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Dead to the Last Drop
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Behind the story of Dead to the Last Drop

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Dead to the Last Drop“Dead to the Last Drop” is the latest release in the New York Times bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series. The series is written by Cleo Coyle, which is a pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini.

“Dead to the Last Drop” departs from a couple of series traditions. First, this story incorporates elements of a thriller into the traditional cozy mystery genre. Second, the setting is not the usual Greenwich Village, but Washington, D.C. So, why make big changes in a popular series? “Marc and I always look for ways to put pressure on our characters and see how they react,” Alfonsi said.

“For the past several books, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn has been on a temporary assignment with the US Justice Department in Washington. That move for Quinn was a boost to his law enforcement career, but it put a strain on his relationship with our amateur sleuth, Clare, a hard-working single mom who manages a New York coffeehouse.

It gave us a chance to build suspense and curiosity in the reader—and in Clare…

“The difficulties between Mike and Clare created some interesting twists in our past few murder mysteries, but we felt it was time to put them both in the same city again. So we came up with a plot that moved Clare to Washington for a book, which allowed us to take our longtime readers on an entertaining trip to a new city, introduce some fresh characters—and also take advantage of my knowledge of that town.”

Alfonsi is a former journalist who spent time in Washington D.C. As a result, “Dead to the Last Drop” was the perfect opportunity for a change of venue. It also provided an opportunity to reveal some secrets hinted at in recent Coffeehouse Mysteries. “It [the secrets] gave us a chance to build suspense and curiosity in the reader—and in Clare,” Alfonsi said.

“We’re always looking for ways to put pressure on our characters because it’s when they’re under pressure that readers see what they’re made of. And because our mysteries have been told from Clare’s point of view, the reader has been seeing Mike the way she has, as secretive and troubled. “Now, for the first time in our series, we give readers part of the story from Mike’s point-of-view, which allows him to reveal in his own words why his Justice Department work has landed him in a monumental mess. And his story is a shocker.”

These cities also present a chance to create interesting casts—characters with a diversity in race, culture, and class.

Alfonsi also said that because she lived in D.C., she’d learned to experience its rhythms, understand its quirks, and get to know the people who make their lives there. “I was able to look past a tourist’s knowledge of the place—the museums and monuments and grand history—to find the kind of daily-life specifics that make a story real, like the traffic circles that vex many D.C. drivers; a secret park path that connects two colleges; aspects of federal food service; and the lesser known treasures of Georgetown.”

For “Dead to the Last Drop,” the authors chose to have protagonist Clare Cosi explore some of D.C’s history. Alfonsi said, “Take Cox’s Row, one of the best examples of Federal period architecture in the country. That’s where we put Clare for her Washington stay, in a former ambassador’s mansion rumored to have been part of the Underground Railroad, and just down the street from an address where JFK once lived.

“Both of these cities also present a chance to create interesting casts—characters with a diversity in race, culture, and class. That’s been an important aspect of our series from the start. In both the business-centric Big Apple and the bureaucratic Nation’s Capital, you’ll also find a great diversity in wealth and power. These are towns where average Joes and Janes rub shoulders with the “elite” on a regular basis, on the job, on the street, in restaurants, and…at our Village Blend coffeehouse.”

For more information, visit CoffeehouseMystery.com. Or, click here to download a PDF with a listing of all fifteen Coffeehouse Mysteries.

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About Terry

I started out as a skip tracer. Just in case you don’t know, that’s the guy who finds the people who don’t want to be found. It was the little things—getting paid to lie—that made skip tracing the fun part of the job.

Those years of chasing deadbeats taught me many valuable life lessons, such as liars come from all walks of life, and always keep your car in the garage.

Find me on: Amazon Bookbub Instagram Facebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. donnadurnell2013 says

    I’ve visited Washington DC on a couple occasions — once about 40 years ago, when our hosts (in Virginia) took us on a driving tour of the city one evening; and then again about 7 years ago when we rode the train into the city for the day from Dumfries VA. I hope one day to get to go back. For now, I’ll enjoy the descriptions in DEAD TO THE LAST DROP.

    • CleoCoyle says

      Donna – A driving tour of DC in the evening is beautiful and inspiring. The White House, the Capitol dome, and all of the grand, national monuments are brilliantly lit. DC also has a great night life. When I was studying and working there, I spent many evenings in Georgetown and frequented “Blues Alley,” one of the nation’s oldest jazz clubs, which became the inspiration for the relaxed “Jazz Space” you’ll be reading about in DEAD TO THE LAST DROP. Thanks for sharing your own experiences visiting Washington. We hope you do get a chance to return. Until then, you are more than welcome to enjoy a fictional visit with us…and our characters!

      ~ Cleo

  2. Celia Fowler says

    I used to live and work in D.C., so I know I,m really going to enjoy Dead to the Last Drop. Thanks for the great interview~

    • CleoCoyle says

      Celia – We send our thanks to Terry, as well! I’ll just add that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in our nation’s capital. I made good friends, and I learned a lot, including a few DC secrets, which I made use of as Marc and I developed the plot and characters in this new Coffeehouse entry. The mystery is fun and fast-paced. We hope you enjoy the ride!

      ~ Cleo

  3. Jeannie D. says

    Wonderful interview! I love the coffee house mysteries. I love that the characters ar so relatable.

    • CleoCoyle says

      Jeannie – Thank you, that means a lot to us. The key for us is humor, not that every situation in our fiction has humor in it, but we see the absurd in our own lives every day, which is why we look for the same thing in the lives of our characters!

      ~ Cleo

  4. Kathleen Costa says

    Thanks for a very nice and informative interview report. I LOVE THE COFFEEHOUSE MYSTERY!! This series was the catalyst for renewing my passion for reading and coffee, and the books that converted my sister. The characters are real, with real problems and desires. They just run into a murder in every incarnation… I love New York as one of the stories’ characters, and am intrigued have this change to Washington, DC. will a change in location happen again? New Orleans? Clare as a fish really out of water might be exciting!

    • CleoCoyle says

      Kathleen – Marc and I are gratified to hear you say the characters are real to you, with real problems and desires–because the people who populate our Coffeehouse Mysteries, from the main characters to the suspects and victims, are very real to us. We’ve learned a lot over the past ten years, not just through the writing but also through hearing from readers who’ve reached out to us. We appreciate your insight and impressions, and we hope you (and your sister) continue to enjoy the books…and the coffee!

      ~ Cleo

      P.S. New Orleans would make an excellent setting for a future Coffeehouse book!

  7. sallycootie says

    Great combination, both of you with Terry. I always love your books and posts and this was a great interview, and Terry’s site is a must read. Thanks for the giveaway. Can’t wait to read this one.

  12. Libby Dodd says

    I’m not entering to get a copy because I already have one AND have read it.
    This book is particularly good and quite exciting. The change of perspective from character to character and back and forth in time is wonderful.

  15. Beth Perry says

    Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse series is my absolute favorite, but the more I learn of Alice and Marc, I am not surprised. What I am surprised is they truly are some of the NICEST people ever. They truly do connect with their readers, tho with their collective careers, I have no idea how.So busy, talented, and giving to so many.
    I started reading the series while waiting in the ICU when my dad was dying, later, serendipitiously, Alice sent me a quick lil note years later the day I found out I had cancer. I’m fine now, but I always say a prayer for people as wonderful as they are, there are too few, but I am blessed to have found such a gift to myself as their great writing, and being great people, too.
    Hey, at least I now know why all my attempts to write a cozy in their league just hasn’t worked out, they are a very special brewsome.
    Btw love the idea of a “thrillzy” genre!

    • Terry says

      Hey Beth, congratulations on beating cancer. That’s a huge accomplishment in and of itself. As for writing that cozy…I say just keep at it. I know the more I write, the more my style changes. For me, it’s just a continuous cycle of listen, revise, and rewind to do it over again. Sooner or later something clicks and there’s that “aha” moment. Best of luck in the contest!
      Terry

    • CleoCoyle says

      Beth – We are honored to have a reader like you, so generous and brave. We join Terry in congratulating you for overcoming the cancer, and we will keep you in our good thoughts and prayers for your continued good health.

      As for the writing, we agree with Terry wholeheartedly! A writer’s “voice” evolves over time, which is why continuing to write is an important part of the development process. Read widely, listen and observe, and go deep inside yourself to find your characters.

      When you sit down to write, strive to connect with how you feel about what’s happening in your life and the world around you. Writing is about personal expression through characters and story–keep that in mind and you will create something fresh and unique, even within a well-published genre! Aim for creating something that’s truly yours and truly speaks to readers.

      Marc and I wish you the very best. We hope you’ll keep reading, keep writing, and keep in touch!

      ~ Cleo

  18. Ellen Shullaw says

    Am looking forward to reading this book a husband and wife team…must have been fun to work that closely..

  19. l p says

    love the Coffeehouse Mysteries – they are so readable and hard to put down, as well as making me wanting a cup of coffee at the same time. can’t wait to read this one. thanks

  20. Jennifer Essad says

    I’ve not read a book co-written by a husband/wife team. The story line is intriguing, I like suspense/romance, will add this to my reading list for this winter

  28. Rebecca Warner says

    I have never read a “CoffeeHouse Mystery”, but they sound interesting. Love a chance to win one and see.

  30. Sheri Jesse says

    Love the Coffeehouse Mysteries and can’t wait to read this one. I read the excerpt and the different perspective is refreshing.

    • CleoCoyle says

      Thanks, Sheri– Marc and I are pleased you enjoyed the change of perspective. Though much of our new entry is written from Clare’s point of view, we wanted to show part of the story through Mike’s eyes. This is the first time we’re using his perspective and we’re glad you like it so far.

      ~ Cleo

  31. Penny Marks says

    You can’t go wrong with coffee and mystery all in one book. Thank you for the chance to read and review your book.

    • CleoCoyle says

      My husband and I can’t agree more, Penny, though this time Marc and I threw in a dash of thriller, too. We hope you read Dead to the Last Drop with joy, and good luck with the giveaway.

      ~ Cleo

  33. Mary Holshouser says

    I’ve been reading this series since the beginning. Always look forward to the next installment and I’m never disappointed.
    thanks – here’s hoping to win an autographed copy.

  36. CleoCoyle says

    Greetings to everyone and thanks so much to Terry for his graciousness (and insightful interviewing)! My partner in crime-writing, Marc Cerasini, and I will drop back later this afternoon and through the evening to provide answers to any questions in the comments. In the meantime, we thank you for joining us today and wish you good luck in the giveaway!

    Like the Terminator…I’ll be back…

    ~ Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter
    Cleo on Facebook

    • CleoCoyle says

      rhianonna – THAT is the exact question Marc and I asked ourselves before we sat down to write DEAD TO THE LAST DROP! And the answer is the book itself. We hope you enjoy it!

      ~ Cleo

    • Terry says

      Hi Karin, I think it depends on how much “thriller” gets added. I try to do the same thing, blend the thriller and cozy genres. Laura Childs calls her books “thrillzies.” i refer to mine as “cozy thrillers.” As I see it, everything comes down to how well you blend the most important elements of each genre. Maybe Cleo will have more insight.

    • CleoCoyle says

      Karin – Good question and thank you for asking.

      Terry – Thanks for jumping in with your reply.

      Marc and I agree with Terry that genres can be blended, and we’re certainly not the first to do that! The ideal is to bring the best of both genres to the story without letting down the readers of either. For the cozy reader, we did our best to deliver an amateur sleuth mystery primarily told through the point of view of Clare, a single mom and hardworking coffeehouse manager. The relationships in DEAD TO THE LAST DROP have the heart and humor of a cozy. There are picturesque settings and domestic subplots–and (yes) recipes of the delicious foods mentioned in the story. Yet the danger in this mystery is real. The stakes are high. The crimes and situations “ripped from the headlines,” just like a thriller. The pacing is fast with short chapters and a plot that has twists, turns, reversals, and misdirection. The villain is powerful and dangerous and the “on the run” aspect of the story (when Clare becomes a wanted woman for capital crimes and must solve them on the run with acting federal agent Mike Quinn) is very thriller-esque. Yet, for that cozy readers, we are careful not to cross the lines that should not be crossed. No graphic violence or sex, for example, though there are plenty of moving and intimate moments between Clare and Mike. The result is a more genteel thriller, a thriller with heart and humor, a cozy thriller. A “thrillzy,” as Laura Childs likes to call it!

      I hope that answers your question, Karin, and thank you again for taking the time to ask it. Cheers!

      ~ Cleo

  42. darcyo says

    The Coffeehouse Mysteries is one of my favorite series. Hope to read “Dead to the Last Drop” really soon.

  43. Nancy says

    I have this entire series and received Dead To The Last Drop yesterday. Sorry I missed out on the freeby chance. I need to get some housework done so I can settle down and read. I love this series but hope Clare and Mike tie the knot soon.

    • CleoCoyle says

      We’re so glad you love the series, Nancy, and we hope you’ll dive into our newest Coffeehouse Mystery real soon. By the way, something you said intrigued us. You hope Clare and Mike “tie the knot soon?” Things are percolating between them (as you’ll soon discover in Dead to the Last Drop), but you better keep reading just to be sure!

  47. Shirley Worley says

    I have hear the author’s name, but have not read any books in the series. Dead to the Last Drop sounds very interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

  50. Brae Wyckoff says

    I’m a Terry Ambrose fan of his McKenna character. Loved the insight into Dead to the Last Drop book that Terry is blogging about. Intrigued and interested in reading.