On What Grounds

Clare Cosi returns to manage New York City's historic Village Blend coffeehouse after a decade away. On her first morning back, she discovers one of her baristas unconscious at the bottom of the basement stairs. The police rule it an accident, but Clare suspects foul play and begins investigating on her own. Her amateur sleuthing pulls her into the world of competitive ballet, as the injured barista was an aspiring dancer juggling her coffee shop job with grueling rehearsals. Clare navigates the investigation while readjusting to life at the Village Blend, dealing with her ex-mother-in-law who still owns the shop, and learning the complex politics of Manhattan's coffee scene. The book includes coffee facts and recipes throughout the narrative. This cozy mystery uses the culture and craft of coffee as more than just a backdrop, incorporating it into both the plot and the main character's worldview. The story explores themes of ambition, family loyalty, and the impact of the past on present choices.

Readers describe this as a light, cozy mystery that balances coffee facts with the murder investigation. The New York City coffee shop setting and detailed barista information appeal to coffee enthusiasts. Readers appreciated: - Real coffee-making tips and history woven into the story - Authentic portrayal of Greenwich Village - Easy-to-follow plot for casual reading - Clear descriptions of coffee shop operations Common criticisms: - Too many coffee-related tangents that slow the pacing - Main character can come across as judgmental - Romance subplot feels forced - Basic mystery elements that experienced readers find predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (21,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) One reader noted: "Perfect for coffee lovers but may bore others with extensive brewing details." Another stated: "The mystery takes a backseat to coffee education - which isn't necessarily bad if that's what you're looking for."

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🔎 Author Cleo Coyle is actually the pen name for a husband-and-wife writing team, Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini. ☕ The book launched the long-running Coffeehouse Mystery series, which now includes over 15 novels and has sold more than one million copies. 🏙️ The series is set in a fictional Greenwich Village coffeehouse called the Village Blend, but many of the New York City locations mentioned in the book are real places readers can visit. 📚 The authors incorporated authentic coffee-making techniques and recipes into the story, drawing from their own experience working in the food and beverage industry. 🎭 The victim in the story is a dancer, and the authors extensively researched ballet and the dance world to create authentic details about the profession and its physical demands.