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Book Review of French Pressed (Coffeehouse, Bk 6)

French Pressed (Coffeehouse, Bk 6)
beadnread avatar reviewed on + 45 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7


I have loved every single Coffeehouse Mystery, and French Pressed, the sixth installment, is no exception. It draws the reader in immediately by starting out from the perspective of a killer - a technique which is highly effective and very chilling - a killer who commits murder before the end of the prologue. Tension continues to mount from here.

Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, and Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro Dubois (Madame for short), Clare's ex-mother-in-law and owner of the Blend, are enjoying dinner at Solange, the 4-star restaurant in Manhattan where Joy, Clare's only child, just happens to be working as part of her culinary school internship. As Cleo Coyle fans already know, Joy is carrying on an inappropriate relationship with Solange's much older and married Executive Chef, Tommy Keitel, much to her mother's and grandmother's consternation. After dinner, which ended with some extremely bad coffee, Clare visits the kitchen and witnesses one of the chefs physically threatening her daughter - an act that seems even more ominous when Joy later discovers the body of one of her fellow interns.

At the suggestion of Clare's friend, Detective Mike Quinn, Clare comes up with a plan that might gain her entree into Solange's kitchen so she can try to figure out what's going on. Despite Clare and Detective Quinn's best efforts, however, the bodies continue to pile up. Also, in addition to the plot dealing with Solange and Clare's daughter, Detective Quinn encourages Clare's involvement in an investigation of his own.

I have to say that in addition to everything else, I'm VERY pleased with the direction Clare is moving in her personal life. Despite Madame's best efforts, Clare is determined to be responsible for her own happiness. You go, girl!

The ending is especially intriguing, and makes me more than a little anxious to see what will transpire in book seven! Can't wait!

Carol Ann H. 4/28/2008