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

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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...

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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 

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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!

Bonus Recipes Question

BONUS RECIPES QUESTION

I just finished reading Dead Cold Brew And where your recipes are listed at the end of the book it says to visit your site for even more recipes...

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

Cleo's reply - 

Click this link to CLEO'S RECIPES, which is a page on this site where I share recipes with my readers and tell them about where to find more.

I hope you enjoy the bonus recipes that I've already posted at this site, and on my CleoCoyleRecipes.com food blog (that link is posted on this site, as well, sorry you missed it), including the Maple-Glazed Oatmeal Muffins (Best Ever!) and Snickerdoodle Muffins (aka tender cinnamon-sugar muffins which I also call my "Coffee Shop Donut Muffins"), and I hope you enjoyed reading DEAD COLD BREW, as well as the many recipes already published in that book. For a free illustrated guide to DEAD COLD BREW's recipe section, click here or on the image below.

I have been a food blogger for over ten years, and continue to post new recipes periodically, sharing them with my newsletter subscribers. I plan to post that delicious biscotti recipe you mentioned later this fall (in time for Christmas Cookie season). I hope you'll keep in touch through my newsletter to receive a notice when that particular recipe goes live. But you have good things coming to you right away. When you sign up for my newsletter, you'll recieve an auto-reply with even more recipes immediately. Click this link for the FREE NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP.

Thanks for stopping by...

May you eat, drink, and read with joy! 

~ Cleo 

For the free illustrated recipe guide to 

Cleo Coyle's 16th Coffeehouse Mystery

DEAD COLD BREW...

Missing Breanne

I was surprised Breanne didn’t go to the Smithsonian opening in book15. Did I miss something?

Cleo's reply:

When you move on to the next book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, #16 DEAD COLD BREW, your question will be answered, and that answer will impact book #17 SHOT IN THE DARK and book #18, coming out this December (2019), BREWED AWAKENING. 

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Cleo

To learn more about
DEAD COLD BREW,
and download a free,
illustrated recipe guide
to the book, click here
or on the book cover.

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

Clare and Company

I'd just like to take a moment to sincerely thank all of our dedicated readers for your continued messages and emails, hundreds of them over these many years, telling us how much you've enjoyed our mysteries and especially our cast of characters.

     Your love of Clare and Co. is the primary reason our Coffeehouse Mystery series has lasted 15 years with 18 titles, and has over one million books in print (with more to come) thanks to our longtime publisher Penguin Random House.

     We are also grateful to the many book reviewers for honoring our series with three starred reviews and so many best-of-year list mentions. Thanks again, everyone. :)

Read with joy!
Cleo

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Bonus Recipes.

Loved Clare's cornbread

I made Clare's cornbread after finishing French Pressed. I gave my husband 2 pieces and, like Mike, he had to have more!

Cleo's reply - Thank you so much for letting me know, you made my night!

For anyone who'd like to learn more about our Coffeehouse Mystery French Pressed, click here or on the book cover. Clare's easy cornbread recipe is included in the recipe section of the book.

May you eat and read with joy!

~ Cleo

New Coffeehouse Mystery

Will there or when will there be a new book where Mike and Claire get married? Judy

Cleo's reply - Hi, Judy, good question. Readers of the Coffeehouse Mystery series will have to continue reading the story of Mike and Clare to see when and if they get married. That's not a question with a certain answer just yet, as you will see when you read the next book in the series, coming December 2019. The title is Brewed Awakening.

Thanks for stopping by our message board, and thanks especially for reading our books. 

Wishing you java joy,

~ Cleo 

List of films referenced in the Haunted Bookshop mysteries

Is there a list of the films referenced before each chapter? I'd love to watch some of them! Deborah

Cleo's reply: Hi, Deborah, thanks for your question. Can you be more specific? There are quotes before each chapter in every book of the series. Which of the books are you reading? See the free title checklist (of books in order) below...

Click here or on the image above
for a free Title Checklist of
Books in Order
 

Amazing books

Just wanted to say how much I love the Coffeehouse Mystery series. Up to Murder by Mocha. Can't wait to read the rest.

Click to learn more >>

Murder by Mocha:
A Coffeehouse Mystery
by Cleo Coyle

Cleo's reply - 

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to drop by and leave such a lovely comment. It's always a joy to hear from readers like you. 

You may have this already, but if not, I'm happy to share a free, downloadable checklist of my Coffeehouse books in order. Just click here or on the image below. Thanks again for your kindness. I hope you will...

Keep reading and keep in touch!

~ Cleo

Have you signed up for
Cleo's free E-newsletter?

Fun facts, recipes, and contests
for signed books, tote bags,
premium coffee and more.

To learn more and sign up,
click here or on the
coffee cup above
or the image below.

Click to learn more.

"Frappuccino-like" recipe? - Cleo Replied

I just finished "Billionaire Blend" and it's great! But, in the back of the book, it tells me to come to this website for a recipe to make a homemade version of a Frappuccino... so, how do I find it?

Billionaire Blend
Starred Review ~ Kirkus
Click cover to learn more.

Cleo's reply:

Click the link below and enjoy!  Easy homemade copycat Frapp recipe below... 

https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/userfiles/file/CleoCoyle_Cleoccino.pdf 

Also happy to know you were pleased with Billionaire Blend. Thanks for stopping by my message board. If you'd like to try a tribute version of the Billionaire Blend coffee from a master roaster who is also a fan of our series, click the link below...

Billionarie's Blend coffee: https://cleocoylebooks.com/2015/09/01/944/ 

Billionaire Blend recipe guide: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/userfiles/file/Billionaire-Blend-Recipes_Cleo-Coyle.pdf

Read with joy!

~ Cleo

Clare's Italian sub quesadilla

I am going insane trying to find the recipe for this :-) The back of Shot in the Dark (which was awesome) says it's on the website but I can't find it. Please help?

Reply - No worries. Turn to Chapter 23 in your copy of the book. The recipe is described in the dialogue (every ingredient and the technique to make it). You're set. Enjoy!

P.S. Cleo will be blogging the recipe with photos (as a bonus for readers) in the near future. If you'd like to keep in touch, remain subscribed to her newsletter. For more info on Cleo's food blogging, visit her recipe page and read the introduction to the page by clicking here.

Lemon sugar cookies

I would like the recipe for "Lemon Sugar Cookies" from the book... I love anything with lemon, so if you have any more recipes, I would love them. Thanks

REPLY - The Lemon Sugar Cookies recipe is wonderful, but you will not find it online. You can find it in Cleo Coyle's 12th Coffeehouse Mystery HOLIDAY BUZZ. Look in the book's recipe section at the back. You can purchase HOLIDAY BUZZ on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.com or at your favorite local bookstore or online bookstore. Click here to learn more.

Click here to learn more.

CLICK HERE FOR
THE FREE RECIPE GUIDE
to Cleo Coyle's culinary mystery 
Holiday Buzz

THE RECIPES ARE IN THE BOOK.

TURN TO THE BACK

OF HOLIDAY BUZZ!

Seeking Recipe for Irish Cream Poke Cake

Seeking the recipe for Claire's Irish Cream Poke cake.

REPLY: Click here. You're welcome.

I'm behind but catching up

Came across the most recent Coffeehouse Mystery when I (finally) got around to renewing a library card in my new city (after 3 years). Loved A Shot In The Dark, so I'm reading all of the past books. In a strangely random order based on what I can find. I haven't read fun mysteries in years so thanks for helping me along!

REPLY:

Cleo Coyle thanks *YOU* for the wonderful comment! 

.

*Starred Review*
 

"Mystery Pick of the Month"
~ Library Journal

To learn more about

Shot in the Dark

Christmas Gift to Myself

I see the next book comes out in December and am so thrilled. I love getting them for my treat to myself. Thanks for the fun reads.

REPLY: Cleo Coyle thanks *you* for the lovely comment! She hopes you enjoy the new book. She'll be posting more soon about BREWED AWAKENING.

Birthplace of Coffeehouse Mysteries

REPLY to recent question: Here is a great post from Cleo Coyle on the 1985 origins of her Coffeehouse Mystery series. It appears on the Secret New York.com website >> 

CLICK HERE to read about the

1985 origins of Cleo Coyle's

NY Times bestselling

Coffeehouse Mystery series.

Click the cup!

Addicted!