by: Lena Gregory
Series: Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty new mystery with a killer twist…
Danika Delaney is thrilled to have taken over her uncle Jimmie’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and is working hard to make it her own. In an effort to increase business, Danika invites a mystery writer to the Coffee & Cream Café for a discussion and book signing. Things seem to be going well, until a guest shows up and confronts the author, accusing him of plagiarizing his work. Embarrassed by the incident, Danika goes to the inn where the writer is staying the following morning, hoping to apologize and offer him another chance to return. What she finds instead is his dead body—beside a cup of poisoned coffee! Now it’s up to Danika to find out who wanted to silence the author… before the killer decides to write Danika a not-so-happy ending!
I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?
I’m doing good. Thank you for asking. You’re probably surprised that I asked to interview you, right? Well, I kinda sorta heard about you from Danika and I wanted to get to know you better. Can you please introduce yourself to readers?
I was kind of surprised, but I’m thrilled to be here. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jake Barlow, I’m in my late twenties, and I’m a detective with the Watchogue Police Department. Lately, it seems most of my interests revolve around Danika Delaney. I’ll admit I have a sweet spot for her, though the only two dates we’ve managed so far have ended pretty disastrously. So, for the moment, I spend most of my time trying to keep her out of trouble. Not that she means to get herself into these messes (or so she keeps claiming), but the woman seems to be a magnet for trouble. That’s okay, though. I get a little of my own back when I show up unannounced for Sunday dinner at her mother’s. Too bad I didn’t realize the entire Delaney clan would be in attendance.
Oh. That sounds fun. What made you decide to become a police officer and ultimately a detective?
I’ve always loved helping people, ever since I was a kid. I was the one who tended to stick up for the underdog or stay after class to help out a teacher or a student who needed help. So it seemed natural to choose a career that allowed me to help others. Plus, I’ve always loved solving puzzles.
What’s your most prized possession?
My most prized possession is the 1969 Camaro my father and I built together, which hadn’t yet made an appearance in my stories, but will soon enough.
Did you know Danika refers to you as Detective Steamy? And if you did, how do you feel about that nickname?
Oh no! I didn’t know that, and I’m pretty sure Dani wouldn’t be happy you shared it with me. I’ll have to be sure to tease her about it later. Just between us, I have to admit I’m happy she sees me that way, since I would like to see our relationship head in a more serious direction—if she could just stop stumbling over dead bodies and interfering in my investigations.
How do you really feel about Danika and her best friend Gwen investigating murders?
That’s a tough question to answer. I hate the thought of them being in danger, which they often are. But, and if you tell Dani I said this I will deny it, they’re good at it. Dani tends to see things from a perspective no one else does, and she’s great at solving puzzles. I just wish they’d stay off killers’ radar.
Okay, I’m a romance girl. Do you have any feelings for Danika, romantic-wise?
Oh, man. You’re putting me on the spot with this one. Yes, I’ll admit I do have feelings for Dani. There are two reasons I haven’t pushed to have a more serious relationship. One, I don’t think Dani’s ready (and it has nothing to do with the firefighter), and I’m afraid if I push, she’ll bolt. And two, every time I turn around there’s another body to investigate, and Dani’s right there in the middle of it. It can make dating a little difficult.
Oh. Your creator Lena Gregory is probably sitting back thinking we need to promote her latest book, Grounds for Murder, which you’re a part of. What can readers expect from this story?
I’m sure Lena is happy to let me have the spotlight this time, since I know she has a soft spot for me. I’m pretty sure Lena is fully team Jake—although I don’t know why she hasn’t written Luca out of the picture yet. Anyway, in Grounds for Murder, Dani decides to have an author attend a book signing to promote the grand reopening of the Coffee & Cream Café. And it does not go well. Then, when she tries to apologize, though it wasn’t her fault he was such an arrogant jerk, she stumbles across his body. Of course, she can’t leave the investigating to the police. But that’s one of the things I lov…uh…like most about her—she’s got such a good heart and always wants to help people out.
Jake, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Thank you for having me.
Purchase Grounds for Murder from:
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The Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries Series:
Double Scoop of Murder releases February 27, 2024
Places to find Lena Gregory:
Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter
You can follow the Grounds for Murder Blog Tour here.
Thank you so much for having me and for sharing the release of Grounds for Murder!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteIt sounds like the author is really busy. What is Sisters in Crime?
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading this well done excerpt and the amazing cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.