Rocky Road to Murder
Series: Coffee and Cream Cafe Mysteries #6
Author: Lena Gregory
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Setting: Long Island, New York
Release Date: July 1, 2025, by Gemma Halliday Publishing
Pages: 222
Summary:
From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty summer murder mystery…
Danika Delaney is thrilled that her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, has gotten a catering contract for the biggest party of the season, the Rutherford Manor Fourth of July gala. She’ll be providing desserts for the party as well as attending the exclusive event on Eastern Long Island.
However her path to the gala quickly becomes a rocky road…
Dani arrives at the event, only to find the gala’s hostess, Cressida Rutherford, dead! What’s worse, one of Dani’s signature parfaits sits next to the dead woman, with what looks like peanuts in it—a food Cressida is severely allergic to. Amid the melted ice cream mess, Dani initially blames herself, thinking she made a mistake while rushing with the desserts. However she quickly learns that what appeared to be an accident was actually foul play, and suddenly Dani has to spring into action proving that she isn’t the perpetrator. Along with her friends, Dani uncovers a string of people in Cressida’s life who might have wanted the socialite dead. Can she prove her innocence and make sure the killer gets their just desserts?
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Interview with Dankia Delaney
How did you and your author meet?
Lena and I first met in a small corner of her mind, when she was reminiscing about her time working in an ice cream parlor. Running a coffee and ice cream shop sounded like a fun idea, and I let Lena know I’d be interested in that role.
Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?
I harassed her, most often in the middle of the night when she was trying to sleep, until she finally gave in and started to write. Then I gave her a few nights of peace before I started directing the story.
Do you have any friends or family helping you out?
Oh, definitely. There’s Patches, my black, orange, and white cat, who Officer Marty and I found in the café after she scared me half to death. Then there’s Gwen Rothberg, my best friend from childhood who works as a hair stylist in a local salon, where she’s always privy to the best gossip. I’ve also become very close friends with Eli Sinclair, who works as a barista at the café for social time since he works from home as a freelance computer expert, which does come in handy now and again. And then there’s Detective Dreamy, a.k.a Detective Jake Barlow my… something like a boyfriend when we’re not arguing over my involvement in his cases. Of course, several generations of my family also live in Watchogue, so I can always count on my parents; my sister, Meghan, who often helps when I get wrapped up in a murder investigation; Uncle Jimmie, who spends almost as much time in the café now as before he “retired”; and Aunt Miriam, my eighty-something year old aunt who thinks she’s still a teenager.
Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full time detective?
I run the Coffee & Cream Café full time. And believe me, I try to stay out of investigating. I just can’t seem to help getting involved.
What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?
Well, looking back, since I can’t say I found it funny at the time, forcing Detective Dreamy to drag me out of the café in cuffs because of my stubbornness makes me laugh.
Have you solved other cases, or is this your first one?
I have helped solve five others.
Do you have a gift or special talent?
I seem to have a knack for getting into trouble.
Who is the most important individual in your life?
While I am extremely close to my family, including my best friends, Gwen and Eli, one of the most important people in my life is my Uncle Jimmie. He and I have always been close. For as long as I can remember, he’s always been there for me with a strong shoulder and an ice cream sundae whenever I needed him. And he trusted me enough to hand over his business and allow me to make whatever changes I wanted to.
What is your ideal vacation?
Since I’ve lived most of my life on an island, I’m partial to the beach. Spending a week in a cottage at the beach with nothing to do but sip cocktails all day and binge watch old sitcoms all night sounds just about perfect.
If you could change anything about your life what would it be?
I’m mostly happy with my life. But if I could change one thing, I think it would be my ability to trust. If I could trust more (myself and others) I feel like I’d be able to move forward more easily in my relationship with Jake.
Thank you so much for having me!
Coffee and Cream Cafe Mysteries
About Lena Gregory
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.
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