Eat, Drink, and Get Buried

Coffeehouse Mystery #22

by Cleo Coyle, Rebecca Gibel (Narrator)

When the Village Blend caters a glittering rooftop party, their creative coffee concoctions are eclipsed by a shocking murder in this thrilling new Coffeehouse Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

Years ago, when master roaster Clare Cosi was a newly divorced mom raising her daughter, Joy, Ava Welsh became Joy's best friend. Now the painfully shy girl next door has grown into a successful New York businesswoman, and Clare is delighted to be catering Ava's coffee-themed party, especially when her boyfriend, Ryan, confides his plan to propose that very night.

Then a scream shatters the celebration. A woman is thrown off the balcony to her death, and Ryan—who abruptly flees the party—is accused of murder. Clare vows to help Ava clear his name.

Her digging uncovers suspicious connections to a deadly event from which a teenaged Joy and Ava barely escaped with their lives. The stakes rise ever higher as a ruthless killer attempts to keep the ugly truth buried—even if it means sending Clare and her caffeinated crew six feet under.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

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. Their long-running Coffeehouse Mystery series is celebrating its 22nd entry with the publication of EAT, DRINK, AND GET BURIED, now a #1 Amazon Category Bestseller; and the brand-new adventure in Cleo's beloved Haunted Bookshop world, THE GHOST AND THE DEAD LIBRARIAN, is now a Star Reviewed Library Journal Mystery Pick of the Month. Cleo's "relentlessly 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 CleoCoyleBooks.com and CoffeehouseMystery.com

Subscribe to Cleo’s Free Newsletter to keep in touch for updates on Cleo's book news, recipes, and giveaways of signed books, tote bags, and tasty bonus prizes.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The Village Blend is catering a rooftop birthday party for Ava Welsh’s boyfriend, a young woman Clare has known for years, and her daughter Joy’s best friend. Ava has grown by leaps and bounds over the years; she is now the corporate event manager for the high-profile MacGill Hospitality and Entertainment. Clare is excited about the coffee-themed party for several reasons. It is great for the Village Blend’s bottom line and advertising. Her daughter Joy is coming to the city for the party. And Ava’s boyfriend, Ryan, has revealed he is going to propose to Ava during the party.

Everything at the event is going smoothly. Clare makes the rounds, making sure her employees have everything they need, making adjustments to some decorations, and visiting with party attendees. Then a “loud shriek of terror” brings the party to a screeching halt. Clare soon learns a woman was thrown 15 stories off the balcony; she is dead below in the alley. Ryan quickly left the party knowing he was going to be accused of her murder.

Clare, with the help of her family and friends, is determined to help Ava prove Ryan’s innocence, not knowing she would have to revisit a terrifying event from their past. Danger mounts the more she reveals. She may not get out of the one alive.

Wow, just Wow! This writing team continues to bring it, topping themselves with each new book in this series.

First, the characters they are created for this series are complex and layered, as are their relationships. Clare’s employees are her family. Respect runs both ways, and they all genuinely care about each other. Matt’s mother, “Madame” Blanche Dreyfus Allegro DuBois, is not only Clare’s mentor, but also a friend and confidant. She is also up for anything when it comes to helping Clare with her investigation. She is an inspiration. Matt is pushed to step it up in this story, especially when he learns about the danger surrounding Clare, Joy, and Eva. Village Blend’s assistant manager, Tucker, was also very involved in the investigation. Dante, Esther, and Nancy do their part searching social media for info and keeping The Village Blend under control while Clare follows leads. I loved that Joy was home, and in addition to being by Ava’s side through all the drama, she has concerns of her own. Being the 22nd book in this series, I have become very invested in these characters’ lives and look forward to each visit.

Next, the mystery is complicated and clever, blending past misdeeds and corruption with present ones. The guilty are determined to keep the secrets buried, at all costs, even if it means burying a few more bodies. An attempted murder by car kicks things off, then the murder, and then hold on tight as Clare travels all over the city and beyond, chasing down clues, fighting off criminals, and saving loved ones. Twist after twist, I found myself on the edge of my seat. Cleo Coyle is an expert at writing this genre, so in between all the suspense, moments of comedy are perfectly placed. Madame had a moment that had me laughing out loud.

Each new book in this series becomes my new favorite. I finish it and can’t imagine what these authors will come up with for The Village Blend crew next. Well, Eat, Drink, and Get Buried knocked my socks off. It kept me glued to my seat and up late. I truly couldn’t put it down. Well-plotted, well-written, checks every cozy mystery box, and more. It’s another Dollycas’s Best Read. I highly recommend the entire series, but new readers can jump in with this book. I promise you will want to go back and read more.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Cleo Coyle, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Annie]

I really enjoyed this book. From the very first page, it hooked me in. It felt like I was retuning to a warm and friendly place whenever I read about the characters at the Village Blend.

What I enjoy about Cleo Coyle's writing is that there is s much depth to their characters even if they are secondary characters. They add just the right amount of interest to each character to make you intrigued by them. I think that's why he series stays so interesting; you don't get tired of anyone, new or old. EAT, DRINK, AND GET BURIED is a refreshing book to perk you right up. I would definitely recommend it.

[Doreen]

9/17/2026 Clare jumped to way too many conclusions here, which felt really out of character for her. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.

[Devi]

📱📖 Read on Kindle 📃 400 pages | 3 hours read time
Genre: Cozy Mystery 🏷️ Publisher: Berkley | ARC by NetGalley

I have been reading the Coffeehouse Mystery series from the start, and somehow, twenty-two books in, I only just found out that Cleo Coyle is not one person. It was right there in the author's note of this book and I had never known it before. Cleo Coyle is actually a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini, a husband and wife writing team. What a realization to have this deep into a series I thought I knew everything about.

I really like the Coffeehouse Mystery series. Even at 22 books in, the charm is still maintained. Madame Dubois, Clare Cosi, Matt Allegro, and Joy make such a wonderful family, and I truly enjoy the dynamics they have with each other. Madame Dubois is more of Clare's mother than her mother-in-law at this point. The relationship Clare has with Matt has evolved from ex-husband to almost sibling-like, with the way they banter around each other now. We have seen Joy grow from a child into an adult making her own life decisions across this whole series, and it makes you feel like part of her life, invested enough to celebrate her wins right alongside Clare, Madame Dubois, and Matt. Honestly, this feels like coming back home to a family you are so in tune with.

This particular book also brings a lot of Clare's past work life into her current one. Her past employers show up at the party, either because they once employed Ava or Joy, or because they're guests of Ava's employers. It was interesting seeing more of who Clare used to be, back when she was managing life as a single mother, and all the people who supported her through that time.

In this mystery, Joy's friend Ava goes from getting almost engaged to having a boyfriend who's almost a criminal. When a friend from the past ends up dead, Ava's boyfriend Ryan becomes the suspect, and it is up to Clare and her crew to figure out who the actual murderer is and save Ryan. I guessed who the killer was around the 60% mark, but the journey there was still a fun ride. I also enjoyed the side quests Cleo Coyle wove through the book, other things happening in the background that all come together and get revealed by the end.

My only qualm with the book, and this is probably true for the series as a whole, is how Clare is treated almost like royalty by her employees, the way she is constantly "required" at every single step. The constant "Hey Boss Lady," "Sure Boss Lady" got a little over the top reading it in one sitting.

This is a perfect September read, one to settle into ahead of the Halloween season. As Cleo Coyle mentions in the introduction, some of the stories shared in the book are real too, which makes for some really fun reading by the fireplace at night.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, I would recommend Eat, Drink, and Get Buried, especially if you already love the Village Blend crew. Twenty-two books in, Cleo Coyle still knows exactly how to make you feel like you're catching up with old friends over coffee, even when there's a body involved. The mystery kept me guessing more than I expected, and the found-family dynamic between Clare, Matt, Madame, and Joy is honestly the real draw at this point. Add this one to your TBR now, it releases September 22 and makes for the perfect transitional read heading into spooky season.

[L.M.]

Clare is catering a birthday party when the birthday boy appears to tip an old acquaintance over the railing where she falls to her death before the man of the hour rushes from the room and disappears into the night. There are tell-tale signs that the perpetrator was not who he seemed, but who was it? Will Clare be able to find the killer before the killer blows out the birthday boy's candles?

This series is one I'm definitely hooked on. I love Clare and Tucker and Esther and Joy has something major cooking up in her life that you're left hanging on until the very end. The mysteries in this series are so beautifully choreographed, complex but not so overly complicated that they don't make sense. It's kind of the best of all worlds.

The one thing I can't stand is stupid jerk Mike Quinn. Why on earth did Clare agree to become engaged to a man who only comes around when he's hungry or wants a little lovin'? He is never there for Clare when she needs him, he shows up when he wants something. When Clare needs something, she calls Matt. And guess what? Matt is always there for her. If she needs something, he delivers without fail and without reward of any kind. In the last few books the author has Clare and Matt bickering over petty stuff, almost like the author has heard this argument that they should get back together and is trying to make Matt seem like less of a potential partner, but it's not working for me. The petty bickering is annoying but it doesn't cover up the truth of the world the author has created (and yes, if the author doesn't want Clare to get back together with Matt, too bad so sad, you made Mike Quinn a completely unlikeable character who we can't wait to see the backside of and put Matt in the position of being the hero one too many times.) Yes, I'm that passionate about this.

Anyway... if you're a cozy mystery lover who hasn't read this series, get on it. If you're not a cozy mystery fan and looking for a good place to get started on the genre, this is it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Anne]

Eat, Drink and Get Buried by Cleo Coyle is the twenty-second in her popular coffee house mystery series. Both girls, Ava and Joy are adults now and very successful: Joy running the Village Blend shop in Washington, DC and Ava running events for a major company here in New York. In fact, tonight was Ava’s boyfriend, Ryan’s, birthday party with the Village Blend catering. Ryan often came over in the middle of the day. He was a popular studio musician and would get a cup of coffee in between sessions. As Clare saw him walking toward the store, all of a sudden a big, black SUV appeared, speeding directly toward Ryan. Ryan seemed to jump out of the way but they watched in horror as one of his legs dis-attached and went flying. It turned out that he wore a prosthesis so it wasn’t as frightening as it seemed. This was the beginning of a series of frightening events, not the least of which was that Joy spent the evening of the party in a bathroom stall, crying.

The characters are what make this such a fabulous series. Clare’s partner is her ex-husband and overseeing the whole thing was Madame, Matt’s mother and an icon. Ava has been and adopted daughter since she was a child. Joy’s boyfriend Franco is a talented police detective. Then, of course, there is Mike Quinn, Clare’s detective boyfriend whose role has grown for many books. He supports Clare’s instinct to investigate. The crime was a grisly one. Someone pushed a young woman off a fifteenth floor balcony. Ryan was accused but had disappeared by then. Clare knew he was innocent but someone had a video that implicated him and many police detectives didn’t have much creativity when it came to investigating. It was both an exciting and comforting read. There’s a reason it’s such a long-running series.

I was invited to read Eat, Drink and Get Buried by Berkley Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BerkleyPublishing #CleoCoyle #EatDrinkAndGetBuried

[Nancy]

Twenty-two books in and I’m committed to seeing this series through, since at this point it’s less a reading habit and more a relationship. But even in a relationship, you can feel when the spark dims a little, and Eat, Drink, and Get Buried lands in that “we’re still together, but… hmm” category.

This installment moves slowly, padded with filler, repetition, and bits of history that took me out of the story. And the miscommunication trope? It’s everywhere. By the halfway mark, I started mentally ticking off which cozy mystery tropes Cleo Coyle might reach for next, only to realize the answer was: apparently all of them.

Normally, this series sends me straight to the coffee bar. I’ll be halfway through a chapter and suddenly craving a latte like my life depends on it. But this time? Nothing. Not even a whisper of “go make a cup.” That alone tells you something was missing.

The familiar cast felt oddly passive; they were all standing around waiting for someone else to tell them what to do to move the plot forward. By the end, I realized I’d lost interest, not dramatically, just quietly, the way you set a book down and forget where you left it. There was no spark, no pull, no caffeinated buzz. I’ll probably forget the plot by next month, and that’s saying something for a series I’ve stuck with this long.

And then there’s the ending, like this add-on, for instance. Instead of wrapping things up, the reader is given an epilogue, then the authors tack on a multiple-page cookbook. I’m not sure if it was meant for a select few or to inflate the page count, but goodness, that was a lot of pages most readers will flip past with a polite “no, thank you.”

Not a terrible entry, just a middling one, that was familiar enough to finish, but not enough to savor.

[Amy (ReadThisAndSteep)]

I absolutely love the Coffee House series, and this newest addition to it is another intriguing, layered mystery. The characters are wonderful, especially the FMC, Clare Cosi, and the NYC coffee house setting is super cozy, yet it still has big city energy.  

These books are a bit grittier than a typical cozy mysteries, and part of that is because the vivid setting gives the story exciting big-city vibes alongside the cozy community. We get the atmospheric, historic Greenwich Village coffee house, The Village Blend, a place I wish were real, and also an iconic NYC landmark, Electric Lady Studios. A studio musician is accused of a crime Clare doesn't think he committed, so she uses her well-honed sleuthing skills to investigate. Part of the action takes her to the legendary recording studio. Visiting Clare's world feels like armchair travel and having an adventure with an old friend.

Clare is a master coffee roaster with a knack for solving crimes. She's relatable, intelligent, kind, and highly observant. Plus, decades of living and working in Manhattan have given her an intimate understanding of the city's neighborhoods, landmarks, people, and local culture, helping her talk to witnesses and hunt down clues. She's surrounded by a great supporting cast, including her flamboyant former mother-in-law, the staff of her coffee shop, her ex-husband, fiancé, and daughter. These characters keep me coming back for more, as I love spending time with them. However, newcomers can jump in here with no problem and easily get to know the characters.

The book is fast-paced and twisty, with a high-stakes whodunit that kept me guessing.

An entertaining, coffee-fueled mystery for your fall tbr. As long as Cleo Coyle keeps writing these, I'll be a devoted fan!

[Kali Favino Davenport]

I received an early copy of Eat, Drink and Get Buried from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing/Penguin Random House, and as a longtime fan of this series, I was so excited to dive into it. I have been reading the Coffeehouse Mysteries for many years now, and this book truly brought back the magic of the earlier books in the series for me.

One of the things I’ve always loved about these books is how they combine cozy mysteries with coffee trivia, foodie tips, and delicious recipes. This installment delivered all of that perfectly. The mystery itself was wonderful, and I honestly could not put it down. I ended up reading most of it over the weekend because I just had to know what happened next.

I especially loved the storyline surrounding Claire’s daughter, Joy, and was happy to see some positive developments for her character. Claire once again solved the mystery in her usual fun-loving and determined style, and I really enjoyed seeing Blanche play a more prominent role in this story as well.

While I did miss having Claire’s ex Matt and her fiancé Quinn in larger roles, I ultimately think it suited the overall story and pacing of the book. Some of the more recent entries in the series haven’t captured the same feeling as the original books, but this one absolutely did for me.

If you love coffee, food, and cozy mysteries with charming recurring characters, this series is a must-read, and Eat, Drink and Get Buried is one of the stronger recent installments. I’m already looking forward not only to this book’s release so others can enjoy it, but also to the next book in the series.

[Katreader]

EAT, DRINK, AND GET BURIED by Cleo Coyle
The Twenty-Second Coffeehouse Mystery

Clare Cosi is happy to be catering a birthday party for Ryan Riggs, a popular musician and boyfriend of Ava, Clare's daughter's childhood friend. All is going well with guests enjoying the coffee themed food and drinks, that is until the birthday cake is delivered. The sabotaged cake is nothing compared to the woman thrown off the balcony by someone wearing Ryan's jacket. Now Ryan is on the run, looking for "proof", Ava is barely holding it together, and Joy has been crying and refusing to say why. With the police focusing on Ryan, Clare will have to look into the past in order to clear his name.

I'm always excited for a new Coffeehouse Mystery and this twenty-second addition is just as fresh as Clare's coffee beans! Fast paced, the mystery was intriguing with unforgettable characters, several from Clare's past. Romantic drama added to the tension and short chapters kept me reading on, reluctant to stop.

I really enjoyed the insiders look into the New York City music and foodie scene. Vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was right there, seeing both history and modern day in Electric Lady Studio, looking at diametrically opposed bakeries, and wandering deserted alleys. I loved reminiscing about the 1990s and drooling over food descriptions. For those who enjoy cooking several recipes are included at the end of the book so that you can truly enjoy some sticky coffee-glazed chicken wings, blueberry cream cheese scones with vanilla-lemon glaze, or butterscotch latte.

A birthday bash gone bad, EAT, DRINK, AND GET BURIED is a tantalizing tale of love, coffee, and murder.

[Marcia]

Coffee in your cup, coffee on your plate, coffee everywhere, and there's a bonus at the end, recipes to check out!
Claire and the Village Coffeehouse are catering a birthday party for the boyfriend of a young woman Claire has known most of her life. One thing after another goes a bit haywire, from lights threatening to fall, to a rather vulgar message appearing on the birthday cake, to Claire's daughter Joy sobbing in the bathroom; but the party goes completely sideways when a young woman is thrown from the balcony to the street far below. Chief suspect, the guest of honor. Of course Claire and the crew jump into investigator mode.
This plot is filled with history, Claire's as well as the young couple's. Claire runs into several old acquaintances and friends, some helpful, some not so much, but all interesting.
I enjoyed getting back with the many characters who inhabit the Village Coffeehouse and especially learning a bit more about Claire's past, but I most especially enjoyed the small, but key roles played by daughter Joy and Madame in this entry to the series.
If you are new to this series, while you can read this as a stand-alone mystery and be most satisfied, I'd really recommend reading the series from the start. It gives you a much richer experience of the characters and their varied and complicated relationships. Don't forget to check out the recipes at the end. There are some tasty looking treats there!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Trish]

Clare Cosi is hosting a special party at her coffeehouse, Village Blend, in NYC. It's a birthday party for Ava Welsh's boyfriend Ryan. Ava grew up with Clare's daughter Joy and is like one of the family. Ryan is planning to propose to Ava at the party, so it looks like a joyous occasion ... until a mysterious woman is thrown off the balcony by someone who looks like Ryan. Ryan takes off running and Clare works to solve the mystery and clear his name.

I wanted to read Eat, Drink, and Get Buried because I enjoy cozy mysteries and love this series. The Village Blend setting feels like a visit with old friends.

This is such a strong mystery! It has so many elements I enjoy in cozies. The mystery is set up very early on when Ryan is almost the victim of a hit and run accident before the party. The chapters are short but full of drama and developments, so the book has a lively pace. With Ryan on the run (and with Ava and Joy in danger) the stakes are very high.

I have suggested this series several times to friends and enthusiastically recommend Eat, Drink and Get Buried. It is such an enjoyable, fast paced read - sure to please anyone who enjoys NYC or restaurant settings.

[Laine]

This book, the latest in the Village Blend Coffeehouse series by Cleo Coyle, is about love. Don’t get me wrong - it’s a mystery, and a very well-crafted one. But the underlying theme of it is love–love for old friends, for family, for lovers, for careers, for music, for the city of New York. The authors live there, and in every book, they pay tribute to a new part of it. This time it’s Jimi Hendrix’ recording studio, Electric Lady Studios.

The coffeehouse catering staff are preparing a birthday party for a young man, a session musician for Electric Lady–but when he is hit by a car in front of The Village Blend the night before the party, everything changes. Clare, co-owner of The Village Blend, witnesses this crime, and is plunged into an increasingly complex maze of deception and pain.

The authors of this series, a married couple, excel at presenting very viable candidates for the villains of their books, and I have never once deduced the right one. This one is no exception, and I always begin by thinking “THIS time, I’ll figure it out!” Good thing the characters don’t depend on my deduction skills! Clare is much better at sifting through all the facts and coming up with the right one - sometimes, almost too late.

[Andrea Stoeckel]

"Follow the crumbs Clare and see where they lead"

When Clare and her crew cater a coffee themed event for one of her daughter's oldest friends they never planned for what actually happened, and therin lies the mystery. Not only who but why did she die? And how is Ryan involved?

From an attempted hit and run to hidden information from his past, Ryan, a gifted self taught musician and the love of Ava's life is being framed for a murder. Leave it to Clare and Matteo to try to protect not only their daughter Joy but her friend Ava as someone is out to stop the past from coming out.

Meanwhile, why is Joy upset? What has Madam found out about Clare's former boss and how do you make an Ice Latte Martini? All this and more will be shared, but you have to read the book!

This mystery is different from the rest of the series. I am amazed at how fresh Cleo Coyle has kept this Coffeehouse mystery series over the years. If you are a newbie or an old friend, you won't be disappointed! Highly recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift from the author. However it has not affected my reading or review]

[Mariah Williams]

This is the first I have read in this series but I am not sure I will return. It is a 2.75 to 3 star for me and I am not sure the characters resonate for me. While the mystery was fun I felt that in order to solve it there was a lot of conclusions that did not make sense that were quickly brushed to the side. The conclusions she was jumping to in her personal life were extremely baffling and keep coming up repeatedly. For a cozy mystery this felt kind of long and there were parts that didn't seem to be needed (at one point she was describing the architecture of buildings). The chapters were short but there were a lot of them. I usually like short chapters because it makes you feel like you are flying through the book but this time it just gave me more chances to get distracted or to set the book down and walk away. I enjoyed the characters of Madame and her workers at the coffe shop and the parts about the music industry felt exciting. I also like the parts about their past coming back, I like a full circle moment.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Joyce]

I always look forward to a Cosi Cozy especially when I have been a fan since Day 1 and this 22nd edition did not disappoint. I got to see how far Clare has come since the beginning and this one is a bit of a throwback to when she needed to start over, newly divorced, raising Joy and also spending time with Joy's best friend Ava.

Even though all grown up and about to enter a new chapter of their lives, it is refreshing to see that Clare is still appreciated and still needed even if there are times when it doesn't seem like it. Treating Ava like her own daughter, she can't turn down the chance to help clear her boyfriend Ryan from a frame job over a recent murder that may be connected to the past.

Lives intertwine even closer than the six degrees as she tries to uncover the truth. Even for someone who is not a coffee drinker, you do not want to put down this Coffeehouse Mystery, just like I assume a good cup of joe.

I received an ARC through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Gail]

This 22nd entry into the Coffeehouse Mystery series is a lively blend of suspense, friendship, and the charms, dangers, and history of New York City. When a rooftop party ends in a shocking murder, Clare Cosi is determined to investigate.

The plot features quick pacing and all the elements readers have come to expect from classic cozies—enlivened by strong character dynamics and enticing descriptions of coffee house fare. While longtime readers will recognize the complex character relationships (particularly between Clare's family members and employees), others may not fully appreciate the multilayered character storylines that have their roots in the series long history.

Overall, Eat, Drink, and Get Buried is a warm, engaging, and character‑driven concoction, perfect for fans of cozy crime.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

[Jennifer]

There is quite a bit of history in this book as we learn more about Clare, her daughter (Joy), her daughter's friend (Ava), and the relationships they had in the past. It is in these pasts that there are clues to the current murder. Ava's boyfriend (Ryan) is under suspicion of murdering someone at his birthday party and going into hiding does not help him. Everyone who knows him doesn't believe he could be responsible for a girl's death, and starts to dig more into his past and the histories of people at his party. There are several unlikeable characters with something to hide who are suspicious, and several likable characters also hiding big secrets. Clare has to sort through her conflicting feelings to clear Ryan's name and save him from being the next one murdered. It's nice to see Clare's history and how it affected her in her choices for her future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

[ElinorsBookshelf]

4+ stars!

I really enjoy this series as a whole! There’s a great balance of mystery, coffee shop life, Clare’s personal life, and various sides of New York. And this book – the 22nd in the series – continues along the same line.

Clare and her staff are catering an elaborate birthday party, when tragedy strikes and one of the guests is found dead. The guest of honor is immediately suspected, and then he disappears. Clare is sure her friend is being framed and is worried the authorities will focus their attention on finding him and not on other suspects. I thought the mystery played out really well, and I also enjoyed learning a bit more about Clare’s background as well as the New York music scene. Another great title in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie]

"Eat, Drink, and Get Buried" is a cozy mystery. This novel is the 22th in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand the mystery, though you'll probably understand the main character's relationships better if you've read some of the previous books. This story didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous books.

Clare was the one primarily investigating, poking into the clues that she could get her hands on. Some of her employees helped sort through social media posts or in other small ways. However, in the end, Ryan found the proof of whodunit for the current crime and a past crime.

There were only a few uses of bad language. There were no graphic sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Marie A]

Once again, Clare and the gang do not disappoint. The descriptions of the food and coffee drinks had my mouth watering. I love how NYC history is seamlessly interwoven into the story and the mystery pulled on my heart strings.

For those adventurous enough, recipes for food and drink are also included. Have you ever wondered how espresso powder is made? It’s in there too.

I would like to thank Berkley Mystery and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given.

Life is a little better with a good book, a sweet treat and the perfect cup of coffee.

[Kim Teeple]

I recommend Eat, Drink, and Get Buried, especially if you are a fan of music history, coffee, or cozy mysteries. The book also includes several coffee and pastry recipes that I cannot wait to try.

I read the ARC for this new book thanks to NetGalley & Berkley. Read the entire review here: https://medium.com/hooked-on-books/ea...

[Donna]

This book is an engaging addition to the beloved cozy coffeehouse mystery series. Reading this book feels like savoring a warm latte in a cozy café. As a fan of both books and mysteries, I’ve cherished this series from the start.

This 22nd installment brings back all the beloved characters: Clare, Mike, Matt, the enchanting Madame, Tuck, Nancy, Ester, and Dante. Each character adds their unique charm to the story. The plot unfolds as Clare investigates a case of someone being wrongfully accused of murder. The book is filled with twists and turns. The book features all the elements of a cozy mystery—mystery, charm, and community—wrapped up in a delightful read.

Thank you to Net Galley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the Cleo Coyle for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie K]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I’ve read in this series. Before I was even halfway through, I had already added the rest of the books to my "to be read" list. An absolutely fantastic mystery! I loved the unusual cast of characters, the unique setting, and the multiple overlapping mysteries within the main mystery. I highly recommend it to fellow cozy mystery fans!

[Jenn]

The Village Blend crew is catering a birthday party for a friend and the stakes are already high when they learn that a fiery food critic will be in attendance. But when a body is found and the birthday boy is the prime suspect, the stakes just got higher. Coyle once again brings the fun and the intrigue to her story centered around a NYC coffee house!

[Jess Hunter]

Clare is at it again! When someone dies at a party she’s hosting and Joy’s close friends boyfriend is the suspect, she can’t help but investigate and figure it out.

There were a lot of moving parts to this story, but it was a quick and fun read. I really enjoyed to tying in of music history in NYC. Overall a great read,

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BerkleyPublishingGroup for an ARC

[Karen Evans]

Cleo Coyle never disappoints her Coffeehouse mysteries are always a great read. I love going back and reading/listen to visit with Clare and the village blend gang and toss in a good mystery to try to figure out and you have a great night of reading. So grab a cup of yummy coffee and catch up with everyone at the Blend and try to figure out who did it 🎧📖🎧📖🎧📖

[Susan]

Hmmm I think the author is running out of ideas for stories. The book is full of descriptions of food, venues, and NYC restaurants. Claire is getting a little full of herself and controlling. She is not really a very good detective and fighting with everyone like she is a teenager. I don’t think I will read anymore in the series. The mysteries are too thin.

[Barb]

Clare is thrilled to be catering a rooftop party for her daughter Joy’s best friend, Ava. Ava has planned the bash to celebrate the birthday of her boyfriend Ryan, an up-and-coming studio musician. But when someone goes over the railing of the rooftop and falls more than 20 stories to the street below and Ryan becomes the prime suspect, Clare and her staff are determined to find the actual killer.

Even though I’m not a coffee drinker, I have enjoyed this series from the very first book. I like Clare, her staff, her family, and her desire not only to keep her coffeehouse running but to generate new business in a variety of different ways. I love Madame, and admire the way Clare and her ex, Matteo, are still able to work together without animosity. There is also a bit of New York City history in each book, with this book’s ‘theme’ being the musical side of the city. The food/drink descriptions always make my mouth water, and I’m glad there are recipes at the end of each book :)

It took a while for the murder victim to be identified, but little was known about them, so it was hard to come up with a list of possible suspects. As more information was uncovered, though, I started to have suspicions about two of the characters, but couldn’t make up my mind about which was the more likely culprit. The confrontation scene was intense, and I still wasn’t sure which of the two characters was responsible until it became glaringly obvious. The motive, as nasty as it was, made sense.

I look forward to the next book in the series to see where things go from here… and I’m still waiting for a wedding!

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.