by: Lena Gregory
Series: All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Beyond the Page
When a belligerent woman moves in across the street, café owner Gia Morelli has to call off the welcome wagon and call in the homicide squad...
When a nasty new neighbor moves into their peaceful community, Gia and everyone else in the neighborhood is ready to blow a fuse. The spiteful woman has quickly made a nuisance of herself, complaining to and about everyone there. Then she makes the grave mistake of falsely claiming Gia’s dog tore up her yard, and Gia goes ballistic, telling the woman to back off... or else. It was an impulsive move for Gia, but someone else decides an even more extreme approach is called for, and silences the woman—permanently.
Unnerved by the thought of a murderer living in her neighborhood, Gia begins digging into the victim’s life to figure out who would have wanted her dead. She soon discovers that the woman was not only malicious but was blackmailing people in the community. Even more surprising is that nearly everyone in the neighborhood has something to hide. Dead-set on rooting out the culprit, Gia has to determine who stood to lose the most if their secret was revealed, unaware that she’s perilously close to losing her own life...
I’ve always loved the small-town feel, the way everyone knows everyone, especially the families who lived there for generation after generation as mine had. When I married a man from the neighboring town, it seemed natural to settle down where we’d grown up and start our family.
Then my husband got a job offer in Florida, and he accepted. We moved down right after my daughter finished kindergarten. I had only ever been to Florida once, when my daughter was three and we spent three days in Disney World, so I had no clue what to expect.
I was used to deer crossing signs, since Long Island is home to a large deer population, but the first time I drove my daughter to school and saw a bear crossing sign, I actually turned around and went back to see it again. I thought I was mistaken, but nope, it was a bear crossing sign. Until that moment, I had no clue there were bears in Florida.
Then there were the love bugs, and they were everywhere. And lizards, which I’d never even seen in real life before I moved, and snakes, sometimes poisonous ones.
Aside from the critters, the weather brought a few surprises as well. On the rare occasions Long Island gets tornadoes, they are small F-1s that do very little damage. One night, about six months after we moved to Florida, I had just gotten into bed and turned on the TV, and the weather report came on. A line of damaging storms were coming through. The reporter said if you live on my road, “take cover now,” and I freaked out, to put it mildly, woke my daughter and stuffed her and my dog into the tub, even tried to wrestle a mattress into the tiny bathroom. (That was so not happening.)
Whenever I got homesick, I spent a lot of time checking off the positives and negatives of living in Florida and New York.
Because there were also amazing things about living in Florida. The natural springs, with their crystal-clear water, gorgeous blue skies—even in the winter when the skies in New York are permanently gray. And who could complain when everyone in New York was shoveling out from under a foot of snow, and I was laying by the pool?
In the end, my decision was made for me when my husband and I both got job opportunities in New York. We ended up moving back to New York and visiting Florida every year, because we missed it so much.
While I loved moving back to our small town and raising two of our children there, we eventually did move back to Florida. This time, though, we found a small town outside of the more touristy areas, with a beautiful downtown area that reminds me some of the town I came from. Now, when I reminisce about the past, I realize things have changed in New York. My once small town grew until I no longer knew everyone, most of my family no longer lives there, and the cost of living skyrocketed. Thankfully, I still get to revisit my hometown in my Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, since the fictional town of Watchogue is based on my childhood home.
Chapter One
“What’s the point in closing the café and taking a day off if we don’t do something fun?” With her elbows propped on Gia Morelli’s kitchen table and her chin resting in one hand, Savannah Mills Dumont ran the tip of one long, glitter-tipped, sky-blue nail around the rim of her Blondes Have More Fun coffee mug and pouted.
Thor, Gia’s Bernese mountain dog, dropped his massive head onto Savannah’s lap, rolled his soulful brown eyes toward Gia, and sulked.
“Oh, knock it off. Both of you.” Gia stood from where she sat between the two of them and crossed the terra-cotta tile to the counter. If she was going to deal with both her best friend and her traitorous dog moping at the crack of dawn, she was going to need more coffee. She filled her mug then held the pot up toward Savannah, who shook her head moodily. Ugh. She turned and leaned back against the countertop, inhaled deeply the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and took a sip.
It wasn’t like she had any specific plans for the day, other than to relax and enjoy twenty-four stress-free hours without punching a time clock, rushing around like there weren’t enough hours to fit in everything she had to get done (which there weren’t), and fielding complaints from cranky customers. She sighed. In all fairness, most of her customers weren’t cranky, just the select few who, despite their chronic complaints, still kept returning to the All-Day Breakfast Café. Perhaps negativity was just a hobby for them. Her gaze flicked back to Savannah and Thor.
Savannah fluttered long, thick lashes that framed big blue eyes Gia had no hope of saying no to. “Okay, fine. What is it the two of you want to do?”
Thor lifted his head and barked once.
Savannah perked right up, straightened in her chair, and offered a sly grin. “Whatever you’d like.”
“I’d like to go to the nursery for some flowers and plant a garden out front,” Gia reminded her.
“Oh, please, sugar.” Savannah waved her off with a flick of her hand. “You’ve been saying that for months, and you and I both know it’s not going to happen.”
“It might.” Especially if Savannah kept insisting it wouldn’t. Nothing like a little pessimism for motivation. Besides, she’d heard gardening was a great stress reliever. And, having lived most of her life in New York City, she’d never had the opportunity to give it a try.
“Uh-huh.” Lifting one perfectly sculpted brow, Savannah shifted her long blonde hair behind her shoulder, hooked an elbow over her chair back, and pinned Gia with a knowing look. “And what happens the first time you kneel down and find a snake in the weeds? Or a bear lumbers across the yard? Or Rocky Raccoon, apparently your newest pet, stops by for a visit?”
“Okay, that’s not fair.” It wasn’t her fault she hadn’t had the heart to get rid of the little varmint after the first time she’d paid a pretty penny to have someone catch him and release him elsewhere. Then, the following day, she’d found him leisurely hanging out on his favorite moss-covered oak branch above her garbage pails, staring at her with an amused look that said, Ha ha, sucker, I’m not that easy to get rid of. But the reminder had her second-guessing the idea of a garden . . . again. The chances of her planting and caring for a garden without running into some critter or another were slim to none.
Not that she didn’t adore her home in Rolling Pines, she did. The development on the outskirts of the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida was what Savannah had called rural when she’d first found the beautiful little Spanish-style ranch Gia now called home. But it was more like the center of some prehistoric forest—at least, it was to Gia, who’d spent most of her life surrounded by concrete and steel. Of the thousand or so one-acre lots the community boasted, only about half of them had been cleared and built on. That left a lot of swampy forest, home to an abundance of wildlife—bears, coyotes, armadillos, alligators, venomous snakes, huntsman spiders—and that was the end of that. A shiver tore through her. There was nothing Gia feared more than spiders.
Savannah grinned.
“Okay, okay, point made.” It was Gia’s turn to sulk.
“So . . .” Having won the argument, as usual, Savannah sipped her coffee. “What do you feel like doing? Now that I take it gardening is out?”
Gia pinned her with her harshest glare. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you no one likes a smart aleck?”
“Come to think of it . . .” She laughed, the sound musical in the small kitchen. “You may have mentioned it once or twice.”
Gia couldn’t help but smile. Since there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Savannah, who’d been Gia’s rock through the most difficult time in her life, it looked like she’d have to suck it up and choose something her friend would enjoy. Which would probably involve an hour’s drive to one mall or another followed by the afternoon in a shoe store. Then, of course, they couldn’t leave Thor out, so the day would wind up with a hike along one of the many trails Gia had come to enjoy walking—when she didn’t come across a body, that is. Or a bear. Or an alligator. Was it too late to change her mind on this? One glance at Savannah and Thor assured her it was.
“All right, we’ll—” She was awarded a brief reprieve when the doorbell rang. Although she had no idea who’d be stopping by so early in the morning. She glanced down at her oversized sweats and tattered T-shirt. Oh, well. Nothing she could do about her attire, and answering the door would save her having to make any life-altering decisions. At least, for a few minutes. “I’ll just get that.”
With Thor on her heels, his long black tail tipped with white wagging furiously at the thought of company, she headed for the front of the house. She peered through the living room window and sighed. She’d have been better off taking her chances with a hike through a viper pit. Of course, not in the new shoes, which would certainly have ridiculously high heels if Savannah was helping her pick them out.
The bell rang a second time.
Then again, a hike through a swamp in stilettos had to beat dealing with Gladys Hoffmeier at six in the morning, or any other time, really. With one last sigh, Gia opened the door to her neighbor from across the street and one house over.
Thor backed quietly away and shifted to stand behind Gia.
Gladys, arms folded across her chest, tapped her foot with about as much patience as Rocky Raccoon on clean-out-the-fridge day. Despite the early hour, the woman was already decked out in a matronly dress, sensible shoes, and full makeup. Her tight red curls clung tenaciously to her head as if they didn’t dare droop out of place, despite the humidity. Before Gia could even say good morning or invite her inside, Gladys shifted her hands to her ample hips and glared. “That dog of yours was digging up my yard again.”
First of all, it’s not your yard. Gia clamped her teeth tightly together to cage the words inside. Since Gladys had come to live with her sister (half sister, Gia reminded herself) six months ago, she’d done nothing but complain and cause trouble in the previously serene community.
Savannah came up beside Gia and lay a hand on Thor’s head.
If Gia didn’t intervene quickly, the ensuing battle would end up getting out of hand and result in Captain Hunter Quinn, Gia’s fiancé, who also happened to be Savannah’s cousin, and Detective Leo Dumont, Savannah’s husband, being called. Again. It seemed Gladys Hoffmeier had the Boggy Creek Police Department number on speed dial, since they’d banned her from dialing 911 for anything other than a life-threatening emergency the last time they’d been summoned. “Good morning, Mrs. Hoff—”
“Ms. Hoffmeier. As I’ve told you several times now. I divorced my no-good, two-timing ex-husband six months ago, and I refuse to answer to Mrs. ever again.” She lifted her chin defiantly.
When Savannah opened her mouth, no doubt to suggest, as she had on several other occasions, that Gladys revert to using her maiden name, Gia reached out and discreetly pinched her arm.
“Ouch.” Savannah scrunched up her face, aimed an exaggerated scowl at her, and rubbed the sore spot.
So much for discretion.
“Right. Sorry. Ms. Hoffmeier. As I’ve told you before, Thor never leaves the house alone. He’s either in my fenced yard with me watching him, or he’s on a leash.” At least, he’d been leashed ever since the first time Ms. Hoffmeier had come pounding on Gia’s door and accused Thor of knocking over her garbage pails. Before that, he’d enjoy romping in the yard while Gia carried in groceries or did outdoor chores. Not that she’d ever let him out of her sight, even then, but at least he enjoyed some freedom.
“And, as I’ve told you, missy . . .” She lifted a finger, shook it a couple of inches from Gia’s nose. “There are no other dogs his size on the block. And the holes on my lawn are too big to have been dug by the Carsons’ chihuahua.”
“Ms. Hoffmeier—”
“I have every bit of damage he’s done documented right here.” She tapped the side of her head with one dagger-like, blood-red nail. “As well as a physical copy stashed away. Now, either you get that dog under control, or I will.”
Gia seethed, her patience precariously close to tipping over an edge there was no coming back from.
Thor growled low in his throat.
Savannah practically vibrated beside her.
Gia sucked in a deep breath, blew it out slowly, and reminded herself there was a right way and a wrong way to deal with people like Gladys Hoffmeier. She inhaled again. One, two, three—
Before she could get any further, Gladys harrumphed. “My half brother-in-law’s shotgun hangs right over the mantel, and the very next time—”
“Now, you listen to me, Gladys.” Gia’s fuse blew. She poked Gladys in the chest, knocking her back a step. “The next time you come to my home and make threats against my dog will be the last time. Do you understand me? I’ve been patient up until now, but you pushed it too far this time. If you ever threaten Thor again, you’ll be sorry you ever moved here.”
Her dyed orange brows shot up. “Is that a threat?”
“No, ma’am, that’s a promise.” With that, Gia took a step back into the foyer.
Gladys pressed a hand against her chest. “Well, I never—”
“Well, maybe you should, honey. It might do wonders for your temperament.” Savannah grinned wickedly and slammed the door in her face. “Grr. I’d sure like to cream that woman’s corn.”
Gia turned and leaned her back against the door, pulled Thor close to her side and weaved her fingers into the thick fur at his neck. Thor was the sweetest dog in the world. How dare that woman threaten to harm him.
“Can you please call . . .” But when she lifted her gaze from Thor, Savannah already had her cell phone pressed against her ear.
She held up a finger and spoke into the receiver. “Yes. Thank you.”
“Leo?” Gia asked the instant she disconnected.
“Nope. He’s too easy-going,” she snorted. “This time, I called in the big guns.”
Uh-oh. On second thought . . . Never mind. Gladys Hoffmeier deserved whatever she got. “Is Hunt coming?”
“Of course he is.” She hesitated, caught her lower lip between her teeth, and glanced up at Gia. “You do realize she’s probably going to claim you assaulted her and try to press charges, right?”
Gia swallowed hard, more concerned about what might happen to Thor if she was arrested and forced to leave him alone at the house. He’d be safer at the doggie daycare center than he would be home. “If Hunt does have to take me down to the station, will you call Zoe and see if she’ll take him?”
“Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll make sure Thor is taken care of. I’ll either take him with me, or if I have to go with you, I’ll call Zoe.”
Gia nodded. Tremors tore through her. Still angry from the confrontation, or a diminishing adrenaline rush? She had no idea. But she did know one thing: she’d do whatever it took to keep Thor safe.
Seeming to sense trouble, Klondike, Gia’s black and white cat, weaved between her and Thor’s feet and purred. The chunk missing from the tiny cat’s ear served as a reminder that Thor had saved her and her two siblings’ lives. She scooped Klondike into her arms, then knelt and hugged Thor tight. “Don’t you worry, Thor. That woman won’t hurt you, and I won’t let her come back here and frighten you again.”
He snuggled close, resting his big head on her shoulder, and whimpered.
Savannah gave her a couple of minutes before hooking her elbow and helping her to her feet. She patted Gia’s arm. “There, there, sweetie. If I know Hunt, which I do, he’ll be here faster than a barefoot jackrabbit on a hot greasy griddle in the middle of August.”
Laughter blurted out. “You’re quoting SpongeBob to me now?”
“Hey, whatever it takes.” She waggled her brows. “Now, come on, don’t let that woman stay in your head one minute longer.”
“You’re right.” Gia set Klondike down. She shifted the curtains aside and peered out the front window.
Benjamin Stettler knelt on his front lawn across the street fiddling with something, but there was no sign of Gladys anywhere.
She let the curtain fall shut and turned to go make more coffee. If her morning so far was any indication of how the rest of her day off would play out, she was going to need it. Maybe she’d just start opening the café on Mondays too. It seemed a day off was more trouble that it was worth.
Savannah scrolled through her phone contacts as she walked, her pale blue silk robe fluttering gracefully around her legs, then settled on one and pressed the number. “Hey, Alfie. You busy today?”
Gia couldn’t make out his response, just a muffled voice coming over the line as Alfie Todd—friend, computer expert, and all-around good guy—answered.
“Yup. It involves tech, and it’s super important,” Savannah said, then hung up the phone and grinned. Mischief danced in her eyes. “Alfie’s on his way.”
“Okay, spill, so what’s the plan?” Because, based on the look in Savannah’s eyes, there most definitely was one. And whatever it was, hopefully, it would fix Gladys Hoffmeier. Savannah might be a kitty cat most of the time, but when someone messed with those she loved, she turned into the fiercest tiger.
She shrugged. “We’re going to see to it Gladys Hoffmeier can’t make any more accusations against you or Thor. That woman has issued her last threat.”
Purchase Home Fries and Alibis from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The All-Day Breakfast Café Series:
Scone Cold Killer (Book 1) ~ Review
Murder Made to Order (Book 2) ~ Review
A Cold Brew Killing (Book 3) ~ Review
A Waffle Lot of Murder (Book 4) ~ Review
Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.
Places to find Lena Gregory:
Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter
You can follow the Home Fries and Alibis Blog Tour here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
STOP!
Comments that include links to other sites, or names including links WILL BE CONSIDERED SPAM AND DELETED.