Cyanide and Sensibility

Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3

by Katie Oliver

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. 

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet , including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally. 

When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 12, 2023

About the author

Katie Oliver loves a cozy mystery... and Jane Austen novels. So she put the two together to create Professor Phaedra Brighton, an intelligent, outspoken Austen scholar who teaches nineteenth century literature at Somerset University, a small liberal arts college located in Laurel Springs, Virginia.

When Phaedra lands in the middle of a puzzling murder mystery, she enlists the help of the members of the Jane Austen Tea Society, her good friends Lucy Liang and Marisol Dubois.

Ms. Oliver resides in South Florida with her husband, her computer, and an ever-growing stack of cozy mysteries waiting to be read.

Please visit Katie’s website, www.katieoliver.com, or follow her on BookBub. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katie...

Reviews

[Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

3'5⭐ YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM 

Un tercer misterio dentro de esta serie cozy mystery la mar de entretenido. Además, me gusta ese punto en las series literarias en el que ya conoces bien no solo al detective de turno, si no también a los secundarios y, además de a los personajes, todos esos elementos que conforman la atmosfera de la historia ya te son familiares: el pueblecito pequeño de turno, los negocios y los personajes que los regentan... La autora presta mucha atención a todos esos pequeños detalles que van sumándose para crear ese ambiente acogedor y eso me encanta.

El misterio ha sido muy interesante, con muchos elementos que considerar, pese a que quizá la los hallazgos de información pertinente podrían estar distribuidos de forma más equitativa. No obstante, como siempre con esta autora, he disfrutado del misterio y la investigación, así como de las referencias a Jane Austen y sus obras (pero os recuerdo que no se trata de un retelling de ningún libro de Jane, solo están protagonizados por una profesora universitaria especializada en Jane Austen y gran fan suya).

Sí me gustaría añadir que, llegados al tercer libro, me gustaría que hubiese un poco más de comunicación entre Mark y Phaedra. Por fin tenemos algunos avances en su relación que realmente merezcan ese nombre, pero sigo teniendo la sensación de que el aspecto romántico podría estar mejor definido.

En principio, este es el final de la serie, porque no parece que Berkley vaya a seguir con ella, y menos ahora que parece que dejan de lado los mass market paperback. No obstante, he leído en la web de la autora que se plantea seguir autopublicando por su cuenta más libros dentro de esta serie. Si ese fuera el caso, yo sin duda estaré ahí para leerlos.

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a fictional small town in Virginia. The heroine is a quirky English professor at a small university who dresses in Jane Austen era garb while she teaches. When someone dies of poisoning at the grand opening of her sister’s French bakery, she is determined to help the police find the murderer. She needs to clear her sister so that the bakery can be a success. When additional attempts are made, the stakes continue to rise. The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. Highly recommend.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are Hannah’s Delicacies Truly to Die For?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Book Tour

TYPE OF NOVEL: Austen Inspired, Contemporary Cozy Mystery

SERIES: A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3 (Even though each mystery is stand alone, I would recommend reading the previous books in this series prior to this one to fully understand the character arcs and developments.)

THE PREMISE: Jane Austen scholar and literary professor Phaedra Brighton is no stranger to mysterious happenings in the cozy Virginia hamlet of Laurel Springs. Nor is she shy about interfering with murder investigations (she has helped both a friend and an aunt clear their names before). And when some is taken to the hospital for poisoning at the grand opening of her sister’s patisserie, Phaedra is ready and eager to insert herself into the investigations and find out who poisoned the cupcake…and who was it intended for?

WHAT I LOVED:

- Laurel Springs: A small mountain town in the Blue Ridge – my kind of place! With small-town vibes, mountains in the background, and a walkable downtown – this is just the type of locale I love to visit. I loved all the charming places mentioned – the bookstore – Poison Pen, the apothecary – Scents and Sensibility, the grand historic home – Delaford Winery. The atmosphere felt cozy and inviting – I definitely wouldn’t mind returning to Laurel Springs in the future. I also loved that the story was set during the Christmas season – perfect for this month!

- Tout de Sweet: I love that Phaedra’s sister is opening a patisserie – what a wonderful addition to a small-town to give it even more character and appeal. The delicacies Hannah prepares sound scrumptious! I appreciated seeing how Hannah dealt with a murder mystery happening just as she was opening her business. Her experiences added some more emotion and urgency to the story.

- Jane Austen Nods: I love that Phaedra is a devoted Jane Austen fan who dresses up in Regency garb to teach her Jane Austen course at the university. I also love her obsession with tea and that her cat is named Wickham! Giving this story’s title, I was trying to determine if it had parallels and echoes of Sense and Sensibility. But they were either few in number or so subtle I didn’t catch them. There are some characters maybe represented (you could say one is a Willoughby sort, Nan and Malcolm seem very Mrs. and Mr. Bennet) – and of course similar names used (Rachel Brandon – not a character match though!). Mark Selden is maybe supposed to be Phaedra’s Mr. Darcy. Although, Phaedra seems to have more in common with Elinor Dashwood than Elizabeth Bennet in my opinion.

- Lots of Suspects: Like Highbury or Stars Hollow, Laurel Springs has a lot of quirky townsfolk, dear friends, and even some exciting newcomers or famed celebrities. Even though it may feel like a large cast list, I love how it fleshed out the town and gave me a lot to wonder about as I tried to solve the mystery! A lot of these secondary characters were well-drawn and distinct.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

- The Relationships: In general, I didn’t feel a lot of connection between the characters. Some of their interactions felt a little stiff. Maybe it is because I haven’t read the previous books in this series? I especially felt this in the romantic relationships portrayed – they felt very adjunct. I get the sense that there is a multi-book relationship arc for Mark and Phaedra in progress – but their feelings for each other seemed hard to decipher and inconsistent. Their level of communication with each other for two people that are supposedly “seeing each other” felt very low.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

👩🏻‍🏫 Professor by day, sleuth by night – Phaedra Brighton is serious-minded, independent, and there is nothing she would not do for those who are really her friends.

🌲 Laurel Springs is an enchanting setting for a cozy mystery series, and I would happily visit it again.

🧁 A decadent croissant or cupcake would make an exceptional companion to your cup of tea as you enjoy this cozy town mystery!

Austenesque Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I were an Austen character,” Phaedra said the next morning as her mother steered yet another single man in her direction, “I’d be seriously vexed right now.”

Unfortunately, Phaedra has more vexing issues to deal with than her matchmaking mother, like who poisoned a guest at the opening of her sister’s new patisserie. And was the poisoned cupcake actually meant for her?

This cozy mystery was an absolute delight! I loved the modern-day setting with characters that are reminiscent of those in Sense and Sensibility, and the other nods to Jane Austen.

The mystery was clever and well crafted, and I was so pleased with myself when halfway through the story I figured out who the culprit was. As I got to the last chapters of the book, ready to pat myself on the back for my sharp detective skills, I realized that the author was definitely more clever than I am. I had pegged the wrong person entirely. I love a mystery when you really don’t know who the villain is until the very end. Well played, Ms. Oliver!

I really enjoyed the references to other mystery writers and their books, and the wonderful cast of characters and suspects. The food mentions were a fun part of the story and gave me some serious cravings.

This is the third book in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery Series, but the first one I’ve read. I enjoyed it so much that I will definitely be reading the two proceeding books. Even though it is the third book, it can be read as a standalone.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a lovely side of Jane Austen, I highly recommend this one!

I received a review copy from Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley as part of the Austenprose PR book tour in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the cozy, 4 stars for the mystery = 3.5 stars

Professor Phaedra Brighton is looking forward to Christmas break with nothing to do except read and perhaps go on a date with Shakespeare scholar Mark Selden. First, she has to survive the semester! Her sister Hannah is back in town and living with Phaedra as she prepares to open her own patisserie. Hannah's first catering gig is for celebrity lifestyle guru, Rachel Brandon. Rachel and Hannah have a disagreement about Hannah's cupcake decorations and Phaedra must smooth it over if her sister has any hope of business success. Hannah's opening is a huge success with the whole town coming out in support. There's only one dark chocolate cupcake left and Hannah saves it for her dad and Phaedra to share. Before they can eat it, the fire alarm goes off and everyone has to gather outside. When they return to the patisserie, Rachel's assistant, Anna Steele, grabs the Brightons' chocolate cupcake and tries to give it to Rachel. When Rachel declines, Anna starts to eat the cupcake herself and suddenly collapses! The EMTs arrive while Anna is still alive and one believes he detects the smell of almonds, meaning Anna has been poisoned! Unfortunately Anna doesn't survive and Hannah's patisserie is under suspicion. Even after the police allow her to reopen, no one wants to come. Phaedra won't let her sister give up and is determined to find the killer and clear Hannah's name. Meanwhile, a new art gallery has opened in town and the handsome owner has agreed to restore Mr. Brighton's family heirloom painting by his famous great-grandfather and Phaedra's T.A., Marisol, has her sights set on the gallery owner.

I thought I had this mystery all figured out pretty quickly. It seemed obvious to me from the clues. I thought another character held the clue to that one and there was a secondary mystery with someone up to shady business but not murder. I could not have been more wrong! There were twists in this story I didn't expect and halfway through I began to doubt my instinct. By two-thirds of the way through I couldn't put the book down and knew I was wrong.

I wasn't as enamored with the cozy details. This town has too many Austen allusions to be realistic. Rachel Brandon, owner of Delaford winery? When Phaedra and her book club are reading Sense & Sensibility? She doesn't even notice! I liked the descriptions of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the towns sound charming. Hannah's patisserie, if it's a true patisserie, shouldn't even be serving cupcakes. Cupcakes are not French pastry. Nothing out of the ordinary is mentioned so it's no wonder the bakery across the street is concerned. I'd rather have a French pastry than pay for something I can make myself at home but there's a place for both in the same neighborhood and if the baker isn't a murderer, I'd like to see how that plays out. The romance bothered me too. It goes from 1 to 8 in just this book!

Phaedra is not all that likable of a heroine. She's supposed to be a Jane Austen/Regency scholar but I think she just likes Jane's novels and doesn't know a thing about the Regency era. She certainly doesn't know the fashion. Women didn't wear silk gowns all the time, only wealthy women for special occasions like a ball. Regular women, like the Austen heroines, would wear simple cotton muslin gowns layered over a chemise, stays, petticoats and covered with a spencer jacket and/or a pelisse or redingote, possibly one trimmed in fur. Phaedra has no excuse to be shivering all the time. She sure teaches a ton of classes a day for a Jane Austen professor. Does she teach freshman comp or some basic English classes too or just specifics? I'm sure a professor is busy over winter break. She's also rather rude to Marisol. No, you can't ask the cops to do a background check on the man your friend is dating. Yeesh. Marisol is young, a little naïve but old enough to know what she wants in a relationship. Phaedra could take some advice from the younger woman. On the plus side, Phaedra is a loyal friend, devoted sister and daughter and has the best intentions. She's not a great sleuth but she means well.

I quite like Mark. He's sweet and his idea of dates are fun but maybe not what Phaedra had in mind. I think he's courting her because she wears Regency clothes so maybe she's an old-fashioned girl. However, he should make his intentions clear and ask her what she would like or better yet she can ask him to a nice dinner if that's what she wants. She's not bound to the rules of Elinor Dashwood's world. She should take the lead in this one. She should also not be upset if Mark has a fancy dinner with another woman and she hasn't made her intentions known. He's under no obligation to share with her but it is weird he hasn't shared his family details with her. His father is an old grump and way too tough on Mark. Shades of Mrs. Ferrars but again this is the 21st century and people have more options. Good for Mark doing his own thing and following his passion, unlike that weenie Edward.

Hannah is kind of a drama queen. I'm not overly fond of her. She's supposed to be Marianne to Phaedra's Elinor, I suppose. She's not that bad. Hannah has a good reason to worry and be depressed! It's not because her fiancé won't set a wedding date. I'm not sure he's the one she should be marrying. He doesn't seem that into commitment. Something about him seems off to me. Hannah takes after their mother. Nan Brighton is just awful. She's pushy and doesn't accept her daughter is capable of making her own choices. They have nothing in common. Malcolm is more appealing. Phaedra is more like her dad. They both love books, mysteries and are smart people. Malcolm's former life as a defense attorney may come back to haunt him though.Detective Morelli is fair. He trusts Phaedra and likes her a lot. She doesn't treat him with as much respect. She demands information and asks for help doing something that could cost him his job.

Rachel Brandon is a tough lady. She's kind of rude to her assistant at times and rude to Hannah about the cupcake decorations. That's something she should have stated up front- discuss flavors and decorations ahead of time if it's a custom order. If not, be grateful for what you get. She's nice enough to Phaedra when Phaedra comes nosing around though. I think the cupcake was meant for her though because she is awful to the men in her life. She's happy to have her husband tag along as a boy toy and be seen with him but he's more of an accessory, a handbag she takes out when she wants it and puts away when she doesn't. Rachel won't even consider divorce. It's bad for her image. Her first husband made her millions and gave her the name that made her famous. I get she doesn't want to change it professionally but that doesn't mean she can't be happily remarried. Did Rachel and her producer, Vanessa Cole, have a falling out? Vanessa seems like she disagrees with Rachel and they don't necessarily get along all the time. She even says she stays with Rachel for the money. Rachel made Anna jump to her tune and Anna obeyed. Anna ignored the fact that cupcake was on a table waiting for someone specific and just grabbed it, like she knew Rachel would be angry if Anna did NOT produce a dark chocolate cupcake. I'm wondering if Rachel rejected the cupcake because she's the one who poisoned it to murder Anna? Why though? Why not just fire her? Max Brandon, Rachel's financial advisor and former brother-in-law, could be a top candidate for murderer. She inherited the money he thought should come to him and she's using his family name to get rich and famous. That sounds like a strong motive to me.

Kate Brennan owns the neighborhood bakery across from Hannah's patisserie. She is not happy about Hannah's new business. It's taking customers away from her shop and she's worried about her future. Still, I get the impression she's naturally crusty and mean and doesn't like anyone. Her daughter is lovely. Rebecca and Biddy Bondurant are a pair of elderly sisters who own the apothecary shop, Scents and Sensibility. Biddy is sweet but kind of scatterbrained. She may have a touch of dementia. She seems like a nice lady but she sure can hold a grudge even for an imagined wrong. Rebecca takes care of her sister and the shop. She's not as friendly and open as her sister and tries to keep Biddy's past hidden. Could either or both of them poisoned the cupcake meant for Phaedra's dad? I hope not because I like Biddy and if she's a killer, it's because she has dementia or something. She needs her sister to take care of her so she doesn't end up in a nursing home.

If the cupcake was meant for Mark Brighton, then any number of people could be suspects! At the patisserie opening, Phaedra spied a man glaring at her dad.

Michael Farrar, the new art gallery owner, is a little too polished, slick and friendly for me. I don't trust a man in Italian loafers. I also think it's probably a conflict of interest to be an art restorer and a gallery owner. That could lead to issues about provenance and authenticity. One doesn't usually do both. Plus he sells contemporary art and not antique paintings that need restoring. Something is fishy about him for sure and it's obvious to me what it is. His assistant, Amelie, reportedly went home to Montana for the holidays but may have been spotted in town. What is she up to and does it have anything to do with the gallery? Did she lie to Michael, Marisol, both or did Michael lie to Marisol?

I enjoyed this mystery and would probably read another but it's not an A-list favorite series.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: Cyanide and Sensibility
SERIES: The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery
AUTHOR: Katie Oliver
PUB DATE: 12.12.2023 Now Available

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

THOUGHTS:

I may have broken my rule of never reading a series out of order but I am glad I did to be a part of this book tour, I was introduced to an amazing author Katie Oliver - and whose back list I am now devouring. I am a huge fan of Phaedra Brighton - she is witty, outspoken, and a professor of nineteenth century literature from Somerset University in Virginia.

I enjoyed this book! What’s not to love - there is a French bakery Tout de Sweet, a lovely cat, and lots of red herrings and suspects too. If you enjoy cozies and Jane Austen, this is a must read for you.

[gwendalyn _books_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyanide and Sensibility
by Katie Oliver

𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Katie Oliver
𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.
𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑: Berkley Prime Crime
𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: ⁣12.12.2023
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: Cozy Mystery

»༒»❀🎄❀«༒«

{𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒}

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY By Katie Oliver, the third installment in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

Lets return to the fictional Virginia cozy mountain town of Laurel Springs.
It’s December and the cold and snowy weather set the backdrop for another engaging mystery. We follow Phaedra Brighton a Jane Austen scholar and English Lit professor, who also a successful amateur sleuth in her own right. Phaedra sister Hannah, is having a grand opening for her pastry shop in Laura’s Springs, Tout de Sweet. Phaedra is doing everything she can to support her sisters new endeavor. When a shocking crime places the blame on Hannah, involving one of her decadent dark chocolate cupcakes. It’s up to Phaedra to clear her sisters good name and restore the small Virginia town’s faith in the newest patisserie shop.

Katie Oliver brings the small Blue Ridge town of Laurel Springs vividly alive with her charming characters and her splendid writing. Nuisances of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie sprinkled into to create a heart warming recipe for this perfect cozy mystery book. A budding romance that doesn’t overshadow the authentic storyline makes this book such a wonderful book to read.

Make sure to grab your coziest blanket and pour yourself a hot cuppa, and settle in to enjoy Cyanide and Sensibility.


While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business.

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is book 3 of A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series, and it's a sweet and cute cozy mystery. This is a stand alone mystery, so you don't need to have read the first 2 books to enjoy this one. I haven't read them, and I found enough backstory in the book to understand everyone's relationships and history.

Phaedra Brighton is a English Literature professor at a local university. She dresses in Jane Austen clothes to teach her classes and is well-known in the community. When someone is poisoned at the grand opening of her sister's French bakery, Phaedra jumps into action to help solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the local police. Was the person that died the intended target, or was it someone else? Additional attempts on other's lives quickly follows, and Phaedra's sleuthing goes into overdrive. Who does the poisoner want to kill, and why? Multiple twists quickly follow as the story unfolds, making the book a delightful read.

I really enjoyed this book. Phaedra is a smart, savvy and clever character that knows her own mind and isn't easily intimidated. Her co-workers, who make up the other two members of the Jane Austen Tea Society, are also smart and capable women that help Phaedra in her pursuit of the killer. Her matchmaking mother and her book-store owner father add warmth and levity to the story. I loved all the Austen references, which added a fun element to the book.

I was provided a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley, Austenprose PR and Berkley. All opinions are my own.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Katie Oliver has written a charming cozy mystery with a Jane Austen twist. In this story, this small town Virginia mystery kicks off in the first few chapters. It’s about two sisters, one who is a quirky and fun Austen loving Jane Austen fan and English professor, while the other is the owner of an up and coming new French bakery. This story is filled with delightful twists and turns that will keep readers curious and engaged, wondering what will happen next, throughout the entire story. An entertaining and enjoyable Austenesque inspired cozy mystery that readers will thoroughly enjoy!

Series: A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery
Genre: amateur sleuths, cozy mystery, Austenesque fiction
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: December 12, 2023
Number of pages: 316

Other books in the series:
1- Pride, Prejudice, and Peril
2- A Murderous Persuasion

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

English professor and Jane Austen fan Phaedra Brighton is involved in helping her sister Kate, when a woman is poisoned after sampling a cupcake at the grand opening of Kate's patisserie. The woman worked for magazine editor and influencer Rachel Brandon, and the bad publicity involving the seeming accident threatens Kate's fledgling business. Phaedra's growing romance with Shakespeare scholar Mark hits a detour when he returns to England for Christmas and seemingly ghosts her. Phaedra seems a little late to the party when it comes to identifying clues, but to me the real mystery is why she prefers Mark to the local detective Morelli, who obviously cares for her and who saves her life yet again in this book.

[K Whatsherface · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize this book took place over the Christmas season, ending after new years. The reason I didn't read it during December was because I was busy reading other books. Had I realized I probably would have fit it in. It came out the 12th. The other 2 Christmas books I read this month, I just didn't get my hands on them in time. I liked it as much as the othe other 2 books in the series. Good enough that I keep reading, but not an all-time favorite
Also calling it now. Next book in the series takes its title from northanger abbey.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick read to end 2024/start 2025. This book is similar to the first two of the series but set during Christmas. Cozy and don’t really have to pay attention whilst reading.

[Laura Hartness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries are perfect for cold winter days when the reader can curl up under a blanket to enjoy a bite-size story of intrigue with a dash of whimsy. Author Katie Oliver presents just this type of offering with her latest novel Cyanide and Sensibility. The third title in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series is a confection of Austenesque fun and romance, along with an entrée of crime.

As in the first two novels in the series, the story’s main character is Phaedra Brighton, a collegiate professor of English Literature. While instructing students is her vocation, she becomes embroiled in a deadly dilemma when a murder is committed during a family event. Not only does this crime threaten her sister��s newly-established business venture, but more importantly, lives are at stake. She takes it upon herself to investigate the matter, much to the consternation of the local police department. Along the way she navigates complex relationship issues, not only with her family members, but other loved ones in her life as well. Although Cyanide and Sensibility centers upon a murder, Oliver’s characters also contend with matters of the heart. The narrative is quite brisk, but much is covered in the succinct forty chapters.

Although not evident from the book’s cover art or general description, the story is firmly set during the month of December and the holiday season. While I would not characterize it as a “Christmas novel”, reading it during this time of year enhanced my enjoyment. That said, if you are discovering this title during another point on the calendar, don’t let this aspect deter you from reading. Cyanide and Sensibility is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be read at any time. The characters are likable and distinct in their personal traits. The romance is sweet and not tawdry. The crime plotline is twisty but also lighthearted. I was delighted that the murder weapon was none other than a chocolate cupcake. It was almost adorable, if one could look past its lethal effect.

Fans of Austenesque fiction will find much to enjoy, as there are several “winks” to Austen’s work. Many locations and characters are named after items from the mind of Austen. A particular favorite of mine was the cat named “Wickham”, especially as Oliver often chose to make the reader privy to the feline’s “thoughts”, which were highly amusing. A Willoughby-like character makes a big impact on the narrative, a building is named “Delaford”, and Phaedra often dresses in Regency attire, complete with reticule. However, if one is completely unfamiliar with the works of Jane Austen, Cyanide and Sensibility still remains accessible. At one interlude, members of the Tea Society even offer a thumbnail summary of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which could prove useful to the uninitiated.

This was my first exposure to the work of author Katie Oliver. I was simply delighted with Cyanide and Sensibility and took great pleasure in it. This cozy mystery is proof that a light, comforting read can also be written with excellence and care. Oliver is clearly well-read herself, as she offers many references to literature and shows an evident appreciation for the written word. The prose is engaging but professional. Her skill allows her to write in a compelling fashion without succumbing to crude material or overly violent scenes. Cyanide and Sensibility opens with a sweet, but deadly cupcake. It concludes in exciting fashion, and offers the reader an enjoyable tale which is perfect for not only the holiday season, but for any time of year. Katie Oliver’s work is a treat worth sampling and more.

[Megan Chasteen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of the series so far. The mystery is compelling and I love Phaedra's determination to find justice. While in the previous two mysteries Phaedra had a personal stake in solving the mysteries, in this one the crimes hit even closer to home and I think that made this a stronger story overall.

One of my favorite things about this series is that Phaedra is so completely herself, and has so much confidence in her intelligence and her abilities. In this book, we do see some insecurities surrounding a romantic partner (I'm trying to avoid spoilers!) and I think that gives her so much more depth. As for the romance...I have so many feelings! I feel like there are two men low-key vying for her heart and I'm definitely Team Morelli. Sorry not sorry.

If you love Jane Austen, cozy mysteries, and strong female sleuths, you will enjoy this series!

[Sarah Nealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 So far my favorite in the series! Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Jane Austen novel so that may explain why I loved this one. I think it's also the coziest one in the series, but it does take place in the winter so there are a lot of sitting by warm fire places and sipping hot chocolate scenes, which makes it extra cozy!☺️

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is your favorite type of cupcake? I love all types, but probably anything chocolate would be my favorite.

Phaedra Brighton is an English professor at a local college in Laurel Springs. She lives with her sister Hannah who is starting a new bakery in town. Everything seems to be going well at the grand opening of Tout de Sweet, until someone is poisoned by one of the dark chocolate cupcakes. Phaedra investigates to help save the reputation of Hannah’s bakery. Who was the actual target of the cupcake and why?

I greatly enjoyed this book. I loved Phaedra and all the other characters in this charming town. Sometimes cozy mysteries can be too slow and drag for me. This did not happen in Cyanide and Sensibility and the book kept me engaged throughout with its great writing, plot, and characters. I read it very quickly.

This is the third book in the “A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.” I have purchased the first two books on my kindle, but I have not read them yet. I read this as a standalone. I think I would have known the characters better if I had read the first two books, but it did not decrease my enjoyment of the novel. It works great as a standalone read.

How is this related to Jane Austen? Names of characters, places, and pets are from the works of Jane Austen. My favorite was Wickham the cat. Pheadra seemed to be an Elizabeth Bennet type character with Hannah as Jane. Otherwise, this was not a modern retelling of an Austen novel.
I enjoyed reading this in December as it is set during the Christmas season. I loved how the holiday was woven throughout the novel.

I did not guess the ending of this cozy mystery, which delighted me. It had a great climax and conclusion. I also enjoyed that the author referenced other mystery books and authors, and classic literature that I enjoyed. That was a great benefit of the main character being an English professor with parents who own a bookstore!

Overall, Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver is a delightful cozy mystery that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

Book Source: Review copy from Berkley and author Katie Oliver as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2023...

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book is SO GOOD! It is gripping, oh so cozy mysterious, full of love for literature, full of twists and turns, romantic, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Cyanide and Sensibility", I put on my sleuthing hat, and tried to solve the mysteries throughout right along with Phaedra!

This is the third book in Katie Oliver's "Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery", and oh my gosh this series is SO GOOD! I do think this novel could be read as as stand-alone, however, I feel that having read the previous books in the series helps to understand the characters' relationships to one another, and the development of many of those. However, with this said, the author does a great job of filling the reader in as well. Ms. Oliver's writing style is witty, clever, vivid, detailed, and unpredictable. I found myself flipping the pages chapter after chapter to see what was going to happen next, how the characters from previous books would continue to develop, and find out whodunit.

(Possible Spoilers!)
A woman is poisoned by cyanide that was sprinkled on a cupcake at the opening of Phaedra's sister, Hannah's patisserie. Soon, as the police begin to investigate, many questions come to the forefront. Wanting to help get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible, Phaedra begins to do some investigating of her own. Soon, more scary events begin to occur. Are the mysteries and events connected? Is it possible that Phaedra and someone she loves are the targets of everything going on? Who is responsible? Can they be stopped before someone else tragically dies? You will just have to read to find out.

Oh my goodness, this book truly kept me guessing, and at times, I was SHOCKED. Many moments had me on the edge of my seat, and many had me holding my breath hoping characters I truly care about would be okay.

Also, Wickham the cat is ADORABLE!

If you enjoy Cozy Mystery and / or anything related to Jane Austen, I HIGHLY recommend this book! I hope this series continues for a very long time!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Austenprose PR, and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC of this book, to author Katie Oliver and Austenprose PR for the finished copy of the book, and to Austenprose PR, Berkley Publishing Group, and Katie Oliver for having me on the book tour for this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Noemi Proietti · Rating 4 out of 5]

English Professor and Jane Austen scholar Phaedra Brighton is back to solve yet another murder, but this time it hits closer to home than ever before.

It’s almost Christmas time and, between giving lectures and grading essays, Professor Brighton is helping her sister Hannah prepare for the opening of her French bakery (or patisserie), Tout de Sweet. Everyone in the small Virginia town of Laurel Spring is attending, including the famous journalist Rachel Brandon and her entourage. However, things don’t go as planned. First, the fire alarm goes off, and then Rachel’s assistant is killed after eating one of Hannah’s delicious dark chocolate cupcakes. The cupcake was poisoned with cyanide, but was Rachel’s assistant the intended victim? With Hannah’s reputation and future on the line, Phaedra is determined to find out the truth.

Cyanide and Sensibility is yet another entertaining and intriguing novel in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series. Its unique protagonist, Phaedra Brighton, who dresses in Regency dresses during her classes, can quote all Jane Austen’s novels, and can “communicate” with her cat Wickham, involves herself, once again, in a murder investigation, despite the warnings of detective Morelli, and she’s helped by her loyal friends and members of the Jane Austen Tea Society whose book of the month is none other than Sense and Sensibility. And like the two sisters of Austen’s novel, Elinor and Marianne, Phaedra and Hannah are now living together while dealing with some romance trouble as Phaedra tries to figure out her relationship with Shakespeare Professor Mark Selden.

The mystery is gripping and full of twists, but also cozy. The story is very well-developed and I enjoyed that the chosen murder weapon is a chocolate cupcake. I loved the Christmas atmosphere, and while everyone is busy buying Christmas presents, Phaedra needs to figure out if one of them is the killer and, as more poisoned chocolate appears, the list of suspects just keeps growing.

Cyanide and Sensibility is a mix of fun, mystery, and romance. Fans of Jane Austen will love the many references not only to Sense and Sensibility, but her other novels as well, and the fans of mystery will love the suspense, the twists, and thanks to Phaedra’s family’s mystery bookshop, quite a few recommendations of crime novels. Engaging, witty, and immersive, Cyanide and Sensibility is another win and I am already looking forward to the next one!

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyanide and Sensibility
The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3
By Katie Oliver

It's the grand opening of Phaedra Brighton's sister's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet. Everything is going along perfectly until someone sets off the fire alarm. Some added excitement to be sure, but nothing too awful. At least, not until that poor girl took the smallest taste of one of Hannah's to-die-for dark chocolate cupcakes, and, well, to-die-for actually happened. This will be a most unforgettable grand opening and one that could dash all of Hannah's dreams when her patisserie is closed and marked as a crime scene.

Well, Phaedra isn't about to stay on the sidelines and do nothing. No, it is not to be borne! With the help of her close friends in the Jane Austen Tea Society, she's going to solve this case. Was Anna Steele the intended target, or
was it instead her boss Rachel Brandon? Or had someone close to Phaedra been the intended victim?

Cyanide and Sensibility is the third book in The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series, and the book can easily be read as a standalone title, if you haven't read the first two books. Phaedra is often referred to as Professor as that is what she is specifically a professor of English literature and a noted Jane Austen scholar, who often dressed the part to bring a special touch to her lectures. Phaedra has a talent for getting herself mixed up in murder mysteries and, as such, has to get involved in trying to solve the case herself. Not that local Detective Morelli appreciates her efforts. On the contrary, he discourages Phaedra's sleuthing endeavors.

This is an easy read with a contemporary setting. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or love anything that references Jan Austen, you'll want to make this your next read. And with the story taking place during the Christmas season, it will be perfect to read now. The story is engaging, and the characters are personable (my personal favorite is Detective Morelli). I would recommend this title without reservation.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Lisette Brodey · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and most importantly: I LOVED this book, the third in Katie Oliver’s Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series. Being a huge fan of the first two books, I couldn’t wait to read the third. It exceeded my expectations, which is tough to do.

In this book, Phaedra Brighton, a Jane Austen scholar and English professor, is delighted when her younger sister returns home to open up a patisserie (Tout de Sweet) — adding a French bakery to the town of Laurel Springs. I won’t belabor the plot, only to say that it gets going quickly when a local celebrity’s assistant takes a bite from a poisonous cupcake and is rushed to the hospital, leaving no one the wiser as to who the intended victim is. And Phaedra, as she always does, refuses to leave this crime alone, especially as her sister’s reputation and new shop are both in jeopardy.

Why did I love this book? So many reasons. It grabbed my attention immediately and was intriguing until the very end. Katie Oliver does a superb job of offering her readers a plethora of suspects and possibilities. The story was so brilliantly and beautifully crafted—with subplots that enhanced every page. Every dubious character has reason to be under scrutiny, but why? The motive is as elusive as the culprit. And the love stories woven through this book, they’re just the icing on … well, maybe not a cupcake … but some kind of cake. You decide.

I highly recommend this book. I read it in two sittings. It’s a great story to lose yourself in and just get away from it all. Terrific series!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyanide and Sensibility is a fairly standard cozy mystery story but with an Austen-ish twist. Our main character/amateur sleuth is an English professor who prefers to dress in the time period of her focus (the Regency, of course) and has created a JA-focused book group with her friends, the Jane Austen Tea Society. There are various other JA-themed elements throughout (pets with names from the books, shop names that are similar to titles) and in this one at least, a character is described as being a possible "Wickham."

This is the third in the series but worked just fine as a standalone--though there are a lot of characters to keep track of; those who are already familiar with the series might not have as many instances of wait...who is that again? (Thank goodness for the ability to search for character names in digital copies, amirite? ;) )

Overall this was a cute story with a villain who seemed a bit obvious several chapters before the reveal (at least to this reader) at the same time they were a bit all over the place with their murder attempts. (Did we ever find out where the car cupcake came from?) The flow of the story wasn't the smoothest--there were some jumps in time that seemed a little odd--and the bits we were...hearing the cat's thoughts? Reading what Phaedra imagined her cat was saying with his mind? were kind of out there. If you like cozy mysteries and are at all a fan of Jane Austen, though, you should definitely give this series a try.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Kye Campbell-fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the weakest of the three books I have read so far in the series. The plot ended up being better than it started out, but it felt more cliche to me than the other two did and less original. Also, some parts of the plot don't quite hang together and the timeline is completely wonky: Mark is "going to the UK for "3 weeks" (the entire break), but then comes back after a week and a half. Students are goofing off because midterms are over - I've never heard of a college that had Christmas break shortly after midterms rather than at the end of a semester?? Lucy has to meet her mother at dim sum "on Sunday," but somehow two or three Sundays go by and Lucy is still debating going? It just doesn't really make sense as a timeline.

The mystery was well-constructed in terms of subtle clues and misdirection, but some red herrings are never explained, which I find annoying. Also, the non-murder parts of the book weren't great. The drama with Mark in this one felt more forced than in the previous two books. There wasn't much to go on and "insecure for no discernible reason" is one of my least favorite plot trends. It just felt contrived to create drama where none existed and didn't add anything to the plot. Hannah is having a meltdown over her bakery being closed for a few days, but most small businesses don't turn a profit for the first year - as scary as having your business fail is, her panic isn't really justified and just comes off weirdly.

[Courtney | Bookish Beach Babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you have a sweet tooth, you may wanna have something yummy to eat close by! all the talk of dark chocolate cupcakes, croissants, and other baked goods had me wanting to run out to the nearest bakery! this third installment in the jane austen tea society mystery series was a delightful treat and didn’t disappoint. i love katie oliver’s ability to lead the reader in one direction only to take the story another way you don’t see coming at all. i never could have predicted the complicated relationship revealed at the end of this mystery. it was so clever!!

i enjoyed diving deeper into phaedra’s relationships with lucy and marisol. oh and poor hannah, trying to get her patisserie up and running and then someone being murdered at the grand opening!! it really was the perfect set up. i loved hannah in book two so i’m glad we got to know her even more in this story. it’s also clear which direction phaedra is going in the way of romance. i enjoyed learning more about this man’s background and that a lot of misconceptions were cleared up! swoony kisses were the icing on the cake!! i highly recommend this cozy mystery with a ton of sweet treats, austen literary references galore, and a heart pounding ending that keeps you guessing!!

romance: kisses

thank you to berkley, the author and austenprose for the gifted copy. my thoughts are my own.

[Brittany | alltoowellreadbrittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book! I was very excited to dive into another iteration of this mystery series.

Cyanide and Sensibility is definitely a cozy mystery (as are the other books in the series), and I like these characters a lot. They're funny and quirky, and they inspire all the warm fuzzies about my favorite Austen-esque characters. I love that you can feel the inspiration in the characters, yet each character really stands on his (or her) own in this series as well. I particularly like the main character, Phaedra. I think she's understated and at times, undersold, in this series because she has some spunk and some backbone that doesn't always translate to the page well!

While I liked the characters, the story itself in this one just fell a little flat for me. The mystery was just meh for me, and I wasn't blown away by the ending, either. I would still love to read more from this series; this particular installment just wasn't my favorite. Good, not great, and kept me entertained (albeit barely) while I read!

Star Rating: 3⭐️

[Ashley Dang · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Professor Phaedra visits's her sister's new bakery she does not expect to be finding herself on a new case, one that has her sister as the main suspect of a poisoning! Phaedra Brighton is off to visit her sister Hannah's grand opening of her bakery. The grand opening would include local celebrity Rachel Brandon yet when one of Hannah's famous cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, its up to Phaedra to help clear her sister's name and save her reputation before her budding business is ruined. Phaedra is on the case as well as dealing with her blooming relationship with fellow professor Mark. This was a cozy mystery with a touch of Jane Austen and a bit of modern day fun. This was an overall cute cozy mystery and you can read these as a standalone but they're more fun when you read it as a series. Overall, it was a pleasant time and a cute read.

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Emily Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun mystery and it really kept me guessing, Those are the best kind, right? Many suspects, dead ends, misdirection, it's all there in this cozy Mystery.

Katie Oliver really has something here with her heroine, Jane Austen professor, Phaedra Brighton. She and her friends make up the Jane Austen Tea Society and you couldn't ask for a more interesting trio of ladies.

The characters are great, the mystery is full, and quite honestly, it doesn't get too dark. It stays true to the cozy mystery piece.

Phaedra's life is just as interesting as the mystery. Can you figure it out before she does?

I jumped right into this story and it was a page turner that I really couldn't put down. It kept me guessing and I like to think I can usually figure things out. It may have been who I suspected but the why, that was something else entirely.

You would not be remiss in picking this up, for all fans of Jane Austen and Cozy Mysteries.

I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really about a 3.5. It was a definite improvement over the previous book; the first relationship misunderstanding based on lack of communication didn't happen until over a hundred pages into the book. Interesting plot; I did figure some things out pretty quickly once a key piece of evidence was mentioned but it was all managed fairly well. I like that Phae isn't always wearing Austen garb in this one too. One oddity for me: a second romance seemed to be coming to the fore just as the first seemingly settled. Of course in most Austen there are several courtships and beaus in the offing but the timing of this one was a bit different.

A strong entry in the series; the Austen focus seems to have changed a bit from the first one which used Austen names for characters and mirrored some of the relationships to this one, in which one book's domestic situations were discussed. (No prizes for guessing which one!) Enjoyed it.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyanide and Sensibility (A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery) By Katie Oliver

Hannah opens her patisserie, Tout de Sweet, Phaedra is happy for her sister. Then a cupcake from her shop is eaten and someone ends up dead. Phaedra is on the case determined to clear her sister and find the killer.

Katie Oliver knows how to pull you in to another world as if (you) are part of the story. With likable characters, engaging dialog, many suspects and secrets. Family, friends, sweets and murder, the perfect mix for a fantastic who-done-it.

I highly recommend Cyanide and Sensibility to all.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that makes me sigh and add a series to the list of the cozy mysteries I read.
I thoroughly enjoyed Phaedra, her family and friends. Quirky, well rounded and likeable.
I would like to take a tea with Phaedra and talk about Regency era. I'm not a Janite but love Austen enough to visit feel excited in Bath and moved by her grave.
The mystery is solid, there's plenty of suspects and surprises.
I like how Phaedra investigates and she's never reckless.
Also like the romance part.
I'm going to buy the rest of the series because I want to spend time with this characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Bookish Bear (Stephanie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 is my favorite so far. I like the main character, Phaedra, but in the first two books she did get annoying at times. Not in book 3. I like the relationship with her family. I definitely want more of the family in future books. Phaedra, Hannah, Nan, and Malcolm all live interesting lives. Mark, Phaedra boyfriend-ish colleague, isn't in this book much. But I think its suppose to be like that? So a story can develop? As in, what is this mystery named Mark Selden. With less of Mark in this book, I thought Detective Morelli was going to start winning Phaedra interest. Maybe he already has. I see a love triangle in the future.

Please let this series continue! I need book 4+!