One can never go wrong with a good cup of coffee. Even a bad cup will do in a pinch. I read another Anita Blake novel before getting to my regular kind of murder mystery. There wasn’t much talk of coffee in Narcissus in Chains, but it was soothing all the same (in a high-action, no rest for the good, one disaster after another kind of way).
I’ve enjoyed dipping into this coffeehouse murder mystery series by Cleo Coyle from time to time. Claire is an easy character to trust on the case and her humor keeps the tension light.
The wealth of knowledge is seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the story. Just enough background on architecture, fashion, cuisine, culture, events, coffee, and more to keep you in the know and the story moving.
The misdirection is wonderfully done. Following the trail of clues as they come. I love the opening from the killer’s perspective. You feel like you’ve been given a helpful hint, but really it makes everyone sound like a suspect. Even if you figure it all out before the end, the big reveal throws in a few more twists to keep it exciting.
As I get older, the characters like Claire, who are reliable, relaxed, and know just how to diffuse an explosive situation are definitely my comfort characters. The kind who have learned from life. Who can be completely out of their depth and still find a way to be successful.
Cheers to another romp of a coffeehouse murder mystery.
The Accidental Domestic Goddess 