Death by Latte (Death By...) (Paperback)

~ Linda Gerber (Author)
Key Phrases: Lake Union, Pike's Pottery

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gerber continues her Death By series as teenage Aphra Connolly finds her elusive mother in Seattle. Then who should turn up but Aphra’s friend/boyfriend Adam/Seth, desperate to reclaim the ring he gave her, which is needed to save his father’s life. The story is tissue-thin, but Gerber keeps the action churning, with secret agents, explosions, and a dizzying assortment of escapes—by plane, by foot, and even by kayak. Readers will find more of what they liked in Death by Bikini (2008), and an epilogue will assure them that there’s still a good deal to come. Grades 7-10. --Stephanie Zvirin

Product Description

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. . . .

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142411183
• ISBN-13: 978-0142411186
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #207,019 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aphra Amps It Up, September 26, 2008

By	K. Coombs (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Death by Latte, December 8, 2008

By	brookereviews "B" (tampa, florida) - See all my reviews

Aphra now knows where her mother has been for the past four years. She knows that she must go to Seattle to seek her out before it's too late, and her mother moves on to a new city.

When Aphra shows up in the markets looking for her mom, she doesn't receive the warm welcome she was hoping for. Actually, she's told to get on a plane and go back home, and treated rudely by her mother's partner Joe.

When Joe dies suddenly, Aphra knows that things haven't changed at all with her mother. She knows that even though she isn't working for the CIA anymore, that danger is imminent. Things don't get any better once Seth shows up rudely brushing Aphra off, and demanding that she give him his father's ring back. What secret does the ring hold, and what trouble has Aphra caused by showing up in Seattle wanting to reunite with her mother?

Death by Latte is definitely ACTION packed, it almost never stops. It keeps the story moving along, but makes it difficult to get to know the characters better. The relationship between Aphra and her mother is strained at first, but mostly because her mom wants to keep her guard up for impending dangers towards Aphra. There are a few moments when you see her mom's nurturing side, and it was nice to see her support finally Aphra's decisions and ideas while trying to find their way out of the forest. Even though Seth shows up and is cold towards Aphra, they end up working really well together and sharing some gentle touching moments.

Overall I thought Death by Latte was good Young Adult book. It's a short read, and definitely has a lot going on plot wise. I recommend picking up the first book Death by Bikini, if you want to start this series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Death By Latte, September 22, 2008

By	Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

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