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A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series #16
A Cup of Crime
A Cup of Crime is the sixteenth 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 is determined to start the year right. With No-Junk January in full swing, gym passes collecting dust and her relationship with Whit still making her smile, she’s ready to focus on her cafe, her community and a calmer life.
But calm doesn’t last long in Magnolia Grove. When a new personal trainer is found dead at Baxter’s Blue Ridge Bootcamp, the police are quick to chalk it up to a tragic accident. Parker’s instincts disagree … and the town’s newest detective seems a little too eager to wrap the case with a bow.
As gossip spreads and suspicion tightens around the gym owner, Parker can’t stand by while a good man becomes the convenient answer. Enlisting the help of her ever-faithful dog Major and her partner-in-sleuthing Whit, she begins to connect the dots between a growing list of suspects hiding behind “good intentions.” Parker will have to move fast—before the killer slips away for good.
A Cup of Crime is a Southern cozy mystery filled with New Year hope, small-town drama and one cafe owner who keeps stumbling into trouble—served up with matcha lattes, sharp wit, and a deadly twist.
Parker Hayes is determined to start the year right. With No-Junk January in full swing, gym passes collecting dust and her relationship with Whit still making her smile, she’s ready to focus on her cafe, her community and a calmer life.
But calm doesn’t last long in Magnolia Grove. When a new personal trainer is found dead at Baxter’s Blue Ridge Bootcamp, the police are quick to chalk it up to a tragic accident. Parker’s instincts disagree … and the town’s newest detective seems a little too eager to wrap the case with a bow.
As gossip spreads and suspicion tightens around the gym owner, Parker can’t stand by while a good man becomes the convenient answer. Enlisting the help of her ever-faithful dog Major and her partner-in-sleuthing Whit, she begins to connect the dots between a growing list of suspects hiding behind “good intentions.” Parker will have to move fast—before the killer slips away for good.
A Cup of Crime is a Southern cozy mystery filled with New Year hope, small-town drama and one cafe owner who keeps stumbling into trouble—served up with matcha lattes, sharp wit, and a deadly twist.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2026
About the author
Simone Stier
30 books102 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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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 18, 2026
Excellent cozy mystery! Entertaining characters, cute pet, and intriguing murder mystery! Highly recommend.
April 20, 2026
Another adventure
I've read every book in this series and I love them all. The writing is great and you feel like you know all the characters and the dog major too. There's always enough of a twist in the mystery she tries to solve that keep you guessing. So tomorrow ill start the next book to find out the latest at Catch you Latte.
I've read every book in this series and I love them all. The writing is great and you feel like you know all the characters and the dog major too. There's always enough of a twist in the mystery she tries to solve that keep you guessing. So tomorrow ill start the next book to find out the latest at Catch you Latte.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews