Mistletoe Cake Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)
by Lena Gregory
About Mistletoe Cake Murder
Mistletoe Cake Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Florida
Publisher : Lyrical Press (October 12, 2021)
Print length : 219 pages
Digital ASIN : B08T6JHSZT
’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!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
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
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About Lena Gregory
Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.
Author Links
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Amazon: – Barnes & Noble Kobo Kensington Apple Google Play GoodReads Link
Also by Lena Gregory
Great Escapes Praise for Mistletoe Cake Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)
by Lena Gregory
The story moves at a good pace, with tension, twists, and turns. The characters are wonderful, with a few exceptions, and the mystery unfolds to a logical conclusion . . .
~Christa Reads and Writes
The mystery is well paced with plenty of clues and interesting people popping into the story to provide them. There are wonderful wrong directions to look in and plenty of suspects, most of whom I would vote for locking up, just to make the world a nicer place whether they are the murderer or not.
~I Read What You Write!
This was a really quick read for me because it kept me turning the pages with interest. I still love the Boggy Creek, Florida setting, though I do think I’d briefly miss snow at Christmas . . . The family atmosphere in the cafe and among the friends definitely adds to the coziness of this book.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
MISTLETOE CAKE MURDER delightfully blends the Christmas holiday, a beautiful wedding, and all of the feels to create a wonderful mystery.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
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.
~mjbreviewers
. . . a fabulously fun read that makes you feel at home. A wonderful addition to what has become one of fave series! A total must read. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
I found the characters in this book to be well-developed, likable, and believable. The pacing of the story was good throughout.
~Nellie’s Book Nook
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.
~Dayna for Novels Alive
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 11 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
October 11 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
October 12 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
October 12 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW,
October 13 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
October 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews -SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
October 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
October 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
October 15 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
October 15 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT
October 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
October 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 18 – Nellie’s Book Nook – REVIEW, GUEST POST
October 18 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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October 20 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
October 21 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
October 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
October 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
October 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
October 22 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 23 – Diane Reviews Books – GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
October 24 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Love a good christmas mystery.
Me too!
Thank you so much for such a beautiful review, Lori! I’m so happy you enjoyed Mistletoe Cake Murder! And I can’t thank you enough for sharing my release and for such an amazing tour!
I love the cover.
What a great book for the Christmas holiday! Cute cover too.
This sounds like a good holiday cozy