Review of Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle

From the publisher of Honey Roasted

While struggling to find a romantic (and affordable) destination for her upcoming honeymoon, coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi whips up a honey of a drink made from honey-processed coffee. Clare plans to serve her outstanding new Honey-Cinnamon Latte at her spring wedding to her longtime honey, NYPD detective Mike Quinn. The culinary world is also abuzz about the amazing honey that Clare was lucky enough to source for her shop’s new latte. Produced by Madame’s old friend “Queen” Bea Hastings, the rare, prize-winning nectar from Bea’s rooftop hives commands a premium price, and top chefs compete for a chance to use it in their signature seasonal dishes.

One night, a swarm of escaped bees blanket the Village Blend’s chimney, and Clare discovers Bea’s unconscious body after she seemingly fell from her high-rise rooftop-hive setup. The police want to rule it as a tragic accident or possible attempted suicide, but Clare does not believe either theory. Like Madame, she knows this Queen would never abandon her hive. To sort out this mystery, Clare investigates a world of cutthroat chefs, culinary start-ups, and competitive urban beekeepers. But can she uncover the truth without getting stung?

My review

This mystery is all abuzz with bee-info, suspects, and clever clues. I loved all the details about bees and how they are being raised in New York City. (Never saw that one coming). While there were a couple of times when the details slowed the story a bit, overall this was a fascinating subject for this cozy mystery. 

The story is filled with quirky characters, twists and turns, and even a little drama. Clever plotting kept the story moving and the killer’s identity secret until near the end. If you love mysteries, coffee, or just want to learn a little about bees, this one’s for you. 

FTC Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by its publisher.

Learn more about Cleo Coyle at www.coffeehousemystery.com. Want more author news? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.