Death by Coffee bookstore owner, Krissy Hancock, is helping the local librarians raise funds by participating in an autumn seasonal fundraiser.  Krissy is supplying the apple cider for refreshments and the apple-bobbing station.  When a local man, Sidney Tewksbury, bobs for apples and ends up dead, the local doctor thinks it's poison, and Krissy’s apple cider comes under scrutiny in DEATH BY HOT APPLE CIDER by Alex Erickson.

Krissy is relieved when it is revealed her apple cider did not cause Sidney’s death, but she is intrigued about who would kill the man and why.  Sidney was known in town for his harassment and loud opinionated manner.  He even had a podcast where he would spew his one-sided views and disparage local businesses.  As Krissy learns more about Sidney, she crosses paths with some sketchy characters including a nasty protester, a questionable guidance counsel, an angry teacher, and the victim’s unsympathetic brother.  Krissy has her work cut out for her tracking down a killer and getting her Thanksgiving gathering pulled together in time. 

This is the ninth story in Alex Erickson's Bookstore Café Mystery series.  Krissy Hancock is an interesting protagonist who has a messy personal life with two ex-boyfriends and her current relationship with a police officer.  The autumn setting is cozy and Krissy’s continuous invitations to Thanksgiving Dinner leave her with a large friend-filled gathering at the end.  There are plenty of secondary colorful characters and tense encounters to keep the action going.  The mystery itself starts strong, sometimes veers off course, but ends with a nice dramatic showdown and a Thanksgiving feast.  DEATH BY HOT APPLE CIDER will keep you warm and entertained this holiday season.