Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am delighted to feature A Scoop of Deceit (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory today!
A Scoop of Deceit (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
by Lena Gregory
About A Scoop of Deceit
A Scoop of Deceit (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher : Gemma Halliday Publishing
Publication date : March 10, 2026
Print length : 195 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 : 979-8250374026
Digital
ASIN : B0GHZMWLBV
From author Lena Gregory comes another decadently delightful cozy mystery …
Spring has finally sprung on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, and Danika Delaney is ready to take a break from running her old-fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, to help her mom start planting for the season. With visions of colorful tulips and delicate daffodils in mind, Danika and her mother browse through the local garden center, where they can’t help but notice a confrontation between out-of-towner Sebastian Krane and the local cashier. Unfortunately, as Krane storms off, aggravated and not paying attention, he hops into his BMW, and crashes right into Mrs. Delaney as she’s backing up in her borrowed pickup truck. As if that weren’t enough to put a damper on her sunny mood, Krane then has the nerve to file a lawsuit against her. But when Dani shows up at his mansion to try to straighten things out, she finds him dead, with a knife in his back. Apparently, someone had it out for Sebastian. Someone other than her mother. A fact Dani sets out to prove with the help of her sidekicks, Gwen and Eli, wading through a slew of shady suspects from the victim’s stormy past. Can Dani clear her mother’s name and find the truth behind Krane’s murder? Or will Dani be in danger of pushing up daisies herself this spring?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Who knew a trip to the nursery to pick out some flowers would contain so much drama?
Danika Delaney had hoped to enjoy the day with her mother to help her get started with her springtime planting, but a man sparring with the cashier at the local garden center draws everyone’s attention. Steaming, out-of-towner, Sebastian Krane stalks off to his BMW, gets in, without checking his route, and quickly crashes hard into the borrowed pickup truck carrying Dani, her mom, and Aunt Miriam. Dani was seeing stars after her head slammed into the passenger side window. Then Mr. Krane makes another big mistake by trying to blame the crash on Mrs. Delaney. The wrath of Dani is almost released, but a friend saves Krane from the punch that was about to be delivered. The drama doesn’t end there; no, Krane filed a lawsuit against her mom.
Dani knows she needs to cool things off, so she heads to the man’s mansion, but instead of a calm conversation, she finds Sebastian Krane dead, with a knife protruding from his back. Even though her mom had a very public confrontation with the man, Dani knows it is someone else who took Krane’s life. With help from her sister, Meghan, and friends Eli and Gwen, they try to get the scoop on Sebastian Krane’s life so the real killer gets their just desserts.
I love catching up with Dani, Jake, Eli, Meghan, Gwen, Uncle Jimmy, and all the rest of the marvelous characters that the author has created for her Coffee & Cream Café Mystery Series. They are genuine and true-to-life. Their dialogues ring true, as does their care for each other. I really enjoy the sleepovers that Dani hosts at her place above the cafe, complete with snacks and a murder board. Dani’s boyfriend, Detective Jake Barlow, tries his best to get them to leave the investigating to him, but Eli is a “computer and cyber security genius” who always finds information Jake may be unable to track down, and Gwen and Dani are going to snoop no matter what he says. With stealth not being Dani’s strong suit, he also knows he has to be ready to get her out of any trouble she gets herself into. At times, Dani and Gwen are so funny that they give off some strong Lucy and Ethel vibes.
Ms. Gregory has served up a mystery with plenty of suspects, twists, and turns. Eli digs in and gathers as much information as he can on all the players, while Dani and Gwen keep their eyes and ears open, ask probative questions when they can, and follow each clue wherever it leads them. I was excited when one of them declared they knew the murderer but needed to check one more thing. Sadly, they didn’t return, which set off a search, a scary reveal, and a terrifying takedown.
My only problem with this series is the ice cream cravings I have while reading and after reading each book. This time it’s Blueberry Cheesecake ice cream, truthfully, my husband would like that one more than I, but the Banana Splits and other assorted sundaes grab me every time. I see a visit to Culver’s or Dairy Queen in the very near future.
A Scoop of Deceit is the 7th book in the series and a delightfully delicious addition. With fun and engaging characters, a wonderful small town setting, a marvelous mystery to solve, and the temptation of ice cream at every turn, Ms. Gregory has scooped up a smashing story that is A Perfect Escape, all cozy mystery lovers are sure to enjoy!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Gemma Halliday Publishing for providing me with an ARC.
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About Lena Gregory
Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.
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
Newsletter Website Facebook Facebook Fan Page
Twitter (X) Goodreads Pinterest
Purchase Links
Amazon – Barnes & Noble
THE REST OF THE SERIES
Find all of Lena Gregory’s books HERE.
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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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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Thank you so much for such a wonderful review, Lori! I’m so happy you enjoyed the story! And thank you for sharing the release of A Scoop of Deceit!