Rating: Very Good
Source: Publisher
Description: Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi sheds tears of joy when her NYPD detective boyfriend surprises her with an engagement ring. But her bridal bliss is put on hold when a chilling mystery brings a wave of deadly danger to those she holds dear...
After everything Clare and Mike have been through, they deserve a little bit of happily ever after. So when Mike decides to put a ring on Clare's finger, Clare's eccentric octogenarian employer is there to help. She donates the perfect coffee-colored diamonds to include in the setting and the name of a world-famous jeweler who happens to be an old family friend. But while the engagement is steeped in perfection, the celebration is not long lived.
First, a grim-faced attorney interrupts their party with a mysterious letter bequeathing a strange, hidden treasure to Clare's daughter. Next, the renowned jeweler who designed Clare's ring is found poisoned in his shop. Both events appear to be connected to a cold case murder involving a sunken ship, an Italian curse, a suspiciously charming jewel thief, and a shocking family secret. With deadly trouble brewing, Clare must track down clues in some of New York's most secret places before an old vendetta starts producing fresh corpses.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed previous books in this series and I can never resist a jewel thief!
My Impression: The blurb is a little misleading. While the old family mystery and secrets involving a jewel thief do factor into the book they don't really show up until at least 100 pages in and that plot is frequently overshadowed by what feels like the main mystery - just who is shooting NYPD police officers. Clare ends up involved because her boyfriend, Mike Quinn just happens to be an NYPD officer and a shooting occurs right outside her coffee shop.This wasn't really a problem as I found both mysteries very compelling and felt invested in finding out how both ended.
The cast of characters made this an enjoyable read. I loved Clare's relationship with Mike and I felt like it was progressing in authentic manner. While normally I'm a scorched earth person when it comes to ended relationships I do enjoy her relationship with her ex-husband, Matt and his mother who is also her boss. I love that Clare calls her Madame and how supportive they are of each other. As well, Clare and Matt's relationship is hardly unicorns and rainbows though for the most part they do get along. I liked learning a little bit more about his family and especially enjoyed the flashbacks of his parents in the early days of their marriage.
This is fairly long for a cozy mystery coming in at just shy of 400 pages but Coyle's writing style has such an easy conversational feel I never felt like it was dragging. Plus, the recipes at the end are mouthwatering!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I have a number of books in this series to catch up on and am already looking forward to the next book.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would - especially if you enjoy a cozy mystery though it may have you wishing that you really could run up to the Village Blend for some of Clare's delicious and unique coffee blends.
I am always looking for a good cozy series. I like the paranormal aspect of this, I really need to read more paranormal books.
ReplyDeleteOh that is a hefty one for a cozy. It sounds good. Interesting keeping the ex and his family around.
ReplyDeleteOK, now I really want to catch up on this series. It's been a while since I read one. I need to go back and see where I left off. I like all the characters and always want to settle in with a great cup of coffee while I'm reading them.
ReplyDeleteOh another great cozy. I'd enjoy the police shooting aspect and getting to find out who is doing that and why. And the mystery linked to the poor poisoned jeweller. I do wish I had more reading space time!
ReplyDeleteLooks fun! And the premise seems a little different and unique for a cozy. Sounds like a good book to enjoy at a coffee shop!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I read a spoiler! No worries. I've only listened to the first, three books I think. I'm glad Clare didn't go back to her ex.
ReplyDeleteLOL about the vanilla beans. I had to reread your comment a bit until the light bulb went on. Where can one buy vanilla beans anyways? I never see it at store.
This sounds so fun!!
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