Book review: “Scones & Bones” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #12)

Title:  Scones & Bones

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mystery #12

Synopsis (from bn.com):  Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is attending the Heritage Society’s Pirates and Plunder show when a histroy intern is murdered amidst the gold earrings and doubloons. Even with that on her plate, Theodosia still has to attend Charleston’s Food and Wine Festival, where she’s hosting a tea and cheese tasting. But as her thoughts keep drifting to the victim, Theodosia knows she’ll have to whet her investigative skills to find the killer among a schooner of suspects.

My thoughts:   This is a very popular, well known cozy series indeed.   I’m working my way through the series oh so slowly, with stops at other books along the way.   This wasn’t my favorite in the series by any means . . . mostly because I just wasn’t a fan of the whole Pirate theme, but that is just me.   This one seemed to move really slowly . . .

Overall, a charming cozy mystery series . . . likable characters, warm cozy locations, one can learn quite a bit about the culture of Charleston . . . a win for me.

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review: “Jasmine Moon Murder” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #5)

 

Title:  The Jasmine Moon Murder

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mystery #5

Synopsis (from bn.com):  Theodosia Browning, proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop, and her staff are serving tea and goodies during the first-ever “Ghost Crawl in Charleston’s famed Jasmine Cemetery.” The event ends abruptly when Dr. Jasper Davis, uncle of Theo’s beau, Jory, dies mysteriously and publicly. Det. Burt Tidwell makes Theo promise she won’t stick her amateur nose in, but a frazzled Jory pleads with her to use her special abilities as a sleuth to root out the killer. The victim was vice-president in charge of research at a large medical products company, Cardiotech, and Theo suspects Dr. Davis’s death is connected with his job. A second murder complicates things, but Theo perseveres and eventually corners the killer using a snazzy bit of up-to-date technology to summon help.

 

My thoughts:  I am making my way through the great Tea Shop Mystery cozy series over time in between reading a myriad of other books in between (you readers know the challenge of trying to read everything you want to read . . . ahhhhhhh), ok I’m back 🙂  This fifth book in the series surely did not disappoint.  Theo and her fabulous cast of characters was back at their favorite sleuthing skills again.

I really enjoyed this book and the whole series for that matter.  The characters are great, humorous, warm, fun, and charming.  When I pick up one of these books after having been away from it for awhile, it is like coming home again.  I recognize the characters and can just feel myself in that great, cozy tea sh9p

There is no doubt, I will be returning to Charleston for #6 in the series . . . and many, many more.

A great, fun, charming cozy series.  I highly recommend.

 

And remember,

Books Are Life

Heather

Book Review: “Eggs in a Casket” by Laura Childs (Cackleberry Club # 5)

Title:  Eggs in a Casket

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Cackleberry Club #5

Synopsis (from bn.com):  The ladies of the Cackleberry Club are always ready to serve—whether they’re cooking up breakfast or sniffing out a bad egg.

While Petra handles the breakfast rush at the Cackleberry Club, the café’s other two owners, Suzanne and Toni, head to Memorial Cemetery to help prepare for its 150th anniversary celebration. But as they search the winding paths for the historical society tent, they discover something else out of place: the body of ex-prison warden Lester Drummond lying facedown in someone else’s freshly dug grave.

In the small town of Kindred, everyone knows everyone, and Lester was no exception. Suzanne knew him as the creepy guy who made unwanted advances on her friend Missy Langston. But now it appears the man was hiding a few secrets…and at least one of them was worth killing for.

As the case cracks open, there are plenty of suspects to consider—from recent parolees to Missy herself, who Suzanne and Toni saw speeding away just before they found the body. Now, with a cemetery celebration in the offing, and the local authorities in over their heads, it’s up to the Cackleberry Club to unscramble the clues and clear their friend’s name.

My thoughts:  The Cackleberry Club has got to be in my top 5 of my favorite cozy locations in all of the cozy series!  Come on . . . a café specializing in eggs, a book nook, and a knitting corner all in one location . . . it doesn’t get much better than that.  Now if I could just make some of these cozy locations truly come to life and go there . . . oh well, a cozy reader can dream.

I truly enjoy this cozy series.  The main characters and owners of the Cackleberry Club, Petra, Suzanne, and Toni, are just great.  They are each different in their personalities and when put together make for a great mix of characters.

I must say that as the series continues, Toni’s “husband” Junior, has to go . . . it is time, he treats her like dirt and has no relevance to the stories.

As much as I love this series, I will admit that I was a bit disappointed by the ending of this one.  To me at least, the killer came completely out of nowhere.  I don’t want to give anything away for those who haven’t read it, but the killer played such a minor role in the story that I had to look back to even see who this character was.  Not good!

Overall, a great, fun cozy series set in a great location.

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review: “The English Breakfast Murder” by Laura Child’s (Tea Shop Mysteries #4)

  Title:  The English Breakfast Murder

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mysteries #4

Synopsis (from bn.com):  It is a truly exhilarating experience for Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning-helping Charleston’s Sea Turtle Protection League shepherd hundreds of tiny green loggerheads safely into the sea. But just as she’s about to celebrate all her hard work, she spots a dead body bobbing in the waves. Now it’s up to Theo to get to the bottom of the murder before the culprit’s greed stirs him to kill again.

 

My thoughts:  Well I am still trying to make it through the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs slowly but surely . .. I just keep getting interrupted by all these new releases 🙂

I really do enjoy this series.  The characters are great, warm, loving, and just plain fun!  And after all is said and done, the characters and the setting of the book are what make cozy mysteries and particularly those with many books in a series such a pleasure for me.  I love being able to pick up the next book in the series and feel like you are right back at home with familiar people and friends . . . hmmmm, is it weird that I just called characters in a book my friends?  Oh well 🙂

This is always definitely the case with my friends at Indigo Tea Shop in this great Tea Shop series . . . love Theodosia and particularly Drayton!

Now this being said, the overall plot of this particular book fell a bit flat for me, overall the book was good, the storyline just felt a little boring to me.  I am sure it was just the topic and will not hinder my desire to read this entire series!

I look forward to what my friends at Indigo Tea Shop will get into next.

A great cozy mystery with great characters!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

Book Review – “Shades of Earl Grey” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #3)

  Title:  Shades of Earl Grey

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mystery #3

Publisher:  Penguin Group

 

Synopsis (from bn.com):

Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is finally invited to a social event that she doesn’t have to cater—but there’s more than champagne bubbling…

Theo is mingling with the cream of Charleston society at the engagement soiree of the season. But as they eagerly await the dazzling young couple’s arrival—the groom meets with a freak accident. The exquisite wedding ring—a family heirloom from the crown of Marie Antoinette—is mysteriously missing. Theodosia suspects that trouble is brewing. But when she goes to the authorities, they treat her like she’s been reading tea leaves—and that’s the surest way to put Theodosia’s kettle on the boil…

 

My thoughts:  Theodosia, owner of the charming Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina, returns with her wonderful cast of characters to solve another murder.   I enjoy the characters in this series as they are genuine, fun, and each in their own way a bit quirky.  I am hoping that as I continue to series I find that the author gives us even a bit more inight and knowledge into who these characters are.  I’m sure she does as this is only book #3 out of 13.  (Like any good reader who is behind with a series, I pull out my Little Engine That Could – I know I can reach the end of this series, I know I can reach the end of this series 🙂

All in all, I really am enjoying this series.  I still am trying to find a good tea tasting in my area as the ever loving Drayton in this series is just spurring me on to go to one!

A lovely cozy series with fun characters and great education about tea!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

Book Review – “Gunpowder Green” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #2)

  Title:  Gunpowder Green

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mystery #2

Publisher:  Penguin

 

Synopsis (from bn.com):

Tea shop owner Theodosia Browning knows that something’s brewing in the high society of Charleston—something other than her newest tea…

The Indigo Tea Shop, Charleston’s favorite spot of tea, has just come out with its latest flavor: Gunpowder Green. Theodosia Browning cannot wait to hear its praises as it is unveiled at the annual yacht race. But when she hears the crack of an antique gun meant to end the race, a member of Charleston’s elite falls dead. Theodosia has a hunch that his demise was no accident—and will go out of her way to prove it. But if she doesn’t act fast, Theo will find herself in hot water with some boiling-mad Charlestonians—and more than a little gun-chai…

 

My thoughts:  I picked up this Tea Shop Mystery Series completely by fluke over the Christmas season.  I planned on just reading one here and there in between some of my other reads (off of my huge To Be Read pile – oh you readers, know what I am talking about, don’t deny it, you have one too :)), but I know find that I am really enjoying the series.

Gunpowder Green marks the 2nd book in the series.  Theodosia, owner of the quaint Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina, returns with her wonderful cast of characters including Haley, Drayton, and many others.  I really enjoy the characters in this series.  They are warm, welcoming, and hilarious at times.

I recommend this series if you are looking for a quick mystery read and along the way, you may learn quite a bit about tea as well!

On to #3, “Shades of Earl Grey”!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review – “Death by Darjeeling” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #1)

  Title:  Death by Darjeeling

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  The Tea Shop Mystery #1

Publisher:  Penguin Books

 

Synopsis (from book cover):  Meet Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston’s beloved Indigo Tea Shop.  Patrons love her blend of delicious tea tastings and Southern hospitality.  And Theo enjoys the full-bodied flovor of a town steeped in history and mystery . . .

It’s tea for two hundred or so at the annual historic homes garden party.  And Theodosia, as event caterer, is bussy serving steaming teas and blackberry scones while guests sing her praises.  but the sweet smell of success turnes to sspense when an esteemed gues is found dead – his hand clutching an empty teacup.  All eyes are on Theo . . . who is now trying desperately to save her repuation and track down the real killer.  If only she can make sense of it all – before someone else takes their last sip …

My thoughts:  In Death by Darjeeling, the first installment of Laura Child’s bestselling Tea Mystery Series, we meet Theoedosia Browning, owner of the quaint Indigo Tea Shop.   This is an older cozy mystery series, that I have finally gotten around to working my way through – and I am certainly glad that I did.

I really enjoyed this book.  The characters were wonderful, the setting very inviting, and I want to read more, which is always good!  I, myself, am not a huge tea drinker, but this series has really piqued my interest in the whole world of tea.  Even though it is a simply, fun mystery, it really educated me quite a bit about the tea world  – where it is grown, how to properly steep the tea, different kinds of tea.  It has made me want to find a great Tea Tasting in my community.

Overall, a fun read in a great series!  I have already started book #2 “Gunpowder Green”.

And remember

Books Are Life,

Heather