Clare Cosi manages the historic Village Blend coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, New York City. The Village Blend has been in operation for over a hundred years, and its owner, Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubois, is Clare's former mother-in-law. This family connection — Clare is divorced from Madame's son Matt, who is still in the picture — creates rich interpersonal dynamics.
The series is notable for its detailed coffee knowledge. You will learn about roasting, blending, brewing methods, coffee origins, and the business of running a coffeehouse. Clare's expertise is genuine, and the coffee details are never dumbed down.
The romance between Clare and NYPD detective Mike Quinn is one of the most compelling in the genre — a true slow burn that develops over many books against the backdrop of their very different worlds. The New York City setting also distinguishes this series from most cozies, trading the small town for the bustle and diversity of the Village.
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