HOLIDAY BUZZ by Cleo Coyle

Publisher:     Berkley

Published:     August 4, 2012

ISBN:       978-0425255353

Genre:      Cozy Mystery

Format:    Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

With Christmas just around the corner, Village Blend manager, Clare Cosi, is busy preparing for the season with an array of festive coffees in the landmark coffee house.  She’s also brought some fabulous new pastries on board and this year she’s participating in several cookie swaps.  Among them are several important fund raisers.  When one of the bakers, who goes by just the initial M, scheduled to help her disappears in the middle of the coffee swap at first Clare thinks she is just flaky.  Unfortunately Clare soon discovers M’s body lying on an abandoned carousel.  Not long after the rumors of a Christmas stalker roaming the streets emerges along with some other attacks.  With boyfriend Mike Quinn on assignment in Washington, D.C., Clare is pretty much on her own tracking down a killer before he attacks again.

Some new characters are introduced in book 12, HOLIDAY BUZZ of Cleo Coyle’s Coffee House series as well as the return of some other regulars.  One of the things I’ve enjoyed about this series is that all of the characters progress, grow over time.  None are stagnant making them part of the action rather than just propping up the main character.  I also like that Clare continues to become stronger and more sure of herself in each book.  She’s bright and engaging, learns from her mistakes and continue to have a big heart no matter what is going on around her.

The mystery in this one had some wonderful twist and turns before the killer was revealed. 

Each book in this series is a standalone and you do not have to read them in order but I do recommend you do if for no other reason to see and enjoy each character’s development over time.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.