Murder by Mocha [Hardcover]

Often when an author has written a series for a quite a while, the stories get a little, well, tired. This isn't true for Cleo Coyle. Murder by Mocha continues to keep the series' spark with another great story. It's a fun cozy mystery with all the trimmings. There's mystery, of course, friendship, family, twists and turns, everything needed for a completely satisfying cozy read.

The book is well written and, as usual, filled with a great, colorful cast and a solid mystery. To get the most out of this series, though, you want to start at the beginning, so you can see how the coffee house mystery characters grow and change. For sure, Murder by Mocha will hit just the right spot with fans of the series. Overall, good, fun cozy mystery!

Murder by Mocha
By Cleo Coyle
Copyright August 2011
Publisher Berkeley

Clare's Village Blend coffee beans are being used to create a new java love potion: a "Mocha Magic Coffee," billed as an aphrodisiac. The product, expected to rake in millions, will be sold exclusively on Aphrodite's Village, one of the most popular online communities for women.

But at its launch, one of the website's editors is murdered. Clare is convinced a bitter killer wants the secret formula. Can she catch who's gone loco for mocha?

Clare is not happy about the contract with Aphrodite's Village, not one bit. Unfortunately there's nothing she can do about it since it was Madame who signed it. She has a feeling that this could destroy the Blend if anything goes wrong.
With the death of one of the Aphrodite "Sisters" Clare has to bring out all the big guns and find out who the actual killer is, the real motive and make sure that none of her "extended family" are hurt in the process. With the help of Matt, Mike, Franco, Madame and her staff of baristas Clare will winnow out the answers to each level of the mystery and come out smelling like a rose.
This is the tenth book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, and to my mind, the most complex storyline to date. In this book Cleo Coyle has fully shown the depth of her ability as a mystery author, not just a cozy one. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series with baited breath.
Writing as Alice Kimberly she is also the author of the "Haunted Bookshop Mysteries". Cleo Coyle can be found hanging out at [...]... and also at [...]

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the author, who hoped I would consider if for review.

If it's late summer/early fall, then I know it's time for a new installment in the Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle. I am a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre but sometimes they cross the line into "too silly" for me and just too fluffy. This series has been wonderful from the start, the quality has remained exceptional throughout, and none of the books have crossed my personal "silliness" line.

My first exposure to the series came in 2006 when I read the first three books in a two week period and LOVED them! Now, I eagerly look forward to the next installment, waiting to get my coffeehouse fix. I have to say that I open each new novel with a moment of hesitation, afraid that my love affair with the series may be about to end since it won't meet my hopes and expectations; it has yet to happen. As with all books, some I like better than others largely based upon the subject matter but they are all well-written and I rate them from very good to great. The quality is consistently high which is pretty amazing for a series ten books long. To cut to the chase, I was pleased again and impressed that this writing team has been able to keep it fresh and interesting over the years.

As with all the Coffeehouse mysteries, our main character is Clare Cosi, the manager and operator of The Village Blend, an independent coffee shop in the heart of Greenwich Village. Clare is a character with a bit more maturity (she has an adult daughter named Joy who is one of the characters) and it really helps keep these out of the silly arena. The time out, The Village Blend is providing coffee beans to be used in creating Mocha Magic Coffee which is being launched as an effective aphrodisiac. Blended with chocolate and herbs, not only does it taste very good, the impact on the love life have the developers convinced it will bring in huge amounts of money. It's going to be sold on-line as part of Aphrodite's Village, a web community catering to women. As in all murder mysteries, not everything is as it seems on the surface and people are being attacked and killed. Exactly who is committing the murders and why are important to Clare as the reputation and future of The Village Blend could suffer.

Each installment seems to be written with a slightly different twist (which is part of the success I am sure) and this one is a bit edgier and moves a bit more toward the Janet Evanovich style. The product that starts all this mess is an aphrodisiac so I will leave it at that for you to figure out my meaning. It also is interesting how periodically we are in the mind of the murderer to see how he/she is feeling and reacting to what is taking place. The identity remains a secret until the very end, but it is a helpful tool in adding some dimension to a genre that is often very linear. Also, the murders are a bit more graphic and happen "on screen" so to speak which is different from traditional cozies but it works well and adds action and variety. For folks who have complained before about the novels containing too much information on coffee, it is handled more lightly this time and there isn't as much in this book.

Bottom line: A great mystery with a plausible motive for the murder. A cast of characters that are evolving and growing. A strong sense of place and setting. In my opinion, another winner and remains the best series out there.

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