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Sunday, July 24, 2022

Death by Spiced Chai (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #10), by Alex Erickson


Publication October 25, 2022

If you've ever been prank called and hung up on or simply had the feeling someone was following you, you know how unsettling that can be. In Krissy Hancock's case, however, she's enduring not just these things but being framed for murder.  This can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I was new to the series, but I wished I knew more about the past cases that are brought up as the book continues. Although it's eventually explained where the town residents are getting their gossip about Krissy, I never quite understood why they were so willing to believe what was being shared, for instance. I guess I'm just too accustomed to the typical amateur sleuth being an admired and well liked character in most cozy mysteries but it did leave me in the dark, perhaps intentionally, just as Krissy was initially.

That said, I found the mystery intriguing. The preparation for terrorizing Krissy was extensive. The culprit obviously knew a great deal about her. That allowed them to push emotional buttons, such as the blurry photo suggesting her boyfriend was cheating on her. What's the connection to her father's books? But, yuck, cockroaches? Writing nasty reviews in Krissy's name? Vandalism? Why was the lead investigator so willing to believe she was the guilty party? Who had she wronged so horribly in the past that they'd set such an elaborate plan in action? What is the connection to the victim who'd simply visited her stop? Who is behind all the rumors and gossip flowing through the town? How did the master mind behind the murder and stalking of Krissy know so much? Why did her neighbor lie? Why... oh, enough teasers. Read the book. It's a relatively quick read and you'll find yourself feeling the suspense and same unsettled nerves that Krissy feels as it progresses. 

Thanks #NetGalley and KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Krissy's bookshop cafe. I'm going to catch up with this series asap so I'll be ready next visit.

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