Search - Decaffeinated Corpse (Coffehouse #5)

Hurray! Everyone is back in Manhattan at the Village Blend again (which is where this series belongs) and bodies are dropping from the balconies. A new decaffeinated bean has been developed by an old friend of Matteo's and someone seems determined to stop it's launch. Some new faces join the familiar baristas, several personal plotlines are advanced for series fans and the trivia in this installment focuses on the cultivation and hybridization of coffee varieties. There was a tiny bit of cheating in late introduction of hints, but the pace and tone of the story was smooth enough that it was forgiveable.

I've read all of the coffee house mysteries so far and this was my least favorite. I had a hard time finishing this one; it just didn't have much going for it. The plot was weak and not very entertaining. I hope to find the next book "French Pressed" back up to par with the first four.

I found the following description while checking the internet...
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At the Village Blend, Clare Cosi’s best baristas may refer to a decaffeinated espresso as a “why bother?”, but Clare knows a good percentage of her customers prefer the neutered brew. So when Ric Gostwick, a charismatically handsome Brazilian, develops the world’s first botanically decaffeinated coffee plant, Clare can see why Matt (her ex-husband and business partner) gets into bed with the deal.

Unfortunately, Ric is also getting into bed with more than one woman. And when an attempted murder happens right outside the Blend’s back door, Clare suspects more than Ric’s revolutionary new plant has its roots in some dirt.

As she begins to investigate Ric’s background and business connections, a trail of clues leads to a pile up of casualties and an international roster of suspects. Now Clare knows she’s got to find the murderer before one of her near and dears takes a fall. Otherwise, her latest addition to the Village Blend menu will prove to be a real buzz killer.

Love this story line. Some nice twists.. Matt and Madame helping out this time and even Mike .. Can't wait till the next one!