PEACH TEA SMASH by Laura Childs
The Twenty-Eighth Tea Shop Mystery
Theodosia Browning has gained another catering gig that lands her in the
midst of the Mad Hatter’s Masquerade. During this fundraiser for the
Charleston Opera Society Theo and her tea sommelier, Drayton, take a
break from the festivities
to explore the old grist mill. The historic building is spooky, but
gets terrifying when they discover a body mangled in the chains of the
mill. Calling for help they can’t stop the body’s ascent and dramatic
fall. Who could have killed Harlan Sadler? Honoring
his wife’s request for help, Theo begins investigating, soon uncovering
several shady characters, including the murdered man’s son. Will she
solve the murder or become a victim herself?
One of the things I like best about the Tea Shop Mystery series are the inventive teas that Theo holds in the Indigo Tea Shop. Not only do I learn a little something about the theme, I get to hear about matching food and teas! Other events are equally interesting. I am a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, so was thrilled to learn that the book featured a Mad Hatter’s Masquerade. I only wish we would have spent more time here; still, I guess a dead body stops the party fairly quickly.
The mystery included some pretty horrible people who made great suspects, Emily and Duke in particular. I must say that I am pretty disappointed in Theodosia. Once again she's overstepped her bounds-not only does she go around blatantly accusing people of murder, this time she actually breaks into a suspect's house to "snoop around". And when she tells her detective boyfriend he just shakes his head. Hasn't she heard of fruit from the poisonous tree? She may be a civilian, but she is dating a cop! Personally, I think she needs to be arrested-anything else is just an adrenaline rush, which she likes. I love Drayton and wish his cooler head would prevail. I said it before and I'll say it again-I'd love a mystery with him and Miss Dimple.
Thrilling scenes highlight this fast paced mystery that will leave you longing for a tea party of your own.
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Peach Tea Smash (A Tea Shop Mystery)
by Laura Childs
About Peach Tea Smash
Murder at an Alice in Wonderland–themed event threatens to send Theodosia Browning through the looking glass in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.
During the Mad Hatter Masquerade, a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Opera on the grounds of the old Pendleton Grist Mill, Harlan Sadler, husband of Cricket Sadler, the chairwoman, is killed. He’s been hit in the head with a croquet mallet, and his body hung on the chains and paddles of the grist mill. Nobody can figure out why since Harlan was much beloved by everyone. It’s only after Cricket and Delaine beg Theodosia to investigate that she realizes the killer might have mistaken Harlan for his crazy son, Duke. After all, Duke is a slum landlord and recently injured a woman in a boating accident.
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 takes 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 - Bookshop.org - PenquinRandomHouse
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A cozy mystery that interests me greatly by a creative author. Great series.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
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