Reviewing: Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

Another Hit for Laura Childs and another delicious 

Tea Shop mystery for her fans!

About the Book...

While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow. 

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

My Thoughts....
New York Times best selling author Laura Childs delivers, once again in this cozy tea shop mystery.  She has a lively cast of characters all laid out like the fine china in Theodosia's lovely tea shop.  

Time and again the real killer leads us on a chase through dark alleys and dilapidated old neighborhoods.  I was intrigued by the red herrings that stole the limelight for a while until each lead ran to nowhere.  The glamorous persona of the ladies of the story  sharply contrasts to their behavior when confronted with ugly truth and suspicions about the deceased.  The victim's soon-to-be ex-wife seemed a likely suspect but so did his purported paramour. Then there was the shady developer...the list just went on and on until finally the pieces fit together like the perennial puzzle. It took me a while to solve this one and for that, I applaud the author.  

I have read several of the Tea Shop Mystery books, each one a creative story that provokes one to put on the teakettle, grab a tasty morsel and settle in for an afternoon of fun.  The tea pairings offered by Drayton lends such an air of class to the charming menus, yet contrasts with the danger lurking just outside the confines of the door.  The variety of characters in this story takes away any doubt that a tea shop is just for garden club members or those tourists seeking a bit of distraction before the tour bus loads up for the next stop.  This book is for the reader who enjoys a cozy mystery with the added bonus of tasty recipes the author included.

Collecting Proves Fatal In Fatal Collection

Mary Ellen Hughes Fatal Collection is a cozy caper set in a village filled with collectible shops.  Taking a bus tour to the fictitious Keepsake Village would be a collectors dream. 

Callie Reed escaped the hustle and bustle of the big city life to visit her aunt, who owns the music box shop.  Housed full of eclectic music boxes destined for casual souvenirs to valuable works of art.  Soon after Callie's arrival, her aunt experienced a sudden, fatal accident.  As Melodie's only living relative, Callie was her sole heir. This was the impetus she needed to abandon her old life and loser boyfriend for this cozy niche on the eastern shores of Maryland. 

Callie settles in quickly as her new neighbors welcome her to the fold.  A number of incidents arise, however, that lead her to doubt more than one of her new neighbors. From a grouchy neighbor who covets her property to the handsome diner owner, she is swift at learning there is something brewing in Keepsake Cove.  To keep things interesting, there is a handsome, eligible collector who seems willing to pay top dollar for new acquisitions. He seems to  be everywhere.  Vandalism within the community raises questions along with a little bit of mistrust.  Even cozy Keepsake Village has its own share of problems and they all fell together after the apparent "accidental death" of Aunt Melodie.  Or.....was it simply an accident?  Find out the secrets in Keepsake Cove by purchasing your copy of Fatal  Collection!  This book is light reading during these dark days that have followed the Winter Solstice. 

Ginger Snapped - A Spicy Read By Gail Oust

Piper Prescott is the owner of Spice It Up, Brandywine Creek's delectable hub for the latest in small town news. Spices of the highest quality line the shelves and are a backdrop for lingering chats of the tell-tale goings on of a small southern town.

When Shirley Randolph's body is found floating in Police Chief Wyatt McBride's fishing hole, Piper and her friend Reba Mae begin the hunt for the real killer.  After being seen a time or two sharing a meal, rumor has it that Shirley and McBride were lovers.  Sometimes, what you see is not the whole story and Piper is determined that McBride is innocent.

This is my first foray into a book by Gail Oust.  I was provided a copy of Ginger Snapped for my Kindle by the publisher through NetGalley.com for my honest review.   The characters are just what you expect in a small town.  They care for each other enough to keep tabs on what is going on around town.  Piper and Reba Mae are the best friends anyone would like to have.  If you enjoy a bit of cliches in your conversation, this book abounds with them.  The underlying romance between Piper and Wyatt simmers in the background, keeping the story interesting.  As mysteries go, the killer was a surprise and Piper had a whole lot more gumption than a cat has nine lives.