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nimue0fiana's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nolegirl's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
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 the creation of an espresso than in moving through a scene. That said, I did actually enjoy the story as a whole. The tension between Clare and her ex- is too obvious, but I am curious as to where Coyle is taking it. Especially with Quinn's reticence and seemingly taken state.
The Story
Madame has convinced Clare to come back to her old job as the manager for the family coffeehouse, Village Blend, in Greenwich Village. Part of the incentive is a 15% ownership in the coffeehouse and free housing — the top two floors of the townhouse above the coffeeshop. Only, Clare quickly discovers that Madame has made the same offer to Matteo, Madame's son. Clare's ex. Seems Madame is up to her old tricks trying to reunite Clare and Matt.
Of course, she finds this out after she discovers Anabelle, her day manager, barely breathing at the foot of the basement stairs. An incident the police label as an accident when Clare knows it isn't. Anabelle is just too graceful to take a header like that!
The Characters
Clare Cosi is Matteo's ex-wife, and she's going back to work for his mother, Madame, at Village Blend, the family's historic coffeehouse in Greenwich Village. Matteo Allegro is the coffee buyer for Village Blend and rarely in town. He's also a hunk and into anyone's bed; the reason for their divorce. Joy is their 19-year-old student-chef daughter who brings her new boyfriend, Mario Forte (also a chef), to dinner with her parents where he proceeds to alienate both of them.
Tucker Burton is their gay night barista; Anabelle is the new day manager with some unexpected issues with her boyfriend — everyone else refers to him as The Dick. Her venal stepmother, Darla Branch Hart, is in town and threatening Village Blend's obviously poor employee safety situation. Eduardo Lebreux used to work for Madame's deceased husband and recommended Moffat Flaste, the last, extremely incompetent manager of VB with secret instructions and some evil plans.
The police called in to investigate Anabelle's accident include Detective Mike Quinn who seems to be unwillingly attracted to Clare — and doesn't that just piss Matteo off! — and Officers Langley and Demetrios who gain an immediate appreciation for a good Greek coffee.
The Cover and Title
The cover is rather fun with its lighthearted depiction of a cozy sitting area, Java the cat posed on all fours in the middle of the floor. A floor covered in the names of coffee beans. In the foreground, is a huge, copper espresso machine all focusing on an espresso cup on its side in a saucer. Steam from the espresso machine twines up towards the signboard displaying the title.
I do like the title as it suggests so many things. On What Grounds could refer to Clare and Matteo's relationship or whether Annabelle's death is an accident or homicide or simply a reference to this first novel in the Coffeehouse Mystery series.
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 the creation of an espresso than in moving through a scene. That said, I did actually enjoy the story as a whole. The tension between Clare and her ex- is too obvious, but I am curious as to where Coyle is taking it. Especially with Quinn's reticence and seemingly taken state.
The Story
Madame has convinced Clare to come back to her old job as the manager for the family coffeehouse, Village Blend, in Greenwich Village. Part of the incentive is a 15% ownership in the coffeehouse and free housing — the top two floors of the townhouse above the coffeeshop. Only, Clare quickly discovers that Madame has made the same offer to Matteo, Madame's son. Clare's ex. Seems Madame is up to her old tricks trying to reunite Clare and Matt.
Of course, she finds this out after she discovers Anabelle, her day manager, barely breathing at the foot of the basement stairs. An incident the police label as an accident when Clare knows it isn't. Anabelle is just too graceful to take a header like that!
The Characters
Clare Cosi is Matteo's ex-wife, and she's going back to work for his mother, Madame, at Village Blend, the family's historic coffeehouse in Greenwich Village. Matteo Allegro is the coffee buyer for Village Blend and rarely in town. He's also a hunk and into anyone's bed; the reason for their divorce. Joy is their 19-year-old student-chef daughter who brings her new boyfriend, Mario Forte (also a chef), to dinner with her parents where he proceeds to alienate both of them.
Tucker Burton is their gay night barista; Anabelle is the new day manager with some unexpected issues with her boyfriend — everyone else refers to him as The Dick. Her venal stepmother, Darla Branch Hart, is in town and threatening Village Blend's obviously poor employee safety situation. Eduardo Lebreux used to work for Madame's deceased husband and recommended Moffat Flaste, the last, extremely incompetent manager of VB with secret instructions and some evil plans.
The police called in to investigate Anabelle's accident include Detective Mike Quinn who seems to be unwillingly attracted to Clare — and doesn't that just piss Matteo off! — and Officers Langley and Demetrios who gain an immediate appreciation for a good Greek coffee.
The Cover and Title
The cover is rather fun with its lighthearted depiction of a cozy sitting area, Java the cat posed on all fours in the middle of the floor. A floor covered in the names of coffee beans. In the foreground, is a huge, copper espresso machine all focusing on an espresso cup on its side in a saucer. Steam from the espresso machine twines up towards the signboard displaying the title.
I do like the title as it suggests so many things. On What Grounds could refer to Clare and Matteo's relationship or whether Annabelle's death is an accident or homicide or simply a reference to this first novel in the Coffeehouse Mystery series.
n0ize's review against another edition
1.0
No. No.
Let me tell you some people can write poc and some people cant, and I’m sorry but Cleo can not. The way I could tell each character spoke with a stereotypical accent or behaved a certain way just gave me the ick. The audio made it even more worse and why is it that the blonde characters are described more like “ she had beautifully long blonde hair with milky pale skin and starry blue eyes.” And characters like the black girl is saying things like that’s “Phat!” and has fake nails on that are pink. Give all your characters descriptions please!
The coffee theme is cute and I thought it would be really easy n cozy. But all I’m getting is blah coffee coffee coffee blah blah oh he hot blah I’m rich! Blah blah boring history. Lol she also talked about her breast in the most oddest way. Here is an example of a woman writing like a man.
Let me tell you some people can write poc and some people cant, and I’m sorry but Cleo can not. The way I could tell each character spoke with a stereotypical accent or behaved a certain way just gave me the ick. The audio made it even more worse and why is it that the blonde characters are described more like “ she had beautifully long blonde hair with milky pale skin and starry blue eyes.” And characters like the black girl is saying things like that’s “Phat!” and has fake nails on that are pink. Give all your characters descriptions please!
The coffee theme is cute and I thought it would be really easy n cozy. But all I’m getting is blah coffee coffee coffee blah blah oh he hot blah I’m rich! Blah blah boring history. Lol she also talked about her breast in the most oddest way. Here is an example of a woman writing like a man.
anavaan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
anabatel1's review against another edition
4.0
It didn't feel like a cozy mystery at the beginning, and for the first 20% of the book I considered DNFing it. I'm glad I didn't though, because the pacing picked up and the storyline made sense.
The book was written in 2003 and you can definitely see how the times have changed. I didn't want to deduct any stars for that, but some people might find the writers insensitive.
All the mentions of coffee and practices made sense! I'm glad that they have a solid understanding of coffee, and that those parts are enjoyable and cozy!
The book was written in 2003 and you can definitely see how the times have changed. I didn't want to deduct any stars for that, but some people might find the writers insensitive.
All the mentions of coffee and practices made sense! I'm glad that they have a solid understanding of coffee, and that those parts are enjoyable and cozy!
cutenanya's review against another edition
3.0
the story is mediocre at best. The clues are not left in such a way that readers can make logical deductions, though the author has tried to provide all the clues. As such, the conclusion seems forced and the ending less than satisfactory.
jaxness's review against another edition
3.0
This was a refreshing cozy mystery that I think I needed.
Though all the coffee detailed talk would've annoyed me if I wasn't a coffee lover myself, It was interesting.
Though all the coffee detailed talk would've annoyed me if I wasn't a coffee lover myself, It was interesting.