What do you think?
Rate this book
Tea Shop Mystery #15
Steeped in Evil
Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning heads to a winery where she is about to learn the true meaning of terroir…
Steeped in Evil
Theodosia has never considered herself a wine connoisseur—tea has always been…well, her cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to pass up an invitation to a fancy wine-tasting party at the upscale Knighthall Winery, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, a sweet evening takes on a bitter aftertaste when a dead body is discovered in one of the wine barrels. The son of proprietor Jordan Knight has been murdered.
Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Knight turns to Theo for help. She’s heard through the grapevine that there are both family and business problems at Knighthall. They say in vino veritas , but everyone at the winery seems to be lying through their teeth. Sorting through the guest list as well as family and staff, Theo has her pick of suspects. It may look like the killer has her over a barrel, but cracking tough cases is vintage Theodosia Browning.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
Steeped in Evil
Theodosia has never considered herself a wine connoisseur—tea has always been…well, her cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to pass up an invitation to a fancy wine-tasting party at the upscale Knighthall Winery, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, a sweet evening takes on a bitter aftertaste when a dead body is discovered in one of the wine barrels. The son of proprietor Jordan Knight has been murdered.
Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Knight turns to Theo for help. She’s heard through the grapevine that there are both family and business problems at Knighthall. They say in vino veritas , but everyone at the winery seems to be lying through their teeth. Sorting through the guest list as well as family and staff, Theo has her pick of suspects. It may look like the killer has her over a barrel, but cracking tough cases is vintage Theodosia Browning.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
318 people are currently reading
1614 people want to read
About the author
Laura Childs
94 books2,258 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
March 17, 2014
Another good installment in this cozy series. Now if there could just be an Indigo Tea Shop where I live!
July 18, 2017
After fifteen entries, I've grown accustomed to implausible plots, countless blind alleys that lead nowhere, endless pages devoted to decor or Theodosia's wardrobe, and ludicrous denouements with absolutely no basis in reality, but the final pages of Evil are in a class by themselves when it comes to sheer, undiluted dumbassery committed to paper.
Let me see if I have this right: Theodosia, after two hundred and sixty pages of getting absolutely nowhere in her "investigation", magically intuits that Andrew Tucker is in cahoots with Pandora White and Mr. Tanaka in a nefarious wine counterfeiting scheme. In order to test her hypothesis, she steals the suspected wine from the auction table and strongarms Timothy Neville into tasting it for her. Bear in mind that said wine currently has a bid of eight hundred dollars, and if she is wrong, the bottle cannot be returned to the table for bid resumption because it's been opened. Therefore, if her hunch is wrong, she will have cost the Art Society at least eight hundred dollars and made Timothy Neville, her supposed friend, look like a boob incapable of running high-society charity events. But who cares? Theodosia just knows she's right, because it's not like she's ever been wrong before.
After browbeating Timothy Neville into confirming the suspicions she pulled out of her ass(an ass which is no doubt toned and shapely), Theodosia and her boyfriend, Max, take off in hot pursuit, but because no one can even hold their own with Theodosia, let alone outshine her, Max is soon shown to be a wheezing, out-of-shape windbag, leaving Theodosia to take down the fleeing suspect with her heretofore-undiscovered Olympic-level running and hurdling skills. In high heels and an evening gown. Childs tries feebly to prop this up with some huggermugger and handwaving about Theo's runs with Earl Grey preparing her for this moment, but get real. Those were sedate jogs at best, not endurance runs in the Kalahari.
Even if one were credulous enough to swallow that load of codswallop, you would have to drop trou and profane your suspension of disbelief to believe that not only can Theodosia sprint for five blocks in heels, but that she could leap onto the back of a careening food truck in them and maintain her balance as it yawed all over the street and sideswiped every obstacle in its path. You would further have to believe that after all this, she had the stamina to wrestle her way into the food truck, and that Tucker wouldn't be able to hear her rummaging in the cabinets for a cast-iron skillet with which to brain him.
But hey, presto, that's what happens. And guess what? The food truck owner doesn't sue her for obliterating his livelihood, nor does the city of Charleston bill her for the historic lamppost she destroyed instead of hitting the brakes. No injuries from being in a collision, and best of all, Sheriff Anson lets her drink the evidence in his counterfeiting case. Whee!
And while Delaine Dish is annoying at times, must she always be so unlucky in love? Childs seems to delight in breaking her heart and humiliating her. If you don't like the character anymore, then you could always have her move away, never again to torment your precious, flawless Theodosia with her overtures of friendship.
Reading these isn't so much a leisure activity as a war of attrition. I started this series, and by God, I will finish it.
Let me see if I have this right: Theodosia, after two hundred and sixty pages of getting absolutely nowhere in her "investigation", magically intuits that Andrew Tucker is in cahoots with Pandora White and Mr. Tanaka in a nefarious wine counterfeiting scheme. In order to test her hypothesis, she steals the suspected wine from the auction table and strongarms Timothy Neville into tasting it for her. Bear in mind that said wine currently has a bid of eight hundred dollars, and if she is wrong, the bottle cannot be returned to the table for bid resumption because it's been opened. Therefore, if her hunch is wrong, she will have cost the Art Society at least eight hundred dollars and made Timothy Neville, her supposed friend, look like a boob incapable of running high-society charity events. But who cares? Theodosia just knows she's right, because it's not like she's ever been wrong before.
After browbeating Timothy Neville into confirming the suspicions she pulled out of her ass(an ass which is no doubt toned and shapely), Theodosia and her boyfriend, Max, take off in hot pursuit, but because no one can even hold their own with Theodosia, let alone outshine her, Max is soon shown to be a wheezing, out-of-shape windbag, leaving Theodosia to take down the fleeing suspect with her heretofore-undiscovered Olympic-level running and hurdling skills. In high heels and an evening gown. Childs tries feebly to prop this up with some huggermugger and handwaving about Theo's runs with Earl Grey preparing her for this moment, but get real. Those were sedate jogs at best, not endurance runs in the Kalahari.
Even if one were credulous enough to swallow that load of codswallop, you would have to drop trou and profane your suspension of disbelief to believe that not only can Theodosia sprint for five blocks in heels, but that she could leap onto the back of a careening food truck in them and maintain her balance as it yawed all over the street and sideswiped every obstacle in its path. You would further have to believe that after all this, she had the stamina to wrestle her way into the food truck, and that Tucker wouldn't be able to hear her rummaging in the cabinets for a cast-iron skillet with which to brain him.
But hey, presto, that's what happens. And guess what? The food truck owner doesn't sue her for obliterating his livelihood, nor does the city of Charleston bill her for the historic lamppost she destroyed instead of hitting the brakes. No injuries from being in a collision, and best of all, Sheriff Anson lets her drink the evidence in his counterfeiting case. Whee!
And while Delaine Dish is annoying at times, must she always be so unlucky in love? Childs seems to delight in breaking her heart and humiliating her. If you don't like the character anymore, then you could always have her move away, never again to torment your precious, flawless Theodosia with her overtures of friendship.
Reading these isn't so much a leisure activity as a war of attrition. I started this series, and by God, I will finish it.
April 23, 2018
This was an odd book for me, and I”m not sure why. I don’t know if it was Theodosia and her crew, or if it was my mood while reading it. But Theo and Drayton came across to me in this one as pretentious and imperious narcissists who seem to think everyone should just bow to their whims. Theo twice goes into an eating establishment and demands to see one of the servers right before meal service. Really? Doesn’t she also run an establishment? What the heck? And Drayton spends the whole book telling anyone who will listen that Theo is investigating the murder. It’s a miracle they don’t get killed immediately. Apparently, as a tea shoppe owner and unlicensed PI, Theo is the best crime-fighter in Charleston and the actual law enforcement officers are all buffoons. Then the ending was such a bizarre twist that I was left shaking my head. I’m going to go back and see if the beginning of this series sets better with me, because if the later books are along this vein…. I’m done.
July 29, 2015
Never a good series, this has definitely taken a turn for the worse. This book seemed to consist solely of scenes of Theo harassing people and then acting like the wounded party despite frequently being dead wrong. At one point, Theo walks into an unlocked house to snoop, then is a self-important jerk to the occupant when she's discovered trespassing and said occupant is understandably displeased. Theo also seems to think that its unreasonable that a person would be irritated that someone keeps showing up to bother their worker during work hours, and that its offensive to be offended when baselessly accused of murder.
Childs's nasty habit of making all other named female characters either hapless dishrags or crazy jerks in an effort to make Theo look lovely continues apace. Instead of the intended affect, though, it just serves to make Theo look worse - she passes so many nasty judgments on others and is so horrid to other people that I can only conclude that it is Theo who is the real rotter on the scene.
Childs's nasty habit of making all other named female characters either hapless dishrags or crazy jerks in an effort to make Theo look lovely continues apace. Instead of the intended affect, though, it just serves to make Theo look worse - she passes so many nasty judgments on others and is so horrid to other people that I can only conclude that it is Theo who is the real rotter on the scene.
June 23, 2014
I think the "heroine" in this latest of the series really regressed into immaturity. Seemed quite different. Disappointing.
January 21, 2021
4 stelle e mezza
Altra piacevole lettura, ma perché alla fine il colpevole è quasi sempre coinvolto in qualche modo con l'amica un po' sopra le righe della protagonista? E un'altra cosa: in questa serie la protagonista è già al terzo compagno, ma quest'ultimo non mi piace un granché, spero quasi che lo molli per qualcun altro....
Altra piacevole lettura, ma perché alla fine il colpevole è quasi sempre coinvolto in qualche modo con l'amica un po' sopra le righe della protagonista? E un'altra cosa: in questa serie la protagonista è già al terzo compagno, ma quest'ultimo non mi piace un granché, spero quasi che lo molli per qualcun altro....
September 5, 2014
Theodosia Browning is back in the fifteenth installment of this series. The perfect Theodosia Browning with the perfect wardrobe, the perfect body, the perfect charm, the perfect talent, the perfect work ethic, the perfect friends who happen to be the perfect employees, a perfect chef, and a perfect tea expert who is also the perfect dresser. Theodosia lives in the perfect cottage with the perfect dog and runs a perfect tea shop which serves the perfect menu, has the perfect decor, and sells the perfect line of bath products which Theodosia herself has created. Everything is perfect, well, except for the body that spills out of a barrel of wine during a wine tasting at a local vineyard, a wine tasting which Theordosia happens to be attending. Of course, Theo is brought in to look into the murder by the vineyards's owner and her friend, Drayton. After all, she is the perfect investigator. Theo will indeed catch the killer even if she has to chase the killer down through the streets of Charleston, which is absolutely no problem for her as she is the perfect runner, Olympic level even. It's all just perfect.
Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect book. As a long time reader who loved the series when it began, I have become more and more disenchanted with each recent installment. The lead characters have devolved into one-dimensional narcissists. They have basically no flaws, and they know it. The language they use often comes off as too old-fashioned for their ages. Other times it comes off as childish and immature. It's as if they vacillate between the ages of seven and seventy. The plot line is at many times non-existent as it is either bogged down in reinforcing the perfection of the characters or in overly detailed descriptions of the mundanities of life, Charleston, and the Indigo Tea Shop. I used to love the bits that would occur in the tea shop and the description of it all, but, seriously, do we need three separate conversations concerning a single china pattern, especially when it's not the only china pattern which will be discussed? The plot becomes so chopped that the arc can't help but fall flat. Also, many of the scenes, including the final chase and the last debriefing with the sheriff are so ridiculous that one could laugh, if they were in the least bit funny that is. What law enforcement officer would sit back and watch the amateur investigators drink the evidence, especially after they destroyed one of the few other major pieces of evidence already? On top of it all, I have to say that I'm surprised that the perfect Theodosia was unable to identify the killer sooner, especially given she's perfect and the killer's identity was so incredibly obvious from the outset. Perhaps, Theo isn't so perfect after all. Perhaps, she could use knocked back a few pegs and put back into the realm of the slightly real fictional character. Perhaps, that would bring back the charm that was found early in this series but has been lost. Perhaps, the author could stop with the over indulgence in her characters and over-the-top descriptions. Perhaps, the flow of the story, of the mystery could actually be restore. Perhaps, this series could be saved. I hope that's true, but given the last couple of installments, I won't hold my breath.
Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect book. As a long time reader who loved the series when it began, I have become more and more disenchanted with each recent installment. The lead characters have devolved into one-dimensional narcissists. They have basically no flaws, and they know it. The language they use often comes off as too old-fashioned for their ages. Other times it comes off as childish and immature. It's as if they vacillate between the ages of seven and seventy. The plot line is at many times non-existent as it is either bogged down in reinforcing the perfection of the characters or in overly detailed descriptions of the mundanities of life, Charleston, and the Indigo Tea Shop. I used to love the bits that would occur in the tea shop and the description of it all, but, seriously, do we need three separate conversations concerning a single china pattern, especially when it's not the only china pattern which will be discussed? The plot becomes so chopped that the arc can't help but fall flat. Also, many of the scenes, including the final chase and the last debriefing with the sheriff are so ridiculous that one could laugh, if they were in the least bit funny that is. What law enforcement officer would sit back and watch the amateur investigators drink the evidence, especially after they destroyed one of the few other major pieces of evidence already? On top of it all, I have to say that I'm surprised that the perfect Theodosia was unable to identify the killer sooner, especially given she's perfect and the killer's identity was so incredibly obvious from the outset. Perhaps, Theo isn't so perfect after all. Perhaps, she could use knocked back a few pegs and put back into the realm of the slightly real fictional character. Perhaps, that would bring back the charm that was found early in this series but has been lost. Perhaps, the author could stop with the over indulgence in her characters and over-the-top descriptions. Perhaps, the flow of the story, of the mystery could actually be restore. Perhaps, this series could be saved. I hope that's true, but given the last couple of installments, I won't hold my breath.
February 22, 2016
The Tea Shop Mysteries follow Theodesia Browning, the young and beautiful owner of a tea shop in Charleston who seems to have a knack for stumbling on dead bodies and getting embroiled in solving the mysteries of their deaths. She is aided by the stodgy and proper Drayton (her tea master), the young and quirky Haley (her chef/baker), while running up against the gruff Detective Tidwell.
In Steeped in Evil, Theodesia leaves behind her normal beverage to attend a wine-tasting at the Knighthall Winery, but the party quickly comes to an end when a dead body is found in a wine barrel. The dead body belongs to the son of the vineyard’s owner, Jordan Knight. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Jordan turns to Theodesia for her help. With everyone lying, someone has to be hiding something, and Theodesia will inevitably solve the puzzle!
The setting is beautifully described, as is the food prepared each day for the tea shop, and both make me want to head to Charleston simply for tea. I want to put on a fancy dress and a big hat, wander through the quaint shops in Charleston, and have some afternoon tea.
See more at www.watchingthewords.com
In Steeped in Evil, Theodesia leaves behind her normal beverage to attend a wine-tasting at the Knighthall Winery, but the party quickly comes to an end when a dead body is found in a wine barrel. The dead body belongs to the son of the vineyard’s owner, Jordan Knight. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Jordan turns to Theodesia for her help. With everyone lying, someone has to be hiding something, and Theodesia will inevitably solve the puzzle!
The setting is beautifully described, as is the food prepared each day for the tea shop, and both make me want to head to Charleston simply for tea. I want to put on a fancy dress and a big hat, wander through the quaint shops in Charleston, and have some afternoon tea.
See more at www.watchingthewords.com
August 19, 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. This one did not really appeal to me as much as the others, for reasons I'm unable to pinpoint at this time.
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. This one did not really appeal to me as much as the others, for reasons I'm unable to pinpoint at this time.
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 19, 2014
Author Laura Childs continues her long running Tea Shop Mystery series, with her latest book Steeped in Evil. This book shifts it's focus from the tea shop theme to include a mystery involving wine. Readers who love the Charleston, South Carolina setting will once again find new things to love about this amazing city. Childs has a way of incorporating different outside aspects into her mysteries that broaden the appeal of her writing. The Downtown Abbey tea party is a great example of that. Readers who are also fans of the show will love the nod to one of their favorites.
What I liked:
This series is my favorite as far as cozies go and Laura Childs in my opinion just keeps getting better. When you find a combination of themes and characters that work, why change it? This is a great long lived series that keeps uncovering new and interesting things about not only the characters but about the setting, the kinds of murders that can and do occur and everything else involved in making this series great. This author knows what readers want to read and she keeps delivering book after book.
In this book, the focus shifts a little bit from tea to wine. Tea is still a big part of the story, but readers get a lot of interesting information about wine as well. Myself, I never know what wine should go with what main dish and always feel like I'm pairing the wrong things together, so I enjoyed this tutorial into wine making and thought it was an interesting addition to this series. It also made for a great theme. A wine related murder just has an edge to it. I thought Childs approached this mystery well and pulled readers in quickly with the variation on her normal theme.
Charleston is still a big part of this series the setting always takes on a life of it's own. This is a remarkable city that is steeped not only in evil for this series, but in history and romanticism. I think Childs always brings out interesting facts about the history and culture of the city that might remain hidden to most readers. I love the fact that Charleston is such a huge part of what makes this series so impressive.
I have to mention the Downton Tea party that Theo and the gang host. What a great idea. The popularity of that show is phenomenal and Childs really uses it to market her own work. I think it was a great idea and now I want to have a Downton Tea of my own. I always love all of the tea related facts and things that go on in this series, but this was really a highlight.
The mystery itself was engaging and full of surprises. The winery owners son ends up floating face first in a wine barrel and it's up to Theodosia to figure out who wanted him dead. Theo always brings something interesting to each investigation. In this one, readers find out that the winery was in some financial trouble that may have been grounds for murder. I liked the way Childs kept me guessing right up to the end with this one. Just when I thought I had, I was foiled agaaaaain!
What I liked:
This series is my favorite as far as cozies go and Laura Childs in my opinion just keeps getting better. When you find a combination of themes and characters that work, why change it? This is a great long lived series that keeps uncovering new and interesting things about not only the characters but about the setting, the kinds of murders that can and do occur and everything else involved in making this series great. This author knows what readers want to read and she keeps delivering book after book.
In this book, the focus shifts a little bit from tea to wine. Tea is still a big part of the story, but readers get a lot of interesting information about wine as well. Myself, I never know what wine should go with what main dish and always feel like I'm pairing the wrong things together, so I enjoyed this tutorial into wine making and thought it was an interesting addition to this series. It also made for a great theme. A wine related murder just has an edge to it. I thought Childs approached this mystery well and pulled readers in quickly with the variation on her normal theme.
Charleston is still a big part of this series the setting always takes on a life of it's own. This is a remarkable city that is steeped not only in evil for this series, but in history and romanticism. I think Childs always brings out interesting facts about the history and culture of the city that might remain hidden to most readers. I love the fact that Charleston is such a huge part of what makes this series so impressive.
I have to mention the Downton Tea party that Theo and the gang host. What a great idea. The popularity of that show is phenomenal and Childs really uses it to market her own work. I think it was a great idea and now I want to have a Downton Tea of my own. I always love all of the tea related facts and things that go on in this series, but this was really a highlight.
The mystery itself was engaging and full of surprises. The winery owners son ends up floating face first in a wine barrel and it's up to Theodosia to figure out who wanted him dead. Theo always brings something interesting to each investigation. In this one, readers find out that the winery was in some financial trouble that may have been grounds for murder. I liked the way Childs kept me guessing right up to the end with this one. Just when I thought I had, I was foiled agaaaaain!
March 6, 2014
The folks in author Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery series always seem to have a lot going on, even if a dead body turns up now and then.
Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning isn’t a wine connoisseur, but she still enjoys attending a fancy wine-tasting party at the upscale Knighthall Winery. Theo and her tea expert, Drayton Conneley, are enjoying the evening when things turn sour – a dead body is discovered in the prize barrel of wine. It turns out to be Drew Knight, son of the winery owner, Jordan Knight.
Unhappy with the sheriff’s investigation, Jordan turns to his friend Drayton, asking for his and Theo’s help. As they being to ask questions, financial problems, marital woes, and unhappy family relationships surface. In time Theo helps the authorities locate the killer. But, then Theo isn’t sure this is the real killer.
Childs once again blends the cozy tea shop atmosphere with the adrenaline rush of searching for a killer. The characters are realistic, likable and easy for readers to relate to with their own faults and worries. The secondary characters add charm and depth to the story.
STEEPED IN EVIL moves at a steady pace. While you may guess some of the outcome, the road to the end has a few intriguing twists and turns. There is a good balance of suspense, mystery and humor throughout the book.
Childs’ eye for detail and rich descriptions places the reader in the heart of Charleston where the energy of the Church Street residents holds you spellbound. Her vivid portrayals bring the sights, sounds and smells of the tea shop off the pages and into the room with you. The charm and friendly atmosphere envelop you as you devour this tantalizing mystery.
The book concludes with delicious recipes, tea party suggestions and a sneak peak at Childs’ next installment in her Scrapbooking Mystery series. While this is the 15th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, it can be read on its own. A love of tea is not required to enjoy this charming cozy mystery, but it might just inspire you to give the beverage a try.
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning isn’t a wine connoisseur, but she still enjoys attending a fancy wine-tasting party at the upscale Knighthall Winery. Theo and her tea expert, Drayton Conneley, are enjoying the evening when things turn sour – a dead body is discovered in the prize barrel of wine. It turns out to be Drew Knight, son of the winery owner, Jordan Knight.
Unhappy with the sheriff’s investigation, Jordan turns to his friend Drayton, asking for his and Theo’s help. As they being to ask questions, financial problems, marital woes, and unhappy family relationships surface. In time Theo helps the authorities locate the killer. But, then Theo isn’t sure this is the real killer.
Childs once again blends the cozy tea shop atmosphere with the adrenaline rush of searching for a killer. The characters are realistic, likable and easy for readers to relate to with their own faults and worries. The secondary characters add charm and depth to the story.
STEEPED IN EVIL moves at a steady pace. While you may guess some of the outcome, the road to the end has a few intriguing twists and turns. There is a good balance of suspense, mystery and humor throughout the book.
Childs’ eye for detail and rich descriptions places the reader in the heart of Charleston where the energy of the Church Street residents holds you spellbound. Her vivid portrayals bring the sights, sounds and smells of the tea shop off the pages and into the room with you. The charm and friendly atmosphere envelop you as you devour this tantalizing mystery.
The book concludes with delicious recipes, tea party suggestions and a sneak peak at Childs’ next installment in her Scrapbooking Mystery series. While this is the 15th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, it can be read on its own. A love of tea is not required to enjoy this charming cozy mystery, but it might just inspire you to give the beverage a try.
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
June 30, 2024
Theodosia is pleased to be attending her first wine tasting event with her dear friend Drayton at his friend Jordan Knight's Knighthall Winery. Jordan is eager to introduce his son Drew who is missing in action just before Jordan reveals their newest South Carolina wine. When the barrel is rolled to the stage, Drew's bloody body falls out! Jordan is distraught and beside himself with grief. Drayton promises Jordan Theodosia will poke around and get to the bottom of the mystery. Theodosia isn't so sure she can solve this one on her own. All she uncovers is the family's dirty secrets. Maybe this is one murder she'll have to let go.
I don't like wine and I don't know or care anything about wine. Why was this tea shop mystery about wine? I didn't love that. I did love the tea! I wanted to dive in and attend the Downton Abbey tea! However, I was disappointed Haley didn't go all out and research Victorian recipes from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management and make those. Some of her treats are close and the good people of Charleston apparently don't know or care if it's not a real Downton Abbey tea. I'd still go! Also this was the perfect opportunity for Delaine to sell some antique cotton dresses from the 19teens and 20s and she totally missed it! I bet she has something that looks similar! And the hat shop lady should have created some fascinators and hats and Brooke made some Edwardian art nouveau jewelry. Does Theo even KNOW the show is a period piece? Did she miss the memo and just know that people were requesting an English Downton Abbey tea? I'd still go LOL! I've been to a Titanic tea and the same historic house museum does a Downton Abbey tea too.
The plot kept me guessing. I did know who killed Drew. It was obvious based on the pattern established in all the previous books. However, I didn't know why. I was impressed by how Theo figured it out, actually. The end is a little farcical but it's different so that was OK by me.
Theodosia finally admits she's really not so good at this whole detective business and it's not her place to figure out who killed Drew. Why everyone else believes she can do it is beyond me. She's still dating Max. The story jumps into his head briefly, in the beginning. I still don't like him. He doesn't like Theo sleuthing and couches it as concern for her well-being. He's said his piece now he needs to shut up. If she can't consider his feelings maybe they shouldn't be together. Sheriff Aaron Anson is the usual arrogant cop eager to throw his weight around but he doesn't seem to be doing anything to solve the murder.
Jordan Knight?! "Knight Music!" AHH I hope he's not the murderer. "Baby I believe in you!" OK this Jordan Knight is not my sister's Jordan Knight but the name and the pun is an odd coincidence. Theo likes him but she's not a great judge of character. I don't think Drayton is either. He likes classy people and Jordan doesn't seem to be all that classy. He's a self-made businessman who has turned to winemaking as a second career. He's risked everything for not much reward so far. He's counting on this new wine to put his winery on the map. His son owned a share in the business along with his wife Pandora. They're not equal partners though and Pandora wants to sell to a Japanese businessman. Jordan won't consider it. Without Drew, Pandora has the most stake in the business. Did she kill her stepson to gain control of the winery? Where Jordan is soft and feeling, Pandora is cold and calculating. She's a piece of work. A gold digger, she's Jordan's third wife and Drew's stepmother and now rumor has it this marriage is on the rocks too. Theo is surprised because Drew's death seemed to bring the Knights closer together. No Theo, no! Pandora is a piece of work and she's feeing you information she wants you to know! I think she's pointing fingers at anyone to take the suspicion off herself. Mr. Tanaka wants to buy the winery and Jordan won't sell. Mr. Tanaka was spotted with Drew not long before the murder must have taken place. Did he kill Drew to get his hands on Knighthall Winery? No no no! I don't think a Japanese person would do that. Not even a businessman. At least none of the Japanese people I know would do that. I'm sure Mr. Tanaka is trustworthy. Plus why South Carolina wine? It's not California! The winery is barely afloat. That doesn't make sense.
Tom Grady, the Knighthall Winery manager, is not a loyal employee. He's gruff and tough and does his job but he'll leave in a heartbeat if he thinks leaving will benefit him. He's reluctant to talk to Theo and doesn't really share any information but I don't think he's trustworthy. Tanya, Drew's girlfriend, is freeloading off the Knights but they don't seem to like her. Rumor has it Drew had a drug problem. Could Tanya be responsible for his relapse? She isn't friendly or kind or even thoughtful. She's rude and angry. Tanya claims Theodosia is pawing through HER things. Theo was examining some artwork Drew had made for the new wine labels. Did Tanya actually draw them and Drew took the credit? Carl Van Deusen was a friend of Drew's. He works as a waiter contracted out for different events in and around Charleston. He was at the winery the day Drew was killed. Could they have had a falling out over drugs? Carl seems like a nice young man. He's nervous around Theo though and seems like he may have something to hide. Did he see something he shouldn't have? Is he afraid the killer will come after him?
Donny Hedges, owner of Plantation Wilds golf course wanted to buy the winery for the land to expand his own business. He seems affable and open. Would he kill DREW though? Better to kill Jordan to get what he wants. Georgette Kroft, a rival winery owner, is a big, bold, brassy businesswoman. She's ruthless and not afraid to speak her mind. For some reason she latches on to Theo. I think Georgette Kroft is up to no good and may be the murderer. She points the finger at Alex Burgoyne, a silent partner in Knighthall Winery. She claims he's sleazy but he seems nice enough to me. He provides some background information and character witness information in Theo's investigation but I don't think he is the murderer. He may or may not have been involved in unsavory deals but what and when and where are unknown.
Andrew Turner, who owns a small art gallery, isn't making much money but is eager to buy a big, fancy house like Dugan Granville's grand mansion. I'm not sure how he has that kind of money. He seems to be into Theo and then it's love at first sight when he sees Delaine. I think he may be out for her money. He's a little weird and socially awkward but seems nice enough. Delaine is a bad judge of men so I'm suspicious of Andrew but don't have a reason to be other than that. Unless Andrew is a drug dealer or somehow connected to Drew.
One or two of the recipes in the back look good. I'll return to this series soon.
I don't like wine and I don't know or care anything about wine. Why was this tea shop mystery about wine? I didn't love that. I did love the tea! I wanted to dive in and attend the Downton Abbey tea! However, I was disappointed Haley didn't go all out and research Victorian recipes from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management and make those. Some of her treats are close and the good people of Charleston apparently don't know or care if it's not a real Downton Abbey tea. I'd still go! Also this was the perfect opportunity for Delaine to sell some antique cotton dresses from the 19teens and 20s and she totally missed it! I bet she has something that looks similar! And the hat shop lady should have created some fascinators and hats and Brooke made some Edwardian art nouveau jewelry. Does Theo even KNOW the show is a period piece? Did she miss the memo and just know that people were requesting an English Downton Abbey tea? I'd still go LOL! I've been to a Titanic tea and the same historic house museum does a Downton Abbey tea too.
The plot kept me guessing. I did know who killed Drew. It was obvious based on the pattern established in all the previous books. However, I didn't know why. I was impressed by how Theo figured it out, actually. The end is a little farcical but it's different so that was OK by me.
Theodosia finally admits she's really not so good at this whole detective business and it's not her place to figure out who killed Drew. Why everyone else believes she can do it is beyond me. She's still dating Max. The story jumps into his head briefly, in the beginning. I still don't like him. He doesn't like Theo sleuthing and couches it as concern for her well-being. He's said his piece now he needs to shut up. If she can't consider his feelings maybe they shouldn't be together. Sheriff Aaron Anson is the usual arrogant cop eager to throw his weight around but he doesn't seem to be doing anything to solve the murder.
Jordan Knight?! "Knight Music!" AHH I hope he's not the murderer. "Baby I believe in you!" OK this Jordan Knight is not my sister's Jordan Knight but the name and the pun is an odd coincidence. Theo likes him but she's not a great judge of character. I don't think Drayton is either. He likes classy people and Jordan doesn't seem to be all that classy. He's a self-made businessman who has turned to winemaking as a second career. He's risked everything for not much reward so far. He's counting on this new wine to put his winery on the map. His son owned a share in the business along with his wife Pandora. They're not equal partners though and Pandora wants to sell to a Japanese businessman. Jordan won't consider it. Without Drew, Pandora has the most stake in the business. Did she kill her stepson to gain control of the winery? Where Jordan is soft and feeling, Pandora is cold and calculating. She's a piece of work. A gold digger, she's Jordan's third wife and Drew's stepmother and now rumor has it this marriage is on the rocks too. Theo is surprised because Drew's death seemed to bring the Knights closer together. No Theo, no! Pandora is a piece of work and she's feeing you information she wants you to know! I think she's pointing fingers at anyone to take the suspicion off herself. Mr. Tanaka wants to buy the winery and Jordan won't sell. Mr. Tanaka was spotted with Drew not long before the murder must have taken place. Did he kill Drew to get his hands on Knighthall Winery? No no no! I don't think a Japanese person would do that. Not even a businessman. At least none of the Japanese people I know would do that. I'm sure Mr. Tanaka is trustworthy. Plus why South Carolina wine? It's not California! The winery is barely afloat. That doesn't make sense.
Tom Grady, the Knighthall Winery manager, is not a loyal employee. He's gruff and tough and does his job but he'll leave in a heartbeat if he thinks leaving will benefit him. He's reluctant to talk to Theo and doesn't really share any information but I don't think he's trustworthy. Tanya, Drew's girlfriend, is freeloading off the Knights but they don't seem to like her. Rumor has it Drew had a drug problem. Could Tanya be responsible for his relapse? She isn't friendly or kind or even thoughtful. She's rude and angry. Tanya claims Theodosia is pawing through HER things. Theo was examining some artwork Drew had made for the new wine labels. Did Tanya actually draw them and Drew took the credit? Carl Van Deusen was a friend of Drew's. He works as a waiter contracted out for different events in and around Charleston. He was at the winery the day Drew was killed. Could they have had a falling out over drugs? Carl seems like a nice young man. He's nervous around Theo though and seems like he may have something to hide. Did he see something he shouldn't have? Is he afraid the killer will come after him?
Donny Hedges, owner of Plantation Wilds golf course wanted to buy the winery for the land to expand his own business. He seems affable and open. Would he kill DREW though? Better to kill Jordan to get what he wants. Georgette Kroft, a rival winery owner, is a big, bold, brassy businesswoman. She's ruthless and not afraid to speak her mind. For some reason she latches on to Theo. I think Georgette Kroft is up to no good and may be the murderer. She points the finger at Alex Burgoyne, a silent partner in Knighthall Winery. She claims he's sleazy but he seems nice enough to me. He provides some background information and character witness information in Theo's investigation but I don't think he is the murderer. He may or may not have been involved in unsavory deals but what and when and where are unknown.
Andrew Turner, who owns a small art gallery, isn't making much money but is eager to buy a big, fancy house like Dugan Granville's grand mansion. I'm not sure how he has that kind of money. He seems to be into Theo and then it's love at first sight when he sees Delaine. I think he may be out for her money. He's a little weird and socially awkward but seems nice enough. Delaine is a bad judge of men so I'm suspicious of Andrew but don't have a reason to be other than that. Unless Andrew is a drug dealer or somehow connected to Drew.
One or two of the recipes in the back look good. I'll return to this series soon.
March 1, 2014
My Thoughts...
Even though this book is a series book in the Tea Shop Mysteries, it is also a stand-alone book.
From the first page to the last page I was drawn right into the story, I love a good cozy...Theodosia Browning didn't consider herself a wine connoisseur, however, how often did she get invited to a fancy wine-tasting party at a very upscale Winery? Rarely. This was a first for Theodosia...What was to be a fun wine-tasting evening turned bitter when a dead body came floating out of a wine barrel. Now starts Theodosia's investigation to try to find who would do such a dastardly deed.
Since this is a Tea Shop Mystery, I loved the Afternoon Tea Party with the theme: "Downton Abbey Tea." (if you are a Downton Abbey fan you will understand) Served at the tea was...Mrs. Patmore's Smoked Salmon Sandwiches, Lady Crawley's Cucumber Dreams, and Mr. Carson's Crumpets. It made me want to have my own "Downton Abbey" Tea-party. As I was reading the story, I was imagining Theo as Angela Lansbury, of the "Murder, She Wrote" TV series, and what a surprise, when a character in the book, looked at Theo and said, "And just who do you think you are~~Angela Lansbury." That really made me chuckle...
The story moved along quickly keeping me slurping my tea as I was trying to figure out who was the guilty person of all the many suspects. But, again I was caught by surprise when the guilty one was discovered.
And that ending! Wowser! I enjoyed the jouncing ending.
A great big THANK YOU to the author, Laura Childs, for providing this book for me to read and review. Thank you for a few days of fun reading, and visiting some old friends from Charleston, South Carolina. What can I say except it was my cup of tea, and I enjoyed it so much I am awarding it 5 star shaped tea leaves.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
February 9, 2014
Once again I have had the pleasure to read another of Laura's books. We meet up with Theodosia and Drayton at a wine tasting party. All seems to be going well until the son of the host, Jordan Knight, turns up missing. After searching everywhere it is decided to go on with the presentation. As Jordan is giving his speech to workers again to tap a large barrel of wine but it doesn't seem to be working. The wind is to be sampled by the attendees, but instead of only wine the body of Jordan's son is also in the barrel. Theodosia and Drayton once again find themselves right in the middle of another murder case. What an awful way to die drowning in a wine barrel but wait, that's not the cause of death he was also shot. As much as Theodosia prefers to stay out of this case, she is encouraged by Drayton to help solve the murder as Drayton is good friends with Jordan Knight. Theodosia's boyfriend Max also encourages her not to get involved. But we all know Theodosia better than that, with the help of Drayton and Haley, the talented cook and baker, she finds herself pulled into the case.
Laura Childs is one of the most talented authors I have had the pleasure to read. All of Laura's books seem to enchant me in the first chapter. Laura is the author of several series among them, Theodosia and her tea shop, of which this is her 15th book, her scrapbooking mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries. It is always such a pleasure to meet up with our old friends in each series. There is not much I would rather do than grab a cuppa and sit and visit at the tea shop, then take a stroll down the street to get something to eat at the Cacklebury diner and catch up on the gals there. And after our appetites are satisfied just a short walk down to visit the ladies at the craft store for more scrapbooking supplies. I am sure that everyone has read one of his Laura's books, and if you haven't, now is the time to start.
Laura Childs is one of the most talented authors I have had the pleasure to read. All of Laura's books seem to enchant me in the first chapter. Laura is the author of several series among them, Theodosia and her tea shop, of which this is her 15th book, her scrapbooking mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries. It is always such a pleasure to meet up with our old friends in each series. There is not much I would rather do than grab a cuppa and sit and visit at the tea shop, then take a stroll down the street to get something to eat at the Cacklebury diner and catch up on the gals there. And after our appetites are satisfied just a short walk down to visit the ladies at the craft store for more scrapbooking supplies. I am sure that everyone has read one of his Laura's books, and if you haven't, now is the time to start.
March 19, 2014
While Steeped in Evil is the 15th (!) installment of the Tea Shop mysteries, I still found it enjoyable and interesting. It hasn't lost its flair yet, as some long running series tend to do.
In this edition, Theo is attending a wine event just outside of Charleston when the adult son of the winery owner is found dead in a barrel of wine. Due to her long history of solving crimes, the owner asks Theo to poke around and try to bring the killer to justice.
As usual, Laura Childs is very descriptive in her setting of Charleston and transports the reader to that city in the South. After binge-reading the first several Tea Shop mysteries back in 2012, I actually had to go to Charleston on a trip, so vivid was my image of the place after reading the books.
As always, there are several scenes in the tea shop and the descriptions of the tea and food certainly made my stomach rumble. I wish the Indigo Tea Shop existed in real life!
The mystery is engaged, well-plotted, and gives the reader a bit of a behind the scenes look into the wine industry. However, I will say that while I wasn't sure, I did guess the identity of the bad guy before he was revealed. I wasn't sure though and it didn't spoil the book for me.
Throughout the series Theo has been something of a serial monogamist and I'm starting to see hints that we may see her change love interests again soon. Nothing concrete on that front in this book, but from the hints dropped, I'm anticipating that in a future book.
Although this book is #15 in a series it could be read as a stand alone without any background knowledge really necessary, other than knowing that Theo has a rep for solving crimes.
In this edition, Theo is attending a wine event just outside of Charleston when the adult son of the winery owner is found dead in a barrel of wine. Due to her long history of solving crimes, the owner asks Theo to poke around and try to bring the killer to justice.
As usual, Laura Childs is very descriptive in her setting of Charleston and transports the reader to that city in the South. After binge-reading the first several Tea Shop mysteries back in 2012, I actually had to go to Charleston on a trip, so vivid was my image of the place after reading the books.
As always, there are several scenes in the tea shop and the descriptions of the tea and food certainly made my stomach rumble. I wish the Indigo Tea Shop existed in real life!
The mystery is engaged, well-plotted, and gives the reader a bit of a behind the scenes look into the wine industry. However, I will say that while I wasn't sure, I did guess the identity of the bad guy before he was revealed. I wasn't sure though and it didn't spoil the book for me.
Throughout the series Theo has been something of a serial monogamist and I'm starting to see hints that we may see her change love interests again soon. Nothing concrete on that front in this book, but from the hints dropped, I'm anticipating that in a future book.
Although this book is #15 in a series it could be read as a stand alone without any background knowledge really necessary, other than knowing that Theo has a rep for solving crimes.
April 29, 2014
Theodosia Browning is an expert when it comes to tea. The owner of a quaint and cozy teashop in the heart of historic Charleston, SC, she is known for brewing the most flavorful tealeaves in town. When an invitation to attend an elegant wine-tasting at the ritzy Knighthall Winery comes her way, Theo jumps at the chance to tag along with her trusty assistant Drayton Conneley. Yet the splendid affair quickly turns sour when a dead body comes spewing from a wine barrel at theheight of the evening’s festivities. With no viable suspects and the absence of clues, the owners of the winery enlist Theo to put her detective skills to task in order to solve this most perplexing case.
Steeped in Evil is the fifteenth installment of the New York Times bestselling Tea Shop Mystery series. Despite it being a continuation, this book clearly can stand alone. As a frequent visitor to the area, Childs’ vivid descriptions of the Holy City are spot on with details of sights and smells that are congruent with the idyllic southern charm of Charleston. Theo is the ultimate cozy mystery character with insightful observations and a natural curiosity that motivates her to persist despite adversity. The combination of wine-tasting and tea make for interesting bedfellows as the reader is schooled in both fascinating professions. The most disappointing part for this voracious reader was that this delightful mystery had to come to an end.
Steeped in Evil is the fifteenth installment of the New York Times bestselling Tea Shop Mystery series. Despite it being a continuation, this book clearly can stand alone. As a frequent visitor to the area, Childs’ vivid descriptions of the Holy City are spot on with details of sights and smells that are congruent with the idyllic southern charm of Charleston. Theo is the ultimate cozy mystery character with insightful observations and a natural curiosity that motivates her to persist despite adversity. The combination of wine-tasting and tea make for interesting bedfellows as the reader is schooled in both fascinating professions. The most disappointing part for this voracious reader was that this delightful mystery had to come to an end.
April 7, 2015
Steeped In Evil is the fifteenth book in the A Tea Shop Mystery series.
I so enjoy stopping in to visit with Theodosia, Drayton and Haly at the Indigo Tea Shop and this was another enjoyable visit.
Drayton has asked Theo to join him at a wine tasting party at new boutique style winery, the Knighthall Winery. As everyone is gathered for the unveiling, the body of Drew Knight, the son of Jordan Knight owner of the winery, is found inside the barrel. Having heard of Theodosia's knack for solving murders, he asks Drayton if Theodosia would find out who had killed his son.
In the beginning of her investigation she zeros in on Pandora, Drew's stepmother, but she also finds out that Pandora has had dealings with Alex Burgoyne who maybe something short of an honest liquor distributor. In addition there is a Japanese importer who would like to take the wine being produced and import it to Japan. Also in the picture is Carl Van Deusen, a waiter who was working at the wine tasting. Van Deusen had been driving Drew's car and had been know to provide drugs in the past to Drew. Theo and Drayton now need to sort thru their findings who reasons and opportunity to want Drew dead.
Delaine Dish is back with her wonderful sense of humor and of Haly, chef and baker, is back to provide wonder meals at the Indigo Tea Shop.
Tea related links and recipes are included in the book.
Looking forward, as always, to the next book.
I so enjoy stopping in to visit with Theodosia, Drayton and Haly at the Indigo Tea Shop and this was another enjoyable visit.
Drayton has asked Theo to join him at a wine tasting party at new boutique style winery, the Knighthall Winery. As everyone is gathered for the unveiling, the body of Drew Knight, the son of Jordan Knight owner of the winery, is found inside the barrel. Having heard of Theodosia's knack for solving murders, he asks Drayton if Theodosia would find out who had killed his son.
In the beginning of her investigation she zeros in on Pandora, Drew's stepmother, but she also finds out that Pandora has had dealings with Alex Burgoyne who maybe something short of an honest liquor distributor. In addition there is a Japanese importer who would like to take the wine being produced and import it to Japan. Also in the picture is Carl Van Deusen, a waiter who was working at the wine tasting. Van Deusen had been driving Drew's car and had been know to provide drugs in the past to Drew. Theo and Drayton now need to sort thru their findings who reasons and opportunity to want Drew dead.
Delaine Dish is back with her wonderful sense of humor and of Haly, chef and baker, is back to provide wonder meals at the Indigo Tea Shop.
Tea related links and recipes are included in the book.
Looking forward, as always, to the next book.
April 27, 2014
I am a long-time fan of this tea shop mystery series. I have come to think that reading any of Ms. Childs books is much like a visit with old friends. One think that baffled me, though... in the book's exciting finale, how Theo was able to do all that she did while wearing a gown and formal shoes? I know it's nit picky on my part, but I had trouble picturing the scene because of those details. Overall, I love this series and will continue to buy and read the books for as long as they continue to be written - hopefully for years to come. A great, cozy, fun mystery series...with characters we would like to know in real life!!!!
August 20, 2014
Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs is the 15th book in A Tea Shop Mystery series and this is a series that I think improves with each book. At a wine tasting attended by Theodosia and Drayton, a body rolls out of the barrel with the wine and Theodosia is asked to investigate by the owner. This is one of my favourite series and I enjoyed this book as much as the others. we find out more about the characters as the series progresses and it is like catching up with family. Warm and cozy despite the murders and dramas. The food and tea descriptions are tempting, making it difficult not to indulge while reading.
April 8, 2014
Another great book by Laura Childs.
June 13, 2015
A fun, easy read.
March 20, 2025
Over the years I’ve read all the books in the Teashop Mysteries cozy mystery series up to this point. Although this title isn’t one of Laura Child’s stronger entries, I’ll continue reading them in hopes that the next volume will rebound. A visit to Charleston has long been on my bucket list, so, needless to say, one of my favorite “characters” has been the setting.
February 23, 2019
This was an interesting mystery, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the others that I have read. I didn't like some of the topics that were dicussed in this story. I was surprised by the ending, though. The setting is wonderful. I like the descriptions of the city. I also like the food and teas. They sound delicious, especially the apple dandy tea. There was a lot of wine talk in this book, which was okay. I don't like wine, so that wasn't as enjoyable for me.
March 19, 2018
Enjoyable read as her tea shop mysteries usually are, but I figured out the killer before Theo. I guess I have read so many of them, I somewhat know the author's format or story outline.
March 9, 2021
Not one of Laura’s better books. Theo was very flat in this novel, and the descriptions were more like a travel review than those of a native. I was disappointed. But I know there are better escapades to come!
June 5, 2018
Another cozy mystery in this enjoyable series. By the time you finish the story, you will wish there was a tea shop in your area.
August 12, 2016
Steeped in Evil, by Laura Childs
Berkley Prime Crime, 2014
Sometimes the best books are not measured by a shiny literary sticker on the cover, or how many sales were in one month. Granted, Laura Child’s Tea Shop Mysteries are pretty high up on the charts, but sometimes the best books are those that encourage you to do something nice for yourself and take time off to visit old friends. As Drayton so gentlemanly states, “We create a refuge of sorts . . . [a]n intermezzo from the pressures of everyday life.” And Laura Childs has written another book to do just that.
Steeped in Evil, number 15 in the series, is filled with tantalizing aromas, sweet chuckles, a few rewarding tense moments, (dare I say a ‘barrel of fun’) and an engaging ticket into the world and town of interesting people, qualities of a good tea, colorful gardens, and a slice of time where your own troubles fade, chores are not important, and the first smile of the day lingers from page one to the end of the book. Detective Tidwell thankfully returns and I did hope to enjoy his interactions more than was offered. But how nice to learn that a reader really wants a character to appear more on the pages. I have read every book in this series and reviewed most of them, and can honestly say that this latest release will not disappoint the many fans of Haley, Theodosia, Drayton and Delaine. Slip away from your day for just a little while and you, as I, will sincerely thank Ms. Childs for a lovely evening among friends.Steeped in Evil
Berkley Prime Crime, 2014
Sometimes the best books are not measured by a shiny literary sticker on the cover, or how many sales were in one month. Granted, Laura Child’s Tea Shop Mysteries are pretty high up on the charts, but sometimes the best books are those that encourage you to do something nice for yourself and take time off to visit old friends. As Drayton so gentlemanly states, “We create a refuge of sorts . . . [a]n intermezzo from the pressures of everyday life.” And Laura Childs has written another book to do just that.
Steeped in Evil, number 15 in the series, is filled with tantalizing aromas, sweet chuckles, a few rewarding tense moments, (dare I say a ‘barrel of fun’) and an engaging ticket into the world and town of interesting people, qualities of a good tea, colorful gardens, and a slice of time where your own troubles fade, chores are not important, and the first smile of the day lingers from page one to the end of the book. Detective Tidwell thankfully returns and I did hope to enjoy his interactions more than was offered. But how nice to learn that a reader really wants a character to appear more on the pages. I have read every book in this series and reviewed most of them, and can honestly say that this latest release will not disappoint the many fans of Haley, Theodosia, Drayton and Delaine. Slip away from your day for just a little while and you, as I, will sincerely thank Ms. Childs for a lovely evening among friends.Steeped in Evil
April 28, 2014
This is the first book in Laura's Tea Shop Mystery Series that I have read. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite by Laura. I liked the setting, Charleston, SC is a very intriguing city. I am not a tea drinker, I don't like tea, iced or hot, so that part of the story didn't appeal to me a lot. I did think the tea shop that Theodosia owns is charming though, I probably wouldn't care for what they serve there. I did like the fact that this cozy kept me guessing till the end. There were very few suspects, so therefore, it was hard to try to figure out who the killer was. I will probably read more books in this series because they are very well written with a believable plot. If you enjoy drinking hot tea and all the delicacies that go with it, and also love a great mystery, then this is the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
March 9, 2014
All finished with another great story with Theodosia and Drayton featuring prominently. This murder has a shocking twist + a friend of Drayton's in the family of the deceased so we get lots of nattering back and forth between the two. It wasn't quite as much fun as the last installment, which involved ghosts and a failed wedding for Delaine, but there were satisfying twists and turns (a murder that involved the least possible suspect, in my opinion so it was thrilling) and a very clever chase scene at the end of the book. Laura Childs continues to write beautiful stories with a murder inside and the chance to visit her version of Charleston is a book vacation that everyone deserves once in a while. Oh, I'd love to visit her tea shop but had to settle for drinking lots of tea while I read it instead.
December 28, 2016
This will be my last Theodosia book. They were entertaining but she has gotten to the point of being obnoxious and quite frankly rude. I had hope at the beginning when she didn't want to get involved but of course she did, other wise there wouldn't be a book. Why do people keep asking her to "look into things"?? She harasses everyone she talks to. I was hoping the model would tell he to mind her own business but she didn't. The police need to put her in her place. Tidwell letting her in on every investigation does not even have a shred of realism. Even when Drayton tells her she should stop she doesn't because she want's to figure it out herself so she can get the applause. I kept reading for Haley's menu's but its just not enough anymore. She need to get back to beginning where she was a little more humble or just get her PI license. That might make her more tolerable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews