On What Grounds (A Coffeehouse Mystery 1)

The first charming mystery in the New York Times bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series—where caffeine and crime are always brewing... Clare Cosi used to manage New York City’s historic Village Blend coffeehouse, until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years away she’s back in action and back to the grind, serving up steaming hot caffeine one cup at a time. With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above the coffeehouse, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work—until she discovers the assistant manager dead in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. NYPD Detective Mike Quinn finds no sign of forced entry or foul play and deems the whole thing an accident. But despite the attractive investigator’s certainty, Clare isn’t convinced. Now, if she wants to get to the bottom of things she’ll have to do some sleuthing of her own—before anyone else ends up in hot water... Includes recipes and coffee-making tips! "The perfect cup of coffee is a mystifying thing. To many of my customers, the entire process seems like some sort of alchemy they dare not try at home...." Ten years ago, Clare Cosi left an unhappy marriage along with a job she loved: managing the historic Village Blend coffeehouse in New York's Greenwich Village. For a decade, she was happy raising her daughter in the quiet suburbs of New Jersey; but now that Joy is grown and gone, life has gotten way too quiet for Clare. With a little cajoling from Madame, the Blend's flamboyant, elderly owner, Clare agrees to return to her old job, and right from the start she gets one heck of a jolt. On her first morning back as Village Blend manager, Clare unlocks the front door to find her beautiful, young assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. As Anabelle is rushed to the hospital, police arrive to investigate, but Detective Mike Quinn finds no sign of forced entry or foul play, and he deems it an accident. Clare disagrees; and after Quinn leaves, there are a few questions she just can't get out of her mind, like why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, are her other baristas in danger? And are all NYPD detectives this attractive?

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.

"With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by 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. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are few things she just can't get out of her mind ... Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And ... are all detectives this handsome?"--Page 4 of cover "With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by 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. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are few things she just can't get out of her mind ... Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And ... are all detectives this handsome?"--Cover page 4 Introducing a delightful new series featuring Clare Cosi, manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse... Clare 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, Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, Clare can't help wondering...If this was an act of murder, is she in danger? Introducing a delightful new series featuring Clare Cosi, manager of the historic Village Blend, where coffee and crime are always brewing ..