Only Murders in Gotham, the smash-hit streaming program, is famous for filming in authentic New York locations and using real New Yorkers as extras. For its second season, they’ve chosen to spotlight the century-old Village Blend and its quirky crew of baristas. Shop manager and master roaster Clare Cosi is beyond thrilled, especially when her superb bulletproof coffee lands her a craft services contract for the production.
Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the landmark shop, reveals an old kinship with the star of the show, comedian Jerry Sullivan. Now a Hollywood legend, Jerry frequented the Blend during his early years performing in Greenwich Village comedy clubs. But the past may hold more than nostalgia for Jerry. Suspicious accidents begin plaguing his shoot. Then a real bullet is fired from a stage gun, and Clare becomes convinced something sinister is afoot.
While Jerry’s production moves to exciting new locations, Clare keeps the coffee flowing—and her investigation going—even as a murderer lurks in the wings. But can she root out the rotten player in this Big Apple production before the lights go out on her? Includes a stellar menu of surefire recipes.
Release Date: Nov 14, 2023
Series:Â A Coffeehouse Mystery
Book:Â 20
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $14.99
Clare Cosi manages the Village Blend coffee shop in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, along with her ex-husband Matt Allegro. She is excited that a local television series will be filming in the coffee shop. She’s excited to meet the star of the show who she has admired for a long time and also for the publicity it could bring to Village Blend. However, Clare soon learns that the set has been plagued with difficulties which may or may not have been accidents. However, when one of her employees has a near miss when the latest “accident” almost turns deadly, Clare is determined to get to the truth of these incidents before anyone else gets hurt.
Bulletproof Barista is the twentieth book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series but is accessible to readers who are new to the series. Because of the emphasis on the television shoot, this book stands on its own more than others in the series that I’ve read. The TV show being filmed is called Only Murders in Gotham and the two stars resemble those from the real show Only Murders in the Building, but their personalities are different from the real-life actors, and the show they’re filming is different as well.
Clare is smart and is good at knowing what questions to ask to get the information needed to help solve the case. However, at one point, her sleuthing crosses a line and it’s her sometimes impulsive ex-husband who has to be the voice of reason and pull her back. In spite of this Clare is a good amateur detective and a caring employer, which makes her likable. I really like it when she teams up with Matt. I like their friendship, the way they work together, their banter, and the chemistry that is still there when they’re together. Matt made a lot of mistakes in the past, but he seems to have changed and I really like him. I wish I felt the same about Clare’s fiance, Mike Quinn. As an NYPD detective, Mike is busy a lot so doesn’t play much of a role in the investigation. There is a spark between Mike and Clare, but I’m not seeing much more than their physical relationship. I hope Mike either does something to show he’s there for Clare in all areas of her life, then I wish she would consider reconciling with Matt! Leaving Clare’s personal life aside, the investigation comes to a dramatic conclusion. I was completely wrong about who I had pegged as the killer. I enjoyed the ending, which was followed by several delicious-sounding recipes.
~ Christine
Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google Play