Tara Lush serves up a delightful, cozy mystery in A Bean To Die For in the quaint and peculiar world of Devil’s Beach, a small island off Florida. The story introduces us to the small-town sleuth, Lana Lewis, whose attempts at grocery shopping for a significant dinner with her boyfriend’s mom are thwarted by a series of unexpected events. This cleverly crafted narrative, brimming with quirky characters, brings the small-town vibes and chisme (gossip) to life, making it irresistibly engaging.

What stands out in Lush’s storytelling is her ability to welcome newcomers to the series without a hitch. As someone diving into this world for the first time through an ARC provided by Netgalley, I found myself effortlessly getting to know the characters and their backstories. Lush expertly weaves these details throughout the plot, ensuring that newcomers and returning readers feel right at home in Devil’s Beach—a name that I find quite fitting, given the mysterious undertones of the story.

One of the book’s charming yet seemingly improbable plot devices involves Lana’s repeated failed attempts to shop for groceries. This ordeal might seem trivial at first, but it amusingly escalates the narrative’s stakes and intricacies. This running gag culminates in a much-anticipated vegan lasagna dinner, a twist suggested by Lana’s father, which, spoiler alert, ends up being a culinary catastrophe. Lana’s misadventure with the lasagna adds a humorous, if somewhat anticlimactic, layer to the storyline, revealing her endearing, clumsy side.

Despite the lasagna letdown, A Bean To Die For firmly secures itself within the cozy mystery genre. It offers a perfect blend of intrigue and charm, with just enough mystery to keep readers eagerly turning the pages without tipping into the realm of high stress. Tara Lush does a commendable job of keeping the audience engaged as Lana unravels the whodunit, proving that Devil’s Beach is the go-to destination for mystery lovers searching for their next light-hearted yet compelling adventure.

For anyone yearning for a story that feels like a warm hug with a side of sleuthing, A Bean To Die For is a must-read. It’s a testament to Lush’s ability to craft a captivating narrative that’s as comforting as it is, making it a perfect pick for those chilly evenings when all you crave is a good book and a cup of tea. My verdict? Four stars for a cozy mystery that manages to be both entertaining and endearing in equal measure.