Clare and Matteo co-run the Village Coffee Shop in Manhattan. They also parent 20 something daughter, Joy. They have been divorced, friends, and bantering back and forth for six books now. Finally, in book seven, Matteo has become engaged to the less than kind and friendly editor, Breanne Summour, of the top fashion magazine, "Trend".But Clare's detecting skills are called upon when someone seems to have decided that Breanne should not make it to the alter. After Matteo's bachelor party, the young Breanne look-alike dancer was shot and killed while walking along with Matteo and Clare. Convincing the snarky local policeman that Breanne was the actual target took lots of convincing. Clare's new love interest, NY Police Detective Mike, believes them, and suggests that Clare stick with Breanne and do some investigating herself. This series just gets better and better with every installment. Every book tells a bit more about the coffee industry and places around Manhatten. The fashion world plays a big part in this book. Sometimes facts seem unnecessary and padding for cozies. In this series, they are a much valued interesting must have for telling a terrific mystery. I actually picked this up from the local library while I was recovering from an unknown bug, so wasn't exactly "with it"! But it looked interesting and I needed to sit down. When I got home I was glad I took it.Cleo's characters are interesting and beliveable, her writing style is much like my own when I was writing fan fiction as a hobby and when I read I feel like getting back to doing that. Anyway--I like her descriptions of the New York areas, although I usually pick books set in Britain. Her twists and turns are easy to follow, and when I reached the end of the book I could actually see how the end connected to the rest of the book, whereas a lot of times I'm left wondering how they reached the conclusion. This was a fun read and I'm looking forward to finishing the one I'm reading now.
What do You think about Espresso Shot (2008)?
I love this series, the books get better and better. I look forward to the next one.
—Kailyn
Love the book, even tho I don't drink coffee.
—Meaks
