Twisted Tea Christmas - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

TWISTED TEA CHRISTMAS by Laura Childs
The Twenty Third Tea Shop Mystery 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the citizens of Charleston, South Carolina are ready to party. Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier and friend, Drayton, are catering an elegant party at the home of Miss Drucilla. Sadly, even before the food is presented, Theo discovers the elderly woman's body. The rings have been taken off her fingers and a Renoir is missing from the wall. When Miss Drucilla's personal assistant practically begs Theo to investigate, how can she say no? But could the young assistant actually be the killer?

The beauty of Christmas is tarnished by the cruel murder of a sprightly and generous doyenne of Charleston in this, the twenty third tea shop mystery. Once again tea shop owner Theodosia manages to investigate a murder while providing charming tea events and entertaining citizens and tourists alike. I liked the variety of suspects and how Theo truly wasn't sure who the killer was for practically the whole book. I admit to catching the clue that revealed the killer well before Theo figured it out, although I still had questions at the end. Although I've never been a fan of Delaine, and I dislike her behavior, I do appreciate her machinations on behalf of the animal rescue. I also want to give a special nod to a new canine with whom I fell in love. I hope we get to see more of him in the future.

It's easy to get swept away in the holiday mystery with delectable food and teas, delightful decorations, and plenty of action. That's a good thing, because there's a lot here you need to willingly suspend your disbelief. A police officer, at least one that's not corrupt, will not run people through police databases for a civilian, even if the civilian asking is his girlfriend. At twenty three mysteries in I can begrudge Theodosia for feeling she's qualified to investigate-but going into people's houses without their knowledge to snoop? She tends to take things a little to far these days. Laura Childs is a master of pacing and all of your concerns quickly fall to the wayside as she unfolds the mystery.

Fast paced and filled with holiday fun TWISTED TEA CHRISTMAS is a knotty mystery that will delight both tea and dog lovers while sparking a festive mood.

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 Twisted Tea Christmas (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

About Twisted Tea Christmas 

Twisted Tea Christmas (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 22nd in Series
Setting - South Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (October 5, 2021)
Hardcover: ‎ 336 pages

An attack on the host of a fancy tea party sends Theodosia Browning looking for answers in the latest entry in the New York Times bestselling series.

Tea maven Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are catering a Victorian Christmas party at a swanky mansion in downtown Charleston. Drucilla Heyward, the hostess, is one of the wealthiest women in town.

As the champagne flows and the tea steeps, Drucilla is so pleased with the reception by her partygoers that she reveals her secret plan to Theodosia. The Grande Dame has brought the cream of Charleston society together to reveal that she is planning to give her wealth away to various charitable organizations. However, before she can make the announcement, Theodosia finds her crumpled unconscious in the hallway. It looks like the excitement has gotten to the elderly woman--except that there is a syringe sticking out of her neck.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

 

About Laura Childs

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Laura’s Links: Website – Facebook

Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound

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