If you're looking for holiday reading that isn't all sweetness and light, Holiday Grind offers the perfect combination of Christmas atmosphere, a well-developed cast of characters, and a complicated mystery. Alf's death thrusts her into an investigation that turns violent. But, it's not all sugarplums and cookies for Clare Cosi. And, there's Mike Quinn, a police detective with a past that could spoil Christmas, and his own cold case that's heating up at the holidays.Ĭoyle's Holiday Grind includes tons of coffee hints, drink recipes, and other holiday recipes. Madame is Clare's boss, her landlord, her former-mother-in-law, the biggest champion of Clare's daughter, Clare's best friend, and, fortunately for Clare, a well-connected snoop. And, her relationship with her ex-mother-in-law, Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubois, is wonderful. Cleo Coyle expertly introduces Clare, her baristas, and her ex-husband, Matteo Allegro, who is a coffee broker, and buyer for the coffeehouse, and Cleo's partner in the business. However, I hadn't read previous books, and you don't need to have read them to enjoy, and appreciate, Clare, Village Blend, and the supporting cast of characters. Holiday Grind is the eighth book in Coyle's Coffeehouse Mystery series. And, Clare has a few other allies in her search for a murderer. Fortunately, her boyfriend, Detective Mike Quinn, understands her need to find the killer of her friend, Alf. She knew there were clues, but the detectives that arrived weren't prepared to take her seriously. It's too bad footprints were erased when police chased another mugger down the alley, running right over Clare. And, it's evident this isn't going to be a cozy when Clare's first thought is, 'Someone had mugged and murdered Santa Claus!' She's familiar with Alf's route as a Traveling Santa, but she doesn't expect to end up in a deserted alley, finding his body.

Alf Glockner, a Traveling Santa, and the inspiration for the Village Blend's 'Taste of Christmas,' fails to show up for the party, so Clare goes looking for him. Show More coffee drinks, but the reader is immediately tempted to take part in that memory trip.īefore the book becomes too cozy, though, Coyle skillfully sets the trap for Clare and the reader.

Holiday grind cleo coyle