Kristina A. reviewed on 1/23/2018 + 1528 more book reviews

Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory is the first book in An All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series. Gia Morelli has relocated from New York to Boggy Creek, Florida. Her ex-husband was an investor who stole millions from his clients and Gia needs to escape the upset investors. Gia purchased two properties and is turning one of them into the All-Day Breakfast Café. The other property (which she purchased sight unseen) will be her new home. Her best friend, Savannah helped her get the café ready for customers and she has hired two employees (she failed to look at their applications or check references). Gia opens her café the next day and it is a hit with the customers. The only drawback is her new cook, Maybelle who can only cook one meal at a time and lacks social skills (in other words, lazy and rude). At the end of a long day, Gia goes outside to put the trash in the dumpster and sees an arm sticking out. Gia recognizes the ring on the hand as well as the expensive manicure and realizes that her ex-husband's crimes have finally caught up with him. Later that night when Gia arrives home, she discovers that someone has broken in. They are looking for something, but what? Gia then finds a threatening note in her mailbox. The killer believes she has something of her ex-husbands and they are willing to kill to get it. Gia needs to discover what it is they want before she ends up the next victim.

Scone Cold Killer has a good pace with plenty of activity. I felt, though, that the characters and town lacked development. We are told very little about the Boggy Creek. I was not fond of the main character, Gia Morelli. She is an emotional mess who should not be running a business. She jumps at every little noise. She starts shaking, sweating, etc. She is nervous thanks to the investors that have been harassing her in New York (someone needs to find her a good therapist). Gia is also afraid of spider, snakes (I can relate to this one), wild animals and so much more. Gia had a complete meltdown when she was confronted by a spider (it was just ridiculous). It seems that Gia did not do her research on her new town (unaware that wild animals were nearby). Would you hire someone without looking at their application or checking with past employers? Gia did! Would you open a restaurant without checking to see what locals like to eat? Gia seemed oblivious that Southerners like grits (I do not get the fascination, but my Father loved them). She is also scatter brained and a dreamer (her attention drifts in the middle of conversations). I can see how Bradley was able to take advantage of Gia. Gia came across as annoying and off-putting. Drama surrounding Gia and her anxiety took up a good portion of the book. Savannah, on the other hand, was a character I liked. She has a great attitude and personality. It is a shame she is not the main character. There is a love interest for Gia in the form of Detective Hunter Quinn. We know that he is handsome, well built, sexy, and manly (we are told this quite a few times). I never felt the connection between the two characters (no spark). The dialogue between them is lackluster. If I was Hunter, I would run (not walk) away from the anxious and whiny Gia. I was hoping that the mystery would be compelling to make up for the rest of the book, but I was once again disappointed. One tiny clue (if you need it) gives it away. Scone Cold Killer was not a good fit for me.

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