Death by Latte (The Death by ... Mysteries)

This title really fits: Death by Bikini certainly had suspense (plus the cutest jacket design EVER), but was in some ways a lazy island adventure, given its tropical setting. Add caffeine, and what have you got? A fast-paced thriller for teens set in Seattle. Linda Gerber's tongue-in-cheek touches are a lot of fun, starting with a literal murder by latte. Other aspects of the plot are more poignant; what would it be like to track down your missing mother after four years, only to watch her face fall at the sight of you? Of course, Natalie Connolly has her reasons for not wanting to see Aphra--she's an undercover CIA operative tracking down a murderous double agent, and she's been trying to protect her daughter by keeping her well out of it. Aphra quickly finds herself knee-deep in espionage. Then Seth Mulo shows up wanting his ring back. (So much for romance!) Seth has his reasons, though, just like Natalie. Aphra eventually discovers the reasons beneath the reasons, coming to understand that neither her mother nor her love interest is really rejecting her, after all. Death by Latte manages to be action-packed without stooping to extreme violence or sleaze, offering up chases on foot, chases in cars, and plane crashes, among other adventures. There's also a whole lot of "who can you trust?" going on, adding to the suspense. Once again, Aphra Connolly is worth cheering for. Can't wait to see what she's up to in Death by Denim!

DEATH BY LATTE LINDA GERBER YA Mystery Rating: 4.5 Enchantments Aphra Connelly returns in this second book in Ms. Gerber's popular DEATH BY series. This time she's going to Seattle to track down her mother. Thanks to the Mulos appearance on the island and Seth's information, she knows where she is and how to reach her. It should be the perfect mother-daughter reunion--except that it isn't. From the first moment Natalie Connelly lays eyes on her daughter, it's pretty clear that Aphra's unexpected presence isn't welcome, by her or her associates. But that's not the worst thing that could happen. When her mom's partner, Joe, ends up dead in a café that afternoon, and Aphra spots a familiar face on her tail, things really take a dangerous turn. Add in Seth's surprising appearance, demanding back the ring back he gave her that's suddenly missing and what was originally meant to be an uneventful trip to see her mother is anything but. What a great second book in the series! The danger is really ramped up in this one now that Aphra is reunited with her CIA agent mother, who is on the run from a dangerous mole that's out for revenge on all those who helped put his boss behind bars. Ms. Garber's voice pulls the reader right into the story so they feel like they are right there along with Aphra. I have to say the unexpected twists and turns to the story were very unexpected and I literally gasped out loud when the identity of the mole was revealed. DEATH BY LATTE is a fast paced page turner that really has it all: mystery, suspense, and romance. Can Aphra help Seth save his father or will she be the unlikely pawn that helps the mole track down her mom and the Mulos? You'll have to read this one to find out. Ms. Gerber's lived in Utah, California, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Washington D.C., Finland and Japan, and has traveled through Europe and Asia, Mexico, Australia, Hawaii and Micronesia. [...] Lisa Enchanting Reviews September 2008

Four years have past since her dad Frank Connolly took his daughter Aphra to Open and Run an exclusive Pacific island resort; her mom Natalie remained in the States allegedly seeking to find herself as an artisan. Aphra has not seen her mom in four years and after the recent harrowing experiences with the "Smith" family nee Mulo (see DEATH BY BIKINI) decides to confront her in Seattle. She tells her dad, still recovering from poisoning, that she is going to see a friend in South Carolina. Her mom is stunned when Aphra shows up at Pike's Pottery. She tells her daughter she is leaving for the island immediately. Aphra realizes her mom still works for the CIA and her partners Joe and Stuart are undercover with her trying to know who has betrayed the agency by going after family members. Matters turn frightening when teenage Seth Mulo arrives asking Aphra for a ring he gave her that some thugs now are demanding or they will slice off his father's body parts one at a time; a finger has already arrived special delivery. About the same time Joe dies from a poisoned latte; it is too late for Aphra to leave town as she has been spotted. The second Death by young adult mystery suspense thriller is an exciting sequel with the action switching from the Pacific island to the American Northwest Pacific coast. The story line is fast-paced from the moment a stunned Natalie sees her daughter innocently step into the danger that mom sent her and her beloved spouse away from. Although this is a stand alone, reading DEATH BY BIKINI helps set the table for DEATH BY LATTE as the audience better understands motives especially Seth. Linda Gerber provides an entertaining Seattle joy ride that middle school teens will appreciate. Harriet Klausner

Aphra Connolly is back in another danger-filled adventure. This time, she's off to find her mom in Seattle, something she's never been able to do until she met the Mulos, the family Aphra's mother swore to protect. But the familial reunion isn't as happy as Aphra thought it would be. Instead, her mother seems cold and disconnected while her partner Joe insists Aphra be send home immediately. Plus, Seth Mulo, the boy she fell in love with when he visited her father's island resort, shows up again in Aphra's life, this time to ask for something back. It turns out he needs the ring he gave to her back, but he won't tell her why. And when Joe turns up dead at a coffee shop, what started out as an innocent trip turns into a deadly nightmare. Aphra, her mother, and Seth are now on the run from their enemies, with little supplies and knowledge of what they can do next. Their lives are on the line - especially because they don't even know who they are running from. In this sequel to the fantastic and fast-paced Death by Bikini, Linda Gerber brings readers back into a dangerous world of rogue CIA agents and sleeper cells. This novel is just filled with suspense and excitement, especially when Aphra is on the run. The fact that Aphra doesn't even know who to trust only adds to this effect. I was immediately sucked into this story from the very first line and was hooked all the way until the end. The story does rely a lot on the plot, which isn't an issue since the plot is so exciting, but Aphra's character is also well-developed. I could really hear the gears in her head turning as she tried to figure out how to get out of various dangerous situations and felt her confusion over where several people's loyalties lied. I admire her determination, especially in the face of death. Death by Latte, much like its prequel Death by Bikini, has much to look forward to: great characters, plot twists, and non-stop action and excitement. Death by Latte appeals to readers who enjoy spy and action novels, although I think pretty much any girl can get into this short but fun read. If you haven't already read Death by Bikini, I recommend you do so and then pick up Death by Bikini to read too. I definitely look forward to the continuation of this great series.

Now that Aphra knows where to find her mom, it seems inevitable that she would go seek her out. And so she tells her father that she will be visiting a friend in South Carolina, but instead Aphra boards a plane to Seattle. The reunion, is far from what Aphra expected. No sooner does she finally find her mother, and she informs her to board another plane back to the island. Even though Aphra's mom stopped working for the CIA it seems that the drama hasn't stopped. When her mother's partner, Joe, ends up dead, it only confirms Aphra's fears. She is in over her head again! Just when she thinks things can't get worse, Seth, her Seth, shows up demanding the ring that he had given her. Why does he want to ring so badly and why does Aphra's mom want her out of the picture? Full of action, suspense, and mystery, Death by Latte is a thrilling edition to the Death by series! I enjoyed the change of scenery is this novel! And is there any better way to associate Seattle than with a latte!! I enjoyed the authentic relationship dynamic between Aphra and her mother and of course the sentimental moments between Seth and Aphra. The plot twists where a plenty and they kept me guessing throughout the entire novel! Even though I really enjoyed Death by Bikini, I have to say that Death by Latte was a step up! And Death by Denim looks to continue the trend!