Customer Reviews

Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 7)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Coffeehouse Mysteries (Espresso Shot is the seventh in the series) are written by a multi-published author and is a collaboration with her husband. The couple has also co-authored the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries under the pen name Alice Kimberly.

Clare Cosi is the manager of the popular New York coffeehouse, the Village Blend. Clare's been hired to create a new gourmet coffee and dessert bar for a New York wedding that will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What a plum job! All sorts of famous people will be in attendance and that's not only good for business but it's a personal coup for Clare. But wait! Clare isn't smiling.... It could be because the groom is her very own business partner and ex-husband Matteo Allegro.

Why is Clare so upset? It's not like she'd ever consider marrying the guy again. But she is concerned enough about him that she doesn't want him to make a mistake, and his bride-to-be is in bridezilla mode. Trend magazine editor Breanne Summour has it all. She's smart, beautiful, sexy, very rich and is the ultimate high-maintenance gal. But when people who happen to be close to Breanne begin dying, it is up to Clare to solve the case. It's not clear if there is another victim waiting for death and if that victim could be the bride-to-be Breanne.

Oh, Espresso Shot is a fun read. I love Clare, really dislike Breanne (she deserves her comeuppance) and kept turning the pages long after I should have turned off the light. It's an intriguing plot with many interesting characters and a satisfying conclusion. I've never read Cleo Coyle's books before but I will look for them now. The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries are particularly intriguing.

Armchair Interviews says: Murder is delightful business in Espresso Shot.

It's difficult to give Espresso Shot a 2-star rating. Coyle's writing is as strong as ever: a solid mystery, excellent character development and a dollop of romance.

Two things left a bitter taste in my mouth:

One: I didn't like the direction Coyle takes this series. With Joy working and studying abroad, by declawing Matt and Bree, the characters who brought interesting conflict to Clare's life are "gone." My guess is that Coyle will either turn up the conflict or turn up the romance between Det. Quinn and Clare in the next book.

Two: <SPOILER ALERT> It really tweaked me that there were no consequences to Matteo or Bree for their cruel actions. The combination of Matteo's womanizing ways and Bree's "announcements" resulted in a suicide. Quite frankly, what father would not want revenge if his daughter was used so crudely? And yet, the vengeful father is painted as the villian. And the suicide is dismissed as, "Oh well, she was unstable anyway."

Bree's manipulative, selfish ways seem to stem from a "bad childhood." When Bree is confronted with her past, she seems vulnerable and contrite--an acceptable wife for Matteo--yet Bree's very next action is blackmail. So, she's still a creep. <END OF SPOILER ALERT>

I think most readers will find Espresso Shot an enjoyable read. It just hit me the wrong way. I don't plan to be back for the next book in the Coffeehouse series.

I've followed the adventures of Claire Cosi since the first book in this series, set in a Greenwich Village coffeeshop. Although I'm a dedicated foodie and coffee geek, I've managed to learn something new about coffee in every novel. For instance, in the first scene Clare describes the Panama Esmeralda Gesha beans to be used at the upcoming wedding (the centerpiece of the plot); the next morning I was excited to see them listed as Available when I was ordering green coffee beans to roast at home and reached for the Buy Now button. (When I saw the $38/pound price, my excitement was severely tempered.)

In this book, Claire's ex-husband -- with whom she runs the coffeehouse -- is set to be married to a magazine editor who'll make you think of The Devil Wears Prada. (Fortunately, Breanne is not like any editor I've had to deal with in real life. That's just in case you're listening, editors.) Matt is convinced that someone is trying to kill his intended bride, and asks Claire to help find out who.

The situation is plausible enough for me to suspend my disbelief, and (unlike some reviewers) I like all the characters. Cleo Coyle keeps up the tension between the people involved in the story (especially since I think some of us did want Claire and Matt to get back together) and I wanted to know what happened. This isn't great literature, but it's a fun read, and a perfect mental getaway. The author did keep me guessing, too.

Most books in series like this really require you to start at the beginning. While I'm sure you'd get more out of it if you began with On What Grounds, in truth this book would stand alone pretty well.

In short: a fun novel. If you like the previous books in the series, I think you'll like this one, too.

"For as long as I'd known him, Matteo Allegro had been his own man, a hiking-booted, extreme sports-loving explorer. Ever since his involvement with Breanne, however, I swear my ex had been fitted with an invisible collar and leash (compliments of some name designer, of course). -- From Espresso Shot

Since May 2007, I've become addicted to the Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle. (Incidentally, "Cleo Coyle" is really the husband and wife writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini. They are also "Alice Kimberly", who write the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, which isn't nearly as good as THIS series.)

It was with much anticipation that I pre-ordered, and read, Espresso Shot--the seventh book in the Coffehouse Mystery series.

To bring those new to the series up to speed: coffee manager Clare Cosi manages The Village Blend, a coffehouse owned by her former mother-in-law and friend Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro Dubois. The Blend, as it's affectionately called, is housed in the lower two stories of a four story Federal. The upper two stories house a exquisitely decorated apartment which Clare must legally share with her ex-husband and business partner, Matteo Allegro.

Needless to say, this often causes interesting scenarios between the two--especially since Clare is now involved with Detective Mike Quinn!

In Espresso Shot, Matteo's relationship has developed to the point where he plans on marrying Breanne in a lavish ceremony at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That is, if his bride-to-be survives several attempts on her life!

As with the other books in this series, Clare plays the amateur detective, digging around to find out who wants Breanne dead--and why. In the midst of her sleuthing, she's also trying to secure a gold fountain created by a famous Italian sculptor who promised to lend it to Breanne for the wedding--but is having second thoughts. The sculpture was supposed to be the centerpiece of Janelle Babcock's delicate, delicious pastries and Clare's newest find: the champagne of the coffee world, the Esmerelda Especial.

I have to say that I'm disappointed with the latest book in the Coffehouse Mystery Series. I felt that there was a lot of padding put into this book to make it a hardcover; specifically, how the authors go on and on about the "Fish Squad"--Sue Ellen Bass and Lori Soles. We're offered detailed descriptions of these two, as well as up-close interactions between them and other characters, including a minor police character who used to be romantically involved with Lori (and lives in Detective Mike Quinn's apartment building.)

With all the descriptions involving those two, I thought for SURE one of them would play heavily in the story (even possibly being connected to the attempts on Breanne's life in some way). But no. Just needless, pointless filler. (Who cares about Sue Ellen's blond "cherubic curls"?) But this was (very) wild speculation on my part, because what were the chances that one of them would be a red herring, let alone an actual criminal?

Also, I got tired of hearing about Matteo's "hard body" (and Mike's and Kai's and Nunzio's...). You mean EVERY guy that Clare interacts with has a hard body with rippling muscles? C'mon.

I feel that "Cleo Coyle" has forgotten what their bread and butter are in this series of mysteries: COFFEE. I miss the luscious descriptions of coffee (and coffee making) that are in the other books, as well as the inventive ways to use coffee (not to mention the great recipes in the back!). Out of seven recipes in the back of Espresso Shot, guess how many feature coffee? NONE!

Espresso Shot feels like the "swan song" of the series, to be honest. With Matteo actually in love with his bride and Clare going full-speed ahead with her relationship to Mike, what's the point now? There is no longer the sexual tension between Clare and Matteo, let alone the opportunity for readers (like myself) hoping that they'd actually get back together!

Halfway through this book, I was so bored that I almost put it on the shelf and started ANOTHER mystery series. But since I paid over 15 dollars for Espresso Shot, I felt compelled to finish it. I was tired of all the overused phrases ("eating up the sidewalk with her shoes" and the "hard muscles"), tired of the NYC fashion scene and tired of all the minor characters who were given more face-time than the star of the series: COFFEE.

Now, I don't care what happens to any of the characters, to be honest. I mean, where do they go from here? What's the point in reading?

In my opinion, "Cleo Coyle" should have set their latest book in their old stomping grounds (and Clare's...and mine): the Pittsburgh PA area. I'm tired of the vapid NYC scene, and although I love Clare's spunk and self-confidence, it's not enough to hold a book (or series) together--especially if she's running breathless around NYC all the time! (Admittedly, my favorite scenes from the Coffeehouse Series take place in The Blend and in Clare's apartment).

Espresso Shot would be a fine ending to a great series--except, according to the back of the book, another mystery is coming down the pike! This is partly what makes me give the book 2.5 stars instead of, say, 4. And, it certainly wasn't worth the $15 I plunked down for it, let alone the inflated $23.95 retail price!

For those interested, here are the books in the Coffeehouse Series to date:

On What Grounds (Book One)
Through the Grinder (Book Two)
Latte Trouble (Book Three)
Murder Most Frothy (Book Four)
Decaffeinated Corpse (Book Five)
French Pressed (Book Six)
Espresso Shot (Book Seven--This Book)

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

I have read all the books in the Coffehouse mysteries and I am pleased to say Cleo Coyle does not disappoint with her newest book. I couldn't put it down. I always come away from these stories with a new bit of coffee trivia that I like to pass along to my other coffee loving friends.

The book centers around the wedding plans of Clare Cosi's ex-husband Matt to Breanne, who appears to be in danger. This book seemed to be a bit more drawn out than some of her previous books but I never felt like the book bogged down anywhere. Clare is doing her signature snooping as a wedding present to Matt despite her intense lack of love for his bride to be, for which the feeling is mutual. Coyle does a fabulous job of painting Breanne as a character you love to hate and you never stop rooting for Clare.

If you have read all the other Coffeehouse mysteries, I assure you this one is just as good as all the rest and in some ways even better. My only complaint is that we hardly got enough of Madame in this book. She is always such a delight. Coyle has an excellent, easy to read and wonderfully descriptive writing style that makes you feel like you are really in the story and I very much look forward to the next book.

I've read all of Cleo Coyles Coffee House Mysteries and this one was by far the best! It kept me guessing until the end - and the plot took some sophisticated and interesting twists that I NEVER saw coming! If I say anymore I'll give it all away! But if you want a clever entertaining read, this is the book!

Clare has finally come to terms with her ex-husband Matteo marrying, but she still wishes it wasn't to someone as horrible as Breanne Summour's. But when a look alike dancer is killed leaving Matt's bachelor party, Clare knows that the true victim was supposed to be Breanne herself and it is up to Clare to convince the NYPD and Breanne herself that there is true danger out there.

When no one really wants to believe Clare, she turns to the very hot Mike Quinn and with the help of the fish squad, a very curious case of who and why reveals the killer and the motive.

Though this book does seem to get off the main point frequently, it still follows the basic formula that keeps the Coffeehouse Mysteries moving forward. Breanne becomes a little more human, if that is possible, and Clare doesn't come across as the usual neurotic that she has been portrayed as in the past. I saw real growth in Clare's character and I hope that the writing team of Cleo Coyle will build on this new strength in Clare.

Cleo Coyle has yet to let me down. This installation of the Coffeehouse Mystery Series is another quick and fun read. Clare Cosi rides again! This is my favorite mystery series, by far, not only for the mystery factor but also because I am a coffee junkie/snob and love learning more about my favorite stimulant. I also love the recipes included in each book. Can't wait toget Holiday Grind in my hands!

This book is interesting. There's some good recipes in it, and I've even learned a little bit about coffee by reading the series. A very good, quick read for a weekend.
This series has interesting characters, that grow with each edition. There is a very good storyline here, because it is usually surprising "who done it". I'm just wondering if the series is over soon, because of how the story is progressing.
Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly, aka real names) is (are) a good writer, and I enjoy their work.

Matt's getting married and Clare is up to her elbows preparing the gourmet coffee and dessert bar for her ex's wedding to the hateful Breanne. Flashbacks to her own wedding to Matt remind her the best part of that match was the birth of their daughter, Joy.

Although Clare does not want to remarry Matt, she does want him to find a better match than the high-maintenance Trend magazine editor and society queen.

Breanne doesn't realize that Matt moved back into the duplex above The Village Blend the week before their wedding so that he can enjoy a few days with Joy. The temporary move adds to the fun.

Beginning with Matt's bachelor party, a series of fatal accidents happen to those around Breanne. Clare puts her feelings for bridezilla aside and begins to investigate for Matt's sake.

The Coffeehouse series is written by a husband and wife team under the name Cleo Coyle. The popular cozy mystery series has brought enjoyment to avid readers, and Espresso Shot will not disappoint.

Fast-paced and fun despite the murders, the engaging characters are like family to those who have followed the series from the beginning. Let's hope The Village Blend continues to brew.

Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 7)