A Latte Too Late
(2025)(The second book in the Pawprints & Pour-Over Mystery series)
A novel by Hailey Hartley
When ambitious entrepreneur Tyler Nash announces plans to open a sleek, trendy café directly across from The Daily Grind, owner Maya Rodriguez isn't worried. Her cozy coffee shop has been the heart of Pinecrest Valley for five years, and she knows her loyal customers won't abandon her for overpriced lattes and minimalist décor. But when Tyler storms into her shop during the morning rush and publicly accuses Maya of sabotaging his business, their heated argument becomes the talk of the town. The next morning, Maya arrives early to prep for the day and finds Tyler's body in the alley behind her shop, with one of her distinctive coffee mugs lying nearby. With half the town having witnessed their confrontation just hours before, Maya becomes the prime suspect in a murder she didn't commit.
Desperate to clear her name and terrified of losing everything she's built, Maya enlists her quirky regulars—retired librarian Violet Kemper and perpetually cheerful dog walker Owen Park—to help find the real killer. Armed with conflicting witness statements and hindered by her aloof gray cat Cinder, who has an unfortunate habit of sitting on important clues, the trio discovers that Tyler had been antagonizing half of Pinecrest Valley in his quest to dominate the local coffee scene. From disputed commercial leases to stolen family recipes and supplier betrayals, Tyler had made enemies at every turn. But as Maya digs deeper into Tyler's shady business dealings and personal vendettas, she realizes the killer is closer than she thought, and someone is willing to frame her to keep their crime hidden.
Full of warmth, humor, and the perfect blend of amateur sleuthing, A Latte Too Late is a cozy mystery that proves even in the friendliest communities, ambition can turn deadly. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a mystery where small-town values clash with big-city dreams, where a cat's chaos might just save the day, and where the truth is worth fighting for—even when your own freedom hangs in the balance.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Desperate to clear her name and terrified of losing everything she's built, Maya enlists her quirky regulars—retired librarian Violet Kemper and perpetually cheerful dog walker Owen Park—to help find the real killer. Armed with conflicting witness statements and hindered by her aloof gray cat Cinder, who has an unfortunate habit of sitting on important clues, the trio discovers that Tyler had been antagonizing half of Pinecrest Valley in his quest to dominate the local coffee scene. From disputed commercial leases to stolen family recipes and supplier betrayals, Tyler had made enemies at every turn. But as Maya digs deeper into Tyler's shady business dealings and personal vendettas, she realizes the killer is closer than she thought, and someone is willing to frame her to keep their crime hidden.
Full of warmth, humor, and the perfect blend of amateur sleuthing, A Latte Too Late is a cozy mystery that proves even in the friendliest communities, ambition can turn deadly. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a mystery where small-town values clash with big-city dreams, where a cat's chaos might just save the day, and where the truth is worth fighting for—even when your own freedom hangs in the balance.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Used availability for Hailey Hartley's A Latte Too Late