by Taye Foster Bradshaw

Created on: January 31, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

During the lazy, hazy days of winter I like to read something light and fun. I like to do this reading snuggled under a cozy blanket or a Snuggli and sip one of my classic vanilla lattes or peppermint white mochas. A recent little indoor escape didn't leave me disappointed as if I had just ingested a cup of grocery store coffee. No, this little venture was smooth and satisfying.

The book I picked up for this occasion was Espresso Shot. It is a Coffeehouse Mystery series by internet java-diva, New Yorker, coffee lover, and writer, Cleo Coyle.

Photo of the book courtesy of her websiteCurrently a bestseller

As I'm not a big follower of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association or really mysteries for that matter, this author and her work is entirely new to me.

If you've read my other writing, The Musings of a Latte Queen, you will know that I absolutely love coffee. There is something magical about the aroma in the morning and seeing the crema form as this soothing brown wonder flows from my Breville. This is on the list for whenever I take my last breath, I want vanilla lattes served at my repass! It is that serious with me.

Equally serious is my love of independent coffee houses and my disdain for Starbucks and anything at all like corporate coffee shops. I love the intimacy, familiarity, and atmosphere of my local favorites like STL Java & Cafe' out in Florissant or Kaldi's here in Kirkwood. I love the stuff. That is probably the reason why I was attracted to the book in the first place. It brought my love of reading with my love of espresso drinks together, what better way to enjoy two weeks of Christmas break!

The cover intrigued me and honestly, anything fiction related to coffee piques my interest. I purchased the book at Pudd'n'Head Books in Webster Groves. It looked like it would be fun.

Cleo doesn't disappoint. It is a good and delightful book. I enjoyed meeting Clare Cosi and her dashing ex-husband, Matteo Allegro. I fell in love with the many coffee and espresso recipes and use of the lingo. I learned a thing or two about New York's underground restaurants and some dining pleasures. She included some recipes for the food served at Breanne Summour's wedding dinner parties and I may give a couple of them a try.

There were many twists and turns in this mystery novel about a fake socialite who reinvented herself as a mover and shaker in New York's competitive magazine publishing scene. She was about the marry Clare Cosi's ex-husband, a traveling coffee

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