Clare Cosi, re-newed coffee shop manager falls into a the mystery of how her best assistant manager fell down the steps.
This is a cozy I can actually tolerate. The protagonist is a feisty woman who won't let things go to the betterment of her family and friends. The plot isn't that novel, but the characters a interesting and I can see this series going a long way. I can't wait to read the next one. ( )

I picked this book up over the weekend, seeing it was based on two of my favorite things, coffee and mysteries. Not only did this book surpass all my expectations of a good story, it has wormed its way into my top 10 lists of best mysteries ever.

The story line is brilliantly written, and one of the few in the last years, that I haven't been able to figure out the ending prior to finishing the story. The characters are well written, thoughtfully developed and witty. The story line is faced paced, cleverly plotted, and the subplots are just as intriguing as the main story line.

I am truly glad that I picked up this wonderful series, I have already devoured the first half of the second novel. I eagerly await being able to read the rest of this series. ( )

I have really enjoyed these mysteries,I cannot stop reading them,right now I am reading No#6 and I look forwardto readin the rest of them,keep up the good work Cleo.Sincerely Darryl

Clare Cosi, manager of The Village Blend coffeehouse, arrives at work one day and finds her Assistant Manager, Annabelle Hart, unconscious at the bottom of the basement stairs. The police say it was an unfortunate accident, but Clare isn't convinced and starts investigating on her own. She also has to deal with her crafty ex-mother-in-law, Madame (owner of The Village Blend) who keeps throwing Clare back together with her ex-husband, Matteo, Madame's son. Clare is also attracted to Homicide Detective Lieutenant Quinn, who may be married. On top of all that, Annabelle's mother is threatening to sue The Village Blend - Clare certainly has her hands full! Clare needs to convince the police that someone was trying to kill Annabelle, before she becomes the next victim.

"On What Grounds" isn't a bad beginning for the first mystery in an ongoing series. Claire is an engaging heroine and it's nice to have a strong woman character that's nearer to 40 than 20. The supporting characters are great; I could especially picture "Madame" as I was reading the book. Clare's ex-husband, Matteo, is also well written, although I would have liked to know more about what he was like in the past.

The setting of New York really comes alive. The reference to 9/11 is especially touching. I realize the book is set in a coffee house, but the frequent references on how to make the perfect cup of coffee felt forced, almost as if they were quoted from a book. The narrator (Clare) comes across as a bit of a snob at times, not only in reference to the coffee people drink, but the clothes and jewelry they wear.

All in all, not a bad beginning to the series. ( )

I loved this first book in the fun cozy series. It combines two of my all-time favorite things -- coffee and mystery!

Clare Cosi has just come back to manage The Village Blend coffeehouse at the request of Madame, the wonderful, loving eccentric who just so happens to also be her ex mother-in-law.

When Clare arrives, it's to find the unconscious body of her assistant manager, Annabelle, lying at the bottom of the service stairs. What the police (led by hunky yet aloof Detective Quinn) assume is a tragic accident seems to clearly be foul play to Clare, and she sets out (with the help of her ex-husband, Matteo) to prove it.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I loved the information on coffee, and I really enjoyed the characters. This is a great read. ( )