In the first two books in the Coffeehouse Mysteries, the action is set in cosmopolitan New York City. This story takes a summer break: Claire Cosi is helping a friend get his (coffee-centered!) restaurant started in the Hamptons, at the end of ritzy Long Island, and living in David's house (mansion, more like) along with her daughter and boss/ex-mother-in-law. During the Fourth of July party, one of the restaurant employees is shot to death... and Claire is certain David was the target. The police don't agree. Naturally, she feels compelled to find out the truth.

This is book #4 of the Coffeehouse Mystery series.

While I've quite enjoyed the earlier books in this series, this one falls flat. It didn't hold my interest and the Hamptons just seemed vapid. This mystery just feels too improbable with too many plots layering at once. I will continue reading this series, but hope they return to the earlier charm.