On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery Series #1) by Cleo Coyle

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
After an extended stint in suburbia raising her now-grown daughter, Clare Cosi is ready for a change, but she expects complications when she agrees to take over as manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse. After all, her ex-husband is the importer responsible for buying coffee for the shop, and she's been hired to undo the damage caused by a manager who has practically ruined a reputation more than a century old. There aren't many problems Clare doesn't think can be cured by the perfect cup of coffee -- but that theory is about to be tested. When she and her cat, Java, arrive, the shop is locked, the baked goods cases are empty, there's no coffee ready...and the assistant manager who was supposed to be opening the shop and handling the morning rush is sprawled at the bottom of the basement stairs, critically injured. The police want to write it all off as a tragic mishap, but Clare has grounds to believe the trouble brewing at Village Blend is no accident. Coffee lovers will delight in Clare's tips on roasting, grinding, storing, and preparing the perfect cup of coffee (and using the grounds to tell the future). And her luscious recipes and captivating anecdotes about the important role of coffee in the history of civilization are a perfect accent to the rich blend of characters and plot that make On What Grounds such a satisfying mystery. This new series is off to a piping-hot start, and we can't wait to see what new cases the author has percolating! Sue Stone

From the Publisher

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?

Barbara McKee - KLIATT

Clare Cosi decides to come back to the historic Village Blend Coffeehouse because life in the suburbs has lost its glow after ten years. Her ex-mother-in-law wants to play matchmaker with her son and Clare and offers her the job of managing the coffeehouse and using its upstairs apartment. Clare is not back long when her assistant manager is found unconscious and Clare and her ex-husband set off to find the culprit. Scattered throughout are coffee-making tips, and some recipes are added as an appendix. A fun, light mystery. KLIATT Codes: SA-Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, Berkley, 276p., Ages 15 to adult.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents