Death by Latte by Linda Gerber

Title: Death by Latte
Author: Linda Gerber
Publisher: Puffin
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 18, 2008
Pages: 224
Amazon Page

Rating: A-
Plot - 20/20
Characters - 14/20
Writing - 16/20
Originality - 20/20
Entertainment - 10/10
Recommendation - 9/10
Total: 89/100

Summary:
It was only a few weeks ago that Aphra Connolly’s life changed completely. She had been living a quiet existence on her father’s secluded island resort, until Seth Mulo turned up and stole her heart . . . and provided information that led her to find her mom in Seattle. But the reunion isn’t quite what she expected. Aphra’s mom, Natalie, doesn’t seem happy to see Aphra, and Natalie’s boyfriend, Joe, insists that Aphra go home. Even worse, Seth shows up, only to ask her to return the ring he gave her the previous summer. At least Natalie’s hunky neighbor is sympathetic. But when Joe is found dead at a nearby coffee shop, Aphra discovers her whole trip to Seattle has been based on a lie. And now someone just might be trying to kill her. . . .

Review:
Okay, so this review is being written so late after reading it! I feel totally bad about it! But here it is:

Death By Latte was just as adventurous, mysterious, and completely fun as the first novel in the Death By . . . series. Maybe it had even more action then the first? I think it did.

Death By Latte starts off a few months after Death By Bikini ended. Aphra sneaking off to find her mom alone in Seattle. Things go awry from there, as you might be able to tell. Everything starts off with her finding her mom and then mysterious guys coming after them and someone ending up dead. It happens extremely fast. I like that it was fast paced because it made it more exciting. But I felt there wasn't what the emotion and feelings the characters would realistically feel.

Aphra is a smart intelligent girl, but the emotion she felt was off. When Aphra and her mom saw each other after four years, it just didn't seem real enough. Other times too. Like Aphra and Seth, not enough heat to their relationship. There just wasn't enough emotion and and tension in the book as I felt there should be.

Linda Gerber is a master at mysterious and action writing. It was exciting and adventurous and I was anxious for everything else to happen! She really brought animation, elation, frenzy, and movement to the novel. I couldn't wait for more to it!

This novel was a very quick, exhilarating, and intoxicating read that is nice for a car ride, or just a few hours time read! Whenever! It was just fun!

I cannot wait until Death by Denim in May!

K.