Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs {+ Giveaway}

There’s always interesting activities going on around the Indigo Tea Shop and this time it deals with expensive gems, jewels and murder.

Theodosia Browning and the gang from the Indigo Tea Shop are excited to cater a high-class trunk show for Brooke Carter Crockett at Heart’s Desire Jewelry. With the event in full swing and precious gems and bobbles on display, a gang of masked thieves literally crash into the shop. The robbers quickly make off with the loot and leave the shop in shattered glass and Brooke’s niece Kaitlin dead.

When Brooke begs Theo for help in finding out who the robbers are, she has no choice but to do all she can do to solve the case. While the authorities believe the brutal burglary was the work of an international jewel thief gang, Theo thinks the mastermind is a local.

Author Laura Childs once again blends the intrigue of murder and mayhem with the comfort of a tea shop and friends for an entertaining and suspenseful read. The story moves smoothly and at a steady pace to hold your attention from beginning to end. The tea shop setting with Charleston as a backdrop adds depth to the tantalizing tale.

The characters are realistic and likable. The main core of characters – protagonist Theo and her associates Drayton and Haley – continue to evolve with each new installment. Their friendship and bantering enhances the story.

DEVONSHIRE SCREAM is the 17^th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t be left in the dark and returning fans will enjoy catching up with the gang once more. You don’t have to be a tea drinker to enjoy this story, but a number of delicious recipes, tea time tips and tea resources are included as a bonus. In addition, readers get a special preview of a new series from the author (writing as Gerry Schmitt) that is more thriller than cozy.

This is a delightful cozy mystery that will satisfy your quizzical nature and tempt your appetite.

Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs, A Tea Shop Mystery (Book #17), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-0425281666, Hardcover, 320 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to Roxanne and the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of DEVONSHIRE SCREAM by Laura Childs to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, March 11.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Devonshire Scream Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this latest installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series. Have you ever tried a drink or dish based on something you read in a mystery?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs

One of my favorite cozy murder mystery series has a new installment coming out next week and I’m delighted to share my thoughts on it.

STEEPED IN EVIL by Laura Childs

The folks in author Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery series always seem to have a lot going on, even if a dead body turns up now and then.

Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning isn’t a wine connoisseur, but she still enjoys attending a fancy wine-tasting party at the upscale Knighthall Winery. Theo and her tea expert, Drayton Conneley, are enjoying the evening when things turn sour – a dead body is discovered in the prize barrel of wine. It turns out to be Drew Knight, son of the winery owner, Jordan Knight.

Unhappy with the sheriff’s investigation, Jordan turns to his friend Drayton, asking for his and Theo’s help. As they being to ask questions, financial problems, marital woes, and unhappy family relationships surface. In time Theo helps the authorities locate the killer. But, then Theo isn’t sure this is the real killer.

Childs once again blends the cozy tea shop atmosphere with the adrenaline rush of searching for a killer. The characters are realistic, likable and easy for readers to relate to with their own faults and worries. The secondary characters add charm and depth to the story.

STEEPED IN EVIL moves at a steady pace. While you may guess some of the outcome, the road to the end has a few intriguing twists and turns. There is a good balance of suspense, mystery and humor throughout the book.

Childs’ eye for detail and rich descriptions places the reader in the heart of Charleston where the energy of the Church Street residents holds you spellbound. Her vivid portrayals bring the sights, sounds and smells of the tea shop off the pages and into the room with you. The charm and friendly atmosphere envelop you as you devour this tantalizing mystery.

The book concludes with delicious recipes, tea party suggestions and a sneak peak at Childs’ next installment in her Scrapbooking Mystery series. While this is the 15th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, it can be read on its own. A love of tea is not required to enjoy this charming cozy mystery, but it might just inspire you to give the beverage a try.

Author Laura Childs’ website is http://www.laurachilds.com/

Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs, Tea Shop Mystery Book #15, Berkley Prime Crime, @2014, ISBN: 978-0425252956, Hardcover, 320 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. STEEPED IN EVIL is out in bookstores Tuesday, March 4th. Has reading a book inspired you to try a new beverage or food? What about trying a new hobby like knitting or crocheting?