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French Pressed: A Coffeehouse Mystery by Cleo Coyle
Cover Artist: Cathy Gedron
Review by Gayle Surrette
Berkley Paperback  ISBN/ITEM#: 9780425220498
Date: 01 April 2008 List Price $6.99 Amazon US /

Links: Author Interview / Show Official Info /

Things are back to normal at the Village Blend, Clare is taking a wait-and-see attitude to her daughter Joy's affair with chef Tommy Keitel, a married man thrice Joy's age. But, after Clare and Madame dine at Kietel's restraurant, Clare goes back to the kitchen to talk to Joy and hears an argument, then Joy's voice, and manages to just make it in time to keep Joy from being stabbed by the executive sous-chef Brigitte. Brigitte storms out and Joy assures her mother that everything will be fine. Clare has her doubts and starts to develop a plan that will allow her to put in some time at the restaurant -- after all the restaurant's coffee taste like dishwater. At least that was the plan until Joy finds a coworker dead and is suspected of the murder.

More by Cleo Coyle:
Coffee House Mysteries:
On What Grounds
Through the Grinder
Latte Trouble
Murder Most Frothy
Decaffeinated Corpse

Once again, Clare needs to come to the aid of her daughter. However, the difference this time is that everyone has changed over the course of the books. Joy is older and more mature. Clare is learning that to love a child who is grown, you have to learn to let go. And of course dating a homicide detective doesn't hurt either.

There's the usual interplay between the major characters: Madam, Clare, Joy, Matteo, and Mike. We also learn more about Ester Best, one of the Blend's baristas. There's a very twisty multi-layered murder mystery. And, of course, there is lots of information about coffee and the behind the scenes running of a professional kitchen in a high-class restaurant/bistro.

Coyle again entertain, informs, and challenges the reader with her mystery. The clues are all there in the open but we need the knowledge to put them together. The ins and outs of the restaurant business are what we need to put it all together and still there are a few surprise turns and twists.

The recipes in this book include: Raspberry Coulis, Chocolate Pots de Créme, Nick Vlachek's Borscht, Coq au Vin, Clare's Cornbread. I actually made the cornbread and it's very taste and not too dry, with a nice texture.

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