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Tea Shop Mystery #17
Devonshire Scream
The New York Times bestselling author of Ming Tea Murder serves up heists, homicides, and herbal blends in the latest in the Tea Shop mysteries.
Catering a trunk show at Heart's Desire Jewelry is a shining achievement for Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop. After all, a slew of jewelers, museum curators, and private collectors will be there to sip some of Theo's best blends. Unfortunately, the party is crashed by a gang of masked muggers who steal the precious gems on display, and then disappear almost as quickly as they arrived--leaving a dead body in their wake.
Theo gets involved in the case after her friend Brooke, aunt of the victim and owner of Heart's Desire, begs for help in figuring out who committed the brutal burglary. Though the FBI believes this smash and grab is the work of an international gang of jewel thieves, Theo is convinced that the felon is someone much closer to home...
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
Catering a trunk show at Heart's Desire Jewelry is a shining achievement for Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop. After all, a slew of jewelers, museum curators, and private collectors will be there to sip some of Theo's best blends. Unfortunately, the party is crashed by a gang of masked muggers who steal the precious gems on display, and then disappear almost as quickly as they arrived--leaving a dead body in their wake.
Theo gets involved in the case after her friend Brooke, aunt of the victim and owner of Heart's Desire, begs for help in figuring out who committed the brutal burglary. Though the FBI believes this smash and grab is the work of an international gang of jewel thieves, Theo is convinced that the felon is someone much closer to home...
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
307 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
325 people are currently reading
2046 people want to read
About the author
Laura Childs
88 books2,251 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
February 21, 2016
I am a book whore. My bed, desk, floor are strewn with books, while the new home now houses several "libraries" (yes, I even named them). I love books - and I do not mean, reading books, though I love that too, I mean books as physical objects. Fingering and smelling them fondly as I read, I am a sucker for the feel of a nice editions, serrated edges, the scents of freshly printed paper, and the like (which is why I don't do e-books).
So now I'm having some kind of moral breakdown: I received this book via the GoodReads Giveaways program. My first couple reactions: "I got a free book! I won (my first) book! I won something for the first time ever, and it's a book!" Understatement to say I take this seriously, and that I am overjoyed. And this book will definitely find a home (in the "mysteries and pulp" library).
Back to the moral breakdown: I am supposed to honestly review this book. On one hand, I'm so overjoyed at having received a free book (the feeling may fade with repeated "wins" but this is my first). On the other, if I were honest about the contents, this is terrible, the perfect example of the sophomoric, inane, vapid drivel that somehow garners mass success in today's a-literary world of publishing. I basically felt as if I was reading a 5th grader's attempt at a novel.
I haven't read mysteries in a while, but I went through a period where that's all I read. I've gone through the entire Christie and Stout collections, most of Susanna Gregory and all of Mel Starr and C.J. Sansom (historical mysteries), with samplings from all the other "greats", and lots of newer pulps too. None of the authors I've read in this genre are artists (except C.J. Sansom, who is a bona-fide British academic historian and whose works are masterpieces)- but they all have this in common: their writing does not grate on the nerves. It's no poetry, but it's unobtrusive in a way that doesn't detract from the stories.
Not so with Devonshire Scream, which is just badly, awfully, ghastly, terribly, [insert any other synonyms here for "horribly"] written. I didn't care about anything that was happening, the characters, the setting, nothing at all had a chance against the wobbly foundation of discordant, badly mashed, cliched use of the English language.
Conclusion: while I love swimming in books, and I won't say no to any new addition to my library, I'd certainly not recommend this to anyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Script: still - this series has obviously had some success, seeing as it's in 17th iteration. If you've enjoyed it up to this point, you probably will enjoy this installment.
So now I'm having some kind of moral breakdown: I received this book via the GoodReads Giveaways program. My first couple reactions: "I got a free book! I won (my first) book! I won something for the first time ever, and it's a book!" Understatement to say I take this seriously, and that I am overjoyed. And this book will definitely find a home (in the "mysteries and pulp" library).
Back to the moral breakdown: I am supposed to honestly review this book. On one hand, I'm so overjoyed at having received a free book (the feeling may fade with repeated "wins" but this is my first). On the other, if I were honest about the contents, this is terrible, the perfect example of the sophomoric, inane, vapid drivel that somehow garners mass success in today's a-literary world of publishing. I basically felt as if I was reading a 5th grader's attempt at a novel.
I haven't read mysteries in a while, but I went through a period where that's all I read. I've gone through the entire Christie and Stout collections, most of Susanna Gregory and all of Mel Starr and C.J. Sansom (historical mysteries), with samplings from all the other "greats", and lots of newer pulps too. None of the authors I've read in this genre are artists (except C.J. Sansom, who is a bona-fide British academic historian and whose works are masterpieces)- but they all have this in common: their writing does not grate on the nerves. It's no poetry, but it's unobtrusive in a way that doesn't detract from the stories.
Not so with Devonshire Scream, which is just badly, awfully, ghastly, terribly, [insert any other synonyms here for "horribly"] written. I didn't care about anything that was happening, the characters, the setting, nothing at all had a chance against the wobbly foundation of discordant, badly mashed, cliched use of the English language.
Conclusion: while I love swimming in books, and I won't say no to any new addition to my library, I'd certainly not recommend this to anyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Script: still - this series has obviously had some success, seeing as it's in 17th iteration. If you've enjoyed it up to this point, you probably will enjoy this installment.
January 17, 2016
Laura Childs has bagged me again with this fantastic mystery steeped full of action and intrigue!
Talk about a book starting off with a bang. DEVONSHIRE SCREAM had me gasping in shock only a few pages in. Seriously, I sat up straighter in my chair, and remember saying out loud, “No way!”
DEVONSHIRE SCREAM takes the reader through a jewel hyst and murder, and carries us through as investigation brewing with ever increasing questions, all leading to an intense conclusion that left me absolutely breathless!
Book after book, author Laura Childs continues to write brilliant stories in this delightful series. Each new story is fresh, entertaining, and fun.
Returning fans, and new readers of the Tea Shop mysteries are in for a wonderful treat with this latest installment.
Make sure to check out the back of this book for recipes, Tea Time Tips, Tea Resources, and an excerpt of LITTLE GIRL GONE, a thriller y Laura Childs writing under her own name, Gerry Schmitt!
Talk about a book starting off with a bang. DEVONSHIRE SCREAM had me gasping in shock only a few pages in. Seriously, I sat up straighter in my chair, and remember saying out loud, “No way!”
DEVONSHIRE SCREAM takes the reader through a jewel hyst and murder, and carries us through as investigation brewing with ever increasing questions, all leading to an intense conclusion that left me absolutely breathless!
Book after book, author Laura Childs continues to write brilliant stories in this delightful series. Each new story is fresh, entertaining, and fun.
Returning fans, and new readers of the Tea Shop mysteries are in for a wonderful treat with this latest installment.
Make sure to check out the back of this book for recipes, Tea Time Tips, Tea Resources, and an excerpt of LITTLE GIRL GONE, a thriller y Laura Childs writing under her own name, Gerry Schmitt!
January 28, 2020
I have returned to the Tea Shop Mystery coziverse after a couple of years away. I missed it. This time, I will stick with the series despite its pervasive mocking prose (present since 2015 with #16 Ming Tea Murder). I will continue to miss the even-handedness and cozy elegance of Child's old writing. I will remain a lover of this series in spite of the problems.
3 stars
3 stars
March 17, 2016
The Tea Shop mysteries are pretty hit or miss for me. I continue to read them because while I find Theo almost as insufferable as Delaine (who is supposed to be unbearable), I like the idea of a series set in Charleston and, more than that, I generally like the tea shop aspect.
Sigh. This book. This book... I don't really know where to begin.
As always, there's a murder. When the victim's family member/Theo's friend comes into the shop the morning following the murder, Theo comments that she looks like she's just been through a disaster. Really, Theo? Really? Having someone you love die pretty much in your arms is pretty much one of the worst things I can think of and yet not once during the entire book does she ever seem to realize how awful this must be for her friend. There's much talk of revenge or justice, but there's very little actual empathy. And since this happens pretty early on in the story, it made the rest of the book ring hollow.
As for the local side, one of the characters says that their husband owned a Mercedes dealership on James Island. A successful one, one that would help her be able to afford a home in the historic district. There are not enough shrieks of "Bullshit!" in the world to convey how utterly wrong this is. Either your characters should know enough about the area to know this is BS or this is supposed to be a completely alternate universe. As it plays out, Theo and everyone else who heard this line and believed it to be true, looks like a complete fool.
We won't really touch the whole autumn in Charleston thing because well... she's not entirely wrong, she's just not entirely right. (I believe autumn this year arrived in January or February for a day.)
Mostly though, I was just amazed, in the worst possible way, by the way Theo went around breaking and entering and basically just being an awful person. Like I've said, she's never been my favorite character in the series, but she's never been quite so obnoxious before. Did I miss a terrific head injury? Did Max take some important piece of her down to Savannah with him (speaking of which, why do we get recaps for everything except their breakup?) Truthfully, almost no one in the book really acted quite like themselves, with the exception of Miss Dimple.
Oh, and once more Theo doesn't actually figure out the bad guy. At all. Not even a little.
Sigh. This book. This book... I don't really know where to begin.
As always, there's a murder. When the victim's family member/Theo's friend comes into the shop the morning following the murder, Theo comments that she looks like she's just been through a disaster. Really, Theo? Really? Having someone you love die pretty much in your arms is pretty much one of the worst things I can think of and yet not once during the entire book does she ever seem to realize how awful this must be for her friend. There's much talk of revenge or justice, but there's very little actual empathy. And since this happens pretty early on in the story, it made the rest of the book ring hollow.
As for the local side, one of the characters says that their husband owned a Mercedes dealership on James Island. A successful one, one that would help her be able to afford a home in the historic district. There are not enough shrieks of "Bullshit!" in the world to convey how utterly wrong this is. Either your characters should know enough about the area to know this is BS or this is supposed to be a completely alternate universe. As it plays out, Theo and everyone else who heard this line and believed it to be true, looks like a complete fool.
We won't really touch the whole autumn in Charleston thing because well... she's not entirely wrong, she's just not entirely right. (I believe autumn this year arrived in January or February for a day.)
Mostly though, I was just amazed, in the worst possible way, by the way Theo went around breaking and entering and basically just being an awful person. Like I've said, she's never been my favorite character in the series, but she's never been quite so obnoxious before. Did I miss a terrific head injury? Did Max take some important piece of her down to Savannah with him (speaking of which, why do we get recaps for everything except their breakup?) Truthfully, almost no one in the book really acted quite like themselves, with the exception of Miss Dimple.
Oh, and once more Theo doesn't actually figure out the bad guy. At all. Not even a little.
March 13, 2016
Nothing better than a cup of tea and the latest Tea Shop Mystery
There's nothing better for me than books and a cup of tea and there's certainly nothing better than a cup of tea and the latest Tea Shop Mystery. Theodosia Browning owns Indigo Tea Shop, there's nothing she loves better along with Drayton who is the tea master, an expert on all things, tea and he is also a antique collector and Haley who is the chef of the tea shop in Charleston, South Carolina.
Heart's Desire is a fine jewelry shop that Theodosia's friend, Brooke owns and she invites Theodosia to a trunk show that's shes putting on to display some of her most priceless jewelry. With private collectors, and others among them an SUV comes speeding through the wall and all hell breaks out when a masked group starts quickly pocketing all the precious jewels.
As glass is flying and guests fearing for their lives with the robbers letting a smoke bomb off, Theodosia's first thought is to help the other guests that are hurt and injured. Brooke is crying out in heartbreak when Theodosia approaches her niece, Kaitlin who is a jewelry designer in the making with glass embedded in her throat and clearly dead from her injury. With the Hertiage Society's Rare Antiquites show approaching and one of the items being displayed there being a valuable Farerge Egg, Theodosia fears this group of thives may return again. Brooke then asks Theodosia to find who is responsible and avenge her niece's death and she of coarse could never say no.
Keep some tissues beside you, Devonshire Scream will have you shedding tears with a not so typical murder but a all to typical bad guys. Fast-pased and thrilling and hard to put down. A perfect sip of tea for even the most picky of tea drinkers and cozy mystery fans. I'm dying to try the recipes that are included in the back that were some of the recipes chef ,Haley made for the Indigo tea Shop customers. The best of what I read from Tea Shop Mysteries so far. Even a coffee lover could love.
There's nothing better for me than books and a cup of tea and there's certainly nothing better than a cup of tea and the latest Tea Shop Mystery. Theodosia Browning owns Indigo Tea Shop, there's nothing she loves better along with Drayton who is the tea master, an expert on all things, tea and he is also a antique collector and Haley who is the chef of the tea shop in Charleston, South Carolina.
Heart's Desire is a fine jewelry shop that Theodosia's friend, Brooke owns and she invites Theodosia to a trunk show that's shes putting on to display some of her most priceless jewelry. With private collectors, and others among them an SUV comes speeding through the wall and all hell breaks out when a masked group starts quickly pocketing all the precious jewels.
As glass is flying and guests fearing for their lives with the robbers letting a smoke bomb off, Theodosia's first thought is to help the other guests that are hurt and injured. Brooke is crying out in heartbreak when Theodosia approaches her niece, Kaitlin who is a jewelry designer in the making with glass embedded in her throat and clearly dead from her injury. With the Hertiage Society's Rare Antiquites show approaching and one of the items being displayed there being a valuable Farerge Egg, Theodosia fears this group of thives may return again. Brooke then asks Theodosia to find who is responsible and avenge her niece's death and she of coarse could never say no.
Keep some tissues beside you, Devonshire Scream will have you shedding tears with a not so typical murder but a all to typical bad guys. Fast-pased and thrilling and hard to put down. A perfect sip of tea for even the most picky of tea drinkers and cozy mystery fans. I'm dying to try the recipes that are included in the back that were some of the recipes chef ,Haley made for the Indigo tea Shop customers. The best of what I read from Tea Shop Mysteries so far. Even a coffee lover could love.
April 24, 2016
You know, you wouldn't think I'd keep reading books by an author that I pretty consistently rate as three stars. But, this series is probably perfectly written for what it is--a cozy mystery series. It's not supposed to challenge me intellectually (which it doesn't) or give me some big life lesson (which it doesn't). Sometimes the characters annoy me--like, really, Theodosia, breaking & entering now??? Sometimes they delight me--how can one not love Drayton and Delaine, who meets her soulmate every other book or so? It's not believable in that no tea shop could churn out the quantity of food, tea, and special events that these three people do. BUT, the lovely, lovely idea of a tea shop in Charleston...well, there you have it. That's what gets me every time. I'll keep reading these series for the brain rest and visual appeal, not great literature, that they are and be just happy for it.
March 24, 2018
I started this book with high hopes that were quickly dashed. It did not have any of the feel of any of the other books in the series and felt like someone other than the writer penned this story. While all the characters were there, they all said and did things that at no time in the past have they done so. Theo appears stronger, but is much more crass, Haley is not the delightful young "assistant" and Drayton is less than his debonair self. There was no warmth in this book at all. While I wanted Theo to be more than she has been, more decisive, more strong woman, more of a detective, this just isn't it. Please bring the old Theo back.
May 11, 2016
Goodreads asks, "What did you think?" Well, I think the author has gone off the rails. The main characters are acting uncharacteristically, and not in a good way or any way that makes sense. Theodosia, who generally has a good mix of Southern charm, manners, brains, and moxie has become rude, reckless, and witless. Did she have a mental breakdown that will be discussed in the next book? One can only hope. I found myself skimming the last half of this book just wanting it to be over. I will probably read the next installment, but if there's no improvement, it will be my last.
November 15, 2016
This is a painful review for me to write as I have been a loyal fan from the start of this series. However, I found this book to have very unrealistic plot twists and turns. I have noticed a change in the series over the last few books with behavior of the characters, mainly Theodosia in her language and actions. With most cozies, you have to suspend some belief as amateurs are constantly trying to perform a police function, but in this one, Theodosia actually breaks into someone's home in her fervor to investigate - I found this quite unrealistic and, last time I heard, that was a crime. She also accuses Haley's boyfriend of being part of a jewel thief gang - without even knowing a thing about him except he rides a motorcycle and a motorcycle was involved with the crime scene - so much for friendship and forget a working relationship after that. As for the conclusion - it veered off into the quite unbelievable for me. But I do admit the author hid the culprit well - it was a complete surprise to me! Although the series has lost some of its charm for me, there are still many things I like about it - the vivid descriptions of the Tea Shop and the Charleston area, the tea knowledge the author imparts (I actually learned what a 'tisane' is!), the recipes that are contained in the back of the book, and the personalities of most of the characters. Overall, if you haven't read any of this series, don't start with this one - the earlier ones are much more charming.
April 16, 2017
Laura Child's Devonshire Scream kept me busy through the long stretch of highway in Nevada last week on my Spring break vacation. Driving through a very hot and lovely desert with not even a rest stop for hours I found myself immersed in the wonderful world and mystery of Devonshire Scream. Such a treat to have this book on my table. I did not read it when it came out last year in hardcover and I so enjoyed having the chance to read and review it now. I think this may be my favorite in this series. Laura Childs has such wonderful and rich characters, and a true understanding and love of all things tea. I enjoyed the themed tea ideas as much as the mystery itself. Perhaps it is because I loved the theme and mystery around the Romanoff family and this mystery has jewels and a precious egg that once belonged to the Russian Royal family, but it is a story about so much more. This one is action packed, filled with charm and delightful tea suggestions that will leave your mouth watering as it did mine all the way to Phoenix! This is my most favorite so far in the series.
March 13, 2016
Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs.
The Indigo Tea Shop is catering a gala event at Heart's Desire Jewelry shop. Their most precious and over the top expensive gems will be on display. World renown jewelers, collectors and curators of museums will be in attendance. All seems to be running like clock work with no complications and then...all chaos erupts on the scene.
The author pulled out all the stops and delivered one of the best in the Tea Shop Mystery series to date. I was so delighted to find that Drayton (Theodosia's right hand man) played a major role in this story. A terrific addition to this ongoing mystery series and then there is another addition to Drayton's family, which absolutely thrilled me to no end.
I must add that amount of detail in the characters as well as all surroundings is so professionally included adding to the depth of this story.
The Indigo Tea Shop is catering a gala event at Heart's Desire Jewelry shop. Their most precious and over the top expensive gems will be on display. World renown jewelers, collectors and curators of museums will be in attendance. All seems to be running like clock work with no complications and then...all chaos erupts on the scene.
The author pulled out all the stops and delivered one of the best in the Tea Shop Mystery series to date. I was so delighted to find that Drayton (Theodosia's right hand man) played a major role in this story. A terrific addition to this ongoing mystery series and then there is another addition to Drayton's family, which absolutely thrilled me to no end.
I must add that amount of detail in the characters as well as all surroundings is so professionally included adding to the depth of this story.
April 29, 2016
Perhaps I am getting jaded, but many of the events in this installment felt completely preposterous. Normally I would be totally accepting of these stretches of reality but for some reason this time it didn't happen. Oh, and the fact that Theodosia kept complaining about how busy the tea shop was but then would leave at the busy times to go investigate irritated me. Why couldn't she wait a couple hours and pay attention to her business? Why would you assume someone was a jewel thief just because they ride a motorcycle or own a rock climbing hammer? Like I said, a lot that just wasn't easy to accept.
June 21, 2018
This was a fun read. I still like the setting the characters. The food and teas sounded delicious. The mystery was exciting, and the ending was surprising.
January 2, 2022
4 stelle e mezza
Mi piace questa serie, anche se in questo libro la protagonista non sempre agisce seguendo la legge. Il colpevole è risultato essere una vera sorpresa, però.
Mi piace questa serie, anche se in questo libro la protagonista non sempre agisce seguendo la legge. Il colpevole è risultato essere una vera sorpresa, però.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2016
There’s always interesting activities going on around the Indigo Tea Shop and this time it deals with expensive gems, jewels and murder.
Theodosia Browning and the gang from the Indigo Tea Shop are excited to cater a high-class trunk show for Brooke Carter Crockett at Heart’s Desire Jewelry. With the event in full swing and precious gems and bobbles on display, a gang of masked thieves literally crash into the shop. The robbers quickly make off with the loot and leave the shop in shattered glass and Brooke’s niece Kaitlin dead.
When Brooke begs Theo for help in finding out who the robbers are, she has no choice but to do all she can do to solve the case. While the authorities believe the brutal burglary was the work of an international jewel thief gang, Theo thinks the mastermind is a local.
Author Laura Childs once again blends the intrigue of murder and mayhem with the comfort of a tea shop and friends for an entertaining and suspenseful read. The story moves smoothly and at a steady pace to hold your attention from beginning to end. The tea shop setting with Charleston as a backdrop adds depth to the tantalizing tale.
The characters are realistic and likable. The main core of characters – protagonist Theo and her associates Drayton and Haley – continue to evolve with each new installment. Their friendship and bantering enhances the story.
DEVONSHIRE SCREAM is the 17th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t be left in the dark and returning fans will enjoy catching up with the gang once more. You don’t have to be a tea drinker to enjoy this story, but a number of delicious recipes, tea time tips and tea resources are included as a bonus. In addition, readers get a special preview of a new series from the author (writing as Gerry Schmitt) that is more thriller than cozy.
This is a delightful cozy mystery that will satisfy your quizzical nature and tempt your appetite.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Theodosia Browning and the gang from the Indigo Tea Shop are excited to cater a high-class trunk show for Brooke Carter Crockett at Heart’s Desire Jewelry. With the event in full swing and precious gems and bobbles on display, a gang of masked thieves literally crash into the shop. The robbers quickly make off with the loot and leave the shop in shattered glass and Brooke’s niece Kaitlin dead.
When Brooke begs Theo for help in finding out who the robbers are, she has no choice but to do all she can do to solve the case. While the authorities believe the brutal burglary was the work of an international jewel thief gang, Theo thinks the mastermind is a local.
Author Laura Childs once again blends the intrigue of murder and mayhem with the comfort of a tea shop and friends for an entertaining and suspenseful read. The story moves smoothly and at a steady pace to hold your attention from beginning to end. The tea shop setting with Charleston as a backdrop adds depth to the tantalizing tale.
The characters are realistic and likable. The main core of characters – protagonist Theo and her associates Drayton and Haley – continue to evolve with each new installment. Their friendship and bantering enhances the story.
DEVONSHIRE SCREAM is the 17th installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t be left in the dark and returning fans will enjoy catching up with the gang once more. You don’t have to be a tea drinker to enjoy this story, but a number of delicious recipes, tea time tips and tea resources are included as a bonus. In addition, readers get a special preview of a new series from the author (writing as Gerry Schmitt) that is more thriller than cozy.
This is a delightful cozy mystery that will satisfy your quizzical nature and tempt your appetite.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
May 13, 2017
This is the 17th novel in this excellent series, The Tea Shop Mysteries, and it most certainly did not disappoint me as to quality of the storyline, nor exciting crime scenes, nor fabulous foods with the added luxury of recipes, and characters that stay in character which leads to my being able to say that this series is one of my favorites.
Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston, South Carolina's 'Indigo Tea Shop' has to step up her crime solving abilities in order to find justice for one of her favorite persons, Brooke Carter Crockett.
Now, I'm not going to describe too much of this book's action as that would truly spoil the reader's personal reactions to the very clever crime scene and events. I will say that I found myself startled and reading faster and faster as the tale unfolded.
The puzzle of the 'who dun it' was intriguing and there were many red-herrings presented for the reader's own deliberations. Again I found myself having turned many pages before I realized I was reading at a very quick and smooth pace.
The ending was every bit as exciting as the beginning and thoroughly satisfying.
In-between the tale was a gentle cozy murder mystery filled with luscious foods and equally compelling teas. The friendships of Theodosia, Haley, and Drayton remain strong and draw the reader into their personal group. Interesting new characters were introduced and lead to new possible directions for what I hope will be many more volumes.
This is a true cozy murder mystery. All the elements are present to make a great reading journey for you to take. Five stars just doesn't seem enough, however, that is what I'm allowed and I give all with my full approval.
Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston, South Carolina's 'Indigo Tea Shop' has to step up her crime solving abilities in order to find justice for one of her favorite persons, Brooke Carter Crockett.
Now, I'm not going to describe too much of this book's action as that would truly spoil the reader's personal reactions to the very clever crime scene and events. I will say that I found myself startled and reading faster and faster as the tale unfolded.
The puzzle of the 'who dun it' was intriguing and there were many red-herrings presented for the reader's own deliberations. Again I found myself having turned many pages before I realized I was reading at a very quick and smooth pace.
The ending was every bit as exciting as the beginning and thoroughly satisfying.
In-between the tale was a gentle cozy murder mystery filled with luscious foods and equally compelling teas. The friendships of Theodosia, Haley, and Drayton remain strong and draw the reader into their personal group. Interesting new characters were introduced and lead to new possible directions for what I hope will be many more volumes.
This is a true cozy murder mystery. All the elements are present to make a great reading journey for you to take. Five stars just doesn't seem enough, however, that is what I'm allowed and I give all with my full approval.
May 6, 2018
This book begins with a bang, quite literally! Theodosia and Haley are at Heart's Desire (the upscale jewelry shop owned by Theo's friend Brooke) and whilst they are dishing out tea and nibbles to the discerning people looking at the various displays, their life is turned upside down when a Hummer crashes through the window and a group of people wearing masks jump out, set off smoke bombs and take pretty much everything! That would have been bad enough for Brooke (and all her guests) but tragedy strikes as Brooke's niece, Kaitlin, is found with a jagged piece of glass through her throat, and now not only do we have a smash and grab but manslaughter (if not murder) mixed in as well.
With Detective Tidwell on the case for the Charleston PD and two FBI agents as well (it appears this follows the same pattern as other raids throughout the Americas and abroad as well) Theo also puts her sleuthing hat back on so she can help Brooke come to terms with what happened. At that point the roller coaster builds up momentum and we have a wonderful (and occasionally scary) ride to the end!
With Detective Tidwell on the case for the Charleston PD and two FBI agents as well (it appears this follows the same pattern as other raids throughout the Americas and abroad as well) Theo also puts her sleuthing hat back on so she can help Brooke come to terms with what happened. At that point the roller coaster builds up momentum and we have a wonderful (and occasionally scary) ride to the end!
July 24, 2016
I enjoy the setting of Child's cozy tea mystery set in Charleston and like the recipes. Unfortunately, questions always arise, i.e. how does Haley manage to bake enough pasteries & food to serve not only a tea shop for a day but also special tea parties in that small cottage kitchen that can only fit 2 people and do it without help? Then to the mystery part, a local small business owner has arranged for a high end jewelry show with gems borrowed from museums and jewelers but doesn't have any security for the night of the party - how did she even get insurance to cover an unsecured event?
Then, Theodosia wears an expensive gem to another museum showing, hoping to catch the thieves but changes her mind, gives the gem to Haley to take to the museum safe without getting a guard to accompany Haley & guess what happens? Too many gaping holes that don't get covered.
Then, Theodosia wears an expensive gem to another museum showing, hoping to catch the thieves but changes her mind, gives the gem to Haley to take to the museum safe without getting a guard to accompany Haley & guess what happens? Too many gaping holes that don't get covered.
April 19, 2016
Tea parties, galas, fabulous jewels and murder all set in Charleston will keep you turning the pages in this fascinating new entry in a wonderful series. Theodosia and her crew from the Indigo Tea Shop are serving a party at Heart's Desire Fine Jewelry when a vehicle crashes thru the front window. Masked and armed thieves take most of the jewels being displayed, leaving the owner's niece dead from flying glass. Theodosia promises the distraught aunt that she will help the police find the killer. The characters are like family and the background and theme continue to entertain in this multi book series. If you haven't yet read this series you should. It is an adventure that you won't forget!
March 26, 2020
Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs is the 17th book in the Tea Shop Mystery series. While catering a show at Hearts Desire Jewelry, Theodosia, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, witnesses the smash and grab jewel heist where the owners niece is killed, and soon becomes involved in the hunt for the gang of thieves. An enjoyable, typical cozy mystery. It was nice to catch up with the characters once again, and the descriptions of the teas and eventasare what I love most about this series. Theodosia seemed a bit more reckless with her sleuthing though, putting her friends at risk, and this spoiled the book a little for me. Delicious sounding recipes and tea tips are included.
February 2, 2020
Laura Child’s series are always great cozy mysteries to snuggle up with... I would love going to her Indigo Tea Shop for scones and tea..... Thankfully, she shares some great recipes so I can make my own....
PopSugar 2020 - A pun title....
PopSugar 2020 - A pun title....
November 25, 2024
During a trunk show at Theo's friend Brooke's jeweler shop, Heart's Desire, a gang of thugs drives an SUV through the store window, smashes and grabs all the rare jewelry pieces they can before driving off. Brooke's niece is killed in the process. A grieving aunt and business owner, Brooke asks Theo to look into things for her. Detective Tidwell is on the case but so is the FBI, searching for international jewel thieves. Theo thinks she knows everyone in Charleston Society but there are some newcomers who make her suspicious. Meanwhile, life at Indigo Tea Shop goes on with three themed teas in one week! Coming up soon is the Heritage Society fundraising gala which will feature a rare, real, Fabergé egg from the Russian royal court. Theo worries about a repeat of what happened at Brooke's shop and cautions Timothy. While he claims to have everything under control, Theo carries on her investigation. Can she figure out who the villain is before the egg is stolen?
This plot didn't interest me. It was too over-the-top ridiculous and the victim was a young woman with her whole bright future ahead of her who didn't deserve to die. The themed teas sounded fun but the Full Monty tea was not quite what I was expecting. I would have died laughing to see Drayton's reaction if it was. Drayton would turn bright red and probably expire on the spot. Delaine, on the other hand, would go crazy with excitement.
Theo's investigation was terrible. She was like a bull in a China shop! She broke numerous laws, suspected innocent people as usual, jumped into action like a superhero and put one of her friends in danger - AGAIN. You would think she would have learned a lesson or two by now. Theo never does figure out who the thief/murderer is even though she has a clue to go on. One only she conveniently noticed and then promptly forgot. Her relationship with the FBI was really silly. She keeps pumping law enforcement for answers when she's only a nosy civilian. She's figured out how to work Tidwell by plying him with food but he only tells her what she needs to know. Drayton reluctantly goes along with Theo's sleuthing but can't stop her. She won't even listen to a good friend.
Lionel Riniker, a European man, is the newest member of the Heritage Society board. He's only been in town a few weeks and has fallen in love with Charleston. He's also Theo's #1 suspect because a picture the FBI has of an international jewel thief kinda, sorta, maybe looks like Lionel! Heavens! Would Drayton and Timothy be friends with a jewel thief? Maybe his credentials are fake but wouldn't Timothy pay to have a background check on this guy? It seems kind of odd to suspect someone because a picture SORT OF looks like him and he's European/German speaking. Lionel has already found a girlfriend! Society widow Grace Dawson loves her dogs and walks them every day. That gives her something in common with Theo. Grace seems nice according to Theo but to me she comes across as pretentious and has too much money.
Suspects #2 are a new money couple, Sabrina and Luke Andross. He sells high end yachts and they have just come crashing into Charleston Society. They're crude and a little cringy but they're trying to fit it and don't know the rules. It does seem suspicious that they came from Miami though. Another newcomer, Warren Shepley, is only visiting. A professor from Savannah on sabbatical, he's conducting research in Charleston. He's staying there so he can do his research quickly before he returns home. He seems nice and mild mannered. There's nothing about him that screams murderer or thief. He's not ostentatious but because he studies 18th century Russian history, he's naturally a suspect.
Marcus Clement, a random stranger Theo has never met or never does meet, is high on her list of suspects as well, just because of a purchase he made at a sporting goods store. There's NO WAY a store employee would give out someone's address to another customer even if they had it saved. That was ridiculous and Theo should have passed that info along to Tidwell and let him check it out. He was working on it. Theo suspects Haley's new boyfriend, Billy Grainger, just because she heard a motorcycle engine as the thieves left the scene. Billy rides a motorcycle therefore he must be a suspect! ::Eyeroll:: I feel bad for Haley who constantly defends her new friend. Delaine has a new friend too, a Frenchman this time, who is in town temporarily but she hopes he'll stay. Delaine really seems to have it bad for him or she's desperate and thinks this is her final chance at marriage. Her views on women and marriage are complete outdated and repugnant.
The whole Charleston society cast of characters really annoys me. They seem to think they're in 19th-century England where they have nothing to do except sip champagne and make extravagant purchases. They are suspicious of "new money" people and newcomers to Charleston who are not descended from the founding families.
Some of the recipes sound delicious and I will write them down. I think I need a break from this series for now.
This plot didn't interest me. It was too over-the-top ridiculous and the victim was a young woman with her whole bright future ahead of her who didn't deserve to die. The themed teas sounded fun but the Full Monty tea was not quite what I was expecting. I would have died laughing to see Drayton's reaction if it was. Drayton would turn bright red and probably expire on the spot. Delaine, on the other hand, would go crazy with excitement.
Theo's investigation was terrible. She was like a bull in a China shop! She broke numerous laws, suspected innocent people as usual, jumped into action like a superhero and put one of her friends in danger - AGAIN. You would think she would have learned a lesson or two by now. Theo never does figure out who the thief/murderer is even though she has a clue to go on. One only she conveniently noticed and then promptly forgot. Her relationship with the FBI was really silly. She keeps pumping law enforcement for answers when she's only a nosy civilian. She's figured out how to work Tidwell by plying him with food but he only tells her what she needs to know. Drayton reluctantly goes along with Theo's sleuthing but can't stop her. She won't even listen to a good friend.
Lionel Riniker, a European man, is the newest member of the Heritage Society board. He's only been in town a few weeks and has fallen in love with Charleston. He's also Theo's #1 suspect because a picture the FBI has of an international jewel thief kinda, sorta, maybe looks like Lionel! Heavens! Would Drayton and Timothy be friends with a jewel thief? Maybe his credentials are fake but wouldn't Timothy pay to have a background check on this guy? It seems kind of odd to suspect someone because a picture SORT OF looks like him and he's European/German speaking. Lionel has already found a girlfriend! Society widow Grace Dawson loves her dogs and walks them every day. That gives her something in common with Theo. Grace seems nice according to Theo but to me she comes across as pretentious and has too much money.
Suspects #2 are a new money couple, Sabrina and Luke Andross. He sells high end yachts and they have just come crashing into Charleston Society. They're crude and a little cringy but they're trying to fit it and don't know the rules. It does seem suspicious that they came from Miami though. Another newcomer, Warren Shepley, is only visiting. A professor from Savannah on sabbatical, he's conducting research in Charleston. He's staying there so he can do his research quickly before he returns home. He seems nice and mild mannered. There's nothing about him that screams murderer or thief. He's not ostentatious but because he studies 18th century Russian history, he's naturally a suspect.
Marcus Clement, a random stranger Theo has never met or never does meet, is high on her list of suspects as well, just because of a purchase he made at a sporting goods store. There's NO WAY a store employee would give out someone's address to another customer even if they had it saved. That was ridiculous and Theo should have passed that info along to Tidwell and let him check it out. He was working on it. Theo suspects Haley's new boyfriend, Billy Grainger, just because she heard a motorcycle engine as the thieves left the scene. Billy rides a motorcycle therefore he must be a suspect! ::Eyeroll:: I feel bad for Haley who constantly defends her new friend. Delaine has a new friend too, a Frenchman this time, who is in town temporarily but she hopes he'll stay. Delaine really seems to have it bad for him or she's desperate and thinks this is her final chance at marriage. Her views on women and marriage are complete outdated and repugnant.
The whole Charleston society cast of characters really annoys me. They seem to think they're in 19th-century England where they have nothing to do except sip champagne and make extravagant purchases. They are suspicious of "new money" people and newcomers to Charleston who are not descended from the founding families.
Some of the recipes sound delicious and I will write them down. I think I need a break from this series for now.
January 6, 2016
My Thoughts...
This was not the first book I've read by this author, Laura Childs, and I am never disappointed when I read one of her cozy mysteries. Since I love tea and visiting Tea Rooms occasionally for a luncheon with my family and friends I always love reading Ms. Childs Tea Shop Mystery series.
A Tea Shop Mystery! how much better could it get? The only advice I have while reading this book is...prepare your meals ahead of time, because once you start reading you don't want to put the book down. Also, I would like to recommend keeping a cup of tea handy. The talk of the many different tea varieties, made me want a cup handy while reading this fun cozy mystery.
The story drew me in right from the first sentence, "Crusted with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and amethysts, the butterfly brooch glittered enticingly..." it kept me reading late into the night, not wanting to put the book down. (Except to go fix another cup of tea.) It was a real surprise ending for me, I had my mind set on another person as the guilty person. Oh, well, that is what makes mysteries so much fun to read, trying to figure out "whodunit."
Would I read more books by Ms. Childs? I would, because I love a good cozy mystery in the winter, spring, or summer. I enjoyed the book enough to award it 5 "Tea Leaf" stars.
I would like to say, THANK YOU to the author, Laura Childs for providing this book for me to read and review.
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.
This was not the first book I've read by this author, Laura Childs, and I am never disappointed when I read one of her cozy mysteries. Since I love tea and visiting Tea Rooms occasionally for a luncheon with my family and friends I always love reading Ms. Childs Tea Shop Mystery series.
A Tea Shop Mystery! how much better could it get? The only advice I have while reading this book is...prepare your meals ahead of time, because once you start reading you don't want to put the book down. Also, I would like to recommend keeping a cup of tea handy. The talk of the many different tea varieties, made me want a cup handy while reading this fun cozy mystery.
The story drew me in right from the first sentence, "Crusted with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and amethysts, the butterfly brooch glittered enticingly..." it kept me reading late into the night, not wanting to put the book down. (Except to go fix another cup of tea.) It was a real surprise ending for me, I had my mind set on another person as the guilty person. Oh, well, that is what makes mysteries so much fun to read, trying to figure out "whodunit."
Would I read more books by Ms. Childs? I would, because I love a good cozy mystery in the winter, spring, or summer. I enjoyed the book enough to award it 5 "Tea Leaf" stars.
I would like to say, THANK YOU to the author, Laura Childs for providing this book for me to read and review.
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.
May 16, 2016
I've always enjoyed Laura Childs' Tea Shop Series, but the last few books have been more of a Charleston Chamber of Commerce ad and an audition for a Food Channel slot. Don't get me wrong. I like to read about different parts of Charleston, the heritage, the history....and the food and tea discussions always leave me hungry and intrigued, but this is supposed to be foremost a mystery. I would suspect that about 40-45 percent of the book dealt with the actual mystery, while the rest brought us up to date with familiar characters, described the theme teas, and discussed the goings on in Charleston society. Also, there are too many red herrings to count, and Theo crosses the line a number of times from casual investigator to clueless, reckless, or criminal. To top it all off, the ending was very rushed and unsatisfying.
I recognize that it's hard to breathe life into a series with so many books, but I hope the next installment has a little more mystery and a little less infomercial, otherwise, I'll likely stop reading the series, which would be a shame because I've read every book up to this point.
I recognize that it's hard to breathe life into a series with so many books, but I hope the next installment has a little more mystery and a little less infomercial, otherwise, I'll likely stop reading the series, which would be a shame because I've read every book up to this point.
February 28, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest book in Laura Childs' tea shop mysteries. Tragedy strikes while Theodosia is catering a high class jewelry trunk show at her friend Brooke's fine jewelry store, Heart's Desire. Of course Theodosia immediately jumps on the case, not only because of her penchant for solving crimes, but because this case is heartbreaking drama for her friend.
This time around the murder is committed in a most unusual way by a gang of masked robbers. There are a number of believable suspects, each with enough evidence against them to keep the suspense going until the end of the book. It was good to return to the world of Charleston and Theodosia's cadre of friends, including co-workers Hayley, baker extraordinaire, and Drayton, tea connoiseur. The inimitable Detective Burt Tidwell was on the case as well as two FBI agents, one of which may find his way into a future book. Theodosia's personal life seems to be in flux.
As always, there are scrumptious recipes at the end of the book.
This time around the murder is committed in a most unusual way by a gang of masked robbers. There are a number of believable suspects, each with enough evidence against them to keep the suspense going until the end of the book. It was good to return to the world of Charleston and Theodosia's cadre of friends, including co-workers Hayley, baker extraordinaire, and Drayton, tea connoiseur. The inimitable Detective Burt Tidwell was on the case as well as two FBI agents, one of which may find his way into a future book. Theodosia's personal life seems to be in flux.
As always, there are scrumptious recipes at the end of the book.
August 6, 2017
Excellent cozy mystery!
Theodosia, owner of Indigo Tea Shop, caters a jewelry event at her friend Brooke's business. Masked thugs drive a truck thru the glass front of the store and then proceed to smash the jewelry cases and make off with many expensive jewels. Unfortunately, Brooke's niece is killed with a shard of glass to the neck. Theo kept calm during the heist and watched for clues. Brooke asks Theo to help the police find the crooks.
I'm not a tea and scones person so I've surprised myself by enjoying all the workings of the tea shop. I like every single detail of rush hour lunch. If you don't like the finer points of food and teas, you might not like this series as much as I do. But combining food with a dog and a mystery, what's not to like?
Theodosia, owner of Indigo Tea Shop, caters a jewelry event at her friend Brooke's business. Masked thugs drive a truck thru the glass front of the store and then proceed to smash the jewelry cases and make off with many expensive jewels. Unfortunately, Brooke's niece is killed with a shard of glass to the neck. Theo kept calm during the heist and watched for clues. Brooke asks Theo to help the police find the crooks.
I'm not a tea and scones person so I've surprised myself by enjoying all the workings of the tea shop. I like every single detail of rush hour lunch. If you don't like the finer points of food and teas, you might not like this series as much as I do. But combining food with a dog and a mystery, what's not to like?
October 9, 2022
I am sad to say farewell to the Indigo Tea Shop, but I must. Years ago I started out loving this series, it’s characters, mysteries, and charming settings. Unfortunately, the “bloom is off the rose,” so to speak. I actually skimmed a large part of this one because I just couldn’t stand the inane drivel. Sheer will had me push through to the utterly ridiculous improbable ending. I know I am not the only one to notice the change in the main character, Theodosia. When did she become so snarky? And she also abandoned her usual attitude of “not” wanting to get involved for active investigating, which included breaking and entering?! I’ll be going back to Ann Cleaves now.
January 23, 2023
this is #17 I think and in this mystery Theodosia and Drayton take on Jewel thieves...When her friend Brooke's shop gets broken into and a huge smash and grab leaves almost all her work taken and her niece dead on the floor from a fallen glass shard, Theodosia agrees to help figure out what has happened and who is responsible for the heist. With the showing of a fames Fabrege egg there is no doubt in Theo's ind there will be another attempt at a heist. Hailey once again gets kidnapped and Theo and Drayton along with Hailey's boyfriend ride to the rescue along with Detective Tidwell. As with before there are recipes in the back of this book and tea tips as well.
September 3, 2016
I figured out the killer at the beginning but really wasn't sure until the very end so I'd say it's an entertaining read! I am tired of hearing about how overweight Detective Tidwell is. Yeah, we get it, he's large. Move on to more interesting stuff! I continue to enjoy the character of Drayton and would like Laura Childs to expand on his past a little more, as well as Haley's character. This is also a loveless novel so if you are looking for a little romance you will not find it here. Which was fine for me, but others look for that.
July 9, 2017
I'm a sucker for these Tea Shop Mysteries. I think I've read them all, may have missed one or two, and they all follow the same pattern. Theodosia, owner of said tea shop, gets drawn in to a murder, solves said murder and the charming Charlestown plays a huge role.
All enjoyable, all a fairly decent mystery if you like your mysteries cozy and just slightly smiling.
All enjoyable, all a fairly decent mystery if you like your mysteries cozy and just slightly smiling.
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