On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, #1)

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On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery #1)

by Cleo Coyle (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 4,311 ratings · 469 reviews

Introducing a delightful new series featuring Clare Cosi, manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse...

Clare arrives at work to discover the assistant manager dead in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Two detectives investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Still, Clare is not convinced. A...more

Mass Market Paperback, 275 pages

Published September 2nd 2003 by Berkley (first published September 1st 2003)

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Community Reviews

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Apr 27, 2013 Lisa Kay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: authors-c, challenge-double-decker, 2013-rlftci-group-challenge, challenge-nbrc-tower, genre-mystery-cozy, genre-mystery-culinary, m-pb-paperback, xyzcover-food-drink, new-2-me-author, animal-cat-in-story, setting-usa-new-york, character-male-q, vocation-man-in-uniform-or-w-badge

★★★★☆ I really enjoyed this one by a “new-2-me-author.” It was well written, fast-paced, and held my attention through-out. It conveyed the ambiance of a Greenwich Village coffee house. And I learned a few things about coffee. ☺ There is the obligatory “love interest” triangle, but it wasn’t over the top and even that had a nice twist. I’ll definitely continue the series.

P.S. It also satisfied several challenges, namely CaroB’s frustrating “double-decker” – since the author’s first and last name...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jul 12, 2008 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm sorry but these books are mochas for the mind [yes, I DID write that!] and I LOVE them for the total frothy foam brain-fluff that they are. (OK, seriously. I'm done).

21 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2011 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars

Owning, running, managing a self owned business is never easy but things get even more stirred up when a local coffee shop girl ends up at the bottom of the basement steps. The new manger with some involved history in the shop (her ex husbands family owns it) finds herself doing some mystery solving. The police depart while helpful is more set in placing the fall as an accident, but there is more than meets the eye (in more ways than one) to the fallen girl.

A fun fast paced story that made me wa...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this first book in the fun cozy series. It combines two of my all-time favorite things -- coffee and mystery!

Clare Cosi has just come back to manage The Village Blend coffeehouse at the request of Madame, the wonderful, loving eccentric who just so happens to also be her ex mother-in-law.

When Clare arrives, it's to find the unconscious body of her assistant manager, Annabelle, lying at the bottom of the service stairs. What the police (led by hunky yet aloof Detective Quinn) assume is a...more

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Sep 24, 2007 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

TITLE/AUTHOR: ON WHAT GROUNDS by Cleo Coyle
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery, 2003, 270 pgs
TIME/PLACE: Present, NYC
CHARACTERS: Claire Cosi/manager of Village Blend;
Matteo Allegro/coffee buyer & ex-husband
COMMENTS: 1st in coffehouse mystery series. Claire
moves from NJ to resume her former job as manager
of the Village Blend. She finds, Annabelle, the asst
mngr, at the bottom of the stairs. Police are presuming
an accident but Claire thinks otherwise. Nice feel for
NYC & lots of b...more

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Mar 24, 2009 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-suspense

Apparently the authors of On What Grounds, a couple using the pseudonym Cleo Coyle, have a lot or arcane knowledge about coffee and set out to write a series of theme-related, recipe-laden cozy mysteries centered around the proprietress of a coffee house. (My Italian friend tells me that the "s" in the main character's name, "Cosi," would be soft, so the word sounds like "cozy.")

Unlike some authors of similar series, "Ms. Coyle" has a credible writing style; the dialog, development, and motivat...more

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Dec 28, 2008 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Coffee drinking mystery lovers who like a little romance on the side

Shelves: 2005, cleo-coyle, mystery

The first in the Coffeehouse Mystery series.

Clare Cosi left her bad marriage 10 years ago and settled into suburbia (Jersey) to raise her daughter Joy. Now that Joy is in college Clare finds herself a little bored. Enter Madam - her former mother-in-law and owner of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse in New York's Greenwich Village where Clare used to manage. Madam offers Clare her job as manager again and throws in the apartment above the shop as well. Clare accepts and loads up her house a...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Jan rated it 2 of 5 stars

AN UNEVEN BOOK. AT TIMES I LIKED IT AND FELT THE STORY WAS INTERESTING, AND AT TIMES I DISLIKED HOW SHE TALKED AT SUCH LENGTH ABOUT THE INTRICACIES OF COFFEE AND THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DIFFERENT “TEXTURE/ATMOSPHERE” THINGS IN NEW YORK CITY AND SO ON. A LITTLE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE, BUT I FELT LIKE A FIFTH OF THE BOOK WAS DEVOTED TO THIS EXCESSIVE DESCRIPTION (LIKE HOW VARIOUS SPECIALTY COFFEES ARE MADE) WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GETTING ON WITH THE STORY. I ALSO REALLY DISLIKED HOW SHE KEEPS TALK...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I should start with full disclosure: I LOVE coffee!! So I was probably pre-disposed to like this book . . . but it's still a fun read and a good story.

Clare Cosi used to manage the Village Blend, THE place to get not just coffee, but history and an experience in New York's Grenwich Village. Then, she left her cheating husband and took her daughter to New Jersey to raise her in a better environment. "Madame" the charismatic owner of the Village Blend was not happy when Clare left.

Now that Clare's...more I should start with full disclosure: I LOVE coffee!! So I was probably pre-disposed to like this book . . . but it's still a fun read and a good story.

Clare Cosi used to manage the Village Blend, THE place to get not just coffee, but history and an experience in New York's Grenwich Village. Then, she left her cheating husband and took her daughter to New Jersey to raise her in a better environment. "Madame" the charismatic owner of the Village Blend was not happy when Clare left.

Now that Clare's daughter, Joy, is grown and attending culinary school in New York, Madame coaxes Clare to come back and begin managing the coffeehouse once again by telling Clare no one's managed the place like she did. The offer of part ownerwhip of the place, plus rent-free use of the upstaris duplex above the coffeehouse doesn't hurt either!

Of course, there's always a fly in the ointment, right? After selling her house in New Jersey and moving back into the duplex, Clare discovers Madame has also sold part interest and offered the duplex to the Village Blend's coffee buyer, Matteo. . . who also happens to be Clare's ex-husband, AND Madame's son. Madame hopes for a reconciliation, and believes her sneaky set up to get Clare and Matt in the same place together just might do the trick, although Clare is having none of it.

As if all THAT isn't enough, Clare comes to the coffeehouse on morning to discover her assistant manager lying unconscious at the bottom of the back stairs. Everyone but Clare thinks it's an accident, but Clare is convinced there's more to it and wouldn't mind investigating along with the very attractive Detective Quinn one of New York's finest!

Cleo Coyle has created a very engaging, quirky group of characters, and a fun storyline to keep them busy! The character of Clare is really everywoman, and her reactions to things and her internal dialogue with herself as these odd things happen around her is the kind of stuff anyone might say . . . well, if anyone came upon murder and mayhem in our daily lives.

The "mystery" isn't exactly Agatha Christie, but there is an opportunity to try to figure out what happened and who might be responsible if you want to. But for my money, the best part of the book is the interplay between the characters, all of whom are unique and interesting in their own ways. Also, it's obvious that Cleo Coyle, the author has, or does live in New York, because the city really is like an extra character in the story. People, places and things in the city are sprinkled in throughout the story, and the coffeehouse itself is a big part of the story too.

Finally, there are lots of bits of info about coffee: what kinds make the best drinks, how to make the best coffee, how to store and grind the best coffee, etc. If you are a coffee drinker, these little tidbits are just a fun addition to the story. There are also a few recipes at the end of the book for food and drink that is mentioned during the story.

I will definitely be reading future books in the Coffeehouse series. This was a good read.(less)

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Aug 01, 2012 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, audio

Book 1. Pretty sophomoric writing. Way, way, way too much how to make coffee detail and over explaining of main character's feelings. HInts at romance with detective but nothing ... Want to like this series and will try next in series but . . .

Amazon:
Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Village Blend coffeehouse...until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years and a little friendly cajoling from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain was all it too...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: homey, mystery

First in the Coffeehouse Mystery series set inside an historic coffeehouse in Greenwich Village in New York City.

My Take
Clare is obsessed with telling us all about coffee. Now, I don't like drinking coffee unless I've added so much milk, sugar, and/or flavorings that there is not much coffee left, but I do adore the smell of it! And the history and culture behind it is fascinating.

What I did not enjoy was Clare's clumsy detecting nor Coyle's clumsy writing; she's got more finesse in writing th...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Book Concierge rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a cozy mystery which takes place in and around a Greenwich Village Coffee Shop. Clare Cosi is convinced to return to managing The Village Blend by the owner, who is also her former mother-in-law. The recently fired manager had stolen an antique (and historically important) plaque from the business, but her new assistant manager is doing a great job. Or she was until the morning Clare finds Anabelle at the bottom of the basement stairs, barely breathing. Did she fall? Or was she pushed? C...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Dawn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy-mystery

This cozy was just okay for me... There was too much implausibility in it. The coffee shop is set in a prestigious area of NY and the owner is an extremely wealthy woman, "Madame Allegro," and she is also the main character's ex-mother-in-law. Madame is trying to convince Clare to return to her former job as manager of the coffee shop. Although the coffee shop has an interesting history and was supposedly frequented by members of the Bloomsbury group, the descriptions of the coffee shop as in it...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Jo Anne B rated it 2 of 5 stars

Disappointed. I thought from the title that this would be a clever, comedic, fun, fast-paced read. Instead it tried too hard, had all the cliches, unlikeable characters, wasn't well-written, and it was insulting. The main character's initials were the same as the author's (despite that being a pen name). In the book, a dance studio owner said that when one of her dancers was nude dancing, she was debasing herself to a lower crowd of people. Hmmm, I think she could have said authors do that too w...more Disappointed. I thought from the title that this would be a clever, comedic, fun, fast-paced read. Instead it tried too hard, had all the cliches, unlikeable characters, wasn't well-written, and it was insulting. The main character's initials were the same as the author's (despite that being a pen name). In the book, a dance studio owner said that when one of her dancers was nude dancing, she was debasing herself to a lower crowd of people. Hmmm, I think she could have said authors do that too when they use such self-absorbed tactics in their writing.

Clare, the main character, didn't really seem to fit her character. I attribute this to lack of character development, description, and depth due to poor writing. I feel like I have to defend the character, like it wasn't her fault. It is just hard to bond to a character when you only catch fleeting glimpses of who they really are.

The storyline of Clare's ex- mother-in-law wanting her to take over part ownership of her coffeeshop was not believeable. Also, giving her a million dollar duplex in Manhatten to live in as part of the deal was far-fetched as well.

I also did not believe that what drove Clare to prove that her employee's accident was really a murder was because Clare had a daughter nearly the same age. Clare did not come across as motherly or loving.

It also was not believeable that Clare and her ex-husband found out all the secrets a woman under suspicion had by reading all of her documents, emails, and chats in chat rooms on her laptop in a Hotel room within 5 minutes.

Clare divorced her husband of 10 years in a note because he was always away from home buying coffee beans and doing who knows what. But, all of a sudden, she thinks he has changed (no proof offered or attempt to support this with any reasoning) and lapses with him.

The author tried too hard to link everything in life and every lesson to making the perfect cup of joe. The cat's name was Java. Enough said there.

This could have been a better book. It would have been better to have skipped this and had a good cup of fresh brewed coffee. (less)

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Feb 11, 2011 Joyce Lagow rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, kindle-edition

First in the Coffeehouse Mystery series.

Clare Cosi is a divorced 38 year old woman who manages a heritage coffee house in the West Village, the Village Blend. She has an 18 year old daughter, Joy, who is in culinary school in New York, an ex-mother-in-law, Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro DuBois who is far more like a mother to Clare, and an ex-husband, Matteo (Matt) Allegro, who is handsome, charming--and an inveterate womanizer to whom marital fidelity is an interesting concept but not a goal (a...more First in the Coffeehouse Mystery series.

Clare Cosi is a divorced 38 year old woman who manages a heritage coffee house in the West Village, the Village Blend. She has an 18 year old daughter, Joy, who is in culinary school in New York, an ex-mother-in-law, Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro DuBois who is far more like a mother to Clare, and an ex-husband, Matteo (Matt) Allegro, who is handsome, charming--and an inveterate womanizer to whom marital fidelity is an interesting concept but not a goal (and to him an inexplicable cause of divorce). Clare grew up in Pittsburg, and was raised by her Italian grandmother who ran a grocery store. Clare learned how to make espresso at an early age, training that served her well at the Village Blend, since Madame DuBois is a perfectionist and the coffeehouse renowned throughout the Village and beyond for the quality of its drinks.

But while New York City life is stressful, Clare is not prepared to find the body of her attractive young assistant manager Karen on the floor of the storage room one morning. The police assume an accident, but Clare is bothered by details that are not quite right. Who would guess that a garbage can in the wrong place would lead to a murder investigation and Clare herself in danger?

Fun, fun series opener. The mystery is not much, but the rest of the book more than makes up for it. Clare is a fully realized character, as is Madame DuBois, who is one of the more interesting characters to come along in the genre in quite a while. While some of the others may be more stock, none are boring. The writing is more than satisfactory for the content.

What sets this book (and series) apart from others is a) the emphasis on coffee--how to buy it, store it, and make it and b) fascinating short histories of areas of New York City. In an appendix, Coyle (real life name: Alice Alfonsi) shares many recipes for coffee making, coffee drinks, and other beverages and foods containing coffee as a prime ingredient.

Read for multiple pleasures! Highly recommended.
(less)

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Feb 08, 2010 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy, mystery

I’ve read several authors asking whether blog tours and internet presence really translate into sales, so I suppose this book review is proof for me that they do. I “met” Cleo Coyle in a blog interview where she was promoting her latest book, Holiday Grind, and the concept of coffee and mystery intrigued me sufficiently—plus her name was easily remembered—that I looked up her books on my next visit to a bookstore. There I found and promptly bought book one of her series, On What Grounds. The cov...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Drebbles rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2006

Clare Cosi, manager of The Village Blend coffeehouse, arrives at work one day and finds her Assistant Manager, Annabelle Hart, unconscious at the bottom of the basement stairs. The police say it was an unfortunate accident, but Clare isn't convinced and starts investigating on her own. She also has to deal with her crafty ex-mother-in-law, Madame (owner of The Village Blend) who keeps throwing Clare back together with her ex-husband, Matteo, Madame's son. Clare is also attracted to Homicide Dete...more

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Aug 01, 2009 Monica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I enjoyed reading this book! It has so many wonderful, rhapsodic passages about coffee—how to grind it, brew it, and serve it—oh and a mystery. So I’m not sure if I enjoyed it for the descriptions of how espresso should flow out like honey or for the story line. (Her description of making Greek style coffee is almost soft porn.) The mystery revolves around one of the barristas at a coffee house in Manhattan who is found at the bottom of the stairs in the basement. Did she fall or was she pushed?...more I enjoyed reading this book! It has so many wonderful, rhapsodic passages about coffee—how to grind it, brew it, and serve it—oh and a mystery. So I’m not sure if I enjoyed it for the descriptions of how espresso should flow out like honey or for the story line. (Her description of making Greek style coffee is almost soft porn.) The mystery revolves around one of the barristas at a coffee house in Manhattan who is found at the bottom of the stairs in the basement. Did she fall or was she pushed? We know the answer since why would there be a book if she fell. So then the questions are, who did it and why? The ex-husband character is annoying, but as happens in these books, his behavior is supposed to be roguish and provocative. That’s what passes for chemistry in these things. The homicide detective who isn’t really working the case (after all it probably was an “accidental” death) shows very little emotion and this also intrigues the female protagonist Clare Cosi. She’s part owner of the coffee house with her ex (unwittingly so, it turns out), and becomes an amateur detective in the tradition of Miss Marple. Clare is highly observant of human behavior. I think it comes from all the coffee she drinks. These are her thoughts on those who drink decaf by choice: “Decaf. A shudder ran through me as I glanced up and saw the wane, pale, overanxious face of the man ordering the decaf. Okay, I’m sorry, but decaf drinkers annoy me. Expectant mothers I can understand, but lifelong decaf drinkers give me the creeps. They’re usually the sort who have a half-dozen imagined allergies, eat macrobiotic patties, and pop Rolaids like M&Ms when their acid reflux kicks in over the Chinese Restaurant’s delivering white instead of brown rice.” And the best insult ever: “He probably keeps a jar of Sanka in his desk drawer, or better still, Folgers instant crystals.” Having both in the house, I laughed out loud! Any way, it’s a nice diversion as long as you don’t mind hankering for a nice cup of French pressed Kona or a Caffé Macchiato.(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 Bridget rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

This is the first installment in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series, featuring Clare Cosi, the owner of Village Blend coffee shop in Greenwich Village. In this book we are introduced to Clare and the coffee shop, when she is moving to the duplex above it when taking over as the manager and - she thinks - owner. But there are a couple of surprises for her: 1) her former mother-in-law, who convinced her to take over the business, also named her son and Clare's ex-husband as co-owner; and, 2) her new a...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Text Addict rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy-mystery, new-york-city, subtype-food

This is definitely one of the better cozy mysteries I've read. Assuming it can be called a "cozy," seeing as it's set in New York City, but it does have the conceit (a coffeehouse), the intrepid amateur female sleuth, and the recipes - plus a cat. Cozy enough for me.

Tragedy strikes The Village Blend, in the form of the assistant manager of The Village Blend falling down a flight of stairs - or was she pushed? Manager and co-owner Clare Cosi wants to find out.

The strength of the novel is its str...more

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Mar 01, 2011 jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

When coffee shop employee Annabelle falls down a flight of stairs at work one night and becomes comatose, the police think that it was probably an accident. But shop manager Clare thinks that Annabelle was pushed and begins looking for suspects. Annabelle knew quite a few people who would gain from her death- jealous rivals and a wealthy boyfriend who may not want a poor girlfriend anymore.

I expected this to be a fluff mystery, but though the crime takes place on the first pages, it doesn't beco...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Chaitra rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, part-of-a-series, cozy-mystery, detective, mystery, suspense, coffeehouse-mystery, set-in-new-york, book-at-wall

I initially rated this a three, but by the time I've begun to type this review, it's a couple of stars down. I don't know why, but I expected to like this more. I'm not a very enthusiastic coffee drinker. I'm more the tea type. But, I do like coffeehouses, and I do like cozies. I think I do, I'm not sure anymore. I can't relate to these nosy ladies whose idea of an investigation is to go and point blank accuse random people with circumstantial evidence at best. Sometimes, it's not even that. Som...more I initially rated this a three, but by the time I've begun to type this review, it's a couple of stars down. I don't know why, but I expected to like this more. I'm not a very enthusiastic coffee drinker. I'm more the tea type. But, I do like coffeehouses, and I do like cozies. I think I do, I'm not sure anymore. I can't relate to these nosy ladies whose idea of an investigation is to go and point blank accuse random people with circumstantial evidence at best. Sometimes, it's not even that. Sometimes, there's nothing but a vicious hatred of the heroine for the person being accused.

The heroine of this novel accuses the former boyfriend of the murdered girl in the middle of a society dinner, because a) he's a cad and b) he's a tea drinker, which is supposed to be a big clue. Sure, he's a scumbag. But, I don't really think he needs to be accused in that fashion. And that, after she has accused the girl's roommate, a bunch of dancer classmates of hers and the girl's step mother. Who died and made this person responsible? If she has to be, what happened to some old fashioned powers of observation? What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

The proof is a completely different kettle of fish. It practically comes out of nowhere. We're given many red herrings, but the guilty party is the one we didn't even know the murdered girl had a connection to. Not just that, we see them once, in the passing. But they have a big motive, and when do we know about that? When they come over to finish this lady off because "she was getting close". News to us poor readers. But, really, what do we know. And what are the cops doing in all this time? Why? They've been checking out this luscious woman when they're supposed to be investigating a murder.

Uh huh, the heroine of this bleeding book also has the dilemma of choosing between two male hunks. It reaches atrociously silly levels near the end, when she dresses up as a man and a third freaking man comes nosing after her. She has supposedly spent ten celibate years in the boondocks (New Jersey if you were wondering). Really. NJ has no men at all. She's 49 she says. She sounds, however, like a horny, boy crazy, teenager.

Will I read the next books? I don't normally give up on anything. So, I think I will pick up a couple of more books. If nothing else, they're good for scathing review purposes.(less)

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Jan 02, 2013 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

I love the food mysteries, and a coworker/friend recommended this series to me. so I figured I'd give it a shot. while I did enjoy it, I found parts of the book really weird. the random coffee facts especially. they were interesting, but weird. aside from providing filler and facts about the subject, rather like an oral report, they had nothing to do with the story. I like the fact that the author did research about their subject, but the facts didn't really fit.
the story began with a weird pref...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Victoria rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: listened-in-2013

That was not particularly great. It's written in that style where everything is modified in a flowery fashion. That girl didn't walk across the room, her "lithe dancer's frame sashayed daintily across the smooth expanse of floor in the quaint cafe." Hmm.

And yes, the main character manages a coffee shop, but you don't need to devote large chunks of storyline to how to make a perfect espresso (hint: the liquid is supposed to OOZE out of the grounds like honey - this is mentioned at least twice) or...more

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May 30, 2011 Diana Leigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paper-book, cozy-mystery

A decade ago, Clare Cosi left her job in Greenwich Village as manager of The Village Blend for the suburbs of New Jersey to raise her daughter. Though she loved working there, she was more than happy to distance herself from her cheating ex-husband Matt (the shop's coffee buyer). Now at 39, Clare moves back to New York and accepts the manager's position once again at the insistence of the coffeehouse's flamboyant owner Madam (her ex-mother-in-law).

Clare arrives at the shop one morning to find he...more A decade ago, Clare Cosi left her job in Greenwich Village as manager of The Village Blend for the suburbs of New Jersey to raise her daughter. Though she loved working there, she was more than happy to distance herself from her cheating ex-husband Matt (the shop's coffee buyer). Now at 39, Clare moves back to New York and accepts the manager's position once again at the insistence of the coffeehouse's flamboyant owner Madam (her ex-mother-in-law).

Clare arrives at the shop one morning to find her assistant manager Anabelle lying at the bottom of the basement stairs unconscious and badly injured. As Anabelle is rushed to the hospital, the police arrive to investigate, including the serious (and handsome) Detective Quinn. After a thorough investigation, the police determine that Anabelle's tumble down the stairs was an unfortunate accident. But Clare is not convinced. How could a graceful young dancer like Anabelle be so clumsy?

With a little help from her sometimes irritating yet charming ex-husband, Clare sets out to investigate. Each person questioned reveals additional clues that tell her Anabelle's mishap was no accident. Clare and Matt are determined to uncover the truth before she becomes the guilty party's next victim.

There was much I enjoyed about ON WHAT GROUNDS. I loved the setting being a historic coffeehouse in New York City. The author painted a vivid picture of the people and places in Greenwich Village. (There was a very touching scene when Clare remembers the outside wall of St. Vincent's Hospital after 9/11). Throughout the book, there are detailed descriptions of various coffees and brewing techniques. As a coffee lover myself, I found that interesting, though it slowed the story down a bit.

My favorite part of the book was the cast of characters. Each one had a distinct and memorable personality, and the witty dialogue between them was fun to read. It was great to read a book where the female lead was 40-ish. Clare had the traits of a great amature sleuth - smart, stubborn, caring and nosy. Yes, she was a major coffee snob, but I liked her. There was a great scene with Clare and Matt, their 19-year old daughter Joy and her new beau Mario. I loved watching two stubborn alpha males butt heads while Clare tried to keep things civilized for Joy's sake.

How did two ex-spouses work together as a detective team? One thing I don't like is making an attempt at humor through bickering, and luckily this never happened. Despite the fact that Matt was once an unfaithful husband and so-so father, he was actually very likable. Perhaps in his case absence makes the heart grow fonder, because it seemed like he really wanted to make ammends. Of couse, Clare was smart enough not to simply run back into his arms. But, they did make a fabulous detective team.

ON WHAT GROUNDS is an entertaining cozy mystery with some nice twists along the way. The wonderfully crafted characters will draw you further into the story, and all of the java talk will make coffee lovers swoon. Recipes from The Village Blend are located at the back of the book. I'm looking foward to more from this series.(less)

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Mar 12, 2011 adlin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, e-book, modern-mystery, mystery, cozy

This mystery series is set in a coffee house in Manhattan. So, first and foremost, like coffee. Because this books goes into great detail about how to make various coffees, how to store them, and disses a little on tea drinkers and people who drink gas station coffee. The main character is likeable enough, however, I never really cared for her or the mystery. I was disappointed with the match making of her former mother-in-law, though I found her ex-husband likeable in a way. You never know the...more

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Sep 23, 2010 Raquel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

Me gusta mucho el genero cozy mystery. Este año, comencé a leer otros autores además de Agatha Christie. Y comencé la serie de Joan Fluke, y la de Cleo Coyle.
El libro no esta mal escrito, la historia es entretenida, los personajes son coherentes; y lo mas importante, te transporta al escenario de un "coffeehouse".
Lo que no me gusto del libro es que tiene todos los estereotipos de un cozy-mystery donde la protagonista es mujer. Soltera (o divorciada en este caso) con una historia romántica, que...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy-mystery

Clare, a single mom whose daughter has headed off to culinary school in New York City, decides to uproot herself from the suburbs and return to the city herself. She takes back her old job of manager for a coffee house that is a neighborhood institution and is owned by her mother-in-law, and will live in the apartment over the store. She goes to open and finds the store dark and her reliable employee unconscious in the back at the bottom of the stairs. While she initially thinks this is an accid...more

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Jan 15, 2011 Ami rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery

Clare Cosi is a manager for The Village Blend, a historic coffeehouse in New York City, who is owned by her ex-mother-in-law. One morning, she finds her assistant manager crumpled on a floor, seems lifeless. Clare's guts tells her that it is not a mere accident and she is determined to find out what happens; with a little help from her ex-husband Matteo and a new acquaintance from the Homicide, Lt. Detective Mike Quinn.

One big impression is my GOSH, these authors know about their coffee!! For st...more

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May 14, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll just write one for all review. I admit I like I want to say campy but I think cozy mysteries is what they are called. Poignant, since in the story, the protagonist, is called Clare Cosi. It's about a mother, who after divorce, leaves a job in city, and comes back to run the coffee shop her mother-in-law still owns. To save the family legacy I think. Anyway, someone is found dead and now she becomes a amature sluthe. Dispersed in the series is how to obtain, roast, grind and prepare coffee....more

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About Cleo Coyle

Cleo Coyle is the pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Under the name Cleo Coyle, they've written 12 bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery titles. The first in their 12-book series is now in its 17th printing. Their newest release, HOLIDAY BUZZ, was a Top-10 New York Times bestseller. Their previous release from Penguin, A BREW TO A KILL, was chosen as a...more Cleo Coyle is the pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Under the name Cleo Coyle, they've written 12 bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery titles. The first in their 12-book series is now in its 17th printing. Their newest release, HOLIDAY BUZZ, was a Top-10 New York Times bestseller. Their previous release from Penguin, A BREW TO A KILL, was chosen as a "must-read mystery of the month" by Barnes & Noble. The series has been Star Reviewed by Library Journal and picked up by AudioGo (BBC America Audiobooks) for production in both digital and CD formats. MURDER BY MOCHA, A BREW TO A KILL, and HOLIDAY BUZZ, are all Mystery Guild Featured Alternate Selections. Cleo also writes a supernatural mystery series set in a New England book shop. The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries are published under the name Alice Kimberly. There are five books published thus far with more under contract. The first book in the series, THE GHOST AND MRS. McCLURE, is now in its eleventh printing.

Cleo Coyle enjoys hearing from readers. Visit her virtual Village Blend coffeehouse at www.CoffeehouseMystery.com , where she also posts recipes and coffee picks. Sign up for her newsletter, which automatically enters you in her weekly Free Coffee Drawings, by sending an e-mail that says “Sign me up” to CoffeehouseMystery@gmail.com

When not haunting coffeehouses or hunting ghosts, Alice and Marc are NY Times bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM.

Although both Alice and Marc were born and raised in small towns near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they did not meet until they moved to New York City, where both began their post-college careers. After falling in love, Alice and Marc were married in Nevada’s Little Church of the West. Now they live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, cook like crazy, care for their stray cat rescues, haunt coffeehouses, and hunt ghosts.

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Books by Cleo Coyle

Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mystery, #2)

Murder Most Frothy (Coffeehouse Mystery, #4)

Decaffeinated Corpse (Coffeehouse Mystery #5)

French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mystery, #6)

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On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery #1)

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