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kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
Clare Cosi is the manager of the Village Blend coffeehouse in Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery Series. It’s Christmas season in New York City and Clare and her staff are busy preparing to participate in the annual Great New York Cookie Swap event, by providing the beverage service.
Unfortunately after the cookie festivities, Clare stumbles upon the body of Moirin “M” Faigin, her newest part-timer, on loan from her friend’s bakery. On the surface, “M” is an Irish girl who came to New York trying make a name for herself in the music business. But “M” was hiding deadly secrets that led to her brutal death.
When the arrogant lead detective insists the murder was committed by the serial Christmas Stalker, Clare isn’t so sure. She notices things and hears conversations that don’t add up. When another murder takes place and then she’s assaulted, Clare is certain that the detective is on the completely wrong track and becomes involved to find justice for Moirin and stop the killer before they strike again.
I greatly enjoyed this book with all the sounds, scents and tastes the holiday season has to offer along with bits of humor that were woven in. Madame, Clare’s ex-mother-in-law, plays a role in infiltrating a senior center and steals the scene! I have read numerous books in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series and even though each builds upon the previous one, they are easily read as stand-alone books. I love how the author, Cleo Coyle, allows the characters to grow and especially like how she develops the relationship with Clare and her long-distance boyfriend, Detective Mike Quinn. Of course Cleo provides numerous wonderful recipes at the back of the book…all sounding equally delicious and decadent…just in time for holiday celebrations!
Unfortunately after the cookie festivities, Clare stumbles upon the body of Moirin “M” Faigin, her newest part-timer, on loan from her friend’s bakery. On the surface, “M” is an Irish girl who came to New York trying make a name for herself in the music business. But “M” was hiding deadly secrets that led to her brutal death.
When the arrogant lead detective insists the murder was committed by the serial Christmas Stalker, Clare isn’t so sure. She notices things and hears conversations that don’t add up. When another murder takes place and then she’s assaulted, Clare is certain that the detective is on the completely wrong track and becomes involved to find justice for Moirin and stop the killer before they strike again.
I greatly enjoyed this book with all the sounds, scents and tastes the holiday season has to offer along with bits of humor that were woven in. Madame, Clare’s ex-mother-in-law, plays a role in infiltrating a senior center and steals the scene! I have read numerous books in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series and even though each builds upon the previous one, they are easily read as stand-alone books. I love how the author, Cleo Coyle, allows the characters to grow and especially like how she develops the relationship with Clare and her long-distance boyfriend, Detective Mike Quinn. Of course Cleo provides numerous wonderful recipes at the back of the book…all sounding equally delicious and decadent…just in time for holiday celebrations!
jlasch's review against another edition
4.0
Love this series...easy read that centers around a NYC coffeehouse staffed with quirky barista characters, and a coffeehouse manager who likes to snoop (really, what sleuth isn't a bit of a busybody?) to make sure justice prevails.
rachelhelps's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this Christmas murder mystery at the library in search of a cheesy diversion and it was about what I expected. Coyle (pen name to a husband-and-wife writing duo) followed the usual murder mystery template fairly closely, complete with a confrontation with the killer and lots of false trails, but ultimately leading to a nicely solved murder. It's clearly aimed at the middle-aged woman crowd. In lieu of sex scenes, the protagonist's boyfriend makes lots of satisfied eating noises, and food and drink are central to just about every scene. In a way it was really nice that an author paid attention to the relationships between people and gave them romantic histories; the protagonist's ex-husband is a major character, and no, they don't get back together!
In some ways it was better than I expected, in that I actually enjoyed reading it. There were a few parts where the writing made me cringe, but the pacing kept me coming back for more. And cringing is part of a cheesy murder mystery experience anyway. :-)
In some ways it was better than I expected, in that I actually enjoyed reading it. There were a few parts where the writing made me cringe, but the pacing kept me coming back for more. And cringing is part of a cheesy murder mystery experience anyway. :-)
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
December is cozy/amateur sleuth month for me and the more holiday related the better. This one fits the bill and I cannot believe I hadn't read it yet.
There is a lot going on in this one. Lots of suspects to choose from in the murder and attacks, viable suspects. This can work against some mysteries, too busy too much to figure out, but Cleo Coyle has a deft hand.
I like the characters who remain, new ones introduced, the hub of the Village Blend for the action to center on, the coffees, the baked goods...there are recipes.....
A nicely taut mystery to enjoy anytime, but particularly when I am in this mode of holiday murder and mayhem.....
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
There is a lot going on in this one. Lots of suspects to choose from in the murder and attacks, viable suspects. This can work against some mysteries, too busy too much to figure out, but Cleo Coyle has a deft hand.
I like the characters who remain, new ones introduced, the hub of the Village Blend for the action to center on, the coffees, the baked goods...there are recipes.....
A nicely taut mystery to enjoy anytime, but particularly when I am in this mode of holiday murder and mayhem.....
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
klmreads's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the character interaction a lot in this one--it was nice to see Boris, Esther and Tuck do something besides just add some "local" color to the story. BUT some of the other characters were way too outlandish and some of the plot points were really unbelievable as well. So this is worth it if you've been following the series for a while, but maybe not so much if you just pick it up casually.
ashleylangford's review against another edition
4.0
good book. the humor feels like it’s catered to my mom, but it had baked goods and murder which is really all you need. also they include RECIPES at the end of the book
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Fun (Paperbook)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Part of my 25 Books for the Holidays 2012
How Holiday Buzz put me in the Holiday Spirit: Oh how I love this coffehouse with it's wonderfully delightful characters, rich coffees that sound good to even a non-coffee drinker like myself, and the quirky investigations that Clare gets herself into. Needless to say snowstorms with murder make some of the best holiday reads!
What I thought of the characters/story: Holiday Buzz is the second Coffeehouse Mystery that I have read and I enjoyed it! I am going to have to pick up the rest of the series because they are just so darn fun. I think the best thing about this series is that the characters are fun, a little outlandish, and never what you expect. I haven't ever lived in New York so I have no idea if people are as quirky as these folks but if so then it must be a blast to live there. In this book, I got over the fact that Clare was telling the police how to do their jobs (or thinking she knew better) because that is just how the character is written. In real life, this kind of person would annoy the living daylights out of me but in a book, I am beginning to find it acceptable (to a point). The case was interesting and I didn't figure it out till the end. That is always great in cozy mysteries. The twists and turns were unpredictable and delightful. Everyone in one way or another got involved! Overall this was just fun and perfect for the holiday season!
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Part of my 25 Books for the Holidays 2012
How Holiday Buzz put me in the Holiday Spirit: Oh how I love this coffehouse with it's wonderfully delightful characters, rich coffees that sound good to even a non-coffee drinker like myself, and the quirky investigations that Clare gets herself into. Needless to say snowstorms with murder make some of the best holiday reads!
What I thought of the characters/story: Holiday Buzz is the second Coffeehouse Mystery that I have read and I enjoyed it! I am going to have to pick up the rest of the series because they are just so darn fun. I think the best thing about this series is that the characters are fun, a little outlandish, and never what you expect. I haven't ever lived in New York so I have no idea if people are as quirky as these folks but if so then it must be a blast to live there. In this book, I got over the fact that Clare was telling the police how to do their jobs (or thinking she knew better) because that is just how the character is written. In real life, this kind of person would annoy the living daylights out of me but in a book, I am beginning to find it acceptable (to a point). The case was interesting and I didn't figure it out till the end. That is always great in cozy mysteries. The twists and turns were unpredictable and delightful. Everyone in one way or another got involved! Overall this was just fun and perfect for the holiday season!