Title: On What Grounds

Author: Cleo Coyle

Year Published: 2003

Why did you buy this book?

While looking for cozy mysteries I read a blurb about this book and found it interesting not only because of the blurb but also for the setting. I love coffee shops.

Do you like the cover?

Yes, it looks like a place you would like to come in find out why the coffee beans are spilled.

Did you enjoy the book?

I enjoyed the book. Clare’s daughter is in college and so she finally takes her old boss-mentor-ex-mother-in-law up on her offer of coming back to work in the historic Village Blend. The shop is in trouble because of the previous manager so it needs all Clare’s help and attention. Not only will this opportunity get Clare out of the suburbs and back in the city (because of the wonderfully spacious apartment above the shop) but she will be back doing what she loves.

Everything seems to be going perfect in Clare’s life until she comes to open the shop early one morning to find her manager unconscious at the bottom of the stairs and trash scattered around. The police think it’s an accident but Clare has her doubts. To add to her stress, her ex-husband turns up in her shower. The spark is still there but she’s through with his carefree ways. He informs her that his mother also promised the apartment to him as well. Between getting the shop back on track, fighting her attraction to her husband (and the good looking detective) as well as figured out what happened to her manager Clare has her hands full.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?

Yes, the author was new to me and I plan to check out more in the ‘Coffeehouse Mystery’ series but not right away. Having started a new genre (cozy mysteries) I’m flooded with books to read as well as many of my old favorites in the romance genre.

Are you keeping this book or passing it on?

Yes, I’m keeping it. I like to reread-skim books that are part of a series if I don’t read the books back to back so I can get back into the storyline (or refresh my memory on the characters)