Some people like their coffee black as the death, strong as death, and sweet as love.

Clara Brunante, former ethics advisor for a raw materials trading company, tries to start afresh with her son after a suicide attempt. One morning, the police discover the body of Casper Mud. A few days later, at the G10 summit, the special advisor to the French president kills himself. Both men once worked with Clara. Soon another former colleague is found dead and a famous coffee wholesaler murdered. Each one had a coffee cherry with an ampersand etched into it.
The CEO panics and calls Clara for help. From France to Brazil, by way of the U.S., Vietnam, Italiy, and Ethiopia, a treasure hunt is soon afoot.