Dru’s Short Musing:
As always, Cleo Coyle delivers a knock-out story that I could not put down until the last page was read.

In this well-written and fast-paced drama, this mystery comes alive when one of the Village Blend customers becomes entangled in a long-ago history that has present day consequences. There’s so much going on, from the slow customer flow to recreating the writer’s lounge to Mr. Scrib’s place and the surprise that was there to the author with a secret to the connections and finally to the murder, it was all so chaotic, and I loved it. The more I read, the more immersed I became in this action-packed tale and when it became apparent that someone was willing to harm people, Clare and her friends had to figure out who was doing what to whom and why, based on the clues that were presented. With a few misfires and some precarious situations, pieces began to fall into place, and it all came together when there was only person left standing — the killer. There were also several laugh-out loud moments including scenes with Esther meeting Wacker and socializing at Addy’s house. Too funny.

Overall, this was one of the best books in this endearing series as well as a terrific read that showcased the local color of the village in this delightfully engaging whodunit.

Series Name: A Coffeehouse Mystery ~ Book 21
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: April 1, 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Book Synopsis:
When the Village Blend opens a Writer’s Block Lounge, a cold case crime turns up the heat on Clare and her crew in this gripping new entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won’t survive if she doesn’t sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend’s customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer’s Block Lounge is born.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop’s second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward…

Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day.

Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest.

Includes a knockout menu of recipes.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.