Helpful Score: 16
Clare Cosi's first book makes you want to be there and drink the espresso. The on-going relationships with her ex-mother-law,Madame, her daughter(Joy), her ex husband(Matt) and her hunky oft called upon detective/friend Mike Quinn as well as her baristas make this a Cozy cozy. I want to be part of the crowd sipping espresso at her Village Blend coffeehouse. The who-dun-its are believeable(except for the shear volume throughout the series...)
Helpful Score: 14
As a lover of books and a lover of all things coffee, this book was right up my alley. It was a fun read; nothing heavy and yet kept me guessing until the end. I can't wait to try out the coffee recipes too!
Helpful Score: 9
A lot of coffee information slows down this book, but it's otherwise a fun cozy.
Helpful Score: 8
A light,interesting read with plenty of background information on coffee. Ended well with enough unfinished personal business to keep you going back for more of the series.
Helpful Score: 8
I really enjoyed this 1st in a series. Cleo Coyle Coffeehouse Mysteries Series books are hard to find.
She also writes under the name of Alice Kimberly for the series of Haunted Bookstore Mysteries....Cute and not sci-fi as it sounds.
She also writes under the name of Alice Kimberly for the series of Haunted Bookstore Mysteries....Cute and not sci-fi as it sounds.
Helpful Score: 8
The first in the Clare Cosi series..Clare is the manager of a historic New York coffeehouse who solves mysteries on the side. I read the sequel first and must say I enjoyed it more. The sequel (whose name escapes me) is a little edgy, bordering on the non-Cozy which made it a little different for me. Still, this is an enjoyable Cozy read.
Helpful Score: 6
Nice paced, easy read...wonderful coffee recipes! (first of a series)
Helpful Score: 5
I love these books. Humor, mystery, nothing heavy, just good fun. Beware--if you are not currently a coffee drinker, you will be after you read this series. You can almost smell the coffee as you read.
Helpful Score: 5
I enjoyed this book, the first in the Coffeehouse Mystery series. Clare Cosi returns to her job as manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse after 10 years, part of Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubois' scheme to get Clare back together with her son, Matteo, Clare's ex-husband. Together, Clare and Matt try to solve the mystery behind the tragic 'accident' that landed the Blend's assistant manager, Annabelle, in the hospital in the ICU. Was it an accident? I loved the coffee-making tips and recipes in the back of the book and I look forward to reading the next book in this "cozy" mystery series by Cleo Coyle.
Helpful Score: 4
I think this will be a great series, very much like Laura Childs books.
Not a good cozy or a good mystery. Lots of detailed information about the proper preparation of gourmet coffee.
Helpful Score: 3
Great mystery!
Helpful Score: 2
First in a series of books. Fast paced murder mystery set in a coffee house. Interesting coffee facts and recipes including Cappuccino Walnut Cheesecake.
Helpful Score: 2
good first outing of a new series to me -- worth trying the next one(s)!
Helpful Score: 2
First one I've read by Coyle, enjoyed very much.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought this was a cute book. I love coffee and mysteries, so it was a perfect blend for me.
Helpful Score: 2
If you love coffee, this book is for you! Lots of information on coffee as well as the mystery!
Leanne D. (eclecticmusicmama) reviewed On What Grounds (Coffeehouse, Bk 1) on + 426 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I don't even drink coffee, but I loved the start of this series and found the coffee information interesting and informative, in spite of that.
This book has good characters you look forward to reading about again and an ending that surprises.
Great cozy!
This book has good characters you look forward to reading about again and an ending that surprises.
Great cozy!
Helpful Score: 2
I love coffee and I love cozies so this was an easy choice for me. This is the first book in the series. I found it an easy read, but it kept me guessing until the very end. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Helpful Score: 2
Great setup: New York coffeehouse, interesting characters. It's not too believable though that a NY cop would aid and abet a coffeehouse manager in investigating murder.
Helpful Score: 2
I love coffee and I would LOVE to find more in this series - it was unique and left me wanting to read more!
Helpful Score: 2
My first book from this author. Very cute & cozy.
Helpful Score: 2
Really a good cozy mystery series. Very enjoyable to read with a good plot that keeps you coming back to it.
Helpful Score: 2
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 tragic accident seems to clearly be foul play to Clare, and she sets out (with the help of her ex-husband, Matteo) to prove it.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I loved the information on coffee, and I really enjoyed the characters. This is a great read.
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 tragic accident seems to clearly be foul play to Clare, and she sets out (with the help of her ex-husband, Matteo) to prove it.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I loved the information on coffee, and I really enjoyed the characters. This is a great read.
Helpful Score: 1
First book in the Coffeehouse series. Appealing characters and lots of coffee trivia, recipes, etc. If you love mysteries or coffee you will be charmed!
Helpful Score: 1
Good mystery. The coffee descriptions make you want to brew a pot of coffee for yourself
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great litle mystery! If you love coffee, you will especially enjoy it!
Helpful Score: 1
Nice murder mystery story based in and around a coffee shop. I quick easy read with several plot twists. I enjoyed the book.
Helpful Score: 1
Good mystery. A bit too much education about how coffee is made..
Helpful Score: 1
A light mystery, with recipes and lots of coffee-related trivia.
Helpful Score: 1
On what grounds was a great read. Very suspenseful! Clear imagery, great characters! Would recommend to any one who loves a good mystery!
Helpful Score: 1
I love coffee--that's what originally drew me to this book. This is the first in a series of coffeehouse mysteries. It was a great story/mystery, even if you don't drink coffee. Can't wait to read the others that follow.
Helpful Score: 1
A great book for coffee lovers. A good read and part of a series of mystery stories. Clare has to investigate the attack on one of her workers and meets a handsome detective, and, of course, her ex-husband shows up as well.
Helpful Score: 1
I had a hard time getting into this book. I do not sympathize or relate to the main character at all and in the end the poor victim that I felt bad for 200 pages turns out to really have deserved what she got!
Helpful Score: 1
This was a nice "cozy" mystery. The protagonist is a divorced, single mom, and runs a small business (a coffee shop). I really liked the protagonist - she was believable and likeable. I found myself rooting for her to solve the mystery and also to make some progress in her love life!
No steamy sex scenes - which was nice for a change. Sometimes I get so sick of those!
And of course, this is the first in a series of coffee shop mysteries, so it was nice to know I didn't need to say goodbye to the characters when the book ended.
No steamy sex scenes - which was nice for a change. Sometimes I get so sick of those!
And of course, this is the first in a series of coffee shop mysteries, so it was nice to know I didn't need to say goodbye to the characters when the book ended.
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
Helpful Score: 1
Lots and lots of coffee trivia. Since I'm a coffee drinker, I enjoyed it. Others might not.
Helpful Score: 1
A little too heavy on the 'coffee tips', but a great story. Kept me guessing until the very end.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the first in this series. I liked the main character, Clare Cosi. She has agreed to return to NYC, after raising her daughter in the "wilds" of New Jersey, to take over management of a coffee house she had previously managed for 10 years. Her daughter is now in culinary school in NY so she will be closer to her and gets a wonderful rent-free apartment, to boot. Of course she finds out the apartment comes with "strings attached" in the tune of her ex-husband, who has been told he can live there as well. Complications there, of course. Her ex-mother in law owns the business and apartment.
Her first day back Clare arrives from NJ only to find the doors locked and the shop not open. When she enters she finds the assistant manager has fallen down a flight of stairs and is unconscious. The police investigate and rule it an accident - but Clare thinks it doesn't feel right so looks into it herself.
Her first day back Clare arrives from NJ only to find the doors locked and the shop not open. When she enters she finds the assistant manager has fallen down a flight of stairs and is unconscious. The police investigate and rule it an accident - but Clare thinks it doesn't feel right so looks into it herself.
Nina R. (britishladybooklover) reviewed On What Grounds (Coffeehouse, Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An entertaining story interspersed with interesting tidbits of coffee info. I will definitely read the next one in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Quick light read. Perfect to settle in with a cup of coffee.
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable start to a series. I will read more from this author.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
Helpful Score: 1
Although I enjoyed the book and liked the way Ms. Coyle wrapped up the end with a great surprise, I could have done without all the detailed information about making different types of coffee. Not only did she tell us, but she repeated some processes! I like the protagonist, Clare Cosi, and looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I am hoping that the coffee-making info is behind me. Clare sells her house in New Jersey and moves to New York to live above the The Village Blend coffee house only to find out that Madame (owner and ex-mother-in-law) has also put her son in the duplex. Madame's fondest wish is that Clare and Matt reunite but Clare wants no part of it...well, most of the time. She takes on the job of amateur sleuth when one of her star assistant manager is pushed (in Clare's opinion) down the stairs. The police are convinced that Annabelle just fell but Clare is sure it was homicidal intent. The interaction between Clare and Lt. Quinn and between her and her ex, Matt are fun sidelines too.
Helpful Score: 1
I found this at a book sale. I knew several people had wanted it and I loved it, so I picked up this copy to share!
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really delightful book! The author has created likable characters and believable dialogue. I am looking forward to reading the second in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Very nice little mystery, first in the series
Helpful Score: 1
Newly divorce Claire Cosi has just returned to her old job of managing the historic Village Blend coffee house in Greenwich Village. When Claire discovers the unconscious form of Annabelle, one of the shop's baristas, at the bottom of the shop's basement stairs, Claire suspects that Annabelle's fall is more sinister than just a workplace accident. Claire searches for the truth behind Annabelle's fall.
It's true that this book contains a lot of information about making espresso coffee drinks, a little too much for my taste. Other than that, though, I loved the setting and the characters and look forward to spending more time with this series!
It's true that this book contains a lot of information about making espresso coffee drinks, a little too much for my taste. Other than that, though, I loved the setting and the characters and look forward to spending more time with this series!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a cozy. Clare Csi manages the historic Village Blend CoffeHouse. With the help of her ex-husband she solves crimes with a liberal dose of coffee mixed in. Truly entertaing books.
Helpful Score: 1
The first in "The Coffeehouse Mysteries". I really enjoyed this book. I LOVE Coffee and a Mystery, so this was just what the Doctor ordered!! Usu.ally at least three quarters of the way through a book, if not before, I can figure out "who did it", but this one kept me guessing a little longer. I plan to read the whole series.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good. I really enjoy the main character and love the police detective. Fast and easy read.
Helpful Score: 1
A first time for this author for me, but I'll keep reading her often. This book kept my attention, which is sometime hard to do. Interesting characters.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought the information about coffee and I don't like coffee. This is the first one in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
"At the historic Village Blend, coffee -- and crime-- are always brewing! includes a couple of recipes at the end of the book.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! If you adore your cup of java, you will appreciate On What Grounds. A good start for a great series.
Helpful Score: 1
somewhat predictable, but fun.
Helpful Score: 1
Great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun, light read. Enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
Great cozy mystery. Will have you wishing you had a great cup of coffee while you read it.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun book, though the author did kind of overdo it on explaining things. Especially good if you REALLY like coffee!
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first in the new sereis of coffee house mysteries, with Clare Cosi as manager. I would have enjoyed this series more if there had been a little less explantion of brewing coffee, but over all it was good.
Helpful Score: 1
I love the books by this author written under the name Alice Kimberly, so was anxious to read these coffee house mysteries. This is the first one in the series and the first I read. There is way too much info about coffee in it and the story moves quite slowly, but I did like it well enough to try others in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a series I will love to follow! Very snappy, very clever, and very fun.
Helpful Score: 1
Not too bad for a cozy. A quick read with a plausible plotline. Occasionally, the author seemed to discuss more about the inner workings of moneyed New Yorkers than the mystery, so the plotline was a little weak at times. She leaves several loose ends (personal life not mystery), so you can tell she is really trying to draw you into reading the next in her series. I haven't decided yet, as the characters weren't really all that compelling.
Helpful Score: 1
Coffee and murder, what fun!
Helpful Score: 1
1st in the coffeehouse mystery series.
Helpful Score: 1
Very entertaining and a quick read! This is the first book in the Coffeehouse cozy series.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun, silly mystery!
Helpful Score: 1
Clare Cosi is excited about running her new historic Village Blend Coffeehouse until she finds her assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store...What is going on? And is the very handsome detective sent to look in to it married?
Helpful Score: 1
A bit darker than the regular cozy mystery, but not bad. Way too much coffee info. More than was needed or even interesting. The characters are ok. Clare has potential if the author develops her personality further.
Helpful Score: 1
I really couldn't get into this one. Although I read the whole book, didn't care for the main character and way too much info about coffee.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent mystery!
Helpful Score: 1
1st in the series. Fun characters and a fun setting. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
With a sprawling rent - free apartment directly above the Village Blend, her cat Java at her side,and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. 3 stars.
Helpful Score: 1
Good first book in a series. I got a little sick of the coffee snobbery, but that was a minor annoyance. Overall it was a nice, light read.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm really enjoying this series. Easy and entertaining!
Helpful Score: 1
Took me about 1/2 the book before I could get into it. Once I did, it seems alright. Start out slow. I will try the next one and see how it goes.
Helpful Score: 1
First in the new coffeehouse mystery series.I enjoyed this book a lot. Elements of mystery, romance, lots of coffee, and a few yummy recipes!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved it, wanted to go out and try some "good" coffee and I don't drink coffee. Been a tea drinker all my life but the way she writes it entices you to not put the book down. Places she describes bring back fond memories of the NYC village and her characters are true to life.
Helpful Score: 1
Clare Cosi is the manager of the historic Village Blend Coffeehouse. One morning she discovers her assistant manager inconschiou in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. The police think it is merely an accident, but Clare isn't so sure! Clare becomes very busy serving coffee and solving the crime...one cup at a time.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun cozy
Helpful Score: 1
I like this book and the characters. I think of them as fast food for readers. They go quickly and are enjoyable. I also like the theme books, these are coffee.
Helpful Score: 1
A light, easy read...............can't wait to read the second book in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book and am about to start second in this series. Great writer.
Helpful Score: 1
Great series. This is the first one. If you love laura childs tea mysteries and Tim Myers soap/candle series you will love this one. Cleo Coyle does an amazing job to create characters you will love and want more of. This book is addicting -you won't put it down til its done.
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely wretched. I couldn't even finish this book, and I finish everything! Only read this book if stilted dialogue, long and uninteresting diatribes about coffee making methods, snobbery towards anyone who is not a full-on coffee afficianado, and random, out of the blue flashbacks to 9/11 are your thing. Otherwise, throw it on the recycling pile. Or perhaps it could help steady a wobbly table.
Helpful Score: 1
Great story, interesting coffee information and recipes added to the mystery.. what a combo!
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first of a very good series; I plan to read them all.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book all about a cofffe house and the owners,in New York.First book in the series
Helpful Score: 1
Introducing a delightful new series featuring Carolyn Cosi, manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse...
Carolyn 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, Carolyn is not convinced. And after the police leave, Carolyn can't help wondering...If this was an act of murder, is she in danger?
Carolyn 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, Carolyn is not convinced. And after the police leave, Carolyn can't help wondering...If this was an act of murder, is she in danger?
Helpful Score: 1
A throughly enjoyable read for coffee drinker and mystery lovers alike.
great first book in the series, if you liked the rest read the first as It does not matter what order they are read as they are all great reads.
I LOVE good coffee, and I love a good mystery, so this book was a double treat for me. The main character, Clare, is very 'real' and likable, someone most of us could probably relate to. The interplay between Clare and her ex-husband is funny at times, so it will be interesting to see where that relationship goes in future books. I will definitely read the other books in the series. There is a lot of info about coffee thrown into the story, but I found that to be helpful. In fact, I had one of those screw-top Italian espresso pots that I was about to throw out because I couldn't get it to work, but I learned how to use it properly from reading this book!
Good read, enjoy the plot.
Great Book!
Clare Cosi, the main character, returns to the Village Blend, a coffeehouse she used to manage, at the urging of it's eccentric owner & her ex-mother in law. One of her employees has fallen down the stairs & lands in a coma. The police think it was an accident; Clare suspects otherwise, and decides to do some sleuthing herself.
This is a GREAT read. Great characters, interweaving relationships, & LOTS of coffee information.
If you are not a coffee lover, you will probably find youself skipping over coffee-specific details. Fortunately for me, I LOVE everything coffee related and hung on to every word. Even includes recipes for cocktails, coffee drinks & other dishes (coffee related, of course) made by the characters.
The perfect cozy mystery. All you need is a fireplace, a comfy chair, and a cappuccino. Ahh.. heaven.
Clare Cosi, the main character, returns to the Village Blend, a coffeehouse she used to manage, at the urging of it's eccentric owner & her ex-mother in law. One of her employees has fallen down the stairs & lands in a coma. The police think it was an accident; Clare suspects otherwise, and decides to do some sleuthing herself.
This is a GREAT read. Great characters, interweaving relationships, & LOTS of coffee information.
If you are not a coffee lover, you will probably find youself skipping over coffee-specific details. Fortunately for me, I LOVE everything coffee related and hung on to every word. Even includes recipes for cocktails, coffee drinks & other dishes (coffee related, of course) made by the characters.
The perfect cozy mystery. All you need is a fireplace, a comfy chair, and a cappuccino. Ahh.. heaven.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment of the Coffeehouse mystery series. Will definitely read the next one! Interesting characters, nice setting! Made me want to find a house similar to frequent!
Cute, I am a coffee addict so I thought I had to read this mystery.
It was a cute book, but definitely a light read.
This is a cute, fun mystery. I really did not guess who the culprit was! I enjoyed the coffee recipes and info scattered throughout. If you like an easy read this fills the bill!
fun, but, seriously makes you want to drink(fancy)coffee!
What a fun mystery! And since I like coffee a lot, I enjoyed all of the tips and information about coffee. I may even try an espresso drink next time I go to a coffee shop (though I mostly make my own coffee at home). The book was a quick read, but the mystery kept me guessing most of the way through. There was enough romantic tension to be interesting as well. I plan to read the next book in the series.
This is the first I have ever read Cleo Coyle. This was a fun book - had a main story and then a sub plot going on. This is the first book in a multiple book series - all surrounding the Village Blend Coffee Shop and the main characters in this first book. I know there are 8 books in this series, as of November 2009. I have books 2 and 3 on my wish list - which means book number 1 was interesting enough to want to read further....
The book was well written, but I did not expect the level of detail on coffee, so I skimmed a lot. I don't usually read "food fiction," so this may be routine.
Glad I finally started reading this series. If u r a coffee person u will enjoy this book. Like the references to coffee. Also enjoyed the characters. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this fist entry in the Coffeehouse series. There was a surprise twist at the end of the story. The characters were interesting and the collf trivia informative. Recipies are at the end of the story.
If you love coffee, you will love reading this series. I am enjoying the light read and also the light mystery involved. The recipies at the end of the books are amazing!!!
This book is a great cozy mystery. I don't drink coffee or have any knowledge about it. I felt the author did a good job in making sure even a non-coffee drinker could understand some of the things mentioned in regards to the coffee shop. The mystery itself was very good!
A nice, new cozy series that I've enjoyed very much.
Good first book in a series. Characters are fun and know a lot about their coffee.
the first in the series
LOVE this series!
Good light reading. Loaded with plenty of information about coffee and good recipes. If I were a coffee drinker, I would really use the recipes. Good explanation of what goes into making a good cup of coffee. They mystery part is pretty good as well.
Nice cozy mystery. Getting to know the characters(this is second in series), and really like them.
Love this series. Believable characters and relationships. The most fascinating to me, is the author goes into detail about different types of coffee. I'm not a big coffee fan, so I think if I was, I would still be impressed with the coffee bean details. I'm reading all the books in this series.
It was an okay light read. I got a little tired of all the coffee references.
A fun read that kept me guessing to the end. Very quick, enjoyable. Sure to make you smile, and wish for more.
A really wonderful book. The author is a great writer, has a great way with words and imagery. The plot is a great read.
This has been one of my favorite series!!!
