coffee machines

what are your thoughts on coffee pods and coffee machines such as the Keurig? is it possible to get a good cup of coffee from a pod?

Cleo's reply: The convenience of single-brew pod machines is loved by many and very popular. It's really a matter of convenience, and you do pay for it (the cost of buying pod-coffee is 2 to 9 times more expensive than buying it by the pound). Pre-ground coffee can also go stale very quickly and not be a "great" cup by anyone's definition. Enjoy it if you like it and appreciate the convenience. However, if you're looking for the best cup of coffee (and a more economoical way of making and drinking it), buy freshly roated whole bean coffee from a reliable roaster (someone who sources beans well and roasts them often), grind them yourself at home, and brew them in a manner that you like best (whether that is auto-drip, pour-over, French press, or espresso). If it all seems too much, then visit a coffeehouse like the Village Blend and have an expert make your a delicious cup. That's why Clare is in business, LOL! 

Reading order

Do I need to read them in a certain order to understand the books? I’m really interested in them but only have Dead Cold Brew and Dead to the Last Drop.


 

                   Dead Cold Brew >>
          Coffeehouse Mystery #16

 To learn more or download
  the free recipe guide,
   click here or on the cover >>

 

Cleo's reply:

Hello! In answer to your query, you don't need to read the Coffeehouse Mysteries in order to understand what's happening. I always make sure our characters are introduced with enough background so that new readers are not lost.

And if you like DEAD COLD BREW and DEAD TO THE LAST DROP, you can go back to the beginning of the series to see how it all began and read more about the backgrounds of our characters. Both of the books you have are exciting and timely reads (because of the subject matter), and I hope you enjoy them enough to continue reading more of our popular series. 
 

Wishing you java joy...  
~ Cleo

CLEO COYLE'S

BOOKS IN ORDER

CLICK HERE or on the image below
for our free list of Coffeehouse Mystery &
Haunted Bookshop Mystery titles in order.

We wrote this list ourselves.
The list includes mini summaries of
our plots and links to our recipe guides
plus bonus web content. Enjoy!

Brewed Awakening

Just finished Brewed Awakening and absolutely loved it! Thank you for offering a book that holds your attention, makes you fall in love with the characters all over again each time a new book is published, and the large boost to the coffee industry! Please keep them coming!

Linda Manning

Cleo's reply:

Dear Linda,

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to stop by our message board and leave such a lovely note. Readers like you are an inspiration to us. You give us the kind of positive energy we treasure as we continue to write the characters we love. We can't thank you enough for that. Cheers, keep in touch, and...

May you always read with joy!

~ Cleo


 

Cleo Coyle’s Brewed Awakening
is a culinary mystery with a tempting
menu of delicious recipes!
 

Click here or on the image above
for Cleo Coyle's Free Recipe Guide
to Brewed Awakening

Snickerdoodle Muffins?

What happened to the recipe for snickerdoodle muffins?

Cleo's reply: Here you go. Click on the image below and you'll have the free PDF of my Snickerdoodle Muffins recipe...

Now start that pot of coffee and...

Eat with cinnamon-sugar joy!

Love, Cleo

Recipe Book Please!!

Look forward to each book with as much anticipation as waiting for a recipe of yours to finish baking. I am so thankful for you both...you have provided so many hours of pure enjoyment and are so generous with recipes. But I still have trouble keeping track of them all. I just know I am not the only one whining about this. Thank-you!

Cleo's reply:

Thank YOU for the nice words! Marc and I sincerely hope you'll keep reading...and keep in touch.

xoxo
~ Cleo 

For those of you new to our work, we invite you to join our "Coffee Club" and keep in touch with us (so you won't miss our new books or recipes) by subscribing to our free E-Newletter. Click here or on the coffee cup above to sign up.

Brewed Awakening

I just borrowed the book from Stapleton SI NY library and went right to the recipe section (being a fan of the series). Hope it's only my copy but this book is missing two pages, goes from page 332 to page 335 (jumps from the beginning of 'Candied Pecans' to instructions for a chicken dish.

Cleo's reply:

I'm sorry to tell you that someone removed the pages from your library's copy of Brewed Awakening. Our book is not missing any pages. Someone who borrowed the book before you removed those pages, most likley to keep a particular recipe. And I know exactly which recipe was on those pages. It's a very good (and rare) one!

     Over the years, I've heard from readers about this happening every so often. Recipe pages are removed from our Coffeehouse Mystery library copies and kept by patrons who've borrowed the book. I don't know whether or not they realize that they are defacing the book and ruining the experience for readers who borrow it after them. It's a shame.

     This also sometimes happens when readers buy a "used" book. (Buyers beware. You may be saving a few dollars when you buy used Coffeehouse Mysteries, but you may not always be getting a complete recipe section.)

     Again, I know this because we hear from readers who complain about this issue, but there is nothing we can do. 

     If I were you, I would report the missing pages to the library staff. Perhaps they can replace the book and/or try to find out who (before you) on the lending list defaced the book. I hope that helps!

~ Cleo 

Click the image above for our Free
Illustrated Guide to the recipe section
of Brewed Awakening.

New fan

I just discovered and read, Brewed Awakening and now cannot wait to read all your other books!! Loved it!

Brewed Awakening
Coffeehouse Mystery #18
by Cleo Coyle

To learn more,
click the cover >>

Cleo's reply: 

Thank you so much! It is always a thrill to hear from a brand new reader. I hope you enjoy your time in our Coffeehouse world. And I'm happy to share a few fun things to help.

For new readers of our series, I've created a free, downloadable title checklist of all our Coffeehouse Mystery books in order. You'll find mini plot summaries as well as links to our recipe guides and bonus content on the web. Click here or on the image below to see, print, or download the PDF checklist. It's absolutely free and feel free to share it, as well... 

I also hope you'll join our community of readers and keep in touch. We have fun on Facebook and we do our best to keep readers informed via our newsletter. To join up, click the cup.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share your enthusiasm for our work. My husband and I sincerely hope you'll continue to be a "customer" of Clare Cosi's Village Blend for year to come. 
 

May you read (and eat) with joy!

Love, 

Cleo

Tv show

I have all the books in your series, I agree with another post that was made that you guys somehow should turn it in to a tv show! :)

Cleo's reply: That would be fun, wouldnt it? Thanks so much for your loyalty to Clare and Company. My husband and I sincerely appreciate your support of our work. And we hope you'll continue to enjoy Clare's world whether it's on the page or (perhaps one day) on the screen.
 

Love,
~ Cleo
 

Coffeehouse Mystery series?

I have all of the books from this series. I would be so thrilled if this were made into a series for television. Wow!

Cleo's reply -

Marc and I are thrilled to know that you're enjoying our work. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to drop by and let us know!

Brewed Awakening

I have been a fan since the start - Brewed Awakening was an absolutely stellar read. Thank you so much. I tired not to devour it, but savored the story and all the antics of our Coffeehouse friends. As always can't wait for the next installment.

Cleo's reply: THANK YOU!

Thank You!!!

I want to thank you so much for the prize package I won! Such a wonderful surprise! I have tried some of the recipes and they turned out as good as they look!

   I’ve had several compliments and questions about my Brewed Awakening tote bag! I directed them all to your cool website and asked them to be sure to go buy any one of your books to start their wonderful reading adventure!

   And last but not least, I loved, loved, loved the newest Coffeehouse Mystery, Brewed Awakening. Another outstanding edition to this series! Again thank you so much!!!

Ronda 

Cleo's reply: 

Marc and I are absolutely delighted to know you are enjoying your prizes, Ronda. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to stop by and let us know. Your sweet note made our day!

   We are tickled that you are getting compliments on the tote bag, happy to know you are enjoying our recipes, and especially thrilled about your reaction to our brand new Coffeehouse Mystery. 

   Brewed Awakening was a very special story for us, so we're truly grateful for your kind words. 

   We are working on our New Year's Newsletter now and plan to send it out over this weekend (Jan 4-5). We'll be announcing you as one of our winners. If you are subscribed, keep an eye out for it in your email box. If you are not subscribed (or if anyone reading this would like to sign up), simply click the link at the end of this note.

   Marc and I hope you'll keep reading, Ronda, and keep in touch! We wish you peace and joy always.

Love,

Cleo

P.S. And of course...

For anyone interested in subscribing to Cleo's Free Newsletter, simply click the red button below...

Thanks

Thank you for another wonderful coffeehouse mystery. I couldn’t put it down! (Brewed Awakening) when is the next one coming out?

Brewed Awakening:
A Coffeehouse Mystery
by Cleo Coyle

Click the cover to learn more >>

Cleo's reply - 

Thank you so much for the kind note, Susan! Marc and I are delighted to know that you enjoyed Brewed Awakening, which was a very special entry for us. (For anyone who hasn't read the book, be sure to read the acknowledgements, and you'll learn why it was so special to us as a married couple.)

    To answer your question, our next Coffeehouse Mystery is coming in late 2020.

    We'll have more news soon about the next adventure with Clare and Company. Until then, I hope you'll keep in touch through our newsletter and/or my facebook page.

Sending our warmest wishes to you, Susan. Thanks so much for taking the time and trouble to let us know you enjoyed our work. It means a lot to us.

~ Cleo

Author Alert

Will newer Haunted Bookshop mysteries be under Cleo Coyle from now on? Rosa

Cleo's reply: Yes, Rosa. Look under CLEO COYLE for our new Haunted Bookshop Mystery, coming in August 2020. More info to come soon. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!

To learn more or pre-order
click here or on the
cover above.

Will there be more Coffeehouse Mysteries?

Will there be more Coffeehouse Mysteries?

I hope so.

Brewed Awakening
Coffeehouse Mystery #18
by Cleo Coyle

Just Released!
Click the cover
to learn more >>

Cleo's reply:  

Hello, and...

     YES! Absolutely there will be more Coffeehouse Mysteries! Brewed Awakening (#18 in our series) was just released, and I am now writing the next Coffeehouse Mystery with my husband (and partner in crime-writing).

     I hope you'll keep in touch with us through our free E-newsletter, so you won't miss any updates about our next release in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, coming next year (2020). ~ Cleo

To sign up for our
free E-newsletter,
click here.

Haunted Bookshop question

I'm wondering if Jack and Pen will have many cases as Clare does and will continue to do so. Rosa

Cleo's reply: Don't worry, Rosa, we have many more Jack and Pen books in store for you. My husband and I are already writing the 7th book in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. I'll be posting more about it soon. (Our publisher is working on the cover right now and we'll be able to display it soon, a well.) Stay tuned for more news on Jack and Pen and their next case, coming in fall 2020!

CLICK HERE OR ON THE COVERS ABOVE

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEO COYLE'S

HAUNTED BOOKSHOP MYSTERIES.

New to Coffee

Hello!

I sure hope you can help me! After reading your Coffeehouse books, I would love to try drinking (good) coffee. I've tried before, but the only way I could stand coffee was to put so much stuff in it that it wouldn't even taste like coffee. After reading your books, you seem like a true expert. Is there some coffee you would suggest I try? I don't eat sugar or dairy, so would love to try it 'plain'. Thanks in advance!

ON WHAT GROUNDS
Book #1 in Cleo Coyle's 
long-running series of
Coffeehouse Mysteries

To learn more, 
click the cover. >>>

Cleo's reply -

Hello back! I'm so glad you are enjoying our Coffeehouse Mysteries. Coffeehouse culture is a specific culture that my husband and I researched well before we wrote our very first Coffeehouse Mystery ON WHAT GROUNDS.

     We continue to research the developments in the coffee business and celebrate the passionate people who work in it. I'm happy to know that you enjoyed that basic background aspect of the coffee trade. (And there are, of course, many more aspects to our Coffeehouse books, especially with a primary cast that includes three generations of women and a supporting cast of hard-working NYPD officers and detectives who frequent the Village Blend, no surprise since cops practically live on coffee.)

    As for your request, I cannot turn you into a happy coffee drinker simply by suggesting that you buy a certain coffee: e.g. Rwandan, Kona, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Sulawesi (<< click the link), which are all excellent coffees if roasted and brewed properly. There are also many excellent blends that are hand-crafted by master roasters, like the Billionaire's Blend (<< click the link) from One Good Woman Fine Coffees and Teas.

     Many people around the world consider coffee to be an intangible but important aspect of their culture. But it's not for everyone. Some people like dark roasts while others despise them and prefer lighter roasts. You would need to experiment to find what you prefer. You would also need to properly (burr) grind the freshly roasted whole beans for the particular method of brewing that you choose, and you would need to have the proper equipment to brew it. All of this will cost you money and these techniques will take time to learn. We like what we like. Here's what I can suggest for you (and it's the reason people like Clare are in business)!

    Find a local coffeehouse that appears to be popular. Review their menu and try a few drinks from it. Most coffeehouses have alternatives to dairy (such as soy or almond or coconut milk) and I would suggest you try a plain latte using one of those alternatives. With lattes, the milk is steamed and the steaming brings out the sweetness, so you probably don't need sugar. However, if you consume sweet things often (fruits or honey), then you will probably need to have some kind of sweetener added in there to make the drink taste good to you. 

    People in the coffee trade (and millions of others who don't make it their profession) enjoy the smell, taste, and experience of this beverage, which is beloved worldwide. But it's not for everyone, so don't feel pressured to like it yourself. Remember, most people wouldn't drink cocoa (hot chocolate) without dairy and sweetener mixed into it. The coffee bean is not unlike the cocoa bean. You can think of it that way, if you like. You don't have to drink coffee black if you don't enjoy it that way.

     We have many happy readers who do not drink or even like coffee, but they tell us they absolutely love reading our Coffeehouse Mysteries all the same, and that's a good thing indeed. Don't forget that coffeehouses, Clare's included, also serve tea, cocoa, steamers, and other beverages. The coming together of the cast and the warm, cozy atmosphere of the setting is what's most important to these readers. And it makes us happy to know that our fictional world is a place they want to live. For a little while, anyway. 

May you drink (and read) with joy!

~ Cleo

Click the cup to join up
and receive Cleo's
Bonus Recipes.

Made my day!

Hello, I was going to ask if there would be a #7 in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series but wanted to read what other fans had been asking. Thank goodness I did!!!! I’m so happy to hear that there WILL BE a #7.

This truly made my day!

Thank you,
Bonnie

Cleo's reply - 

Thank you, Bonnie, for the lovely note. And, yes, our 7th Haunted Bookshop Mystery (title to be revealed) is coming in 2020, and I'm happy that *you're* happy!

     (For anyone who'd like to keep in touch with us, so you won't miss the latest news on our upcoming books, click here to subscribe to our Cleo Coyle Newsletter.)

     Bonnie, enthusiastic readers like you have inspired us to keep writing the characters we love so much. We even dedicated our 6th book, The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller, to our long-suffering readers, who waited nearly ten years for the series to return after a hitatus.

     For anyone who'd like to know more about the origins of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, why we took a break from writing them, and why we recently decided to make our ghost "reappear," you are welcome to read our Criminal Element feature article by clicking here.

     My warmest wishes to you for the happy note, Bonnie. If you are on Facebook, be sure to friend or follow Jack (our ghost PI). To see his Facebook page, click here or on Jack's fedora above. 

     In closing, Jack and Pen (and I) hope you'll keep reading...and keep in touch!

~ Cleo

Once Upon a Grind, celebrating with Crochet and Recipe make-a-long

I just love your work. So much, that I'm hosting a project based on your book, Once Upon a Grind, on my YouTube channel! The ladies are excited. We will be making crochet Fall ponchos using the book cover colors and baking desserts from the book.

The poncho ruffles to match the dessert recipe each lady decides to make. Thank you so much for writing these books, and putting such love into these characters. I can't wait to read them all! XO, Mimi Cozy Fox Atelier P.S. I posted your book link on my page

ONCE UPON A GRIND
A Coffeehoues Mystery
by Cleo Coyle

How do you solve
a fairy-tale murder?

Cleo's reply:

Thank you kindly, Mimi! I am so pleased to know that you enjoyed Once Upon a Grind enough to pay tribute to it in such a creative way. Have a delicious fall, and...

Happy Halloween!

Love, Cleo
 

ONCE UPON A GRIND

Join coffeehouse manager Clare as she
attempts to solve the crime against
a sleeping beauty, whose body she
finds at a fall Fairy-Tale Festival
in the oldest section of New York's
legendary Central Park.

A "wicked good" murder mystery!

~ Library Journal

To learn more or buy,
click the button below...

For a Free Checklist of
Coffeehouse Titles in Order,
click the image below...

Click the cup to join up
and receive Cleo's
Bonus Recipes.

great book

great book, i love it, thank you so much.

Cleo's reply: Thank *you* so much for the nice note. 

Haunted Bookshop Mystery series

I've just read the entire series and, as a fledgling romance writer with one indie book published, I would love to see Pen and Jack hook up... (text deleted)

Cleo's reply:

Thank you kindly for caring enough about our characters to imagine a future for them. Years ago, my husband and I discussed that same scenario as a possibility. It's a logical dramatic narrative line, of course, but we rejected it for many reasons, and we doubt anything like it will come about for the series (which is why we edited your comment). Apologies for that, but we don't want fans assuming that the future for our characters will be taking that course.

Nevertheless, we thank you sincerely for reading our work and taking the time and trouble to let us know you enjoyed it enough to offer us ideas for the future of Jack and Pen. Cheers to you, we both wish you great good luck in your own writing career!

*

*

FOR NEW READERS,

CLICK THE DOOR TO LEARN MORE:

Thank you for bringing Jack and Penny back

I just found out about these terrific books earlier this year. I’ve enjoyed all six, and don’t know how long I can wait for number 7.

Cleo's reply: 

Thank *you* for taking the time and trouble to let us know how much you enjoyed our Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. And we're happy to report that the next entry, Haunted Bookshop Mystery #7 (title to be revealed soon), will be released next year (2020). The publisher is creating the cover for the work as I type this. More info to come.

We hope you (and all our fans) will sign up for our free newsletter, so we can keep in touch and let you know when new books are available for pre-order. 

With spirited good wishes...

Cleo Coyle 

Click the cup to sign up for
Cleo Coyle's free E-Newsletter.

Just finished Shot in the Dark...

Just finished Shot in the Dark. I enjoyed it (as well as all of the others in the series). In addition to the multilayered plots and character development, as a native Brooklynite transplanted to New England, I appreciate the references to landmarks of my childhood. Thanks also for the shout out to Stony Brook, my Alma Mater. Looking forward to Brewed Awakening.

Shot in the Dark
by Cleo Coyle

To learn more or buy, click
on the cover or click here

Cleo's reply:

Thank you sincerely for taking the time and trouble to stop by our message board and share your thoughts. (Stony Brook has a beautiful campus. Marc and I went to other schools, but we loved visiting SB.)

     I'm delighted to know that our Coffeehouse Mysteries bring back good memories for you. New York is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, from people and settings to culinary *and* criminal activity. My husband and I will never tire of setting our stories where we live (literally and metaphorically). 

     Thanks again and we hope you enjoy Brewed Awakening. It's quite a unique entry for the series, and we're excited to get it into the hands of readers. We hope you'll keep in touch and let us know what you think of the upcoming release. Till then, be well...

Wishing you java joy!

 ~ Cleo


 

Coming December 3rd

A NEW Coffeehouse Mystery

To learn more or pre-oder:

 Amazon click here*
 

B&N click here

Indie bookseller here

BAM click here 

Stop back after December 3rd to 

download Cleo's Free Recipe Guide 

to BREWED AWAKENING.

Clare's Irish Cream Poke Cake Recipe

In Billionaire Blend they mention finding this recipe on your site to go with the frosting Baileys Irish Cream Frosting.

Deb

Cleo's bestselling
Coffeehouse Mystery:
Billionaire Blend

To learn more, 
click here.

CLEO'S REPLY:
 

Hi, Deb - The link to the bonus recipe that you are seeking is on my recipe blog (which you'll find that I linked to on the Recipe Page of this site).

For the cake recipe that you mentioned, simply click the link below or the photo below that...

https://www.cleocoylerecipes.com/2013/12/Baileys-Irish-Cream-Poke-Cake-Cleo-Coyle.html

As our Coffeehouse Mystery Newsletter subscribers know, I am a longtime food blogger, and it gives me great joy to share bonus recipes with my readers, absolutely free. I'm happy to provide them to you, in addition to the recipes you already received in the recipe section of Billionaire Blend, speaking of which...

CLICK HERE

...or on the image below to
download my free recipe guide to
my bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery
Billionaire Blend.

Deb, as far as more bonus recipes (not already published in my books), I encourage you to subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any new recipes when I blog them.

CLICK HERE
TO SUBSCRIBE.

IT'S FREE!

Thanks, Deb, and may you read and eat with joy!

~ Cleo

Next Village Blend Book

I am in withdrawal. Please, when will there be more Village Blend books????

Cleo's reply: Thanks for asking! 

This December 3rd, look for BREWED AWAKENING, which will be our 18th Coffeehouse Mystery.

TO LEARN MORE OR
PRE-ORDER, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about (or pre-order) Cleo's
upcoming 18th Coffeehouse Mystery, 
Brewed Awakening, click here.

And be sure
to join Cleo's...

Click the cup to join up
and receive Cleo's
Bonus Recipes.

Cold brew location requirements

I am looking to start my own cold brew business and all the regulations online are not black and white more grey. The question is: what regulations must a building meet in order to manufacture cold brew coffee from?

Cleo's reply: That would depend on your state and local laws. You need to consult an attorney who can properly advise you. It's wise not to cut corners were the law is concerned on starting a business, especially one that involves consumable products. Good luck!