Blurb
Small town. Big crime. And one feisty, caffeine-fueled amateur sleuth caught in the middle. It all starts here in A Shot of Scandal—the first brew in the Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery series.
Parker Hayes—a former true-crime podcaster turned aspiring cafe owner—thought swapping the hustle of big-city life for the charm of Magnolia Grove would be a piece of cake … or at least a slice of pie. But when a high-society gala at the historic Beauregard Mansion ends with a murder and the theft of the priceless Magnolia Rose necklace, Parker’s peaceful plans quickly go up in steam.
Between renovating her new cafe and navigating small-town secrets, Parker finds herself in the middle of a mystery steeped in scandal, lies and lattes.
Can she sift through Magnolia Grove’s dirty laundry, catch a killer and still get her cafe up and running?
Pour yourself a cup of intrigue with A Shot of Scandal—where the coffee is hot, the clues are curious and the suspect list is longer than the dessert menu.
Review
In book one in the Café Crimes Cozy Mysteries series, former podcaster and amateur sleuth Parker Hayes has moved from the big city to the peaceful little town of Magnolia Grove, North Carolina, to open a coffee and dessert shop. She’s determined to leave her crime-solving days behind, but in less than twenty-four hours in being in her town, a theft happens. And a murder. What’s a sleuth to do?
Parker is a wonderful, personable character. You can’t help but root for her. She’s funny, brave, confident, and she has a good sense about people. The townsfolk she meets range from decent and honest folk to busybodies, snobs, naysayers, shady dealers, and everything in between. And don’t forget about her brewing romance with the town historian, Whit, who becomes her sleuthing partner.
The mystery held my attention, and I didn’t figure out who the culprit was until the big reveal at the end. There were lots red herrings, and I kept changing my mind about who the killer was.
The story takes place in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Even though Magnolia Grove is a fictional town, I’m from western North Carolina and can vouch for the scenic descriptions, crazy weather, the locals’ obsession with sweet tea and pulled pork, and the ever-present gossip mill found in the book.
Ms. Stier’s writing is tight and fast-paced. There were a few minor typos, which is the only reason why I’m knocking off half a star to what is clearly a 5-star book.
Readers who love cozies should give A Shot of Scandal a try. I’m glad I did, and I’ll be sure to pick up more books in this series.
4.5 Stars
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