Shay Myers loves running the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS shop in Bray Harbour, California, that she recently inherited from her mother, Bridget. Being able to work alongside her sister, Jen, means every day is a pleasure apart from one thing. Unfortunately Shay doesn't remember her mum, but from other inherited items she is beginning to understand more of what Bridget hoped the future would hold for her.

When Liam, a near neighbour and ex-detective returns from a trip to Ireland he bring his grandmother with him meaning Shay finally meets someone who knew her mother as a young woman and understands the gifts she's been given. When an evening event at Crystals and CuriosiTEAS ends in disaster Shay needs her friends, family, and Gran around her especially as discovering what happened seems far from simple. With a grieving relative determined to make everyone they think is involved pay heavily could Shay’s new life be over before it’s hardly begun?

The second in Lauren Elliott's new series definitely fleshes everyone and everything out and it was a pleasure to visit with Shay once again. I like the way her new abilities have been accepted even if she is still hesitant to use them fully. The addition of Liam's grandmother, called Gran by everyone she comes into contact with, is a brilliant step. She enjoys talking about Bridget whilst also sharing similar abilities to Shay, and should become an empathetic and understanding role model for future adventures of which I hope there will be many.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more very soon. Recommended. 4.5 rounded up to 5*.

Murder in a Cup is the 2nd book in this series by Lauren Elliott. It follows Shay as she runs her teashop and develops her powers as a seer. In this novel one of Shay's customers dies during a tea leaf reading and Tassi, Shay's employee and friend is the prime suspect. The woman is Tassi's father's girlfriend and her Dad is doing everything in his power as a lawyer to make sure Tassi and Shay pay for what has happened.
Shay must use her gifts to find out why this has happened and save herself and Tassi. With the help of Liam's Gran from Ireland she learns to trust her feelings and her sight.
There is a side story involving Shay's wicked father and maybe some romance between Shay and Liam. I was able to figure out the murderer before the reveal, but I still enjoyed this read.

First, check out the great cover. I loved the detail and color and how it perfectly fits the mystery. Kudos to the artist/designer.

There are so many things happening in this book that it's difficult to decide where to start. Oddly enough, what on the surface is a slow build initially is also tinged with an ominous sense of foreboding. While feeding us lots of backstory via Shay's sort of meditation, it's preparing us for what was to come. Let's see, that includes deadly plants, Tassi, an uneasy teenager being pulled between parents, the father from h.... er, heck,confused identity, a wonderful dog, love on the rocks, family secrets, greed, new characters, and....well, much, much more.

I won't even attempt to share the plot. The blurb does an excellent job. Oddly enough, although magical tales are hit or miss with me, I'm thoroughly invested in Shayleigh/Shay's story. It's very human. While we might fantasize that having magical powers would be wonderful, Shay's experiences have been far different and fraught with danger. Nope, no cute twitch of a nose a la Samantha on "Bewitched" here. Shay neither understands her powers fully nor is she sure she wants them. She isn't even sure if Spirit, her amazingly insightful dog is, well, a dog or her familiar, but has learned to trust his instincts, at least.

There are several side stories, with the focus of the mystery as who kills Jasmine, who happens to be the younger girlfriend of the father from...heck. His daughter, Tassi, works at Shay's shop and is accused of poisoning Jasmine with one of Shay's poisonous plants. BTW, do you know what eye of newt really is? We're all familiar with that term from Macbeth and have just taken it for granted that it's some potent and dangerous ingredient. Not exactly, we learn. Eye of newt is the old-world term for mustard seeds. Toe of frog is a buttercup. That's your vocabulary lesson for the day. I love it when an author teaches me something new, don't you?

So, who killed Jasmine if it wasn't Tassi? Could it be the father from heck, tired of her money-spending ways? One of the White Glove Ladies, who you'll meet at their daily gathering at Shay's shop? Why a restraining order? Why were so many determined Shay give a group reading? How does Granny know Shay's family? Is she there to stay? Will Shay's personal life ever take a positive turn? And, wait! Who is this mysterious Conor? Changlings? Who....oh, enough teasers. This is a book that is full of action and reveals with a touch of magic, often barely controlled. Shay is learning to trust her instincts as a seer but will she learn how to use them and the tools left to her in time?

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to revisit Shay's fascinating but occasionally uneasy magical world. Love the addition of Liam's Granny. And, give Spirit a steak for dinner.

Murder in a Cup was such a fun read.

This author captures your attention by weaving a fantastic story with colorful characters.

In this story, self-taught seer Shay living in Bray Harbor where she grows medicinal and deadly plants. Of course, you can imagine what happens next - one of her customers is found dead.

Kept me guessing until the end! Loved it.

4 Stars
This is the second book in the series, but the first I've read, and it can be read as a stand-alone easily. It's lighthearted, and has a touch of magic and Irish charm, and plenty of colorful and likeable characters. I hope the MC develops her magical abilities some more in the next installment, but I definitely plan on continuing this series. For cozy mystery fans.

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Murder in a Cup is a cozy mystery with magical/fantasy elements. Shay and her sister Jen have just opened a tea shop in Bray Harbor. They offer locally harvested teas, snacks, and tea readings. When the White Glove Ladies group decides to make Shay's tea shop their new meeting location, they insist on setting up a reading. One of the newest members of the group is Jasmine, who happens to be Tassi's father's young girlfriend. Tassi's father has just recently decided to fight for custody of Tassi, who is NOT happy with the situation. During the White Glove Ladies reading, Jasmine is poisoned, and the prime suspect is Tassi. Shay is determined to ensure that Tassi does not go to jail for murder.

Unfortunately, this cozy was just not for me. To begin with, I found most of the characters to be unlikable. Shay, as the main narrator, is quite annoying. While I understand that Tassi is a teenager, she is quite whiney. I didn't think there was any sort of chemistry between Shay and Liam. Finally, Gran just sort of comes out of nowhere and then just happens to be friends with Shay's family. I also did not understand the magic. I thought that the magic definitely could have been explained better, especially since it seems to be such a big part of this series. I did actually find the mystery to be intriguing and liked who the murderer turned out to be.

Based on the reviews, a lot of readers are thoroughly enjoying the book. It simply wasn't for me.

Shay is settling in to her Crystals & Curiositeas shop and beginning to feel at home. Until murder strikes within its walls again and an employee is blamed. Will Shay, Liam and his Gran be able to solve the mystery and find the true murderer, must they rely on the help of Shay's secret weapon? A fun read!

I adored this cozy mystery! The group of characters were fantastic, and I loved the setting. I enjoyed the plot twists and the mystery. It was well paced and well written!

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott is the second in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS mystery series.The author has crafted a wonderfully intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Shay's curiosity and determination to uncover the truth make her a relatable and likable amateur sleuth. The combination of tea, crystals, and a dash of the supernatural adds a unique flavor to this cozy mystery that sets it apart from others in the genre.

In short,  Murder in a Cup is a delightful and engaging read that combines a captivating mystery with a charming setting and a memorable protagonist. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you won't want to miss this one. (I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.) It's the perfect book to curl up with on a lazy afternoon with a cup of your favorite tea. Highly recommended!

This second in a new mystery series with paranormal overtones is set in Bray Harbor, California, USA. Shay Myers inherited a unique tea shop, complete with a plant greenhouse, from the mother she never really knew. She also inherited an amulet that confers unusual abilities. Shay, aided by her sister, Jen, and young assistant, Tassi, have reopened the tea house and are also offering tea fortune readings. Things take a bad turn when Tassi’s father and his fiancée come to town and want to take Tassi with them. When a ladies group has their weekly meeting at the tea shop and someone dies, Tassi is immediately suspected.
There’s a number of plotlines included in this book. It flows well and Shay is an engaging protagonist. The paranormal aspects allow lots of directions for future stories.

I enjoyed this book. It has a lot of different mysteries going on in addition to the murder. I did suspect who the killer is in the murder. The rest does get a bit tangled especially with her using her powers than not using them and back and forth. I was hoping that she would get together with Liam but oh well. #MurderinaCup #NetGalley

The second book in a new Lauren Elliott series, Murder in a Cup was a slight disappointment. I loved the first book and applied to #netgalley for my first ARC. Our protagonist Shay now has her tea shop open and running, and is beginning to learn more about her mother's family and her own gifts of sight when a murder takes place right in front of her.

The murder mystery itself is done well and really kept me guessing up to the big reveal. And Shay, her sister, her shop assistant, and her dog are very likeable. But it feels like the book doesn't know yet what it should be. Is it a fantasy with witches and spells with a dash of murder mystery. Or is it a mystery with fanciful history. The tone is not cohesive, which made this book not as fun as the first.

That said, I'll still be looking forward to a third in the series.

Murder In A Cup is the 2nd book in the Crystals &CuriosiTEAS Mysteries.
While Shay is becoming more comfortable with running the shop she inherited, she has not come to terms with her abilities or the amulet she wears around her neck. When one of the patrons from a tea leaf reading dies from drinking poisoned tea, Shay's employee Tassi is a suspect. Shay is determined to prove Tassi's innocence. With the help of Liam's grandmother, she will learn more about
how to use the amulet and her family history. Will it be enough to clear Tassi?
#MurderinaCup #NetGalley

Shay is slowly getting her tea shop under control with her sister Jen's help and her friend and co-worker Tassi. When Tassi's Dad comes to town and creates a lot of drama. He wants custody of Tassi and wants to keep her away from the tea shop. His girlfriend Jasmine keeps showing up for a tea reading. Shay finally relents to doing a group tea reading then Jasmine drops dead. Tassi is a suspect. Liam's gran comes to live with Liam. She helps Shay know more about her gift. Shay and Liam work together to help find the real killer.

I really enjoyed this book. All of the Characters and the mystery. The stories of Ireland and it's fairies. I'm excited to see what happens next.

Loved this 2nd in this series. Shay was having a nice evening until she started reading tea leaves and a death happened right in front of her. Her helper Tassi was the suspect and put house arrest with a restraining order against Shay. Her father his what I call a hot shot lawyer and Jasmine was going to be Tassl's stepmother. Is there motive or was it someone you can't even imagine. definitely a page turner and had not figured it out until the end. A VERY GOOD COZY MYSTERY READ,

Shay Myers has moved back home to Bray Harbor where she owns and runs an eclectic tea shop. She's a self-taught "seer" who gives tea leaf readings. Shay's biggest plan right now is to separate the plants in the second floor greenhouse and donate the deadly ones to the college. Shay knows that she has a lot to learn so she's thrilled when she meets Gran, Liam's Irish grandmother and a psychic. Gran works with Shay and encourages her to accept her gift. When a woman dies in the tea shop after a tea leaf reading, Shay's assistant Assistant becomes the prime suspect so Shay sets out to find the real killer.

This is the second book in the new series and it was an excellent read. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC giving me the opportunity to continue Shay's story a little early! This is my honest, unbiased review. The book's well-written with wonderful characters and a fast-paced, unpredictable plot. I was drawn into this truly engaging story and kept hooked from beginning to end. The mystery is intriguing and will keep you guessing throughout. Lauren Elliott is a great storyteller and her characters come alive as you read. I'm now eager for more from this series. I highly recommend both book and series which I think is best read in order.

I especially enjoyed the 2nd book of this series. The storyline stayed true to the character development in the first book of the series. The addition of new core characters also gives the reader the promise that the series will stay fresh and new. The one issue I had was that the book seemed kind of long at the beginning but I really spread through the second half so not sure if that was the book itself or my increased time to read.
I like that the mystical aspects of the book are part of everyday life and not a separate part of the story itself. The fact that Shay is trying to discover more about her ancestry which needs her to learn more about the magical aspects, which she fears a little, is a positive aspect — people overcoming their fears and challenges when they need to. They do not give up.
I would definitely recommend the series to my friends and can’t wait for book 3.

Murder in a Cup is a cozy mystery that takes place in Bray Harbor CA. The owner of Crystals and CurositiTEAS Shay Myers inherited the tea shop and an amulet with a blue diamond. These all came from Shay's mother Bridget Early, who Shay never really knew. So with her greenhouse full of plants, Shay makes up her teas.

Tassi works as Shays part-time assistant. Her father has come to take Tassi back and get full custody of her. Along with hime is his girlfriend Jasmine who people believe is a witch. Then there is Doyle who is only here to get the amulet .There is also her sister Jen who helps her with the store. Things start to change when Shay is in her greenhouse, and her dog will not leave. Shay cannot understand what is going on. So The botanist from the university wants to take the plants to study them. Can she help Shay figure out what is going on? Things get even crazier when Jasmine wants her fortune read. Shay and Tassi begin a seance. Jasmine is the first person to go and suddenly instead of being involved in the seance, Jasmine stands and then falls dead. What could have happened to Jasmine to cause her death?

This is why I love cozy mysteries. There are so many characters in the story, and so much goes on within the story. They are fast paced and you really cannot put them down. I totally enjoy Lauren Elliott's books. My only blot on such a great story is that I didn't read the first one. This is number two in the series. Even so I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this cozy stories.

Thank you Ms. Elliott for another charming book and NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

A lovely cozy mystery, I highly enjoyed the characters and overall vibe of the story and the authors writing. I will be back for more.

This is one of my top five favorite cozy series. This is a charming series with richly drawn characters and a wonderful well crafted sleuth . This is the second book in this series. i enjoy paranomral cozies and this is one of the best i have read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Shay is a seer and a gifted Irish intutive witch. She owns a tea and fortune telling shop left to her by her grandmother in a charming seaside town . She is just learning her crafts and enjoying the success of her shop which offers high tea daily and is very popular. Her friend Liam has invited his Irish Grandmother to live with him and she has skills to teach Shay and knowlege of her family background. They become fast friends.

When a woman dies in her shop drinking tea at a reading Shay must work to defend her young assistant who is accused of the crime. Secrets and clues abound as Shay , Liam and her Grandmother find out what they suspect is something more sinister at work beneath the surface.

This is so well done and a enjoyable read. I love the tea shop , the atmospheric small seaside town and the rich charcters. I look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author.