Dead Cold Brew by Cleo Coyle is the 16th book in the “Coffeehouse Mystery” series. Publisher: Penguin Random House, January 2017

Dead Cold BrewTHE PERFECT PROPOSAL LEADS TO A CHILLING COLD CASE. . .

Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi sheds tears of joy when her NYPD detective boyfriend surprises her with an engagement ring. But her bridal bliss is put on hold when a chilling mystery brings a wave of deadly danger to those she holds dear…

After everything Clare and Mike have been through, they deserve a little bit of happily ever after. So when Mike decides to put a ring on Clare’s finger, Clare’s eccentric octogenarian employer is there to help. She donates the perfect coffee-colored diamonds to include in the setting and the name of a world-famous jeweler who happens to be an old family friend. But while the engagement is steeped in perfection, the celebration is not long lived.

First, a grim-faced attorney interrupts their party with a mysterious letter bequeathing a strange, hidden treasure to Clare’s daughter. Next, the renowned jeweler who designed Clare’s ring is found poisoned in his shop. Both events appear to be connected to a cold case murder involving a sunken ship, an Italian curse, a suspiciously charming jewel thief, and a shocking family secret. With deadly trouble brewing, Clare must track down clues in some of New York’s most secret places before an old vendetta starts producing fresh corpses.

With recipes to die for, including how to make cold-brew coffee at home!

I love this series and every time I open the latest book, I know it’s going to take me on a journey in my beloved city. Someone is targeting cops and things get a little bit too close for Clare, both in her personal and professional life. It is with great determination that sets Clare on a path to find who is behind all that is happening.

This fast-paced drama kept me engrossed in all aspect in this well-written tale. The narrative was well-defined and visually appealing putting me in the middle of all the action, right alongside Clare. The mystery was nicely done, ratcheting the suspense and intrigue up a notch that kept me glued to the pages. And those surprising twists. . .love them. The beauty of the NYC trivia enhanced the telling of this tale and I loved that all the characters played pivotal roles that led to the outcome of this satisfying tome. The author does a great job in setting this story up with pieces here and there that challenged me and added to my reading pleasure. They consistently deliver a fresh story and I applaud them because as with every book release, this is the best one yet in this delightfully charming and endearing series.