I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Through the Grinder
by
Cleo Coyle
cozy mystery in Paperback edition that was published by Berkley on October 5, 2004 and has 270 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Ghost and Mrs. McClure, The Ghost and the Dead Deb, The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library, On What Grounds, Latte Trouble, Murder Most Frothy
Second in the Coffeehouse Mystery series set in an independent coffeehouse, the Village Blend, based in Greenwich Village in New York City.
My Take
I loved and hated this! The story was good, and the ending made me cry!! The theme for this installment is online dating in all its frustrations along with the rare gem.
Clare’s relationship takes a twist with Quinn, and Matt finds out what it’s like on the receiving end. Although. Clare does get a bit of insight on Matt’s thinking process.
You will definitely learn a lot about coffee and proper brewing in this series. Clare is also interested in cooking with some interesting food and drink recipes following at the back of the book.
The Story
Joy is thinking about online dating, and Clare is determined to check them out before Joy signs on.
Meanwhile, business is booming at Clare Cosi’s Village Blend, until her female customers start to die. Lieutenant Quinn is convinced that someone has an axe to grind, and unfortunately, his prime suspect is the new man in Clare’s life.
Now Clare will risk her heart — and her life — to follow the killer’s trail to the bitter end.
The Characters
Clare Cosi is Matteo Allegro’s ex-wife and she manages the shop — Village Blend, the family’s historic coffeehouse in the Village — for his French mother, Madame Blanche Dreyfus Allegro Dubois. Matteo is the coffee buyer and rarely in town. Joy is their 19-year-old daughter who is going to school to be a chef.
Among the employees are Tucker Burton, their gay night barista financing his writing/acting career and Esther Best, an NYU student. Some of their regular customers include Kira Kirk, a crossword enthusiast; “Winnie” Winslet, a successful lawyer; Valerie Lathem; Sahara McNeil who works at a death art gallery; and, Inga Berg is a buyer at Macy’s.
Detective Mike Quinn asks Clare to have dinner with him and then half-asks for advice on his marital problems. He’s not too happy about Clare dating Bruce. Officers Langley and Demetrios have a cameo.
Brooks Newman is a fundraiser for non-profits, and Bruce Bowman is a successful contractor currently restoring a gorgeous Federal townhouse for himself; both are men whom Clare meets through online dating services.
The Cover and Title
The cover is steamy swirls around an old-fashioned manual coffee grinder, its drawer holding a broken heart and flanked by two old-style copper coffeepots, a sprinkle of coffee beans, and rows of clear coffee cups.
The title relates to how Clare feels at the end, as though she’s been Through the Grinder.
