Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs

Opening the pages of a Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery series feels like actually walking into the Indigo Tea Shop and experiencing the sights, sounds and mouth-watering aromas found within.  

Sweet Tea Revenge, the latest installment in the series, begins with a wedding that was never meant to be - and someone makes sure of that.

Theodosia Browning is serving as maid-of-honor for her friend, Delaine Dish, who is marrying Theo’s neighbor, Charleston attorney Dougan Granville. Despite terrible weather for June and a few other minor problems, the wedding is about to begin when the groom is a no-show.

Unfortunately for Theo, she finds him dead in his room just down the hall from the bride. At first it appears Dougan may have overdosed. But soon it’s discovered his death was no accident. Detective Burt Tidwell arrives and Delaine becomes a prime suspect. A short time later ghost hunters show up wanting to connect with the dearly departed since it’s rumored Ravencrest Inn, where the wedding was to be held, is haunted.

After a desperate plea from her friend, Theo begins to make a few inquires on her own. Theo has her hands full between running her business, the Indigo Tea Shop; searching for Dougan’s killer; assisting the ghost hunters; and trying not to be the killer’s next victim.

The cast of characters fans of the series have come to love return, along with a number of new and zany ones. The story flows quickly, pulling you in and holding you spellbound until the last drop of Sweet Tea Revenge.

The author combines mystery, suspense, friendship, and humor for a tantalizing cozy. The suspense will keep you guessing. Childs’ vivid descriptions will place you in the center of the action in historical Charleston with its beautiful scenery, alluring structures, and enchanting residents.

Sweet Tea Revenge is the 14th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, but can be read alone. However, to fully appreciate how Theo and her friends have developed and evolved since the series began the books should be read in order.

In addition, in the back of the book Childs has included delicious recipes, tea time tips, tea resources, and a sneak preview of her next Scrapbooking Mystery, Gilt Trip, coming soon.

You don’t have to like tea in order to enjoy Sweet Tea Revenge. Just have a thirst for intriguing mysteries and charming characters and this story will quench that sensation with ease.

Author Laura Childs’ website is www.laurachilds.com 
 
Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs, A Tea Shop Mystery, Berkley, @2013, ISBN: 978-0425252888, Hardcover, 336 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - An ARC of 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 for stopping by. Hope everyone is having a safe, happy and good weather weekend. Have you read a cozy lately?

Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs

Take one part good food, one part cozy setting, one part loyal friends, add a dash of romance, mix in a helping of humor, top it off with a murder and you have the perfect recipe for a Cackleberry Club Mystery. Author Laura Childs’ latest release, STAKE & EGGS, fits the bill perfectly. 

After her husband passed away, Suzanne Dietz decided to open the Cackleberry Club café. Aided by her two partners, Toni and Petra, the café is the place to be in Kindred.

As an afternoon snowstorm covers Kindred, a sudden whack leads Suzanne to discover a crashed snowmobile in the woods behind the café. With the wreck Suzanne also finds Ben Busacker, the town’s most hated banker, beheaded by a wire strung among the trees.

Sheriff Roy Doogie begins his investigation and soon several of the café’s best customers are prime suspects. It seems a lot of the townspeople weren’t happy with the banker’s way of handling business.

Between a pushy regional bank manager and plans for the annual Fire and Ice Festival, the investigation begins to snowball. Once again Suzanne finds yourself in the middle of the murder investigation and the only way out is to find the killer before she loses her head.

Childs creates a cozy setting with a cast of zany and lovable characters that will hold you spellbound. The main protagonist and her group of friends are well-developed and realistic. The steady pace of the story will draw you in and keep you guessing till the end.

STAKE & EGGS is a charming cozy mystery that will have you wishing there was a café like the Cackleberry Club near you. Good food, good friends, intriguing murder makes for a enthralling read.

This is the fourth installment in the Cackleberry Club Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. While the books don’t have to be read in order, additional background is provided as the series progresses.

The various dishes mentioned throughout STAKE & EGGS sound tasty such as Cheggnog and Lemon Cornbread. A number of these recipes are included in the back of the book. There is also a sneak preview of Childs’ next Tea Shop Mystery, SWEET TEA REVENGE, slated for release in March 2013.

STAKE & EGGS hits the spot when searching for an enticing cozy murder mystery with small-town charm.

Author Laura Childs’ website is www.laurachilds.com

Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs, A Cackleberry Club Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425255575, Paperback, 304 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - An ARC of 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. 

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