she did.

If you have read other books in the series, you will remember the regular cast of characters. In A Cold Brew Killing, author Lena Gregory gives more depth to these characters as she reveals some of their background. She also adds many more characters for this storyline. The author boldly dances between plot threads and the importance of characters, intertwining the two into an inseparable and fascinating storyline. Are secrets of the past playing out in the present? How far should one go to keep a secret that protects someone else?

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Lyrical Underground (Kensington Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #3 in the All-Day Breakfast Café Series, but can be read as a standalone
2. If you are not a coffee drinker or are an old school coffee drinker, you can learn about something new: cold brew coffee!

Publication: November 6, 2018—Kensington Press (Lyrical Underground)

Memorable Lines:

“I believe there are a few people we meet in our lives who are meant to be a part of something special. Sometimes lasting friends, other times just part of an important event in your life. Either way, I think we recognize those people when our paths cross.”

Her mental to-do list was getting longer and longer. If she didn’t start writing this stuff down somewhere, there was no way she’d remember to do it all. She hadn’t even remembered she was supposed to go away in less than a day.

Sometimes you didn’t need a friend to interfere; sometimes you needed them to stand by while you made a mess of your life, then jump in and help pick up the pieces.

A Cold Brew Killing by Lena Gregory is the third installment in All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.
Having read all previous books I enjoyed getting back to the characters I have grown to like. A close knit group of friends fiercely looking out for each other and the misadventures of two best friends are always a great read.

This book didn't disappoint either as this time Willow's mother has some long buried secrets waiting to come out, but someone is not keen on having them revealed. Trevor, Gia's best male friend is accused of killing a local politician and she can't help but get involved trying to prove to herself as much to the police that her friend is not a murderer.
Secondary characters are given a lot of space in this installment and it is wonderful to read about all the people who touch Gia's life and make her part of the community and one big family that she is yearning for.
I especially love how with each new book characters grow and we get to know them better and better.

Quick read, steady paced without a dull moment but many twists and turns and secrets to be found out.
Cleverly plotted with interesting dialogue and realistic situations. This is a perfect choice for those who enjoy smart cozies.

Gia Morelli's life is starting to come together. After moving to Florida and opening a café she's managing to eke out a decent living, has made some good friends, and even started a relationship with Detective Hunter Quinn, who's acting captain of the local police force. Little does she know trouble is brewing: there's a heated mayoral race between Ron Parker and Mitch Anderson, and while it seems it's just another campaign, little does she know it goes far deeper than she or anyone else thinks.

One morning her part-time waitress Willow is preparing to leave with her mother Skyla when two strangers enter the café for breakfast, and while leaving, the wife recognizes Skyla. She seems startled to see them, and though Gia wants to know why, she lets the subject drop. It's also apparent that Skyla dislikes Mitch Anderson, but won't say why, and no one presses the issue. However, Gia knows Skyla has things she's not saying, and she wonders why.

The next day, Trevor Barnes, who owns an ice cream shop down the street and is one of Gia's best friends, enters the shop while as a ghost and in a panic. He insists there's a dead body in his walk-in freezer, and he doesn't know how it got there. When it's discovered that the dead man is Ron Parker, and that Trevor has a past with him, he's suspected of the murder. But Gia knows Trevor, and she knows he couldn't kill anyone. While she thinks the police aren't looking hard enough, she wants to find out who wanted the man dead. She also wants to know why, after Ron's death, Skyla seems to have withdrawn into herself, but no one can get close enough to find out.

But once she begins to learn a little more about Ron's past and his history with Mitch, she realizes that there are secrets someone wants to keep hidden, and if she doesn't find out the rest of the story, it might be too late for everyone involved...

This is the third book in the series, and a very good entry indeed. While I somehow missed the second book after having read the first, the author doesn't reference things that occurred, so you don't feel like you're missing things along the way.

That being said, I liked the way the mystery was written. While the body is discovered almost immediately (as it should be), the clues are hidden well throughout, and pieces of the story are gleaned from each character involved, leading us to the truth. And what a truth it is; ugly, sad, and destruction of lives that never should have been. Unfortunately, such are the truths of life.

In this book, we learn a little bit more about Trevor and Harley's pasts and that of her friend Sybil who haunts the woods near Gia's home. It's things I don't believe anyone anticipated, but interesting nonetheless. We also have Gia and Hunt finding their way in their new-ish relationship, even if there are bumps in that path, and it's handled nicely and quite believable. With this new knowledge at hand, I fully expect the future books to be even more engaging.

Needless to say, I enjoyed the story, including the various subplots woven within, and the fact that they didn't detract from the tale by unwarranted drama. There were plenty of twists and turns, and enough intrigue to keep you reading throughout in one sitting.

When Gia finds out the truth of the matter (and we know she will) it all came together nicely and the ending was satisfying, giving us a hint of what is to come in future books while finding closure for some of the characters in this one. Recommended.

Some people said that crime increased once Gia Morelli moved to Florida.
This time, she did not bring it, but crime is dropped right at her doorway.
All the wonderful crowd from her breakfast cafe are included as this mystery revived from the past regenerates in Gia's neighborhood and friends circle. A timely novel as there are political elections nearing and none of the candidates are fit for office.
This all seem to be taking a toll on Skyla and Trevor is taken in as a person of interest in a murder.
Gia and Savannah are supposed to take a few days of vacation, but what should be a ''5 minute stop" takes them in a new direction. Of course this all takes a toll on Gia's budding romance as well.

Action packed, tense and timely, this book has something for every adrenaline junkie!

Murder in a Small Town
This cozy mystery in the third in a series. It stands alone well, but the story will be better for the reader if they have read the first two installments. The plot is great! There are all sorts of motives and suspects and secrets that go way back. It keeps the reader guessing! I enjoyed it and want to read more of this author's books. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

This is such a fun series. I love Gia and Savannah and the entire All Day Gang.

Poor Gia hasn't had it easy. Finding out her ex husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, she moved from NY to Florida to start a new, to only find him dead in her dumpster. Fast forward to the present and with the Cafe and her life back on track (even romance), could history begin to repeat itself? Is it possible that someone close to her may not be who they seem? With an election on the horizon, between two "friends" in a small town, secrets are bound to come out. Could it be that someone is out to stop the competition or does it go deeper than that? How far is this someone willing to go to keep the past in past? Leave it to Gia and the gang to dive in and find out what's happening. Can they find out before one of their own gets buried too deep in this?

Read the book to find out.

A COLD BREW KILLING by Lena Gregory is the third book in the All-Day Breakfast Café mystery series but the first I’ve had the chance to read. While it can be read as a stand-alone, there is some backstory regarding a couple of the characters that I wished I had known. Despite that, I found the characters to be engaging and I especially loved the sweet interaction the protagonist, Gia Morelli, has with a couple of elderly people in her town. I also greatly enjoyed the heartwarming rescue dog adoption scene the author included along with the theme that family doesn’t always have to mean blood relations. There are bits of humor sprinkled throughout, like Gia’s description of her boyfriend, Detective Hunter Quinn, aka “Tall, dark, and snippy”.

The murder revolves around the mayoral election for the town. It also includes a long ago crime that the author intertwines with the victim, which I found intriguing. There were plenty of suspects and secrets for Gia to weed through and kept me guessing and turning pages. The pace, for the most part, was good although I felt like the reveal was a bit rushed. Overall, this is a good cozy mystery and an entertaining read.

A Cold Brew Killing by Lena Gregory is the 3rd book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series, and a great start. Gia Morelli moves from New York to a small town in Florida to start over and get away from her ex. Gia is now the owner of the All-Day Breakfast Cafe, settling in and making friends. Gia's friend Trevor runs into her cafe, all upset there was a body in his freezer. Trevor owns the ice cream shop in town. When Trevor becomes the prime suspect, Gia is determined to find the real killer. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book/series.

I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

How appropriate for this book to release on Election Day, since part of the plot revolves around a local election for mayor. Don’t worry though – politics isn’t the focus. Instead, it’s a cozy mystery that also celebrates the bonds of friendship in many different ways. Which is what I love most about this series.

Gia has grown so much as a character since the first book, and she seems to finally be settling in to the quaint Florida town and her all-day breakfast cafe. While she rallies around her friend Trevor – who is falsely accused of murder – her friends rally around her, watching out for her and pitching in at the cafe when needed. There’s a slight romance thread but it’s definitely in the background, and there are also a couple of intriguing subplots involving some of the supporting characters. I loved spending more time with Cybil in this book, and of course i can’t forget to highlight Gia’s adorable dog Troy. He’s such a sweetie!

Bottom Line: A Cold Brew Killing is another great read in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series! Gia continues to be a compelling – and evolving – character and her friendships are the highlight of the non-mystery portion of the book. The mystery itself is well-plotted with several layers and twists. Looking forward to more adventures with Gia and her gang!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I enjoyed this book, it was a great quick read and I loved the ice cream parlor setting and the chemistry between Gia and Trevor. The mystery was intriguing and had some great twists and turns. I would recommend this book and series to all mystery lovers