Brewed Awakening by Cleo Coyle

This is a post that I should have shared with you early last month but due to sickness in the family (I’ll talk about that in a later post), crazy work schedules and the holidays I’m running a month behind.

*BREWED AWAKENING

*By Cleo Coyle

*Series: A Coffeehouse Mystery (Book 18)

*Hardcover: 368 pages

*Publisher: Berkley (December 3, 2019)

*Language: English

*ISBN-10: 0451488873

*ISBN-13: 978-0451488879

First, let me share a synopsis of the story:

When coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi awakens on a bench in Washington Square Park, she has no idea she's been missing for days, or that her friends and family have been frantic with worry. Now that she's back, everyone is overjoyed, including a handsome NYPD detective who claims to be her fiancé. But to Mike Quinn's crushing distress, Clare doesn't remember him, or much of anything about the last fifteen years of her life.

Clare's missing memory is tied to a crime she witnessed. An acquaintance of Clare's elegant employer--and fellow member of an exclusive Gotham circle known as "The Ladies Who Brunch"--invited Clare to her posh hotel to sample gourmet wedding cakes. After their indulgent tasting, they headed to the parking garage, where a camera captured a masked figure with a gun confronting the hotel heiress with Clare looking on. Did the kidnapper take Clare, too? The camera went dark, just like Clare's memory. Soon authorities grow suspicious. Is Clare really a victim? Or merely acting like one? Evidence is mounting that she set the woman up.

To clear her name, Clare must find a way to reclaim her memories and rescue the heiress before this high-stakes crime ends in tragedy. Otherwise, instead of walking down the aisle, Clare may find herself perp-walking to prison as an accomplice to kidnapping and murder.

Now for my thoughts:

Tackling realistic issues and adding a dose of mystery topped off with delicious recipes is what this author does with creative writing and fascinating characters.

Just when you might think a long-running series could begin to get stale, the author takes you on an intriguing journey fraught with twists, turns and surprises. Readers get an in-depth look at the characters as they traverse through danger and mystery. The plot might also give you pause to wonder what if you were in protagonist Clare Cosi’s place.

As the story unfolds readers are drawn into the world of the protagonist who has lost her short-term memory. Told from multiple viewpoints, the story is filled with humor, intrigue, alluring characters (old and new) and a well-rounded tale of excitement. The family atmosphere of The Village Blend is felt as the group tries to help Clare each in their own unique way. The colorful and quirky characters that make up the coffeehouse add depth to the story. Whether you are a returning fan or new to the series, you can follow along as the story unfolds.

Fast-pace and entertaining, this story will hold you spellbound from beginning to end. An extra bonus to the plot’s drama is the tasty recipes and helpful tips included at the end. You don’t have to be a coffee lover to enjoy this book (and the series), just a fan of heart-pounding murder mysteries.

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I'd like to say a special thanks to Author Cleo Coyle (the writing team of husband and wife, Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini) for the opportunity to read this delightful book. I've been a huge fan of the Coffeehouse Mysteries since the first book and have learned so much about coffee and preparing it. Thanks guys, y'all are the best!

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you’ll add this to your reading list for January if you haven’t already read it. Do you enjoy books that make you stop and say, “Wow, what would I do if that happened to me”?