Live and Let Grind

by Tara Lush

Overview

"Devil's Beach is percolating with a hot murder case, and reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis could be the next to get beaned in Tara Lush's third Coffee Lover's mystery, perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle and Lucy Burdette.

Laid-off journalist Lana Lewis is thriving as the proprietor of Perkatory, a coffee shop on quirky Devil's Beach island, Florida. She's juggling a relationship with police chief Noah Garcia, enjoying the company of her best friend, Erica, and relishing the companionship of her golden Shih Tzu, Stanley. Only problem is her neighbor, Gus, who incessantly uses his leaf blower, disturbing everyone in the neighborhood. Lana has learned to tune it out, but Erica's rage boils over and she confronts Gus.

Then Gus is found dead, killed when his leaf blower explodes. Erica immediately becomes suspect number one. But there are plenty of other candidates as well: Gus's soon-to-be ex-wife, Honey Bailey, who thinks she'll be written out of his will; Mickey Dotson and Doug Beck, who were scalded financially after purchasing a pirate-themed tourist cruise business from Gus; and plenty of angry neighbors who've had run-ins with him.

As the clock ticks down will Lana get someone to spill the beans on the killer so she can clear her friend's name, or will Erica go to jail for a crime she didn't commit?

"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781639101122
Publisher:	CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Publication date:	10/11/2022
Series:	A Coffee Lover's Mystery , #3
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	187,523
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Tara Lush is a Rita Award finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow, and a George C. Polk Award winning journalist. For the past decade, she's been a reporter with the Associated Press, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters, and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations. A fan of vintage pulp-fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, and 1980s fashion, she lives with her husband and two dogs on the Gulf coast.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Live and Let Grind:
“Behind-the-scenes sleuthing, sly confrontations with witnesses . . . [and] romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Vivid and delightful . . . A fun and entertaining read for lovers of coffee shop mysteries.”
—San Francisco Book Review

“A fun 'whodunnit' read from first page to last.”
—Midwest Book Review

“A must-read for those looking for a cozy mystery that celebrates all of the quirks that make Florida so unique.”
—Kings River Life

Praise for the Coffee Lover's Mysteries:
“It doesn't matter if you like your coffee hot or cold, you'll love GROUNDS FOR MURDER. Tara Lush brings the quirky town of Devil's Beach to life. You can almost smell the coffee and feel the heat. A sure winner!”
—Joyce Tremel, author of the Brewing Trouble mysteries
 
“Clever prose, quirky characters, and a lovable pup are only the start of what makes Tamara Lush's Grounds for Murder a most delightful addition to your cozy mystery library. Also, as a former Floridian, may I say Lush encapsulated my home state's quixotic weirdness to perfection.” 
—Harper Kincaid, author of To Kill a Mocking Girl 
 
“A wonderful series debut that is a silky-smooth blend of humor, mystery and romance with a feisty heroine and a delicious island setting.”
—Peg Cochran, USA Today bestselling author
 
“Tara Lush brews a fun Florida mystery, topped with a sweet frothy romance. Enjoy this blend of sunshine and quirky characters.”
—Elaine Viets, award-winning author of the Dead-End Job mysteries


“Enjoyable . . . Distinctive characters complement the twisty plot.”
—Publishers Weekly

“A plucky heroine whose sleuthing inevitably leads to peril.”
—Kirkus Reviews


“Lush manages to braid the Florida-osity of things into a solid murder mystery...A compelling read.”
—The Gabber

From the Publisher

2022-07-27
A Florida coffee shop manager investigates the murder of her neighbor.

Things are going pretty well between Lana Lewis and her boyfriend. When she’s not supervising the baristas at Perkatory, where residents of Devil’s Beach go for a quick caffeine fix, she and Police Chief Noah Garcia spend many pleasant evenings together, sharing tasty meals and watching fabulous Gulf Coast sunsets. Lana even has hopes that Noah will bring her to Tampa to meet the rest of his Cuban relatives. So naturally something has to mess up all this boring comity. In this case, it’s the murder of obnoxious Gus Bailey, Lana’s next-door neighbor. In addition to alienating his young wife, Honey, who’s out to make a name for herself roller-skating on Instagram, by having an affair with a local librarian, Gus pisses off all the neighbors by mowing and blowing early Saturday mornings. The day after Lana’s best friend, Erica Penmark, gives him a piece of her mind, he turns up dead, killed in a leaf-blower explosion. His demise naturally sets Lana and Noah at odds. She wants him to rule Erica out as his prime suspect; he wants her to stop trying to prove her bestie’s innocence. After the standard behind-the-scenes sleuthing, sly confrontations with witnesses, and requisite acts of mayhem, Lana succeeds in doing just that.

Romance spices up an otherwise tepid whodunit.

Kirkus Reviews