Tea is for Trapped: A Haunted Tearoom Cozy Mystery With Recipes

by Karen Sue Walker

A murder that’s anything but elementary.

When an earthquake closes the only road in and out of town, a Sherlock Holmes fan club is stranded at the SereniTea Tearoom. April May does her best to keep the tea flowing and the guests calm, but after one guest turns up dead and the ghost of a legendary author appears, her sleuthing skills are put to the ultimate test.

Can April solve the case before the road reopens and the killer slips away?

Get Tea is for Trapped today and see if you can spot the killer before April does!

Genres: Cozy

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2025

About the author

Karen Sue Walker is a lover of cozy mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Joanne Fluke. When not working or writing, she spends time with her very talented daughter and ever so fun granddaughter.

Reviews

[Lavada Haga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Another awesome adventure for the Haunted Tea room crew! April has two new ghosts to help or hinder her this time. A very satisfying mystery.

[Julie Belmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read several works by the prolific Karen Sue Walker, I approached this new installment with grand expectations—and was not disappointed. In fact, this book rekindled my enthusiasm for reading every title in the series. While murder lies at the heart of the story, the author expertly infuses just the right touch of lightness and humor, transforming a potentially grim scenario into an utterly enjoyable, feel-good read.
As with any cozy mystery, there must be a victim, and the search for evidence drives the plot. This is where April May’s detective skills truly shine: her talent for unraveling, motive and means is both engaging and satisfying. The narrative flows effortlessly, making for a swift and pleasurable reading experience.
One of the most delightful surprises was the reveal of April’s guest ghosts—an imaginative touch that added intrigue and charm without spoiling the mystery. As a fellow mystery writer, I especially appreciated these spectral characters’ contributions to the investigation. Without giving anything away, I can say their presence added an extra layer of enjoyment.
In summary, this book is a wonderful addition to Karen Sue Walker’s repertoire. Her sparkling wit and deft storytelling promise many more hours of cozy reading ahead. I eagerly look forward to the next adventure she pens.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

April May, owner of SereniTea Tearoom is hosting a Sherlock Holmes themed tea. When the leader of the group, a disagreeable, perfectionist and demanding woman has more requests than agreed upon, April, her helper Jennifer and friend Irma attempt to meet all the demands before the rest of the group arrives. April has been ghost-free for weeks and is happily enjoying the solitude. The remainder of the guests for the tea are an interesting group and April cannot seem to read them and their relationship with the group leader seems mixed. Mid-tea April’s home is rattled by an earthquake leaving everyone in the tearoom trapped until the road is cleared. The leader of the group asks to be taken to a quiet room as she seems to be dizzy and is mumbling her words. After everyone is situated, April looks in on her guests and finds her dead. With the roads blocked and the killer possibly one of the guests, April is surprised when a ghost appears… the ghost of Sir Arthur Conon Doyle and he insists on helping April solve the murder. What a fun and entertaining book. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[JACKIE K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having left the ghost couple of Pearl and George in New Orleans, April and Jennifer are busy preparing for a period tea party for a group of Sherlock Holmes fans. Delilah, President of the Holmes Society of Northern California, arrives with her appropriately costumed group and proceeds to criticize the carefully planned and designed setting. April foresees a difficult day, but she has no idea what lies ahead. A severe storm, an unexpected death, road closures, trapped guests and the sudden appearance of a couple of ghostly sleuths bring lots of intrigue and the possibility of murder.

I love this series and it just keeps getting better. I certainly hope that the latest spirits stick around for more books. At one point, the author planned to end this series, but she changed her mind when we fans expressed dismay. She then refreshed the premise, keeping the beloved characters bur branching out with new locations and fresh ghostly characters, adding new elements and possibilities. This latest book is a great example of how well these updates worked.

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An earthquake and a Sherlock Holmes fan club, what are the chances!

April May is busy hosting a Sherlock Holmes fan club at her SereniTea Tearoom. But things start getting tense when an earthquake closes the only road in and out of town. Telephones are down, power is out, and one of the fan club turns up dead. Can April May keep the guests happy and solve a murder? And wait until you see who the ghost is!! Such a fun series that just keeps getting better!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tea is for Trapped wins for best Haunted Tearoom Cozy Mystery in my humble opinion. It has one of my favorite authors making an appearance and some valuable contributions to solving the mystery of who killed Delilah. I won't say more about that since I don't want to spoil the story, but I will say I was also surprised to discover who some of his contemporaries were.

Truly enjoyable story that has all the elements of classic mystery.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A themed tea gathering, an earthquake and a dead guest were not supposed to be on the menu for the Sherlock Holmes Fan Club at April Mae’s tearoom, but one thing is certain…the unexpected arrival of ghosts can be expected. A fun read as the “who dun it” was rife with suggestions from April Mae’s new ghostly friends. I received the eARC from the author and this review is my opinion.

[TenshiMari · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down. Sadly, the weakest book in this series so far. Both the ghosts and the murder suspects were obnoxious, and the characters felt one-dimensional and unoriginal. I have been really enjoying this series so far, and I thought the previous 9 books were great, but this one fell kinda flat for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't have as much fun with it as the others.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-rate cozy mystery with enough puzzlement to keep you on your toes and a promising ending. It was wonderful to meet April May, Jennifer, and Irma again and I loved the new ghosts!

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better!

A new mystery, new ghosts and plenty of tea! The body and the killer are trapped in April's house with her and her friends. Dies she figure it out in time? Just barely. Can't wait for the next book!!!

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trapped by an earthquake

When members of a Sherlock Holmes society are stuck in the tea room by an earthquake and one of its members dies suspiciously, the ghosts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Houdini try to help solve the mystery.

[Brenda Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

A murder, four suspects, and two famous ghosts fill the house with mayhem. April, Jennifer, and Irma have their hands full with this group of tea sippers.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Karen Sue Walker. This time, April has an extraordinarily distinguished ghost guest. Lots of fun, great mystery!

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read. Not l have read all her tea mysteries
I would tell everyone to read all ten books.

[Matilda Furness · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this last ? book on this fun charming series! plus for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 🥰🤣🥰

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME

Well. this is the tenth and last for a while. I LOVE these books! Love all the characters. April, Andy, Irma. Jennifer, Zoe, GHOSTS!!!!!