Latte Trouble

By: Cleo Coyle

Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

To Clare Cosi's surprise, this fall's hottest fashion trend is anything caffeinated - because designer Lottie Harmon, a loyal coffeehouse customer, has just created an ingenious collection of coffee-inspired fashion accessories. So naturally Lottie chooses the Village Blend as the perfect backdrop for fall Fashion Week insiders to view her new line of "Java Jewelry." When barista Tucker unwittingly serves a poisonous latte to a prominent figure on the fashion scene, Clare suspects that the real target may have been Lottie. Now she must protect her thriving business from negative publicity, Lottie from further danger, and Tucker from murder charges - even if it means jolting the fashion world with some shocking secrets.…

©2005 The Berkley Publishing Group. All rights reserved. (P)2011 AudioGo

Fun mystery centered around coffee & Fashion Week!

I really enjoy these coffee shop mysteries because they have the fun of cozies with a greater depth of characterization then most cozies, and they are filled with so many interesting facts about coffee, New York, and whatever subject matter that each book is centered around. In this third in the series, the glamor and competitiveness of the fashion world becomes the center focus.

The Village Blend coffee shop is hosting a party for Fashion Week near Bryant Park. All the rich, famous and beautiful people have come to mingle and drink expertly blended coffee. But when a cup of Clare Cosi's coffee is shared by two men and one drops dead and the other one is rushed to the hospital barely breathing, Clare's friend and favorite barista is arraigned for the murder. Once again Clare and her ex-husband and business partner go to work to prove his innocence. In this book, her rich , French mother-in-law is also enlisted by Clare because of her influence in this fashion world business set.

The fashion world and entrepreneurs of other businesses all become potential suspects making the mystery interesting right up until the final solution. Clare and her family also become more familiar and interesting in every book. This is definitely one of my favorite cozy mystery series!

9 people found this helpful

good clean mystery

entertaining and clean. I could listen to this with my teenage kids in the car. I know a lot of people were complaining about the amount of time she spends describing coffee, but I enjoyed that and I am not really a coffee drinker.

6 people found this helpful

Grammar police

If you could sum up Latte Trouble in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, Informative, Engrossing

What other book might you compare Latte Trouble to and why?

Susan Conant, "Bite of Death" series
Serious subject, serious crimes, but with humor, likable characters, and personal relationships entwined

What does Rebecca Gibel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

her accents and voices are great!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Enjoying this series so far, and I am NOT a coffee lover!

Any additional comments?

( Ms. Coyle needs to review use of I/me - the misuse occurred 3 - 4 times in this book alone.......)

4 people found this helpful

Great 'lil mystery!

Nice little story, cute characters. It's a great listen to pass the time with. Great narrator too. I liked it very much!

4 people found this helpful

Great Series

Would you consider the audio edition of Latte Trouble to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version, but I prefer audio books in general.

What does Rebecca Gibel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Personality of each character is made more real through the narrators voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It would be great to have the opportunity to listen to it in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Love Cleo Coyles Coffee House series.

4 people found this helpful

What a Delightful Romp

What made the experience of listening to Latte Trouble the most enjoyable?

I loved the main character of Claire trying to solve a murder mystery, being as she is only a coffee shop owner. Reminds me a lot of Goldie in the Diane Mott Davidson's series. The writing of Cleo Coyle was smooth, fast paced and totally kept my interest. This book had it all, mystery, romance and comedy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Latte Trouble?

My favorite moments were the times Claire spent with her ex mother-in-law. I love old characters that are crafty and out smart all the youngsters.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Gibel’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't remember if I have but will definitely find more of her narrations. Her voice really made the story come to life, making it seemed that I could see it like a movie in my mind.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did. Loved the audio and will look forward to listening to more of Cleo's books in this series.

3 people found this helpful

Really Enjoyed

Good story line, Good character to reader involvement. Good performance of individual characters and emotions.

1 person found this helpful

Coffee with a friend is the best therapy!

The experience of listening to this story made me realize how much can happen over a cup of coffee. It was so much more of just a tale of the lives of many people. It proves how much a cup of coffee brings people & their lives together.

1 person found this helpful

Super Fun

This book was super fun to listen to as it combines my love of cozy mysteries and a fashion story line.

1 person found this helpful

It's fall fashion week in Manhattan

The third coffee house mystery was an intriguing trip through the various facets of the fall Fashion Week in Manhattan. One of the most famous and accomplished designers literally designed her new line of jewelry based on the coffee bean while visiting the Village Blend coffee house. Lotte Harmon insisted on opening the show at the Village Blend.

The show's debut was a huge success with patrons squeezing into every available nook. Customers out numbered staff, so a special drink was prepared with soy and destined for Lotte Harmon. It was a disaster when another thirsty customer swiped her drink from the serving tray. He took a large swig and began to turn pink, convulse, and died in rapid succession. The victim's mate also had a sip, but CPR was begun and an ambulance called, so he never got completely oxygen deprived.

Was this a deliberate poisoning? Who was the intended victim? Lotte or the man who died? And who added the poison to the drink? Cops circled the scene and focused on Tucker, the barista who made the drink and attempted to serve it to Miss Harmon. Clare Cosi, manager of the blend doubted Tucker was guilty but had no alibi to prove his innocence. Tucker was sent to Ryker's Island prison for safekeeping.

Clare quickly began her own investigation. She went with a disguise and the owner of The Blend to a formal reception on a business rival's yacht all a twitter about Lotte's return to build her line again. Clare's ex-husband Matte ended up in a fight on the yacht, pointing out another suspect.

Clare kept believing in Tucker and continued building her case. Answers were unexpected and the ties between them also surprising. The suspects had been alluded to early in the story yet it was done so casually and slipped in so well that I easily forgot the solution right in front of me! A very enjoyable and recommended read.

1 person found this helpful