Helpful Score: 7
I have loved every single Coffeehouse Mystery, and French Pressed, the sixth installment, is no exception. It draws the reader in immediately by starting out from the perspective of a killer - a technique which is highly effective and very chilling - a killer who commits murder before the end of the prologue. Tension continues to mount from here.
Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, and Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro Dubois (Madame for short), Clare's ex-mother-in-law and owner of the Blend, are enjoying dinner at Solange, the 4-star restaurant in Manhattan where Joy, Clare's only child, just happens to be working as part of her culinary school internship. As Cleo Coyle fans already know, Joy is carrying on an inappropriate relationship with Solange's much older and married Executive Chef, Tommy Keitel, much to her mother's and grandmother's consternation. After dinner, which ended with some extremely bad coffee, Clare visits the kitchen and witnesses one of the chefs physically threatening her daughter - an act that seems even more ominous when Joy later discovers the body of one of her fellow interns.
At the suggestion of Clare's friend, Detective Mike Quinn, Clare comes up with a plan that might gain her entree into Solange's kitchen so she can try to figure out what's going on. Despite Clare and Detective Quinn's best efforts, however, the bodies continue to pile up. Also, in addition to the plot dealing with Solange and Clare's daughter, Detective Quinn encourages Clare's involvement in an investigation of his own.
I have to say that in addition to everything else, I'm VERY pleased with the direction Clare is moving in her personal life. Despite Madame's best efforts, Clare is determined to be responsible for her own happiness. You go, girl!
The ending is especially intriguing, and makes me more than a little anxious to see what will transpire in book seven! Can't wait!
Carol Ann H. 4/28/2008
Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, and Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro Dubois (Madame for short), Clare's ex-mother-in-law and owner of the Blend, are enjoying dinner at Solange, the 4-star restaurant in Manhattan where Joy, Clare's only child, just happens to be working as part of her culinary school internship. As Cleo Coyle fans already know, Joy is carrying on an inappropriate relationship with Solange's much older and married Executive Chef, Tommy Keitel, much to her mother's and grandmother's consternation. After dinner, which ended with some extremely bad coffee, Clare visits the kitchen and witnesses one of the chefs physically threatening her daughter - an act that seems even more ominous when Joy later discovers the body of one of her fellow interns.
At the suggestion of Clare's friend, Detective Mike Quinn, Clare comes up with a plan that might gain her entree into Solange's kitchen so she can try to figure out what's going on. Despite Clare and Detective Quinn's best efforts, however, the bodies continue to pile up. Also, in addition to the plot dealing with Solange and Clare's daughter, Detective Quinn encourages Clare's involvement in an investigation of his own.
I have to say that in addition to everything else, I'm VERY pleased with the direction Clare is moving in her personal life. Despite Madame's best efforts, Clare is determined to be responsible for her own happiness. You go, girl!
The ending is especially intriguing, and makes me more than a little anxious to see what will transpire in book seven! Can't wait!
Carol Ann H. 4/28/2008
Helpful Score: 5
This sixth in series book is just as enertaining and educating as the first five. It continues the story of Clare, her daughter Joy, her former husband Matteo, the grandmther Madame, and her love interest Mike. This book is more Mike and less Matt, and I liked the forward-looking relatioship story, rather than the backward look at her life with Matt and what might have been. The educational portion was about coffee pairings with desserts and cheese, and about the restaurant industry and different kinds of knives (of course, the murder is committed with a knife). Joy continues to grow as an adult, but is at the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes a murder suspect. Clare and Mike work together as a team to solve the mystery of the murder. Enjoyable!
Helpful Score: 2
Book 6 in the coffeehouse mysteries. Another great addition to this series. Funny things are happening at Solange, a restaurant where Clare's daughter Joy is doing her internship. The head chef if hardly ever around, several of the employees have very hot, threatening tempers and 2 murders take place back to back. The biggest problem is Joy is the prime suspect! Clare jumps right in to clear her daughter's name and help solve the case. It was nice to base this book in a different atmosphere and get out of the coffee shop for a moment. It was also great seeing Clare making a choice in her personal life. Will she end up with Matteo or Mike. The book has a great ending leaving you anxious for the next installment: Espresso Shot
Helpful Score: 1
This one starts out fast and keeps that pace through out the book.I read it in two short settings.
Just when things get "really" good between Clare and Detective Mike Quinn,Clare's daughter Joy is arrested for two murders.
The biggest problem I have with this whole series is the fact that they aren't being written fast enough!!!
Just when things get "really" good between Clare and Detective Mike Quinn,Clare's daughter Joy is arrested for two murders.
The biggest problem I have with this whole series is the fact that they aren't being written fast enough!!!
This series just keeps getting better and better. I especially like the fact that while Clare is trying to solve murders, and she does seem to solve them all, it doesn't seem like the same ending to a different story in each book. And while I was originally wanting Clare and Matteo to get back together, I am now 100% on board with Clare and Mike! Can't wait for the next book!
