Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 7)
by Cleo Coyle
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Book Summary Information
Author: Cleo CoyleEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-09-30
ISBN: 0425221776
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Berkley
Book Reviews of Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 7)
Book Review: Book 7 in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series (2.5 Stars)
Summary: 3 Stars
"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
Summary of Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 7)
The latest in the steaming hot national bestselling series? now in hardcover.Manager and head barista of the bustling New York coffeehouse The Village Blend, Clare Cosi?s been hired to create a gourmet coffee and dessert bar for a swanky wedding. Clare should be thrilled at this chance to shine, but it?s Matteo Allegro, her ex-husband and current business partner, who?s tying the knot?to Trend magazine editor Breanne Summour, who?s in full-blown bridezilla mode. Claire?s got to put her misgivings aside and focus on business, but since she?s a successful amateur sleuth, murder is Clare?s business, too. And when fatal accidents begin befalling people close to Breanne, Clare becomes suspicious. But what she unveils, amid melted chocolate and steaming mochaccinos, may just get her burned...
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