Source: Publisher
Description: As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won't survive if she doesn't sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend's customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer's Block Lounge is born.
Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop's second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward...
Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day.
Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've read a few books in this series and I can never resist a cold case.
My Impression: This is a very long running series centered around a coffeehouse that has been around for decades. Clare is the main character and currently in charge of Village Blend though with oversight from her former mother-in-law, Madame. Added into the mix is Madame's son and Clare's ex-husband Max who is usually up to something on the shady side which is one of the subplots in this series. The coffeehouse is filled with a collection of quirky baristas all with their own arty interests.
Even though I've only read a few books in the series I had no problem at all jumping into this one. The mystery was an intriguing one and I always love when a modern-day mystery has links to the past. I'm also a huge fan of digging into the past and researching potential suspects. I did figure out a few things ahead of Clare but I did enjoy the mystery overall.
While I had no trouble figuring out the characters and how they related to each other I do think this would be a better series read in order. There is a lot of banter and non-mystery related interactions. I imagine this would be a delight if you were invested in the characters but if you're coming in fresh it gets a bit tedious and slows the pace.
Overall, this is a good mystery with an urban setting that is a bit unusual for a cozy mystery. There's a full cast of quirky characters who all bring a bit of unique knowledge to the investigation.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes, though I think I will go back a bit in the series to get to know the characters a bit more.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would recommend this series but I think you will enjoy this book more if you start earlier in the series.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? I would recommend this series but I think you will enjoy this book more if you start earlier in the series.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
It does sound like a fun premise.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is cute. I am with you. I enjoy a cold case.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a long, long series. I've read quite a few of them, but I haven't read one for several years. I need to renew my acquaintance with Clare and company. Thanks for telling about it!
ReplyDeleteAnother clever title and can almost smell the coffee. Good you enjoyed and figured out some of the mystery.
ReplyDelete