Book Review (and a Giveaway!): A Waffle Lot of Murder by Lena Gregory

A WAFFLE LOT OF MURDER
SERIES: All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery #4
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Lyrical Press
RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2020
PAGES: 208

For diner owner Gia Morelli, her seasonal fall menu calls for two main ingredients—maple syrup and murder . . .

While the first hints of autumn grace Boggy Creek, Florida, Gia misses the colorful harvest traditions she left behind in New York. On a scramble to make new fall memories—and promote her irresistible pumpkin spice waffles—things take a dark turn when she gets roped into the Haunted Town Festival, a spooky celebration held on deserted farmlands. The desolate area conjures plenty of eerie vibes at night, but Gia and her best friend, Savannah, are nearly frightened to death upon the discovery of the event organizer’s body buried in the nearby woods. More alarming, the local rumor mill says the woman’s shady dealings may have egged someone into sending her to an early grave. Now, there’s no shortage of creepy clues to feast on as Gia and her pals try to stop a killer with a very scary appetite . . .

Other Books In This Series

One of the things I enjoy most about this series is the friendships that Gia has established in Boggy Creek, and this element is perhaps showcased strongest in the latest book, A Waffle Lot of Murder. Not just Gia’s friendship with her bestie Savannah or her sweet romance with Hunt or her affectionate love for her dog Troy – but also her relationships with Earl, Cole, Willow, Skylar, Trevor & Harley. It’s these friendships that cause Gia to be a bit more reckless in this book than we are used to. It’s also what gives this book its heart.

The plot was fairly complex with several twists and turns and red herrings along the way. I had the “who” figured out pretty early on but not the why & I still didn’t piece that together until the stunning “whydunnit” reveal. The added element of getting ready for the big Halloween Festival (complete with themed haunted houses & yummy food) definitely contributed to the book’s mood and gives it the perfect tone for a fall read.

Bottom Line: A Waffle Lot of Murder is a fun, well-plotted mystery with an autumn flair & a spotlight on friendship. Gia remains a very likable protagonist whom readers will root for throughout the story, and Lena Gregory’s writing voice is engaging with an easy flow that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. A wonderful story world to immerse yourself in for a few hours & a clever mystery to solve alongside the main characters!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

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Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island. She recently relocated to Clermont, Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

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