Clare Cosi’s new life in the city is percolating right along. She's happily returned to managing the historic Village Blend coffeehouse. Her grown daughter, Joy, is close by in culinary school; and her ex-husband, Matt, is working even closer as the shop's coffee buyer. Even better, their most loyal new customer turns out to be Mike Quinn, the attractive NYPD detective who helped Clare solve the murder of assistant manager Anabelle during Clare's first foray into sleuthing in On What Grounds.

Turns out Detective Quinn likes Clare’s lattes as much as hearing her opinions about his current cases, including his latest one: a suicide. Or was it? Soon after stopping at the Village Blend coffeehouse, a regular customer jumps to her death in the subway. Or was she pushed? Detective Quinn is convinced that someone has an axe to grind, especially after the "suicide" of a second female customer. Unfortunately, his prime suspect is Bruce Bowman, the new man in Clare’s life. Bruce is the perfect blend of rugged good looks and potent personality. Too bad the women in his life keep turning up dead. Now Clare will have to risk her heart—and her life—to follow the killer’s trail to the bitter end.