A Brew to a Kill

June 11, 2012
The pseudonymous Coyle (the wife-husband writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini) lavishly details an ethnically diverse New York City in her lively 11th coffeehouse mystery featuring Clare Cosi (after 2011’s Murder by Mocha). When a hit-and-run driver grievously injures Lilly Beth Tanga, Clare’s Filipina business associate, in front of Clare’s coffeehouse, the Village Blend, Clare figures the perp must be their arch-rival Kaylie Crimini, the abrasive and pugnacious owner of a competing food truck. But as quick-acting accident investigation squad member “Mad Max” Buckman cogently reasons, the intended victim was most likely Clare herself. As Clare utilizes her multitalented group of friends—baristas, politicians, cyclists—to find out who wants her dead, she slowly uncovers a fiendish plot involving some Brazilian drug lords. Compensating for the occasional lapses in logic is an addendum of tempting recipes mentioned in the story, including one for homemade Nutella. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency.