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allisonleslie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a totally spontaneous pick to read because I loved the name of all the books in the series - and it did not let me down! Loved this cozy mystery book and flew through reading it. Already have the next book on its way from the library.
tregina's review against another edition
2.0
This series was recommended to me when I first developed my craving for a good cozy, and for the first couple of chapters I thought they were right. I didn't even mind the loving descriptions of coffee because...coffee. Mmmm, coffee. But between the uncomfortably manipulated situation between the protagonist and her ex-husband, her judgementalness that bordered on offensive, and the general digressions of the narrative into irrelevance instead of actually building a mystery, it really declined for me from that point on.
csnurr's review against another edition
2.0
Why does the narrator spend the whole book convinced a person has gravely injured her employee and locked up the coffee shop behind himbut never considers getting the locks changed
awilson0084's review against another edition
5.0
Do yourself a favor and listen to this series on audible! I don’t know how I’d feel about reading these books myself because I do like this Coffeehouse Series, books 1-19.
The way Rebecca Gibel narrates these characters is very entertaining and she brings the story to life. You will laugh, cry and root for Clare Cosi and her crew!
The way Rebecca Gibel narrates these characters is very entertaining and she brings the story to life. You will laugh, cry and root for Clare Cosi and her crew!
ladynik's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
2.75
h_with_a_feather's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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.