Holiday party at work. Board meeting. And, other excuses for “busyness”. I’m glad Sandie Herron is
willing to fill in now and then with “Have You Heard?”
“Have You Heard?” is a new column featured only on Lesa’s Book Critiques. It features many reviews of audiobooks (fiction, with a concentration in mysteries) but these reviews will include recent and past books for an interesting mixture of titles. Content is usually written by Sandie Herron. The column is published sporadically, so you’ll want to watch for it!
Before I turn today’s column over to Sandie, I’ll mention news from Cleo Coyle. Their new Coffeehouse Mystery, Dead Cold Brew, will be released Jan. 10, 2017 in print, digital and audio, and has been selected as an offering of the Mystery Guild. Watch for my review of that! In the meantime, I’ll turn this over to Sandie for her review of the second Coffeehouse Mystery in audio, Through the Grinder.
*****
Through the Grinder
By Cleo Coyle, Narrated by Rebecca Gibel
Unabridged Audiobook, Listening Length: 8 hours and 13 minutes
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Audible.com Release Date: September 15, 2011
ASIN: B005N51JDO
Though the Grinder is the second book in the Coffee House mystery series, it was more than a cozy mystery; it was humor, suspense, romance, and more.
Clare Cosi was managing the Village Blend one evening when she decided to sit in on the weekly dating group meeting to oversee her daughter Joy’s participation. She met a different man every five minutes and was encouraged to make three dates. She felt most of the 20 men were not desirable except for one man — Bruce Bowman.
Unfortunately the woman Bruce left with was found dead, a suspected suicide. Clare’s friend Detective Mike Quinn says it was murder, and she was pushed. He has tied this case to the supposed suicide of another Village Blend regular pushed onto the subway tracks. Then another customer was run over by a sanitation truck. Misstep or murder?
Clare has been getting to know Bruce and quickly falling in love. She begins her own investigation when Det. Quinn names his suspect, none other than Bruce!
Many plot lines twisted together, and many facts are shared between the deaths. Clare’s search tied together several more details. I need to comment on how well Cleo Coyle slips in facts on New York City and other subjects. This could become too heavy handed, but she does use restraint. When she explains how to make cappuccino on Bruce’s new expresso machine, the innuendo had my husband and me tied in knots as we laughed out loud over the audio book.
This was an excellent entry in the series, a wonderful sophomore effort. I would never have guessed this was only book two. I am very much looking forward to reading Coyle’s entire series.
I had forgotten this was coming out. Just put on hold at the library.
Oh, glad I reminded you, Sandy!
If you enjoy a bit of light-heartedness to your mystery, I would say this is a good example. I mentioned the scene where Clare explains how to make cappuccino to Bruce in my review. It truly was hysterically funny as she began with a bit of sexual innuendo. Remember, she had the hots for Bruce. Then she progressed to the final steps of making a good cup of joe. Excellent directions, by the way, if you can stop laughing long enough to follow them. 🙂 Sandie
I have a 5 hour drive this weekend and a return trip on Tuesday. This sounds perfect! I checked my library and they have this book and the first book in the series too. I will pick up both. Thank you!
I love this series!! Thank you!
What impressed me with book one was. It Never felt like book one in the series. Polished from the start!!!!!! I love them all!!!