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A Coffeehouse Mystery — by Cleo Coyle
Coffeehouse Series in Order: 22 books
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On What Grounds
Book - 1
Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Pillage Blend coffeehouse...until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten scars and a little friendly cajoling from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue .1 fountain was all it t...
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Through The Grinder
Book - 2
Clare Cosi has coffee in her veins. That's why she jumped at the chance to return to New York City as manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse. And her new life is a pretty flavorful blend too -- with her daughter close by, her ex-husban...
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Latte Trouble
Book - 3
As manager of the historic Village Blend coffeehouse, Clare Cosi can steam a fantastically foamy cappuccino and press a perfect pot of Jamaica Blue Mountain. But suddenly she finds herself dealing with a mystery that's just too hot to handle... Th...
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Murder Most Frothy
Book - 4
Endless Summer, Bottomless Cups Clare Cosi's new friend, millionaire David Mintzer, has an offer no New York barista could turn down: an all-expenses-paid summer away from the sticky city. At his Hamptons mansion, she'll relax, soak up the sun, an...
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Decaffeinated Corpse
Book - 5
In the world of high-octane coffee shops, asking for a decaf is a good way to get a hot jolt of scorn. But Clare Cosi, manager of the historic Village Blend, is determined to please all of her customers, even if it kills her... Get the Lead Out ...
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French Pressed
Book - 6
New Yorker Clare Cosi may have found success with her popular coffeehouse, the Village Blend, but managing her family's affairs is proving to be a grind... Dark Brew Clare's daughter, Joy, is immersing herself in the foodie culture with an inte...
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Espresso Shot
Book - 7
Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi rarely gets steamed. But ever since her ex-husband announced his plans to remarry she's been making some vows of her own... Roped into creating a gourmet coffee and dessert bar for her ex-husband's wedding, Clare faces...
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Holiday Grind
Book - 8
When Village Blend manager and head barista Clare Cosi finds a red-suited body in the snow, she adds solving Santa's slaying to her coffeehouse menu. Clare's grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa w...
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Roast Mortem
Book - 9
Clare Cosi, manager and head barista of the landmark Village Blend coffeehouse, has perfected the pulling of steaming hot espresso. But ,can she keep New York's Bravest from getting burned? When the firefighters of Ladder Company 189 pull Clare's ...
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Murder by Mocha
Book - 10
A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare Cosi is a coffee shop manager by day, an irrepressible snoop by night. When something is wrong, she considers it her mission in life to right it, and murder is as wrong as it gets. Can coffee enhance yo...
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A Brew to a Kill
Book - 11
Coffee. It can get a girl killed. A shocking hit-and-run in front of her Village Blend coffeehouse spurs Clare Cosi into action. A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare is also a dedicated sleuth, and she's determined to track down this ruth...
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Holiday Buzz
Book - 12
Holiday time is party time in New York City, but after a sparkling winter bash ends with a murder, Village Blend coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi vows to put the killer on ice... At the Great New York Cookie Swap, pastry chefs bake up their very bes...
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Billionaire Blend
Book - 13
*Starred Review --Kirkus Top Pick --RT Book Reviews Includes a wealth of delicious recipes. In this 13th entry of the Coffeehouse Mystery series, we return to the Village Blend, a charming coffeehouse in the heart of New York's picturesque...
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Once Upon a Grind
Book - 14
When coffeehouse manager turned amateur sleuth Clare Cosi roasts "magic" beans for a Fairy Tale Fall event, she brews up a vision that leads to a sleeping beauty in Central Park; a big, bad wolf of Wall Street; and an East Side enclave with storybook...
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Dead to the Last Drop
Book - 15
After the White House asks coffeehouse manager and master roaster Clare Cosi to consult on the coffee service for a Rose Garden Wedding, she discovers a historic pot was used as a CIA "dead drop" decades before. Now long-simmering secrets boi...
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Dead Cold Brew
Book - 16
THE PERFECT PROPOSAL LEADS TO A CHILLING COLD CASE... Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi sheds tears of joy when her NYPD detective boyfriend surprises her with an engagement ring. But her bridal bliss is put on hold when a chilling mystery brings a ...
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Shot in the Dark
Book - 17
A smartphone dating game turns the Village Blend into a hookup hotspot -- until a gunshot turns the landmark coffeehouse into a crime scene. As Village Blend manager Clare Cosi fixes a date for her wedding, her ex-husband is making dates through ...
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Brewed Awakening
Book - 18
When coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi awakens on a bench in Washington Square Park, she has no idea she's been missing for days, or that her friends and family have been frantic with worry. Now that she's back, everyone is overjoyed, including ...
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Honey Roasted
Book - 19
Clare Cosi is busy as a bee planning her honeymoon when murder buzzes into the Village Blend in this all-new mystery in the beloved New York Times bestselling Coffeehouse series by Cleo Coyle.While struggling to find a romantic (and affordable) desti...
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Bulletproof Barista
Book - 20
When a film crew's location shoot delivers an actual shooting, Clare Cosi finds herself at the scene of a true crime in this showstopping entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.Only Murders in Got...
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No Roast for the Weary
Book - 21
When the Village Blend opens a Writer's Block Lounge, a cold case crime turns up the heat on Clare and her crew in this gripping new entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.As much as master r...
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Eat, Drink, and Get Buried
Book - 22
When the Village Blend caters a glittering rooftop party, their creative coffee concoctions are eclipsed by a shocking murder in this compelling new Coffeehouse Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.Years ago, when master roaster ...
Series Premise
The core premise of the Coffeehouse Mystery series revolves around Clare Cosi, a savvy and determined woman in her forties who returns to manage the iconic Village Blend coffeehouse in New York City's Greenwich Village after a decade in the suburbs. Each book typically begins with a seemingly innocuous event at the coffee shop—perhaps a new customer, a special event, or a delivery of exotic beans—that spirals into a full-blown murder investigation. Clare, an amateur sleuth with a keen eye for details and a nose for trouble (often literally, given her expertise in coffee aromas), finds herself drawn into solving crimes that hit close to home. These mysteries frequently tie into the world of coffee: poisoned lattes, suspicious suppliers, rival baristas, or even international intrigue involving coffee plantations.
The setup is classic cozy mystery fare—an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances—but infused with unique elements. Clare isn't a professional detective; she's a single mom and dedicated manager who uses her wits, her knowledge of people, and the resources at hand (like her barista team's insights or coffee trivia) to piece together clues. The plots often involve a mix of personal stakes, such as threats to the shop's reputation, harm to employees, or connections to Clare's past. For instance, in the first book, On What Grounds, Clare discovers her assistant manager dead amid strewn coffee grounds, prompting her to unravel a web of jealousy and secrets. Subsequent entries escalate the stakes: female customers dying suspiciously in Through the Grinder, a fashion designer's murder linked to a poisoned mocha in Latte Trouble, or a car bomb targeting a billionaire client in Billionaire Blend.
What ties the series together is the recurring motif of coffee as both a literal and metaphorical brew. Coffee represents comfort, community, and clarity—helping Clare "perk up" her deductive skills—while the mysteries explore darker brews like betrayal, greed, and hidden motives. The authors weave in real-world coffee education, from the ethics of fair-trade sourcing to the art of latte foam, making the premise not just about solving crimes but also about appreciating the craft behind your morning cup. As the series progresses, subplots expand beyond the shop, taking Clare to places like Washington, D.C., for a new branch opening in Dead to the Last Drop, or international locales through her ex-husband's travels. This evolution keeps the premise fresh, blending standalone mysteries with ongoing character arcs, ensuring each book can be enjoyed independently while rewarding loyal readers with deeper lore.
Coffeehouse Series Characters
The Coffeehouse Mystery series thrives on its ensemble cast, led by the indomitable Clare Cosi. Clare is the heart of the stories: a fortysomething single mom, master roaster, and reluctant sleuth who's sharp, resourceful, and deeply loyal. After divorcing her adventurous ex-husband and raising her daughter Joy in New Jersey, she returns to the Village Blend, bringing a no-nonsense attitude honed by life experience. Clare's passion for coffee fuels her investigations; she often uses sensory details—like the bitterness of a suspect's alibi—to crack cases. Her growth across the series, from hesitant returnee to confident businesswoman, makes her relatable and inspiring.
Matteo "Matt" Allegro, Clare's charming ex-husband, adds spice as the Blend's globe-trotting green coffee buyer. A former playboy with a flair for drama, Matt's international escapades (sourcing beans from Haiti or Indonesia) often intersect with mysteries, providing comic relief and romantic friction. Despite their divorce, their chemistry simmers, evolving into a supportive partnership.
Madame Blanche DuBois Allegro, Matt's flamboyant mother and the shop's owner, is a scene-stealer: an elderly widow with a theatrical past, sharp wit, and a penchant for exotic coffees like Jamaica Blue Mountain. She's the wise mentor figure, cajoling Clare back to the city and offering sage advice amid the chaos.
Joy Allegro, Clare's grown daughter, appears sporadically, representing the next generation; her culinary aspirations and occasional involvement in plots add familial depth.
NYPD Detective Mike Quinn is Clare's steadfast love interest—a stoic, by-the-book cop who reluctantly accepts her meddling but grows to value her insights. Their slow-burn romance provides emotional anchor points.
The supporting cast includes the quirky baristas: Tucker Burton, a dramatic actor-barista; Gardner Evans, a jazz-loving musician; and others like Esther Best, a poetry-slam enthusiast. These young employees form Clare's "found family," pitching in with sleuthing and injecting youthful energy. Recurring figures, like tech billionaire Eric Thorner in Billionaire Blend, introduce fresh dynamics.
Setting of the Coffeehouse Series
The primary setting of the Coffeehouse Mystery series is the Village Blend, a century-old landmark coffeehouse nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York City. This historic neighborhood, with its bohemian vibe, winding streets, and mix of artists, students, and eccentrics, provides an ideal backdrop for cozy intrigue. The shop itself is vividly described as a cozy sanctuary: exposed brick walls, gleaming espresso machines, the constant hum of grinders, and the intoxicating scent of freshly roasted beans. It's more than a business—it's a community hub where regulars gossip, baristas create art in foam, and secrets percolate alongside the brews.
Greenwich Village's layered history is woven into the narratives, from its Beat Generation roots to modern gentrification battles. The authors capture New York's energy without overwhelming the cozy feel; murders might occur in nearby Washington Square Park, trendy boutiques, or rooftop gardens, but the action always circles back to the Blend. As the series expands, settings branch out: international coffee farms in Brazil or Jamaica via flashbacks or travels, a mobile coffee truck zipping through Manhattan in A Brew to a Kill, or even Washington, D.C., for a pop-up shop in later books. These excursions highlight global coffee culture while grounding the stories in urban familiarity.
The setting enhances the mysteries by offering diverse locales for clues—hidden alleys for stakeouts, bustling markets for eavesdropping, or subway rides for dramatic revelations. Weather plays a role too, with snowy winters turning the shop into a warm refuge or summer heat waves amplifying tensions. Ultimately, the Village Blend symbolizes stability in a chaotic city, making the setting as much a character as the people, inviting readers to imagine pulling up a stool at the counter.
Tone & Themes of the Coffeehouse Series
The tone of the Coffeehouse Mystery series is quintessentially cozy: light, engaging, and infused with humor, warmth, and a touch of romance, all while steering clear of graphic violence or gore. These are feel-good mysteries where the focus is on puzzle-solving and human connections rather than gritty realism. The narrative voice, delivered in first-person from Clare's perspective, is witty and conversational, making readers feel like they're chatting with a clever friend over espresso. Puns and wordplay abound—titles like A Brew to a Kill, Roast Mortem, or Brewed Awakening set a playful mood from the cover—and the dialogue sparkles with banter, especially between Clare and her ex-husband or her quirky staff.
There's an educational undercurrent that's never preachy; coffee facts are sprinkled in naturally, adding a layer of intellectual curiosity. The tone emphasizes empowerment and resilience, particularly for women like Clare, who balances career, motherhood, and sleuthing with grace and grit. Romantic tension simmers gently, often between Clare and NYPD detective Mike Quinn, providing sweet escapism without overshadowing the mystery. Even in tense moments, like chases through New York streets or confrontations with suspects, the atmosphere remains upbeat, with resolutions that restore order and often include a celebratory coffee toast.
Critics and fans alike praise the series for its lack of snobbery—despite delving into high-end coffee trends like rare blends or Slayer espresso machines, it celebrates everyday joys. The cozy vibe extends to themes of found family and community support, where the coffeehouse serves as a haven amid chaos. Overall, the tone is uplifting and addictive, like a perfectly frothed cappuccino: frothy on top, rich underneath, and leaving you craving more.
The Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle is a masterful brew of mystery, heart, and java jargon that has captivated readers for over two decades. Its enduring appeal lies in the perfect balance of suspenseful puzzles, endearing characters, and the comforting ritual of coffee, all set against the timeless charm of New York City. Whether educating on ethical sourcing or delivering clever twists, the series reminds us that even in the face of murder, community and a good cup can prevail. With recipes to try at home and themes of empowerment, it's more than just whodunits—it's a celebration of life's rich flavors. If you're seeking cozy escapism with a caffeine kick, dive into the Village Blend; you'll emerge refreshed and ready for the next installment.
Books in this series fall into the following genres
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