One of my favorite cozy series is set about as far from Florida as you can get: the busy streets of Greenwich Village in New York City.
Like Raquel, I enjoy a big city cozy, and Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery Series is a perfect example of this subgenre. As an author of a coffee-themed series, I love reading other java-inspired books as well.
Here are five things I adore about the series:
- It’s long. Book one — On What Grounds — came out in 2003. The nineteenth book is scheduled for release in December 2021. As a reader, I can get lost in the world of a New York City coffeehouse and all of the drama contained within. I started this series right before the pandemic, and it got me through much of 2020.
- There’s a lot of coffee. The books are resplendent with coffee history, lore, and details — and some recipes!
- The murders are interesting, and a touch grittier than many cozies. I suspect this series would have been classified as a “traditional” mystery at some point, but it’s also shelved in cozy mystery. While there is no sex or gore in the books, they certainly aren’t fluffy, either. I enjoyed the balance of realism and gentle murder.
- The love stories. I’m also a romance writer, so I prefer my cozies with a strong romantic subplot. SPOILER ALERT: there is a long and twisty love triangle in this series, and I found myself wanting so much more about the trio. The dynamics between the heroine, her ex-husband, and her new love interest were captivating to me.
- The setting. Not only is the book set in a bustling New York City neighborhood, but many scenes take place in a busy coffeehouse. I miss the days of sitting in places like that, and reading the books helped quench my thirst for people-packed places.
You can begin the Coffeehouse Mystery Series with book one here.
