A sleuth running a coffee shop in a little island! This already had me.
A murder has occurred in the community garden and the lead suspect seeks the help of our protagonist to get her in the clear. Can she solve the mystery before its too late?
This book was engaging yet light and i loved the setting in an island and a coffee shop with a side of a hot cop boyfriend!

Lana Lewis, a coffee brewer at Perkatory, decides to grow her own coffee and secures a gardening plot in the community garden. However, Jack Daggett's body is left among the plots, despite Darla's strict rules. Lana promises to stay out of the case, but learns Jack died from an accidental overdose and Darla is the top suspect due to her shady past. As she investigates, she discovers Jack had more enemies than she realized. When Darla dies, Lana must intensify her investigation to uncover the killer before they strike again.

This is a series that I've come to enjoy because who doesn't enjoy the beach or coffee. These characters are becoming 'friends' and I love watching the relationships develop. This is another well-written book in this series. It is easy to read with just enough twists and turns. When I read these books, I feel like I'm right there with them at the beach. Overall, this is a perfect beach read.

This is a very cute cozy mystery with an idyllic setting! I was reminded of just how much I enjoy cozies. Since this was the fourth book in the series, there were some references made that obviously would make more sense if I had read the previous books, but I think this could also be a standalone. I definitely want to read the rest of this series now.

A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush is a delightful and engaging cozy mystery that’s perfect for coffee lovers and fans of small-town charm. Set in the vibrant and quirky town of Devil's Beach, the story follows coffee shop owner and amateur sleuth, Lana Lewis, as she stumbles upon a murder connected to a high-stakes coffee competition. Lush’s writing is rich with humor, well-drawn characters, and a cleverly plotted mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. The book offers a wonderful mix of intrigue, local color, and a touch of romance. With its lively setting and engaging storyline, A Bean to Die For is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with a strong, relatable protagonist and a satisfying twist!

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

A great addition to an incredible series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

This is the second book I have read by Tara Lush. It was a bit long winded. But you have everything in her story. You have mystery murder and some fun. Lana tried to have fun with her friend the police chief while assisting him in finding the murderer. Characterization is well described in the book. I got an arc on the book and willingly leaving my feedback. Thank You

I read this as a stand alone and really enjoyed it. The relationship between Lana and Noah is so sweet. I laughed at the family get together and all the chaos. I loved Perkatory. Who doesn’t love a great community coffee shop? This was a great cozy mystery!

I just reviewed A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush. #ABeantoDieFor #NetGalley. I would highly recommend this book. It’s very entertaining and kept me engaged until the end.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a delightful blend of humor and suspense, then "A Bean to Die For" is the perfect pick! Tara Lush serves up a strong brew of quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a dash of romance that kept me entertained (and much improved the bad mood I was in).

One of my favorite lines from this cozy mystery is: "Coffee and crime make for an interesting blend, don't you think?"

Join amateur sleuth and coffee connoisseur, Maris Grey (admittedly, when I saw the name I thought Maren Morris and Meredith Grey -- anyone else?), as she navigates through a small town filled with secrets, scandals, and of course, plenty of coffee beans.

Like, they had me at coffee...

With twists and turns that will keep you guessing, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a side of humor. Also, great for anyone who has yet to try cozy reads and thinks they might want to. This would be a great start.

"A Bean to Die For" is a delightful and entertaining read that is best read while sipping your coffee. Grab a mug of your favorite brew and dive into this charming mystery!

RATING: 5/5

Who knew so much could go wrong in a community garden? When people cannot get along, no one dreams it will lead to murder. Lana goes from relaxing garden plans to investigating a murder. There are a few side subplots woven in. I enjoy the setting and the characters. The small plot twist at the end has me wondering about the next book.

The Perkatory crew returns to solve the murder of a cantankerous local activist.

"A Bean to Die For" is the fourth book in author Tara Lush’s fabulous and fun cozy "Coffee Lover’s Mystery" series, and what a delightful return it is to the sand and sun of the close-knit Devil’s Beach, Florida community. With its engaging ensemble of recurring characters, suspicious death, and tantalizing Gulf Coast setting, this is a perfect bookish escape from the current wintry weather.

The main character, Lana Lewis, has a lot going on as usual, but life has somewhat settled down since the events of the previous books. Her relationship with Noah Garcia, Devil’s Beach’s chief of police, is progressing nicely and is about to take a big step forward. Noah’s mother and sister are arriving on the island at the end of the week, and he’s introducing them to Lana. However, Lana is stressing to impress as she plans to prepare her specialty, lasagna, for dinner at her home on Saturday night, especially when she finds herself, once again, embroiled in a murder case.

Lana is the first to discover the body of local activist Jack Daggitt, a man with plenty of people who have a bone to pick with him, and Noah doesn’t want her anywhere near this investigation. She’s more than ready and willing to comply until a regular customer becomes a prime suspect and asks for her help in proving her innocence. However, Lana’s desire to help wins out, and soon, she and Erica are hip-deep in suspects. I loved Erica and Peter’s enthusiasm for tackling this new case and how they tried to keep things on the hush-hush and Lana out of dutch with Noah. But Lana was really more twisted up over putting her best foot forward for Noah’s family, initially, than the potential danger involved in tracking down a killer. The three do a great job of identifying possible suspects and working to cross them off their list, yet the discovery of the perpetrator comes as a surprise after all. The author has an absolute gift for creating fresh and fun dialogue, making reading a joy. And while this is the fourth book in the series, newcomers shouldn’t have any trouble getting into and enjoying the story. The author also does a great job referring to past investigations without giving everything away, so readers who will want to read the previous books won’t have had those stories spoiled.

I recommend A BEAN TO DIE FOR to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy coffee, Florida settings, and fans of the previous novels.

This was my first book in the Coffee Lover's Mysteries Series and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the characters and setting of the small coastal beach town. Some cozy mysteries feel "old" but this series is young and bright, with fun and entertaining characters. I can't wait to read more.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Devil’s Beach has a decidedly hippie vibe from Lana’s father, Peter to the communal garden. The garden should be a place of peace and yet it seems to lead to confrontation and murder. Did the obstreperous victim tick off the wrong person? He has been a gadfly but killing him for being annoying seems rather extreme.

Lana, whose boyfriend is the chief of police, is asked by one of the suspects to clear her name. At first Lana is not certain whether the woman is innocent although later events prove that she did not commit the crime. Working together with her best friend and her boyfriend, she is able to figure out who was the villain. All her cop boyfriend asks is that she stay safe while sleuthing. It seems Lana cannot help herself and in spite of his request, she will be right in the middle of the take down.

It’s a fun read with some interesting and quirky characters. I will be happy to journey back to Devil’s Beach another time. Four purrs and two paws up.

Lana Lewis, owner of Perkatory cafe, gets mixed up in a murder case after activist Jack Daggett is found dead in the community garden. Despite her packed schedule and promise to her boyfriend to stay out of it, Lana investigates to clear Darla's name, the prime suspect. Digging deeper, Lana discovers Jack's many enemies and Darla's murky past. When Darla also turns up dead, Lana hardens her resolve to find the killer before they strike again.

I have been enjoying cozy mysteries in recent months, but this is not one of them.

I found the writing repetitive and the story unnecessarily long. I cringed every time the boyfriend called Lana “cupcake.” Also, considering this is the 4th book in this series, I found the constant reminder that Lana was previously a reporter in Miami so frustrating. I feel like by book four, you shouldn’t have to remind your readers so much about your character’s past. I haven’t read the previous 3 books and I couldn’t forget where Lana lived or what she did for work before moving to Devil’s beach even if I wanted to.

If the writing hadn’t been so repetitive, I might have enjoyed this book more. Some of the characters were fun and I liked the idea of amateur sleuthing out of a coffee shop on the beach.

I received an advance copy of this book thanks to Tara Lush, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley.

Tara Lush serves up a delightful, cozy mystery in A Bean To Die For in the quaint and peculiar world of Devil’s Beach, a small island off Florida. The story introduces us to the small-town sleuth, Lana Lewis, whose attempts at grocery shopping for a significant dinner with her boyfriend's mom are thwarted by a series of unexpected events. This cleverly crafted narrative, brimming with quirky characters, brings the small-town vibes and chisme (gossip) to life, making it irresistibly engaging.

What stands out in Lush's storytelling is her ability to welcome newcomers to the series without a hitch. As someone diving into this world for the first time through an ARC provided by Netgalley, I found myself effortlessly getting to know the characters and their backstories. Lush expertly weaves these details throughout the plot, ensuring that newcomers and returning readers feel right at home in Devil’s Beach—a name that I find quite fitting, given the mysterious undertones of the story.

One of the book's charming yet seemingly improbable plot devices involves Lana's repeated failed attempts to shop for groceries. This ordeal might seem trivial initially, but it amusingly escalates the narrative's stakes and intricacies. This running gag culminates in a much-anticipated vegan lasagna dinner, a twist suggested by Lana's father, which, spoiler alert, ends up being a culinary catastrophe. Lana's misadventure with the lasagna adds a humorous, if somewhat anticlimactic, layer to the storyline, revealing her endearing, clumsy side.

Despite the lasagna letdown, A Bean To Die For firmly secures itself within the cozy mystery genre. It offers a perfect blend of intrigue and charm, with just enough mystery to keep readers eagerly turning the pages without tipping into the realm of high stress. Tara Lush does a commendable job of keeping the audience engaged as Lana unravels the whodunit, proving that Devil’s Beach is the go-to destination for mystery lovers searching for their next light-hearted yet compelling adventure.

For anyone yearning for a story that feels like a warm hug with a side of sleuthing, A Bean To Die For is a must-read. It’s a testament to Lush’s ability to craft a captivating narrative that’s as comforting as it is, making it a perfect pick for those chilly evenings when all you crave is a good book and a cup of tea. My verdict? Four stars for a cozy mystery that manages to be both entertaining and endearing in equal measure.

I liked the overall setting and vibes of this series, but frankly I was more interested in the first 2 installments and much less invested in the subsequent two, including this one.

Perkatory is a popular café in Devil’s Beach, Florida. It's owned by Lana Lewis and her pot-smoking hippie dad, although Lana is more interested in the business.

Lana is always looking for creative ways to improve Perkatory. Her latest idea is to grow her own coffee beans so, with the help of her dad and his connections, she secures a gardening plot in the organic community garden. The garden is run by Darla and she has a lot of rules, but well worth it to Lana.

Lana, her dad and bestie go to the garden to check out her new plot and her dad's mint plot only to find a dead body in one of the plots. It was a man that didn’t get along with Darla, so she's the prime suspect.

Now it's up to Lana, her dad & her bestie to clear Darla's name.

#ABeantoDieFor

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Tara Lush

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.