Latte Trouble
Cleo Coyle
Berkley, August 2005, $6.99, 256 pp.
ISBN 0425204456

Although Clare Cosi and Matteo Allegro have been divorced for years due to his former cocaine habit and his numerous infidelities they are co-managers of the historically famous Village Blend Coffeehouse. Eventually they will buy out then shares owned by Matteo's mother and own it outright. Right now business is brisk as they host a party by fashion accessories designer Lottie Harmon who is making a come back after closing down the business in the eighties.

Coffee Barista Tucker Burton is upset that his ex-lover Ricki Flatt is there with another man. He makes a nasty comment that is heard by many of the partners and then has the waitress deliver coffee to Lottie but Ricky and his date drink it instead. They both keel over and Ricky dies, the victim of cyanide poison and his partner is rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Tucker is immediately arrested while Clare vows to investigate until she unmasks the real killer so he can be freed.

Cleo Coyle follows up the success of her first mystery THROUGH THE GRINDER with another delightfully percolating and exciting mystery. The strength of this series lies in the characters who are drawn true to life so readers find them believable. This enriches the credibility of the storyline. The heroine is amusing of times as she tries to fight her attraction for her ex-husband who she knows will never change.

Harriet Klausner