Death by Cafe Mocha by Alex Erickson is the 7th book in the Bookstore Cafe series and another fun addition that I enjoyed. Krissy Hancock and her best friend,Vicki Patterson, own Death by Coffee which is a coffee shop and bookstore combined. Krissy, Vicki and Rita take off for a coffee convention, and they are excited to get away. When the winner of the best coffee is murdered, Krissy can't leave it alone, she must solve the case. I really enjoy this fun series, and it was nice to see some new quirky characters. There are suspects around every corner, that kept me reading page after page until I was finished with the book. The plot and characters were well developed, along with some romance. If you love humorous cozy mysteries, my favorite, I recommend this book/series. 

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Death by Café Mocha by Alex Erickson is book seven in the Bookstore Café series. I am a huge fan of this series, but was sadly let down this time. My opinion is because. the story is not set in the café but at JavaCon in a different state. We didn't get all the locals this time and Krissy's cat and his antics..
That being said, Erickson still delivers a good mystery that has you guessing until the end along with an unexpected twist I did not see coming.
Hopefully, in the future, we return to Pine Hills and catch up with the locals.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.

My very first Alex Erickson book was Death by Pumpkin Spice. I loved that book and when I saw Death by Cafe Mocha, I had to read it. I loved every minute of it! I sure wish I could get people to talk to me like Krissy does.

Huge Thank You to NetGalley and Kensington for this opportunity!!!

Javacon should have been a fun break and a chance for Krissy and Vicki to see what's coming in the world of high end coffee and coffee drinks but nooooooooo......Their friend Rita, who has come along with them, thought the same thing. Unfortunately, Charles, who won the big flavor contest, is murdered. Yep. Krissy, who is an intrepid cozy heroine with a lot of experience in Pine Hills, Ohio, is determined to find out who did it, even though they are in Maryland and law enforcement here isn't familiar with her detecting skills. Charles has lot of enemies and Krissy finds herself unable to trust anyone, including the barista who asks her out. I've read most of the series and admit that this might be a tad more challenging as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- it's always nice to see a familiar character like Krissy in a new situation.

Coffee lovers are gathering from far and wide at the hotel, and Krissy, Rita, and Vicki are excited. But some of the attendees may need to switch to decaf, as a public argument breaks out soon after they check in and then a flavor competition leads to bitter feelings.

When the winner of the contest is beaned with a carafe full of cafè mocha, suspicions swirl--along with accusations of bribery. Was the dead man offering perks to the judges--or was something sinister going on in his personal life? This case is going to keep Krissy up all night long...

This wasn't as great as I'd hoped. The characters are supposed to be 40+ years old for the most part and act like whiny, horny teenagers, something I generally try to avoid.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is a fun cozy mystery! I have not read any of the previous Bookstore Café mysteries, but this won't be my last! I really enjoyed this book, and despite it being #7 in the series, I had no problem jumping right in and getting to know the characters.

In this story, Krissy and her friends are attending a convention about coffee, JavaCon. When the winner of the taste test is found murdered, Krissy takes it upon herself to investigate the death and talk to all the suspects. I think it's interesting that Krissy is bold enough to insert herself into conversation with near strangers and they really seem to open up to her, and she is able to gather a lot of information that way.

She is in a new town and she doesn't have the police connections she usually does, but that doesn't deter her. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes coffee and a good cozy mystery!

Really enjoyed this book in the series! It was great having them away at a conference. Nice change. This one was a quick read, the pages flew by. I can't wait for the next in the series!! I hope we don't have to wait so long this time - for the next in the series.

Unfortunately, this is where I get off this cozy mystery train. This series doesn’t interest me anymore and I’m just not enjoying reading this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

Sadly the series has regressed with 'Death by Cafe Mocha'. The interactions with the various players in the mystery were childish, unbelievable and unlikeable. Krissy is particularly annoying, and once again I don't think can be well written by a man. The resolution of the murder was unpleasant. I think this is the last I will read in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

2 star
Death by Cafe Mocha has an interesting start but swiftly goes downhill from there. This book cannot really be read independently of the series, as there is far too much back story that gets missed and not explained.
However, a cozy mystery is not by definition filled with talk of sex or sex life. Krissy's has been repeatedly mentioned in the first 3 chapters and then sprinkled throughout the book. I’m not a prude, but there is a reason I read cozy mysteries and that is I don’t care to read about someone’s sex life or lack of one.

One of the main characters Rita is utterly annoying. For an older woman, she really shouldn't be acting like a petulant child. Krissy decides because she has experience with murders that she should ask questions and find the killer. I’m so sick of books where the main character is better at figuring out the murder than the police. It is unrealistic, dangerous and ridiculous.
Book is just okay. It is overly repetitive and missing key information at the same time. I just don't believe I would read this author again. 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

Death by Café Mocha
(Bookstore Cafe Mystery #7)
by Alex Erickson 

Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: August 27th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation


Goodreads synopsis:
Krissy Hancock and her pals are taking a coffee break--leaving their bookstore-caf� in Pine Hills, Ohio, and heading to a convention. But this road trip will be more dangerous than they expected ...

Coffee lovers are gathering from far and wide at the hotel, and Krissy, Rita, and Vicki are excited. But some of the attendees may need to switch to decaf, as a public argument breaks out soon after they check in and then a flavor competition leads to bitter feelings.

When the winner of the contest is beaned with a carafe full of caf� mocha, suspicions swirl--along with accusations of bribery. Was the dead man offering perks to the judges--or was something sinister going on in his personal life? This case is going to keep Krissy up all night long .


***

5 Stars

This is the seventh book in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery by Alex Erickson. I would personally call this the Death by Coffee series. I mean, Krissy’s father’s popular book and her cafe/bookstore are named that. Might as well give that the series name too. IMHO.

I am a little biased when it comes to this series, truthfully. It was one of the first I ever reviewed on NetGalley back in 2015. Death by Coffee was the first book I had reviewed by this author. And I loved it. I have been exposed to a plethora of series since then but this one is particularly close to my heart. So every time a new book comes out I get a little zing in my chest and a yay on my lips.

I had only initially picked book one up since I had recently read a book called MURDER BY MOCHA by Cleo Coyle. I am glad the universe was in alignment with me that day. I had stumbled across the Alex Erickson book by chance on NetGalley and requested it immediately after spying it.

Basic premise: Krissy Hancock isn’t in her local hometown of Pine Hills in this book, she, her store owner co-hort Vicki and Rita are attending JavaCon in order to take seminars, buy new coffee blends and learn as much as they can coffee related in the few days of the ‘Con. Then someone goes and gets themselves murdered after winning a coffee competition where they are whispers of cheating. Krissy goes into sleuth mode to solve the mystery. Is she a murder magnet or what?

There were ten coffee vendors vying for the coveted award and many of them become suspects including Thomas whom Krissy has a run in with and becomes sweet on. After the murder Thomas Cole is found with a coffee stain on his shirt plus he had been in the ballroom shortly before Charles was found dead. Charles was not the most favorite person at the JavaCon. In fact, he was probably the most hated of the bunch and I am surprised how many people were touched by his greed for winning the trophy.

There was another standout besides Thomas in this book. I wouldn’t mind seeing Detective Kimball show up in the next book to give Paul a run for his money for Krissy’s affections since Will is out of the picture right now. And if Thomas and Tara showed up in Pine Hills, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings. Krissy needs all the friends she can get.

I love following Krissy around on her investigations. And that is why I am giving this high praise. Can’t wait for book eight.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I haven't read the previous books in the series and I think with this book it would have been helpful. Krissy and her friends attend a coffee convention. The unpopular winner is murdered and Krissy decides to investigate. I didnt find Krissy particularly likeable and she's interferes in the investigation without having any connection to the Police Department or victim.

I struggled with this book for 2 reasons. First, I haven't ready any of the previous books in this series. Second, I really disliked the main character. That being said the book is well written and I certainly love coffee. I am going to read the first book in the series just to see if I can develop any kind of liking for the main character. Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

A series that has stood the test of time and keeps hitting it out of the ballpark with each installment. This author does an amazing job of setting the scene and tone of the story right at the beginning, without deviating from it. It is always so comforting to be able to visit with the characters, especially as we get to know them more and more. As long as this series keeps going, I will keep reading.

Krissy Hancock and her friends are attending a conference on coffee at a hotel. When the winner of the best tasting contest is found dead, Krissy decides to investigate. But, if she doesn’t watch out, she could be the next one dead.
I really liked this cozy mystery. I loved how the main character worked with the police and assisted in the investigation. The detective seemed intelligent, but listened, grudgingly, to Krissy’s observations. The plot kept me guessing with just enough red herrings to make it intriguing. I can’t wait until the next book in this series. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Death by Cafe Mocha is an entertaining cozy mystery. A well written plot with a quirky cast of characters. Mystery fans will love this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

This series has been a hit or a miss for me. The main character is irritating and in this latest especially, there is no good reason for her nosiness and wanting to solve the murder.
This book was a definite miss for me.

I had a hard time getting into this book, and I think it’s partially because I haven’t read any of the prior books. I felt like I was missing a lot of the back story about Krissy, Vicki, and Rita, about their relationships, and about Krissy’s interest in a detective back home. That being said, I don’t recommend reading this as a standalone.

Despite that, I enjoyed the concept of a murder at JavaCon. There’s plenty of people who would want Charles dead. Krissy, an owner of a bookstore café, has helped the police solve mysteries back in her hometown, so she can’t help but get herself involved, even when the detectives tell her to stay out of it. She’s determined and not afraid to put herself in harm’s way.

The mystery kept me guessing. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, and I thought it was well-developed and well-written. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy it, especially if they’ve read the previous books in the series first.

This is the 7th in the Bookstore Café mystery series. This one finds Krissy and her business partner Vicki along with their friend Rita on the road to attend the inaugural Javacon. They are hoping the convention will give some new tricks in the trade. Almost immediately it seems there are a lot of hard feelings amongst the other attendees and hard feelings continue during the flavor contest with the winner ending up dead. Is the cutie who asked her out a murderer? Does she even want to go to dinner with someone other than her guy back home? I admit I have not read all the books in this series and I think there is some backstory that would be nice to know but it did not stop me from enjoying this mystery on the road for Krissy. I will need to go back and fill in the pieces of the rest of the series. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. Definitely enjoyed this one.

Krissy, Vicki and Rita head to Maryland to attend the inaugural Javacon to up their game at Death by Coffee. It should be a fun and rewarding time to taste coffees and focus on ways to build out the business. Maybe even a sprinkling of pleasure can be mixed in when a hottie barista asks Krissy out to dinner.

When the winner of the Javacon coffee contest is found murdered by one of the tools of his trade, Krissy just can’t help but getting herself involved in solving the man’s murder.
She soon fears the hottie who asked her to dinner may be a murderer, and soon realizes that she really doesn’t want to date anyone other than her local police detective back at home in Ohio.

Contrary to her original plans, Krissy doesn’t have a lot of time to attend sessions at Javacon as she speaks with board members and other attendees to follow the trail of clues. Krissy is working hard to finger the murdered before becoming the next victim.

Another great serving in this caffeinated series. The mysteries are solid and the characters well developed. If you haven’t read any of the previous books and don’t like having to connect a few dots, you may want to start from the beginning of the series. Though I do believe this is solid as a stand alone and you can make those connections as you read on.