What do you think?
Rate this book
Tea & Sympathy Mysteries #7
Storm in a Teacup
Meet Lilly Tweed. Former Agony Aunt. Purveyor of Fine Teas. Accidental Sleuth.
Catering their first joint event, a sixteenth birthday party at the local rowing club, Lilly and Abigail let their creative juices flow, determined to make it the talk of the town.
But the celebration soon becomes notorious for all the wrong reasons when a lifeless body is washed up on the shore of the lake.
Shock waves go through the crowd, for not only was the victim a prominent member of the club, but a former Olympic swimming champion.
As a crucial witness, Detective Phillips asks Lilly to help and introduces her to the dark underbelly of Plumpton Mallet. One she had no idea existed.
But as the investigation picks up speed, they both realise there’s another life in danger and it becomes a race against time to stop a second death.
Storm in a Teacup is the seventh book in the exciting Tea & Sympathy series. If you like twists and turns, red herrings galore and big crimes in small British towns, then you’ll love J. New’s latest series. Full of lively personalities, intelligent characters and excellent tea!
Buy Tea & Sympathy today and see if you can work out whodunit!
Perfect for fans of Steve Higgs, Verity Bright and Krista Davis.
Catering their first joint event, a sixteenth birthday party at the local rowing club, Lilly and Abigail let their creative juices flow, determined to make it the talk of the town.
But the celebration soon becomes notorious for all the wrong reasons when a lifeless body is washed up on the shore of the lake.
Shock waves go through the crowd, for not only was the victim a prominent member of the club, but a former Olympic swimming champion.
As a crucial witness, Detective Phillips asks Lilly to help and introduces her to the dark underbelly of Plumpton Mallet. One she had no idea existed.
But as the investigation picks up speed, they both realise there’s another life in danger and it becomes a race against time to stop a second death.
Storm in a Teacup is the seventh book in the exciting Tea & Sympathy series. If you like twists and turns, red herrings galore and big crimes in small British towns, then you’ll love J. New’s latest series. Full of lively personalities, intelligent characters and excellent tea!
Buy Tea & Sympathy today and see if you can work out whodunit!
Perfect for fans of Steve Higgs, Verity Bright and Krista Davis.
- GenresCozy Mystery
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
About the author
J. New
52 books220 followersClaim your FREE book at www.jnewwrites.com
WRITER OF BRITISH MYSTERIES. Historical, contemporary, paranormal, cozy, humorous. Featuring memorable protagonists, their unusual side-kicks and an eclectic ensemble of supporting cast members. They usually include spirits (all varieties) a little bit of magic, a spot of romance and copious amounts of tea. At regular intervals they involve steam trains and sometimes bicycles.
SERIES:
THE YELLOW COTTAGE VINTAGE MYSTERIES, traditional English whodunits with a twist, set in the 1930s. Known for their clever humor as well as the interesting slant on the traditional murder mystery.
THE TEA & SYMPATHY series featuring Lilly Tweed, former newspaper Agony Aunt, now purveyor of fine teas at The Tea Emporium in the small English market town of Plumpton Mallet. Along with a regular cast of characters, including Earl Grey the shop cat.
THE FINCH & FISCHER series featuring mobile librarian Penny Finch and her rescue dog Fischer. Follow them as they dig up clues and sniff out red herrings in the six quintessential English villages and hamlets that make up Hampsworthy Downs.
Jacquie was born in West Yorkshire, England. She studied art and design and after qualifying began work as an interior designer, moving onto fine art restoration and animal portraiture before deciding to pursue her lifelong ambition to write.
WRITER OF BRITISH MYSTERIES. Historical, contemporary, paranormal, cozy, humorous. Featuring memorable protagonists, their unusual side-kicks and an eclectic ensemble of supporting cast members. They usually include spirits (all varieties) a little bit of magic, a spot of romance and copious amounts of tea. At regular intervals they involve steam trains and sometimes bicycles.
SERIES:
THE YELLOW COTTAGE VINTAGE MYSTERIES, traditional English whodunits with a twist, set in the 1930s. Known for their clever humor as well as the interesting slant on the traditional murder mystery.
THE TEA & SYMPATHY series featuring Lilly Tweed, former newspaper Agony Aunt, now purveyor of fine teas at The Tea Emporium in the small English market town of Plumpton Mallet. Along with a regular cast of characters, including Earl Grey the shop cat.
THE FINCH & FISCHER series featuring mobile librarian Penny Finch and her rescue dog Fischer. Follow them as they dig up clues and sniff out red herrings in the six quintessential English villages and hamlets that make up Hampsworthy Downs.
Jacquie was born in West Yorkshire, England. She studied art and design and after qualifying began work as an interior designer, moving onto fine art restoration and animal portraiture before deciding to pursue her lifelong ambition to write.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 5, 2022
This is the 2nd book I have read in the Tea & Sympathy Mystery series. I absolutely adore Lilly Tweed the owner of Lilly’s Tea Emporium and co-owner of The Agony Aunt’s Cafe with her friend Abigail. When Lilly and Abigail cater a 16th birthday party they never expect one of the attendee’s to be found dead. It is quite a good, fast paced whodunnit with lots of suspects. I look forward to reading more books in this fun series.
May 24, 2022
True to form, I chose this ARC from the list not realizing that its number 7 in the Tea and Sympathy series. Even though I do this a lot, I still really enjoyed this story, and I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in the series as well as any other ones written.
Lilly Tweed runs a quaint tea shop in Plumpton Mallet. Her friend Abigail runs a little diner, and together they are contracted to cater an event for a 16th birthday at the local rowing club. Things are going fairly well with only one hiccup when suddenly, Lilly hears a commotion. The body of a local, very wealthy man and the father of the birthday boy has washed upon shore. Was his death an accident or was something more nefarious at play?
I thought this was a really great story. I like the characters and the setting descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them. If you love cozy mysteries, then this is the book for you. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Lilly Tweed runs a quaint tea shop in Plumpton Mallet. Her friend Abigail runs a little diner, and together they are contracted to cater an event for a 16th birthday at the local rowing club. Things are going fairly well with only one hiccup when suddenly, Lilly hears a commotion. The body of a local, very wealthy man and the father of the birthday boy has washed upon shore. Was his death an accident or was something more nefarious at play?
I thought this was a really great story. I like the characters and the setting descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them. If you love cozy mysteries, then this is the book for you. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
Such a wonderful mystery series, full of all the little details which delight and entertain!
In this seventh book of such a fabulous series, Lilly and her partner Abigail are tackling their first joint event together – a sixteenth birthday party at the local rowing club. Determined to show what they can achieve, they have created a menu to delight both young and old but, just as they are beginning to celebrate their success, a body is washed up on the shore of the lake. As if that wasn’t enough to shock the many attendees, the deceased was not only a member of the rowing club but a former Olympic swimmer. Not exactly a person expected to drown! It doesn’t take long for Lilly to be, once again, involved in trying to find out what’s going on but things are going to get worse first . . .
It is no secret that I love a lighter mystery; after reading gritty thrillers, there is something about settling back and enjoying a cosy setting, a cast of well-drawn characters, a theme to follow – in this case all the wonderful blends of teas and their properties – and, of course, a enigma to solve! I have adored this series from the very beginning and am always intrigued by all the information given on different teas. I feel as if I have got to know everyone quite well by now and enjoy finding out all about their personal lives, intertwined with the latest drama. Having loved the author’s previous series, The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, I find these novels quite different but just as enthralling. I live in hope that this series will go on and on as I look forward to each one so very much – I’ve always had a fondness for a female amateur sleuth and this author pays attention to all the little details! Easily worth all five glowing stars and my recommendation.
In this seventh book of such a fabulous series, Lilly and her partner Abigail are tackling their first joint event together – a sixteenth birthday party at the local rowing club. Determined to show what they can achieve, they have created a menu to delight both young and old but, just as they are beginning to celebrate their success, a body is washed up on the shore of the lake. As if that wasn’t enough to shock the many attendees, the deceased was not only a member of the rowing club but a former Olympic swimmer. Not exactly a person expected to drown! It doesn’t take long for Lilly to be, once again, involved in trying to find out what’s going on but things are going to get worse first . . .
It is no secret that I love a lighter mystery; after reading gritty thrillers, there is something about settling back and enjoying a cosy setting, a cast of well-drawn characters, a theme to follow – in this case all the wonderful blends of teas and their properties – and, of course, a enigma to solve! I have adored this series from the very beginning and am always intrigued by all the information given on different teas. I feel as if I have got to know everyone quite well by now and enjoy finding out all about their personal lives, intertwined with the latest drama. Having loved the author’s previous series, The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, I find these novels quite different but just as enthralling. I live in hope that this series will go on and on as I look forward to each one so very much – I’ve always had a fondness for a female amateur sleuth and this author pays attention to all the little details! Easily worth all five glowing stars and my recommendation.
July 16, 2023
Another great read in the Tea and Sympathy series. I love the characters of Plumpton Mallet and reading about their adventures.
June 2, 2022
Storm in a Teacup continues J. New's Tea & Sympathy Mysteries as Lilly Tweed and her business partner Abigail Douglas are preparing to cater a teenager's birthday party at the local rowing club. During the party, the father of the birthday boy is found facedown in the water and, despite the best efforts of his older son, is pronounced dead. When the police arrive, it becomes apparent that the death was no accident and as a result, Lilly is once again pulled into an investigation.
Within this book, the author has done an excellent job of character development while weaving a fascinating plot that explores several highly relevant social issues as well as creating an enjoyable and entertaining read. Some of the social issues addressed within these pages are blended families, peer and parental pressure to excel at all cost, preconceived notions of inequality between males and females to participate in sport, using performance enhancing drugs and stimulants to improve physical condition and therefore athletic performances, jealousy and even greed. This is all addressed while still providing a significant number of suspects who all had their own reasons for inflicting pain on the victim. With the variety of issues, plot twists and motives, I found the final reveal to be a little anticlimactic and disappointing but not really a surprise due to revelations early on in the story.
I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens and the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Within this book, the author has done an excellent job of character development while weaving a fascinating plot that explores several highly relevant social issues as well as creating an enjoyable and entertaining read. Some of the social issues addressed within these pages are blended families, peer and parental pressure to excel at all cost, preconceived notions of inequality between males and females to participate in sport, using performance enhancing drugs and stimulants to improve physical condition and therefore athletic performances, jealousy and even greed. This is all addressed while still providing a significant number of suspects who all had their own reasons for inflicting pain on the victim. With the variety of issues, plot twists and motives, I found the final reveal to be a little anticlimactic and disappointing but not really a surprise due to revelations early on in the story.
I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens and the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 1, 2022
In J. New's book, a man dies mysteriously at a birthday party and the reader is taken on the journey to find out who or what killed him.
The setting of the novel is charming and the reader does feel sympathy for the victim's family members and the secrets that are revealed about the relationships along the way. The author manages to weave the secrets into the story quite successfully although the willingness to divulge sensitive information to the tea lady, Lilly was a little hard to believe for a first time reader of a novel from this series.
There were several details about tea that were interesting, but they didn't always seem to match with the serious situation that characters were facing.
This is cozy mystery that requires some suspension of disbelief, but the reader will be satisfied with the ending. It may even make the reader want to read more from the series.
The setting of the novel is charming and the reader does feel sympathy for the victim's family members and the secrets that are revealed about the relationships along the way. The author manages to weave the secrets into the story quite successfully although the willingness to divulge sensitive information to the tea lady, Lilly was a little hard to believe for a first time reader of a novel from this series.
There were several details about tea that were interesting, but they didn't always seem to match with the serious situation that characters were facing.
This is cozy mystery that requires some suspension of disbelief, but the reader will be satisfied with the ending. It may even make the reader want to read more from the series.
September 9, 2022
Another delightful instalment in Lily Tweed's escapades. I've now read several of the books in this series, and with #7, "Storm in a Teacup", she continues to delight us.
As usual, where you find Lily, you soon find drama, and sure enough Lily and her now business partner (and once formidable adversary) Abigail are embroiled in events that quickly develop as they are hired to cater for a 16th birthday party at the local rowing club. It is rather delightful how the local constabulary has come to accept it as natural that Lily becomes involved in the village's dramas, and in solving crimes before the police do.
Definitely a lovely book if you're looking for a fast paced light read which keeps you engrossed right to the last page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As usual, where you find Lily, you soon find drama, and sure enough Lily and her now business partner (and once formidable adversary) Abigail are embroiled in events that quickly develop as they are hired to cater for a 16th birthday party at the local rowing club. It is rather delightful how the local constabulary has come to accept it as natural that Lily becomes involved in the village's dramas, and in solving crimes before the police do.
Definitely a lovely book if you're looking for a fast paced light read which keeps you engrossed right to the last page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2022
Storm in a Teacup is the seventh book in the Tea & Sympathy series. It is the second book that I've read in this series. It can easily be read as a stand-alone.
The writing is wonderful and the main character, Lilly, is very likeable. She is a middle-age woman who people seek out for her wisdom. She doesn’t lecture people, but helps and encourages them. Especially the younger people she comes in contact with in this book.
I enjoyed the story and mystery – there were several suspects. The writing style of the author is beautiful and the characters seem very real. Even the characters who may only appear in this one book, it feels like you really get to know them in such a short time. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is wonderful and the main character, Lilly, is very likeable. She is a middle-age woman who people seek out for her wisdom. She doesn’t lecture people, but helps and encourages them. Especially the younger people she comes in contact with in this book.
I enjoyed the story and mystery – there were several suspects. The writing style of the author is beautiful and the characters seem very real. Even the characters who may only appear in this one book, it feels like you really get to know them in such a short time. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2022
I received an Advanced Reader copy from Book Sirens. This is book 7 in a series. However, it can be read as a stand alone. A few characters were mentioned and I wasn’t sure of their relationship to Lilly. Perhaps this was evident in one of the previous books. I found the premise of a tea party for a 16 year old athletic boy a bit of a stretch. Other than that, the town and Rowing club sound ideal. Family relationships and teen friendships are tested. A murder is committed during the party. Lilly is able to become a key person in solving the crime. The ending wrapped up quickly and almost too nicely. But then, that is what makes a cozy mystery! It was a fun book to escape into and I will most likely read more of the Tea and Sympathy series.
May 23, 2022
I read the prequel to this series and liked it so much, I asked to be on the review team! Although, this is the 7th book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone, as I did. Lilly Tweed owns a tea shop in the small English village of Plumpton Mallet, ans co-owns the Aunt Agony Cafe with her friend, Abigail. They are catering their first event, a party for a 26-year-old at the rowing club, where the teen rows on a competitive team. There is an incident at the end of the party which starts an investigation with a ton of twists and turns! It’s exciting to the very end! I received a free copy of this book from the author and BookSirens book write this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2022
Fun, easy, quick clean read. Great for a day at the beach or anywhere when you have a break! It's fast paced and keeps your interest. Characters are colorful and likeable. A real old fashioned 'who dunnit'. I had no idea this was part of a series and read with independently without any problems. I will be checking out the other books though because it was a nice day of escape into a book . Read the jacket cover for details of the book.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and Books Sirens for the opportunity.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and Books Sirens for the opportunity.
May 6, 2022
Storm in a Teacup is Book 7 in A Tea and Sympathy Mystery by J New. I love the character of Lilly Tweed. She and Abigail are catering a 16th birthday for Peter. Everything is going great until Edgar is pulled from the lake. J New writes fantastic cozy mysteries with wonderful characters and an interesting mystery. Clues were given as I guessed who the murder was. I hope that Lilly and her friends are making an appearance in book 8, I hope we get another cozy. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 1, 2022
Lily and Abigail own a quaint tea shop and operate a diner featuring their teas. They catered, their first big job, for a local gentleman and his wife's birthday party for their son at the rowing area near the dock. The husband is found floating in the water and everyone is shocked. Lily helps the local detective and they figure out that someone else is close to losing their life and rush to save them while playing it cool to catch the killer. Excellent storyline with lots of suspense and mystery.
Received an early copy for an honest and voluntary review.
Received an early copy for an honest and voluntary review.
June 7, 2022
This book was entertaining with a 16-year-old birthday party at a rowing club. Characters were over the top, the upper crust tea-toting individuals along with Lilly, Abigail, Stacey, & Bonnie (police detective) as supporting cast. The suspense is tangible. And the author also took time to address social issues. I definitively recommend this book.
I was provided this book as an advanced reader copy and provide my review with no bias.
I was provided this book as an advanced reader copy and provide my review with no bias.
August 30, 2022
This is one of the best cozies I've read in awhile I loved it!!! Lilly and Abigail were such fun main characters and the writing was so good I felt like i was right there in the book with them helping them solve the murder!!!! I throughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more from this author and in this series!!!!
Much thanks to Booksirens, the publisher and the author for selecting me to read and review this arc for free ….all thoughts and opinions are my own
Much thanks to Booksirens, the publisher and the author for selecting me to read and review this arc for free ….all thoughts and opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2022
I loved this book! Such a wonderful British whodunit! so much detail and complex and interesting characters! Lots of twists and turns make this a real page turner. Murder and mayhem, I was kept guessing to the very end! I look forward to reading more from this author! A must read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 31, 2022
Wonderful book
Ms. New has written a sensitive and thought provocative story. When a murder occurs at a young man's 16th birthday, Lilly is drawn into a world of competitive rowing, could that be the motive for the murder. Ms. New's characters are really believable and well written and her story line is current and topical. Very enjoyable book.
Ms. New has written a sensitive and thought provocative story. When a murder occurs at a young man's 16th birthday, Lilly is drawn into a world of competitive rowing, could that be the motive for the murder. Ms. New's characters are really believable and well written and her story line is current and topical. Very enjoyable book.
May 28, 2022
The book was an easy read with predictable characters. It was drawn out at times. In fact, 1/3 of the book was read before the murder took place. Nevertheless, there were parts that I found enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
June 5, 2022
A wonderful British whodunit.
Although this is the 7th book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.
A ton of twists and turns. It kept guessing to the very end.
I received an Advanced Reader copy from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Although this is the 7th book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.
A ton of twists and turns. It kept guessing to the very end.
I received an Advanced Reader copy from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2022
Excellent
Another great story from the pen of J New. When a body is found floating in the lake during a birthday party almost everyone thinks it's a terrible accident. However it's not long before Lily realises it was anything but and is soon on the hunt for a murderer.
Another great story from the pen of J New. When a body is found floating in the lake during a birthday party almost everyone thinks it's a terrible accident. However it's not long before Lily realises it was anything but and is soon on the hunt for a murderer.
February 8, 2023
meh
I have been reading this series. The plots are ok, the characters are ok, but the grammar, including sentence structure and word choice, is awful. Words are missing, the subject/verb doesn’t always match, and the author consistently misuses I/me in sentences.
I have been reading this series. The plots are ok, the characters are ok, but the grammar, including sentence structure and word choice, is awful. Words are missing, the subject/verb doesn’t always match, and the author consistently misuses I/me in sentences.
June 2, 2022
Great cozy
Most Enjoyable! Storm in a Teacup is an entertaining mystery, and well written. A page turning mystery. This series is best enjoyed by starting with book one.
Most Enjoyable! Storm in a Teacup is an entertaining mystery, and well written. A page turning mystery. This series is best enjoyed by starting with book one.
June 13, 2022
I have now read all the books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them all. The characters are portrayed so well and set in a lovely English village which is centered around a cozy tea shop.
August 14, 2022
If you very a good mystery
I really like this series .I like the characters and learning all about tea.I wish the tea shop was real because I'd like to go there .
I really like this series .I like the characters and learning all about tea.I wish the tea shop was real because I'd like to go there .
February 21, 2023
great book, looking forward to the next...
August 18, 2023
I have read this book and I Absolutely enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me.
June 1, 2022
This is the 7th in the Tea and Sympathy mystery series which I read immediately following #6 (the first one I read by this author). Now that I know more about the characters I enjoyed this one much more than the last. Lilly Tweed and Archie Brown clearly are now a team in life and in solving cases. Lilly's good friend Bonnie is the police chief so more than tolerates Lilly's deductive skills. This book featured a dysfunctional family, including drug addiction, a mean stepmother, misogyny, and half brothers who are closer than one would expect given how they've been raised. I didn't guess how Lilly solved the case until the denouement even though there were clues along the way. I enjoyed this mystery and would be happy to read more in this series.
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Review Copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Review Copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily
December 29, 2022
As always another wonderful enjoyable cosy mystery, murder.
A great storyline and strong characters, with a nice twisty plot.
A lovely book to curl up and read.
This is my honest unbiased review my thanks to Book Siren for the copy.
A great storyline and strong characters, with a nice twisty plot.
A lovely book to curl up and read.
This is my honest unbiased review my thanks to Book Siren for the copy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews