Review
Bridal jitters are the least of the problems for an amateur sleuth trying to smooth a path for her ex-husband's second wedding. Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend coffee shop, shares a past and a daughter with Matteo Allegro, who's about to remarry. Despite her misgivings, Clare's been hired to run the gourmet coffee and dessert bar at the high-profile wedding of Matt and Breanne Summour, the tough, beautiful editor of Trend magazine. Breanne doesn't much like Clare, whom she suspects of wanting Matt back. That's something Matt's mother, owner of the Blend, would dearly love to see, but Clare's moved on to NYPD detective Mike Quinn (French Pressed, 2007, etc.). When Breanne is almost run over by an SUV, it seems like an accident, but when a look-alike stripper hired for Matt's bachelor party is shot to death, Clare begins to suspect that someone wants Breanne dead. Breanne's certainly made a lot of enemies, among them a drug-peddling ex-husband, a resentful former boss and several members of her staff, past and present. Clare visits underground restaurants, temples to high fashion and the hotel room of a seductive Italian sculptor in her attempts to keep the wedding plans on track and the bride alive. A realistic depiction of New York City high and low life. The smattering of recipes, romance and caffeine-fueled detection add up to a lively tale. Agent: John Talbot/Talbot Fortune Agency --Kirkus Reviews
"A realistic depiction of New York City high and low life...[The] recipes, romance, and caffeine-fueled detection add up to a lively tale." --Kirkus Reviews
Review
Bridal jitters are the least of the problems for an amateur sleuth trying to smooth a path for her ex-husband's second wedding. Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend coffee shop, shares a past and a daughter with Matteo Allegro, who's about to remarry. Despite her misgivings, Clare's been hired to run the gourmet coffee and dessert bar at the high-profile wedding of Matt and Breanne Summour, the tough, beautiful editor of Trend magazine. Breanne doesn't much like Clare, whom she suspects of wanting Matt back. That's something Matt's mother, owner of the Blend, would dearly love to see, but Clare's moved on to NYPD detective Mike Quinn (French Pressed, 2007, etc.). When Breanne is almost run over by an SUV, it seems like an accident, but when a look-alike stripper hired for Matt's bachelor party is shot to death, Clare begins to suspect that someone wants Breanne dead. Breanne's certainly made a lot of enemies, among them a drug-peddling ex-husband, a resentful former boss and several members of her staff, past and present. Clare visits underground restaurants, temples to high fashion and the hotel room of a seductive Italian sculptor in her attempts to keep the wedding plans on track and the bride alive. A realistic depiction of New York City high and low life. The smattering of recipes, romance and caffeine-fueled detection add up to a lively tale. --Kirkus Reviews
Review
Clare Cosi seems to have everything back under control. Her daughter Joy, is now working in France and continuing her culinary training. The Village Blend will be doing the coffee and dessert for the wedding of Matteo Allegro (Clare's ex) and Breanne Summour. The only fly in the ointment is that Matteo has moved back into the apartment with Clare until the wedding. At least that was the only fly until Clare and Matteo are walking back to the Blend with the girl hired for the bachelor party, when suddenly the girl drops to the ground -- dead. Once again, Clare Cosi is involved in a murder. This time Matteo begs for her help and even gives Det. Mike Quinn, Clare's boyfriend, some straight answers. Why was this young woman killed? Will Clare find enough clues to solve the case before the wedding? Will Matteo actually get married? Things are changing. The major characters have been growing and changing throughout the series and there's even more going on than just the plot in Espresso Shot. Clare is learning to let go and she's also learning to trust and listen. Matteo is growing and becoming much more the man Clare thought she'd married so many years ago; but now she's found Mike, a man she trusts, and Matteo is getting married. Breanne has been a continuing character, but one that has mostly stayed aloof and on the edges and now she's becoming part of the family -- that means we need to get to know her. As a reader I want the characters I've come to care about to find happiness or at least contentment -- will they? In this New York wedding extravaganza, Clare must keep the Blend on task, find a murderer, co-exist with her ex-husband, and find a way to call a truce with his soon-to-be wife. There's plenty of action, misdirection, and mystery -- and the ending, once reached, is ultimately satisfying. Cleo Coyle doesn't disappoint. --Gayle Surrette, Gumshoe Review
About the Author
Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. With more than one million books sold, Alice and Marc are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries--now celebrating twenty years in print, three starred reviews, a Mystery Pick of the Month by Library Journal, and multiple Best of Year list honors by reviewers. They also write the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, originally released under the pen name Alice Kimberly. Alice and Marc write independently and together and are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City. Connect with Cleo at CoffeehouseMystery.com
