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Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries #5
A Masquerade of Muertos
Goths reenacting Poe's “The Masque of the Red Death” on Halloween night...what could possibly go wrong?
Despite her desire to make the Wisteria Tearoom a haven of tranquility, Ellen Rosings can't rid her parlors of the shadow of death. Fascinated with the tearoom's resident ghost, her customers flock to spirit-tours-with-tea, and to crown all, the office manager and her Goth friends plan a Halloween masquerade recreating a classic horror story.
Between his heavy workload and his fits of jealousy when Ellen looks at anything male, Detective Tony Aragón can't offer her much comfort.
Are the flashes of light she's been seeing some kind of message from the spirit world? Or is it just coincidence when a body turns up where she last saw a gleam?
This cozy mystery is the fifth in the Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries series.
Despite her desire to make the Wisteria Tearoom a haven of tranquility, Ellen Rosings can't rid her parlors of the shadow of death. Fascinated with the tearoom's resident ghost, her customers flock to spirit-tours-with-tea, and to crown all, the office manager and her Goth friends plan a Halloween masquerade recreating a classic horror story.
Between his heavy workload and his fits of jealousy when Ellen looks at anything male, Detective Tony Aragón can't offer her much comfort.
Are the flashes of light she's been seeing some kind of message from the spirit world? Or is it just coincidence when a body turns up where she last saw a gleam?
This cozy mystery is the fifth in the Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries series.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2016
59 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Greenwood
20 books109 followersPatrice Greenwood was born and raised in New Mexico, and remembers when the Santa Fe Plaza was home to more dusty dogs than trendy art galleries. She has been writing fiction longer than she cares to admit, perpetrating over twenty published novels in various genres. She uses a different name for each genre, thus enabling her to pretend she is a Secret Agent.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 10, 2021
I love this series. The story line was a bit slow to start but picked up and suddenly I couldn't put the book down. I am sad that Tony is being a bit of a jealous guy I really like him and I think he and Ellen make a good couple maybe if she actually did something he liked instead of trying to make him go to art galleries, opera and drink tea. The one time he invites her to spend time with his family she declines and pretty much anytime he wants to do something she has plans she won't break. The story line had a lot of suspects and actually kept me guessing till the end. I did think that there was a little too much time repeating the descriptions of the room. I love the side characters like Julio and the Bird Woman and Kris. Plus the paranormal aspect to the storyline all make a fantastic book.
September 1, 2016
This is a fine addition to the series. The characters are unfailingly well-drawn, interesting and, except for a few bad people, sympathetic. There's rich detail in the backdrop of Santa Fe: its cultures, history, locales, climate and arts. The unfolding mystery is intriguing and not formulaic.
February 23, 2018
I absolutely loved the theming and how this one was carried out. The switch from who done it too when is it going to happen was much needed after the previous one. I found myself really connecting with the characters and feeling emotions as the book continued.
May 22, 2019
I hesitate in giving this 3 stars rather than 4 because I did enjoy the story, the characters, the tearoom, the Masque of the Red Death theme, the description of the art and costumes, etc. However, several themes left me perplexed. Tony's inexplicable bouts of jealousy was never explained or resolved. The people who may have witnessed the murder in a crowded public place seemed incurious or non-existent. But most importantly, since many characters aside from the regulars in these mysteries were indistinguishable from one another, the murderer could have been attributed to any of them for the same motive. It almost felt like the author was reaching her normal page count and just picked somebody, anybody, and then made up a reason for them to murder someone. Not up to Wisteria Tearoom standards.
May 22, 2022
This is a well written novel; I DO recommend reading them in order. They are available as e-books from my local library. TW: diet culture. This book does feature a lot of moralizing about good and bad food, and restricting food; but I am still giving 5 stars since the author doesn't talk about body size. The characters are fleshed out and complex, and there are interactions between women that are real and true to life.
Our main character in this series is the owner of a tearoom set in Santa Fe; the combination of real things that are in Santa Fe and the places that are added in the novel are well done. The author has a gift for descriptions, as well, and her heroine is sensible and thoughtful.
Our main character in this series is the owner of a tearoom set in Santa Fe; the combination of real things that are in Santa Fe and the places that are added in the novel are well done. The author has a gift for descriptions, as well, and her heroine is sensible and thoughtful.
September 15, 2020
The fifth in the Wisteria Tearoom Mystery series takes quite a twist. The tearoom is having a Day of the Death private party for a group of local Goth's. Very interesting and details the transformation of the tearoom into a theatrical, dark themed party.
Also interesting in this volume, is that the murder doesn't happen until late in the book. It's interesting and wraps up quickly. A sure departure from the previous books.
As for Tony and Ellen . . . well, the romance is progressing slowly and sweetly.
Also interesting in this volume, is that the murder doesn't happen until late in the book. It's interesting and wraps up quickly. A sure departure from the previous books.
As for Tony and Ellen . . . well, the romance is progressing slowly and sweetly.
January 27, 2019
I always enjoy this series. Greenwood captures the colorful details of Santa Fe, creating for the reader a sense of a vitual visit. I also enjoy the tearoom and the characters. This book is loaded with them--although, it is sometimes challenging to keep them straight. The book starts with a reference to the
Captain sending glimmers of light. Messages? Warnings? This plotline is never resolved. Nevertheless, this is a fast read and enjoyable.
Captain sending glimmers of light. Messages? Warnings? This plotline is never resolved. Nevertheless, this is a fast read and enjoyable.
October 24, 2020
Wow, do I wish I could have been an invitee to the Masquerade party! The whole theme was enthralling - note to self: read Poe's short story.
I really enjoyed Nat's wedding and revisiting the cast of Ellen and friends. The Ellen/Tony romance is getting a tad annoying, but overall I really like this series and found this to be a great installment!
I really enjoyed Nat's wedding and revisiting the cast of Ellen and friends. The Ellen/Tony romance is getting a tad annoying, but overall I really like this series and found this to be a great installment!
July 6, 2021
I’ve enjoyed reading this series.
November 18, 2023
Another fabulous read! I absolutely love this series and these characters!
June 27, 2024
Didn’t care about the goths.
March 14, 2017
A great addition to the series. I was pleased with the change of attitude of the main character. She is more accepting of the differences between her and her policeman boyfriend. Relationships are built on giving, in prior books it was only her way, not giving his interests and chance or a try. As a wife of a retired policeman, I know everyone has interests and to appear as if he was less than herself was off putting. I also live the way this author builds characters, tak8ng time for you to really "know " them before the actual crime is committed. They have depth and layers, a nice change from the quickly queried mysteries. I urge you to read all of the books in this series, they are well written and not a disappointment.
October 17, 2016
** Full disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review**
Fifth in a series of cozy mysteries set in the Wisteria Tearoom in Santa Fe, this one is set around a Halloween masquerade.
This is actually the first book in the series that I've read and I did not find that any barrier to figuring out who was who and what was going on with the story, there were a few pieces of history I'm sure I didn't fully get but the writing and characters are so strong it stood well on its own.
I like the setting of Santa Fe, for me it is not a part of the country I've read many books in and the mix of Hispanic and Anglo cultures is one I'm enjoying. I also liked the non-stereotypical representation of the Goth subculture and the art scene, from what I read in this book I get a strong sense of the authors ability to represent various groups respectfully and not make them into caricatures.
As for the characters, I really enjoyed meeting everyone in this book, from the nice ones to the annoying ones to the ones you can tell were just going to be making an appearance in this book. They felt like real people, with histories and their own motivations and even after one book I already feel attached to several of them.
The mystery was solid and the conclusion was not quite what I was expecting, which was a nice surprise and I also liked the hints at the deeper ongoing mystery of Captain Dusenberry and am really looking forward to going back to the first book and finding out more about him and his story.
The main recipes mentioned are included at the end of the book, and I especially appreciated the photos, those were an unusual and very nice touch.
A fun book, a genuine page-turner for me, I had a very hard time stopping reading when responsibilities or sleep called. I am very happy to find a new cozy series to enjoy.
Fifth in a series of cozy mysteries set in the Wisteria Tearoom in Santa Fe, this one is set around a Halloween masquerade.
This is actually the first book in the series that I've read and I did not find that any barrier to figuring out who was who and what was going on with the story, there were a few pieces of history I'm sure I didn't fully get but the writing and characters are so strong it stood well on its own.
I like the setting of Santa Fe, for me it is not a part of the country I've read many books in and the mix of Hispanic and Anglo cultures is one I'm enjoying. I also liked the non-stereotypical representation of the Goth subculture and the art scene, from what I read in this book I get a strong sense of the authors ability to represent various groups respectfully and not make them into caricatures.
As for the characters, I really enjoyed meeting everyone in this book, from the nice ones to the annoying ones to the ones you can tell were just going to be making an appearance in this book. They felt like real people, with histories and their own motivations and even after one book I already feel attached to several of them.
The mystery was solid and the conclusion was not quite what I was expecting, which was a nice surprise and I also liked the hints at the deeper ongoing mystery of Captain Dusenberry and am really looking forward to going back to the first book and finding out more about him and his story.
The main recipes mentioned are included at the end of the book, and I especially appreciated the photos, those were an unusual and very nice touch.
A fun book, a genuine page-turner for me, I had a very hard time stopping reading when responsibilities or sleep called. I am very happy to find a new cozy series to enjoy.
October 27, 2016
ARC provided by Early Readers and Book View Cafe. I think coming into this series in the 5th book made it harder to relate to the characters, as it's not, I would say, a standalone book. I read the first chapter provided at the end for the first book, and I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning. That said, it was still an interesting read, I just didn't feed I connected very well emotionally with the characters. I liked the idea of the story, creating a theme party based on the Edgar Allan Poe story "The Masque of the Red Death." I also liked the detail the chef, Julio, went into preparing the food (I also liked the recipes provided at the end of the book). I'm not used to reading cozy mysteries where it's fairly easy to figure out what happened. The relationship between Ellen and Tony seemed a bit tenuous, especially five books in. I did enjoy that she met his sister, however. There were some memorable characters, but the whole "Goth" idea didn't seem fully realized--sort of wannabe Goths. I know that it was a book about a tea room, but the descriptions of the smell of the tea did get a bit repetitive. I did enjoy reading it, I just think that it would help to read the series from the beginning would be a help. The descriptions of the scenes for the rooms was well done, and did help set the mood for the Masque.
December 15, 2022
Goths reenacting Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" on Halloween night...what could possibly go wrong? Despite her desire to make the Wisteria Tearoom a haven of tranquility, Ellen Rosings can't rid her parlors of the shadow of death. Fascinated with the tearoom's resident ghost, her customers flock to spirit-tours-with-tea, and to crown all, the office manager and her Goth friends plan a Halloween masquerade recreating a classic horror story. Between his heavy workload and his fits of jealousy when Ellen looks at anything male, Detective Tony Arag�n can't offer her much comfort. Are the flashes of light she's been seeing some kind of message from the spirit world? Or is it just coincidence when a body turns up where she last saw a gleam?
July 15, 2017
Another grear cozy mystery by Patrice Greenwood. Again the setting is Santa Fe, New Mexico and in particular the Wisteria Tea Room. Ellen Rosings, proprietress, agrees to rent her tea room out on Halloween as a favor to her "Goth" office manager, Kris. Kris's Goth group is going to celebrate their special holiday by re-enacting Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death." Do I need to say more? Another murder at the tea room. And the romance between homicide detective Tony and Ellen takes another step forward. Great characters, great mystery, great romance! What else could a reader ask for?
November 28, 2019
I've really enjoyed this series, but I found this book disappointing. The murder doesn't happen until well over halfway through (probably about two thirds through), and is quickly resolved in just a couple chapters. The build-up to it was overly drawn out without much happening and I was almost ready to give up on it as I was getting bored. The inability of the main character to communicate with her love interest is also getting a bit tedious. Overall, the pacing felt uneven with too much focus on the wrong things. All of that said, I most likely will still read the sixth in the series at some point...
October 19, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I honestly loved this intricately detailed Halloween mystery story. The author even includes some recipes! You can't beat that for value.
November 21, 2017
Intriguing October story. I enjoyed the focus on the tea room and on the Halloween party to be held there. It was nice to not have the murder happen within the first couple chapters so that the party story could be fully developed.
August 17, 2016
loved it!
November 6, 2016
Loved it!
A lovely addition to the series! I have enjoyed the evolution of Ellen and Tony's relationship through each case. The supporting characters are interesting as well.
A lovely addition to the series! I have enjoyed the evolution of Ellen and Tony's relationship through each case. The supporting characters are interesting as well.
November 29, 2016
I like how this book was plotted a little differently than most cozies. Not a typical cozy mystery.
October 27, 2017
I love the Wisteria Tearoom mysteries. This is the 5th book of the series and I have enjoyed each one.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews