Karen Rose Smith is the author of Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes, the first book in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series. Daisy, widowed mother of two, and her aunt Iris are the owners of a tea garden. Iris, who has never married, is in love with the almost divorced Harvey Fitz. The romance comes to an abrupt halt when Harvey is found murdered at the tea garden. This is a great start to a new series. The characters, setting, and strong mystery were all assets. I look forward to more in this series.

This is the first installment of a delicious new series. This book was full of delightful characters, a charming setting, with a twist of murder and mystery. The author does a wonderful job painting the scene of a small town with businesses and bustle. The mystery and plot of the story were perfectly written. I was enamored of the characters and the relationships between them. A wonderful story you can read again and again.

This was a light and enjoyable cozy that I enjoyed very much. It's the first book in a new series, the Daisy's Garden Tea Garden mysteries, and I think the series will be a successful one. The characters are interesting and the plot is well-thought out. The food sounded really good too!

I enjoyed this book and will pre-order the next one in the series. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it. The characters are great and while dealing with the plot of the story, there were some side stories that I thought were good. It will be interesting to see who Daisy ends up with. It’ll be fun watching her girls grow up and continue on with their lives. I would love to go to Daisy’s Tea Garden and try some of the soups, sweets, and teas. Would that not be fun? Some of the recipes are included in the book.
I received an ARC of this book. My opinion is mine.

MURDER WITH LEMON AND TEA CAKES is the delicious first book in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Smith has found the perfect recipe for a classic cozy mystery with elements including a lovely setting and likable characters. This is the first book I have read written by Karen Rose Smith, and it will definitely not be the last.

Harvey Fitz’s death hits Daisy close to home. Not only was his body found in her tea garden, but he was also Daisy’s aunt Iris’s new beau. When Iris becomes the prime suspect, Daisy does all she can to clear her name and keep her beloved tea shop from becoming notorious. In addition to the main murder mystery, there is a subplot concerning Daisy and her younger daughter that is interesting.

Daisy makes a fine protagonist, and I look forward to getting to know her better. She is realistically drawn and likable. The supporting characters, including her daughters, Aunt Iris, and potential love interest Jonas, are equally compelling. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on family here, and this drew me right into the story.

The mystery is engaging with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing until whodunit is finally revealed. I love that I did not have the murderer’s identity penned until the very end.

I recommend MURDER WITH LEMON AND TEA CAKES to any cozy mystery fan, especially those who enjoy an emphasis on food.

This story brings us into the Tea garden series. It is a great book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a clean book. The murder does not happen right away so you really get to know all the characters. I really enjoyed this book.


**I received this book for NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith takes place in Amish country, Pennsylvania. Daisy Swanson and her aunt, Iris, own a tea garden which serves soups, scones and a variety of teas. Aunt Iris is dating Harvey, a man in the midst of divorce. Iris plans to meet Harvey in the garden, but finds him dead in the middle of the herbs instead. His death is ruled a homicide and the search for the murderer is on. Daisy’s youngest daughter is adopted and in search of her birth mother as well. This book was a fast read containing a lot of drama. I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it highly. Read the book to find out who the killer is and whether Jazzi finds her birth mother. My knowledge of tea was enhanced by this book. Thank you to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Daisy Swanson is a smart business woman and a caring person. She loves her family and will do whatever is necessary to protect them. When her Aunt Iris is suspected of murdering her boyfriend, Daisy starts investigating to clear her aunt. Can she find the real culprit? Karen Rose Smith is a talented author who creates likeable characters that the reader cares about. In addition I love how she includes animals in her story. It makes me feel comfy and right at home. The small town setting filled with caring people adds to the suspenseful mystery. A touch of romance is a sweet addition and balances the action. With two handsome men interested in Daisy I just need to wait and see who she chooses. As a bonus I learned so much about brewing teas. Who could ask for more? Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is the first book in a new series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith is the 1st book in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series, and a great book. Daisy Swanson, a widowed mother of two daughters, along with her Aunt Iris open the tea garden. Iris is dating a not quite divorced man, when he is found murdered, and Iris becomes a suspect. Daisy can not let anything happen to Iris, and is determined to find the real murder.

Once I started this book I could not stop reading it. It was a quick read that kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series. I strongly recommend this book for all cozy mystery book lovers, you will not be disappointed.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A sweet new cozy mystery.The setting and characters are pretty typical but engaging in this first in series mystery.The characters do seem to get side tracked with other issues (daughter's birth parents, etc.) but still enjoyable. A few twists that lead to an unpredictable ending so I definitely would want to read the next book in the series.

Fans of cozy mysteries know that a tea shop is the ideal setting for murder, and Karen Rose Smith's Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes, the first installment in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series, is a perfect example! Widow Daisy Swanson and her aunt, Iris, have gone into business together in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania, as the proud owners of Daisy's Tea Shop, situated in an old Victorian home in the heart of town. Iris's beau, the not quite divorced Harvey Fitz, is found bludgeoned to death in their garden, and Daisy must investigate to find the murderer so that life can get back to normal (even though murder is surprisingly good for business in this case!). There are plenty of suspects - the aforementioned wife, two greedy children, and disgruntled employees just to name a few! Poor Iris is also the victim of Harvey's very angry wife's verbal lashings, and the ransacking of her home. Raising two young women, and thinking about dating again, also keep Daisy quite busy. A nice, quick read, the author has created memorable characters, and really did a great job of leading Daisy (and the reader) along the path to discovering the murderer. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series - Murder with Cinnamon Scones! A+

I enjoyed reading this mystery and loved the characters. Daisy works with her aunt Iris at a tea garden and when a person is found murdered there, it is up to Daisy to figure out why and who. She feels that she needs to do this since her aunt is tied to the victim and she wants the peace of her tea garden back. I enjoyed seeing how the main character thought through things and the good foods mentioned as well
I received a copy from the publisher, the review is my own.

Divorce. Dead body. Will. Grown children cut from will? An angry ex. All add up to an engaging and entertaining cozy mystery.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is the debut of the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series set in the small town of Willow Creek, PA featuring Daisy Swanson and her Aunt Iris. Recently widowed, Daisy returns to her hometown and together with her aunt purchases and old Victorian home, that they turn into a tea garden.

With one daughter off to college and the other acting in typical moody teenager fashion, Daisy has her hands full with running the tea shop and doing her best to support her aunt's relationship with the married (albeit separated) wealthy Harvey Fitz. Business was booming at the tea garden until Harvey is discovered dead on the outside patio.

Detective Morris Rappaport is quick to target Aunt Iris as the prime suspect, despite Harvey's volatile relationship with his soon to be ex wife Monica and their two children. Determined to clear Iris' name, Daisy sets out with the help of furniture store owner and retired police detective Jonas Groft to catch the killer.

Fans of Karen Rose Smith will love this new series. The author has such a way with storytelling that the reader will feel as though they are in the midst of the tea garden; smelling the delicious teas as they steep and the tasty, homemade cakes and scones. A fast paced plot with well developed and fun characters, plenty of suspects and just the right touch of romance. The author also does a great job handling the topic of adoption and the search for biological parents.

I received an advanced copy of Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith is a 2017 Kensington publication.

A fantastic start to a new and refreshing cozy mystery series!

When Daisy’s Aunt Iris finds herself under investigation for the death of her boyfriend, Harvey Fitz, who was murdered right there in the garden of their lovely tea shop, Daisy must rise to the occasion and find the real killer before her aunt is arrested.

Meanwhile, Daisy is dealing with her adopted teenage daughter’s desire to meet her birth mother, and wrestling with the possibility of dating again after the death of her husband.

Although this is the first book in a new series, I felt as though Daisy and I were old friends. I immediately bonded with her and really enjoyed the tea shop setting. The tea servings and all the various flavors of tea were described so beautifully, and the shop seemed truly delightful, even if it was a crime scene- and oh my- I could almost taste those lemon tea cakes! Having all the female characters named after flowers is a nice touch, as well.

The town square is picturesque, featuring other small businesses, and the characters are all very interesting and maybe a bit quirky at times. All these elements are very important with a cozy mystery of this nature and is part of the charm. The author did a very good job setting the stage for future installments.

The murder mystery is also connected to a coin collection that Aunt Iris has inadvertently found herself involved in and is not quite sure how she should proceed, which complicates an already tense situation. The mystery was cleverly planned out, with plenty of viable suspects, which kept me guessing from start to finish.

I am very much looking forward to more adventures with Daisy and am curious to see how her love life develops, as well.

I picked this book out on a cold, wet day and it was the perfect cure for a gray, dreary day. I love the bright yellow cover, too!

This is a very solid introduction to this new series, which also includes a few of the yummy recipes featured in the book!

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith is the first book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Daisy Swanson co-owns Daisy’s Tea Garden (housed in a beautiful old Victorian) with her aunt, Iris Albright in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Iris has been dating Harvey Fisk who is working to obtain a divorce from his wife, Monica. At a party honoring the 25th anniversary of Harvey’s store, Men’s Trends at Daisy’s Tea Garden, Monica storms in and accuses Harvey of hiding assets (talk about a party pooper). Iris leaves to meet Harvey for a date and Daisy hears a scream. Harvey is dead in their herb garden from blunt force trauma and one of their statues is missing. Detective Rappaport is on the case, and he has decided Iris is the culprit. Daisy with the help of former detective, Jonas Groft query the various suspects. It turns out that Harvey had recently changed his will which angered his children. Could one of them have murdered Harvey? Daisy is worried about her youngest daughter, Jazzi. She has been acting out lately, and Daisy discovers that Jazzi wants to locate her biological mother. Daisy knows she needs to support Jazzi’s decision and help her in any way she can. Business is booming at the tea garden courtesy of Harvey’s murder and Daisy brings on additional staff. Daisy follows the clues in the hopes of catching the real killer and removing Aunt Iris from the suspect list. Who murdered Harvey?

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is nicely written and has a good pace. The author sets the stage in this book for the series. She establishes the characters, Daisy’s Tea Garden, and the town. I found the characters to be congenial and relatable (except for Detective Rappaport). Daisy is a smart, strong and caring woman who loves her family and is striving to make a success of her new business. She is a widow with two daughters (one biological and one adopted). Thanks to Karen Rose Smith’s description, I can picture Daisy’s Tea Garden in my head. She provides sumptuous descriptions of the tea and food served at the tea garden (recipes at the end of the book). I was not a fan of cantankerous Detective Rappaport, but their does need to be one disagreeable character (someone who readers love to hate). He was like a dog with a bone. He gets a hold of an idea and does not let go. The mystery was appealing with several suspects and misdirection. The investigation mostly consisted of questioning (I wish there had been more action). The murder was not the prominent part of the story. The mystery can be solved before the reveal if pay careful attention to the clues. More time is devoted to the tea garden, Daisy’s family, food descriptions, tea, talking, cats and flirting. There are two possible romantic partners for Daisy. I am sincerely hoping that this will not result in a love triangle in future books in the series. Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is a lovely cozy mystery, and I will be reading the next book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Fans of Karen Rose Smith and A Caprice De Luca Mystery series will be entertained by Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes.

This is a great book; this is the first book in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series written by Karen Rose Smith. In an old Victorian in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Daisy Swanson and her aunt Iris serve soups, scones, and soothing teas to tourists and locals—but a murder in their garden has them in hot water. Daisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling protective—so when Iris started dating the wealthy and not-quite-divorced Harvey Fitz, she worried, especially after his bitter ex stormed in and caused a scene at the party Daisy’s Tea Garden was catering. Then there was the gossip she overheard about Harvey’s grown children being cut out of his will. Daisy didn’t want her aunt to wind up with a broken heart—but she never expected Iris to wind up a suspect in Harvey’s murder. Now the apple bread and orange pekoe is on the back burner while the cops treat the shop like a crime scene—and Daisy hopes that Jonas Groft, a former detective from Philadelphia, can help her clear her aunt’s name and bag the real killer before things boil over. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Okay, this is my kind of book. Mystery, romantics, and a small town. Daisy's tea garden is cute. I wanted more in the garden. I sense with a spring party out there. This time it was a scene of murder, but it sounds like a great feature. I love tea. I drink it and brew it all the time. This is now on my list of "Book shelf keepers"! The one situation I was missing was more talk about the Amish. Being that close to Lancaster PA, just seems there needs more talk about Amish. On the romantic side Jonas is my favorite of the two possible new loves in Daisy's life. Harvey was a rich character not just in "book world" but was an interesting character. With out saying too much more on Harvey I feel bad for what happens. Who knew gold coins were so valuable. One character I was feeling like "she needs to disappear" was the ex-wife. I thinks that was the point. One other major issue is how many people work in Daisy's establishment. Seems a little like they would tripping over each other. Though the character Foster is awesome. While Vi is in college I was surprised by her twist. I do want more dudes in Daisy's life all these women and only dad, or a potential boyfriend. Just wish there was another guy I could relate to. Though on that same note I do love my similarities in tea adventures with Foster. Aunt Iris is a lovely character, and she was one of the most believable characters. Already in line for the next instalment from the author writing Daisy's tea garden. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.

This is a wonderful first book in A new series. It features Daisy Swanson, her two daughters and her fabulous Aunt Iris. Together they own Daisy's Tea Garden. Things turn bad when Aunt Daisy begins dating a married man whose divorce is not quite final. When said man is found murdered at the Tea Garden, things go from bad to worse. Karen Rose Smith is an excellent author and I never expect anything but the best from her books. This book couldn't have been any better. I highly recommend everyone read this terrific book!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley.

Karen Rose Smith has hit a grand slam homer with her fabulous first in a new series, Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eagerly looking forward to the next one. The author has the perfect elements – very likable characters, a lovely Tea Garden with scrumptious-sounding food, and a mystery that will stump some of the most diligent readers.

Daisy Swanson wears many hats – widowed mother to teen girls Violet and Jazzi, as well as daughter, sister, niece, and business owner/ manager. Her beloved Ryan passed away three years earlier, and she packed up and returned to Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. She and Aunt Iris found the perfect location for a tea shop that also sells pastries baked in-house and serves proper afternoon tea. Tessa, her best friend since high school, is her chef, who also rents the second floor of the Victorian home housing Daisy’s Tea Garden.

Iris is dating a man who treats her as she deserves to be in every way except one. Harvey is still married, although is only weeks away from the divorce being final. While Daisy wished he was already divorced, she is not as outspoken about it as her mother, Iris’ sister. Harvey is a wealthy man, owning a specialty store called Men’s Trends for twenty-five years.

Harvey rented the tearoom for a full Sunday for an invitation-only celebration of the stores’s anniversary. His adult son and daughter attend and have a mild spat, and Harvey’s soon to be ex-wife crashes the party but is quickly led out by another attendee. Based on things that Harvey tells Iris, she knows he wants to discuss their future as soon as his divorce is final.

Iris is excited to meet Harvey one evening after work. It begins no different from others in that Harvey will meet Iris in the garden at the Tea Garden. When Iris sees Harvey, however, he is dead, having clearly been murdered. The detective in charge of the case believes Iris killed Harvey, perhaps in collusion with Daisy.

I find the relationships between family members and loved ones fascinating. I learn the most about the ladies in Daisy’s family from the challenges between sisters and how one’s mother can help them grow closer or farther apart. Daisy helps each daughter see her strengths as equal to her sister’s, and she shows Vi and Jazzi that they are equally her beloved daughters, whether by birth or adoption. I really like Daisy and Iris, and Daisy’s new acquaintance, Jonas, and his helpfulness in her family’s needs .

There are unique elements to the plot, including twists that change the course of the investigation or how dangerous the bad guy/ gal is. Determining who might be the killer is a challenge, as there is little evidence. I had a tiny suspicion at one point, yet also considered red herrings when they looked better than my guess. The solution was surprising as I had so readily discarded the person.

I appreciate seeing that there is more in Daisy’s life than work and finding a killer. The author demonstrates sensitivity through Daisy’s familial relationships and the needs of her daughters. There is a depth to Daisy and Iris that makes them fully three-dimensional, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better in upcoming mysteries. I highly recommend Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes; it is one of my favorite new series in 2017!

From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and here is my honest review.