Death by Java

Bookstore Café Mysteries, Book 14

By: Alex Erickson

Narrated by: Melissa Moran

Krissy Hancock is a little nervous leaving her bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, in someone else's hands while she visits family in California. But when a killer strikes during her week out west, it's a good thing she packed her sleuthing skills....

When she arrives in her hometown, the owner of Death by Coffee is startled to see a store called Death by Java. She soon realizes the name belongs to a copycat business run by her mean-girl high school rival, Valerie. It may not be grounds for a lawsuit—but when they stop in and witness a bitter argument with a health inspector, the whole scene leaves a bad taste in Krissy's mouth. Valerie has even imitated Death by Coffee's resident feline—except this one is a hissing stray who's more likely to terrorize customers than delight them.

Despite her irritation, Krissy finds herself trying to help the hapless Valerie. But her old classmate needs a different kind of help when the health inspector is found dead on the premises. As Krissy's boyfriend cozies up to local law enforcement, she collects a carafe of clues, drip by drip....

©2025 Eric S. Moore (P)2025 Tantor Media

Chrissy is too annoying

I’ve loved this series, but this one was more irksome than previous titles. Chrissy is extra annoying in this one, making stupid choices. I know she has to make the decisions for the story line but I wish she did them w/o complaining because it makes me hate her.