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A Bookstore Cafe Mystery — by Alex Erickson
Bookstore Cafe Series in Order: 17 books
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Death by Coffee
Book - 1
When Krissy Hancock and her best friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore café in their new town of Pine Hills, they decide to call it "Death by Coffee," after Krissy's father's most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits......
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Death by Tea
Book - 2
Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year's book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock's bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths -- and send Krissy to the remainder b...
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Death By Pumpkin Spice
Book - 3
Bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock would rather spend Halloween serving pumpkin goodies than wearing costumes with Pine Hills' wealthiest at Yarborough mansion, especially when the soiree shapes up to be more trick than treat . . . As if a run-...
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Death by Vanilla Latte
Book - 4
Ever since café owner Krissy Hancock settled into a relationship and -- mostly -- forgot about old flames, life has become surprisingly serene. Too bad her father, famed mystery writer James Hancock, had to pay an unexpected visit to Death by Coffee...
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Death by Eggnog
Book - 5
Krissy Hancock is staying in her adopted hometown of Pine Hills, Ohio, for Christmas this year -- and she even has a whole week off from her combination bookstore-café. But a killer is about to dampen her spirits... Unfortunately, Krissy's been ...
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Death by Espresso
Book - 6
Bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock has plenty to keep her occupied outside business hours, like preparing for her best friend's wedding and solving a murder... Krissy is meeting Vicki's parents at the Pine Hills, Ohio, airport -- it's the least...
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Death by Hot Cocoa
Book - 6.5
'Tis the season for hot chocolate and mouthwatering treats. But sometimes too much of a good thing can be downright deadly . . . A Christmas-themed escape game seems like the perfect pre-holiday treat for bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock a...
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Death by Cafe Mocha
Book - 7
Krissy Hancock and her pals are taking a coffee break -- leaving their bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, and heading to a convention. But this road trip will be more dangerous than they expected ... Coffee lovers are gathering from far and wid...
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Death by French Roast
Book - 8
Krissy Hancock runs a bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, but she'll be setting up shop as a sleuth when she discovers a long-unsolved murder . . . Krissy's helping a friend clean out her late mother's house when she learns that although the dec...
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Death by Hot Apple Cider
Book - 9
Krissy Hancock's bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, is teaming up with the local library for a seasonal celebration, but someone is spiking the refreshments -- with fatal results . . . With autumn in full swing and Thanksgiving on the way, K...
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Death by Spiced Chai
Book - 10
A charming, relatable small-town setting and a cast of complex characters sets Alex Erickson's Bookstore Café Mystery series apart from the cozy pack -- and this time the stakes are higher than ever, as bookstore owner Krissy Hancock becomes the tar...
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Death by Iced Coffee
Book - 11
A smart, well-crafted mystery set in a charming Midwestern small town, where bookstore-cafe owner Krissy Hancock has a sideline in sleuthing -- just right for fans of Leslie Meier, Cleo Coyle, and Carolyn Hart. Bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock is...
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Death by Peppermint Cappuccino
Book - 12
A smart, well-crafted mystery set in a charming small-town Ohio, where bookstore-cafe owner Krissy Hancock has a sideline in sleuthing -- just right for fans of Leslie Meier, Cleo Coyle, and Carolyn Hart. Christmas has come to Pine Hills, and ...
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Death by Caramel Macchiato
Book - 13
When Pine Hills, Ohio hosts an inter-town murder mystery game, bookstore-café owner and sometimes-sleuth Krissy Hancock assumes it'll all be in good fun, but that's before the competition claims its first real-life victim. . . The unique weekend-lon...
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Death by Java
Book - 14
Krissy Hancock is a little nervous leaving her bookstore-café in Pine Hills, Ohio, in someone else's hands while she visits family in California. But when a killer strikes during her week out west, it's a good thing she packed her sleuthing skills ....
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Death by Irish Coffee
Book - 15
In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping -- and bodies are dropping -- as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick's Day mystery . . . Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this...
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Death by Red Velvet Latte
Book - 16
As bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock worries over her wedding plans, the double murder of rival bakers really takes the cake . . .At Krissy's Death by Coffee bookstore café in Pine Hills, Ohio, she's trying out a new red velvet latte, which she a...
Series Premise
Krissy Hancock, a young woman tired of big-city life in California, moves to the quiet town of Pine Hills, Ohio, with her best friend Vicki to open a combined bookstore and café they name Death by Coffee—a playful nod to her famous mystery-writer father's most popular novel. Soon after launching the business, Krissy finds herself drawn into solving murders that occur in or around her shop, using her sharp observation skills, connections to locals, and occasional help from friends and law enforcement to uncover killers amid everyday small-town drama, customer interactions, and café mishaps.
The series can largely be read as standalones or in any order, as each book features a self-contained mystery with its own victim, suspects, and resolution—while there is some light ongoing character development (such as Krissy's personal relationships, family visits, and shop events), the overarching elements are minimal and non-essential, allowing new readers to jump in anywhere without missing critical plot threads or spoilers.
Bookstore Cafe Series Characters
Krissy Hancock: The central amateur sleuth and co-owner of Death by Coffee; intelligent, curious, and kind-hearted, she often stumbles into mysteries due to her shop's central role in town life, using her observational skills and determination to solve cases while managing the daily demands of running a business.
- Vicki: Krissy's best friend and business partner, who helps run the café side; outgoing, supportive, and practical, she provides comic relief, emotional backing, and occasional assistance in investigations.
Setting of the Bookstore Cafe Series
The stories are firmly rooted in the small, Midwestern town of Pine Hills, Ohio—a quaint, close-knit community with a relaxed pace, local shops, seasonal events, and a welcoming vibe that contrasts with Krissy's former urban life. Much of the action revolves around Death by Coffee, the protagonist's bookstore-café, complete with cozy reading nooks, coffee counters, pastry displays, book signings, and customer chatter, while investigations extend to town homes, community gatherings, nearby farms, festivals, and other local spots that highlight small-town interconnectedness and charm.
Tone & Themes of the Bookstore Cafe Series
Light, fun, and gently humorous, with a cozy, feel-good atmosphere that emphasizes community warmth, witty banter, and everyday charm rather than graphic violence or heavy suspense. The mysteries are intriguing but low-stakes in tone, focusing on clever clue-gathering, red herrings, and satisfying reveals, balanced by cozy details like brewing coffee, stacking books, friendly gossip, and the occasional romantic subplot—delivering comforting, escapist entertainment with just enough intrigue to keep pages turning.
The Bookstore Cafe Mystery series offers a delightful escape into cozy small-town sleuthing, where books, brews, and friendship create the perfect backdrop for clever, low-key murders and satisfying resolutions. With its endearing protagonist, charming setting, and consistent blend of humor, heart, and mystery, it's an ideal choice for cozy readers who enjoy lighthearted whodunits centered on community, caffeine, and the joy of uncovering secrets one cup and one clue at a time.
Books in this series fall into the following genres
Genres
Themes
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