Murder by Mocha

There were some really good aspects to this novel, so I’m not sure why I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous stories. Maybe it was a little too clever/twisty for its own good, or perhaps I just couldn’t get into the whole Aphrodite scheme. If we could give fractional ratings I’d give this a 4.5.

On the good side, there’s a nice subplot involving Madame’s past that is unknown even to her son. Matt(eo) has finally accepted Mike Quinn into Clare’s life – altho it doesn’t stop him from propositioning her yet again, LOL.

An enjoyable series, but recommend you read them in order.

Claire Cosi’s former mother in law (and dear friend) has gotten Claire’s beloved “Village Blend” involved in an internet based retailer’s plan to sell a coffee mixture touted as an aphrodisiac. Claire’s not convinced by the whole scheme, but “Madame” IS the boss, so she’s forced to roll with it. Before the product launch even gets off the ground, the dead bodies begin to appear…or do they? With the Blend’s reputation on the line, Claire needs to figure out who is behind the murder – not to mention who has the nerve to tamper with her precious coffee beans!

This was another cute installment in this Greenwich Village-based series. The supporting characters are really starting to come into their own and the series regulars (and their interactions with each other) are getting more and more interesting. I like the way the author has managed to create a “comfortable” spot for Matt in Claire’s life. Mystery wise this falls firmly on the “cozy” side of the tracks, with civilians pretty much taking over the investigation. And as with all “cozy” mysteries, you have to be willing to give the author a lot of leeway when it comes to police procedure and convenient plot devices. It was improbable, though there are plenty of plot twists and interesting elements. Overall a charming series with a likeable cast of characters.

Series Brief: Clare Cosi is a 40ish single mom who manages an iconic coffeehouse in historic Greenwich Village. She lives in a to-die-for duplex apartment (courtesy of her former mother-in-law), and is dating a NYPD detective. Her ex-husband (a charming womanizer) is never completely out of the picture. In addition to whipping up a mean latte, Clare has a talent for solving mysteries.

Little (if any) strong language and some very mild sexual content. Approx the last 40 pages of the book contains recipes. I’d recommend starting the series in order – Book One is:

On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 1)

I loved this book (Murder By Mocha) as I’ve loved the 9 previous ones in the series. The books are well researched, and I love the characters! I feel like I really know Clare by now, and would love to visit the ‘Village Blend’! I do have to agree with the reviews who pointed out all the ‘typos’. It surprises me that there are so many! But, other than that, I love the series. Murder By Mocha was fun, creative, and very engaging. Whenever I think that a new plot could not be possible, it shows up in another one of the books! This is an extremely creative series, and I love everything about it (except the typos). I love the recipes, characters, and the imaginative plots! All done with excellent writing! Thank you, Cleo Coyle for giving us such a fun and entertaining series. I just pre-ordered the new book that will be out in December.

Murder, Coffee, and Chocolate – what more could a mystery bookworm want?

This is the tenth installment in the Coffee House Mystery series and I enjoyed this book just as much as all the ones before it.

They say that revenge is a dish best served cold, but it can also be as bitter poorly brewed coffee. And bitter revenge is at the heart of this story. In addition to a well crafted (if slightly darker) mystery, we also get a glimpse into Madame’s back story. Even if coffee is not your thing, mystery lovers will still enjoy this series and this installment in particular. Readers who find cozy mysteries to be a little too light, but are not quite ready for a true blood and guts thriller will find Murder by Mocha a nice compromise.

What I liked about this book: Personally, I like the inclusion of recipes and coffee brewing tips. However, if they are not your “cup of tea” you can easily ignore them as they are included at the end of the book rather than scattered throughout the story. I love all the regular characters. Reading about them is like having coffee with family. I also especially like that there is no “irritating, pain in the butt character.” Many cozy mysteries include an annoying character as a foil for the heroine or maybe for comic relief. I’m never quite sure. Coyle’s characters are well developed and in my opinion very interesting. I would love to learn more about any of them.

What I didn’t like about the book: OK. The new barista, Nancy seems a little goofy. It was hard to figure out if she was truly the bumpkin she appears to be or if maybe she is hiding something. I wasn’t sure why she was added to the story, but it certainly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

If you have read any of my previous reviews of the Coffee House Mysteries you will know that I am a big fan. When I find a series I enjoy this much, I always begin to worry if the series will eventually get boring or annoying or just lose something. I’m very pleased to say that is not the case with this series. Murder by Mocha is a must read for Coyle fans and anyone who likes a mystery with a good cup of Joe.

I love Cleo’s books. I was introduced to them a while back and found I really enjoyed the characters, the mysteries and Cleo’s passion for coffee and all things yummy. Mocha’s are my favourite drink so this book was an obvious choice. In her books there is always a new murder to investigate but Cleo also develops the main characters through the books. They become like friends that you get to catch up with in each installment. These characters often bring a subplot to the story keeping things interesting and the story more complex.
To sum up reading a Coffeehouse Mystery is like time spent on a comfy sofa with a delicious coffee drink, that is, comfortable, familiar with a bit of zing that you get from a caffeine hit. Highly recommend.

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