Reviewing: Death by Hot Cocoa (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #7.5) by Alex Erickson

Read time: 3 minutes

📚 Genre: Cozy Mystery
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrator: Amy Landon
⏱️ Duration: 2 hours

Book blurb:

Dive into the festive charm of this Christmas cozy mystery novella featuring bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock. During a Christmas-themed escape room event, the holiday spirit takes a deadly turn when the host is found murdered in a pool of hot cocoa. Krissy and her clever friend Rita Jablonski team up to solve the puzzle and catch the killer before Christmas cheer is lost.

Let’s talk about the book:

Craving a cozy Christmas mystery? Death by Hot Cocoa by Alex Erickson is your perfect holiday read! This short-but-sweet novella packs a punch with a gripping escape room murder mystery that keeps you guessing.

The story takes place in an escape room, giving the mystery a clever and engaging backdrop. A locked-room style escape room murder mystery is always a thrill to read, and Erickson makes it both suspenseful and entertaining. Krissy Hancock once again proves herself to be a smart, determined amateur sleuth, while Rita Jablonski’s iconic “Lordy Lou” moments add just the right dose of laugh-out-loud humor to balance the tension.

Although I didn’t listen to the other novellas in the Christmas Cocoa Murder audiobook, Death by Hot Cocoa stood perfectly well on its own. Narrator Amy Landon brings the story to life, capturing both the drama of the mystery and the charm of Erickson’s cozy writing style. Her narration made this holiday cozy mystery even more enjoyable.

The pacing is spot-on, and the resolution satisfies like a warm holiday drink. Add this festive murder mystery to your TBR for a cozy night in—it’s a must-read for fans of holiday suspense and small-town sleuthing.

Would I recommend it?

For fans of Christmas murder mysteries and cozy holiday reads, this audiobook makes a perfect addition to your winter TBR. If you crave festive whod

units wrapped in warmth, friendship, and small-town charm, this is a snug, entertaining listen.

Find the book on Goodreads

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• Death by Gingerbread by Maisy Marple – A festive cozy mystery filled with humor, clever sleuthing, and a holiday culinary twist that makes it perfect for fans of Christmas-themed cozy mysteries.
• Murder under the Mistletoe by Sherry Lynn – A festive cozy mystery with a holiday setting, a clever amateur sleuth, and enough culinary charm to satisfy fans of chocolate, cocoa, and Christmas treats.
• Rest Ye Murdered Gentleman by Vicki Delany – Sweet treats, small-town charm, and a clever amateur detective make this a holiday favorite.
• A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender – A bakery-themed cozy mystery with humor, holiday vibes, and a clever sleuth.
• Death by Eggnog by Alex Erickson – Another short, punchy holiday cozy with festive cheer, humor, and an engaging whodunit.

Share your thoughts

What’s your go-to cozy mystery trope—escape room puzzles or quirky sidekicks? Share your thoughts on this Christmas murder mystery in the comments, and let’s talk holiday suspense!