Novel
I love Herman Melvlle’s Moby Dick. It’s a great adventure story, a profound morality tale, and a scientific study and poetic celebration of the whale. As I have never been on a whaling ship, I chose a subject closer to home and within my field of knowledge: coffee.
The Coffee Connection
Months after 9/11, New Yorkers are still on edge when there's a break-in at The Coffee Connection, a Brooklyn Heights café with a diverse clientele. Is this a random crime or was it committed by someone closer to the café? Suspects include Jack Healy, the shady real estate tycoon who owns the place; David Goldman, the Israeli who manages it during the day; Habib el-Kader, the Moroccan who manages at night; and Jerry McGovern, Healy's not-very-bright nephew who takes over on weekends. While the customers speculate and the police investigate, mysterious events pile up. In the meantime, one of the coffeehouse regulars, Drew Mason, is writing about his own obsession in The Almost Complete History of Coffee, which sets the events happening in The Coffee Connection against the larger story of coffee throughout the ages.
Pages
222 Pages
Language
English
Publisher
Austin Macauley
What The Reviewers Say...
... the subtlety with which Simmons reveals the characters’ inclinations and biases proves her to be a delicate and perceptive writer… A contemplative representation of the public attitude and cultural atmosphere in the wake of 9/11.
Kirkus Reviews
A beautiful piece of fine literature. I am a coffeehouse camper and I also enjoy being around people who eventually become friends. This novel is a true coffeehouse classic, and a true reflection of the American soul.
Amazon Customer
The Coffee Connection is an intriguing mystery that is full of the unexpected. A story of heartbreak, grief, and second chances mixed in with a mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you second-guessing until the surprise ending. Simmons pulls you in from the beginning with a writing style that grabs your attention and holds on with many surprises along the way. A heartfelt story that is sure to stay with you long after reading.
Lovely Loveday
I received this book to read for free for an honest review. It's a great story. I've had an enjoyable time reading it, very well written and interesting. I would definitely recommend it!
M Vivace
If you are a reader who enjoys sitting back with a cup of coffee and a good mystery, The Coffee Connection by Paulanne Simmons offers a bonus: a novel about a mystery connected with the history of coffee. What more could you want?
Lauren Yarger, Theaterlife
Paulanne Simmons’ The Coffee Connection is a great read, full of relationship insight delivered with humor by a writer who should be anointed Master of Metaphor, the long and fascinating history of coffee thrown in as a big plus.
Jeff Robbins