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A review by kimdavishb
Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle
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!