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Coffeehouse Mystery #13
Billionaire Blend
*Starred Review --Kirkus
"Top Pick" --RT Book Reviews
Landmark coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has served her share of New York’s rich and famous, but even she is surprised by her explosive introduction to a mysterious Internet billionaire…
When a car bomb nearly kills tech whiz Eric Thorner, Clare comes to his aid and receives a priceless thank you. Not only does the billionaire buy her a barista’s dream espresso machine, he hires her for an extraordinary project: creating the world’s most expensive coffee blend.
The police quickly arrest Eric’s alleged attacker, yet death continues to surround the unlucky mogul, leading Clare to question whether a fatal fall and another lethal mishap are premeditated murders or merely freak accidents. Clare’s boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn, has a theory of his own—one Clare refuses to believe.
Meanwhile, Eric jets Clare around the world on a head-spinning search for the very best coffee, and Clare gets to know his world—a mesmerizing circle of money with rivalries that could easily have turned deadly. But is this charming young CEO truly marked for termination? Or is he the one making a killing?
Includes a wealth of delicious recipes!
"Top Pick" --RT Book Reviews
Landmark coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has served her share of New York’s rich and famous, but even she is surprised by her explosive introduction to a mysterious Internet billionaire…
When a car bomb nearly kills tech whiz Eric Thorner, Clare comes to his aid and receives a priceless thank you. Not only does the billionaire buy her a barista’s dream espresso machine, he hires her for an extraordinary project: creating the world’s most expensive coffee blend.
The police quickly arrest Eric’s alleged attacker, yet death continues to surround the unlucky mogul, leading Clare to question whether a fatal fall and another lethal mishap are premeditated murders or merely freak accidents. Clare’s boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn, has a theory of his own—one Clare refuses to believe.
Meanwhile, Eric jets Clare around the world on a head-spinning search for the very best coffee, and Clare gets to know his world—a mesmerizing circle of money with rivalries that could easily have turned deadly. But is this charming young CEO truly marked for termination? Or is he the one making a killing?
Includes a wealth of delicious recipes!
400 pages, Hardcover
First published December 23, 2013
214 people are currently reading
2771 people want to read
About the author
Cleo Coyle
53 books3,553 followersDon't miss the newest title in Cleo's long-running Coffeehouse Mystery series (with more to come),
NO ROAST FOR THE WEARY,
a National Mystery Bestseller and triple #1 Amazon Category Bestseller. Join Cleo's Coffee Club for bonus recipes and giveaways: Click Here to Subscribe to Cleo’s Free Newsletter
CLEO COYLE is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. With more than 1 million books sold, they have gained an enthusiastic following. Cleo's "relenlessly entertaining" (Criminal Element) novels have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech. Their books have earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus, Best of Year selection honors from multiple reviewers, and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections.
When not haunting coffeehouses, hunting ghosts, or wrangling their rescued stray cats, Alice and Marc are New York Times bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. One of those projects (ghostwritten by Alice Alfonsi) was named by Entertainment Weekly as the best media tie-in book written that year.
CONNECT WITH CLEO at CleoCoyle.com and CoffeehouseMystery.com
*******
CLEO'S TWO BESTSELLING SERIES:
Cleo’s Coffeehouse Mystery series, celebrated for pioneering both the “urban cozy" and “coffee cozy” mystery genres, follows the adventures of amateur sleuth Clare Cosi, a single mom with a complicated love life who manages a Greenwich Village coffeehouse and a crew of quirky baristas who helps her solve perplexing crimes.
Cleo’s Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, hailed as a highly original and "utterly charming" (Mystery Scene) blend of cozy and hardboiled genres, features an earnest young New England widow who catches criminals with the help of a gumshoe ghost, the irrepressible spirit of a tough private detective who’d been gunned down in her bookshop decades before.
*******
LATEST BOOK NEWS:
The newest title in Cleo's long-running Coffeehouse Mystery series is NO ROAST FOR THE WEARY, on sale April 1st and already a national mystery bestseller and triple #1 Amazon category bestseller. Cleo's previous release, BULLETPROOF BARISTA, was a "wildly entertaining" (Criminal Elment) national mystery bestseller; a #1 category best seller for Amazon; and honored with 2 Best of Year list selections by reviewers. It is now availalbe in a new paperback reprint edition along with the previous bestselling book in the series, HONEY ROASTED, "A honey of a tale" (Kirkus Reviews).
Cleo's latest Haunted Bookshop Mystery releases include THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS, praised by Kirkus as "a gem of a story." And THE GHOST GOES TO THE DOGS, a #1 category best seller for Amazon, which Fresh Fiction called "amazing and unique." Cleo is now writing the next Haunted Bookshop Mystery. Subscribe to Cleo’s Free Newsletter for updates on the pub date!
CLEO COYLE is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. With more than 1 million books sold, they have gained an enthusiastic following. Cleo's "relenlessly entertaining" (Criminal Element) novels have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech. Their books have earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus, Best of Year selection honors from multiple reviewers, and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections.
When not haunting coffeehouses, hunting ghosts, or wrangling their rescued stray cats, Alice and Marc are New York Times bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. One of those projects (ghostwritten by Alice Alfonsi) was named by Entertainment Weekly as the best media tie-in book written that year.
CONNECT WITH CLEO at CleoCoyle.com and CoffeehouseMystery.com
*******
CLEO'S TWO BESTSELLING SERIES:
Cleo’s Coffeehouse Mystery series, celebrated for pioneering both the “urban cozy" and “coffee cozy” mystery genres, follows the adventures of amateur sleuth Clare Cosi, a single mom with a complicated love life who manages a Greenwich Village coffeehouse and a crew of quirky baristas who helps her solve perplexing crimes.
Cleo’s Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, hailed as a highly original and "utterly charming" (Mystery Scene) blend of cozy and hardboiled genres, features an earnest young New England widow who catches criminals with the help of a gumshoe ghost, the irrepressible spirit of a tough private detective who’d been gunned down in her bookshop decades before.
*******
LATEST BOOK NEWS:
The newest title in Cleo's long-running Coffeehouse Mystery series is NO ROAST FOR THE WEARY, on sale April 1st and already a national mystery bestseller and triple #1 Amazon category bestseller. Cleo's previous release, BULLETPROOF BARISTA, was a "wildly entertaining" (Criminal Elment) national mystery bestseller; a #1 category best seller for Amazon; and honored with 2 Best of Year list selections by reviewers. It is now availalbe in a new paperback reprint edition along with the previous bestselling book in the series, HONEY ROASTED, "A honey of a tale" (Kirkus Reviews).
Cleo's latest Haunted Bookshop Mystery releases include THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS, praised by Kirkus as "a gem of a story." And THE GHOST GOES TO THE DOGS, a #1 category best seller for Amazon, which Fresh Fiction called "amazing and unique." Cleo is now writing the next Haunted Bookshop Mystery. Subscribe to Cleo’s Free Newsletter for updates on the pub date!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 385 reviews
August 2, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This was a very entertaining read.
Coyle has a great crew of regular characters that readers have come to love more with each new story. In this installment she adds Eric Thorner, his sister, his business associates and his rival.
Clare and Matt get caught up in all the drama of Thorn Enterprises and realize that are also putting themselves in great danger. The author has brewed a very tight plot line that really captivated this reader.
The dialogue is smart and full of humor.
I love the way the city of New York is described especially the fancy restaurant Eric took Clare to for dinner. I felt like I was across the room taking in the whole experience. I also enjoyed a surprise destination Eric arranges for Clare too!
Yes, this is the 13th book in the series and I must admit I need to catch up on a couple of the ones I have missed but the author writes these stories in such a way that they can be read as stand alone. So if this is a new series to you or you have missed a book or two don’t fret, you will be engaged in this story very quickly. But then I just know you are going to want to read them all.
Oh and did I mention the recipes!!! They will grab you too!!
August 26, 2014
I tried, I really did, to get into this book because I've enjoyed the other books in the Coffeehouse Mystery series. Unfortunately, this one did not resonate with me. I kept waiting for something to happen that I could care about, but nothing ever did. Rather than being absorbed by a mystery that needed to be solved, Clare seemed absorbed by the world of a man that I personally found thoroughly uninteresting. Nothing about billionaire Eric Thorner, his inventions or his entourage intrigued me. Everything I might have found interesting (a bombing, the death of a young woman (who is barely mentioned in the book) and Clare's relationship with Mike Quinn) was of secondary importance -- and a far distant second at that.
I've enjoyed the other books enough that I won't let this book keep me from reading on, but for me this one was a disappointment.
I've enjoyed the other books enough that I won't let this book keep me from reading on, but for me this one was a disappointment.
May 8, 2022
3 stars ~~~ Book # 13 of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
Clare saves an Internet Billionaire from a bomb blast and she is taken under his wing. Shown all the glitz and glamour of the expensive life as she looks for the best coffee beans in the world. However it seems that this billionaire's life is not of much value, since he is constantly at deaths door. So Clare is not only trying to solve the creation of the best coffee blend in the world, but also trying to figure out why danger follows this man.
I have been at this series for a long long time. I will read two or three books then put the series down for months at a time while I gather the next few books. Usually that time frame in between readings makes me more than ready to become reintroduced to the Village Blends eclectic group of employees and problems. This time however, in reading 3 books in a row, I found it hard to pick the books back up. Bad timing on my part - maybe. I am only about 5 books away from the most recently written book, so I will probably continue on, after I have squirreled away the next two or three books.
Clare saves an Internet Billionaire from a bomb blast and she is taken under his wing. Shown all the glitz and glamour of the expensive life as she looks for the best coffee beans in the world. However it seems that this billionaire's life is not of much value, since he is constantly at deaths door. So Clare is not only trying to solve the creation of the best coffee blend in the world, but also trying to figure out why danger follows this man.
I have been at this series for a long long time. I will read two or three books then put the series down for months at a time while I gather the next few books. Usually that time frame in between readings makes me more than ready to become reintroduced to the Village Blends eclectic group of employees and problems. This time however, in reading 3 books in a row, I found it hard to pick the books back up. Bad timing on my part - maybe. I am only about 5 books away from the most recently written book, so I will probably continue on, after I have squirreled away the next two or three books.
November 7, 2016
BILLIONAIRE BLEND is the thirteenth book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle and it’s easily one of my favorites in the series because of the premise of it. When Clare Cosi saves the life of a billionaire, the guy repays her by gifting her a priceless espresso machine. But that’s not all, he also hires her to create the world’s most expensive coffee blend.
Coffee is what Clare does so the task is both daunting and exciting for her. However, it seems that there is also more that’s going on that she doesn’t know about. As she travels to get to know his world, this is the first time we actually get to see Clare a little outside of her natural habitat and the Village Blend. It’s a nice change and that’s why I really liked this book. With this series, each book is so different than the other and I really think that’s hard to do with the same set of characters so for this one to really step outside of the box must’ve been a challenge for the authors. I truly appreciate their efforts and can see that they had some fun with this book.
There’s quite a lot of charm in this book so if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced read with a bucket load of wit and charisma, then this one is for you. BILLIONAIRE BLEND definitely gets two thumbs up from me!
May 25, 2014
I won a copy of ``Billionaire Blend`` by Cleo Coyle through the Goodreads Giveaway Contest. This is a cozy mystery novel that is a pleasure to read. First of all, I need to admit before I started reading this novel, I got into the website, joined for updates and read through all your posted yummy recipes. Being a adventurous cook as well as a avid reader I was in my glory! What a way to start off, in keeping with this coffeehouse mystery.
The novel follow Claire Cosi, the owner, a barista and master roaster of The Village Blend, a coffeehouse in New York City which she owns with her ex-husband Matt. Claire`s cop boyfriend Mike, had worked as a narcotics detective in New York, but for the last six months was working out of Washington, DC on special assignment.
In this Coffeehouse Mystery, a car bomb goes off outside of The Village Blend, killing the driver while the owner is in the coffeehouse talking to Claire. The car belongs to a young internet-billionaire, Eric Thorner who wants Claire to create an exclusive coffee, affordable only by the ultra-rich. And when Eric offered to hire both her and Matt for their expertise in the business, she could not refuse the challenge.She is soon drawn into the world of the wealthy, being flown around the world and taken to the most exclusive clubs.
The short chapter format briskly moves the story along, but with enjoyable characters to follow. Mike and Claire struggle in their relationship at times, with their long-distance relationship, and issues of trust.
And as a bonus you can browse all the delicious recipes.
The novel follow Claire Cosi, the owner, a barista and master roaster of The Village Blend, a coffeehouse in New York City which she owns with her ex-husband Matt. Claire`s cop boyfriend Mike, had worked as a narcotics detective in New York, but for the last six months was working out of Washington, DC on special assignment.
In this Coffeehouse Mystery, a car bomb goes off outside of The Village Blend, killing the driver while the owner is in the coffeehouse talking to Claire. The car belongs to a young internet-billionaire, Eric Thorner who wants Claire to create an exclusive coffee, affordable only by the ultra-rich. And when Eric offered to hire both her and Matt for their expertise in the business, she could not refuse the challenge.She is soon drawn into the world of the wealthy, being flown around the world and taken to the most exclusive clubs.
The short chapter format briskly moves the story along, but with enjoyable characters to follow. Mike and Claire struggle in their relationship at times, with their long-distance relationship, and issues of trust.
And as a bonus you can browse all the delicious recipes.
August 12, 2014
There are a few go-to names when it comes to Cozy Mystery writers. Cleo Coyle is one of them. Coyle releases her 13th Coffeehouse mystery and takes readers on a journey through the upper echelon's of the coffee business, and into the cutthroat competitive world looking for the perfect blend. Billionaire Blend is just that, the perfect blend of interesting coffee facts, great recipes, engaging characters and hair-raising mystery. Coyle has a great way of putting it all together and taking the reader along for the ride. A great addition to this well loved series!
What I liked:
Oh, where to start! Cleo Coyle has long been one of my very favorites in the cozy genre. This husband and wife team work so seamlessly together, you would never know there are two authors from reading the books. When I started to think about all the things I liked about this book and this series, I could start clicking them off on my fingers and thought I'd give you a little list to start this one out:
The fantastic cover art
The absorbing coffee facts
The Greenwich Village setting
The coffeehouse atmosphere
The gripping mysteries
The compelling lead characters, Clare
I could go on and on! There are just so many things that endear me to this series. And Billionaire Blend is one my favorites of the series so far. This book gives the reader a behind the scenes look and the coffee business and a big business it is. I had no idea it was so competitive and I loved being an outsider looking in at what was happening. Coyle has a knack for making the reader feel like a fly on the wall, whether it is in the Village Blend coffeehouse or jet setting across the world looking for that elusive perfect mix.
Clare Cosi is one of the best cozy heroines out there. She's intelligent and observant. Readers find in her someone with knowledge about more than just coffee. 13 books into the series, I still feel like a learn something new about Clare in each book and something I didn't know beforehand about coffee or sleuthing. Coyle gives Clare this sense of kindness and duty to find out the answers and solve the mysteries in each book. This time she up to eyeballs in trying to figure out why genius Eric Thorner just about bought it in an explosion that killed his driver, injured him and nearly took out the coffeehouse. She is true to form figuring out the clues and keeps readers riveted to the plot.
The coffee culture has changed so much over the years and I love the feel I get when I go into a coffeehouse and feel that atmosphere. Clare's coffeehouse, The Village Blend is definitely a place I would love to hang out. The setting just comes alive and I find myself wishing I could grab a cup of joe and walk around Greenwich Village every time I read one of these books. It's obvious that Coyle knows the city, the village and the culture and it gives the series and this book an authenticity that is often missing in cozies.
What I didn't like:
Absolutely nothing!
Bottom Line:
Billionaire Blend has so much going on in it. From the mystery of who is trying to kill Eric, to Clare's relationship ship with Mike, to finding the perfect blend. I think Coyle did a fantastic job with pacing and just let the pieces fall together as they may. It wasn't a furious pace, but it kept me turning the pages long into the night. This is a favorite series of mine and I can't recommend it enough!
What I liked:
Oh, where to start! Cleo Coyle has long been one of my very favorites in the cozy genre. This husband and wife team work so seamlessly together, you would never know there are two authors from reading the books. When I started to think about all the things I liked about this book and this series, I could start clicking them off on my fingers and thought I'd give you a little list to start this one out:
The fantastic cover art
The absorbing coffee facts
The Greenwich Village setting
The coffeehouse atmosphere
The gripping mysteries
The compelling lead characters, Clare
I could go on and on! There are just so many things that endear me to this series. And Billionaire Blend is one my favorites of the series so far. This book gives the reader a behind the scenes look and the coffee business and a big business it is. I had no idea it was so competitive and I loved being an outsider looking in at what was happening. Coyle has a knack for making the reader feel like a fly on the wall, whether it is in the Village Blend coffeehouse or jet setting across the world looking for that elusive perfect mix.
Clare Cosi is one of the best cozy heroines out there. She's intelligent and observant. Readers find in her someone with knowledge about more than just coffee. 13 books into the series, I still feel like a learn something new about Clare in each book and something I didn't know beforehand about coffee or sleuthing. Coyle gives Clare this sense of kindness and duty to find out the answers and solve the mysteries in each book. This time she up to eyeballs in trying to figure out why genius Eric Thorner just about bought it in an explosion that killed his driver, injured him and nearly took out the coffeehouse. She is true to form figuring out the clues and keeps readers riveted to the plot.
The coffee culture has changed so much over the years and I love the feel I get when I go into a coffeehouse and feel that atmosphere. Clare's coffeehouse, The Village Blend is definitely a place I would love to hang out. The setting just comes alive and I find myself wishing I could grab a cup of joe and walk around Greenwich Village every time I read one of these books. It's obvious that Coyle knows the city, the village and the culture and it gives the series and this book an authenticity that is often missing in cozies.
What I didn't like:
Absolutely nothing!
Bottom Line:
Billionaire Blend has so much going on in it. From the mystery of who is trying to kill Eric, to Clare's relationship ship with Mike, to finding the perfect blend. I think Coyle did a fantastic job with pacing and just let the pieces fall together as they may. It wasn't a furious pace, but it kept me turning the pages long into the night. This is a favorite series of mine and I can't recommend it enough!
December 7, 2013
Cleo Coyle has done it again with an intricate, page-turning mystery, romantic drama between Village Blend owner Clare Cosi and her now-living-in-DC cop boyfriend Mike Quinn as well as that between Clare's daughter Joy and her cop boyfriend, Emmanuel Franco, and techie drama galore. While billionaires seem to be a dime a dozen ever since Christian Grey rolled onto the scene (don't miss the great Fifty Shades joke embedded in Billionaire Blend), this one is different.
Eric Thorner is a tech whiz billionaire who wants the best, including the best coffee. He's used to getting his way, and he wants Clare's coffee expertise--as well as her body. When he almost dies in an explosion outside her coffee shop, he tries to sweep her off her feet and makes her an offer that neither she nor her ex-husband and current business partner Matteo (Matt) Allegro can refuse. Together the three travel the globe, which is a new twist for this series; usually we only hear about Matt's coffee sourcing exploits when he's returned. While one of the things I love best about this series is its New York-centered view and tidbits of history about the city, it was fascinating to see Clare get out of her familiar settings and to learn about how coffee affects people in various locations.
There's always been a nod to the old-fashioned way of doing things in this series, even though it's firmly set in modern times. From Matt's mother's elegance to the Village Blend's sense of artistic and Big Apple history, Clare's family and business have never been about doing things faster and speedier. So the fun technological prowess of Thorner and his company, from bathroom holograms to very smart phones to the seemingly omniscient Miss House, who gives Clare directions and seems to have eyes everywhere, is a treat.
This is one of the most tightly plotted series I've read. I do recommend reading them in order, though technically you don't have to. There are so many little clues and red herrings and references here that make this book both a page-turning mystery and simply a fun read. Even after you're done with the whodunnit, there are recipes galore, including skillet lasagna, which also give a bit of backstory to the characters and when/why they've made each recipe. Coyle adds depth to all the ongoing relationships in the series, romantic and familial--the sideline about Joy's restaurant job in France and the unexpected opportunity to cook for fancy billionaires is a delight--and lets Clare's smarts shine through while never making anything easy to guess. Enjoy this with your favorite cup of coffee, and be prepared to keep refilling it as you stay glued to the story.
Eric Thorner is a tech whiz billionaire who wants the best, including the best coffee. He's used to getting his way, and he wants Clare's coffee expertise--as well as her body. When he almost dies in an explosion outside her coffee shop, he tries to sweep her off her feet and makes her an offer that neither she nor her ex-husband and current business partner Matteo (Matt) Allegro can refuse. Together the three travel the globe, which is a new twist for this series; usually we only hear about Matt's coffee sourcing exploits when he's returned. While one of the things I love best about this series is its New York-centered view and tidbits of history about the city, it was fascinating to see Clare get out of her familiar settings and to learn about how coffee affects people in various locations.
There's always been a nod to the old-fashioned way of doing things in this series, even though it's firmly set in modern times. From Matt's mother's elegance to the Village Blend's sense of artistic and Big Apple history, Clare's family and business have never been about doing things faster and speedier. So the fun technological prowess of Thorner and his company, from bathroom holograms to very smart phones to the seemingly omniscient Miss House, who gives Clare directions and seems to have eyes everywhere, is a treat.
This is one of the most tightly plotted series I've read. I do recommend reading them in order, though technically you don't have to. There are so many little clues and red herrings and references here that make this book both a page-turning mystery and simply a fun read. Even after you're done with the whodunnit, there are recipes galore, including skillet lasagna, which also give a bit of backstory to the characters and when/why they've made each recipe. Coyle adds depth to all the ongoing relationships in the series, romantic and familial--the sideline about Joy's restaurant job in France and the unexpected opportunity to cook for fancy billionaires is a delight--and lets Clare's smarts shine through while never making anything easy to guess. Enjoy this with your favorite cup of coffee, and be prepared to keep refilling it as you stay glued to the story.
January 4, 2018
Two stars because I didn't die from this book. It wasn't good, but it was better than some of the previous installments. My bar is really low. For me the most absurd part of this premise is, un-fucking-surprisingly, that everyone in the world is in love with Clare Cosi. Literally why. Every book some guy just grabs her up like she is Marilyn Monroe, and I just do not get it. Like, yes she is described (often, awkwardly, by herself or her ex-husband) as very attractive and has what is portrayed as a sassy, witty personality, but the odds of someone being everyone's cup of tea are not high. But apparently Clare is everyone's cup of coffee (get it, get it), and I just do not feel that it is justified. I roll my eyes every time these fuck bois make a pass at her and she just brushes it off in a demonstration of feminine restraint. Irritating.
Also, this is another story where Clare does not catch the murderer until they are ACTUALLY MURDERING HER. Bitch, you are a terrible detective.
ALSO,
ALSOOOOOOOOO, Matt's Moment of Personal Growth? Over. Done. Fin. He is back to being a gross dude who doesn't respect his ex-wife's boundaries. So, actually, forget it. One star. Fuck you, Coffeehouse Mysteries.
Also, this is another story where Clare does not catch the murderer until they are ACTUALLY MURDERING HER. Bitch, you are a terrible detective.
ALSO,
ALSOOOOOOOOO, Matt's Moment of Personal Growth? Over. Done. Fin. He is back to being a gross dude who doesn't respect his ex-wife's boundaries. So, actually, forget it. One star. Fuck you, Coffeehouse Mysteries.
June 13, 2014
Clare Cosi and all the crew at New York's legendary Village Coffeehouse are back in the latest adventures in this series. Finally out in Audible, which is my guilty pleasure for this favorite cozy series of mine .
A young billionaire Internet genius, Eric, has been making daily visits to Clare's coffeehouse, drilling all her baristas on differing coffee drinks. Clare suspects he's planning to filch her best ones, but before she can question him about this, a car bomb explodes outside of the shop, killing his driver and injuring people in the coffeehouse. Injured Eric was aided by Clare, and now he seems bent on giving her present upon present. Clare gets involved with the bomb squad to investigate who wants to kill Eric.
As always, this coffeehouse mystery if full of coffee facts, and compellingly interesting information on the subjects of this mystery--bomb squad of New York, billionaire's lifestyles, foodie events, and internet apt development. The best part is that all this information is integral to the mystery and adds so much to the fun of these books. The Audible narrator is excellent, accents and all. Of corse , we also delve more into Clare's love life with her New York cop, and Clare's daughter and ex husband's adventures too . Love love love this series. Recommend it to all cozy lovers whether your a coffee fan or not!!
A young billionaire Internet genius, Eric, has been making daily visits to Clare's coffeehouse, drilling all her baristas on differing coffee drinks. Clare suspects he's planning to filch her best ones, but before she can question him about this, a car bomb explodes outside of the shop, killing his driver and injuring people in the coffeehouse. Injured Eric was aided by Clare, and now he seems bent on giving her present upon present. Clare gets involved with the bomb squad to investigate who wants to kill Eric.
As always, this coffeehouse mystery if full of coffee facts, and compellingly interesting information on the subjects of this mystery--bomb squad of New York, billionaire's lifestyles, foodie events, and internet apt development. The best part is that all this information is integral to the mystery and adds so much to the fun of these books. The Audible narrator is excellent, accents and all. Of corse , we also delve more into Clare's love life with her New York cop, and Clare's daughter and ex husband's adventures too . Love love love this series. Recommend it to all cozy lovers whether your a coffee fan or not!!
December 11, 2013
One of my favorite cozy mystery series is Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries, so I was thrilled to get my hands on "Billionaire Blend," the latest book in this series. And as with the previous books, I was totally impressed and absorbed by this intriguing mystery.
In this installment, Clare Cosi, owner of the Village Blend Coffeehouse, is being courted by baby billionaire Eric Thorner to help him find the absolute best blend of coffee in the world. But someone is out to kill the tech whiz and Clare and her partner (and ex-husband) Matt get caught up in the drama and mayhem. As they travel around the globe seeking the illusive coffee, Clare must also find out just who is about to take the steam out of her new benefactor.
Smart, sassy and full of snappy dialogue, personable characters, and a thrilling mystery, "Billionaire Blend" will delight cozy mystery fans as well as coffee aficionados. And, as always, Cleo Coyle adds a bevy of delicious recipes for foods mentioned in the book - this is one of my favorite parts of the series!
While a continuation of an established series, this novel can be read as a stand-alone story, but do yourself a favor and check out the entire series - you'll be glad you did!
In this installment, Clare Cosi, owner of the Village Blend Coffeehouse, is being courted by baby billionaire Eric Thorner to help him find the absolute best blend of coffee in the world. But someone is out to kill the tech whiz and Clare and her partner (and ex-husband) Matt get caught up in the drama and mayhem. As they travel around the globe seeking the illusive coffee, Clare must also find out just who is about to take the steam out of her new benefactor.
Smart, sassy and full of snappy dialogue, personable characters, and a thrilling mystery, "Billionaire Blend" will delight cozy mystery fans as well as coffee aficionados. And, as always, Cleo Coyle adds a bevy of delicious recipes for foods mentioned in the book - this is one of my favorite parts of the series!
While a continuation of an established series, this novel can be read as a stand-alone story, but do yourself a favor and check out the entire series - you'll be glad you did!
December 20, 2013
Maybe the most exciting Coffeehouse Mystery yet! Between explosions, fires, and luxury travel, Clare Cosi faces a whole new realm of adventures. Plus, there's an unusual amount of coffee knowledge packed into this volume--even for this series!
When a tech billionaire's limo blows up in front of her cafe, Clare is drawn into a mystery that's only compounded by Mr. Moneybags' interest in courting her coffee genius for his next big app. Clare has to solve the mystery of who might want to kill her new partner before she's sucked into a web of intrigue, technology, and big money posturing. Plus, things are trickier than usual on the romance front! This well-paced mystery also makes you think about some pretty interesting issues in privacy and technology.
Of course, the mini-cookbook at the end of the book is exceptional. I look forward to baking all the delicious goodies and mixing up some of the drinks.
When a tech billionaire's limo blows up in front of her cafe, Clare is drawn into a mystery that's only compounded by Mr. Moneybags' interest in courting her coffee genius for his next big app. Clare has to solve the mystery of who might want to kill her new partner before she's sucked into a web of intrigue, technology, and big money posturing. Plus, things are trickier than usual on the romance front! This well-paced mystery also makes you think about some pretty interesting issues in privacy and technology.
Of course, the mini-cookbook at the end of the book is exceptional. I look forward to baking all the delicious goodies and mixing up some of the drinks.
March 2, 2019
Despite the fact that this is the 13th book in the series that I have read, despite the fact that I have 14, 15 and 16 on my TBR list, I can not stand the main character, Clare Cosi. I like the books, the plot, the mystery and most of the characters. I find Clare to be a pushy, arrogant, nosy butttinski.
I know, weird, huh?
In this book Clare and Matt's main mission is to develop a unique coffee for a billionaire to show off to his friends. Several people are killed, and of course Clare has to solve the mysteries.
I know, weird, huh?
In this book Clare and Matt's main mission is to develop a unique coffee for a billionaire to show off to his friends. Several people are killed, and of course Clare has to solve the mysteries.
May 2, 2018
Another very creative story in the coffeehouse mystery series! This time we have billionaires among the possible guilty suspects that are causing havoc that may cause the coffeehouse unrepairable damage. As usual a creative plot that offers up multiple suspects to choose from although this one seems a bit more obvious the storyline still is enjoyable and intriguing.
December 22, 2019
This was an interesting mystery. The story involves involves an actress, a billionaire, an accident, a car bomb, cellphones, a tech company, coffee, travel. There is a lot of travel in this story, which I enjoyed. There is a lot of death, which I didn't enjoy.
December 1, 2013
I won this book from Good Reads. This was the first by this author that I have read. Now I will go back and find the others in this series. I fell in love with the characters and the plot kept me guessing who was the murderer. Globetrotting, gaming apps, murders, coffee, and recipes made for a great story. The possibilities were many and I was not disappointed with the killer. The recipes I can't wait for the final review and the published book to try some of them. The characters of Madame, Joy, Manny, Matt, Mike, Tuck, Esther and of course Clare Cosi are all wonderful characters that I want to know more about. I sure would not mind trying some of that Billionaire Blend coffee either.
March 30, 2015
Overall a good book, however this book wasn't as good as the ones leading up to it, in my opinions.
All of the characters were great except Mike. He alone probably made this book lose a star. In the last books he was caring and loving, but in this book he just seems almost condescending, at times, and he became really flat. I really hope he moves back to NYC soon because this angst that the author is building up with him really does nothing for the book.
The setting was great. The mystery was simply mediocre, it lacked a real wow-factor that I look for in a book, though the car bomb was cool, and unique.
Overall a decent book, but not one of my favorites.
All of the characters were great except Mike. He alone probably made this book lose a star. In the last books he was caring and loving, but in this book he just seems almost condescending, at times, and he became really flat. I really hope he moves back to NYC soon because this angst that the author is building up with him really does nothing for the book.
The setting was great. The mystery was simply mediocre, it lacked a real wow-factor that I look for in a book, though the car bomb was cool, and unique.
Overall a decent book, but not one of my favorites.
December 17, 2013
To sum up how I feel after reading a Clare Cosi Coffeehouse Mystery- Warm fuzzies and a need for a cup of coffee. This latest book in the series has all the classic elements that made me fall in love from the first words I read. Clare and Mike, Madame, Joy and Matt- making, drinking coffee and solving mysteries. I love how I can be so absorbed into a book that nothing else matters, except when nature calls. Cleo has outdone herself with this book and the recipes- yet again.
January 27, 2023
Why does literally every man this woman meets want to boink her. It’s exhausting. Almost as exhausting as the fact that this random coffee shop manager can solve crimes better than all the detectives in New York by being stubborn and super pushy. Why do I keep reading these awful books? 😂
April 30, 2024
Nope, no more. DNF and I know they’re never going to kill off Matteo Allegro, so I am officially giving up. Also, the mc has become unbearable.
December 21, 2014
I have been a big fan of the Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle for several years now, but this was the first time for the audiobook version. I chose this book from the Audiobook Jukebox Solid Gold Reviewers Program because I have just haven't had the time to read the next book in the series but really wanted to.
Clare Cosi is the manager of the Village Blend, a landmark coffee house located in historic Greenwich Village. Her baristas have been telling her about a man who has been coming in every day about the same time and quizing them on exotic and rare coffee drinks, and yet never ordering any of them. They have taken to calling him the Quizmaster. On this particular day, the Quizmaster arrives a bit early, while Clare is going off duty. Clare thinks that he is headhunter for one of the big name coffee houses on the West Coast, coming in to poach her baristas and decides to give him just enough rope to allow her to throw him out, once and for all. However, it turns out that the Quizmaster is actually the Eric Thorner, aka the Baby Billionaire, a young man who has made his money in technology and apps. After he is impressed by Clare's knowledge of coffee and it's history, Eric is in the process of offering Clare a business opportunity when an explosion racks the Village Blend due to a car bomb in Eric's limo, double parked out front.
Rebecca Gibel did an excellent job with narrating the book. She totally nailed Clare, Mike, Matt, Joy, and Tucker's voices from my head. Madame's and Ester's voices weren't quite what I had been expecting, but they grew on me. I think I will be switching over to audiobook for the next books in the series as well. Rebecca just made the world come alive for me.
This was the first story in a the entire series that I was slightly disappointed in. Everything was so far over the top, whether is was luxuries or schemes. I missed Clare's more down to earth sensibilities, even as she has been on the fringe of high society in other books. This book placed her smack dab in the middle of the highest and most rarefied echelons. Though I was pleased to see that Clare didn't let any of it go to her head and eventually managed to free herself from the worst of the 1% shenanigans. I gave this book 3 stars.
Clare Cosi is the manager of the Village Blend, a landmark coffee house located in historic Greenwich Village. Her baristas have been telling her about a man who has been coming in every day about the same time and quizing them on exotic and rare coffee drinks, and yet never ordering any of them. They have taken to calling him the Quizmaster. On this particular day, the Quizmaster arrives a bit early, while Clare is going off duty. Clare thinks that he is headhunter for one of the big name coffee houses on the West Coast, coming in to poach her baristas and decides to give him just enough rope to allow her to throw him out, once and for all. However, it turns out that the Quizmaster is actually the Eric Thorner, aka the Baby Billionaire, a young man who has made his money in technology and apps. After he is impressed by Clare's knowledge of coffee and it's history, Eric is in the process of offering Clare a business opportunity when an explosion racks the Village Blend due to a car bomb in Eric's limo, double parked out front.
Rebecca Gibel did an excellent job with narrating the book. She totally nailed Clare, Mike, Matt, Joy, and Tucker's voices from my head. Madame's and Ester's voices weren't quite what I had been expecting, but they grew on me. I think I will be switching over to audiobook for the next books in the series as well. Rebecca just made the world come alive for me.
This was the first story in a the entire series that I was slightly disappointed in. Everything was so far over the top, whether is was luxuries or schemes. I missed Clare's more down to earth sensibilities, even as she has been on the fringe of high society in other books. This book placed her smack dab in the middle of the highest and most rarefied echelons. Though I was pleased to see that Clare didn't let any of it go to her head and eventually managed to free herself from the worst of the 1% shenanigans. I gave this book 3 stars.
March 30, 2015
This, the now 13th visit to The Village Blend, entertains as only Cleo Coyle continues to do.
Tech Billionaire Eric Thorne is almost killed in a bizarre car bombing that does kill his driver, who is a PI investigating strange goings on. Clare saves Eric's life and his gratitude is a bit overwhelming as he pills all sorts of strings and rebuilds the aging coffeehouse which was giving Clare, Matteo and Madame huge headaches that cost waaaaay to much to fix. And now, a grateful Eric has "fixed" that, and put others in fixes of their own.
This must have been a fun manuscript. What if you had absolutely no limit on what you could do? You could save a way of life! Promote your favorite restaurant! Give a chef a day off! Make a donut without a hole......
Eric surrounds himself with saavy people, but he's still a bit of a clueless kid. Give him technology, and sure, he's in his element, but he can still be manipulated. And that's exactly what is happening. Only,Clare ain't buyin' it if it drives wedges into her personal life, or her family's life.
Interspersed with Clare's wonderfill coffee "recipes", Coyle has done her characters proud as they too, become more connected to a technical world. The scene where they "tone down" Esther Best is wirth the whole book!
Wonderful story that makes me crave our local coffee shoppe! Here's to many more.
Tech Billionaire Eric Thorne is almost killed in a bizarre car bombing that does kill his driver, who is a PI investigating strange goings on. Clare saves Eric's life and his gratitude is a bit overwhelming as he pills all sorts of strings and rebuilds the aging coffeehouse which was giving Clare, Matteo and Madame huge headaches that cost waaaaay to much to fix. And now, a grateful Eric has "fixed" that, and put others in fixes of their own.
This must have been a fun manuscript. What if you had absolutely no limit on what you could do? You could save a way of life! Promote your favorite restaurant! Give a chef a day off! Make a donut without a hole......
Eric surrounds himself with saavy people, but he's still a bit of a clueless kid. Give him technology, and sure, he's in his element, but he can still be manipulated. And that's exactly what is happening. Only,Clare ain't buyin' it if it drives wedges into her personal life, or her family's life.
Interspersed with Clare's wonderfill coffee "recipes", Coyle has done her characters proud as they too, become more connected to a technical world. The scene where they "tone down" Esther Best is wirth the whole book!
Wonderful story that makes me crave our local coffee shoppe! Here's to many more.
August 12, 2016
This was a treat to read!(Let's be honest, I usually read cozy mysteries to relax and not have to think too much, but this one felt like - well, yes a cozy mystery, but with the added touches of action and adventure as well. Fun!)
I loved the premise and experiencing how the "other half" lives, i.e. fabulous eats, private jets and all the other toys that come with the bank account.
The story focuses on a billionaire who is under attack, possibly financially (a takeover), but definitely physical – a bomb detonating outside of the Village Blend. Clare is pulled into the fray as she tries to help Eric Thorner (the billionaire) find out who is trying to kill him at the same time, trying to rebuild her coffeehouse. With trips to Paris and the Rainforest, this book covers the globe and touches on how the coffee trade operates.
Meanwhile Eric Thorner continually tries to romance Clare, while being the object of an assassin, or is he the real culprit? This book keeps you guessing till the end. There are several plotlines flowing through the rest of the story, about Clare’s love life, her daughter’s and even Thorner’s.
For full disclosure, I received this one as part of the goodreads first reads giveaway.
I loved the premise and experiencing how the "other half" lives, i.e. fabulous eats, private jets and all the other toys that come with the bank account.
The story focuses on a billionaire who is under attack, possibly financially (a takeover), but definitely physical – a bomb detonating outside of the Village Blend. Clare is pulled into the fray as she tries to help Eric Thorner (the billionaire) find out who is trying to kill him at the same time, trying to rebuild her coffeehouse. With trips to Paris and the Rainforest, this book covers the globe and touches on how the coffee trade operates.
Meanwhile Eric Thorner continually tries to romance Clare, while being the object of an assassin, or is he the real culprit? This book keeps you guessing till the end. There are several plotlines flowing through the rest of the story, about Clare’s love life, her daughter’s and even Thorner’s.
For full disclosure, I received this one as part of the goodreads first reads giveaway.
February 5, 2015
A lot of my readers know Cleo Coyle is one of my favorite authors. I love the Coffeehouse Series. With the 13 installment Clare and her baristas are at it again. Eric ( the techie billionaire ) questions the Blends crew with coffee questions as he is trying to make is own blend and needs Clare and Matt's help. Eric who may or may not be a killer has targeted Clare as his next conquest. He tries his best to impress his coffee knowledge against Clare which is pretty funny.
Eric's car is blown up outside the blend and thanks Clare for saving his life. Now Clare wants to know who set the bomb and needs to fix the blend from the damage.
Mike is away in DC most of the time and the tension with the long distance relationship can take its toll. Joy is back in the picture which is nice and her relationship with a NYPD sergeant might be in jeopardy as she is still in Paris.
Tuck, Dante, Esther and others are along for the ride as usual and bring a lot to the story.
I look forward to each installment with Once Upon A Grind is next on my reading list.
Eric's car is blown up outside the blend and thanks Clare for saving his life. Now Clare wants to know who set the bomb and needs to fix the blend from the damage.
Mike is away in DC most of the time and the tension with the long distance relationship can take its toll. Joy is back in the picture which is nice and her relationship with a NYPD sergeant might be in jeopardy as she is still in Paris.
Tuck, Dante, Esther and others are along for the ride as usual and bring a lot to the story.
I look forward to each installment with Once Upon A Grind is next on my reading list.
January 7, 2015
I won a signed ARC copy of this book from Goodreads (first win ever!). I don't usually review books because that isn't something I've ever gotten into, so I'll just say how much I enjoyed this one. I have read the rest of this series throughout this year and just finished the last book a couple of weeks ago. It took me until about book 4 (Murder Most Frothy) to really get into this series, but I am soooo glad that I kept reading because I think each book is better than the last. This one is a little different in that there is more travel and the details on various subjects (apps, bombs, coffee, etc.) in this book is amazing. I have heard people say they don't read these because they don't drink coffee or just don't like it, but these books are about so much more than coffee. I can't wait for the next one!
December 18, 2013
Reading a new Clare Cosi coffeehouse mystery is always so much fun. You just never know what kind of trouble Clare is going to get herself into this time. This one was a bit farfetched, but still a lot of fun. It seems that a guy has been coming into the coffeehouse every day at the same time asking the barrista if they know a specific coffee drink. Then a bomb goes off.....
That's really all I'm going to say about this one. Soon Clare is off on a merry ride as she meets a boy billionaire who wants her as his cougar. However, her heart still belongs to Mike Quinn. This is a lot of fun, and, as always there are some great recipes in the book plus info on even MORE on Cleo Coyle's fun website@ http://www.coffeehousemystery.com/
That's really all I'm going to say about this one. Soon Clare is off on a merry ride as she meets a boy billionaire who wants her as his cougar. However, her heart still belongs to Mike Quinn. This is a lot of fun, and, as always there are some great recipes in the book plus info on even MORE on Cleo Coyle's fun website@ http://www.coffeehousemystery.com/
June 25, 2014
This is one of the few series that I continue to follow (and stalk) as new books are released.
Billionaire Blend, like the other books in the series did not disappoint. This was a wonderful mystery book with a coffee twist. One thing that I really enjoyed about this particular book was the authors choice to begin in the middle of the story and then looked back at the story as if reminiscing. This book also kept you guessing until the end. When you think you know who did it, you learn that you didn't know anything at all.
This book also has a list of all the great recipes used throughout the story at the back of the book as an extra little bonus.
Billionaire Blend, like the other books in the series did not disappoint. This was a wonderful mystery book with a coffee twist. One thing that I really enjoyed about this particular book was the authors choice to begin in the middle of the story and then looked back at the story as if reminiscing. This book also kept you guessing until the end. When you think you know who did it, you learn that you didn't know anything at all.
This book also has a list of all the great recipes used throughout the story at the back of the book as an extra little bonus.
February 25, 2022
I feel like this is one of the least believable scenarios (at least up until now). I have read them all in order. Clare stumbling across bodies in NYC is believable. A woman who drinks nothing but coffee, bakes amazing desserts and meals that she eats - generally loaded with butter and sugar - hiking in remote spots looking for coffee? Not so much. I love that Clare is proud of her curves but let’s be real - you cannot ingest sugar, butter and eggs on the daily, never exercise except sex and then hike a mountain with a man who does it for a living. Hopefully the next one is better!
January 1, 2014
**Signed ARC I won on GoodReads Giveaways!!
**I am so excited. I love this fun series.**
4 Stars
This was quite enjoyable. Fun, fast-paced, at times neurotic (Clare) and it kept me intrigued as to who was the bad guy, right up until the end. I love these little, cozy mysteries.
This book in the series can be read stand-alone; and I was able to keep up with what was going on, considering I have only read the first 2. :O
**I am so excited. I love this fun series.**
4 Stars
This was quite enjoyable. Fun, fast-paced, at times neurotic (Clare) and it kept me intrigued as to who was the bad guy, right up until the end. I love these little, cozy mysteries.
This book in the series can be read stand-alone; and I was able to keep up with what was going on, considering I have only read the first 2. :O
August 4, 2014
I liked going on whirlwind trips around the globe with Clare and learning about different types of coffees and how they are grown and produced. The trips are never dull, the characters are always intriguing, and the plot does keep you on your toes, just like a cup of strong coffee. You can tell that Cleo Coyle is an experienced cozy writer as she takes you effortlessly into her world, in this case around the world with coffee. A five star rating, in my books.
January 2, 2014
This is the latest in a very pleasant, though unevenly written, series. I got a bit lost in the jet-setting, but was delighted to read about "Black Ivory" coffee, in which the beans are retrieved from elephant feces. "The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings," to add a little Stevenson in on top of the Kipling Ms. Coyle liberally sprinkles about.
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