Ming Tea Murder

Tea Shop Mystery #16

by Laura Childs

It’s scones and scandal for Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning in the latest from the New York Times bestselling author of Steeped in Evil…

Normally Theodosia wouldn’t attend a black tie affair for all the tea in China. But she can hardly say no to her hunky, handsome boyfriend, Max, who directs public relations for the Gibbes Museum in Charleston. Max has organized an amazing gala opening for an exhibit of a genuine eighteenth century Chinese teahouse, and the crème de la crème of Charleston society is invited.

In the exotic garden staged in the museum’s rotunda, a Chinese dragon dances to the beat of drums as it weaves through the crowd. The guests are serenaded by a Chinese violin as they sample an assortment of tempting bites. And to give them a memento of the occasion, there’s even a photo booth. But Theodosia makes a grim discovery behind the booth’s curtains: the body of museum donor Edgar Webster.

While Theodosia prefers tea service over the service of justice, this case is difficult to ignore—especially after Max becomes a suspect. Now she must examine the life of the fallen philanthropist and find out who really wanted him to pay up…


INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Tea, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Laura 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.

Reviews

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn on this one just a bit. I really enjoyed the last third of the book, but I spent the first two thirds of the book actually fussing at it out loud. The cat had to calm me down, okay?

But a miracle happened in that last third and I feel it needs to be appreciated.

So we begin with the bad, I suppose. The dialog in Theo books is always a little off, but I try to overlook it because for all I know, maybe I'm just not hanging around the right Charlestonians. I mean, you'd think after thirty years I'd have found them but still. I don't buy that Max would say "Gosh" for anything and mean it. Sarcasm, sure, but not actually "Gosh!" when discussing things like being possibly accused of murder. Just... no. This is a 30-something guy, right? Not buying the sincere use of gosh. Maybe from Drayton or something.

Theo and Delaine calling Delaine's aunt "Aunt Acid" where the woman could overhear. Nothing this woman says in the entirety of the book makes the nickname make sense from Theo's perspective (I'm totally willing to buy that a relative of Delaine's is going to have a caustic tongue. I'm not willing to buy that Theo wouldn't also think it was an inherited trait.) and I cannot imagine that Theo was raised to not respect her elders at least to a point.

Max himself. I dunno, I liked the last boyfriend until it became obvious we were exchanging him for Max, but as of right now I couldn't tell you a thing about Max's personality. I also found it hilarious (not that it was likely intended this way) that Theo takes a bad situation regarding Max's job and makes it worse whenever she runs into his still sort of boss. If you don't want your boyfriend to move out of the area for work then don't antagonize his boss while trying to save boyfriend's job.


Now. The good. Mums and I were talking about how Theo doesn't really solve crimes, she just stirs up so much trouble that the villain starts to panic and pounces on Theo when she shows up on a snooping mission or to deliver some T-Bath products or something. If the villain just stayed cool, Theo would need another book and a half to put the clues together, generally speaking. But they panic, attack her, and the book ends shortly thereafter with everyone being thrilled at Theo's sleuthing skills.

This time Theo actually solved the case! She still tangled with the murderer because that's kind of expected in these books, but still! She solved the case! It only took 16 or so books. :p

Also, there's Halloween stuff and I'm a sucker for Halloween.

[Guera25 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Theodosia Browning is an a**hole. Full stop. She's rude, snide, condescending, and judgmental, and treats everyone around her like they're bit players in her grand drama. I realize that such is the point of most fiction, but there is at least an attempt at emotional verisimilitude, where the "beloved" protagonist treats the other characters as valued members of their inner circle. Not Theodosia. She treats others as her lackeys or cadre of personal dancing bears.

For example, she constantly overbooks events, fails to plan for them , and then expects Haley and Drayton to drop everything and pull miracles from their backsides to bail her out. Yet when they dare intrude upon her "investigation" with the piffling demands of running her actual business, she treats them as an unwelcome nuisance. How DARE Haley interrupt her shoddy sewing and useless pontification session by needing her approval for the menu of the Tower of London tea? And of course Haley can just drop everything to lug out more supplies for her table at Delaine's charity event. It's not like she doesn't have 9,560 other unreasonable expectations to meet.

Despite her gross inattention to the day-to-day minutiae of running her business, everything she does is flawless. No hiccups, no failures. Everything is a smashing success, and Theodosia always gets the credit, even though it was Drayton who chose--and often blended--the teas and Haley who made the menu and did ALL the food prep. By herself. Nope. It's all down to Theodosia's genius.

And no matter how rude and condescending she is, people fawn over her. She treats Aunt Astra like a joke, yet the woman calls her her "favorite tea lady", because of course she does. A society matron who's never met her before entrusts her with the complete management of an event she's been overseeing for months because why not? Got to get Theo to the grand climax somehow.

Theo needs to go. Maybe she can be mown down by a tourist-hauling jitney, and Drayton can take over as the great detective. He'd be better at it.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Laura Childs has brewed another strong story that is steeped in mystery.

In this sixteenth instalment of the Tea Shop Mystery series, Ms. Childs started the action off early. There was no waiting around for the dead body to pop in this one! Page after page, chapter after chapter, it was a glorious blend of mystery, fun, and excitement. The action kept flowing, and the suspense went from simmering to boiling hot until reaching the climatic reveal.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story. I loved the interaction between them. Theodosia was a very likeable protagonist. She’s someone I’d like to sit and chat with.

Pick a day when you have time to yourself, brew a pot of your favorite tea, prepare the finger sandwiches and scones, and get ready to spend the entire day with MING TEA MURDER.

Don’t close the book once the story is over. Keep reading and explore the new book previews and blurbs, the announcement of a new thriller series, excellent tea resources, wonderful Tea Time Tips, and almost a dozen delightfully tempting recipes!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

While attending a grand affair to celebrate the opening of a a new exhibit at the Gibbes Museum, a historic Chinese tea house imported from Shanghai, Theodosia stumbles across the dead body of museum board member Edgar Webster inside a photo booth hired by her boyfriend Max, the museum's PR person. When Max winds up on the "person if interest" list, Theodosia is incensed! The police don't seem to be getting any closer to solving the murder so she must take matters into her own hands! Meanwhile, there are themed teas to hold at the shop and charity functions to participate in, plus with Halloween coming up, Theodosia and Earl Grey need costumes for a 5K charity run! How can Theodosia do all of that and solve the murder too?

This is a good mystery. I figured out who about 30% in based on the pattern established in previous books. I didn't know why until the clue dropped and Theodosia figured it out. I mostly like how she handled this investigation. She kept Tidwell in the loop. The catch a killer scene is still farcical but better than the earlier pattern.

I just don't like Theodosia that much. She's still rude to people she shouldn't be rude to and kind to suspects. I guess that's supposed to show her loyalty? She also needs to grow a backbone and tell Delaine there's a limit to the amount of charity functions she can handle at any given time! Plus I'm tired of reading about her beauty. Give me a break! Her references are a little old given her age but not half so weird as Haley's. If Haley is supposed to be in her 20s, her Titanic reference would be James Cameron's epic film. She wouldn't even be aware of A Night to Remember unless she caught it on late night TV. She wouldn't know The Love Boat at all.

The Indigo Tea Shop's Titanic themed tea for Halloween was incredibly inappropriate. I've been to a Titanic themed tea but it wasn't for Halloween. It was in spring when Titanic actually set sail and yes one of the volunteers dressed as Captain E.J. Smith and the girls serving tea were maids but I think Theo should have had a lovely tea gown to wear. They also could have piped in the soundtrack to the 1998 film in addition to period music. If you're going with the macabre Halloween theme then yes, DO have an orchestra play "Nearer My God to Thee"! At least this time Haley did research the menu. They didn't buy reproduction White Star Line china though. I thought they should have! Yes I put more thought into this than Laura Childs did!

I still don't like Max. I thought "a-ha! Now he's a suspect he'll be involved in the investigation now too!" but no. Then I saw a glimpse of the shoe on the other foot, Theo worried about Max but that also went nowhere. I don't think these two are going to last much longer.

Edgar Webster was not particularly a nice man but he was a major mover and shaker at the museum. He was instrumental in acquiring the tea house from China. His wife, Charlotte, is a major mean girl. She's a *itch and a half. She's the type who says one thing while meaning another and "nicely" puts down people she considers beneath her notice, like Theodosia. She's a gold digger, is cheap and doesn't appreciate the beauty of the tea house. (While this one is fictitious, there are real life examples.) Rumor has it Edgar considered their marriage "open" so I don't blame Charlotte for being bitter and mean but divorce him! I think she killed him. Her hysterics upon discovering the identity of the victim were too over the top. She's too encouraging of Theodosia's investigation and too quick to point the finger at Cecily. Cecily Conrad, Edgar's girlfriend, acts like a child. Daddy has given her everything she's every asked for and then she grew up and moved on to a sugar daddy. She hasn't emotionally matured. She got money from Edgar to finance her business and that should have been made clear that it was a loan and not a gift or they should have had some sort of prenup (even if they weren't married). Cecily behaves like a brat through the whole thing. I believe she does miss Edgar but mainly as a sugar daddy.

A good suspect for murderer, besides the wronged women, is Roger Greaves, Edgar's business partner. He was the one pushing Edgar to take the company public. Edgar was opposed to the idea. Charlotte seems very cozy with Edgar very quickly and I suspect the pair hatched a plan to murder Edgar in order to take the company public and get together romantically. However, he's married. His wife Dolly is pretty sharp when it comes to business and financial information. I wonder if she might be the killer? Harlan Duke, the man who located the tea house and persuaded the owner to sell it, is new to Charleston. He's a transplant from Texas and seems into Theo. He appreciates fine Chinese antiques and is adjusting quickly to Charleston society. He seems very persuasive. He may have had an argument with Edgar that went too far.

Elliot Kern, the museum director, doesn't seem to like Max much. Elliot seems to be bowing to the whims of Edgar even after Edgar is dead. Edgar didn't approve of Max's PR style or his ideas to begin with and Elliot is quick to think the worst of Max. I think he was itching for an excuse to fire Max and the bad publicity from the murder is convenient. I don't know if he's a suspect though. What motive does he have? Percy Capers, the museum's curator of Asian Art, is Max and Theodosia's ally. He's the man they need on the inside to help them out when they need to investigate. He's the only one loyal to Max.

One last new character is Delaine's Aunt Astra aka "Aunt Acid." She's a hoot! This old lady says whatever comes into her head. She disapproves of everybody and every thing - except, apparently hay rides, booze and pepper spray. Delaine can't handle having an aunt who is so "uncouth." Aunt Astra reminds me of a Georgian era old lady and Delaine a late Regency/Victorian gently reared lady. I hope Aunt Astra sticks around to annoy Delaine.

This series is getting a little better and some of the recipes in the back sound good. I appreciate the lists of tea and Charleston resources.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I rate the Tea Shop Mystery Series books with 4 or 5 stars but I was a little disappointed in this addition to the series. For some reason Ms. Childs' writing style didn't seem to flow as easily as it has in her previous books. Maybe it was the interaction between Theodosia and her significant other, Max, but he seemed to be kind of stupid and she seemed to be overbearing with regard to their relationship.
The murder and "who dun it" aspect of the story line was very good. Of course I figured out, again, who the murderer was early on in the book (I read too many mysteries!), but how Theodosia solved the murder was well thought out.
I hope the next entry in the series, Devonshire Scream, will be back up to par with Ms. Childs' others in this series.

[Sandy Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, I enjoyed this book of hers. I really like the characters and love the setting of Charleston, SC! I feel as though the Indigo Tea Shop would truly be there if I were to visit and the characters seem like old friends. (I would more likely be looking for coffee however.) One downer: I figured out who the murderer was early on. Possibly because I have read so many of these.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew when I was finished reading Ming Tea Murder I desperately missed these characters. In a way I am glad this is the first book in this series I read because now I can go back and read the previous books and reunite myself with these characters once again. Indigo Tea Shop is where I know I want to be being a tea drinker. Characters like these don't come around to often. Theodosia runs the tea shop, in her employ is Drayton, the tea master and Holly the chef. Theodosia's boyfriend, Max is the Head of PR at the Gibbes Museum. Theodosia is invited to a black tie event Max is spearheading of an exhibit of a genuine eighteenth century Chinese Tea House.

The most rich, and established elite of Charleston society is to be attending the event. The guests are serenaded by a Chinese violin, a Chinese dragon dancing and flowing in time with the wind. Treated to the tastiest horderves. To add a sense of whimsy to the event Max has arranged for a photo booth so the guests may capture the moment with a photo. Theodosia would rather be anywhere but a black tie event but she goes in support of her boyfriend and the Chinese tea house only to uncover a grissly disovery of museum donor, Edgar Webster dead, slumped over inside the photo booth. The cause of death a sharp instrument jabbed in his ear.

Theodosia becomes determined when Max become a suspect to clear his name. Starting a investigation of her own as to who could have killed Edgar as it becomes known that good time Edgar has had an affair on his wife and has many secrets of his own and soon suspects start pilling up.His wife may want him dead for betraying her, his mistress may want him dead for wanting payment after they broke up for a business deal. The posibilities seem endless but Theodosia makes it her duty to bring this killer to justice before the love of Theodosia's life becomes as steeped as her tea.

Theodosia has spunk is feisty and is bound and determined they are the characteristics that describe her. I see her as a fighter, a strong willed woman and ameteur sleuth and she is not afraid to show it. I knew I liked her from the first page I loved these characters that's why I want to go back and read to get to know them more. The atmosphere of the tea room with these characters are a match made in heaven. They all seemed to click together and I felt like I knew them forever and it kept me wanting to read. This was well written and very entertaining and action packed mystery. Be sure not to miss Ming Tea Murder and don't forget to enjoy some tea while reading.


FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book for review.This did not influence my thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are my own.

[Linda Sizemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ming Tea Murder is the 16th in the Tea Shop Mysteries. It starts off first thing with the murder at a formal event at the museum, which Theodosia is attending. Of course Theodosia has to do her own investigation. While she investigates she discovers several suspects, each with a different motive. As the story unfolds things are busy at the Indigo Tea Shop with special event teas as well as the daily business of running a tea shop. There is also the charity events and other Charleston activities Theodosia always gets talked into assisting with. There's an exciting ending as she discovers who the killer is and solves the mystery of why the murder was committed.

I thought I had it figured out, but I was very wrong. If you like mysteries, murder and tea, this book should be on your to read list.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read all the books in this series and sometimes I wonder why - this book was the worst of the lot and I could believe it was written by someone else who wasn't very familiar with Theo's backstory. The dialogue was bad; Theo had a career before the tea shop and is supposed to be well into her 30's at this point and her telling Max to 'chill' and 'stay frosty' is not the way she has presented herself in the past. She has been involved with 3-4 different guys so far, and her interactions with Max in this book were the worst. She seemed ready to believe he had assaulted another female character and her doubts make me wonder why she would want to be with him. Hopefully he takes the job in Savannah and she can move on to someone with more character. I'll give the next book a shot, but if it is no better I'll be dropping this series with little regret.

[Dixie Deen]

Another good read by Laura Childs. I enjoy the way she writes and find her setting the action in Charleston intriguing. I haven't been there but feel like I could live there and be friends with the main character Theodosia Browning.

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

With drums banging and the sweet notes of a Chinese violin trembling in the air, the enormous red-and-gold dragon shook its great head and danced its way across the rotunda of the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

Theodosia is attending a grand gala with her boyfriend Max at the Gibbes Museum when she discovers the body of a wealthy benefactor. Theo begins to investigate when Max becomes a suspect.

Visiting with Theo and crew at the indigo Tea Shop is always a pleasure. As a tea lover this series makes me incredibly happy. This book was a bit slower than some of the previous ones.

I always enjoy learning things about tea. The set up of an eighteenth century Chinese teahouse makes me swoon. The recipes in the book are always a hit and I've tried many of them from the series.

We learn that the victim is not a very nice person and their are several people who would like to see him dead including some very close to him. Theo is a very determined woman when it comes to protecting those she cares about. I respect the lengths she will go to in order to clear a loved one.

Drayton is probably one of my all time favorite secondary characters in any of the cozies that I read. We all need a Drayton in our lives!

This is an excellent series that has endured the test of time. I particularly recommend it for all tea lovers and lovers of all things Charleston. You could not ask for a better setting for Indigo Tea.

3.5 stars

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi piace l'atmosfera di questa serie! Per quanto riguarda questo libro avevo capito ben presto il movente del delitto, ma ero indecisa fra tre possibili colpevoli: ovviamente è risultato essere il cattivo quello che era più in basso nella mia lista...

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/mi...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Ms. Child’s Tea Shop mysteries have always been some of my most favorite reads so maybe I am being a bit hard on this one. Ming Tea Murder starts off with an exciting exclusive museum gala celebrating the Gibbs Museum’s acquisition of an authentic Chinese tea house. Wealthy people mill about, the exhibit is beautiful, and the dragon and music in the rotunda lend a festive air. All is going well until Theo discovers one of the primary donors deceased in the photo booth. He has obviously been murdered, and for some inexplicably illogical reason Theo’s boyfriend Max, who is the public relations director for the museum, becomes the fall guy since it was his idea to rent the photo booth. He is suspended, but he knows it is only a matter of time until he is officially fired. He is also on the police’s radar, and Theo embroils herself in the investigation to save Max.

As usual, there are plenty of suspects to wade through: the victim’s wife, his mistress, his business partner and his wife, the museum director, and a recently transplanted art dealer. Theo even briefly doubts Max’s innocence. Detective Tidwell is surprising tolerant of Theo’s meddling. Even more surprising is Theo’s collaboration with the sleazy journalist Bill; she has steered clear of him in the past. The mystery itself is pretty solid, however I did guess “whodunit” very early on.

The Indigo Tea Shop is as charming as ever, and I would love to attend one of their special teas. The food offerings always sound delicious, and I often learn something about tea varieties from Drayton.

Unfortunately, my problem is with the characters in this offering. After fifteen books, I feel like I know these people very well, but I barely recognized them here. All of their “voices” did not ring true. The dialogue felt off, and they did not sound or act like themselves. Drayton was far less formal and proper than in the past. There was name calling and slang like never before. The Theo I am acquainted with does not “bark” at people or “check out” and forget about appointments and commitments. She is a proper Southern lady and would not disrespect her elders as she did by calling Delaine’s aunt Aunt Acid. There was no feasible reason for Theo to call someone previously unknown to her by an unkind nickname. Max came across as whiney and immature (I appreciate the clean language that is inherent in cozy mysteries, but his exclamations of “Gosh” and the like were jarring in their false quality). His and Theo’s relationship seemed platonic with no trace of romance. I was confused and bothered by these differences throughout the book.

This is not my favorite book in a series that is exceptionally dear to me, and I am honestly a bit disappointed. I will continue reading in hopes of a return to the tea shop and characters that I have grown to love. If I think about it as a stand-alone cozy, it warrants a higher rating, but I miss these beloved characters and do not want to see them change so much.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Gigi Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts...

Even though this book is #16 in the series A Tea Shop Mystery, 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...It only took a few pages until Theodosia Browning found a dead body in a photo booth... 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: "Titanic Tea" (if you are a Titanic fan you will understand) Served at the tea were some of the delights that the first class passengers enjoyed as their last meal... (Asparagus vinaigrette, Sautéed chicken lyonnaise, Poached salmon with cucumbers on a bed of rice. Desert was Waldorf pudding and Chocolate eclairs.)

As I read these Tea Shop Mysteries, I like to imagine who Theodosia looks like...This time I imagined her looking like Reese Witherspoon. It's my imagination so I can imagine whatever I want...

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.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read that takes place in Charleston. The heroine in Theodosia Browning who ha a talent for serving tea and delectables from her shop and solving crimes. Normally she wouldn't attend a black tea event, but her boyfriend, Max, directs public relations for the Gibbes Museum and has organized an opening gala for an exhibit of an eighteenth-century Chinese teahouse. People are delighted when a dragon weaves through the crowd as music plays . Max has also erected a photo booth so guests can have their picture taken and have a memento. Theodosia enters the booth first and discovers the dead body of a museum donor Edgar Webster who was killed by someone poking a sharp object into his ear. Ouch! Reminds me of the scene from Hamlet when Claudius pours poison in the king's ear. Theodosia is on the hunt for the killer between events she hosts at her tea parlor. The best part of the book is the wonderful food that is served with a variety of different teas: Sausage and Gnocchi Soup, Green tea donuts, Church Street Peanut Butter Cookies, Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins, Chicken and Green Goddess Tea Sandwiches, and of course, Honey scones. There are so many occasions with settings of fine china and wonderful food. In her off time she works on solving the murder and enlists Max's help to access the museum and locate a donor list. Now, she is determined to solve the crime. The subplot involves a married woman who has an affair and the wife finds out and sparks fly. At the end, recipes are given for all the tasty food served. This is a cozy mystery that delights.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been a faithful follower of the Tea Shop Mystery Books.Laura Childs has a way of setting a scene so that the reader has a very clear visual image of what is going on. However, this was one of my least favorites. The author seems bored with her own characters in this book. For the past two or three books the sharp edges around her characters have seemed dull and there is no real sense of any deep character development.
Max was introduced as a mysterious, independent and supportive man in her life, now he is whiny and flat. There is no affection between him and Theo, in fact, Theodosia didn't seem to be sympathetic to anyone, just a woman on a mission and no longer cares about the feelings or inconveniences of the other characters. Its as though the Indigo Tea Shop has become a snow globe: shake and change the party, the tea recipes, victim and the stories follow the same pattern. Its cut and paste. Tidwell continues to eat her scones, drink her tea and allow her to do his job for him? Why is he grumpy? Does he have a family? The readers want to know the characters on a deeper level. Let's hope for more depth in the future.

[Missa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a very difficult time reading this book. Usually I can read one of these Tea Shop mysteries in a day or two, depending on my schedule. However, this one took about a week to slog through. Drayton and Haley and even Delaine seemed to be their normal selves although we saw less of them than usual. Theodosia didn't really seem to be herself and, in regard to Max, she was kind of annoying. She and Max don't seem to click.
I don't know if it's just me but this series, as well as a cozy series by another author, is getting kind of stale. What kind of small business owner can constantly run off leaving her only two employees to run the business? I was drawn to the series because of the tea shop and I still want to run off to Charleston every time I read one of these books but I just don't know if I will be as anxious to nab the next installment of the series. Perhaps my reading tastes are just changing again and the cozy mysteries are going the same route as the romances I used to devour.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ming Tea Murder by Laura Childs.

Excellent beyond words cozy and one of the best, if not THE best, in the Tea Shop Mysteries.

The Gibbes Museum is throwing a formal affair with an authentic Chinese Tea House as the focal point. The purchase of this eighteenth century tea house was made possible by Edgar & Charlotte Webster to the tune of more than 2 million $$$. Max, The Public Relations director at the Gibbes Museum and Theodosia's significant other, has had a photo booth installed for the occasion. But then Theodosia makes an horrific discovery in that very photo booth.

This story was non-stop from the first page to the last...filled with action, interesting gatherings and most of all viable characters that complimented each other. Drayton was his irreplaceable self and happily took a major role along with Theodosia.
The artistry on the cover illustrates perfectly the first chapter's description of the gala event at the Gibbes Museum.

[Katie O’Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, this is a book to give warm fuzzies. Its strength is its characterisations and the descriptions of the setting. Charleston and the Indigo Tea Shop are gorgeous and delicious, and I want to live right there, eat every single scone and sandwich described, and drink the special autumnal tea brewed by Drayton. <3

The plot itself was OK. *spoilers* The discovery of the murderer was rather anticlimactic, since we had spent barely any time with him. His actions, particularly lunging out of the dark and beating up random people associated with the case, did not make a lot of sense. *end spoilers*

One other thing, I know this is #16, and the first I've read, but I think her boyfriend Max is a dud and she ought to be dating Tidwell or somebody more interesting.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book#16 in this series still continues to deliver some of the best plotted murders I have read. Theodosia is the owner of the Indigo Tea shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Along with her employees, Drayton and Haley she serves up tea, food, historical background and murder. The characters have grown to be family and you can see Charleston with the descriptive writing; while the murders just keep getting better and better. With new and old money characters murder comes in many forms and for many reasons. This can be done as a series or you can read each one as a stand alone. I like how the setting, background and characters come together for really great murders. A must read for any cozy or pure mystery fan.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, fun read!

I've been a long time fan of this series and once again I was deeply satisfied when I finished this book.
Theo, Drayton, Haley & Max are at it again, this time a murder takes place at the unveiling of a Chinese tea house. The murder has everyone in a panic, fists are flying and Theo fights hard to defend Max. Halloween is right around the corner so Theo and Drayton are busy with their theme teas. Now Theo steps in to lead the Halloween events while trying to solve the murder. In the midst of all this, Delaine's aunt is in town and she adds a great touch of humor at the end.
Anyone who reads it will definitely have a laugh or three.

[Shelley Giusti · Rating 5 out of 5]

review on may 6th

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The local museum acquires a full size tea house from Shanghai and the man who set things up is murdered. Murder and money is missing, the suspect list is long.

Theo’s love interest loses his job, the scapegoat. Then Theo and Drayton search for the killer while holding specialty tea events. Detective Tidwell isn’t happy but he needs help.

This is the 16th. book in this series and one of the best to date. Read it, enjoy a cuppa and scones!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in lovely Charleston, South Carolina. The local museum has acquired a lovely Chinese tea house and at the reception to celebrate it one of the directors is murdered. Was it the spouse who sets to inherit tons of money? The antique dealer who brokered the deal? The business partner who wants to take the business into and IPO? Or the mistress whom he had just demanded repay the money he had lent her? In intriguing puzzle.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series, but this one was kind of annoying in the beginning. Too many red herrings, too many descriptions of practically everything, too much gnashing of teeth over Max’s job loss. While I enjoyed the concept of the specialty teas, did I really need to know the color of every petal on every flower in every vase…. Bless. The mystery itself was interesting and I loved the chase scene. But could we please stick with the action and skip the endless descriptions.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You just love rushing in where angels fear to tread, don’t you?” said Max"

I have to say this wasn't Laura Childs best outing for Theo and the gang. It seemed very ...contrived. It was pretty easy to figure out who the perp was rather quickly, and this is the first 4 star review I've ever given this author. Recommended, yes, but not as highly as other stories.4/5

[Valerie Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, as usual.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite fun. Although I'm not usually a fan of Halloween stories, I liked this one. It only took place around Halloween, and it wasn't at all scary, which I like.

[Amanda Winkworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good cosy mystery

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5