Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: Romantic Suspense / Cosy Mystery
Available On: Amazon

Let’s start with the obvious: this book is not trying to be Agatha Christie. It’s a cocktail of coffee, chaos, and campy fun — with just enough murder to keep things interesting and just enough sass to keep you smiling. Sex, Murder and a Double Latte is the literary equivalent of bingeing an early-2000s crime rom-com with a glass of wine in one hand and a cinnamon dolce latte in the other.

Last year I developed a cosy mystery obsession in the form of the Lady Eleanor Swift novels. Having finished those now, this is set to be my new go-to series for ‘take your brain out and go with it’ murdery shenanigans. Is it flawless? No. Is it mildly ridiculous? Absolutely. And yet…oddly satisfying to read.

On To The Book…

Sophie Katz, our narrator, is a Jewish woman of colour, a bestselling mystery author, and full-time chaos magnet. When a series of deaths start mirroring scenes from her books — including the sudden death of a producer who was about to adapt her novel into a film — Sophie finds herself tangled in a mystery that’s a little too meta for comfort. With a sharp tongue, a love for eyeliner, and the support of a wildly dramatic group of friends, she decides to take the investigation into her own hands.

Enter Anatoly — a tall, dark, mysterious man who may or may not be a hitman, stalker, or incredibly hot private investigator. Their relationship is full of fire, suspicion, and flirtation, with a healthy dose of “Are you trying to kill me or seduce me?” energy.

This isn’t a slow, atmospheric thriller. It’s a cozy, comedic, fast-paced romp with murder thrown in for flavour. The humour is often self-aware, bordering on cartoonish — sometimes it works brilliantly, sometimes it leans a bit too hard into stereotypes and sitcom energy. Sophie’s narration is peppered with pop culture references, one-liners, and offbeat logic. If you find her voice grating, this might not be your cup of tea (or espresso). 

But if you’re into chaotic, chatty, slightly ridiculous heroines? You’ll probably love her.

Is the plot plausible? Not exactly. Sophie lies to the police, makes morally questionable decisions, and jumps to conclusions so fast you’d think she trained for it. She’s an odd juxtaposition of selfishness and adorable flair, somehow managing to be both unlikeable and someone you want to befriend, all at once. 

Personally, I found her kind of iconic in a hot mess way — think Stephanie Plum meets Mindy Lahiri meets early-aughts San Francisco.

Yes, the twists are predictable if you read a lot of mysteries, and yes, the ending stretches belief. But there’s still something compulsively readable about it. The book doesn’t ask you to take it seriously. It just asks you to enjoy the ride.

And I did!

What Genre is Sex, Murder and a Double Latte?

It’s romantic suspense but with a healthy dose of cosy mystery and just a dash of chic lit, all topped off with whipped-cream chaos. It plays in the same sandbox as Janet Evanovich and Meg Cabot — the stakes are life-or-death, sure, but also fabulous outfit or emotional breakdown.

This isn’t about procedural realism or psychological nuance. It’s about fun, fashion, friendship, and one woman’s inability to stay out of trouble — with a few murders along the way.

What Romance Tropes Are In Sex, Murder and a Double Latte?

Trope Count: 💄☕️🔪💋📚

Enemies to Lovers

Sophie and Anatoly’s dynamic is a classic slow-burn snarkfest. She thinks he’s dangerous. He thinks she’s unhinged. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension simmers every time they share a scene.

Amateur Sleuth

Sophie is not a detective — she’s a novelist with a strong imagination and zero chill. Naturally, this qualifies her to start investigating multiple suspicious deaths and potentially ruin a police investigation. Classic.

Reluctant Partners

Anatoly and Sophie don’t want to work together, but circumstances force them into a begrudging alliance. Cue bickering, tension, and suppressed attraction in every scene.

Found Family (with a Side of Stereotype)

Sophie’s friends — including a flamboyant gay best friend, a gossip-loving hairstylist, and other quirky sidekicks — form a core part of the story. Some readers found them warm and hilarious; others pointed out that the stereotypes feel dated. Your mileage may vary.

Bookception

The plot of one of Sophie’s own mystery novels mirrors the crimes happening around her. This self-referential device adds a clever layer of tension and plays into the ‘author vs. reality’ theme. Plus, it gives her a very personal reason to solve the case: she’s literally being stalked through her own fiction.

How Spicy is Sex, Murder and a Double Latte?

Spice Rating: 🌶️ (1/5)

The spice is more suggestive than graphic, but the heat is absolutely there. There’s tension, flirting, a few stolen moments, and some fade-to-black intimacy that will leave you smirking.

It’s not erotica, but it’s got that rom-com steam — enough to make your Kindle warm, but not so much it’ll melt your tote bag. Think PG-13, but with a raised eyebrow and a bitten lip.

The Verdict On Sex, Muder And A Double Latte

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte isn’t perfect — some of the humour doesn’t age well, the plot occasionally veers off the rails, and Sophie’s actions can be questionable at best. But it is fun, fast-paced, and full of personality.

If you’re in the mood for a mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously, gives you a main character with both flaws and flair, and leaves you wanting to read the next in the series immediately… this one’s worth your time.

It’s not high literature. But it’s highly entertaining. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.