2008 Woodie Awards
Lakeland Book Looks: On What Grounds
Mara Carpenter
Issue date: 11/6/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Clair Cosi led a quiet suburban life removed from the crime and stress of Manhattan for the past 10 years, but her ex-mother-in-law (Madame) has plans for her that will turn her life upside down.
Madame is the owner of the Village Blend, a historic coffee house that is falling apart under bad management. She needs Clair to take over and set things right and she doesn't take "no" for an answer.
Madame is a rich, elegant, aging woman with a will of "unbreakable marble" who still cares deeply about her ex-daughter-in-law. Clair has managed for her before when she was married to her son Matt, but she moved to the suburbs when she divorced her philandering husband.
Madame wants Clair to return despite her desire to avoid Matt, and she knows how to convince her. Madame gives Clair a partial ownership of the Blend and lets her live rent-free in the luxurious apartment above it that has beautiful, antique furniture and a huge marble bath; Clair can't refuse.
The arrangement seems perfect. Clair has a beautiful place and is closer to her daughter who moved into the city to go to school to become a chef. But things go seriously wrong from the day she moves in.
When she arrives at the Blend at 9 a.m. it is still closed. They were supposed to open at six, but her assistant manager Anabelle hasn't opened the store and she is nowhere to be seen.
Clair is furious and calls, "Anabelle, I'm going to kill you," out of frustration. When she sees the coffee grounds and wet floor by the basement steps she knows something is wrong.
Anabelle is sprawled unconscious on the basement floor barely alive. Clair calls the cops and they investigate the crime scene, but they think it is just an accident. Clair is unconvinced, so she decides to take things into her own hands to solve the mystery. The only question is, will she live to find the truth?
"On What Grounds" by Cleo Coyle is the first book in a series of new mysteries that takes place in the Village Blend. It is filled with sarcastic wit and delightful insight into coffee culture, and it even includes recipes for drinks.
Madame is the owner of the Village Blend, a historic coffee house that is falling apart under bad management. She needs Clair to take over and set things right and she doesn't take "no" for an answer.
Madame is a rich, elegant, aging woman with a will of "unbreakable marble" who still cares deeply about her ex-daughter-in-law. Clair has managed for her before when she was married to her son Matt, but she moved to the suburbs when she divorced her philandering husband.
Madame wants Clair to return despite her desire to avoid Matt, and she knows how to convince her. Madame gives Clair a partial ownership of the Blend and lets her live rent-free in the luxurious apartment above it that has beautiful, antique furniture and a huge marble bath; Clair can't refuse.
The arrangement seems perfect. Clair has a beautiful place and is closer to her daughter who moved into the city to go to school to become a chef. But things go seriously wrong from the day she moves in.
When she arrives at the Blend at 9 a.m. it is still closed. They were supposed to open at six, but her assistant manager Anabelle hasn't opened the store and she is nowhere to be seen.
Clair is furious and calls, "Anabelle, I'm going to kill you," out of frustration. When she sees the coffee grounds and wet floor by the basement steps she knows something is wrong.
Anabelle is sprawled unconscious on the basement floor barely alive. Clair calls the cops and they investigate the crime scene, but they think it is just an accident. Clair is unconvinced, so she decides to take things into her own hands to solve the mystery. The only question is, will she live to find the truth?
"On What Grounds" by Cleo Coyle is the first book in a series of new mysteries that takes place in the Village Blend. It is filled with sarcastic wit and delightful insight into coffee culture, and it even includes recipes for drinks.