Murder at the Maplewood Tea Room: A Maplewood Cozy Mystery

by Erin Macy

A Killer Creeps...But Ivy and Watson Move Quicker
Threatening notes appear on the teacups at the Tea Room’s grand reopening, and one of them leads to murder.
Ivy Sinclair, a former Chicago journalist, now writes columns for The Maplewood Bulletin. She expected quiet days and long walks with Watson, her loyal beagle. Instead, Mrs. Osgood—the town’s nosiest gossip—collapses after sipping from a poisoned cup.
Officer Roberts brushes off her concerns. Ivy turns instead to Watson’s keen nose and to her neighbor Alice, who can get anyone talking.
The vanishing notes cause panic. Soon, there are many suspects. Clara Pettigrew argued with Mrs. Osgood, and Les Buckley had a feud with her over his baked goods.
And when the newest note names her, Ivy rushes to stop the killer before they strike again.

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2026

Reviews

[Emily Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with the reopening of the Maplewood Tea Room and the town is all abuzz. Ivy is expecting to write something in her column about the reopening, but never expected for the speaker, Mrs. Osgood, to collapse from drinking poisoned tea at the event. Now this is where the fun begins. There are at least six possible suspects. Watson, Ivy's beagle, is eager to help Ivy on her quest to find out the truth, even if the police brush her off. I enjoyed following the clues. I was guessing to the very end. Erin Macy knows how to tell a good cozy.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in The Ivy Sinclair Cozy Mystery Series, and since I had already read Murder at the Maplewood Bake‑Off (Book 1) and Murder at the Maplewood Frosty Festival (Book 2), opening this one felt like coming home.

Ivy Sinclair thinks Maplewood might finally settle into something peaceful, but the Tea Room’s grand reopening quickly proves otherwise. The threatening teacup notes were such a fun touch — eerie without ever tipping into anything too dark — and their disappearing act added a great layer of tension. I especially enjoyed Ivy’s dynamic with Watson, her loyal beagle, and her neighbor Alice, who always seems to know exactly what the town is whispering about.

The suspects felt believable, and the constant hum of Maplewood gossip kept the mystery lively. Officer Roberts brushing Ivy off made me root for her even more. Once Ivy becomes the next target, the story picks up speed and delivers a satisfying conclusion.

It’s a quick, cozy read with just enough twists to keep things interesting. Perfect for readers who enjoy small‑town mysteries with a warm, comforting vibe. I do wonder if Erin Macy plans to expand the series — Maplewood still feels full of stories waiting to be told.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grand reopening of the Tea Room quickly shatters Ivy Sinclair's hope for peace in Maplewood. The mystery is immediately enlivened by threatening, disappearing teacup notes—an eerie but never too dark touch that adds excellent tension. I particularly enjoyed the main character, Ivy, and her relationships with her loyal beagle, Watson, and her neighbour Alice, who is the town's reliable source of gossip.

The believable cast of suspects and the steady flow of Maplewood rumours keep the mystery engaging. I found myself rooting for Ivy, especially after Officer Roberts dismissed her concerns. The narrative gains momentum when Ivy herself becomes the next target, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

This is a fast-paced, cosy read with enough plot twists to maintain interest. It is ideal for those who enjoy warm, comforting small-town mysteries. I'm left curious about whether Erin Macy plans to continue the series, as Maplewood certainly feels like a setting full of untapped stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Ivy Sinclair series and it is a great addition. It is the grand re-opening of Maplewood's Tea Room. Ivy, journalist for the local paper is looking to cover the re-opening for the paper. What she didn't expect was threatening tea cup notes or the death of Mrs. Osgood after drinking some of her tea. Ivy smells almond. She is sure Mrs. Osgood was poisoned. But Officer Roberts dismisses Ivy's theories. So of course, Ivy, with her loyal beagle, Watson, and her neighbor Alice who is always on top of all the town gossip decide to investigate on their own. Can she sort out the potential suspects? Who wanted Mrs. Osgood dead? Why? Can Ivy, Watson and Alice solve the murder? Not only do I recommend this book, but I recommend the series as well! I can't wait to see what Ivy, Watson and Alice get into next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Sinclair goes to the Maplewood Tea room for the grand reopening when a tragedy happens and Mrs. Osgood, the meanest lady in town, takes a drink of tea and falls over dead. Ivy being the investigator that she is gets involved in the case when she smells almonds in the cup. Poison! This starts a crazy amount of checking everyones alibis and searching the town. Notes and teas cups with threats show up in the tea room and other places until the final moment when the culprit is found.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Misty Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! At a grand opening of a tea room Ivy a Journalist attending it. Finds a note and a woman Dead... as some might see nothing suspicious about it. Ivy and her wonderful Dog Watson thought other wise and solved the case! I'm a sucker for Dogs and Watson capture my heart! A cozy mystery everyone should read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great cozy mystery with Ivy and her Beagle Watson! When threatening notes start showing up on the teacups at the grand re-opening of the tea room and the town’s biggest gossip ends up dead from a poisoned cup journalist Ivy Sinclair and her Beagle set out to solve it. Can they sort through the clues and suspects before someone else winds up dead? This is a great and entertaining book that will keep you reading through the end!
Cherie

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an entertaining cozy with a nice mix of murder and small town gossip with lots of interesting characters. Ivy Sinclair and her dog Watson helped with the murder, unlike the small town gossip and thinking. This was an easy read that kept you spinning in theories and thinking too much. This is a recommended read.

This was an ARC read I left an unbiased review.

[Jean Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining cozy mystery with a lot of interesting characters, many twists and turns and a mix of small town gossip and murder. Ivy Sinclair and her dog Watson step right in to help solve the murder and see that the right person is arrested for it. An easy read with a lot of red herrings along the way.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Booksprout for the opportunity to ARC read this cozy mystery book!

it was adorably cute and I loved the role of Ivy's sidekick! I hope that Erin Macy keeps writing more cozy fun mysteries

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first cozy mystery book and I really enjoyed it! It was a nice read, slower paced but still with a few intense moments. The perfect read when curled up on the couch on a rainy day.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watson and Ivy solved the case once again! The dream teams bond, especially with Alice joining in, added unique and fun charm to the book. 🤗

[Patti Procopi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable, cozy mystery with relatable, characters, and best of all - a dog! I was given an arc copy of this book in return for an honest review. There’s something creepy going on in the small town of Maplewood and Ivy our hero is trying to figure out who is behind it.
I would’ve liked to have read the first two books in the series 1st because I did feel it a slight disadvantage with the relationships and characters, but overall quite enjoyable.