Live and Let Grind
Series: Coffee Lover’s Mystery #3
Author: Tara Lush
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 320
Published by: Witchy Mysteries, September 30, 2022
Summary:
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?
An Interview with Lana Lewis
How did you and your author meet?
Tamara Lush and I met while covering a homicide in Miami. She was working for The Associated Press, and I was working for a Miami newspaper. I got better interviews than she did and scooped her on several details.
Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?
After I was laid off from my newspaper job and the writer left her news company, she happened to vacation on the island of Devil’s Beach and she came into my coffee shop, Perkatory. We recognized each other and sat talking for hours. When she heard how I solved the murder of my barista — a handsome Italian guy — she said she wanted to write a book about me. I agreed, and then the murders kept happening on the island, so she kept writing books.
Do you have any friends or family helping you out?
I don’t think I’d sleuth all these murders if my father, Peter Lewis, and my best friend, Erica Penmark, didn’t egg me on. At first I poked around because the editor of the local newspaper wanted me to write freelance articles. But then Erica urged me to sleuth “for the fun of it.” Which seemed a little weird, but I’m apparently good at it. But my boyfriend, Noah Garcia — who is the island’s police chief — usually isn’t happy about my curiosity when it comes to homicides.
Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full-time detective?
I am the manager of Perkatory, the best coffee shop on the island of Devil’s Beach, Florida. Investigating is not my full-time job, although sometimes it seems like it is.
What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?
In the book COLD BREW CORPSE I was investigating the murder of a yoga teacher and snooped around in a yoga class — only it was a men’s nude yoga class. And my boyfriend was there. Yeah. Embarassing! In LIVE AND LET GRIND, there is a jetski incident. That’s all I’ll say about that.
Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?
This is my third case, which is weird, since there weren’t any murders on Devil’s Beach for years…
Do you have a gift or special talent?
I can make a killer latte.
Who is the most important individual in your life?
My father, Peter Lewis. He’s hilarious and wise, and even though he’s an old hippie who likes to protest and gossip, I don’t know what I’d do without him.
What is your ideal vacation?
Going to the mountains and seeing snow somewhere outside of Florida with my boyfriend, Noah. I’d love to drink a hot toddy and cuddle by a roaring fire with him while snow falls outside.
If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?
I would have become a homicide detective instead of a reporter!
Coffee Lover’s Mystery Series
About the Author
Tara Lush is a Florida-based author and journalist. She’s an RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow, and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She was a reporter with The Associated Press in Florida, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters, and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee, and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband and two dogs.
Giveaway
Prize: 1) (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card 2) (1) Signed Copy of Book One (U.S. Only)
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Happy Reading!
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