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Death by Java
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Expected 28 Oct 25Krissy Hancock is a little nervous leaving her bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, in someone else's hands while she visits family in California. But when a killer strikes during her week out west, it's a good thing she packed her sleuthing skills . . .
When she arrives in her hometown, the owner of Death by Coffee is startled to see a store called Death by Java. She soon realizes the name belongs to a copycat business run by her mean-girl high school rival, Valerie. It may not be grounds for a lawsuit—but when they stop in and witness a bitter argument with a health inspector, the whole scene leaves a bad taste in Krissy's mouth. Valerie has even imitated Death by Coffee's resident feline—except this one is a hissing stray who's more likely to terrorize customers than delight them.
Despite her irritation, Krissy finds herself trying to help the hapless Valerie. But her old classmate needs a different kind of help when the health inspector is found dead on the premises. As Krissy's boyfriend cozies up to local law enforcement, she collects a carafe of clues, drip by drip . . .
When she arrives in her hometown, the owner of Death by Coffee is startled to see a store called Death by Java. She soon realizes the name belongs to a copycat business run by her mean-girl high school rival, Valerie. It may not be grounds for a lawsuit—but when they stop in and witness a bitter argument with a health inspector, the whole scene leaves a bad taste in Krissy's mouth. Valerie has even imitated Death by Coffee's resident feline—except this one is a hissing stray who's more likely to terrorize customers than delight them.
Despite her irritation, Krissy finds herself trying to help the hapless Valerie. But her old classmate needs a different kind of help when the health inspector is found dead on the premises. As Krissy's boyfriend cozies up to local law enforcement, she collects a carafe of clues, drip by drip . . .
- GenresCozy Mystery
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication October 28, 2025
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 21, 2025
Book review: Alex Erickson’s Death by Java
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC of this cozy and caffeinated mystery.
Krissy Hancock just wanted a sunny break from her small-town life in Pine Hills, Ohio. She didn’t ask for a murder—or a rival café with a name suspiciously similar to her own. Death by Java, the fourteenth book in A Bookstore Café Mystery series, drops Krissy into her California hometown, where nostalgia and espresso are both served with a side of sabotage. If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery with sass, sass-back, and some seriously territorial cats, you’ve found your next brew.
Right out of the gate, I loved the setup. Krissy walks into her hometown expecting sunshine and beach days, only to find her old high school nemesis, Valerie, running a knockoff coffee shop called Death by Java—a mirror image of Krissy’s own café, right down to the surly shop cat. The gall! And yet, when Valerie’s health inspector is found dead in the breakroom, Krissy does what she does best: drops everything and starts sleuthing, even if it means skipping out on family time and possibly making the worst vacation itinerary of all time. She may not have packed a sunhat, but she did bring her instincts.
The murder mystery element is classic cozy. A quirky cast of locals, a long list of suspects with just enough motive, and plenty of red herrings kept things rolling along like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso. The charm of this series has always been Krissy’s voice—smart, a little cynical, and just nosy enough to be believable. “You’d think vacation meant relaxing. But when murder shows up, I guess sunscreen takes a back seat,” she says at one point. And honestly, I’d read a whole book of her snark alone.
What sets Death by Java apart from other cozies is how it balances its familiar formula with fresh drama. Taking Krissy out of Pine Hills and dropping her in a new setting with personal stakes adds welcome dimension. We meet her father (a character worth showing up for on his own) and see her trying to juggle being a daughter, girlfriend, and impromptu detective. It’s messy in a way that feels real—especially when you’re watching her choose between quality time with family or solving a murder to help the woman who used to trip her in the cafeteria.
That said, Valerie is not an easy character to root for, which made Krissy’s willingness to help her a bit frustrating. But maybe that’s the magic of Krissy. She’s not petty—even if she’d be completely justified in being so. I found myself grumbling on her behalf more than once. And the cat—Oscar, the snarling shop gremlin—is everything I want in a mystery pet. Equal parts menace and comic relief.
The writing is clean, light, and snappy—Erickson knows his audience. If you’ve been reading this series from the beginning, you’ll feel right at home. And if you’re new? You can absolutely jump in here without missing a beat. Longtime fans will appreciate how the core characters continue to grow, while the new faces shake up the rhythm just enough to keep it interesting.
My only quibble? Krissy’s boyfriend Paul is still a bit too beige for me. He’s there, he’s supportive, he’s… fine. But I want someone with a little more fire to match Krissy’s quick wit. Still, he plays his part in the investigation and doesn’t get in the way, which, to be fair, is a low but respectable bar for cozy mystery boyfriends.
Death by Java is a fun, twisty, and satisfyingly frothy read. It hits all the right cozy beats: quirky setting, bookstore café vibes, a cat with attitude, and just enough tension to keep you flipping pages. If you like your mysteries served with clever banter and caffeine, don’t skip this one. Four and a half stars from me, rounded up because of Oscar the cat and the surprisingly layered mystery.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#DeathbyJava #AlexErickson #CozyMystery #BookstoreCafeMystery #NetGalley #AmateurSleuth #CatMystery #MurderMysteryReads #CoffeeAndCrime #KrissyHancock #BookReview #KensingtonCozy #CozyMysterySeries
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC of this cozy and caffeinated mystery.
Krissy Hancock just wanted a sunny break from her small-town life in Pine Hills, Ohio. She didn’t ask for a murder—or a rival café with a name suspiciously similar to her own. Death by Java, the fourteenth book in A Bookstore Café Mystery series, drops Krissy into her California hometown, where nostalgia and espresso are both served with a side of sabotage. If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery with sass, sass-back, and some seriously territorial cats, you’ve found your next brew.
Right out of the gate, I loved the setup. Krissy walks into her hometown expecting sunshine and beach days, only to find her old high school nemesis, Valerie, running a knockoff coffee shop called Death by Java—a mirror image of Krissy’s own café, right down to the surly shop cat. The gall! And yet, when Valerie’s health inspector is found dead in the breakroom, Krissy does what she does best: drops everything and starts sleuthing, even if it means skipping out on family time and possibly making the worst vacation itinerary of all time. She may not have packed a sunhat, but she did bring her instincts.
The murder mystery element is classic cozy. A quirky cast of locals, a long list of suspects with just enough motive, and plenty of red herrings kept things rolling along like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso. The charm of this series has always been Krissy’s voice—smart, a little cynical, and just nosy enough to be believable. “You’d think vacation meant relaxing. But when murder shows up, I guess sunscreen takes a back seat,” she says at one point. And honestly, I’d read a whole book of her snark alone.
What sets Death by Java apart from other cozies is how it balances its familiar formula with fresh drama. Taking Krissy out of Pine Hills and dropping her in a new setting with personal stakes adds welcome dimension. We meet her father (a character worth showing up for on his own) and see her trying to juggle being a daughter, girlfriend, and impromptu detective. It’s messy in a way that feels real—especially when you’re watching her choose between quality time with family or solving a murder to help the woman who used to trip her in the cafeteria.
That said, Valerie is not an easy character to root for, which made Krissy’s willingness to help her a bit frustrating. But maybe that’s the magic of Krissy. She’s not petty—even if she’d be completely justified in being so. I found myself grumbling on her behalf more than once. And the cat—Oscar, the snarling shop gremlin—is everything I want in a mystery pet. Equal parts menace and comic relief.
The writing is clean, light, and snappy—Erickson knows his audience. If you’ve been reading this series from the beginning, you’ll feel right at home. And if you’re new? You can absolutely jump in here without missing a beat. Longtime fans will appreciate how the core characters continue to grow, while the new faces shake up the rhythm just enough to keep it interesting.
My only quibble? Krissy’s boyfriend Paul is still a bit too beige for me. He’s there, he’s supportive, he’s… fine. But I want someone with a little more fire to match Krissy’s quick wit. Still, he plays his part in the investigation and doesn’t get in the way, which, to be fair, is a low but respectable bar for cozy mystery boyfriends.
Death by Java is a fun, twisty, and satisfyingly frothy read. It hits all the right cozy beats: quirky setting, bookstore café vibes, a cat with attitude, and just enough tension to keep you flipping pages. If you like your mysteries served with clever banter and caffeine, don’t skip this one. Four and a half stars from me, rounded up because of Oscar the cat and the surprisingly layered mystery.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#DeathbyJava #AlexErickson #CozyMystery #BookstoreCafeMystery #NetGalley #AmateurSleuth #CatMystery #MurderMysteryReads #CoffeeAndCrime #KrissyHancock #BookReview #KensingtonCozy #CozyMysterySeries
June 17, 2025
Offering suggestions to help an ex-mean girl classmate turn her coffee shop into a more successful business wasn't supposed to take over Krissy Hancock's California vacation, but somehow that's what's happened! The café, Death by Java, has more than a similar name to Krissy’s own bookstore-café, Death by Coffee, back home in Pine Hills, Ohio. The two look alike with the same type of decor and layout, but Java is almost empty, has an unenthusiastic staff, an unfriendly and territorial cat in resident, and it definitely needs a good clean! When a body is then discovered in the staff room, Krissy knows she can't let Valerie deal with everything alone and so, as Paul helps the local police detective she begins her own investigation hoping her vacation can actually begin before she’s due to go home?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much. The storyline was fun as it was to learn a little more about Krissy's dad. I'm looking forward to more soon.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much. The storyline was fun as it was to learn a little more about Krissy's dad. I'm looking forward to more soon.
August 2, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I have long been a fan of this series, and this newest instalment is sure to delight both new and old fans. Krissy Hancock is no stranger to murder, but doesn’t expect it to follow to her hometown while visiting her famous father with her boyfriend and police officer, Paul. Hesitant at first to involve herself, Krissy soon finds herself in a familiar place but with fresh faces that help keep the novel relevant.
Cozy mystery can be a hard genre to nail down; you need to invoke that familiar feeling but at the same time you run the risk of the series going stale from repetition. I liked that Krissy was in a new setting, and I loved the new characters surrounding her. This is one of those perfect cozies that I will always return to.
If you’re looking for a new mystery series, then I highly recommend this one! There are enough books to keep you occupied for quite a while and it’s a fantastic example of the cozy genre.
Five stars.
I have long been a fan of this series, and this newest instalment is sure to delight both new and old fans. Krissy Hancock is no stranger to murder, but doesn’t expect it to follow to her hometown while visiting her famous father with her boyfriend and police officer, Paul. Hesitant at first to involve herself, Krissy soon finds herself in a familiar place but with fresh faces that help keep the novel relevant.
Cozy mystery can be a hard genre to nail down; you need to invoke that familiar feeling but at the same time you run the risk of the series going stale from repetition. I liked that Krissy was in a new setting, and I loved the new characters surrounding her. This is one of those perfect cozies that I will always return to.
If you’re looking for a new mystery series, then I highly recommend this one! There are enough books to keep you occupied for quite a while and it’s a fantastic example of the cozy genre.
Five stars.
May 24, 2025
#DeathbyJava #NetGalley is another fun addition to this coffee house inspired series.
Krissy and her boyfriend Paul are visiting her father and his significant other in #DeathbyJava.
Leaving her coffee shop, Death by Coffee in good hands, she's excited to show Paul where she grew up.
Their plans come to a halt when a visit to her high school nemesis sets the scene for lies, cheating and betrayal.
Valerie is not a fan of Krissy's, and has created her own coffee shop, Death by Java, in the exact replica of Krissy's.
Valerie is quicker to sling insults than coffee, which may be why business is failing for her.
When Valerie asks Krissy for help, her immediate thoughts are no, no ,heck no, but Krissy relents and offers to insight to why the shop may not be doing well.
The sudden death of the health food inspector, whose body is found in Valerie's shop, intrigues Krissy, and before long, her and her father are looking for clues and questioning potential suspects.
The ending is exciting and I can't wait to see what's in store next for Krissy, Paul, and the other characters in this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book is.
I'm looking forward to recommending this book to others.
Krissy and her boyfriend Paul are visiting her father and his significant other in #DeathbyJava.
Leaving her coffee shop, Death by Coffee in good hands, she's excited to show Paul where she grew up.
Their plans come to a halt when a visit to her high school nemesis sets the scene for lies, cheating and betrayal.
Valerie is not a fan of Krissy's, and has created her own coffee shop, Death by Java, in the exact replica of Krissy's.
Valerie is quicker to sling insults than coffee, which may be why business is failing for her.
When Valerie asks Krissy for help, her immediate thoughts are no, no ,heck no, but Krissy relents and offers to insight to why the shop may not be doing well.
The sudden death of the health food inspector, whose body is found in Valerie's shop, intrigues Krissy, and before long, her and her father are looking for clues and questioning potential suspects.
The ending is exciting and I can't wait to see what's in store next for Krissy, Paul, and the other characters in this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book is.
I'm looking forward to recommending this book to others.
August 11, 2025
Krissy is the owner of a bookstore cafe named Death By Coffee. Her high school bully, Valerie, also opens a coffee shop with the same theme and almost identical name, Death By Java. Valerie is struggling with her business and asks Krissy to help her figure out how to fix things since she runs a successful coffee shop. Krissy is kind and decides to help, but then the health inspector ends up dead.
Krissy's family is visiting for two weeks and it seems as if there is endless drama and Krissy keeps getting pulled away from her family to help. I was a bit annoyed when Krissy decided to skip the beach day she had planned with her family to talk to Valerie. I think family time is definitely more important than trying to help someone who used to bully you in high school.
The characters were all well developed that you didnt forget who was who and there weren't too many characters to remember which was nice. I wasn't expecting the murder entirely. At one point I was a bit convinced and then things seemed to get ruled out. I loved that there was a grumpy feral cat named Oscar who lived at Death By Java, how fitting. Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Alex Erickson for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
Krissy's family is visiting for two weeks and it seems as if there is endless drama and Krissy keeps getting pulled away from her family to help. I was a bit annoyed when Krissy decided to skip the beach day she had planned with her family to talk to Valerie. I think family time is definitely more important than trying to help someone who used to bully you in high school.
The characters were all well developed that you didnt forget who was who and there weren't too many characters to remember which was nice. I wasn't expecting the murder entirely. At one point I was a bit convinced and then things seemed to get ruled out. I loved that there was a grumpy feral cat named Oscar who lived at Death By Java, how fitting. Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Alex Erickson for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
August 1, 2025
Krissy is back in her old stomping grounds where she grew up while visiting family when she finds herself wrapped up in another mysterious murder...
Krissy is trying to help mean girl, Valerie, with her business (that she literally ripped off of Krissys cafe/book business!). Valerie is a woman of many suitors, but there's one man who doesn't like Valerie, in fact he seems to have it out for her. The local health inspector won't stop writing citations for Val's cafe, and suddenly winds up dead. Krissy, her dad and her policeman Beau take it upon themselves to help investigate. With suspicious local business owners also entangled with citations, angry ex boyfriends, and another cafe cat, this cozy mystery kept me on my toes!
I really enjoy this series and the writing. It's light hearted, easy to follow and keeps me wondering what's next!
Thank you Kensington Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Krissy is trying to help mean girl, Valerie, with her business (that she literally ripped off of Krissys cafe/book business!). Valerie is a woman of many suitors, but there's one man who doesn't like Valerie, in fact he seems to have it out for her. The local health inspector won't stop writing citations for Val's cafe, and suddenly winds up dead. Krissy, her dad and her policeman Beau take it upon themselves to help investigate. With suspicious local business owners also entangled with citations, angry ex boyfriends, and another cafe cat, this cozy mystery kept me on my toes!
I really enjoy this series and the writing. It's light hearted, easy to follow and keeps me wondering what's next!
Thank you Kensington Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 29, 2025
Just finished the cutest mystery novel! It was seriously like going on vacation – the characters were on a trip, and I felt like I was right there with them the whole time! The author did an amazing job developing the characters, and the suspense kept me guessing until the very end. I'm a total sucker for a good murder mystery, and this one definitely hit the spot. Apparently, it's part of a series, but I read this one (the latest one, I think) and didn't feel lost at all – I knew enough about the characters to really get into the story. If you're looking for a fun, engaging read, you absolutely HAVE to check this one out! Highly recommend!
August 23, 2025
Another great book in the series; I've read them all. Krissy travels to California to visit her dad and gets involved in solving a murder at a coffee shop that is similar to her shop. This one is owned by her nemesis in high school. Krissy is her usual kind and curious self. I missed some of the usual characters from back home, but it was fun having Krissy's dad work with her. He is very supportive of his daughter. This series is still going strong, I really like it. I hope there are many more books to come in this series. Krissy is a great character!
August 2, 2025
I've enjoyed the books in this series for the most part. The main character, Krissy, always does a good job of digging up facts. The most difficult part of this book for me was Krissy's determination to go above and beyond helping a girl who was mean to her in school and years later, still insults her. I'm not sure anyone would cancel all their plans to spend time with a dad they traveled to visit and help someone like that. i think most would give her the tips she requested and leave it at.
September 12, 2025
review to come
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews