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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #15
A Whisk of Woes
A Whisk of Woes is the fifteenth book in the Cafe Crimes series—a clean culinary cozy mystery featuring amateur sleuth and former true-crime podcaster Parker Hayes in the charming small town of Magnolia Grove.
Parker Hayes expects a dreamy holiday escape when she and some of the Magnolia Grove crew head to Chateau Moore for a luxurious winter weekend.
The chateau is the picture of a winter wonderland with garlands and music, crackling fires and twinkling lights. But when a body is discovered frozen in the hedge maze, the festive plans take a frosty turn. Snow begins to fall, a blizzard slams the estate shut, and Parker, Hazel, Whit, and her ever-alert dog Major start to realize everyone might be trapped inside the chateau with a killer.
With time running out and no help on the way, Parker must untangle a web of secrets hidden behind holiday cheer. What she uncovers is more shocking than any gift under the tree.
A Whisk of Woes is a Southern cozy mystery filled with Christmas sparkle, snowy suspense and one cafe owner determined to solve a deadly holiday puzzle—served up with gingerbread, sharp wit and sleuthing in style.
Parker Hayes expects a dreamy holiday escape when she and some of the Magnolia Grove crew head to Chateau Moore for a luxurious winter weekend.
The chateau is the picture of a winter wonderland with garlands and music, crackling fires and twinkling lights. But when a body is discovered frozen in the hedge maze, the festive plans take a frosty turn. Snow begins to fall, a blizzard slams the estate shut, and Parker, Hazel, Whit, and her ever-alert dog Major start to realize everyone might be trapped inside the chateau with a killer.
With time running out and no help on the way, Parker must untangle a web of secrets hidden behind holiday cheer. What she uncovers is more shocking than any gift under the tree.
A Whisk of Woes is a Southern cozy mystery filled with Christmas sparkle, snowy suspense and one cafe owner determined to solve a deadly holiday puzzle—served up with gingerbread, sharp wit and sleuthing in style.
- GenresCozy Mystery
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2025
About the author
Simone Stier
34 books115 followersSimone Stier writes humorous cozy mysteries with coffee shops, bookshops, small towns and clever twists.
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
With humor, heart and plenty of small-town gossip, Simone’s books follow amateur sleuths as they uncover murder, secrets and scandal in charming Southern communities. Her Cafe Crimes series features a former true-crime podcaster turned barista and delivers binge-worthy mysteries filled with wit, charm and clever twists.
Simone lives in North Carolina with her husband and writing partner, Peter. When they aren’t plotting their next fictional crime, they’re probably cold plunging.
For fans of Cleo Coyle, Ellie Alexander and Tonya Kappes.
Join the newsletter for free short story + recipes simonestier.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 5, 2025
Author Simone Stier continually raises the bar writing this wonderful series! Action packed, an Inn full of suspects, and a winter storm outside with a frozen dead body! I suspected everybody! The killer reveal was a surprise to me. I highly recommend this absorbing story plus the previous books.
December 2, 2025
Loved the locked room mystery murder, loved the setting, and loved the unique cast of (new) characters!
But when am I ever going to be able to figure out the mystery before Parker tells us?! Gaaaah. That said, I did guess Walt’s issue and I loved how it ended!
But when am I ever going to be able to figure out the mystery before Parker tells us?! Gaaaah. That said, I did guess Walt’s issue and I loved how it ended!
February 13, 2026
wild winter wonder
Parker and her love Whit, Hazel and her boyfriend Leland, and their pal Clyde and hisadorable Boston terrier Major head to a majestic lodge for a winter wonderland weekend. They are in for a deep freeze supreme.
Clyde’s cousin and her hubby restored the exquisite Victorian style chateau and it’s dripping with more than beauty and a well stocked wine cellar —a weekend full of unexpected surprises.
There is a shocking murder that appears to be an accident. Parker sharpens her sleuthing skills with the help of her besties, uncovers the truth. So enjoyed reading this series, there are always unexpected twists and turns between the characters that are more deadly than a Greek labyrinth and the villain an absolute stunner and that divine twist at the end? About fell off the ottoman!
And an absolutely worthwhile read
Parker and her love Whit, Hazel and her boyfriend Leland, and their pal Clyde and hisadorable Boston terrier Major head to a majestic lodge for a winter wonderland weekend. They are in for a deep freeze supreme.
Clyde’s cousin and her hubby restored the exquisite Victorian style chateau and it’s dripping with more than beauty and a well stocked wine cellar —a weekend full of unexpected surprises.
There is a shocking murder that appears to be an accident. Parker sharpens her sleuthing skills with the help of her besties, uncovers the truth. So enjoyed reading this series, there are always unexpected twists and turns between the characters that are more deadly than a Greek labyrinth and the villain an absolute stunner and that divine twist at the end? About fell off the ottoman!
And an absolutely worthwhile read
December 2, 2025
Charming and Delightful!
A very interesting, entertaining, and intriguing winter mystery. A perfect read to curl up with on a snowy winter day under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa nearby. A weekend getaway to a charming château, a terrible snowstorm, and a house full of interesting people, one of whom may be a murderer. As usual, Parker Hayes is on the case attempting to figure out the guilty culprit. But the biggest mystery is why her boyfriend Whit is acting so strangely. Not to be missed, you won't be disappointed!
A very interesting, entertaining, and intriguing winter mystery. A perfect read to curl up with on a snowy winter day under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa nearby. A weekend getaway to a charming château, a terrible snowstorm, and a house full of interesting people, one of whom may be a murderer. As usual, Parker Hayes is on the case attempting to figure out the guilty culprit. But the biggest mystery is why her boyfriend Whit is acting so strangely. Not to be missed, you won't be disappointed!
December 3, 2025
What a whodunit!
This mystery definitely kept you guessing as to the killer's identity and motivation. So many suspects and for a variety of reasons. It also had some personal relationships progress to a different life stage. Great series.
This mystery definitely kept you guessing as to the killer's identity and motivation. So many suspects and for a variety of reasons. It also had some personal relationships progress to a different life stage. Great series.
December 11, 2025
Never suspected it was the person that did it.
Simone Stier has a way of writing a story full of red herrings. I absolutely never suspected the person who committed the crime until it was revealed near the end. Can’t wait for Parker’s next adventure! Love this series!
Simone Stier has a way of writing a story full of red herrings. I absolutely never suspected the person who committed the crime until it was revealed near the end. Can’t wait for Parker’s next adventure! Love this series!
January 8, 2026
A Whisk of Woes Review
I am really loving The Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series. Simone you are an awesome mystery writer. You have have written some great characters and even greater stories. I hope you keep them coming.
I am really loving The Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series. Simone you are an awesome mystery writer. You have have written some great characters and even greater stories. I hope you keep them coming.
February 11, 2026
too many characters
jmho, too many characters, for me, made this slightly confusing. If you’re reading this, keep track of each couple it will help to decipher who’s who…
jmho, too many characters, for me, made this slightly confusing. If you’re reading this, keep track of each couple it will help to decipher who’s who…
August 29, 2026
Christmas Joy
I loved every minute of this charming, cozy, snowy, Christmasy mystery. And the end will have me smiling for days!
I loved every minute of this charming, cozy, snowy, Christmasy mystery. And the end will have me smiling for days!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews