- ISBN13: 9780425230053
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Product Description
There’s nothing cozier than a winter evening in Greenwich Village. Streetlights shimmer through icy flakes, cafés glow with welcoming warmth, and a layer of snow dusts historic townhouses like powdered sugar on holiday confections. Murder has no place in such a pretty picture, until now… Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who’s been using her Village Blend as a place to war…
I would suggest this book for the extensive coffee-making tips and recipes, but not the lackluster story. The later additions to this series do not contain the “magic” of the earlier works. This story in particular spent most of its time dealing with the mundane lows of relationships and little time on the actual mystery. It revealed bits and pieces of the characters, yet never spent enough time to really flesh them out. The ending was also rushed as the unrelated clues were lumped together when Clare miraculously finds the missing evidence and solves the case single-handedly… Bah! Humbug!
Rating: 2 / 5
With the winter holidays fast approaching, the Village Blend coffeehouse owner and head barista, Clare Cosi, asked her employees what does Christmas taste like. They held an informal session as everyone shared their ideas for new holiday-flavored lattes.
That evening the blend hosted a private latte tasting party so guests could vote on their favorite flavors to highlight during the upcoming season. The Fa-la-la-la latte tag was created by charity Santa Alfred Glockner who had a habit of stopping by the Blend for his own specialty latte every afternoon during his shift.
When Santa didn’t show up at the latte party he had inspired, Clare dressed for the elements and plunged into the snowy night. She soon found Santa shot dead in a nearby alley. When police decided his shooting was nothing more than a random mugging, Clare decided to go into action. Unfortunately, it seemed Santa was the naughty one and that was why he ended up on someone’s hit list.
Although the usual characters such as ex-husband Matt Allegro and current special friend, detective Mike Quinn, are on the scene, the author also introduces a number of others such as a mysterious redhead and the especially interesting detective Franco.
Holiday Grind is the eighth novel in the Coffeehouse Mystery series by husband and wife team, Cleo Coyle. This edition provides an entertaining whodunit with a side of delicious baked goods and tantilizing flavored lattes.
There is the usual sexual tension between Matt and Clare, especially as he and his new wife are not getting along. The tension between Matt and Mike also seems realistic.
An added bonus to this book is the expanded recipes and tips section in the back, written especially as a holiday gift for readers. A mini-book on coffeehouse terms and drinks, including recipes for making your own coffee syrups and lattes will delight fans. There are also additional holiday recipes provided by the Holiday Grind cast.
Holiday Grind (Coffee House Mystery)
Rating: 5 / 5
I really enjoyed this book as I have all the coffee house mysteries! The holiday time, the coffee, the food, and the mystery were a delight to read during downtime from the Thanksgiving holiday. I recommend to anyone who wants a quick, entertaining, and relaxing read.
Rating: 5 / 5
“Holiday Grind” is full of holiday spirit and festive treats. The recipes look terrific, I agree that the red and green biscotti are a “must-bake”. Reading this book did make me want to run out and buy a holiday latte! I especially liked the different holiday treats from various cultures and faiths.
Clare’s rescue from the river made for some especially humorous moments.
The mystery itself was was solid and left me guessing until the end. Yes, Clare solves the mystery single-handedly, but she is the heroine! That is kind of how these things work
There are a couple little things that prevented me from giving this book five stars….unfortunately, they are ongoing annoyances. Frankly, I think Matt is slimy and I find it really distasteful and creepy the way he is constantly copping a feel of Clare. Even with a shared history, I don’t think it is very realistic or entertaining that Clare allows Matt to put his hands all over her and make suggestive comments. Ew! Not to mention that Matt and Bree’s “honeymoon phase” didn’t even last half a book! The other thing that “grinds” my gears (pun intended!) is how bratty Joy acts. She is not very nice to her mom, but her absentee dad can do no wrong. I hope Coyle has Joy outgrow this skewed view of her parents soon. Her snotty attitude takes away from the warm feeling of the books at times.
Overall, I enjoyed this entry in the series and can’t wait to use some of the recipes and ideas this holiday season!
Rating: 4 / 5
Holiday Grind is number eight in this delicious cozy mystery series, A Coffeehouse Mystery. I have been hooked since the very beginning with On What Grounds. I even have to confess to reading Murder Most Frothy while in labor with my son, lol. Let me tell you, it helped pass the time and those pains! I even managed to finish the last word before my little man entered the world. Okay, too much information, lol. In any case, this is one of my very favorite cozy mystery series and this latest installment, Holiday Grind, was like the yummy colorful sprinkles sitting merrily atop a minty, chocolaty and unforgettable peppermint mocha!
Often times as a series goes on, it may begin to drag or lose some of its appeal. This is definitely not the case with this series. At number eight, Claire, Mike, Matt and the entire coffeehouse gang are better than ever. True to the season, Holiday Grind focuses around the painful murder of Clare’s friend and traveling santa, Alf. Tossed aside as a random mugging, Alf’s murder is not considered priority; clever sleuth, Claire, knows differently. At the urging of Alf’s daughter, Claire takes matters into her own hands and does her own investigating and searching into what really happened to jolly Alf.
Claire’s ex-husband, Matt lends his assistance, trying to protect Claire, much to her chagrin, which in turn leads to a few moments sure to bring a smile to the reader’s face. Meanwhile, Claire’s relationship with sexy Detective Mike Quinn heats up, until a mysterious redhead enters the picture to bring doubts to Claire’s mind. Then to top things off, there is a killer that will stop at nothing to silence Claire and end her latte making days forever.
Holiday Grind is filled to the brim with the series’ trademark humor, sassiness and mystery. Though number eight in the series, Holiday Grind is so well written that it easily could be read as a stand alone. Perfect for the holiday season, indulge in this rich and frothy mystery and I’ll guarantee that if you have not read the other books in this series, that that will quickly change!
At the end of each book, Cleo Coyle includes great coffee tips as well as some of the recipes mentioned throughout the book. Well, hang on to your coffee mugs because Holiday Grind contains a nearly recipe book length bonus section at the end! I’m talking recipes for coffee syrups, baked goods, coffee drinks, tips and tons more! As a coffee drink fanatic, this pleased me to no end! I was giddy with excitement – yes, it’s the simple things in life that please me, lol. With the excellent story and delightful bonus gift of recipes, Holiday Grind is the perfect way to treat yourself, a friend or family member. Also, I have to say that I love the cover! I can’t wait for the next in the installment of the Coffeehouse Mystery Series, though *sigh* I have a long wait since Roast Mortem (don’t you just love the title?!) is not due out until Aug. 2010! Until then, grab a cup of your favorite caffeine induced treat, sit back, relax and spend some time with Claire and the gang in Holiday Grind!
Rating: 5 / 5