annieb123's Review of Live and Let Grind

by Tara Lush

Devil’s Beach is percolating with a hot murder case, and reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis could be the next to get beaned in Tara Lush’s third Coffee Lover’s mystery, perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle and Lucy Burdette.

Laid-off journalist Lana Lewis is thriving as the proprietor of Perkatory, a coffee shop on quirky Devil’s Beach island, Florida. She’s juggling a relationship with police chief Noah Garcia, enjoying the company of her best friend, Erica, and relishing the companionship of her golden Shih Tzu, Stanley. Only problem is her neighbor, Gus, who incessantly uses his leaf blower, disturbing everyone in the neighborhood. Lana has learned to tune it out, but Erica’s rage boils over and she confronts Gus.

Then Gus is found dead, killed when his leaf blower explodes. Erica immediately becomes suspect number one. But there are plenty of other candidates as well: Gus’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Honey Bailey, who thinks she’ll be written out of his will; Mickey Dotson and Doug Beck, who were scalded financially after purchasing a pirate-themed tourist cruise business from Gus; and plenty of angry neighbors who’ve had run-ins with him.

As the clock ticks down will Lana get someone to spill the beans on the killer so she can clear her friend’s name, or will Erica go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit?

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Live and Let Grind is the third Coffee Lover's shopfront cozy mystery by Tara Lush. Released 11th Oct 2022 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a fun light cozy read featuring amateur sleuth and reporter turned barista Lana Lewis (insert small eyeroll here). Lana finds herself trying to solve yet another murder when an unlamented awful neighbor meets his maker in an exploding leaf-blower accident and her bestie, Erica, winds up as a suspect (after a public clash with the deceased).

There are lots of cute cozy tropes front and center: plucky girl reporter, cute pet (a Shih Tzu called Stanley), a loyal best friend (Erica), and a cute local law enforcement officer boyfriend (Noah). It's quite funny in places and the author has a good grasp of timing and plot. There are some completely over the top and silly moments which reminded me a bit of Lucy and Ethel, but they're in good fun, and it *is* a cozy.

It's full of eccentric small-town characters (Lana's dad is a fruit-loop of the first order), and the pacing moves along at a good clip. It works well as a standalone despite being the third book in the series, so readers won't have any troubles keeping up if this is their first foray.

Four stars. Readable and funny.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

15 March, 2023: Started reading

15 March, 2023: Finished reading

15 March, 2023: Reviewed