Murder with Earl Grey Tea

by Karen Rose Smith

Lots is going on at Daisy’s Tea Garden in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. The tea flavor of the month is Earl Grey—one of my favorites. Daisy and her Aunt Iris, who jointly own the tearoom, are serving up regular tea time favorites like scones with the help of their efficient and friendly staff. They also have seasonal finger foods along with soups and salads.

On the personal front, Daisy and her boyfriend Jonas, formerly a detective, are making wedding plans. Daisy’s older daughter Vi and her husband and son are moving out of Daisy’s small garage apartment into a larger home. Daisy’s youngest, Jazzi, is close to high school graduation with plans to go to college. Daisy’s life is already undergoing lots of changes when she discovers the body of a friend who was murdered, leaving behind a husband, a preschooler, and a restaurant/event center, The Farm Barn.

There are lots of suspects, but everyone in town loved and respected the victim. What happened is quite a puzzle and there are no witnesses. Friends and family ask Daisy to investigate and having been the one to find the body, Daisy feels a responsibility to unravel the mystery. Along the way, Daisy discovers secrets that several people had hidden even from those close to themselves. Her efforts put her in danger and require the rescue of one of her staff members. I didn’t guess the murderer, and the plot included an interesting twist.

All of the characters contribute to the plot development. The two detectives on the case are extremely reluctant to share information, but welcome the clues Daisy gathers, often from overhearing conversations at the Tea Garden and in talking to locals. The reader will like Jonas as he is very supportive of Daisy and her family. Aunt Iris has two suitors actively trying to pursue a relationship. Daisy and Jonas’ dog Felix is present in many scenes and they have two cats as well. Needless to say, there are always plenty of delicious treats enjoyed both at the tearoom and at home.

I always enjoy a visit to Daisy’s Tea Garden and this book is no exception. I especially liked the Alice in Wonderland themed tea event that focused on children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #9 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series. Although the author does a good job of refreshing the reader’s memories of characters and events in previous books in the series, I recommend starting with an earlier book.
2. It includes 4 recipes.

Publication: May 23, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

“I told them snow was predicted tonight. They shouldn’t have gone on a date.” “They’re teenagers,” Jonas reminded her with a sigh, as if that covered the subject completely.

Buggies were an integral part of the Amish community and signaled a slower paced life. They reminded fellow travelers not to be in a rush. They took the Amish off the grid, so to speak, to a time that was more peaceful, wholesome, and less complicated.

Daisy knew that children and pets were often the best healing medicine.

As with any cozy, it is a little bit sadder when a good character dies rather than an obnoxious one, which is all the more reason why Daisy must work to solve this latest mystery. Lydia left behind an adorable little girl who has a loving family but is really too young to understand why her mom will not be coming home. I really liked the realness to this one, Jazzy, Daisy’s teenage daughter, suggests therapy to combat the PTSD that Daisy is feeling as a result of finding one too many victims. Not to worry, there are still all the happy feels that are normally found in a cozy, such as the cheer surrounding the prep work of the Alice in Wonderland children’s tea event. There are also the multiple humorous encounters between Daisy’s aunt Iris and Daisy’s extremely competitive suitors. In the midst of work at the tea garden and helping out with an event at the Farm Barn, Daisy doesn’t have much time to work on her own projects, namely her upcoming wedding. This story keeps you turning pages to see what Daisy will do and how she will handle each new challenge including her daughter’s family moving to a place of their own. Thoroughly engaging, this cozy stands on its own and thoroughly entertains.

Murder with Earl Grey Tea is the 9th book in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series, and although each mystery is solved in it's book, there is a lot of backstory and personal information that you would miss if you read it as a standalone. In this book, Daisy Swanson has a lot going on in her personal life. She and Jonas are now engaged, and they are trying to set a date, the Tea Garden is putting on an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party and she is planning an anniversary celebration for her parents. To combat stress, Daisy is planning on going hiking with a friend, but when she gets to the meeting with Felix, Jonas' golden retriever, they find her friend, Lydia, dead, a victim of a hit and run. Daisy, immediately begins asking questions and nosing around to find out what happened to her friend and why.

Daisy is a great protagonist. She is first and foremost a mom, who does what she can for her family. She is also a business woman and Daisy's Tea Garden has a great reputation. She is now a fiancée, planning her upcoming wedding. Finally, she is a reluctant sleuth. She finds bodies and gets involved in many crimes, although she doesn't understand how it always happens. The murder victim is an Amish woman, and because Daisy is friends with them, she is able to get answers that the police haven't been able to get. There are several suspects and possible motives, so Daisy works hard to get answers as well as justice for Lydia and her family. The book is well paced, with it ramping up as the reveal and showdown occur. There were twists along the way and a few red herrings to throw off Daisy as well as the readers. I always try to figure out who the culprit was and this time, I guessed well, but still enjoyed the story and the final events. The author blends the mystery of Lydia's death with everything else going on in Daisy's life with ease. The characters are well-developed, even the secondary ones, and I find them so easy to relate to. The Alice in Wonderland Tea sounded delightful and I would have taken my granddaughter to something like that. With lots of family activity, community events and the anticipation of the upcoming wedding, I once again enjoyed my visit to Willow Creek Pennsylvania.

Fans of the series will enjoy this latest, which sees Daisy prepping for her wedding to Jonas, working at her tea house, and, of course, solving a murder. This is as enjoyable for the interpersonal relationships (Daisy's daughters!) and the local atmospherics, as it is for the mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Another great book surrounded byDaisy's Tea Garden. I love the community in these stories, and seeing where Daisy;s family is. THe stories are cozy mysiteries and should be loved by all.

A very enjoyable cozy with a plot that has several twists. I enjoyed visiting with Daisy and friends again.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book in the Daisy’s Tea Garden series I have read. And to be honest, I was not that enthralled with the story. So, I doubt I will go back and read earlier books or additional books in the series. While the characters are well developed, I felt like the mystery was a little too lightweight and didn’t feel deep enough. I just couldn’t stay focused on the story and wanted to give up many times as I trudged through the pages. I am sure I am the minority in my opinion, so I encourage you to give the series a try and see if you find it to be your “cup of tea.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan f Karen Rose Smith and this series is one of my favorites. After being wildly successful in the world of romance writing, she turned her talents to mysteries and she never disappoints.. This is book 9 in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries. As the book opens we find Daisy Swanson at an exciting point in her life as she contemplates setting a wedding date with Jonas the love of her life. I guarantee you will enjoy this series just as much as the Caprice de Luca mysteries which were terrific. Good news ahead as there will be a spin-off of this series.

Oh gosh this was absolutely incredible. I just love this series so much. I always have to make sure I have nothing scheduled when I start one of Karen’s books as I can’t stop until I have read every last word.


I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Throughout this series, we have watched Daisy and her two daughters struggle with some heavy personal issues whilst Daisy, much to the chagrin of the local constabulary, has solved murders as well as run her tea shop. Business is good. Both daughters are leading happy and fulfilling lives. Daisy is engaged to the wonderful Jonas. Life is good.

Perhaps that is why finding the body of a hiking friend who has been killed by a hit and run has shaken her so deeply. She does not believe the woman’s husband was the killer and she is saddened for their young daughter who lost her mother. She does not want to investigate but she cannot help getting involved. She begins to question what it is that drives her to do things that put her in danger and worry those who love her. It is an interesting twist to the conundrum of so many cozies. Why do intelligent women do unnecessarily dangerous things? It is just one more element to this series that explains why it is one of which I am fond.

There are the usual clues that make the reader think they have the villain identified and then some unexpected twists that then lead to the real culprit. It makes for a good read… maybe one for the cooler autumn days that are almost upon us. Four purrs and two paws up.

The was a very good book. I read it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book. This book was fun and entertaining that I laughed several times!

Daisy Swanson faces more changes in her life than most people, especially since she lives in a small Amish town. You’d think it would be a peaceful, quiet place. You’d be wrong.

She’s engaged to Jonas, wedding date to be determined, her youngest daughter is off to college if she can decide which one, her oldest daughter, son-in-law, and grandson are moving to a place of their own, she’s planning a dinner party for her parent’s anniversary, and there’s an Alice in Wonderland tea party for kids in the planning stages.

Getting out into the frosty fresh air to exercise can invigorate so she and her friend Lydia try to hike once a week at seven in the morning. This time when Daisy and her golden retriever, Felix, arrive at Lydia’s restaurant, there’s no one inside and no sign of Lydia. Felix is the one to find Lydia. Daisy is the one to pronounce her dead.

Lydia’s husband is a major suspect which makes things even more stressful for his three-year-old daughter. Without Lydia, the restaurant begins a downhill slide. Daisy realizes there are more suspects than the widower. Lydia had disagreements with a supplier, her twin sister, and her Amish parents who shunned her for not coming back to the Amish faith after rumspringa.

This is book nine in the series. The relationship between Daisy and Jonas is one to envy. Look forward to a wedding in book ten. Another event to look forward to is Aunt Iris’ love life as she has two men vying for her attention. Will she choose? Only time will tell. It’s been a pleasure to follow along as her children grow up, the tea shop becomes more successful, and to see how Daisy reacts to being involved in discovering clues that point out killers.

At the back of the book there are recipes for apple cider pork loin, cider sauce, cabbage walnut salad, and corn cake which unlike cornbread, contains kernels of corn. According to many of the characters, it’s really tasty!

When a new friend is found dead by suspicious circumstances, Daisy vows to figure out whodunit.

I absolutely love visiting Willow Creek and Daisy’s Tea Garden. Hanging out with Daisy, having a cuppa, solving a mystery. So. Much. Fun!

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Growing up watching “Murder She Wrote” with my parents and “Matlock” with my grandma, I acquired a taste for cozy mysteries early in life. Today, as a graduate student, I don’t get to do much reading for pleasure, so when I do, it’s almost always such a book. This time, I chose the Murder With Earl Grey Tea novel by Karen Rose Smith.

I wanted a cozy read and something I could feel a connection with. My great love of tea, the title immediately grabbed me. Delightedly as I read, I learned other books on a similar theme in the series exist. Those will go onto my reading list for next year.

The setting of Willow Creek, the small farming community in Amish country in Pennsylvania, lends itself as a delightful backdrop. An almost idyllic place to stop by on a road trip or week-long vacation. Well, except for the murders, of course.

I will admit the book felt like it needed another editing pass to clean up some of the redundancies and over-explainers (I prefer to believe readers can read between the lines). But despite these minor blips, the story still managed to pull me into the small town and comfort me with a hot cuppa Earl Grey.

I’m usually someone who sees the perpetrator within the first chapter but it took me much longer (almost to the end!) in Murder With Earl Grey Tea, which took me by surprise. Cozy mysteries rarely keep me wondering, which I found truly delightful.

For a quick read over the weekend, or casual page-through on vacation, this tender, sweet small town mystery deserves a place on the list. I highly recommend delighting in the vivid town and the featured families that feel real and pull you into the tragedy and the joy within just the first pages.

Of course, I also highly recommend grabbing a good cuppa tea to enjoy along with this darling book.

Murder with Earl Grey Tea by Karen Rose Smith

This is number nine in the Daisy’s tea garden mystery’s and just as the very first one it is a very adorable and cute cozy mystery set in an Amish setting. Daisy Swanson is planning a themed party for her parents anniversary plus dealing with a wedding that she is very excited about. With everything going on in her life and juggling so many things it was a nice day to go on a hiking trail with a friend, Lydia. Unfortunately, they discovered a body on the side of the road that appeared to be the result of a hit and run. Although, things are not always what they seem. Someone now wants her dead. Daisy becomes relentless in her pursuit for answers and as in Smith’s style, you are brought into the book as well. The characters are so developed, humble, and charming. The ultimate question is can Daisy find out what happened to the man found dead on the road? Who wanted him dead and then her? I have not read all of the books in this series and you do not need to either. Definitely worth the read when this comes out on the 23rd of May 2023.

5 out of 5 stars


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Dollycas's Thoughts 

Daisy’s Tea Garden is going to be the place to be for her Alice in Wonderland tea event complete with costumes and yummy treats and teas. Daisy is also planning an anniversary party for her parents but that will take place at a Willow Creek farm-to-table-restaurant, The Farm Barn, owned by her friend Lydia Aldenkamp. She and her fiancé Jonas are also trying to find the perfect date and place for their wedding. 

Daisy and Lydia have been taking little hiking jaunts regularly but one day the hike is abruptly canceled when Daisy and Jonas's dog Felix find Lydia dead on the trail. It looks like a hit-and-run but not an accident. The tracks show the victim was targeted. Who would want to kill Lydia? Daisy doesn't want to get involved but she does find herself right in the middle of another police investigation to find out who killed her friend.

_____

I was so happy to be back with Daisy and her family and friends. She always has a lot on her plate but she juggles everything like only she can. That is what makes her such a fantastic protagonist. You know her family is the most important thing in her life but if someone needs her help she will do the best she can to help them. In Murder with Earl Grey Tea, she loses a new friend that left a husband and young daughter behind. The woman had an Amish connection and Daisy knows she may be able to get answers her friend Detective Zeke Willet can't. I really enjoy the way Daisy cares so deeply. Her need to see justice served drives her so strongly that she can't not help Zeke in any way she can. All the characters Karen Rose Smith creates are so dynamic that they draw readers right into the story.

The author blends the mystery of Lydia's death with everything else going on in Daisy's life with ease. The pace ebbs and flows throughout the story but really ramps up with the suspense of the reveal and showdown. There were some nice twists and efforts to misdirect. I was following along closely and was able to determine the real culprit before it was all spelled out but that did not detract from my enjoyment at all. I was invested in some of the new characters and I needed to know how their stories played out.

I especially enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland tea. What a wonderful idea! I loved the simple costumes and the decorations used to make the event extra special. Daisy's Tea Garden is a really special place and all the events held there sound like so much fun.

I also enjoyed Daisy meeting more of Jonas's friends and the way she handled Vi and Foster's move. Jazzi will soon be headed off to college and Daisy is trying to prepare for that too. As a mom, I completely understood her feelings.

Murder With Earl Grey Tea is an excellent addition to this series. The characters are genuine and the mystery is well-plotted out. The setting is comfortable, I would love to live nearby. The author does write each book to stand on its own, but you really want to get to know these characters from the start. I can't wait for Book 10!

Changes are coming for Daisy and her family, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Daisy’s ability to become embroiled in a murder investigation. This book is a solid entry in the Daisy’s Tea Garden series. The familiar characters solve the murder and the many things happening in Daisy’s family life keep the reader interested. While this isn’t the most fast-paced book in the series, it is a good book in a favorite series. I am looking forward to what more awaits Daisy and her crew!

A wholesome cozy mystery set in Amish Country.

I came in very later to the Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries, but the warm tone and friendly character made that a simple adjustment.

The mystery was interesting and the characters were all well thought out (as one would expect 9 books into a series). The overall feel of the story was a bit too Fluffy for me (I like a bit more grit) so I have to admit I grew a little bored in the middle of this book.

Overall a light read in a favorite genre.

I really don’t know what I can say the ninth time around that I haven’t said already. I adore this series.

The setting of a small town tea shop, the cast of characters, and the sweet and sinister plot lines have made the Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries one of my top series.

First and foremost, I love any book, especially a cozy, that has a middle aged (give or take a few years) protagonist. Also, when said protagonist is a single woman battling her own insecurities while trying to keep it together for her family, that's the perfect recipe to connect emotionally with the books. Also, she solves murders lol.

Daisy Swanson is dealing with a lot of life changes, some more exciting than others. While she’s definitely looking forward to getting married to her fiance Jonas Groft in the not-too-distant future, she’s far less excited about her younger daughter Jazzi leaving for college in the summer. Not that Jazzi has quite decided where she’s going yet, as the levelheaded teenager is still carefully considering all her options.

Daisy’s older daughter Vi, however, has a definite destination in mind when moving out of the carriage house apartment Daisy put together for Vi’s young family on her property. Vi, her husband Foster and their young son Sammi will only be moving ten minutes away, but Daisy is having a lot of feelings about all this. She doesn’t want to overwhelm her family with her emotions though, so throws herself into running the tea garden she shares with her Aunt Iris instead.

Planning a wedding anniversary celebration for her parents enables her to distract herself further. She’ll be throwing a dinner party for them at local restaurant The Farm Barn, and is working closely with its owner Lydia Aldenkamp to make sure the festivities go off without a hitch. It helps that Daisy and Lydia have become good friends since meeting some months prior. Kind, sympathetic Daisy has come to learn a lot about the formerly Amish woman, who left her faith and community over a decade ago in order to marry her non-Amish husband Neil. Every once in a while, Daisy will even bring her dog Felix to join Lydia on the walks the latter takes at seven o’clock each morning no matter the weather.

When Lydia doesn’t appear one day for the walk they were planning to take together, Daisy isn’t too concerned. But Felix knows that something’s wrong, and leads Daisy to where Lydia lies dead on their usual hiking trail, the apparent victim of a hit and run. The cops immediately suspect Neil’s involvement in his wife’s murder. Neil begs Daisy for help in clearing his name, as she has a track record of helping the local police solve murders. While Daisy is reluctant to take Neil off the suspect list entirely, she does feel bad for his little girl Frannie, and knows that Lydia would want her to uncover the truth as quickly as possible. But Daisy can’t help questioning her own motives. Tracking down killers has gotten her into a world of trouble before, and likely will again. What does it say about her that she keeps doing it despite it being nowhere near her job to do so?

I really loved not only the solution to the main murder mystery but also the way Karen Rose Smith thoughtfully explores Daisy’s compulsions and instincts. Daisy is going through a lot, but even so is reluctant to take Jazzi’s sage advice when the latter suggests therapy. It proves incredibly helpful, however, in helping Daisy figure out why she always feels the need to get involved in solving murder mysteries. This cozy series often features keen psychological insight, and Murder With Earl Grey Tea might well be the sharpest installment so far!

There were four delicious recipes included, of dishes mentioned in the book, and I was really intrigued by this one:

QUOTE
Corn Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
½ cup milk
¼ cup melted butter
1 cup canned corn or cooked frozen corn, drained

In a bowl, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until mixed. Beat the egg with a fork. Whisk the beaten egg with the milk. Add to the dry mixture. Stir by hand. The batter will be a little lumpy. Add melted butter and mix well. The batter should look smoother. Stir in the corn until mixed well through the batter.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 8x8-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cut into squares and serve warm or cold. Refrigerate leftovers.
END QUOTE

Wow, this really is a more cake-like version of cornbread! I love cornbread myself, but can absolutely appreciate how someone might like a slightly lighter, airier version of it. It’s a super easy, relatively quick recipe to make, and is a sure crowd pleaser. My family of picky eaters gobbled up the whole pan!

Next week, we travel to the west coast to fry up a savory vegetarian dish while investigating the death of a prominent restaurateur. Do join me!