12:01 AM: After another long day, I lock up the coffeehouse and hit the pillow snoring.
1:45 AM: A distant ringing enters my dream. “You awake?” asks the voice on my phone.
“I am now.”
New York is the city that never sleeps. Apparently neither does my ex-husband. Then again, as a freewheeling coffee hunter, Matt Allegro has never been good at adjusting to anyone’s time zone.
“I saw my mother at a rooftop bar.” His voice is near panic. “Some silver-haired lothario was drinking champagne from her shoe!”
“She’s decided to play the field again,” I tell him.
“At her age?! It’s outrageous!”
“You know what’s more outrageous? At your age, you never stopped. Go to bed, Matt.”
7:00 AM: My sleep is interrupted again, but this time I don’t mind. My fiancée NYPD detective Mike Quinn is sweetly stroking my face with his furry hand—wait, FURRY!?
I open my eyes to Java and Frothy whipping me with their tails, cat speak for: “Enough with the shuteye. Feed us!” I stumble to the kitchen, where cans are popped and feline princesses appeased.
7:30 AM: After a bracing shower and a smooth, refreshing Cold Brew Coffee, I hear from Matt’s mother, the beloved owner of this landmark coffeehouse. “Clare, I need your advice. I have a romantic tryst this evening, thanks to one of those new-fangled dating apps. Now I’m primping—”
“For a date that’s twelve hours away?”
“He made reservations at One Dine, atop the Freedom Tower.”
“Wow, isn’t that over 100 floors up?”
“That’s why I’m primping. I’ll have to compete with the view! Should I wear pearls or are they too stodgy? I don’t want to look unhip. I’m only eighty.”
7:45 AM: After advising Madame to ditch the pearls for an art-print scarf, I head down to the Village Blend, bolt an espresso and bliss-out on one of our new Blueberry Scones.
8:00 – 11:00 AM: By now, my trusty assistant manager has opened the shop. Tucker puts on his “Sweatin’ with the Seventies” playlist, and we disco through serving drinks to an endless line of caffeine-deprived customers.
11:30 AM: My barista-poet Esther Best arrives an hour late with a rhyming apology.
“Sorry boss, I know I’m tardy, but my poetry rocked a slammin’ party!”
My reply: “I’m glad to hear your art’s in flower, but now you’ll be staying an extra hour.”
12:30 PM: Matt finally shows with supplies from our warehouse. “Late night,” he explains, blinking bloodshot eyes. “After talking to you, I swiped on my new app and picked up a hot date.”
“Your date began at 2 AM? I think you need a Red Eye more than I do.”
I make the super-caffeinated drink (also known as a Shot in the Dark), hand over a slice of my Amish Cinnamon-Apple Bread and some friendly advice. “Those dating apps have downsides. Hooking up with strangers can be dangerous.”
He waves me off and heads out. “Apps make meeting women as easy as catching fish in a barrel.”
“But what happens if you catch a shark?”
3:00 PM: After two hours roasting coffee in our basement, I treat myself to a pressed pot of our exclusive Billionaire Blend when Esther walks right into my table. “Sorry, Boss Lady. I can’t see very well.”
“Then take off the sunglasses. You’re inside!”
“I have no choice. Nancy came straight from the gym wearing her Day-Glo exercise outfit.” Esther points to my youngest barista, a blinding vision in leopard print and canary-yellow. “Be careful, she may be radioactive.”
Nancy rolls her eyes and heads for the ladies’ room. “I’m changing! I’m changing!”
3:30 PM: Tucker takes off for an exciting movie audition. As I wish him luck, my chef daughter calls from our shop in Washington, DC, which features a wildly popular Jazz Space. “Your coffee shipment is on the way,” I promise her.
4:00 PM: Madame rings me again. “Mere hours before my dinner, and I’m torn between Ralph Lauren or Marc Jacobs.”
“I know they’re both your friends, but why would you want either along on a romantic date?”
Madame laughs—then realizes she’s late for her hairdresser.
8:30 PM: My fiancé, Lieutenant Mike Quinn, arrives looking troubled. . .
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Three OD cases in four days,” Quinn says. “All from a new designer drug.”
“Tell me more.”
“Over dinner. I’m starving.”
“Shall I make you my Secret Ingredient Meatballs?”
“No, I’m treating you to pierogis and blintzes at one of your favorite eateries. I’m overseeing an operation later, so I can’t stay the night. But I can spoil my bride-to-be with some beautiful carb love.”
“I knew there was a reason I agreed to marry you.”
11:20 PM: Stuffed from dinner, I roll into bed when Madame phones.
“How was your date?” I ask.
“You mean Rip Van Winkle? He told me with pride that he never touches caffeine, then he dozed off over dessert!”
11:59 PM: I’m back in dreamland—with a pair of cat tails stroking my face. . .
The Coffeehouse Mysteries Book Trailer
FREE CHECKLIST OF TITLES (Books in Order):
Get a title checklist with mini summaries of all 17 Coffeehouse Mysteries plus links to Cleo’s Free Recipe Guides. To download the list as a PDF document, click here.
About the author
CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating fifteen years in print. Alice has 
worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York City, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, including the popular Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. Look for a brand new entry in their Haunted Bookshop Mysteries this October: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller.
Visit their website at www.coffeehousemystery.com.
Sign up for their Coffeehouse Newsletter here.
You can also friend or follow Cleo on Facebook as well as Twitter and Pinterest.
COMMENT TO WIN GIVEAWAY:
Prizes include Cleo Coyle’s new Coffeehouse Mystery Shot In The Dark in its beautiful hardcover edition. A 12-ounce “Gimme Coffee!” porcelain cup and saucer, made in Italy. An autographed set of Cleo’s favorite glossy recipe cards, and 2 Bonus Mystery Prizes! U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends May 17, 2018. Good luck everyone!
This book is already on my TBR list. Can’t wait!
This is my favorite mystery series! I was so happy to see you came out with another book.
I love this “day in the life” and all the links. So excited for this latest installment!
I also love the series with the characters in it. The things they do are really believable.
I love this series and all of the quirky characters in it. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Hello Cleo. Thanks for writing the Coffee House mysteries. Anything coffee is a passion of mine, so hence my passion for your series. Thanks for this extra special giveaway. Maureen
This book sounds like a winner. I’d love to be one, too!!
I love the coffee house mystery series by Cleo Coyle. In today’s day and age, there is no better place to set a mystery since so many people frequent these type of establishments. Thanks Dru Ann for supplying your blog readers with information on Cleo’s newest book.
Cleo Coyle is a new-to-me author. The Coffee House mysteries sound great. Thank you for introducing me to her books and for this awesome giveaway.
Oh what a teaser that was! Can’t wait to read the book!
I chuckled through this 24 Hour post. Definitely fun characters!
I love this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Have loved all the coffee shop mysteries and also the haunted bookshop books. Always looking forward to new titles.
This sounds like a fun cozy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. The coffee house mystery series is captivating and unique.
Wow, Clare packs a lot into 24 hours — it’s good she runs The Village Brew and can get all the coffee/espresso and goodies that she needs to keep going! I can’t wait to read about Clare, Mike, Matteo and Madame and the Village Brew gang in A Shot in the Dark (great title)~
I am exhausted after reading about Clare’s day! (My excuse for another cappuccino anyway!) This is a terrific series that I never get tired of reading and rereading-and trying out recipes! I think my favorite part of the whole deal might be the newsletters from Cleo that have more recipes and are always so much fun to read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of A SHOT IN THE DARK and all the other wonderful goodies! Wouldn’t that be an awesome Mother’s day gift??!! (This mom of triplets thinks so, and I bet others do too!)
Many thanks!
I’ve been reading this series for years. The characters are like old friends. Thanks for a chance to win.
The book sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway.
What a wonderful giveaway; thank you. Just added A Shot in the Dark to my TBR list.
interesting day
This is one of my favorite series. It was fun getting to read about Clare’s day. Thanks for the giveaway!
Great entry to the series! Would love to have the book! The cup and saucer would extra goodies! Appreciate your gifties!
Thanks for a chance to win. I love this series and am excited for this next installment!!
I love cozy mysteries. This Coffehouse series is new to me and looks like something I’d like to read. My husband and I have our daily coffee, and I have a rather large collection of mugs and would love the one from Italy.
Oh my…another series that I must catch up with. Always enjoyable. Thanks for the reminder.
Anything by Cleo is always on my wish list.
Talented couple! Would love a chance to win this prize.
I love this series and have read every one of them up to this point.Can’t wait for the next installment.
Nice plot
I really enjoy this series and have read all of them. Thanks for the chance to win!
This is one of my favorite series! Can’t wait to read it! It would be awesome to be the lucky winner of this giveaway!!!
Love the Coffeehouse mysteries!
Love this series–one of my favorites. Thanks so much for the chance to win such a generous prize package!!
This is a new-to-me series and with 15 titles I’ve just got a lot more reading to do! Thanks for the chance to win the latest one!
All you need with a Cleo Coyle book is a cup of coffee. Love this series,
What a great giveaway and a great series. Cleo Coyle is a clever writer.
I love reading books about coffee, my drug of choice. I have this on my TBR list. Thank you so much for this chance.
I just love books about coffee, my drug of choice. I have this book on my quickly TBR. Thank you so much for this chance.
I have been reading this series since the very 1st book was released! Great series that the author keeps moving smoothly. thank you for the chance to win!
I love this series. Looking forward to reading “Shot in the Dark”.
Just jumping in to say thanks for the kind comments and thanks especially to our Coffeehouse Mystery fans, who’ve kept the series going strong for going on fifteen years and (now, with SHOT IN THE DARK) 17 books! Marc and I would not be here without you.
xoxo
~ Cleo Coyle
Just finished reading this! Loved this book.
I love this series! Clare does have some long days.
Looking forward to reading Shot in the Dark. Thankyou for the opportunity.
Excited!!! Love this site! Thanks!
A wonderful giveaway – terrific author(s) – super series!
I wish we had more coffeehouses in our town. Not too many other than the big chain.
I love your books and hope there are many more to come!
Thank you for the generous giveaway!
I would love to spend a day in the coffeehouse!
Looking forward to reading this book!
Thank you for having such an amazing giveaway! The book looks great!
Love the Coffeehouse Mysteries and love the recipes included in each mystery. I’m looking forward to reading Clare’s newest mystery!
Secret ingredient meatballs….. yes you should make them. Winning a real book would be such a treat.
Love your series… you give the books such life! (except for Jack of course, lol). Looking forward to many more from you 😉
Cheers~
Kelly Braun
I would love to read this book, it sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
enjoy the series, recipes, characters, etc. Look forward to the next book. Thank you for offering your readers the giveaway.
Looking forward to reading this!
This is a great series. My daughter would love this cup and saucer. Happy Mothers Day! Dbahn@iw.net
I am reading this book right now and love it!
The Coffee House Mysteries are by far my favorite series! I can not wait to devour Shot in the Dark!
I see shoe-champagne as a minus, always! The Lotharios must be stopped!
What a great way to get to know you. I enjoy the series and the recipes! My family enjoys them too! Thank you for the giveaway.
Love your books and looking forward to reading Shot in the Dark on the beach this summer and then baking some blueberry scones!!
Wait, 2 cats? How far behind am I? I need a beach vacation for some reading time!
LOve the series, the recipes, and the coffee facts!
Loved the book, finished it in 2 days! This series is my favorite and I enjoy the characters, they’re written in such a realistic way that I feel like they’re my friends back from a long trip when a new book is published. Thank you so much and can’t wait for the next one!
Love this series! 🙂
I love this series! The fact that the characters are like one big family, makes this series a winner! I love their wit, and the way they are there for each other no matter what. Thank you for this chance!
One of my favorite series! Can’t wait to read the newest book!😍
I pre-ordered this book as soon as I saw it!I love all the Coffeehouse books. Thank you for all the yummy recipes as well.
I love Clare’s days!! They energize me to keep going! Thank you for the greatest series ever written!!
Interesting title. Can’t wait to read it.
Looking forward to settling in with the latest in this series with a glass of cold-brewed iced coffee.
You hit the target with this one.
Love this ‘day’ you provided Dru! This is one of my favorite series!
Congrats on a wonderful series and the release of a new book. Coffee houses are an in today and a meeting place for people on the go.
Love your books and giveaways! Clare is my favorite fictional character. She’s been my role model through high school and college.
Thanks for a great interview & giveaway.
I have learned so much about coffee from this series. Before it was just something I drank in the morning to get going. Now I have actually changed how I take my coffee to be able to notice and apprrciate the taste and bouquet of a nice blend. Plus the writing is awesome!! 😉
This a wonderful entertaining series I always look forward to. The recipes are Fabulous!!!!!
Looking forward to reading shot in the dark. Love info about coffee & the recipes.
Love this series and can’t wait to read the book!!!
This is my favorite mystery series to read and re-read. I’m so excited for the newest installment. Every book has a new twist without changing the core character arcs. I love it, I love the recipes, and I can’t wait to read what’s next!
Java and Frothy.😂
I’m looking forward to reading Shot in the Dark. Alice & Mark are a winning writing duo!
I love a full life and of course coffee and mystery books. Thanks to Cleo and crew I have been enjoying terrific stories and yummy recipes. Really, thanks 🙂
thanks for the day-in-the-life…..
I know it is always busy and so
rewarding (mystery solved).
Keep up the good writing – look
forward to each new installment.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I don’t know how Clare does it! She does so much and I’ll bet she loves every minute of it. That was a lot of fun. Thank you for the insight.
I enjoy your books and the recipes, especially the recipes that involve a family story about it. They’re really interesting!
I absolutely LOVE your books (and recipes). As soon as I finish one I’m waiting impatiently for your next book to be published.
Wow, that’s a lot. I’m glad the writers help Clare out! amaebi at mail2world dot com
on my TBR list. Thanks!
And what, pray tell, did Claire dream about? What an eventful day-in-the life! I love the excerpt; I can’t wait to read Shot in the Dark and bake some Amish Cinnamon Apple Bread!
I love the coffee mystery series I have read them all! Can not wait to read this one!
I love this series. I can’t wait to read this latest one.
I’m reading Shot in the Dark right now and am loving it. I’ve never been to NYC, so sometimes I actually open up a map and follow Clare around the city on her adventures. I guess she has to keep running after eating all of that fabulous food. Keep on writing–but take your time! The quality is worth the wait.
I have learned a lot about coffee since reading this series. Can’t wait to read this next book.
I love this! Clare and her adventures always make me smile! I’m so looking forward to reading Shot in the Dark; I’m 4th on hold at the library. 🙂
I can’t wait to jump into the new book with recipes. They are so fun and take me away from things like my broken sump pump!
Enmoy reading your books every chance I get.
Another book to add to my TBR pile. Can’t wait to start reading.
Reading #CleoCoyle #ShotInTheDark NOW! Fantastic of course! Since “thank you” for another #ExcellentStory #CoffeHouseMysteries
My favorite series! !
Madam’s antics are always funny. Being a senior myself I can relate to her attitude and feelings.
My favorite mystery series. Cant get enough.
Love this series! So much drama! So much coffee!
This series just keeps getting better. I know I hate the long wait between books, but when I get the next one it is always worth it!
I love your sense of humor in the account of a day in the life of the cafe’s manager, Clare Cosi. It was fun to read!
This was really cute and I loved the “easter egg” links
Can’t wait to read the next book. It’s on my “on-order” list!
Can’t read the excerpt; want to wait for the whole book. It’s been on our TBR list awhile.
With a day like this, coffee is not an option, but a necessity!!!
I always make time for a cup of Cleo Coyle.
Another great book! I can’t wait to read this next one. Thanks for coontinuint to write!
Darn, misspelling, hate that, hitting the button to quickly!
I’m hooked on this series! Thank you for doing the giveaway! looking forward to reading the book!
Love these books! Claire has so much energy…and Matteo never grows up….lol! I do like the spice and energy of his mom!
Loved the trailer! I can’t wait to read this book, looks like another fun ride!
I love Claire’s life and reading about her escapades. Her sleuthing skills are awesome.
I can’t wait to dive into “A Shot in the Dark”! What a wonderful Mother’s Day surprise to learn that it’s here.
I’m so glad you guys haven’t retired this series as everyone just feels like friends and family visiting each time I begin a new one ( or listen to a past one). I’d love to spend a day at the coffee house and just get my overdose of caffeine and observe!
As with all of the Coffeehouse Mysteries, I really enjoyed Shot in the Dark. There were so many plot twists.
I just got Shot in the Dark this afternoon and cannot wait to start
reading it. I have read the whole series and have never been bored.
Clare has very exciting and jam packed days.
I love and look forward to each of your books. The characters are so well-rounded and the stories all flow. I enjoy taking my time reading them.
I am half way through Shot In The Dark .Trying to read it slow so it last longer but it is hard to put it down .
I had my local library order it and I just picked it up to read! Can’t wait. I’ve read all your books in the series in order and love them all. My favorite character is “New York City”. I grew up there and miss it a lot.
What a wonderful read to look forward to…I enjoy every book! Thank you for sharing your gifts of good writing with us!
I can’t wait to start reading this book. Your characters are always so real. I am a cozy mystery fan and I believe yours are some of the very best. Thanks.
I love this series! I’m from NY and now live in TX. I love reading about my old haunts! I miss home and these books take me back! Thank you!!
I look forward to reading this newest book! I so enjoy reading your works….they are always full of enjoyment and great results pies,
I enjoy your books so much. Although I’ve never been to NYC, your Coffee House Mysteries are like a regular vacation to the city. I also really appreciate all the extras; newsletters, website, and giveaways.
I love love love your books! My local bookstore already knows that, in the rare occasion I miss a new release announcement, to automatically order a copy for me!
This cozy sounds so good. It makes me miss NYC.
Sounds like a fun read.
One of my favorite series!
I have really been wanting to try this series. I love coffee and coffeehouses.
Congrats on the new book.
Thanks for the chance.
Excited to read the next installment in this series! Love the coffee shop theme and all of the characters!
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Just finished it today and am DEVASTATED! What shall I read NOW??!! My first recipe, I think will be Espresso Shortbread cookies!!!
Love the book, the characters, recipes,the descriptions of NYC & the VB!! Great read all around? Well done! Mazel Tov!
This is truly one series I’ve stuck with and still look forward to. The characters evolve and there is suspense with a love story. Then throw in the coffee and recipe talk, it couldn’t be better!
Can’t wait to read Shot in the dark!
Cleo, Love the series and book. Another great addition to the series. So appreciate the recipes.
Ok, now I’m ready to read Clare’s latest adventure! I really enjoy this series. And I’m excited to make some blueberry scones. Yum!
What a fun and great way to share Clare’s day! The new book is waiting by my bedside and I can’t wait to begin…
Thanks for the great giveaway. I love cozies and this one soundsounds good.
Love this series! Can’t wait to read this book.
Congratulations on book #17. I started reading the Coffeehouse Mysteries a few years ago and have been hooked on the stories as well as the recipes. Keep the books coming! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Can’t wait to read the new book!LOVE the newsletters and recipes. Thanks for all your work!
I love when a new book in this series is released. It’s one of my favorite series and has been for several years. I had it pre-ordered for my Kindle and it was there release day morning. I loved it!
My mother was an avid reader and we would share and discuss books read. I know even though she was a hot tea fan, she would have loved Clare and her coffee infused adventures as much as I do. Keep them coming!!
This series always keeps me coming back for more! I’m looking forward to reading the latest installment.
Love this series! Thank you for continuing to give us mystery and a love for coffee!!
Love. LOVE. LOVED. The book. Now, the hard part…waiting for the next one.sigh.
Im not entering but just stopping by to say congratulations with each and every release and know how much your books mean to so many people.
Hugs,
Cynthia B
Thanks for the great series, love the characters!
Love the series, and as a former New Yorker, I enjoy the setting and all the areas that you include in the stories.
I’m on a waiting list to get Shot in the Dark from the Library. Can’t wait!
Love this series and can’t hardly wait for the next book to come out!!!
Love this series and can’t wait to read about Clare’s latest adventure.
Love these books! Shot in the Dark was great!
Would love to win. Love coffee
Dropping in again to say THANK YOU for all your comments. Once again, Marc and I would like to express how sincerely grateful we are to our readers. You have kept our Coffeehouse Mystery series going strong for 17 books and nearly 15 years. We wouldn’t be here without you!
Thanks also to Dru and her award-winning blog for graciously hosting us (and Clare Cosi & company). We always enjoy our visits back to Dru’s Book Musings.
One of my favorite series. The characters are such fun to get to know and the mysteries fun and intriguing to solve.
Enjoy your series so much.
**** WINNER ****
Shot In The Dark, a 12-ounce “Gimme Coffee!” porcelain cup and saucer that is made in Italy, an autographed set of Cleo’s favorite glossy recipe cards, and 2 bonus mystery prizes is Desie
Congratulations!