Once Upon A Grind read & discuss. Chptrs. 62 thru end.

[Tina]

Was going to save last two chapters to avoid spoiler ending but I think we can handle it. ;-) Bombs away!

[Anastasia]

Clare is brave to go into the club. Seems as if the club plays a big part in the happenings. Why would you need so much security for matchmaking?

[Allison]

Anastasia wrote: "Clare is brave to go into the club. Seems as if the club plays a big part in the happenings. Why would you need so much security for matchmaking?"

That club is something else. I would be too scared to try and brazen my way in somewhere like that and certainly would turn tail and run once I was in there - too fancy for me. And trying to fake it is beyond my people skills. The food sounded absolutely amazing though! I paid special attention to that as I always do, lol, I'm a total foodie!

Totally wanted to hate the ex-wife and she turns out to be not quite so bad as I thought.

Loved the ending though with perhaps a new location for Clare?

[Cleo]

Anastasia wrote: "Clare is brave to go into the club. Seems as if the club plays a big part in the happenings. Why would you need so much security for matchmaking?"

Babka is an unreliable character. When she tells Clare, "It's just a matchmaking club," she's lying to Clare's face.

The Prince Charming Club is clearly far more than a matchmaking club. High stakes gambling is going on in the back rooms (Clare observes and describes this for the reader). You have aristocracy from all over the world being bad boys there, celebrities, etc. They are paying quite a lot of money for dues and the last thing the owners of this club want or need is (say) a reporter or paparazzi getting in there and making what they do public.

I hope that helps!

[Cleo]

Tina wrote: ..."

Thanks, Tina, and everyone here in the Parlor PIs for the lovely time discussing the book. You've been wonderful, and I appreciate your picking not one but two Coffeehouse Mysteries to read and discuss.

I am also happy to share a blog post link for anyone interested that takes you on a walking tour of Central Park, where the first third of the book takes place. My post includes beautiful photos, interesting tidbits about the park, and two videos. This may give you some fun insights into the research that Marc and I did for ONCE UPON A GRIND. And you can read the post at this link:

http://www.cleocoylerecipes.com/2015/...

Thanks again, everyone, and may you always read with joy!

~ Cleo Coyle, author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries
and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

www.CoffeehouseMystery.com
"Where coffee and crime are always brewing..."
Facebook.com/CleoCoyle
Twitter.com/CleoCoyle
Founding member and contributor to...
www.MysteryLoversKichen.com

[Tina]

Wow! That's some club. I love the concept of the different tiers. Gold sounds the best...if the gal is into that sorta thing. ;-)

[Anastasia]

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday also Cleo

[Allison]

Happy Birthday Cleo! Thank you again for being here with us!
I didn't realize until I saw Anastasia's post so hoping I'm not too late.

[Tina]

Happiest of Birthdays, Cleo! With all the yummy stuff on your website and pages, I can imagine what your birthday cake was/is like. ;-)

[Tina]

Felt like I was with Clare at the Club. Description is wonderful.

As for Leila and her quest for a rich husband, bravo to the author for saying like it is.

For the safety of my children, I'd rather go with less and have a traditional man in a normal marriage than go for the perks that might have me risking safety. I won't say more on this topic but true to life, gals need to look before they leap.

[Jill]

Couldn't agree more with you Tina!

[Tina]

;-) Jill.

[Tina]

Anastasia, PI's, Mini spoiler alert -



I didn't think Clare was going to get out of that place without incident. Phew!

[Anastasia]

Still not quite finished but again the Russian translation lets the story down. Just goes to show you can't use a dictionary or program to get the same meaning.

[Tina]

Not quite done with the story either, PI's. Just now going to the Meat-ieval affair. The plot has thickened and we should learn outcome within last 100 pages.

[Jill]

I'm not done yet either, but I'm close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tina]

The gauntlet sounds like a lose-lose proposition. Wonder how Clare and sidekick is going to get through that one. lol

[Anastasia]

Finally done and feeling a bit let down by the ending. Feel that Clare relying too much on 'magic' coffee and unconventional means. The book was OK but not good as the previous ones.

[Jill]

Reading this one, I couldn't help but references it to the Once Upon A Time show.....Although I did enjoy it and I loved the fact that we got to learn more about Molly and Jeremy, Mike's kids. They sound like good kids. Much better than their mother! I just want to grab her and shake some sense into that woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tina]

Given her repuatation, I'm surprised "Babka" didn't flip out on Clare when she revealed knowledge of and discussed material of a sensitive nature.

[Tina]

Jill, the children parenting the parent.

[Tina]

I'm not quite finished, Ana, PI's. Almost there then I'll be able to comment on reveal, wrap, climax of the story.

[Tina]

Done! Totally did not suspect her at all! I see what you mean Anastasia though I am okay with the reveal and wrap.

Don't recall Clare working in DC in the next (Christmas) installment so I wonder if Clare does the DC/NYC connection?

I hope not. Look what happened to Mentalist when they left their CA HQTRs for FBI. DC, FBI, CIA to cold for a cozy IMHO. It was the beginning of the end for the series. Last episode next week. :-(

[Tina]

PI's, anyone hear from J (Joan)? I e-mailed her to see how she's doing and her note was returned undelivered. Hope she's okay.

[Allison]

I did not suspect her either. Was very surprising. I really did enjoy the book though. Thought it was unusual and the use of the coffee readings was really cool.

[Tina]

Allison, I want my coffee grounds read. Maybe we can invite Madame to The Parlor and have her brew up an occasion for us. ;-)

[Jill]

I'm in as well! It would be interesting to see what she had to say

[Allison]

Oh I would love to have my palm read or coffee grounds, either one. That would be so interesting. Put that on the "to-do" list for the Parlour PI's New York trip lol.

[Tina]

Wonder if we could scrape up a YouTube coffee grounds (or tea leaves) reading and C&P link to the Parlor. LOL Maybe Cleo would have one. A virtual reading to hold us over. ;-)

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Wonder if we could scrape up a YouTube coffee grounds (or tea leaves) reading and C&P link to the Parlor. LOL Maybe Cleo would have one. A virtual reading to hold us over. ;-)"

Yup, I had to go do it and yup, there IS a Youtube video (actually 2) - type in "coffee grounds reading". I didn't watch either one but it is amazing what you find on the Internet. Bonus videos on how to use coffee grounds in your garden lol.

[Tina]

I'll have to look that up, Allison. Thanks for sleuthing it out. ;-)

[Jill]

Allison wrote: "Tina wrote: "Wonder if we could scrape up a YouTube coffee grounds (or tea leaves) reading and C&P link to the Parlor. LOL Maybe Cleo would have one. A virtual reading to hold us over. ;-)"

Yup..."

Coffee grinds are also good for you house plants as well....You'd be surprised what all coffee grinds are good for.

[Tina]

I looked up videos on coffee ground readings but none were very telling. One wasted whole time setting things up. The other had a little old lady sort of reading grounds in a cup. The background noise was so loud that I cut it after two mins. This would have made a great presentation with covered table, dim lights, quiet background, candles, atmosphere.

Any more thoughts on this story? Maybe Cleo will be by with closing opines or notes. I need to ask if she knows of any decent ground reading videos. I'm determined to find a good one. lol If not, we'll call to close another fun and successful read and discuss in The Parlor. Thread will stay up as long as there's storage space by Goodreads' standards.

Thanks all for your participation. Thanks, Cleo for sharing the books, your company and posts. We love you and appreciate your friendship!