A Shot in the Dark

◊ A SHOT IN THE DARK by Cleo Coyle

◊ Series: A Coffeehouse Mystery, Book 17

◊ Hardcover: 352 pages

◊ Genre:  Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Publisher: Berkley (April 17, 2018)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0451488849

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451488848

SYNOPSIS:

From Cleo Coyle, the New York Times bestselling author of Dead Cold Brew, comes a delicious new entry in the "fun and gripping" (The Huffington Post) Coffeehouse Mysteries.

          A new smartphone dating game turns the Village Blend into a hookup hot spot, until one dark night, when a gunshot leaves a dead body behind and the landmark coffeehouse becomes the center of a whole new scene--a crime scene.  

As Village Blend manager Clare Cosi attempts to finalize a date for her wedding, her ex-husband becomes addicted to making dates through smartphone swipes. Clare has mixed feelings about these quickie matchups happening in her coffeehouse. Even her octogenarian employer is selecting suitors by screenshot! But business is booming, and Clare works hard to keep the espresso shots flowing. Then one dark night, another kind of shot leaves a dead body for her to find. 

The corpse is a successful entrepreneur who became notorious for his "hit it and quit it" behavior: prowling for women on dating apps, then devastating his conquests with morning-after insults. Though the NYPD quickly arrests one of his recent victims, Clare finds reason to believe she's been framed. 

Now, with the help of her ex and crew of quirky baristas, Clare starts "swiping" through suspects in her own shop, determined to find the real killer before another shot rings out.

Includes a bang-up menu of tempting recipes.

Just when you can’t envision what the next adventure protagonist Clare Cosi will encounter, author Cleo Coyle will surprise you by taking you on a roller coast ride of thrillers.

Keeping the series and the characters fresh and current with the times, the author combines social media, smartphone dating, and murder for a fascinating read in the latest release. The story moves at a good pace and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The author blends the story so that new readers aren’t left wondering if they are missing something. At the same time, returning fans can enjoy catching up without having too much back story to bore them. This 17^th installment in the series can be read as a standalone.

The author’s talent for merging the cast of favorite characters with new individuals keeps the series and each new story energized. Incorporating aspects of daily life readers can relate to enhances the story and gives it depth.

You can’t help but get up caught up in the excitement and feel the adrenaline rush as Clare, aided by her family and friends, does what she does best – get to the heart of the case no matter the risk.

The core case of characters is realistic and likable. The protagonist is strong, independent, determined with traits and faults readers adore. An added bonus, numerous recipes and coffee tips can be found at the end of the story.

A SHOT IN THE DARK is a tantalizing murder mystery filled with suspense, fun and intrigue. You don’t have to love coffee to enjoy this spellbinding mystery.

A Shot in the Dark by Cleo Coyle, A Coffeehouse Mystery (Book #17), Berkley, @2018, ISBN: 978-0451488848, Hardcover, 352 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to stop back on May 6^th when author Cleo Coyle will be visiting Thoughts in Progress to talk more about this fascinating book. Have you read any of the Coffeehouse Mystery series? What are your thoughts on dating through social media?