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Tea Shop Mystery #13
Agony of the Leaves
In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Scones and Bones, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning finds herself in hot water when a body surfaces at the grand opening of Charleston's Neptune Aquarium... The opening of the aquarium is a major Charleston event, and Theodosia has been hired to cater tea, scones, and sandwiches for the private party to honor dignitaries and big buck donors. Things are going swimmingly, until Theodosia escapes the party for a momentary rest, only to discover the body of a man entangled in a net, drowned in one of the aquarium's state-of-the-art tanks.
To make matters worse, the victim is Theodosia's former boyfriend Parker Scully. The EMTs on the scene think Parker's drowning was an accident, but when Theodosia notices what look like defense wounds on his hands, she realizes that someone wanted Parker dead. The local police aren't keen on hearing her theory-especially because of her ties to the victim-so Theodosia knows that if she wants Parker's killer brought to justice, she'll have to jump into the deep end and start her own investigation...
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
To make matters worse, the victim is Theodosia's former boyfriend Parker Scully. The EMTs on the scene think Parker's drowning was an accident, but when Theodosia notices what look like defense wounds on his hands, she realizes that someone wanted Parker dead. The local police aren't keen on hearing her theory-especially because of her ties to the victim-so Theodosia knows that if she wants Parker's killer brought to justice, she'll have to jump into the deep end and start her own investigation...
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
272 people are currently reading
1774 people want to read
About the author
Laura Childs
93 books2,251 followersLaura Childs is a pseudonym for Gerry Schmitt and she is the best-selling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbook Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She's also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries - a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans' spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe's undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She's also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries - a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans' spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe's undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
August 24, 2012
Every now and then again I enjoy just turning the brain off and reading some fluff mystery. The Tea Shop books usually fit that requirement perfectly. However, this time I had problems with aspects of the book that in the past I can usually accept with a cuppa tea and a munchie. At first I thought this might be because I've been reading a lot of police procedurals lately...but it wasn't the amateur sleuthing that pushed my buttons. It was the managment of the Tea Shop and characters themselves.
For those of you not familiar with this series, the premise of the books are: we have Theodosia as store owner, Drayton as Master Tea blender, Haley as cook extraordinaire. These three people run a full fledged Tea Restaurant and Store. The back kitchen is described as "cozy". We have locals, tourists, and groups dropping in for full tea and meals. There is NO way one person can make the types of meals in the size of the kitchen described and feed the volume of people coming through that store. ON TOP of catered events, retail work, event planning and - in the case of Haley - going to school full time. The menus, while fabulous, were again, implausible given the size of the kitchen and only having one person doing all prep and cooking.
So, three people basically run a full fledged restaurant. If the author had kept the cooking to baked goods, and maybe simple wrap sandwiches or basic tea sandwiches, that I could probably swallow. You start to get into lobster bisque...you lost me. It has become so unrealistic as to become implausible and thus, I'm bounced out of the story.
Additionally, this book had so many loose ends floating at the end it felt frayed like a pair of knatty jeans. The mystery was lost in all the events the Tea Shop was catering. We had the Aquariums donor recognition benefit, Aunt Libby's fundraiser, the Coffee and Tea Expo, a fully catered impromptu Japanese Tea Ceremony, a photographic scavenger hunt, and I think I'm missing one or two.
The simple southern charm that drew me to these books was lost in a plethora of over the top recipes, unrealistic event planning and unbelievable restaurant management.
For those of you not familiar with this series, the premise of the books are: we have Theodosia as store owner, Drayton as Master Tea blender, Haley as cook extraordinaire. These three people run a full fledged Tea Restaurant and Store. The back kitchen is described as "cozy". We have locals, tourists, and groups dropping in for full tea and meals. There is NO way one person can make the types of meals in the size of the kitchen described and feed the volume of people coming through that store. ON TOP of catered events, retail work, event planning and - in the case of Haley - going to school full time. The menus, while fabulous, were again, implausible given the size of the kitchen and only having one person doing all prep and cooking.
So, three people basically run a full fledged restaurant. If the author had kept the cooking to baked goods, and maybe simple wrap sandwiches or basic tea sandwiches, that I could probably swallow. You start to get into lobster bisque...you lost me. It has become so unrealistic as to become implausible and thus, I'm bounced out of the story.
Additionally, this book had so many loose ends floating at the end it felt frayed like a pair of knatty jeans. The mystery was lost in all the events the Tea Shop was catering. We had the Aquariums donor recognition benefit, Aunt Libby's fundraiser, the Coffee and Tea Expo, a fully catered impromptu Japanese Tea Ceremony, a photographic scavenger hunt, and I think I'm missing one or two.
The simple southern charm that drew me to these books was lost in a plethora of over the top recipes, unrealistic event planning and unbelievable restaurant management.
December 27, 2017
The book opens with the death of Theodosia’s friend and former boyfriend Parker Scully. He is found during a private black tie party at the opening of Charleston’s Neptune Aquarium. It appears that it was an accident that he drowned in one of the huge tanks. But Theodosia Browning, is not convinced. If the local police don’t seem too interested in her theory of murder, she vows to investigate herself. At the same time ,she also needs to maintain her business, the Indigo Tea Shop as well as catering for other charity events she becomes involved in.
This is a cosy mystery and my first venture into the Tea Shop Mysteries, although apparently there are twelve others before this one. It was a pleasant enough read, though I did find out more about the varieties of tea and how it is grown and distributed than I ever wanted to know. The end of the book also included a number of recipes for sweet treats as well as info about tea resources. These were largely ignored by me. However others may enjoy those extras.
For me, the story tended at times to get bogged down a bit in all the tea and meal preparations and events. Although it was enjoyable enough, I thought there were a lot of red herrings and then the murderer seemed to come a bit out of left field in my opinion. I don’t think I am ever going to be a tea shop mystery aficionado. But if you like cosy mysteries you may enjoy it more than I did.
This is a cosy mystery and my first venture into the Tea Shop Mysteries, although apparently there are twelve others before this one. It was a pleasant enough read, though I did find out more about the varieties of tea and how it is grown and distributed than I ever wanted to know. The end of the book also included a number of recipes for sweet treats as well as info about tea resources. These were largely ignored by me. However others may enjoy those extras.
For me, the story tended at times to get bogged down a bit in all the tea and meal preparations and events. Although it was enjoyable enough, I thought there were a lot of red herrings and then the murderer seemed to come a bit out of left field in my opinion. I don’t think I am ever going to be a tea shop mystery aficionado. But if you like cosy mysteries you may enjoy it more than I did.
August 2, 2012
I had been debating whether or not to keep reading the Tea Shop series - it seemed to be getting formulaic for me, but then I thought about how quickly these tend to read and how they are a reading palate cleanser - nice, light, shorter than a main course. So, I picked up the latest yesterday and read it (there's that quick to read part). The killer stayed hidden behind a bunch of red herrings until near the end, when certain events gave me pause to think about this person [but then, there weren't many clues or reasons to support this person as the killer - I didn't care for that as much - just one thing almost thrown out near the beginning].
Things I continue to enjoy: Drayton and Haley's back and forth banter, anything with Earl Grey (the dog), the tea party ideas in the story and the back of the book, Delaine's comic relief interruptions.
Things I could do without: more descriptions of Charleston [it's the 13th book, for crying out loud, it's been described pretty well already], clothing descriptions [that's just a personal issue, as I'm not a big clotheshorse], and how Theo is intimidated/threatened in similar ways to many of the other books in the series [yes, one of the ways was novel in this book, but it immediately followed one that has been really overused].
Things I continue to enjoy: Drayton and Haley's back and forth banter, anything with Earl Grey (the dog), the tea party ideas in the story and the back of the book, Delaine's comic relief interruptions.
Things I could do without: more descriptions of Charleston [it's the 13th book, for crying out loud, it's been described pretty well already], clothing descriptions [that's just a personal issue, as I'm not a big clotheshorse], and how Theo is intimidated/threatened in similar ways to many of the other books in the series [yes, one of the ways was novel in this book, but it immediately followed one that has been really overused].
January 10, 2013
My guilty pleasure is kind of getting less fun. Perhaps it's the overabundence of adjectives to describe a tea pot or the cheesy way everyone interacts but reading these stories isn't quite as fun. And in this case, Theo's ex-boyfriend is found dead and the hunt for the killer is paper thin (but rife with adjectives!!!) and, while the killer is introduced during the book, there's no firm linkage whatsoever to make you care. Definitely not heavy reading but, if you're looking for something benign to while away some hours, this series would fit that bill.
June 2, 2015
Agony of the Leaves
~Berkley Hardcover
(17)
A+ Cozy Mystery, April 8, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Agony of the Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Hardcover)
I, too, love this series and have read each book in this Tea shop mystery series. Although I had quite a wait until this book was released...it was worth every minute of it.
In "Agony of the Leaves" Theodosia Browning is plunged into the first murder and we, the reader, are only on chapter one. The murdered victim is discovered to be Theo's former boyfriend, Parker Scully. Theo is the one who finds Parker not only murdered at the opening of the Charleston's Neptune Aquarium, but in it. The devastation and shock may delay Theo's sleuthing abilities for a moment, but not for long. She soon snaps into action and searches Parker's body for any tell tale markings and finds...defensive wounds on his hands. But why should he have these defensive wounds on his hands? and...who was Parker fighting against?
I am happy to say that Drayton, tea brewer extrodinaire, and Haley, Chef at The Indigo Tea Shop, are in it all the way with this case. I so enjoyed another excursion between Theo and Drayton cruising for clues while comparing notes.
This book only became more enchanting as I became more involved with every passing page. The ending especially had me reading non stop with my nerves on edge.
This is the one mystery series that I can truthfully say I am "in" with these characters. The frangranced atmosphere of the Indigo Tea Shop, Haley's delightfully skilled cooking and Drayton's masterful tea abilities and knowledge of that art are written with such detail...all I can say is "thank-you" to the author. That is one tea shop I want to enter and be shown to a table to put in my order for scones and tea of the day.
I highly recommend this book and this marvelous series. You will not be disappointed. I read this in a hard back book.
Ellen
June 15, 2024
Theodosia and friends are on hand for the opening of the new Neptune Aquarium. Theo is eager to see the giant fish tank and take a break from the festivities and avoid a run-in with her ex-boyfriend, Parker Scully. They talked and things are good with them but people do love to gossip and create drama where there should be none. She's been avoiding Parker though and going out with her new man instead. While staring at the fish, Theodosia is confused, then shocked and horrified when she sees a human body floating in the tank! The hand on the body sports one very familiar ring and Theo knows the body must be Parker! She jumps into action but it's too late to save him. The EMTs arriving on the scene too late assume Parker slipped and fell, thereby declare death by drowning. Then Theo notices some unusual markings on her ex's hands, indicating there had been a struggle. While Tidwell doesn't quite believe Theodosia, she launches her own investigation to get at the truth and find justice for Parker. Meanwhile, Delaine has signed Indigo Tea Shop up for a charity scavenger hunt to benefit Tuesday's Child for at-risk youth. Theo supports the cause and reluctantly joins the hunt to photograph various locations in the region. It's easier said than done but with trusty friend Drayton by her side, they manage to survive a rain storm and photograph a now closed run-down fish shack, among other places. She also caters a charity function for Aunt Libby and when she and Aunt Libby take a trip out to the apiary where the shop gets their honey, Theo's jeep is run into and Aunt Libby is injured in the accident. Did someone try to murder Theo or was it a warning that she is close to solving the mystery? Will she be able to figure it out before she or someone she cares about gets hurt?
The plot was intriguing and I couldn't put it down. I don't enjoy stories where the victim was someone close to the main character. I didn't like Parker very much but he didn't deserve to die. There was a little too much going on in this mystery and Theo is TSTL! She walks right into a trap I saw coming. To be fair to her, the murderer isn't someone on her radar but it never is. This time the murderer wasn't quite on my radar either. I thought it was someone else not on the radar. Turns out Tidwell could have solved this one himself with a phone call! I do love all the tea information. It's so lovely. I do NOT enjoy bonsai (sorry Daddy) and there was a little too much for me but I know everyone else loves those darn trees. (Unless they're your father's favorite children and he makes you water them in the hot summer sun and calls to check up on them 3xs daily while he's away).
The one other thing I disliked Theo for doing was after her investigation. She did the right thing morally but it wasn't the right thing to do. There could be a whole bunch of legal trouble after that. She doesn't use her head very often. Drayton is the tea blender, poetry reciter and bodyguard and Haley is a friend and baker. She's supposed to be a smart, successful business woman but I think she lacks common sense.
The annoying characters manage to keep their annoyingness to a minimum and Delaine even acknowledges she and Theo were born with silver spoons in their mouths but not everybody was. I didn't get the impression Theodosia was but she has money because she works for it. She's mentioned she can't always afford the clothes Delaine pushes on her and couldn't afford her new cottage at first. Delaine is super obnoxious in her quest for a husband. She's latched on to Granville because he's wealthy and easily persuaded. She's nearly as cuckoo as her sister! I think she did the same thing to Granville her sister did to Bill. (No mention of Nadine in this book).
Aunt Libby is the best! She's so sweet and I share her love for animals. Theo's new boyfriend, Max, is an improvement over the last two but I still get weird vibes from him. He at least cares about her in appropriate ways and listens and offers to join her in the hunt for photo locations. He's the one who has to bail on a date due to work but lets her know ahead of time which is courteous of him. Maybe he'll grow on me once I get to know him better.
Who murdered Parker? Was it Chef Toby? Chef Toby claims he wasn't paying attention to Parker's new proposed restaurant because Parker planned to hire another chef. A-ha! Chef Toby was resentful and killed Parker in anger. Or maybe it has to be something about sustainable fishing. It's mentioned a few times in the story that there are laws about where fisherman can catch fish and Theo may have seen something she shouldn't have.
Theo is awful to her suspects. She badgers and bullies and is generally hostile. Is it any wonder she was nearly killed? Perhaps the murderer was sleazy lawyer Joe Beaudry? I didn't think he seemed all that sleazy. He is slick and maybe unethical. Lyle Manship, a mafia type businessman/restauranteur is sleazy. He doesn't show any evidence he's with the mob but he does seem to be a ruthless businessman and shady too. A strong candidate for shady, sleazy murderer is Peaches Pafford, a restauranteur and Parker's rival. She's scary. I think she would take advantage of a man and marry him for his restaurant and then divorce him and claim the restaurant in the divorce proceedings. She has a predatory air about her and takes advantage of another character.
Another strong candidate is David Sedakis, the Neptune Aquarium Executive Director. He's a shady dealer for sure. He takes kickbacks or bribes and cuts corners, probably. He's only mildly concerned about someone dying in the aquarium before it is officially open. Buddy Krebs, a fisherman, rails against poaching and wants tougher regulations. He's prepared to be a one man crusader and enforce regulations himself. He seems friendly with the aquarium guy though. That seems... at odds with each other.
Other new characters include Majel Carter, director of Tuesday's Child. She seems nice but intense. She already has the wealthy museum goers donating and now she's up for this grant for her summer camp. I think she truly wants to help children and doesn't exactly see the reality in front of her that people have lives and jobs She expects Theo to drop everything and do this scavenger hunt and even stalks Theo at Aunt Libby's to ask for help.
I have the next one on my nightstand to be read this weekend and I'm going to try Indigo Tea Shop's tea slushie.
The plot was intriguing and I couldn't put it down. I don't enjoy stories where the victim was someone close to the main character. I didn't like Parker very much but he didn't deserve to die. There was a little too much going on in this mystery and Theo is TSTL! She walks right into a trap I saw coming. To be fair to her, the murderer isn't someone on her radar but it never is. This time the murderer wasn't quite on my radar either. I thought it was someone else not on the radar. Turns out Tidwell could have solved this one himself with a phone call! I do love all the tea information. It's so lovely. I do NOT enjoy bonsai (sorry Daddy) and there was a little too much for me but I know everyone else loves those darn trees. (Unless they're your father's favorite children and he makes you water them in the hot summer sun and calls to check up on them 3xs daily while he's away).
The one other thing I disliked Theo for doing was after her investigation. She did the right thing morally but it wasn't the right thing to do. There could be a whole bunch of legal trouble after that. She doesn't use her head very often. Drayton is the tea blender, poetry reciter and bodyguard and Haley is a friend and baker. She's supposed to be a smart, successful business woman but I think she lacks common sense.
The annoying characters manage to keep their annoyingness to a minimum and Delaine even acknowledges she and Theo were born with silver spoons in their mouths but not everybody was. I didn't get the impression Theodosia was but she has money because she works for it. She's mentioned she can't always afford the clothes Delaine pushes on her and couldn't afford her new cottage at first. Delaine is super obnoxious in her quest for a husband. She's latched on to Granville because he's wealthy and easily persuaded. She's nearly as cuckoo as her sister! I think she did the same thing to Granville her sister did to Bill. (No mention of Nadine in this book).
Aunt Libby is the best! She's so sweet and I share her love for animals. Theo's new boyfriend, Max, is an improvement over the last two but I still get weird vibes from him. He at least cares about her in appropriate ways and listens and offers to join her in the hunt for photo locations. He's the one who has to bail on a date due to work but lets her know ahead of time which is courteous of him. Maybe he'll grow on me once I get to know him better.
Who murdered Parker? Was it Chef Toby? Chef Toby claims he wasn't paying attention to Parker's new proposed restaurant because Parker planned to hire another chef. A-ha! Chef Toby was resentful and killed Parker in anger. Or maybe it has to be something about sustainable fishing. It's mentioned a few times in the story that there are laws about where fisherman can catch fish and Theo may have seen something she shouldn't have.
Theo is awful to her suspects. She badgers and bullies and is generally hostile. Is it any wonder she was nearly killed? Perhaps the murderer was sleazy lawyer Joe Beaudry? I didn't think he seemed all that sleazy. He is slick and maybe unethical. Lyle Manship, a mafia type businessman/restauranteur is sleazy. He doesn't show any evidence he's with the mob but he does seem to be a ruthless businessman and shady too. A strong candidate for shady, sleazy murderer is Peaches Pafford, a restauranteur and Parker's rival. She's scary. I think she would take advantage of a man and marry him for his restaurant and then divorce him and claim the restaurant in the divorce proceedings. She has a predatory air about her and takes advantage of another character.
Another strong candidate is David Sedakis, the Neptune Aquarium Executive Director. He's a shady dealer for sure. He takes kickbacks or bribes and cuts corners, probably. He's only mildly concerned about someone dying in the aquarium before it is officially open. Buddy Krebs, a fisherman, rails against poaching and wants tougher regulations. He's prepared to be a one man crusader and enforce regulations himself. He seems friendly with the aquarium guy though. That seems... at odds with each other.
Other new characters include Majel Carter, director of Tuesday's Child. She seems nice but intense. She already has the wealthy museum goers donating and now she's up for this grant for her summer camp. I think she truly wants to help children and doesn't exactly see the reality in front of her that people have lives and jobs She expects Theo to drop everything and do this scavenger hunt and even stalks Theo at Aunt Libby's to ask for help.
I have the next one on my nightstand to be read this weekend and I'm going to try Indigo Tea Shop's tea slushie.
April 7, 2012
I love Laura Child's books! I discovered her with the Scrapbooking Mysteries and then delightfully discovered her other two series the Cackleberry Club Mysteries and the Tea Shop Mysteries. The Agony of the Leaves is the latest in the Tea Shop Mysteries. I love being transported to the magical world of Charleston in this series. Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, Detective Tidwell, Delaine and the rest of our favorites are back with the exception of Theodosia's old flame Parker Scully. Parker is found drowned in the new aquarium on opening night....thus the mystery begins.
This series is very educational for learning about the various types and blends of teas available worldwide. I have learned quite a bit about various blends of teas that I had never heard of before. These books also make you very hungry! Luckily the recipes are included at the end so that you can make them yourself. There are also tea tips and tea resources listed at the end of the book.
There is an adventure with some bees...bees have always terrified me! And I'll have to say that I did not even slightly suspect the murderer. Very clever! I really enjoyed the ending. I like that Ms. Childs' moves her characters along. They have broken relationships, new relationships, they make life changes like moving house.
Do you like cozy mysteries? Laura Childs is one of the best. If you haven't read any of her series yet, don't delay any more. I've read all of her books and I love each new adventure. Agony of the Leaves is a wonderful cozy mystery. Pick up a copy and enjoy with a cuppa! Looking forward to Postcards From The Dead, a new scrapbooking mystery, in October. There is a short preview of this new book included.
This series is very educational for learning about the various types and blends of teas available worldwide. I have learned quite a bit about various blends of teas that I had never heard of before. These books also make you very hungry! Luckily the recipes are included at the end so that you can make them yourself. There are also tea tips and tea resources listed at the end of the book.
There is an adventure with some bees...bees have always terrified me! And I'll have to say that I did not even slightly suspect the murderer. Very clever! I really enjoyed the ending. I like that Ms. Childs' moves her characters along. They have broken relationships, new relationships, they make life changes like moving house.
Do you like cozy mysteries? Laura Childs is one of the best. If you haven't read any of her series yet, don't delay any more. I've read all of her books and I love each new adventure. Agony of the Leaves is a wonderful cozy mystery. Pick up a copy and enjoy with a cuppa! Looking forward to Postcards From The Dead, a new scrapbooking mystery, in October. There is a short preview of this new book included.
March 17, 2012
Theodosia Browning and Drayton Conneley are enjoying catering at the new glorious Aquarium's Grand Opening in Charleston, South Carolina. Theo decides to take a break and just look at the large Ocean Wall tank, when to her shock, a man's body, entangled in a large net, falls into her gaze.
Theo is further shocked that the deceased is her former boyfriend, Parker Scully. Was it a dreadful accident, or even something more sinister?
Detective Tidwell, no stranger to the owner of The Indigo Tea shop and crimes she has solved, answers Theodosia's tormented call.
Amidst the glamor of the world of wealthy charity sponsors, the smells and flavors of fine teas and foods, we are treated to a marvelously crafted murder mystery, where the suspects are many. You will enjoy the surprise twists and glimpse into the future of the series as well.
I thoroughly loved this book as I always do. I will also try some of the delicious recipes and ideas found in the rear of the novel.
Theo is further shocked that the deceased is her former boyfriend, Parker Scully. Was it a dreadful accident, or even something more sinister?
Detective Tidwell, no stranger to the owner of The Indigo Tea shop and crimes she has solved, answers Theodosia's tormented call.
Amidst the glamor of the world of wealthy charity sponsors, the smells and flavors of fine teas and foods, we are treated to a marvelously crafted murder mystery, where the suspects are many. You will enjoy the surprise twists and glimpse into the future of the series as well.
I thoroughly loved this book as I always do. I will also try some of the delicious recipes and ideas found in the rear of the novel.
January 31, 2013
There seems to be a trend in long running cozies lately. Turn the likeable main character into a mean spirited, angry, self-centered person. Monica Ferris did it in the last 2 Betsy Devonshire mysteries (Betsy hates everyone, employees, customers etc).
Theodosia was like that in this book. Its all about me and you will do as I say. I am running around investigating (or the current word of the day "sleuthing") and you will do all the work at the shop, at the expo, at catering events etc. I will not really trust you to do it right, and question everything, but you will do it.
Authors please remember if you set a book in a shop, the owner must care about said shop and its success. Huge important expo for new business and Theo can't be bothered to work it more than a few hours. Lets someone not even involved in the tea shop man the booth.
Also we have seen Detective Tidwell stuff his face everyday in every book, how about something new.
Theodosia was like that in this book. Its all about me and you will do as I say. I am running around investigating (or the current word of the day "sleuthing") and you will do all the work at the shop, at the expo, at catering events etc. I will not really trust you to do it right, and question everything, but you will do it.
Authors please remember if you set a book in a shop, the owner must care about said shop and its success. Huge important expo for new business and Theo can't be bothered to work it more than a few hours. Lets someone not even involved in the tea shop man the booth.
Also we have seen Detective Tidwell stuff his face everyday in every book, how about something new.
March 22, 2020
4 stelle e mezza
È sempre un piacere leggere uno dei libri di questa serie perché amo quasi tutti i personaggi ricorrenti; l'unica che veramente non sopporto è Delaine, una egocentrica sempre sopra le righe.
Per quanto riguarda la storia di questo libro è ben congegnata e la soluzione finale del mistero è giunta come una vera sorpresa.
È sempre un piacere leggere uno dei libri di questa serie perché amo quasi tutti i personaggi ricorrenti; l'unica che veramente non sopporto è Delaine, una egocentrica sempre sopra le righe.
Per quanto riguarda la storia di questo libro è ben congegnata e la soluzione finale del mistero è giunta come una vera sorpresa.
April 22, 2017
Nice plot and characters, no offensive "stuff," well narrated but recipes are lost (one of the downfalls of not actually reading the book - unless you want to spend the day using FWD & REV). :) Recommended.
February 2, 2017
Fourteen pages in, and the overwrought melodrama has started.
01/31 page 15 4.0% What twaddle. Fully expect Theodosia to start artfully weeping to the dulcet strains of Evanescence.
01/31 page 100 31.0% Theodosia is inexplicably miffed that her ex left his considerable estate to his current girlfriend and accosts her at his funeral. Yes, that's certainly what a Southern lady does. What a classless harpy."02/01 page 100 31.0% "If I didn't know better, I'd say this was written by a twelve-year-old girl. Theodosia dunning people she deems suspects and issuing empty internal threats like, "...and if you're not, watch out!" Oooh. I tremble.
Why is Theodosia so proprietary about the property of a man she dropped like a hot rock to nail some art dealer? You dumped Parker. He's not yours, and his estate is none of your business, though I'll bet you inherit it by the end of this mess.
Oh, hey, I was wrong about that, but she does tamper with evidence by dumping money into a mail slot and falsely accuse someone of murder.
I'm determined to finish this series for the secondary characters, but it has deteriorated into a nonsensical morass of wish fulfillment.
01/31 page 15 4.0% What twaddle. Fully expect Theodosia to start artfully weeping to the dulcet strains of Evanescence.
01/31 page 100 31.0% Theodosia is inexplicably miffed that her ex left his considerable estate to his current girlfriend and accosts her at his funeral. Yes, that's certainly what a Southern lady does. What a classless harpy."02/01 page 100 31.0% "If I didn't know better, I'd say this was written by a twelve-year-old girl. Theodosia dunning people she deems suspects and issuing empty internal threats like, "...and if you're not, watch out!" Oooh. I tremble.
Why is Theodosia so proprietary about the property of a man she dropped like a hot rock to nail some art dealer? You dumped Parker. He's not yours, and his estate is none of your business, though I'll bet you inherit it by the end of this mess.
Oh, hey, I was wrong about that, but she does tamper with evidence by dumping money into a mail slot and falsely accuse someone of murder.
I'm determined to finish this series for the secondary characters, but it has deteriorated into a nonsensical morass of wish fulfillment.
September 4, 2017
.
This woman sleuth happens to own a tea shop. Who knew there were so many different types of tea and ways to serve them? Not me, this series has taught me something there.
Theo stays busy, busy, busy. But she always finds time to investigate the current murder. Each book delivers a cozy read for enjoyable entertainment. I liked this one. Although it was not exceptional, it was entertaining.
Each book is able to stand on its own and deliver an HEA, which is an important attribute in a series when I chose to read it.
This woman sleuth happens to own a tea shop. Who knew there were so many different types of tea and ways to serve them? Not me, this series has taught me something there.
Theo stays busy, busy, busy. But she always finds time to investigate the current murder. Each book delivers a cozy read for enjoyable entertainment. I liked this one. Although it was not exceptional, it was entertaining.
Each book is able to stand on its own and deliver an HEA, which is an important attribute in a series when I chose to read it.
March 9, 2017
I feel like maybe I missed the last one in this series (or it's just been so long that I forgot what was going on with Theo and her boyfriend). Anyway, the mystery was enjoyable but I kind of felt like the solution came out of left field with no real clues to point us to it. (April 2012)
Re-read for book club and even having read it before, the solution still came out of nowhere. But I love the characters: Theo, Drayton, and Holly and even Delaine. (March 2017)
Re-read for book club and even having read it before, the solution still came out of nowhere. But I love the characters: Theo, Drayton, and Holly and even Delaine. (March 2017)
June 11, 2012
#13 in the tea shop mystery series set in Charleston, SC with tea shop owner Theodosia Browning. As usual, Theo is involved in solving another murder and her efforts nearly get her killed. This time the victim is a close friend and former boyfriend, so this is personal for Theo.
This has been an enjoyable series to read with a lot of information regarding tea, a good cast of supporting character along with a little humor and good mystery.
This has been an enjoyable series to read with a lot of information regarding tea, a good cast of supporting character along with a little humor and good mystery.
September 4, 2015
This one is not my favorite. Theodosia's investigating is particularly inept and the *spoiler* entire and whole reason she finds herself in a pickle in the big climax is that she has a giant martyr complex and insists on doing extravagant and unnecessary favors for people. I still love the menus and Drayton & Haley but enouggghh with the descriptions of Detective Tidwell eating. We get it, he's fat. You don't need to tell us 70 times how much he wobbles when he walks.
November 7, 2021
I ended up reading this again because I ran out of books at my parents’ house. I didn’t remember the first part, but then it came back to me. I think I like these mainly for the Charleston setting and yummy sounding food. The main characters are pretty good too— though, of course, Theodosia borders on being TSTL sometimes.
Decent mystery, slightly sketchy motivation for the first murder.
Decent mystery, slightly sketchy motivation for the first murder.
July 30, 2018
Same ole same ole for these series. I think I just like thinking about all the food Haley makes.
Read
April 22, 2025...why in the hell did the killer out themselves? The cops and Theo both admit, aloud and unprompted, that they had NO idea this person was guilty, nor were they even on the radar. Hell, someone else was actually perfectly set up to take the fall!
So, clearly Theo didn't solve this one. The cops did solve another crime though, so they're one up on her.
Theo also loses all the points in creation and beyond for the one thing I did remember from reading this book before: Nancy Drew did have ~romance~ and his name, you uncultured swine, is Ned Nickerson. It is absolutely the name of a horse and I will accept no argument on this but he would've been her longtime boyfriend for most of the Nancy Drew books Theo would've been familiar with at the time this was written, because no one really remembers her college 90's series. (Obviously some of us do but I digress within a digression.) I just remember throwing the book down in disgust (onto something soft, fear not!) and hollering, "Hey, who was Nancy Drew's boyfriend?" and Mums hollering back the answer and also knowing exactly where I was in the book. :P
Also, AHA, I knew Drayton used to drive.
And I do not think the cops would be out here letting Theo drive the killer's car away from a crime scene. Just sayin'.
So, clearly Theo didn't solve this one. The cops did solve another crime though, so they're one up on her.
Theo also loses all the points in creation and beyond for the one thing I did remember from reading this book before: Nancy Drew did have ~romance~ and his name, you uncultured swine, is Ned Nickerson. It is absolutely the name of a horse and I will accept no argument on this but he would've been her longtime boyfriend for most of the Nancy Drew books Theo would've been familiar with at the time this was written, because no one really remembers her college 90's series. (Obviously some of us do but I digress within a digression.) I just remember throwing the book down in disgust (onto something soft, fear not!) and hollering, "Hey, who was Nancy Drew's boyfriend?" and Mums hollering back the answer and also knowing exactly where I was in the book. :P
Also, AHA, I knew Drayton used to drive.
And I do not think the cops would be out here letting Theo drive the killer's car away from a crime scene. Just sayin'.
April 22, 2025
This one was really good. I was sad about the victim and really didn’t see the culprit coming. I enjoyed all the regular characters and enjoyed reading about the various events that took place even though there was a lot of tea and seafood and I’m not a fan of either.
June 4, 2025
I didn’t know I cared that much about Parker until he was the victim in this book. It was a gruesome death too. Ooooof. Remind me not to reread this one. Too sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2020
Lovely read. Always enjoy about the menus they serve in the tea shop.
This makes me want to have a tea party. Lol
This makes me want to have a tea party. Lol
April 3, 2012
Previously posted at PaperbackDolls.com
I was first introduced to Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries when I was writing tea reviews for my college’s newspaper a few years ago. Stumbling upon this series by happenstance, I was a stranger to the world of cozy mysteries. But after reading Death by Darjeeling, the first novel in the series, I was hooked.
Over the past three years I have been following the lives of Theodosia Browning and her trusty sidekicks Drayton and Hayley. And who can forget Earl Grey, Theodosia’s trusty four-legged friend dubbed with a pedigree of “Dalabrador.”
I’ve enjoyed the mysteries and mayhem that this band of friends has endured over the years, felt the heartache of Theodosia’s break ups, and laughed at the wisecracks they’ve made throughout each novel. The world of the Indigo Tea Shop has become a haven of comfort and relaxation for me and many other readers who have become devoted to the series.
Agony of the Leaves, the thirteenth installment in the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs, finds the staff of the Indigo Tea Shop at the Neptune Aquarium in Charleston, where they’ve been hired to cater an opening-day fundraiser. As Theodosia takes in the sights of the beautiful fish and coral, she discovers a new addition to the tank, a dead body. To make matters worse, the deceased happens to be her most recent ex-boyfriend, Parker Scully.
Everyone at the aquarium is convinced that it was simply an accidental drowning, even Detective Tidwell, Theodosia’s ally from the police department, is convinced that Parker slipped and fell into the tank before becoming entangled in a net and drowning. However, Theodosia knows better. Someone wanted Parker out of the way, but who and why? It’s up to Theodosia and her friends to discover who is behind such a sinister murder and why on earth would anyone want to kill Parker.
As a fan of this series, I have never found a single installment that has disappointed me. Yes, some of the novels are better than others, but all deliver excitement and entertainment. Agony of the Leaves is a tad bit different from its predecessors. It is this reviewer’s humble opinion that Agony of the Leaves is by far the best novel in The Tea Shop Mysteries.
Throughout the previous novels Theodosia is faced with solving the murders of people she barely knew or people that were vaguely mentioned as side characters in preceding novels. But for the first time she is faced with the murder of someone she not only knows but someone she also once loved. This simple fact takes both Theodosia and the reader through one heck of an emotional roller-coaster.
The characters are endearing, the plot original, and the setting ideal. This book includes cameos from characters that readers have come to know and love throughout the series (such as Timothy Neville, Delaine Dish, Aunt Libby, Earl Grey, and Miss Dimple) and gives the reader an in-depth look into the world of Charleston, South Carolina.
Agony of the Leaves is an intriguing read that grabs the reader at the very beginning and holds on tightly until the very last page. This book has it all: excitement, sorrow, humor, romance, and of course mystery. This novel is near impossible to put down once you start reading it and takes the reader through an emotional rollercoaster vicariously through the eyes of Theodosia Browning. Once I finished this book I was ready to read the next in the series. Unfortunately, we readers will have to wait until March of 2013 for the next addition to this magnificent series.
I was first introduced to Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries when I was writing tea reviews for my college’s newspaper a few years ago. Stumbling upon this series by happenstance, I was a stranger to the world of cozy mysteries. But after reading Death by Darjeeling, the first novel in the series, I was hooked.
Over the past three years I have been following the lives of Theodosia Browning and her trusty sidekicks Drayton and Hayley. And who can forget Earl Grey, Theodosia’s trusty four-legged friend dubbed with a pedigree of “Dalabrador.”
I’ve enjoyed the mysteries and mayhem that this band of friends has endured over the years, felt the heartache of Theodosia’s break ups, and laughed at the wisecracks they’ve made throughout each novel. The world of the Indigo Tea Shop has become a haven of comfort and relaxation for me and many other readers who have become devoted to the series.
Agony of the Leaves, the thirteenth installment in the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs, finds the staff of the Indigo Tea Shop at the Neptune Aquarium in Charleston, where they’ve been hired to cater an opening-day fundraiser. As Theodosia takes in the sights of the beautiful fish and coral, she discovers a new addition to the tank, a dead body. To make matters worse, the deceased happens to be her most recent ex-boyfriend, Parker Scully.
Everyone at the aquarium is convinced that it was simply an accidental drowning, even Detective Tidwell, Theodosia’s ally from the police department, is convinced that Parker slipped and fell into the tank before becoming entangled in a net and drowning. However, Theodosia knows better. Someone wanted Parker out of the way, but who and why? It’s up to Theodosia and her friends to discover who is behind such a sinister murder and why on earth would anyone want to kill Parker.
As a fan of this series, I have never found a single installment that has disappointed me. Yes, some of the novels are better than others, but all deliver excitement and entertainment. Agony of the Leaves is a tad bit different from its predecessors. It is this reviewer’s humble opinion that Agony of the Leaves is by far the best novel in The Tea Shop Mysteries.
Throughout the previous novels Theodosia is faced with solving the murders of people she barely knew or people that were vaguely mentioned as side characters in preceding novels. But for the first time she is faced with the murder of someone she not only knows but someone she also once loved. This simple fact takes both Theodosia and the reader through one heck of an emotional roller-coaster.
The characters are endearing, the plot original, and the setting ideal. This book includes cameos from characters that readers have come to know and love throughout the series (such as Timothy Neville, Delaine Dish, Aunt Libby, Earl Grey, and Miss Dimple) and gives the reader an in-depth look into the world of Charleston, South Carolina.
Agony of the Leaves is an intriguing read that grabs the reader at the very beginning and holds on tightly until the very last page. This book has it all: excitement, sorrow, humor, romance, and of course mystery. This novel is near impossible to put down once you start reading it and takes the reader through an emotional rollercoaster vicariously through the eyes of Theodosia Browning. Once I finished this book I was ready to read the next in the series. Unfortunately, we readers will have to wait until March of 2013 for the next addition to this magnificent series.
March 2, 2012
With March comes the promise of a new book by an author that I have enjoyed following and reading long before I began blogging.
That promise becomes a reality next week when the latest installment in author Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery series, AGONY OF THE LEAVES, is released.
I had the pleasure of getting an early look at the book, the 13th installment in the series. The series just keeps getting better and better. All the wonderful and familiar characters I’ve come to love return, along with a number of new and intriguing ones.
The Indigo Tea Shop has been hired to cater tea, scones, and tea sandwiches for the opening-night private party of the Neptune Aquarium in Charleston, S.C. Tea shop owner Theodoisa Browning takes a few minutes away from the party to view the Ocean Wall exhibit.
What she never expected was to see a dead man in the tank entangled in a net. To make matters worse, the dead man is Theo’s former boyfriend, Parker Scully. Parker’s restaurant, Solstice, was also helping cater the affair.
At first the authorities believe Parker’s death is an accidental drowning. But Theo doesn’t think so, especially when she sees defensive-like wounds on his hands. Theo is determined to find Parker’s killer no matter what.
As Theo’s investigation gets underway, a number of Parker’s business associates begin to top the suspect list. When Theo learns Parker’s current girlfriend has inherited Solstice and then sold it within days, more names are added to her suspect list. The closer Theo gets to uncovering the killer, the more dangerous it gets for her and those around her.
Author Laura Childs once again takes readers back to beautiful and historical Charleston where she immerses them in the world of tea, scones, murder, mystery, and mayhem. The characters are charming and lovable. The story is fast-pace, action-filled with bits of humor in all the right places. While it’s a story of intrigue and murder, it also captures the loyalty of family and friends, the love of history, and the feeling of small town delight.
Readers don’t have to be tea drinkers to enjoy this cozy mystery. But there are nuggets of tea history and information woven throughout the story. In addition, the book includes numerous tea time tips and delicious recipes mentioned in the story such as Parmesan Crisps and Honeybee Scones. An added bonus is a sneak preview of Child’s next Scrapbooking Mystery, POSTCARDS FROM THE DEAD, slated for an October 2012 release.
AGONY OF THE LEAVES is a delightful and entertaining read to relax with. It will hold you spellbound from the first page to the last line. Childs keeps you on your toes with twists and turns, a host of plausible suspects, and a surprise at the end.
Author Laura Childs’ website is www.laurachilds.com
Agony Of The Leaves by Laura Childs, A Tea Shop Mystery, Berkley, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425245538, Hardcover, 320 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author and publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
That promise becomes a reality next week when the latest installment in author Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery series, AGONY OF THE LEAVES, is released.
I had the pleasure of getting an early look at the book, the 13th installment in the series. The series just keeps getting better and better. All the wonderful and familiar characters I’ve come to love return, along with a number of new and intriguing ones.
The Indigo Tea Shop has been hired to cater tea, scones, and tea sandwiches for the opening-night private party of the Neptune Aquarium in Charleston, S.C. Tea shop owner Theodoisa Browning takes a few minutes away from the party to view the Ocean Wall exhibit.
What she never expected was to see a dead man in the tank entangled in a net. To make matters worse, the dead man is Theo’s former boyfriend, Parker Scully. Parker’s restaurant, Solstice, was also helping cater the affair.
At first the authorities believe Parker’s death is an accidental drowning. But Theo doesn’t think so, especially when she sees defensive-like wounds on his hands. Theo is determined to find Parker’s killer no matter what.
As Theo’s investigation gets underway, a number of Parker’s business associates begin to top the suspect list. When Theo learns Parker’s current girlfriend has inherited Solstice and then sold it within days, more names are added to her suspect list. The closer Theo gets to uncovering the killer, the more dangerous it gets for her and those around her.
Author Laura Childs once again takes readers back to beautiful and historical Charleston where she immerses them in the world of tea, scones, murder, mystery, and mayhem. The characters are charming and lovable. The story is fast-pace, action-filled with bits of humor in all the right places. While it’s a story of intrigue and murder, it also captures the loyalty of family and friends, the love of history, and the feeling of small town delight.
Readers don’t have to be tea drinkers to enjoy this cozy mystery. But there are nuggets of tea history and information woven throughout the story. In addition, the book includes numerous tea time tips and delicious recipes mentioned in the story such as Parmesan Crisps and Honeybee Scones. An added bonus is a sneak preview of Child’s next Scrapbooking Mystery, POSTCARDS FROM THE DEAD, slated for an October 2012 release.
AGONY OF THE LEAVES is a delightful and entertaining read to relax with. It will hold you spellbound from the first page to the last line. Childs keeps you on your toes with twists and turns, a host of plausible suspects, and a surprise at the end.
Author Laura Childs’ website is www.laurachilds.com
Agony Of The Leaves by Laura Childs, A Tea Shop Mystery, Berkley, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425245538, Hardcover, 320 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author and publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
May 15, 2012
The latest book int he Indigo Tea Shop series is by far the best yet. Our favorite tea shop owner and amateur sleuth is embroiled in her most personal mystery yet. While catering the grand opening of the Neptune Aquarium, Theo witnesses the death of her ex-boyfriend, Parker Scully. At first, it seems that the death may be nothing more than an accident, but things simply don't add up for Theo. As evidence is gathered and details of Parker's death begin to unfold, it becomes evident that Parker's death was no accident but a brutal murder, a murder Theo herself witnessed. Theo, wrapped in guilt and grief takes on the responsibility for solving Parker's murder and finding justice for her friend and former boyfriend. A slew of possible suspects and a confusing web of business deals, missing files, and proposed partnerships make the task even more difficult. Still, Theo is bound and determined to bring Parker's killer to justice, but will she be able to do so before she or someone else she loves becomes the next victim?
In this newest book of the series, Ms. Child's has steeped her story and her characters in emotion. With this, the story is much more fulfilling and much less scattered than some of the previous books in the series. At times, the side plot of supporting sustainable seafood seems a bit preachy, but it helps to keep in mind that it is for a great cause that many do not think about enough. The only other criticism I have for this book is that there is almost no evidence presented against the actual killer until the very end of the book. I was still able to pinpoint the killer early on, but most will be left feeling as if they were blindsided by a killer that seems to have appeared from left field. I think this may partially be excused by the idea that Theodosia is so emotionally swept up in Parker's murder that she doesn't even see what is right in front of her, she doesn't see the forest for the trees so to speak. Despite this, I feel that this is still a very good work and the best in the series. Those who love the Indigo Tea Shop crew will definitely love this book.
In this newest book of the series, Ms. Child's has steeped her story and her characters in emotion. With this, the story is much more fulfilling and much less scattered than some of the previous books in the series. At times, the side plot of supporting sustainable seafood seems a bit preachy, but it helps to keep in mind that it is for a great cause that many do not think about enough. The only other criticism I have for this book is that there is almost no evidence presented against the actual killer until the very end of the book. I was still able to pinpoint the killer early on, but most will be left feeling as if they were blindsided by a killer that seems to have appeared from left field. I think this may partially be excused by the idea that Theodosia is so emotionally swept up in Parker's murder that she doesn't even see what is right in front of her, she doesn't see the forest for the trees so to speak. Despite this, I feel that this is still a very good work and the best in the series. Those who love the Indigo Tea Shop crew will definitely love this book.
September 3, 2016
I can just see Laura Childs doing the plan for this book. "OK, I think I'll have the murder take place at a society event. That'll be an elegant setting, and fun for the readers. I know - Theodosia can be catering! Even better, she will find the victim! Wow, my imagination is on fire today! Now, Haley can represent the thriving tea shop business in the down-turned economy. I think I'll have her doing full lunches and baking in the postage stamp-sized kitchen, then also catering daily and nightly events and an expo, all with zero assistance. For Theo's investigating, I want to get her driving long distances and going out to interview people. Oh, whoops, she's supposed to be running a small business. Um... Oh, the accountant and her brother can do it. Small business owners don't have to work much, do they? Nah."
She's also been having fun with Theo's character, making her a bit more fun, forward and assertive. By that I mean that Theo is being rude, demanding and just a bit more like Delaine. Why on earth are her detective skills held in such high regard by everyone when all she does is ruin people's evenings accusing and harassing them, set her personal police detective after people for no or little reason, and considering anyone she doesn't like a suspect? Note to future perpetrators: Theo doesn't have a clue. Don't try to run her off the road or lure her out to kill her. She has no idea it's you. Keep quiet and this one will go unsolved.
If Laura Childs could drag herself away from her elegant themed tea party a tad sooner next time she's writing a tea shop mystery, perhaps she could spend the extra time coming up with events that she hasn't used in most of the other books, and maybe make it that Theo works out who the murderer is.
She's also been having fun with Theo's character, making her a bit more fun, forward and assertive. By that I mean that Theo is being rude, demanding and just a bit more like Delaine. Why on earth are her detective skills held in such high regard by everyone when all she does is ruin people's evenings accusing and harassing them, set her personal police detective after people for no or little reason, and considering anyone she doesn't like a suspect? Note to future perpetrators: Theo doesn't have a clue. Don't try to run her off the road or lure her out to kill her. She has no idea it's you. Keep quiet and this one will go unsolved.
If Laura Childs could drag herself away from her elegant themed tea party a tad sooner next time she's writing a tea shop mystery, perhaps she could spend the extra time coming up with events that she hasn't used in most of the other books, and maybe make it that Theo works out who the murderer is.
July 23, 2015
Awful book with awful characters and even worse editing. I started finding Theodosia irritating a full ten books ago, but she’s gone past that into actively repellent. I’m also simply bored of watching almost all the female characters under the age of fifty be depicted as stupid, obnoxious, narcissistic, or excessively ruthless in service to an attempt to make Theodosia look wonderful by comparison. Delaine is supposed to be a successful business owner but here she gets to ask breathtakingly idiotic questions so Theo can internally roll her eyes, huff, and mentally make a disparaging remark. Parker’s new girlfriend is a complete dolt who cries a bunch so that we can all question why on earth Parker would’ve let so smart and cool-headed a woman as Theo go.
If you’ve read a couple of the other Tea Shop Mysteries, the culprit is fairly obvious within pages of their introduction. Certainly this has never been a series for anyone desiring a good mystery.
The only thing I can say positive is that the very last scene is excellent. Its frankly the best scene that Laura Childs has ever had for the series, and is good enough that I can’t help but feel it belongs in a much better book.
If you’ve read a couple of the other Tea Shop Mysteries, the culprit is fairly obvious within pages of their introduction. Certainly this has never been a series for anyone desiring a good mystery.
The only thing I can say positive is that the very last scene is excellent. Its frankly the best scene that Laura Childs has ever had for the series, and is good enough that I can’t help but feel it belongs in a much better book.
September 3, 2013
The agony of the leaves refers to the tea leaves twisting and such in hot water, releasing their flavor.
Theodosia undergoes a similar agony which she finds the body of an ex-boyfriend and still a dear friend. She sees wounds on his hands and arms that she believes are defensive, although Detective Tidwell is reluctant to take her seriously - until he gets the coroner's report. She has her usual run-ins with Tidwell as he insists she stay out of the case, but she keeps on, determined to uncover who killed her friend - and alienating several suspects along the way. Delaine Dish keeps bugging her about various fund-raising activities and Delaine has caught her next-door neighbor and is having trouble with his past and possible future girlfriends. Theo suggests that she might just have to marry him.
The ending was a bit of a surprise to me - didn't guess the killer until shortly before Theo realized who it was. Detective Tidwell turns out to have a surprisingly humorous sense of justice and fair play. He rather surprised me at the end. But it was a very pleasant surprise! Makes him a little more human.
These are such fun books.
Theodosia undergoes a similar agony which she finds the body of an ex-boyfriend and still a dear friend. She sees wounds on his hands and arms that she believes are defensive, although Detective Tidwell is reluctant to take her seriously - until he gets the coroner's report. She has her usual run-ins with Tidwell as he insists she stay out of the case, but she keeps on, determined to uncover who killed her friend - and alienating several suspects along the way. Delaine Dish keeps bugging her about various fund-raising activities and Delaine has caught her next-door neighbor and is having trouble with his past and possible future girlfriends. Theo suggests that she might just have to marry him.
The ending was a bit of a surprise to me - didn't guess the killer until shortly before Theo realized who it was. Detective Tidwell turns out to have a surprisingly humorous sense of justice and fair play. He rather surprised me at the end. But it was a very pleasant surprise! Makes him a little more human.
These are such fun books.
August 30, 2014
Barely two stars. The culprit came out of the blue, the story was filled with menus and parties that were the pretext for more tea and gastronomy info dump. This series suffers from the 'it's been running too long and the pool of murder victims and culprits becomes smaller with each installment" see The Cat who series for the worst example of this syndrome.
I think it's time that Haley, Drayton, Theodosia and the gang retire and live happily ever after. When you are down to killing the ex-boyfriend and that the killer is a rabbit out of a hat.
I still have one book in the series on my shelf. I'll read it because I'm a completist and can't help myself but that will be the end of the line for me.
I think it's time that Haley, Drayton, Theodosia and the gang retire and live happily ever after. When you are down to killing the ex-boyfriend and that the killer is a rabbit out of a hat.
I still have one book in the series on my shelf. I'll read it because I'm a completist and can't help myself but that will be the end of the line for me.
June 25, 2017
My friend gave me this book as a birthday gift since I was am an avid tea drinker. I love light and fluffy especially after a long day of heavy thinking. When I say "light and fluffy" I really mean it in a super great way!! Sometimes we need something that isn't so thought provoking. I hope Laura Childs has a great time writing this as much as I enjoyed reading this. However, I must note that one of the requirements for me to be a "good read" is that it needs to "clean". With that said, I found this book highly enjoyable. I thought it was fun that some of the items made in the story are listed at the back of the novel. Thanks, Laura Childs, for letting me relax after a long day and letting my brain unwind in the heart of lovely Charleston!
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