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Once Upon A Grind (2014)

by Cleo Coyle(Favorite Author)

4.19 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0425270858 (ISBN13: 9780425270851)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Berkley Hardcover

series

Coffeehouse Mystery

review 1: Cleo Coyle might utilize fairy tales in the latest Coffeehouse Mystery, Once Upon a Grind, but you have to remember, the Brothers Grimm's stories were scary, and not cozy bedtime stories. Coyle's mysteries are not cozy bedtime stories either. The latest one turns the idea of fairy tales upside down to show a dark world underneath.It's Fairy Tale Week in New York City. The city's first Storybook Kingdom features a weekend festival celebrating the Brothers Grimm, Mother Goose and classic literary characters in Central Park. Clare Cosi, manager of the the Village Blend coffeehouse, is in the middle of it with their coffee truck. And, her ex-husband and business partner, Matt Allegro, is determined that she try some of the "magic beans", coffee beans he brought back from Ethio... morepia. Clare finally concedes, only to have a vision that leads her to a Russian model dressed as one of the twelve dancing princesses. But, this princess is not just sleeping. She's in a drug-induced coma. And, the death of another Russian "princess" leads a few cops to suspect Matt of murder.Once Upon a Grind is not just a fairy tale mystery, although Coyle skillfully entwines fairy tales into the latest book. As always, Coyle involves Clare and her friends and co-workers at the Village Blend in the story. Readers return to the Village Blend setting for the friendship, atmosphere, coffee and desserts. There's a wonderful supporting cast of staff at the coffeehouse, from Esther, the poet, to the young want-to-be actors. And, there's Clare, her cop boyfriend, Mike Quinn, her ex-mother-in-law, the wonderful Madame Dubois, her daughter's boyfriend, another cop, and her ex, Matt. Once Upon a Grind is the latest story in the on-going saga of this wonderful coffeehouse and cast.Keys, dancing princesses, knights, wolves and witches. Coyle expertly capitalizes on the popular craze for fairy tales. However, Coyle is an expert who understands the dark elements, the frightening side of fairy tales. Everyone doesn't always live happily-ever-after. Clare Cosi's magical visions may be the key to finding answers for drugged princesses, worried children, and an ex-husband locked away in jail. And, if Clare wants a happy future with her own knight in shining armor, Mike Quinn, she needs to listen to her own heart, the indicator of truth in so many fairy tales. All the elements of a good fairy tale, and a good mystery, are present in this wickedly good story, Once Upon a Grind.
review 2: The Coffehouse Mystery series continues with the latest installment by Cleo Coyle, Once Upon a Grind. Most fairy-tales start with once upon a time and end with happily-ever-after, but this book is about magic beans and murder. Coyle once again impresses with a knack for good storytelling, intelligent characters and the perfect cup of joe. Get your favorite beverage ready, along with a free evening and a cozy blanket, because once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down til the very end!What I liked:Two of the biggest names in cozy mysteries in one week. I'm on a roll! I love Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mystery series with a passion. I am a coffee drinker myself and loved the initial theme of the series and all of the interesting situations Coyle puts her heroine, Clare Cosi into. Clare, along with everyone at the Village Blend is an intelligent and resourceful character. Coyle's way with characterization is exceptional, but I think it's the overall dynamic between the characters that has kept this series just as popular today as when it first started.In the latest addition to the series, Once Upon a Grind, Coyle uses a fairy-tale theme but imbues it with a bit of murder. Being a fan of magic and fairy-tales started young with me and a book of classic tales my sister and I poured over as children. So, I was excited by the theme of this book and was totally caught up from the first chapter. Who would want to kill a princess? Coyle has the pulse of the cozy community and publishing at large. Fairytales are all the rage, but it takes a unique spin to set any book apart from the masses and Coyle does it with style. Her book may have a magical theme but it's still all about the coffee. Loved every word of it!Clare is once again thrown into a murder investigation when a she participates in a fairy-tale themed festival in Central Park with her coffee truck. I loved the playful spirit of the festival and the reading of the coffee grinds and such. The coffee truck had a Jack and the Beanstalk theme and everything was going great, when one of the princesses is found dead in the woods. I loved the interplay between Clare and Matteo in this installment of the series a lot. Matteo is always getting mixed up in something and this time it's coffee beans with magical properties. They relationship Clare has developed with Matteo, who happens to be her ex-husband throughout the series is one of the best parts. I like them together, but not romantically and it works so well. Coyle gives readers intelligent and likable characters that she has developed throughout 14 books. Simply amazing!The mystery reaches far and wide from Wall Street to the East Side and even into the past. A murder that took place as far back as the Cold War is involved and this one has lots of twists and turns to keep readers off their game. It still amazes me how cut-throat the coffee business can be and it is so intertwined with just about every other kind of business out there. There were some red herrings in this one and it was not predictable at all. Coyle once again delights readers with her latest book and keeps them coming back for more!Bottom Line:There are some big names in cozy mystery genre and Cleo Coyle is one of them. This husband and wife writing team has produced a long lived series that just keeps getting better with every book. Once Upon a Grind is one of my favorites out all fourteen books in the series. I loved the fairy-tale theme and the interactions of all of the regulars at the Village Blend. This is a series you can't afford to miss! From the amazing cover art to the final words of the book to the fantastic and tasty recipes, you'll be hanging on every word! less

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