Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle

Aug 29, 2011 | My Musing

Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle is the 10th book in the “Coffee House” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), August 2011

Clare Cosi, manager and head barista of the landmark Village Blend coffeehouse, can brew a beverage to die for. But can she stir up some evidence against a bitter killer who has gone loco for mocha?

Clare’s Village Blend coffee beans are being used to create a new java love potion: a “Mocha Magic Coffee,” billed as an aphrodisiac. Clare may even try some on her boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn—when he’s off duty, of course.

The product, expected to rake in millions, will be sold exclusively on Aphrodite’s Village, one of the Web’s most popular online communities for women. But the launch party ends on a sour note when one of the Web site’s editors is found dead.

When more of the Web site’s Sisters of Aphrodite start to die, Clare is convinced someone wants the coffee’s secret formula—and is willing to kill to get it. Clare isn’t about to spill the beans, but will she be next on the hit list?

We meet Clare getting ready for the launch of a new coffee delicacy, sponsored by a friend of Madame. When Clare gets a cryptic call from Madame, things are not as they appear which leaves Clare puzzled and concerned. That is until the night of the launch party when once again, Clare finds a dead body. Clare will have to stay one step ahead of the killer before her beans are roasted. There is something about this Coffee House series that pulls you immediately in where you want to grab a mug and settle in for a delicious and savory feast. An enticing potion, a daughter’s return, secrecies and of course, murder start this exciting and intriguing tale. This well-written and plot driven mystery kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to figure out who did what to whom and why. This wonderful story boasts a brilliant cast, a great setting, tantalizing conversation and recipes that will whet your appetite. This was the best book yet in this rewarding and satisfying series that was good to the last drop.

Cleo Coyle is the pseudonym of wife-husband team Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini

FTC Full Disclosure – The author sent me a copy of this book.

** Cleo has generously offered to give away a signed copy of MURDER BY MOCHA. To enter, please leave an e-mail address in your comment. One entry per person and is open to anyone with a U.S. or Canadian mailing address. Deadline to enter is September 6th at midnight EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and contacted via email for mailing instructions. **

58 Comments

  1. Karen
    Karen on August 30, 2011 at 6:30 am

    I’d love to win the free book, I haven’t read any of the coffee shop mysteries yet.

  3. Diana (Book of Secrets)
    Diana (Book of Secrets) on August 30, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I love this series! Thank you for the chance to win a signed copy.
    bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com

  4. Kelley
    Kelley on August 30, 2011 at 8:08 am

    I’ve read the first 2 and enjoyed them very much…even though I don’t even drink coffee 🙂 It’s still interesting to read about what goes into a perfect cup.

    kelley.dworaczyk@gmail.com

  5. Aimee Hix
    Aimee Hix on August 30, 2011 at 8:17 am

    This is one of my FAVORITE series by a fave author (who has snuck by me with a few series under different names). Every book in this series sucks you right in and won’t let go until it’s turned you upside down and thoroughly mystified you. I need a pot of coffee just to stay alert to all the twists and turns. 🙂

  6. Pj Schott
    Pj Schott on August 30, 2011 at 8:27 am

    What a fabulous setting! Very addictive.

  7. Jean
    Jean on August 30, 2011 at 9:13 am

    I enjoyed reading your review of the book, I really can’t wait to finish the others in the series so I can get to this one.

  8. ChristineA
    ChristineA on August 30, 2011 at 9:24 am

    Thanks for a great review Dru Ann. Now I’m really excited to catch up to this book. I just finished book 6 and am loving the series, especially since I’m a coffee junkie. lol!

  9. Dru
    Dru on August 30, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I’m not a coffee drinker but I love this series. Did you hear the good news? Cleo is doing a holiday-theme Coffeehouse next year, which means there’ll be two books in 2012. Congrats Cleo!

  10. KKM
    KKM on August 30, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    This is one of my favorite series. Along with great stories and characters I wish were part of my family, these books have also given me a new appreciation of coffee and some fantastic recipes to try. Thank you for the opportunity to win a signed copy of this book. I am looking forward to reading it

  11. Denise Z
    Denise Z on August 30, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    I love the coffeehouse mysteries and coffee and always want more. Thank you for sharing your review today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity. I hopped over from Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen and have signed up to follow and look forward to reading the interesting things you have to share 🙂

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

  12. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on August 30, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Dru, thanks for your reviews! I always enjoy them. Two Coffeehouse mysteries by Cleo Coyle is indeed good news!

  13. joy rice
    joy rice on August 30, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    Love coffee and love these books! Just got a nook and can’t wait to get started reading.

  15. Terry Parrish
    Terry Parrish on August 30, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    Well I love coffee, a good mystery and am always looking for great recipes. This series, and in particular this book sounds like a winning combination.

  17. Lynn in Texas
    Lynn in Texas on August 30, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Would love to read more of Clare’s adventures.
    Thanks for the contest, Dru and Cleo!

  18. Melissa B
    Melissa B on August 30, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    I have read one of the books from this series, and really enjoyed it ~
    and I would love to read ( and win..) MURDER BY MOCHA!
    thanks for this giveaway!
    readinginks (at) gmail ( dot ) com

  19. Angela
    Angela on August 30, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win this book.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

  20. janet sampurdanis
    janet sampurdanis on August 30, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    I love all the books in this series. Great stories & great recipes!

  21. Dru
    Dru on August 30, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    Thanks everyone for your comments.

  22. Dru
    Dru on August 30, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Thanks Denise Z for following my reading blog.

  23. thetravelingreader
    thetravelingreader on August 30, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    A great addition to an ever-growing series. Too bad I’m not eligible to join the giveaway. But great contest though. Retweeted this. 🙂

  24. Vickie Browning
    Vickie Browning on August 30, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    So, Cleo told me to come here and say hey and try my hand at winning a copy of her book. Well, she told all of us are chitty chatting on Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen. I am going to start following your blog as I am a fan of mysteries, too.

    VWinship at aol dot com

  25. Katie L.
    Katie L. on August 30, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    Kvlaughlin@gmail.com

    Love the series!!!! Thanks for the give-away!

  26. Barb
    Barb on August 31, 2011 at 12:20 am

    The coffee shop mysteries is my favorite series! I love espresso & enjoy learning about the industry plus the characters are so believable & of course, you gotta love the romance part… Oh! and of course…the awesome Mystery in every book!!! LOL if there could just be 2 every year instead of 1! ;D

  27. Luvdaylilies
    Luvdaylilies on August 31, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I love the Coffee House mysteries & a signed copy would be such a treasure!
    Thanks bunches=)
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

  28. Risa Rispoli
    Risa Rispoli on August 31, 2011 at 11:40 am

    My two favorite foods…coffee and chocolate! And I love the recipes in the books!

    Risa

    idlivru1@gmail.com

  29. Richard Ritenbaugh
    Richard Ritenbaugh on August 31, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Sounds like a great book! My daughter is a barista, so I’m sure she’d love this too! rritenbaugh@cgg.org

  30. Cynthia Wong
    Cynthia Wong on August 31, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    already on my TRB list!!!!! can’t wait to read it!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!!!

    cyn209(AT)juno(DOT)com

  31. Danielle Chatigny
    Danielle Chatigny on August 31, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    I always enjoy Cleo posts on Mystery Lovers Kitchen but never had the pleasure to read her books. So I would like very much to win this one.
    It is thanks to her that I discovered Dru’s blog and I intend to continue reading it.
    danielle-momo at hotmail dot com

  34. areta
    areta on September 1, 2011 at 12:54 am

    I enjoy reading her books.

  35. Jill
    Jill on September 1, 2011 at 10:06 am

    A very enjoyable series. Can’t wait to read the next book.

  36. Renee Beam
    Renee Beam on September 1, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Happy to have found another series with included recipes. Already downloading to my kindle. Thanks!!

    nysp2d35@yahoo.com

  37. danie
    danie on September 2, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Clares cosy mysteries are easy to warm up with fast no matter which one you start with. They don’t heavy, and I love the romance with Mike Quinn and the reciepes!

  38. Kathy Guthrie Yates
    Kathy Guthrie Yates on September 2, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    I just discovered this series last month. I’m on book 5 right now. Can’t stop reading them.

  39. Bonnie
    Bonnie on September 3, 2011 at 11:30 am

    I’d love a chance to win this book! I’ve read the first in the series and to read that you thought this was the best book in the series is exciting to hear as sometimes books in series don’t get better!

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  40. Sarita
    Sarita on September 3, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    I stopped in Borders yesterday, hoping to find some of the books in this series. Bummer, they were all gone!

  41. sootycat
    sootycat on September 5, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Hmmm, coffee first thing in the morning with a chapter or two of a Coffeehouse Mystery? Sounds good to me!

  42. Norma Huss
    Norma Huss on September 5, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    I’ve been following your recipes – great! I’d love to win your book!

  44. Denise Z
    Denise Z on September 6, 2011 at 4:57 am

    This has to be one of the most wonderful series. After all who does not like a good book and cuppa 🙂 Thank you for sharing and for the awesome giveaway opportunity:)

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

  45. Mary Glascock
    Mary Glascock on September 6, 2011 at 10:01 am

    I’ve read several of the coffeehouse mysteries. Coyle tells an engrossing story and provides a convincing Greenwich Village ambiance.
    Glascock@panix.com

  46. Linda
    Linda on September 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

    I love coffee, but it doesn’t love me back! I’ve not read any of your books to-date. Please enter me for this one.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  47. Karen Dionis
    Karen Dionis on September 6, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    I love, love, love these books. I’ve gotten two friends hooked on them also. We love to talk about them and have even tried out some of the great recipes. I’d love to win this book!

  48. Kelly Saderholm
    Kelly Saderholm on September 6, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I love this series- I have all the books- except, of course this one! I love settling down with a great cup of coffee and a great book.

  49. Michelle
    Michelle on September 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    My daughter loves this series! She’s got all the books, and of course, now I have been reading them. One of the best parts of the books is the recipes in the back. Such a great companion.

  50. Josephine
    Josephine on September 6, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    I’ve just discover Cleo Coyle and love the 2 books I’ve read. Would love to win this one
    jplungas at gmail dot com

  51. Joan
    Joan on September 6, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    I have read all of the books so far; Clare and Cleo turned me on to French press and I wouldn’t make my coffee any other way now. Excellent stories, great characters and, of course, super recipes!

  52. susan
    susan on September 6, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    I’m a big fan of this series. Thanks for the chance to win this book. Sdryburgh st hotmail dot com

  53. Paulette Jones
    Paulette Jones on September 6, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    I have so enjoyed all the Coffee House Mysteries. The setting with lovely coffee shop downstairs and living quarters upstairs seems so perfect, well most of the time.
    I would love to win a copy of Cleo’s new book.

  54. Irina
    Irina on September 6, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    I’ve read all Coffeehouse series. I love it all! Looking forward to more.

    Irina

  55. Dru
    Dru on September 7, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Contest is closed.

  56. Dru
    Dru on September 7, 2011 at 8:06 am

    We have a winner: Cynthia Wong. Congratulations!

  57. Charlie
    Charlie on September 9, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Coffee. Chocolate. Mystery. What more could you ask for? Clwaller at gmail dot com

  58. Linda Reilly
    Linda Reilly on September 13, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    How fun it would be to win this book! I love coffee and I love cozies!
    Linda R
    dinhjb@mindspring.com