Scone Cold Killer
All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery, Book #1
Lena Gregory
5 Stars

Synopsis:

For Florida diner owner Gia Morelli, there’s no such thing as too much breakfast—unless it kills you . . .

When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Café. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed meeting Gia and her friend Savannah. Gia has had a tough time of it lately, learning of the terrible crimes that her husband has committed. She leaves New York to try to start over, but trouble seems to follow her. Savannah has stayed by her side, helping her get her diner up and running and trying to help her get her life back. I enjoyed reading the interactions between Gia and Savannah, you can tell they really care about each other.I really enjoyed Gia’s fears of snakes and spiders, it made her seem more human to me. The secondary characters added a lot to the story. And Thor, the puppy that Gia gets, sounds just adorable and I wanted to play with him.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story, I felt like I was right there, watching the action take place and eavesdropping in on conversations. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is also very talented in creating a homey setting and I enjoyed how
everyone was quick to help Gia and welcomed her.

The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and it was not easily solved. I had narrowed it down to two likely candidates and I had a fifty-
fifty chance of being right, which I was, for once.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am going to check out this author’s other series, Bay Island Psychic Mystery, because I like her writing style so much.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this great book.

Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory is the 1st book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series, and a great start. Gia Morelli moves from New York to a small town in Florida to get away from prying eyes and to start a cafe. Gia ex husband was a con artist who cheated wealthy people out of millions. One morning Gia looks in her dumpster and finds her ex in there dead, and the mystery begins. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

Scone Cold Killer is the first in what I think will be a terrific new cozy mystery series. Gia Morelli is no Jessica Fletcher. Gia has left New York and her cheating, scam artist of a husband. She heads to small town Florida and her bestie Savannah (a former Broadway wannabe). Moving to Florida is total culture shock. It is too quiet has bugs, snakes and bears and someone is trying to frame her for murder. But she isn’t alone. She is making new friends and a new life. She even has a new puppy. She is going to make it if someone doesn’t kill her first.
I loved Gia. She takes the hits and keeps on chugging. Sure it helps that Savannah and Hunt have her back but I think her puppy Thor gives her something to live and fight for. I am really looking forward to more adventures with Gia and company.

First in a new cozy series, Gia leaves NY for FL with hope for a fresh start, and to open the all day breakfast cafe. She’s leaving behind her crooked ex husband who stole from all his clients and moving to the town where her best friend,Savannah resides. Gia’s new life is anything but smooth as she finds her ex husband dead and stuffed in her dumpster, and she’s the main suspect. Great writing, interesting characters, and a good start to a new series. Maybe I’m being nit picky but Although the title is cute there are no scones in the book, and I don’t think it fits

This book is super cute, like most cozy mysteries. What I enjoyed the most is that Gia is up to her neck in craziness, but she is still able to work at her new breakfast diner. It seems like in most cozy mysteries they can always get away to go research whatever clue they came upon, or they take so much time off of work that I wonder how their place even makes money! This didn’t happen this time. Thankfully!

What I didn’t like, was the amount of drama is added in. I had to sigh every time Gia came up against a bear or a spider. She was constantly looking for snakes. Ugh. I am from Florida, so I have to admit I’m used to all the weird bugs that we have. I also understand that New York may not have the same types of bugs, but you think they’d have some. I don’t know, it just frustrated me with all the drama that was added in. It took away, instead of adding to the book.

That said, many of the drama filled events were explained. I guess it is how Gia handles everything that frustrates me. She is literally a damsel in distress. ALL. THE. TIME. Funnily, I liked the book, the plot was fun and easy going too. But, there was just so much drama, it took away from the fun I could have been having while reading.

Ok, enough of that. What I really did like was the interaction between Gia and her friend Savannah. Now, that chic is amazing. She’s Gia’s friend and their friendship just makes sense. It’s explained more later in the book, but I don’t think it even had to be. Their characterization was so spot on, that I could feel their friendship oozing out of the book. It made up for all the melodramatic moments.

Also, there’s some guys out there that are looking for a girlfriend! Although Gia’s gone through some stuff, I like the interaction with most of the guys. She’s been through a hell of a time, and although it may be a bit soon for her to jump in, I think why not go for it? These portions made me really happy, even though I’m a bit cautious and do not trust anybody! While she’s trying to flirt, I was trying to whisper how she did not know these men and to watch out. Don’t mind me, I like to tell characters what to do.

In short: I liked most of it. There were some parts that got to me, sadly, but for the most part, it was easy and fun and exactly what a cozy mystery should be.

Scone Cold Killer: An All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
By Lena Gregory
Kensington
January 23, 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

When Gia Morelli fled New York City, she left behind an ex-husband, the victims of his financial scams, and the cloud of suspicion linked to his crimes. Central Florida’s humid September was a preferable escape to paranoia and the fear of being attacked, especially as it has the promise of opening Gia’s dream All-Day Breakfast Café in Boggy Creek. Unfortunately, learning to serve grits to her doubting new customers will be a breeze compared to the discovery of her ex’s body in the Café’s dumpster. A Grand Opening has never seemed less grand.

All of Gia’s instincts tell her to flee back to New York City, especially when the police captain readily expresses his intention of seeing her go down for the murder. Having finally managed to lure her to Boggy City though, Gia’s former roommate and best friend Savannah isn’t about to give up, convincing her cousin Detective Hunter Quinn to help them track down the real killer. Hunt proves to be an essential ally in keeping the café open, as Gia has enough trouble just finding capable staff while tweaking the menu towards more Southern tastes. Gia truly is a Stranger in a Strange land in Boggy Creek, and she’s unable to escape the sense of being watched or the fear that one of late-ex-husband’s victims is taking his revenge. For a city girl who uses the chaotic sounds of Lethal Weapon playing in the background to help her fall asleep at night, adjusting to the threat of bears, snakes, and spiders will be as challenging as to facing down a murderer.

There are so many reasons to enjoy this new series. Multiple suspects have motives to have wanted Bradley Remington dead, keeping readers guessing until the final surprising reveal. Even more satisfying is the gradual progression of Gia as she rebuilds her life, recovering from the betrayal of her husband and suffering from not a little PTSD. Savannah brings in optimism and humor, and one sees how her ebullience is needed to pull a weary Gia out of her depression. Their relationship is never one-sided though, and it is enlightening when Hunt reveals the impact Gia had upon Savannah’s life. Gia herself begins the novel acquiescing to police demands in an effort to preserve what little security and safety remains, but as she gains strength and confidence Gia defies the rules and begins to act. Readers will cheer for Gia as she rebuilds her life and sense of self, gaining a Boggy Creek family along the way. Delicious sounding breakfast treats and recipes enhance this well-crafted mystery, which develops a fully-formed Boggy Creek with its own history and secrets. Readers will look forward to learning more about this town, and be eager to spend more time with Gia and her friends.

I don't think I can find the correct words to convey how much I loved this book! This is a strong start to a fantastic series. The book is full of plot twists, engaging characters, and a mystery that doesn't quit until the very end. What I loved the most about this book was how strong yet vulnerable the main character is. She climbed herself out of a tricky, scary situation and does not realize how strong and self sufficient she really is. I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for all of these characters and to see how their relationships develop even more.

Scone Cold Killer is the first book in Lena Gregory's new All-Day Breakfast Cafe mysteries. New York native Gia Morelli is relocating to a small central Florida town and opening a cafe. When her marriage falls apart after the arrest of her husband and scam artist Bradley Remington, the threats from those he swindled, and the parade of mistresses through the courtroom, Gia needs to make a big change in her live. Joining her best friend Savannah in her small hometown seems to be the refuge she needs.

When she arrives for good, after many trips to set up her business and buy her small home, she is both happy and apprehensive. So many unknowns, but the thing that really throws her off track is finding her husband's body in her dumpster at the close of her first day in business.

As detective Hunter Quinn, who just happens to be Savannah's cousin, takes over the case, Gia fears she may be railroaded like had almost happened in New York and seeks to be sure she isn't falsely accused. However, her lack of trust may be her undoing, and when a second victim is found in her backyard, perhaps Quinn is the one she needs to trust.

A very fast paced thriller, and spun such that it is the very end before the mystery is unveiled. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

This was a fairly strong start to a new series. The pacing was nice and there were some interesting characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I read a lot of cozy mystery, so it's always a shame when one falls flat for me. I didn't really enjoy any single aspect of this book; not the characters, the setting, the mystery or the romance. Even Thor, the puppy, felt like a tool and a badly used one at that!

Basically everything felt like it was too simple; the writing and mystery especially. For me a cozy mystery needs to make you LIKE or at least know the character getting killed off, not just throw you in. I didn't care about Bradley, and Gia's stories after about the way he'd treated her didn't endear me. Why would I care if she 'solved' the mystery of his death? (except she doesn't try and solve it. There is one scene where she hunts for evidence, otherwise she is being stupid/and or looking at Hunt and pining. For no real reason. Definitely a case of insta love, and I HATE that) I probably should care about Gia then, and the impact the crime has one her? Nope.

Definitely not my favorite cozy. Two stars.

I really enjoyed this first in a series cozy mystery. I connected quickly with the characters. I enjoyed the romance element as well. I liked that this cozy mystery lead had a difficult past situation to overcome...it is nice that her life wasn't just "perfect". I was kept guessing because of the multitude of believable suspects. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Lena Gregory has done it again! She created an engaging mystery with likable characters. A Scone Cold Killer is the debut book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series, and it doesn’t disappoint. New York native Gia Morelli is starting over in Florida after a nasty divorce from a sketchy husband, but it seems her ex-husband and his shady past catch up with her despite the 1,000 mile move. When her ex shows up dead in the dumpster behind her new dinner, Gia is forced to figure out who did it to clear her name and fight for the life she is building anew. I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

To be free from the criminal activities of her ex-husband Gia Morelli must first find out who murdered him, why and how does it connect to her, why are they after her, what is she holding that she isn’t aware of. A hot cup of coffee along with this book is the right stuff to get your relaxing evening going or in my case your day starting, you find yourself transported right into the storyline, you’re so deeply entwined into the fiber of this tale, you don’t want to put the book down. What can I say, it’s truly a vibrant captivating, enthralling, intriguing, entertaining, you know what, just read it and you would understand what I’m getting at, it’s that captivating. Gia and Savannah are two of the awesome characters along with detective Hunt, in this book. A great teatime read or coffee whichever is your choice, I especially like how the storyline start flowing from chapter one, it jumps you right into the energy flow of the action, I like that. This has been a fun and entertaining cozy mystery, a well crafted and energized thriller, great job.

Nice start to a new cozy series. Gia's marriage and life more or less disintegrated as a result of her ex-husband Bradley's financial shenanigans. She's lucky that she's able to open a small cafe with her best friend Savannah in a Florida tourist town but not so lucky when she finds the ex dead in the restaurant's dumpster. This is a set up book so there are some issues-Gia's too jumpy, the customers are too stock, and it could have used another edit= but all in all, it's a good introduction to the character and her friends. Look out for Thor the dog. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory is the first book in the new cozy All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. This series introduces readers to Gia Morelli who after recently divorcing her husband who had been accused of stealing money from wealthy clients has decided to make a fresh start by moving from New York to a small town in Florida. The one person in Gia’s life who has stuck by her and believed she was innocent in her husbands crimes was her old friend who invited to move down to Florida with her.

Gia has spent her last cent she had to go about opening her new cafe, the All-Day Breakfast Café, and everything is hinging on it running smoothly when she opens. But for Gia her first day was not off to a good start with her hired cook not working out and a few other errors here and there but nothing could top heading out back to dump the trash at closing and finding her ex-husband’s body shoved into her dumpster.

Now as with most cozy reads our main character is not a detective or knows a thing about crime solving but she is a woman that fears taking the blame for the crime. Gia is actually the total opposite of anyone you’d find crime solving since she jumps at pretty much everything including her own shadow. This over abundant fear in Gia though brought in a trip to the shelter to pick up her very first dog, a cuddly Burnese Mountain Dog puppy she named Thor who of course stole my heart as I’m a sucker for cutsie critters in my books.

As the story gets going I actually came to like Gia and the secondary characters surrounding her. There’s a bit of a glimpse of a possible love interest in future reads and all of the components to make this a solid mystery. So when all was said and done with Scone Cold Killer I found myself looking forward to seeing where the story heads in the next book with Gia and her All-Day Breakfast Café.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Scone Cold Killer is the first in a new series by Lena Gregory.

It took a bit for me to become wrapped u in the story, but once I did, there was no stopping me until I got to the very end. This is no way reflects the book or the writing, it is typical for the first in a new series. There is always a lot to learn about the characters and the settings, and of course to follow the mystery.
Gia is a fun character and very likable. She is trying to rebuild her life after a bitter divorce and when her ex husband's nefarious deeds catch up to her, she finds herself the target of a killer.

I reviewed an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.

An exciting and entertaining start to a new series. New Yorker moves to Florida. Such a cliché, but in this instance, not for the typical reasons. Intriguing back story. A hint of romance. I am eager to read the next one.

Will leave a 4 star review on Amazon under name of Connie.

From the very beginning I was completely engaged in this perfect cozy mystery. There was a tautness to the story that kept me on edge and not wanting to put it down. The characters were well written and likeable, and the betrayal was totally believable in today's climate. I was delighted to know that there is more coming. I can't wait.