Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith is book five in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series. This is the second one I have read and it's already becoming one of my favorites.
Daisy is awaiting to become a grandmother for the first time and has been hired to provide an afternoon tea for an actress, Margaret Vaughn, who has recently moved back to Willow Creek to start a theater. She also brought a few people to assist the opening production. In between courses at the tea, Daisy finds Margaret's body with her brooch covered with the clotted cream she had ordered. Daisy really doesn't want to get involved in the investigation, but she is again thrown into it.
This story has a perfect mix of the mystery and personal life for Daisy and her family. There are plenty of suspects that have you guessing to the end. There is love of family and friends along with a new baby! You also get some romance and recipes.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

This is a series that is continuing to get better. Daisy's Tea Garden is always a great place to meet friends and try to solve a mystery. After the hostess of her catering job is found dead, Daisy takes it upon herself to solve the mystery.

It is well-written and nicely paced. I liked the twists and turns throughout the story.

Murder with Clotted Cream is the fifth book in the Daisy’s Tea Gardern Mystery series by Karen Rose Smith. Daisy has accepted a catering job for a former actress, Margaret Vaugh, that’s moved to town. While prepping for the event she stumbles upon Margaret’s body in the pantry, covered in clotted cream. Daisy joins forces with her boyfriend, Jonas, and Detective Rappaport to help solve the mystery. But Daisy’s a little shell-shocked after her last mystery adventure and there’s plenty of things going on in her personal life that need her attention. Can she help catch a killer or will she give up her sleuthing ways.

This was my first cozy mystery book, ever. Before I accepted the book to read I had to familiarize myself with the genre, and was excited to see how many of my favorite themes are encapsulated in the genre. I’ve always been a fan of shows like Murder She Wrote, small town novels, and amateur sleuths. So, when I got the ARC for Murder with Clotted Cream I was ready to get absorbed in my first cozy mystery.

I’m happy to say that cozy was exactly how I felt as I read this book. The characters were quirky and interesting, without being too over exaggerated. I enjoyed the sense of community in the tea shop and found myself wishing such a place existed near me. I liked Daisy’s family and her relationship with Jonas and the detective. Her work on the mystery was fun and engaging for me.

I will say that coming into this book, having not read the others, made for a rough start. There were a lot of names and relationships to keep track of, and it took longer than I liked to get everything straight. It would have been better if characters that were not involved in this mystery were given less page time so that I could keep up with who was important to the plot. I also found it distracting that a lot of time was spent on story lines about Daisy’s daughters. These subplots drew me out of the mystery a bit too much, and began to feel more like a family drama than a mystery book.

Even though Smith tackled some very difficult topics such as depression and PTSD, I enjoyed the book overall. The investigation and mystery had me guessing up until the last moments before the reveal. I liked that even thought this was a murder mystery, the book never felt too dark or gruesome unlike most mysteries I read. I definitely will be picking up more cozy mysteries in general, but specifically I plan to go back and read some of the previous entries in this series. I’d recommend this as an enjoyable read for anyone like me who loves a thrilling mystery wrapped up in a nice layer of small town life.

Lindsey

Review will be posted on blog closer to release date

One of my favorite things about the best cozies is the balance between a well constructed mystery and a deep dive into relationships and personalities. MURDER WITH CLOTTED CREAM does this successfully. Daisy and her Aunt Iris plan to cater a tea for a hometown success story whi has returned home to establish a community theater. All was going according to plan until the hostess is found dead. While Daisy attemps to stay out of any investigation, she keeps getting drawn into it. Plenty of suspects and I missed picking the true guilty party. Along the way, Daisy deals with issues with both her daughters, her mother and her boyfriend. All are treated sensitively with an awareness of how easily relationships and situations can turn prickly if you aren't careful. Definitely recommended.

Kindle Copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Daisy is hired by a former local girl, who has returned home with her millionaire husband. She notices there is tension in the air at the historical farmhouse that her client owns when she stumbles across her client’s dead body covered in clotted cream in the pantry.

Still recovering from her last case, she will end up teaming up with a former detective who she been dating to solve the case. Secrets will be unraveled before things go out of control.

A compelling read in the series.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and how they care for each other. The mystery is interesting and even though I didn't feel like Daisy was really investigating the story moved along nicely. There aren't any dull spots and the reveal was interesting. #MurderwithClottedCream #NetGalley

This is my favorite cozy mystery series, hands down.

The latest in the series brings all the typical cozy mystery elements and continues to show Daisy and Jonas slowing developing a stronger relationship. A new, unexpected element deals with a super real life issue for women.

The book does not disappoint, but it could have some sad moments for the reader.

In this story we see Daisy and Jonas getting closer. Foster and Vi having baby and some troubles, Jazzi happier,. Rose, Daisy's mom has a talk with her that might change their relationship. And of course, Daisy finds a body, Margaret, who is her friend Vanna's sister, who hired her to do a tea. Lots of twists and turns and complex interesting characters fill this book. I loved the story! Great recipes at the end of the book!

I always enjoy a trip to Daisy’s Tea Garden in Pennsylvania Dutch country. This is the fifth in the series.

Daisy finds a body of the hostess, Margaret Vaughn, she is catering an event at Ms. Vaughn’s home. So, who did this and why?

Ms. Smith weaves a few plots throughout the book. I found them all to be enlightening. Daisy’s daughter, Jazzi, is dealing with getting to know her real mother and her family. Jazzi is trying to fit in without losing herself. Vi, Daisy’s oldest is dealing with postpartum depression after the birth of her and Foster’s first child. I learned a lot about this and it isn’t the same for everyone that develops it.

I really liked how Daisy’s family pulled together to assist Vi through the initial episode. We learn more about her Aunt Iris, her mother and the family dynamics of years earlier. Postpartum wasn’t really discussed except as the “baby blues.”

We also learn more about Zeke and Jonas’s previous relationship and why they can’t get past Brenda’s death. I found some of the information extremely relative and could change Daisy and Jonas’ relationship. I hope that in the long run, it deepens and strengthens it but one never knows.


I liked this book. It wasn’t just a murder mystery. I liked the sense of community, the family willing to help each other. I also could feel angst, sadness, and discovery of the unknown. Ms. Smith dealt realistically with postpartum depression, PTSD, and family secrets.

Murder with Clotted Cream earns 5/5 Gingerbreads...Engaging Fun!

Karen Rose Smith has penned another well-written, delicious cozy with an engaging mystery, well-developed characters over the five books, endearing friendships, fascinating information on tea, and realistic issues surrounding the upcoming birth of Daisy’s first grandchild. Daisy’s Tea Garden is expanding into catering, and their upcoming event is an afternoon tea hosted by Margarett Vaughn, a former New York actress whose multi-rich husband built her a theater making herself director. All that privilege results in a very “persnickety” attitude demanding Daisy serve genuine clotted cream. But, oh what trouble one invites when friends aren’t really friends...the hostess is found dead covered in “genuine” clotted cream! The murderous event is disturbing and Daisy feels that the victim deserves justice, but don’t say it didn’t cross your mind, this could ruin their business, too. Therefore Daisy is compelled to uncover the motive and the killer. Partnering with Jonas Groft and Detective Rappaport with whom she has fostered a pleasant rapport and banter about tea. I love it! Entertaining. Full of fascinating information. Characters well worth spending time with. Don your apron! These original recipes straight from Daisy and her aunt’s catering menu are easy-to-follow and perfect for your own gathering of friends and family: Apple Gingerbread (with clotted cream, of course), Beef and Lentil Soup, and Fall Fruit Salad.

Cozy mysteries have been my comfort food during these past few months, especially the ones that are in the 4th book and beyond. I can’t visit friends in person, but I can visit them on the page!

4.5 Stars

Daisy Swanson moved back to her hometown of Willow Creek, Pennsylvania, after the death of her husband. She has two daughters, Jasmine, who is in high school, and Violet, who is expecting her first child with her husband, Foster Cranshaw. Daisy co-owns a lovely tea garden, Daisy's Tea Garden, with her aunt. In this fifth installment in the Daisy Tea Garden Mystery series, Daisy is hired by former actress, Margaret Vaughn, to provide afternoon tea for her theater group. During the event, Daisy senses that there's tension behind the scenes. When she finds Margaret's body on the floor of the pantry, covered in blood and clotted cream, she decides to do her own investigation.

I thought this was a wonderful and relaxing read. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is delightful and easy to visualize. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing until the reveal. Daisy is an admirable character. She's hardworking compassionate, and a wonderful mother and friend. She's smart in her sleuthing and does not rush into dangerous situations. Her family experiences are real and relatable, and the author shines a light on some very important topics - PTSD, postpartum depression, and losing a spouse. The relationship between Daisy and Jonas is progressing at a good pace. I really enjoyed the descriptions of different tea blends and the mouthwatering recipes. Overall, This was a light, enjoyable read, and I forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's always fun to revisit this cosy mystery series and Murder with Clotted Dream didn't disappoint. I like Daisy's reluctancy in getting involved, in addition to the fact that the book highlights PTSD and post-partum depression. The characters in general is also well written, which is a bonus.

The thing I love most about Karen Rose Smith's A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series is that it is believable. Except the sheer numbers of involvement with murders in a small town, the situations are not far fetched. I even admire Daisy's restraint in becoming involved, rather than some of this genre where the protagonists illogically just jump right in. Daisy's family experiences are so real, touching on widowhood, death, adoption and even postpartum issues. I love the pace of her romance and will say the hook for the next book has me anxiously awaiting release. I highly recommend 'Murder with Clotted Cream', along with the entire series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Daisy is looking forward to catering an afternoon tea hosted by former actress, Margaret Vaughn, for the cast and crew of her upcoming theater production. To add a touch of elegance to the event, the hostess had requested genuine clotted cream. But things don't go smoothly when Daisy discovers Margaret's dead body in the pantry, covered in blood and clotted cream. As always, this is more than just a cozy mystery, exploring the who and the why. This series also presents the realities of family life, with Daisy dealing with her own relationships with her parents, and those with her two daughters, one of whom has just recently given birth. But what I found wonderful with this series, besides solving the murder, is the attention given to postpartum depression...an often ignored and misunderstood condition. As a society, we need to be more aware of how this can effect not just the mothers and their newborns, but also the entire family, and this story helps shine a light on some of those effects and support options. I look forward to more stories in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

Loved this book. Haven't read any of the other series but am going too now. There are so many different things going on in this book you are constantly entertained. Five stars, couldn't fault it it would be a great holiday read.

An entertaining and well written cozy mystery. A great addition to the series. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this one. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I loved this book! It is my favorite in the series so far.
Daisy is still recovering from her last altercation with a murderer, so when she discovers another body during a catered tea party, she has to find out what happened. In Daisy’s opinion, no one deserved to die such a brutal death.
Partnering up with her special guy Jonas, Daisy begins to unravel the mystery and discover the truth.
I read this book from cover to cover, I could not put it down.

In this 5th Daisy Tea Garden mystery, Daisy has been asked to supply an afternoon tea to the amateur theater group by the owner/director Margaret Vaughn, a former NY actress. Everyone praises the tea however, just as things are winding down and dessert is about to be served, Daisy finds the hostess in the pantry dead - covered with clotted cream. As Daisy works to find out why Margaret was murdered, she is also welcoming her first grandchild and help her daughter with all the changes that are taking place in her life.

I love this series! The characters are so well-written and lifelike. I really which there was a Daisy's Tea Garden, my friends and I would be there often!