Customer Reviews

Murder Most Frothy (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 4) (Coffeehouse Mystery)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the first two books in the Coffeehouse Mysteries, the action is set in cosmopolitan New York City. This story takes a summer break: Claire Cosi is helping a friend get his (coffee-centered!) restaurant started in the Hamptons, at the end of ritzy Long Island, and living in David's house (mansion, more like) along with her daughter and boss/ex-mother-in-law. During the Fourth of July party, one of the restaurant employees is shot to death... and Claire is certain David was the target. The police don't agree. Naturally, she feels compelled to find out the truth.

That's a recipe for a standard cozy mystery, but this one does a particularly good job. First, Coyle makes Claire completely believeable. Other than the initial premise (*I* never had a customer offer me the opportunity to spend the summer in the Hamptons), the protagonist makes sensible deductions, and has normal reactions to stress (such as an ongoing spat with her daughter). The pacing is done well enough that I kept turning pages, and I gulped down the book in a few short days. Best of all, I really didn't know who the murderer was until it was revealed.

The coffee recipes (including an 8-layer fancy coffee drink and espresso-boosted brownies) and coffee knowledge (a long essay on matching high end Brazillian coffee with almonds and figs) are well integrated into the story, too. You learn a lot, without feeling as though Claire stepped out of character and up to a podium. It's also more than "basics" in coffee knowledge; I did learn quite a bit (and I'm going to seek out that Brazillian coffee she mentioned).

I got just what a wanted from a cozy mystery story: entertainment, escape, a not-too-easy puzzle to solve, and enough knowledge to make me feel that I'd learned something new. I enjoyed it. I think you will, too.

I have read all these books in order, and I think like most writers Ms. Coyle's writing has improved with each new story. She has created wonderful, likable characters and you just don't want to put the book down. Coyle uses sharp dialogue and strays from the typical mystery faire. I absolutely love coffee, and I must warn you, you're going to want a good cuppa while you read this book. It's a lot less coffee oriented than the rest of the stories, but Coyle still manages to educate her readers with a tidbit of coffee trivia she has not yet revealed. My only complaint is that Clare often thinks of Det. Quinn, and calls him once for his professional opinion. He promises to look into it and then he's sort of obliterated from the story. I also wish we had a bit more of Madame's character, she's one of my favorites. Other than that, I was sorry when the story ended. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the next one.

I discovered this series earlier this year, quickly read the first three books and anxiously awaited this fourth installment. I was not disappointed! As with any "cozy" mystery, you have to accept a certain amount of unrealistic situations, but this series is much more believable than many others. The action in this book takes place out on Long Island in the Hamptons during the summer "season". The main character, Clare, accepts a temporary job at a new restaurant as the managing barista to get the coffee bar/dessert selections established. This allows the author to introduce new characters and situations while the premise of why the main character is there makes sense .... it doesn't appear to be contrived to move the story.

The coffee references/eduation are still a lot of fun and very enjoyable for anyone who likes coffee.

While not great literature (and what cozies are? If you are looking for lasting literature, you're reading the wrong genre) the book was fun, light, interesting and a perfect read when in the mood for this type of reading. I am sorry to know I will probably have to wait another year for the next installment ! If you like mysteries, you can't go wrong with these.

In this latest escapade of Clare Cosi, the Village Blend co-owner, we find her this time not in New York but the Hamptons. She is helping a friend(from earlier novel) get his Hampton's restuarant off the ground. What a better way to spend the summer right? And then some one dies. And Clare is off to wild ways to try to help, I mean solve the murder. With new characters and old jealous ways, you are sure to love this latest installment in the Coffeehouse Series. Pick this one up and enjoy the light easy reading.....

These books are a fun read. Perfect for trips and travel. They don't take too long and they are so entertaining! I love the coffee and food recipes included. Get all four in the series. You won't be sorry!!!

Once again, Coyle has entertained the reader in her new book Murder Most Frosty. She has deviated from her usual New York City neighborhood to take the reader to the Hamptons where she has captured the societal absurdities perfectly. No doubt Coyle has spent some time on the scene, for she takes the reader to a visual comprehension of "life of the upper crust".

Cleo Coyle gives us a satisfactory mystery with the usual cast of eccentric characters that contribute to Coyle's appeal. This book provides interesting data for the coffee consumer without going over the top assuming everyone is gourmet. The facts are fun and Coyle has a unique way to bring her coffee expertise into the story line without cluttering the script. My only negative observation is her description of every coffee having a "nutty" flavor.

Sit down for a few hours, fix that cup of espresso or just plain coffee and enjoy the read. You will love the edginess of Clare Cosi, barista and central character, the oh-so-common vulnerabilities of twenty-one year old daughter, Joy and the assortment of friends, ex-husband (who provides the laughs) and acquaintances that give full body to the book. (Pun intended).

This latest in the novel series is the best I've read even, and enjoyed immensely. Please encourage other new coffehouse/special treat mysteries similiar to this one so I can continue to obtain them as well - how else can I learn aplenty in the corporate side of those treats? Thank you so much from Laura A. F.

Great coffehouse series, the author gets better with each new book.
Best to read all the books in the series. The recipes included are really good. The coffee trivia is very interesting. The perfect cozy mystery.

In this latest mystery blend of coffee and Clare Cosi, the Village Blend manager and co-owner, she leaves Manhatten for the Hamptons. She is helping a friend, David Mintzer (from an earlier novel) with his new restaurant. Clare feels it will be a fun way to spend the summer, and also keep her daughter, Joy, happy with a summer job in the fabulous playground of the rich and famous. During a party at David's estate, one of the waiters is found in David's upstair bedroom shot to death. Clare, knowing in her heart that the intended victim was really David instead of the waiter, determines that she will investigate and solve the murder. Her former and formidable former mother in law (a wonderfully, colorful character) insists on helping and her ex husband, Matteo, is also thrown in the mix. There are some new characters, a new pair of dectectives, and plenty of suspects, with some red herrings thrown in, but the effort here falls a bit flat. Basically, I have some minor concerns about this book, first, although the Hamptons seems at first glance to be an interesting place for a murder, the wonderful ambiance of "The Village Blend" that is so integral to the series, is sadly missing here. Secondly, the character of Joy, Clare's nice daughter of the previous books, has gradually deteriorated so that she has become a spoiled, petulant 21 yr. old brat. Why ruin a perfectly nice character for no good reason...it doesn't advance the plot in any way, so it's just annoying, and worse, it doesn't help develop the character of Clare, who seems unable to cope with her daughter's petulance. Finally, while Matteo is growing in maturity and getting more considerate, loveable, and funny, Clare is getting more jealous, petty and silly. Her unresolved feelings for her ex husband are very evident. She still loves the guy, but won't admit it and after 4 books, this issue needs to be resolved by the author. If you can overlook these minor quibbles then you are sure to enjoy this latest installment in the Coffeehouse Series. I do recommend reading the first books in the series, however, before enjoying this one.

This series is a lot of fun!!! I keep looking for the next book in the series, but it probably hasn't been written yet. I love, love, love the characters and the mysterious scenarios. Highly recommended to those who love mysteries AND fun while reading.