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Today at Salty Inspirations, I’m thrilled to be a tour stop for Rocky Road to Murder by cozy mystery author Lena Gregory. As part of the virtual book tour, we’re getting the inside scoop from none other than Dani, the main character of this deliciously twisty mystery.
From juggling sweet treats to sleuthing out suspects, Dani has her hands full, but she still made time to sit down with us and answer a few questions about life, murder, and her latest mystery.
Murder, ice cream, and a scoop of small-town charm? Count us in.
Hi Dani. Welcome to Salty Inspirations. How are you?
I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am twenty-six years old, and I returned home from New York City, where I earned a marketing degree, when my family asked me to come back to Watchogue and take over my Uncle Jimmie’s mom-and-pop ice cream shop. So, now I spend most of my days running the Coffee & Cream Café, when I’m not unintentionally embroiled in one murder investigation or another. Though I still manage to find time for an occasional walk along the bay beach at the end of the road and a few hours here and there to snuggle with my cat, Patches, and binge-watch old sitcoms.
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
Well, I’ve already mentioned 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 Steamy, 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 you’ll meet 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.
What’s your typical day like before a mystery falls into your lap?
My days before a mystery falls into my lap are actually pretty boring—in a good way. I snuggle with Patches for a bit then get up early to open the café. I sometimes make homemade ice-cream. I especially enjoy creating new flavors. The remainder of my day is spent working and gossiping with customers. After four years away, I have a lot to catch up on. Then I hang out with family and my two best friends, Gwen and Eli. We usually get dinner together and often have sleepovers with lots of snacks.
How did you get involved in solving your first mystery?
My involvement in my first mystery was definitely not by choice. As a matter of fact, if I could have stayed out of it, I’d have run as far away as possible. After going away to college and earning a degree in marketing, then subletting an apartment in New York City from a friend and working as a waitress while awaiting my big break, my entire world turned to chaos. Within a twenty-four-hour period, I lost my apartment, the man I expected a proposal from dumped me, and my family decided I was most suited to take over my Uncle Jimmie’s failing mom-and-pop ice cream shop, despite having no skills or interest in the ice cream business. As far as love interests, after my last relationship imploded, who did I run into on my first day in the shop? Luca Martinelli, the boy I dated all through high school, right up through prom, when I returned from the restroom to find him lip-locked with Heather Teague—cheerleader extraordinaire! And, if all that wasn’t enough, I then found Heather dead in the shop basement the day after we had a small altercation in the café. Since I didn’t want to end up arrested for murder, I figured I’d better find the killer.
What personal qualities or skills do you think make you a good sleuth?
I’m good at solving puzzles, I seem to see things from a different perspective than most people, and I’m a magnet for trouble—at least, according to Detective Dreamy.
What was the most surprising thing you learned during your investigations?
The most surprising thing to me is that I seem to be stronger than I realized.
What can readers expect from Rocky Road to Murder?
In Rocky Road to Murder, I was invited to cater and attend the biggest event of the season, Cressida Rutherford’s Fourth of July gala, hosted at Rutherford Manor. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the event, I found Cressida dead. And, if that weren’t bad enough, it seemed my dessert might have been the murder weapon. At first, I thought me or Eli, might have accidentally put peanuts, which Cressida is severely allergic to, in the desserts. However, I quickly learned what appeared to be an accident was actually foul play. So, it seems, now my friends and I will spend our summer trying to prove my innocence and figure out who might have wanted Cressida dead.
Dani, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you so much for having me!
Thank you to Lena Gregory for letting us chat with Dani, and to Great Escapes Book Tours for including Salty Inspirations in the fun! Don’t forget to check out the other stops on the Rocky Road to Murder tour for reviews, guest posts, and more behind-the-scenes goodies.
About Rocky Road to Murder
Rocky Road to Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher : Gemma Halliday Publishing (July 1, 2025)
Number of Pages – 220
Digital ASIN : B0F7MV3JW5
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?
About Lena Gregory
Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.
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.
Author Links- Newsletter: http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.
- Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/
Purchase Links – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Kobo
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Before you sail away…
Don’t forget to take a look around Salty Inspirations! We’re all about celebrating stories with a splash of sunshine, a pinch of mischief, and a whole lot of heart. ❤️
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As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!
Thank you so much for having me and for sharing the release of Rocky Road to Murder!
My pleasure, Lena. Thank you for sharing Dani with us!