As the story opens, Clare's biggest problem is convincing her business partner and former husband Matteo (Matt) Allegro of the wisdom of Village Blend's newest investment; a food and coffee truck called Muffin Muse. All that shifts when a speeding van fells her friend and colleague Lilly Beth Tanga before her eyes.

When Detective 'Mad Max' Buckman of the NYC Accident Investigation Squad deems the incident foul play, Clare is not surprised.

Lilly had been an extremely vocal opponent to the abominable nutrition found aboard most food trucks, especially when the companies running them brought their poison to the schoolyard. One of the worst offenders, Kaylie Crimini and her obnoxious Kupcake Kart has declared war on the Village Blend. Could Lilly have been a casualty of culinary conflict?

Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mystery series is among the best of the foodie/cozy mystery genre and A BREW TO A KILL is no exception. For those familiar with the series it provides a contented visit with old friends. If this is your first foray into the Coffeehouse Mystery series that's just fine and dandy too. As always it can be a richer, deeper experience if you have read much of the back story before picking up the latest but Coyle manages to pull off the difficult balance of pleasing faithful fans while bringing those new to her work up to speed in an entertaining fashion. Each book can and does stand on its own.

I think what I enjoyed most was the glimpse of New York City from an insiders point of view. Coyle's vivid use of place made the city almost another character. Book eleven in the series, A BREW TO A KILL provides a very pleasant, undemanding read threaded with a fascinating mystery, plus more than twenty mouth-watering recipes to keep the enjoyment going for some time to come.