This book was definitely a page turner! I was able to read and review and advance copy of the book which actually comes out on January 23, 2018. I’ll be posting a review on Amazon on the 23rd but here is my Goodreads review:
Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 