In the latest Tea Shop mystery, Theodosia investigates the fall of a banker from Timothy Neville's balcony. Is it murder? These are such fun, well written mysteries with recipes!

A very cozy mystery set in the beautiful locale of Charleston SC. The author is able to build a word picture of the area that made this reader for feel he was there last week and not 40 years ago. The story moves long quite nicely and will keep the reader engaged. The author gives a hint to solving the mystery if the reader is astute and able to grasp it's value. Overall a clean cut story with minimal violence.

I have given this book a four star rating.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion.

I really enjoy this series and the latest installment did not disappoint! Laura Childs creates memorable characters and intriguing mysteries. I'm eager to read the next one!

Plum Tea Crazy
Laura Childs
Available: March 6, 2018

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nineteen books into a series, why don’t I feel like I know my heroine that well? Think about it…her family is rarely mentioned (this book is the exception), she never has any friends from her past/college/past life visit – he life is her tea room and her dog. Theodosia just seems still to be a little formal and closed off. After 19 books you’d think she’d loosen up a little… but she does solve a good mystery!
What I loved: Haley is my favorite character – and the recipies she makes sound truly divine (except the whole plum thing? Not a fan). When I picture Drayton in my mind’s eye – I conjur up Karen’s nemesis from the television show “Will & Grace”. While I forget his name, he’s about 100 years old and always impeccably dressed in slacks, blazer and a bow tie.
What I didn’t love: Delanie is now officially off the rails – with her demands of friendship, actions, and words. Maybe her dramatic, shallow ways are to bring life into a scene – but if anything, I think it draws our heroine more into herself.
What I learned: When will she learn to stop running down alleys at night?
Overall Grade: B

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

This is the first Tea shop mystery that I have read. I will have to read more !

I have been aware of this series for many years, and always intended to pick up a volume. Starting with volume 19 may not have been the best initiation point, for I was frankly disappointed. 4+ star reviews, gorgeous covers, and my love of tea may have resulted in unrealistic expectations.

The pacing seemed erratic. The protagonist bungee-d back and forth between almost every possible suspect. I had the murderer figured out within a couple of chapters by virtue of the fact they were the only character outside of the series staples that the protagonist liked. The police were portrayed as incompetent caricatures. Throw in a hundred or so cliches and about a dozen random facts and voila, you have enough pages to fill out a book--just not enough for a satisfactory mystery or conclusion (in my opinion).

If you love this series, please don't let my review dissuade you. Certainly it has been proven to have an audience. Read it for the descriptions of tea, Charleston, good food, and some fashion.

However, if you love the works of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, or mysteries where the plot develops slowly through careful observations, involved interviews, and character development rather than hasty accusations, strident confrontations, and repartee, you might want to give it a pass.

Plum Tea Crazy
By
Laura Child’s



What it's all about...

Theodosia owns a tea shop in Charleston. Apparently she is the kind of person who loves to get involved in happenings in her town. However for Theodosia most of the things that she gets involved in involve a murder or two. Although this is my first tea shop book I know that these books are incredibly popular. This author has written tons of them! I usually like to read a series in order but this one was easy to get into. The author did an excellent job of introducing these characters as well as their places in this book. Theodosia works daily with Haley...her chef at the shop...and Drayton...her partner and tea expert. In this book Theodosia witnesses a fellow Charlestonian fall to his death and actually get spiked on a fence. She is in this from the very first moment!

Why I wanted to read it...

I am in a cozy mystery kind of mood and this one looked very appealing...tea and scones and murder!

What made me truly enjoy this book...

Theodosia is quite a character! Again...this was my first introduction to her so this book was all about getting to know her and her style. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. I look forward to reading more books in this series!


Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love this kind of cozy mystery should truly enjoy this one...it’s got everything! Murder, a bit of mayhem and even a girl fight! It was total fun!

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

You absolutely can not go wrong with a Tea Shop Mystery. Laura Childs has created a community that you want to visit again and again, despite (ahem) the number of murders that seem to happen there. In this installment, Theodosia and Drayton, her tea maven, visit a mansion, solve a murder, & plan and (ahem) execute a plum blossom tea. You might guess who the murderer was, but you won't care - it's just lovely to visit this world.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I continue to enjoy this series and the way it reveals new aspects of the characters and of Charleston!

No matter how bad the weather, no matter how ugly the political climate, I know I can always find respite in one of Laura Childs’ books. This time Theodosia Browning is watching the Gaslights and Galleons Parade from Timothy Neville’s Charleston mansion when a local banker falls over a porch railing to his death. Or so it would appear, Carson Lanier was actually shot with a crossbow. As usual, Theodosia investigates, but the highlight of this series is her interaction with her employees at the Indigo Tea Shop and the yummy recipes. Perfect after a long stressful day