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Oxford Tearoom Mysteries #5
Muffins and Mourning Tea
Cotswolds tearoom owner, Gemma Rose is excited to join the May Day celebrations in Oxford... until the beautiful spring morning ends in murder. Now, she's embroiled in a deadly mystery - with four nosy old ladies determined to help in the sleuthing! Before she knows it, Gemma finds herself stalking a Russian "princess" and keeping up with the Old Biddies in Krav Maga class, while still trying to serve delicious cakes and buttery scones at her quaint English tearoom.
And that's just the start of her worries: there's her little tabby cat, Muesli, who is causing havoc at the local nursing home... and what should she do with the creepy plants that her mother keeps buying for her new cottage?
But the mystery that's really bothering Gemma is her boyfriend's odd behaviour. Devlin O'Connor has always been enigmatic but recently, the handsome CID detective has been strangely distant and evasive. Could he be lying to her? But why?
(* Classic Banoffee pie recipe included!)
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: humorous culinary cozy mysteries, cat cozy mystery series / women amateur sleuth / British detective mystery
OXFORD TEAROOM MYSTERIES
A Scone To Die For (Book 1)
Tea with Milk and Murder (Book 2)
Two Down, Bun To Go (Book 3)
Till Death Do Us Tart (Book 4)
Muffins and Mourning Tea (Book 5)
And that's just the start of her worries: there's her little tabby cat, Muesli, who is causing havoc at the local nursing home... and what should she do with the creepy plants that her mother keeps buying for her new cottage?
But the mystery that's really bothering Gemma is her boyfriend's odd behaviour. Devlin O'Connor has always been enigmatic but recently, the handsome CID detective has been strangely distant and evasive. Could he be lying to her? But why?
(* Classic Banoffee pie recipe included!)
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: humorous culinary cozy mysteries, cat cozy mystery series / women amateur sleuth / British detective mystery
OXFORD TEAROOM MYSTERIES
A Scone To Die For (Book 1)
Tea with Milk and Murder (Book 2)
Two Down, Bun To Go (Book 3)
Till Death Do Us Tart (Book 4)
Muffins and Mourning Tea (Book 5)
362 pages, ebook
First published September 20, 2016
1386 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
H.Y. Hanna
66 books1,090 followersUSA Today bestselling author H.Y. Hanna has written over 30 mystery novels, many of which have been translated into several languages. Her mysteries blend humour and clever plotting with vivid settings, featuring quirky characters - and cats with big personalities! After spending years trying to fit in and do a “real” job, Hsin-Yi finally returned to her first love: writing.
Throughout her life, she has called many places home—from Taiwan to Oxford, Dubai to New Zealand. She’s finally unpacked for good in Perth, Western Australia, where she spends most days fighting with her rescue cat Muesli for the use of her office chair.
You can learn more about her and her books at: www.hyhanna.com
And don’t forget to join her newsletter to get updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways and other book news—as well as a free novella and short story! Go to: www.hyhanna.com/newsletter
Throughout her life, she has called many places home—from Taiwan to Oxford, Dubai to New Zealand. She’s finally unpacked for good in Perth, Western Australia, where she spends most days fighting with her rescue cat Muesli for the use of her office chair.
You can learn more about her and her books at: www.hyhanna.com
And don’t forget to join her newsletter to get updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways and other book news—as well as a free novella and short story! Go to: www.hyhanna.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
March 9, 2022
The fifth book in this entertaining series about Gemma Rose and her Oxford tearooms. And Muesli of course who features on all the beautiful covers in this series.
In Muffins and Mourning Tea (how do they think of all these clever titles!) Gemma takes us to the May Day celebrations in Oxford and of course she witnesses a murder. As you do - at least if you are the main character of a cosy mystery you do! Gemma investigates and manages to get herself into a whole lot of trouble before she finally solves the case.
Gemma and Devlin are having problems in this book and sometimes I wonder if she would not be better off with Lincoln who is really very sweet. At the very least she needs to ask Devlin who the blonde woman is. Maybe in the next book.
I will surely be reading book 6 very soon to find out!
In Muffins and Mourning Tea (how do they think of all these clever titles!) Gemma takes us to the May Day celebrations in Oxford and of course she witnesses a murder. As you do - at least if you are the main character of a cosy mystery you do! Gemma investigates and manages to get herself into a whole lot of trouble before she finally solves the case.
Gemma and Devlin are having problems in this book and sometimes I wonder if she would not be better off with Lincoln who is really very sweet. At the very least she needs to ask Devlin who the blonde woman is. Maybe in the next book.
I will surely be reading book 6 very soon to find out!
May 2, 2023
Muffins and Mourning Tea (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, #5) by H.Y. Hanna
Synopsis /
Cotswolds tearoom owner, Gemma Rose is excited to join the May Day celebrations in Oxford... until the beautiful spring morning ends in murder. Now, she's embroiled in a deadly mystery - with four nosy old ladies determined to help in the sleuthing! Before she knows it, Gemma finds herself stalking a Russian "princess" and keeping up with the Old Biddies in Krav Maga class, while still trying to serve delicious cakes and buttery scones at her quaint English tearoom.
And that's just the start of her worries: there's her little tabby cat, Muesli, who is causing havoc at the local nursing home... and what should she do with the creepy plants that her mother keeps buying for her new cottage?
But the mystery that's really bothering Gemma is her boyfriend's odd behaviour. Devlin O'Connor has always been enigmatic but recently, the handsome CID detective has been strangely distant and evasive. Could he be lying to her? But why?
My Thoughts /
Muffins and Mourning Tea is the fifth book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series written by Australian author, H.Y. Hanna.
I started reading this on May 1, 2023 and, in an entirely coincidental happenstance, the opening sentence of this book reads: May Day was always a big event in the Oxford calendar and this year it was extra special - after all, nothing makes a morning as memorable as when it ends in murder.
Thankfully, my May Day morning ended with coffee and cake - which was a lot more pleasant!!
Now this May Morning event in Oxford is an actual thing!!
About May Morning
May Morning is an annual event in Oxford, held on 01 May – a tradition stretching back over 500 years.
The event typically attracts crowds of thousands of people – students and Oxford residents alike – who start gathering under the tower, on Magdalen Bridge, and along the High Street from around 5.00am. Students and fellows of Magdalen College gather in the college cloisters and on top of the other towers within the college grounds.
At 6.00am, the Magdalen College Choir sing a hymn, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, written by the College’s 17th Century choirmaster Benjamin Rogers, from the top of the 144ft Magdalen Tower. The Choir traditionally sings three madrigals, including Now Is the Month of Maying. There is also prayers for the city led by the Dean of Divinity.
When the Choir finishes, the bells ring out a celebratory chime for some 20 minutes. There is a procession from the Magdalen Bridge up the High Street and into the city centre, and for a couple of hours afterwards – from around 6.20am onwards – there is dancing, general revelry, and impromptu music, etc. to bring together Oxford’s communities.
In previous years, there has been Morris dancing on Broad Street, Catte Street, under the Bridge of Sighs, in front of St John’s College on St Giles and on the forecourt of the Ashmolean Museum. While Highland dance can be seen in Radcliffe Square, between the University Church and the Radcliffe Camera.
There was a tradition of students jumping into the rather shallow River Cherwell from Magdalen Bridge, but this was stopped in 2005 when several students were injured.
About the story
So now that you're all caught up on May Day - the story opens with someone jumping off the Magdalen Bridge. Or did they? What was initially thought to be a student jumping off the bridge, quickly turned into something bloody and fatal, when the body of the jumper surfaced and floated silently, face down, in the water.
“O bozhe moi! He is dead! He is dead!”
There's no time for tea and scones today cobber, there's a murder to investigate!!
Hanna has many familiar characters returning to meet us again in book #5. Gemma Rose, owner of The Little Stables Tearoom in the Cotswolds village of Meadowford-on-Smythe. Mabel Cooke, Glenda Bailey, Florence Doyle, and Ethel Webb, also known (affectionately) as the “Old Biddies” - the reigning gossip monarchs of the Village. On-again boyfriend and cop, CID Detective Devlin O'Connor. BFF and Teashop partner, Cassie. Gemma's mum makes an appearance (behind several large pot plants) and Oxford's favourite tabby, Muesli (cue the cute cover designs for this series).
The series has a lot to like. Hanna's writing is extremely engaging and, although a murder is always going to be the main thread, there are so many other delightful accompaniments. There is gathering clues and navigating the twists, turns, and red herrings - excuse me, did you say cream and sugar with that? Plus a few laughs and gossipy moments along the way.
As Poirot says, the answer lies in the nature of the victim and in the psychology of the murder—all the stories that people around him tell, all the extra details which don’t seem important…
It's all the extra details we get with Hanna's delectable writing that makes this cozy mystery series a winner.
Synopsis /
Cotswolds tearoom owner, Gemma Rose is excited to join the May Day celebrations in Oxford... until the beautiful spring morning ends in murder. Now, she's embroiled in a deadly mystery - with four nosy old ladies determined to help in the sleuthing! Before she knows it, Gemma finds herself stalking a Russian "princess" and keeping up with the Old Biddies in Krav Maga class, while still trying to serve delicious cakes and buttery scones at her quaint English tearoom.
And that's just the start of her worries: there's her little tabby cat, Muesli, who is causing havoc at the local nursing home... and what should she do with the creepy plants that her mother keeps buying for her new cottage?
But the mystery that's really bothering Gemma is her boyfriend's odd behaviour. Devlin O'Connor has always been enigmatic but recently, the handsome CID detective has been strangely distant and evasive. Could he be lying to her? But why?
My Thoughts /
Muffins and Mourning Tea is the fifth book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series written by Australian author, H.Y. Hanna.
I started reading this on May 1, 2023 and, in an entirely coincidental happenstance, the opening sentence of this book reads: May Day was always a big event in the Oxford calendar and this year it was extra special - after all, nothing makes a morning as memorable as when it ends in murder.
Thankfully, my May Day morning ended with coffee and cake - which was a lot more pleasant!!
Now this May Morning event in Oxford is an actual thing!!
About May Morning
May Morning is an annual event in Oxford, held on 01 May – a tradition stretching back over 500 years.
The event typically attracts crowds of thousands of people – students and Oxford residents alike – who start gathering under the tower, on Magdalen Bridge, and along the High Street from around 5.00am. Students and fellows of Magdalen College gather in the college cloisters and on top of the other towers within the college grounds.
At 6.00am, the Magdalen College Choir sing a hymn, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, written by the College’s 17th Century choirmaster Benjamin Rogers, from the top of the 144ft Magdalen Tower. The Choir traditionally sings three madrigals, including Now Is the Month of Maying. There is also prayers for the city led by the Dean of Divinity.
When the Choir finishes, the bells ring out a celebratory chime for some 20 minutes. There is a procession from the Magdalen Bridge up the High Street and into the city centre, and for a couple of hours afterwards – from around 6.20am onwards – there is dancing, general revelry, and impromptu music, etc. to bring together Oxford’s communities.
In previous years, there has been Morris dancing on Broad Street, Catte Street, under the Bridge of Sighs, in front of St John’s College on St Giles and on the forecourt of the Ashmolean Museum. While Highland dance can be seen in Radcliffe Square, between the University Church and the Radcliffe Camera.
There was a tradition of students jumping into the rather shallow River Cherwell from Magdalen Bridge, but this was stopped in 2005 when several students were injured.
About the story
So now that you're all caught up on May Day - the story opens with someone jumping off the Magdalen Bridge. Or did they? What was initially thought to be a student jumping off the bridge, quickly turned into something bloody and fatal, when the body of the jumper surfaced and floated silently, face down, in the water.
“O bozhe moi! He is dead! He is dead!”
There's no time for tea and scones today cobber, there's a murder to investigate!!
Hanna has many familiar characters returning to meet us again in book #5. Gemma Rose, owner of The Little Stables Tearoom in the Cotswolds village of Meadowford-on-Smythe. Mabel Cooke, Glenda Bailey, Florence Doyle, and Ethel Webb, also known (affectionately) as the “Old Biddies” - the reigning gossip monarchs of the Village. On-again boyfriend and cop, CID Detective Devlin O'Connor. BFF and Teashop partner, Cassie. Gemma's mum makes an appearance (behind several large pot plants) and Oxford's favourite tabby, Muesli (cue the cute cover designs for this series).
The series has a lot to like. Hanna's writing is extremely engaging and, although a murder is always going to be the main thread, there are so many other delightful accompaniments. There is gathering clues and navigating the twists, turns, and red herrings - excuse me, did you say cream and sugar with that? Plus a few laughs and gossipy moments along the way.
As Poirot says, the answer lies in the nature of the victim and in the psychology of the murder—all the stories that people around him tell, all the extra details which don’t seem important…
It's all the extra details we get with Hanna's delectable writing that makes this cozy mystery series a winner.
September 28, 2019
.
In the fifth volume of this series, the reader discovers Gemma working tirelessly in the tea room, catering to her demanding cat, Muesli, and amateur sleuthing with the old biddies regarding a recent May Day murder, while still trying to find a little alone time with her sweetheart, who has suddenly become evasive. Let the fun begin!
When the nosy Old Biddies decide to start their own investigation, Gemma has no choice but to join in the sleuthing.
It was a pleasant surprise to discover this excellent cozy mystery series by H. Y. Hanna. Gemma Rose, the main character, recently returned to Oxford and opened a tea shop, saying goodbye to the corporate world she had been engrossed in for the previous eight years.
Oxford Tearoom Mysteries is the prime example of a formula many cozy mysteries seem to contain. It includes a woman sleuth, small pet, a detective with the local police department that makes her blood hum and her heart pitter patter, interfering mother, and her own little tea shop. Her irritating mother keeps trying to set her up with her best friend's son, who his a successful E/R doctor.
This is a clean and wholesome read that is able to stand on its own, although the reader might glean additional insight by reading the series in order.
In the fifth volume of this series, the reader discovers Gemma working tirelessly in the tea room, catering to her demanding cat, Muesli, and amateur sleuthing with the old biddies regarding a recent May Day murder, while still trying to find a little alone time with her sweetheart, who has suddenly become evasive. Let the fun begin!
When the nosy Old Biddies decide to start their own investigation, Gemma has no choice but to join in the sleuthing.
It was a pleasant surprise to discover this excellent cozy mystery series by H. Y. Hanna. Gemma Rose, the main character, recently returned to Oxford and opened a tea shop, saying goodbye to the corporate world she had been engrossed in for the previous eight years.
Oxford Tearoom Mysteries is the prime example of a formula many cozy mysteries seem to contain. It includes a woman sleuth, small pet, a detective with the local police department that makes her blood hum and her heart pitter patter, interfering mother, and her own little tea shop. Her irritating mother keeps trying to set her up with her best friend's son, who his a successful E/R doctor.
This is a clean and wholesome read that is able to stand on its own, although the reader might glean additional insight by reading the series in order.
October 8, 2019
I loved this episode in the Oxford Tea Room Mysteries! The Old Biddies learn Krav Maga and end up sending Gemma to the hospital. Of course her mother calls Lincoln to come and see her (still trying to set them up). And Gemma thinks Devlin is cheating on her! And of course, there's murder - two bodies this time.
September 5, 2020
Muffins and Mourning Tea by H.Y.Hanna is the 5th book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series. Gemma is enjoying May Day celebrations in Oxford when a student is stabbed and killed, and when her cooks friend is accused, she once again is asked to investigate. Another delightful and wonderously descriptive and well written mystery. Lots of fun especially with the Old Biddies and the Krav Maga class. I especially loved the food and cakes and Muesli is wonderful as always.
October 28, 2017
“Muffin and Mourning Tea” earns 5+/5 Slices of Banoffee Pie…Murderously Delicious!
What a treat, not only another delicious recipe to satisfy this Anglophile’s appetite, but also I couldn’t put down this fifth book! Only H.Y. Hanna would take us to Oxford’s May Day celebration opening up at an ungodly morning hour and giving us…murder! Always well-written we get a clear picture of Oxford through descriptions of its pathways, bridges, towers, and college gardens along with everyone’s various early morning fashions. My favorite character Gemma heads out to meet BFF Cassie to enjoy the Magdalen Choir greeting the sunrise reminiscent of their college days. Everyone, including Gemma, felt goosebumps at the final blend of joyous voices and then a commotion, shouting, someone heaved over the edge, and the splashing of water. The crowd eagerly set to applaud another Oxford tradition of jumping off the bridge and into the river below, but the Harris tweed clad boy Gemma had stood next to on the bridge floated silently, not moving, face down in the cold river…this isn’t part of the tradition! But a clever murder is always part of H.Y. Hanna’s Oxford Tearoom Mystery!
I’m always engaged with Hanna’s murder mystery, gathering clues, navigating twists and turns, and trying to uncover the killer before another “Gemma’s in peril” ending. My inner “Sherlock” is always delightfully challenged, but I really enjoy the well-developed characters and all their interactions. Again CID detective and boyfriend Devlin O’Conner heads the investigation, and although very good at his job, it’s effecting the budding romance between him and Gemma. Hanna has woven this drama throughout the series along with the nosy “Old Biddies” interfering with their own investigation, Muesli’s kitty behaviors causing problems, Gemma’s mother inserting herself, and BFF Cassie always there in a pinch. I love the whole world of tea and scones, friends and family, and murder and mayhem! And don’t forget sticky toffee, sliced bananas, and fresh whipped cream…yes, Banoffee Pie!
Do you want a treat? Check out the audio version with the brilliant talent of Pearl Hewitt enhancing this engaging story!
What a treat, not only another delicious recipe to satisfy this Anglophile’s appetite, but also I couldn’t put down this fifth book! Only H.Y. Hanna would take us to Oxford’s May Day celebration opening up at an ungodly morning hour and giving us…murder! Always well-written we get a clear picture of Oxford through descriptions of its pathways, bridges, towers, and college gardens along with everyone’s various early morning fashions. My favorite character Gemma heads out to meet BFF Cassie to enjoy the Magdalen Choir greeting the sunrise reminiscent of their college days. Everyone, including Gemma, felt goosebumps at the final blend of joyous voices and then a commotion, shouting, someone heaved over the edge, and the splashing of water. The crowd eagerly set to applaud another Oxford tradition of jumping off the bridge and into the river below, but the Harris tweed clad boy Gemma had stood next to on the bridge floated silently, not moving, face down in the cold river…this isn’t part of the tradition! But a clever murder is always part of H.Y. Hanna’s Oxford Tearoom Mystery!
I’m always engaged with Hanna’s murder mystery, gathering clues, navigating twists and turns, and trying to uncover the killer before another “Gemma’s in peril” ending. My inner “Sherlock” is always delightfully challenged, but I really enjoy the well-developed characters and all their interactions. Again CID detective and boyfriend Devlin O’Conner heads the investigation, and although very good at his job, it’s effecting the budding romance between him and Gemma. Hanna has woven this drama throughout the series along with the nosy “Old Biddies” interfering with their own investigation, Muesli’s kitty behaviors causing problems, Gemma’s mother inserting herself, and BFF Cassie always there in a pinch. I love the whole world of tea and scones, friends and family, and murder and mayhem! And don’t forget sticky toffee, sliced bananas, and fresh whipped cream…yes, Banoffee Pie!
Do you want a treat? Check out the audio version with the brilliant talent of Pearl Hewitt enhancing this engaging story!
October 11, 2016
All the covers of the Oxford Tearoom series are adorable and this one did not let us down. They are gentle easy reading and will hold your interest. The scenes of Muesli are delightful as are those of the Old Biddies. The descriptions of the area will put you in Oxford. I found the plot predictable and feel I want to know about Gemma Rose and her Homicide Inspector besides their off and on again of their love affair. Gemma's Mother actions are beginning to annoy me.
Gemma is at the Celebration of Mayday and is standing near a boy. In the squeeze of the crowd, the boy is murder and ends up in the river. Gemma continues to find reasons to investigate even when her boyfriend, Delvin O'Conner tells her to stay out of the enquiry. There is a definite Russian aspect to the story. There is one twist that did surprise me.
PS. Muesli looks more like a Russian Blue than a tabby cat.
My thanks to the author for a free copy of the book.
Gemma is at the Celebration of Mayday and is standing near a boy. In the squeeze of the crowd, the boy is murder and ends up in the river. Gemma continues to find reasons to investigate even when her boyfriend, Delvin O'Conner tells her to stay out of the enquiry. There is a definite Russian aspect to the story. There is one twist that did surprise me.
PS. Muesli looks more like a Russian Blue than a tabby cat.
My thanks to the author for a free copy of the book.
October 11, 2019
Murder at the college
A great series. Hanna is once again in the wrong place at the right time to witness a young student fall from a bridge during an annual college event. She has the help of the old Biddies and Muscili to investigate.
A great series. Hanna is once again in the wrong place at the right time to witness a young student fall from a bridge during an annual college event. She has the help of the old Biddies and Muscili to investigate.
March 9, 2018
The author writes a good story and mystery, but I was disappointed by the mc's tstl moment. Not to mention that she should just have had it out with her s.o. instead of always wondering and worrying. One scene in particular was a bit high schoolish in connection to this. The four old biddies were a hoot, as always, as was the mc's mother - great supporting characters. And, of course, reading the books in this series should never been done on an empty stomach -- the cakes and pastries, wow.
September 22, 2016
H.Y. Hanna has once again delivered another delightful installment in the Oxford Tea Room Mystery series. This is the 5th installment in this British themed cozy mystery series. In my opinion, each book is better the the last. This is a well written story that has a great pace, humor, mystery, a bit of romance and a great cast of characters. I love character driven cozy mysteries and the characters in this series are well developed and feel like old friends. Even the secondary characters are strong. Gemma is a wonderful character. She has grown both personally and with the business since the first book and I think has more confidence. The "Old Biddies" are back in this story and you won't believe what they are up to this time. All I will say is the Old Biddies and Krav Maga. You'll have to read the book to find out the rest. The romance between Gemma and Devlin has what may be a bit a twist down the road but nothing is resolved in this book.
The mystery in this story is solid and has plenty of suspects. Ms. Hanna throws in a lot of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and I was surprised by how this mystery turned out. Once again, Gemma and the Old Biddies are at the center of helping the police solve the mystery. I will definitely be back to see what happens in the next installment.
If you haven't tried this series I would suggest you give it a chance. It is a well written British cozy series filled with great characters, well developed plots and mysteries, a bit a romance and plenty of humorous moments courtesy of the "Old Biddies." I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
The mystery in this story is solid and has plenty of suspects. Ms. Hanna throws in a lot of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and I was surprised by how this mystery turned out. Once again, Gemma and the Old Biddies are at the center of helping the police solve the mystery. I will definitely be back to see what happens in the next installment.
If you haven't tried this series I would suggest you give it a chance. It is a well written British cozy series filled with great characters, well developed plots and mysteries, a bit a romance and plenty of humorous moments courtesy of the "Old Biddies." I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
November 6, 2017
“Till Death Do Us Tart” earns 5+/5 Slices of Victoria Sponge Cake!
I am such a fan of H.Y. Hanna and her Oxford Tearoom Mystery series, nothing is comparable, and add Pearl Hewitt’s voice artistry and you have my all-time literary favorite. This fourth book shows us romance continues but not without its glitches, the dynamics between mothers and daughters can be both exasperating and rewarding, feline fanatics come in all sizes and temperaments, and murder just won’t leave Gemma alone.
Once again Hanna has penned a wonderful mystery to engage your inner “Sherlock” with lots of suspects and motives to examine, and Pearl Hewitt has enriched the whole experience with her voice artistry. From Gemma to her mother, the Old Biddies, and varying ages one discovers the vast variety of English accents. We are treated with an extraordinary narration that highlights each character's personality, emotion, and tone that reading to yourself can not compare. Pearl even does a clever job with the 'fur friends' from Museli's "Meorrw" to the high-strung Siamese's "MAAAA-OOOWWW, and changing her tone for the few male characters that round out her talent. She is marvelous!
I highly recommend the series in any format, but the audiobook is an incredible experience...humorous, cringe-filled, and nail-biting are all magnified by Pearl Hewitt's excellent voice talent.
Audio Only “Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, all of the above opinions are my own.”
I am such a fan of H.Y. Hanna and her Oxford Tearoom Mystery series, nothing is comparable, and add Pearl Hewitt’s voice artistry and you have my all-time literary favorite. This fourth book shows us romance continues but not without its glitches, the dynamics between mothers and daughters can be both exasperating and rewarding, feline fanatics come in all sizes and temperaments, and murder just won’t leave Gemma alone.
Once again Hanna has penned a wonderful mystery to engage your inner “Sherlock” with lots of suspects and motives to examine, and Pearl Hewitt has enriched the whole experience with her voice artistry. From Gemma to her mother, the Old Biddies, and varying ages one discovers the vast variety of English accents. We are treated with an extraordinary narration that highlights each character's personality, emotion, and tone that reading to yourself can not compare. Pearl even does a clever job with the 'fur friends' from Museli's "Meorrw" to the high-strung Siamese's "MAAAA-OOOWWW, and changing her tone for the few male characters that round out her talent. She is marvelous!
I highly recommend the series in any format, but the audiobook is an incredible experience...humorous, cringe-filled, and nail-biting are all magnified by Pearl Hewitt's excellent voice talent.
Audio Only “Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, all of the above opinions are my own.”
September 23, 2016
Well this is another super sized serving of pure reading pleasure for any cozy murder mystery fans. The scene is set again around the beautiful Oxford University where another brutal murder is witnessed by Gemma and a large group of tourists. This is of course too much of a temptation not to get involved with and so begins yet another brilliant hilarious adventure for all the regular cast of characters that are very firmly established in the series so far.
The little old biddies are of course always ready to play their part for any justice that needs to be served up and what better place to eaves drop on conversations than at Gemma's Oxford Tearooms where they all volunteer to help out. When ever this merry little band of helpers turn up you know that you won't be long before they have you in stitches. I must say they are game for anything. Don't under estimate the power of these little old ladies.
Muesli has a brilliant role in this novel too which I did have to giggle about. This opens up so many more roles for him too in future books. Not all is laughter though as Gemma isn't the happiest that readers have seen her but who knows what will happen.
This is a fabulous series that seems to grow from strength to strength and has the promise of many more brilliant adventures. I wish to thank H. Y. Hanna for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The little old biddies are of course always ready to play their part for any justice that needs to be served up and what better place to eaves drop on conversations than at Gemma's Oxford Tearooms where they all volunteer to help out. When ever this merry little band of helpers turn up you know that you won't be long before they have you in stitches. I must say they are game for anything. Don't under estimate the power of these little old ladies.
Muesli has a brilliant role in this novel too which I did have to giggle about. This opens up so many more roles for him too in future books. Not all is laughter though as Gemma isn't the happiest that readers have seen her but who knows what will happen.
This is a fabulous series that seems to grow from strength to strength and has the promise of many more brilliant adventures. I wish to thank H. Y. Hanna for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2024
Gemma and the old biddies take a self-defence class.
April 20, 2019
The Old Biddies are an absolute hoot!
Spoiler Alert!!!
An Oxford student is murdered at the campus May Day celebration and his body is cast into the river. The 4 Old Biddies disguise themselves as house mothers, sneak onto campus wearing pinafores and carrying dusters, and check out the dorm where the deceased stayed with his room-mate. Then they take self defence classes, sending Gemma to emergency with a sprained ankle when the four of them tackle her while practicing their new skills in class. These new skills definitely come in handy when they take down the Russian killer as he is about to stab Gemma.
Gemma moves into her new cottage by the river. Devlin is acting strangely and Gemma suspects he is seeing a blonde.
Spoiler Alert!!!
An Oxford student is murdered at the campus May Day celebration and his body is cast into the river. The 4 Old Biddies disguise themselves as house mothers, sneak onto campus wearing pinafores and carrying dusters, and check out the dorm where the deceased stayed with his room-mate. Then they take self defence classes, sending Gemma to emergency with a sprained ankle when the four of them tackle her while practicing their new skills in class. These new skills definitely come in handy when they take down the Russian killer as he is about to stab Gemma.
Gemma moves into her new cottage by the river. Devlin is acting strangely and Gemma suspects he is seeing a blonde.
November 23, 2017
Gemma Rose, owner and proprietor of the Oxford Tea Room, lets her best friend, Cassie, talk her into joining Cassie for Oxford’s May Day celebrations in Muffins and Mourning Tea by HY Hanna. This celebration involves meeting at 5 am at the Great Tower to hear the Magdalen College Choir sing to welcome in the spring. With all the jostling by the crowd, Gemma gets separated from Cassie and ends up on the bridge that spans the Thames. Then, with the conclusion to the song, someone splashes into the river, causing everyone to smile over the student hijinks. But when the young man fails to surface, smiles turn to expressions of concern and soon panic as his dead body is brought up from the river. He must have broken his neck in the shallow river.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
October 5, 2016
Loved the book. Once again Gemma is in the midst of a murder, this time at a May Day celebration. With the help of the Old Biddies, Gemma once again beats her hunky CID boyfriend Devlin to solving the murder. As always, the book is full of twists and turns. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Received an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
Received an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
March 22, 2021
I have read the other books in the series and continue to enjoy the premise, characters and setting but this story wasn't my favorite. It felt like things would take awhile to happen or Gemma would discover something interesting and wait awhile to tell the police. I will continue to read the other books in the series but don't think this will be my favorite.
January 13, 2023
Un des meilleurs tomes de la série... Hâte que le prochain sorte en français... J'adore !
November 14, 2017
4 stelle e mezza
Un altro bel libro di questa serie. A parte il fatto di essermi innamorata di Muesli (e anche di Devlin...), mi piace l'ambientazione a Oxford e dintorni. Fra l'altro, essendo stata anni fa a Oxford, anche se è stata una visita molto veloce, riesco a immaginarmi bene i posti descritti dei vari libri.
Il giallo non è niente male, sebbene avessi capito subito chi fosse il colpevole; ci ho messo di più a capire la vera motivazione dietro l'omicidio.
Concludendo, sono proprio felice di aver scoperto questa serie!
Un altro bel libro di questa serie. A parte il fatto di essermi innamorata di Muesli (e anche di Devlin...), mi piace l'ambientazione a Oxford e dintorni. Fra l'altro, essendo stata anni fa a Oxford, anche se è stata una visita molto veloce, riesco a immaginarmi bene i posti descritti dei vari libri.
Il giallo non è niente male, sebbene avessi capito subito chi fosse il colpevole; ci ho messo di più a capire la vera motivazione dietro l'omicidio.
Concludendo, sono proprio felice di aver scoperto questa serie!
September 19, 2018
Gotta love the Old Biddies
Another great story in the story of Gemma Rose and her life since she gave up her high powered job in Sydney and returned to the Cotswolds and opened her tea room.
This story finds her trying to track down the truth about a May Day murder.
Her baker Dora, whose best friend Miriam, is accused of killing a boy in her care at Haverton College.
While trying to do this Gemma gets roped in to joining a self-defense course and ends up side lined when the old biddies get a little to enthusiastic in practice.
As always a good story which makes you use your little grey cells.
Another great story in the story of Gemma Rose and her life since she gave up her high powered job in Sydney and returned to the Cotswolds and opened her tea room.
This story finds her trying to track down the truth about a May Day murder.
Her baker Dora, whose best friend Miriam, is accused of killing a boy in her care at Haverton College.
While trying to do this Gemma gets roped in to joining a self-defense course and ends up side lined when the old biddies get a little to enthusiastic in practice.
As always a good story which makes you use your little grey cells.
April 11, 2021
I love this series, but this one wasn't my favorite. I didn't love the lack of communication between several of the main characters. Gemma needs to have a real, honest conversation with her mom. And her boyfriend. And maybe even her best friend.
July 4, 2017
The fun continues!
The Old Biddies are at it again in this book - too much fun! Book 5 is just as much fun as the others in the series.
The Old Biddies are at it again in this book - too much fun! Book 5 is just as much fun as the others in the series.
March 14, 2023
Another fun cosy mystery centred around Oxford University, and the members of the local towns, specifically the tea shop/cafe. The characters are fun and it's always a good read :)
July 19, 2022
Muesli finds a new friend. The mystery plot was excellent, would have been five stars. The romance plot was old and tiresome, almost brought my rating to three stars. The old biddies were classic. I want to go to an English tea.
November 6, 2016
Gemma Rose is very busy running her Little Stables Tearoom. She has also just moved into her own cottage, with stacks of cardboard boxes all around waiting to be unpacked.
While attending the annual May Day celebration at Oxford, a young man is murdered. Gemma is close enough to see the man go over the side of the bridge into the river, but not close enough to see what happened before that.
Gemma feels compelled to check into the death of the young man and starts talking with the people who were standing near her during the ceremony, as well as any others who may have known the young man or his friends.
Gemma would love to talk to Devlin about what she has discovered regarding the death, but he seems to have no time to talk to her. While Gemma is still looking into the death of the young student, his roommate is brutally killed.
Two young men from the University are murdered and Devlin is investigating another murder from across town, are they related?
Is Devlin, an Oxfordshire CID Detective, really as busy as he would have Gemma believe? Why is he breaking so many dates? Is he really trying to avoid her? He does call, but the calls are always cut short with no time to just chat or talk about what Gemma has discovered regarding the two deaths on the University grounds. Will Gemma be able to get Devlin to listen? If not, will there be more murders before the case is solved?
Muffins and Mourning Tea is a book that starts fast, then gets gains speed. It is hard to put down once you start it.
I received this book from the author and chose to do this review.
While attending the annual May Day celebration at Oxford, a young man is murdered. Gemma is close enough to see the man go over the side of the bridge into the river, but not close enough to see what happened before that.
Gemma feels compelled to check into the death of the young man and starts talking with the people who were standing near her during the ceremony, as well as any others who may have known the young man or his friends.
Gemma would love to talk to Devlin about what she has discovered regarding the death, but he seems to have no time to talk to her. While Gemma is still looking into the death of the young student, his roommate is brutally killed.
Two young men from the University are murdered and Devlin is investigating another murder from across town, are they related?
Is Devlin, an Oxfordshire CID Detective, really as busy as he would have Gemma believe? Why is he breaking so many dates? Is he really trying to avoid her? He does call, but the calls are always cut short with no time to just chat or talk about what Gemma has discovered regarding the two deaths on the University grounds. Will Gemma be able to get Devlin to listen? If not, will there be more murders before the case is solved?
Muffins and Mourning Tea is a book that starts fast, then gets gains speed. It is hard to put down once you start it.
I received this book from the author and chose to do this review.
October 29, 2016
It's May Day in Oxford and Gemma Rose crawls out of her warm bed to meet her best friend at dawn . A 500-year-old ritual of life in Oxford, May Day starts with the ringing of bells and song but it has been eleven years since Gemma last participated. She is feeling every day of those eleven years since she works every day at her new tearoom, The Little Stables. The celebration is disrupted, however, when a young man plunges from the bridge near Gemma. It becomes clear when the body surfaces that it was murder, not an accident. With the help of the "old biddies", four pensioners who help out at the tearoom and consider themselves sleuths, Gemma (under protest) sets out to solve the murder. Could it be his on and off girlfriend, a Russian "princess" from a powerful oligarch family, or someone else? As usual, Gemma has lots going on in her life. Her overbearing mother is bringing her strange plants, her cat Muesli is spreading mischief at an old-age home, and her boyfriend, Devlin O'Connor, is behaving oddly. She is making little progress in settling into her new cottage and really doesn't have time for investigations.
The Oxford Tearoom Mysteries are delightful reads, packed with atmosphere and quirky characters. I really appreciate the inclusion of recipes for tearoom goodies--someday I will actually make some of them! I recommend this series for anglophiles and cozy readers alike. Thanks to the author for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
The Oxford Tearoom Mysteries are delightful reads, packed with atmosphere and quirky characters. I really appreciate the inclusion of recipes for tearoom goodies--someday I will actually make some of them! I recommend this series for anglophiles and cozy readers alike. Thanks to the author for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
October 6, 2016
Another great installment of an excellent series! I loved the mystery and thought I knew the killer's identity...but I was completely wrong! I love when that happens.The mystery was well-developed and the pacing was great and kept me engaged and guessing throughout.
The old biddies were at it again in this book and I just loved their scenes! I also loved Museli's first outing as a therapy cat! That was my favorite scene of the book, and I hope it continues!
My only complaint was the angst with Gemma and Devlin. I understand that their relationship can't be all sunshine and roses, but I just wanted her to actually talk to him about it! That is a pet peeve of mine in books, and I was hoping that at some point she would have brought it up directly but that didn't happen...at least not in this book. While I liked the epilogue, I was hoping there would have been some more resolution between them. Guess I'll just have to wait until book 6 to learn more!
The old biddies were at it again in this book and I just loved their scenes! I also loved Museli's first outing as a therapy cat! That was my favorite scene of the book, and I hope it continues!
My only complaint was the angst with Gemma and Devlin. I understand that their relationship can't be all sunshine and roses, but I just wanted her to actually talk to him about it! That is a pet peeve of mine in books, and I was hoping that at some point she would have brought it up directly but that didn't happen...at least not in this book. While I liked the epilogue, I was hoping there would have been some more resolution between them. Guess I'll just have to wait until book 6 to learn more!
October 6, 2016
This is the 5th installment in this witty series by H.Y. Hanna. I really enjoy this series and Gemma Rose is such a delightful character, readers will fall in love with her quirky and colorful personality.
Ms. Hanna has created a a cast of characters that will always leave you laughing. Evelyn, her mother, is hysterical, she really helps bring the story to life.
In this book, Gemma is settling into her new house and is still busy making a hit of her tea room. In honor of Oxford May Day, Gemma and her friend Cassie decide to relive their time at college and attend the festivities. When a body falls into the water, Gemma fears her time with boyfriend, the handsome detective Devlin, will be cut even shorter. The "Old Biddies," a few of Gemma's customers enlist themselves and Gemma into the investigation.
Shenanigans are bound to leave you laughing as they try to put the clues together.
Ms. Hanna has created a a cast of characters that will always leave you laughing. Evelyn, her mother, is hysterical, she really helps bring the story to life.
In this book, Gemma is settling into her new house and is still busy making a hit of her tea room. In honor of Oxford May Day, Gemma and her friend Cassie decide to relive their time at college and attend the festivities. When a body falls into the water, Gemma fears her time with boyfriend, the handsome detective Devlin, will be cut even shorter. The "Old Biddies," a few of Gemma's customers enlist themselves and Gemma into the investigation.
Shenanigans are bound to leave you laughing as they try to put the clues together.
August 18, 2017
Each book in this series has been a delight and this latest does not disappoint.
I love the Old Biddies and their adventures with Gemma in this book were priceless!
This story involved all the characters I have grown to love.
As this series continues I enjoy even more the vivid and well written descriptions.
I did not guess the whodunit.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher for my honest review.
I love the Old Biddies and their adventures with Gemma in this book were priceless!
This story involved all the characters I have grown to love.
As this series continues I enjoy even more the vivid and well written descriptions.
I did not guess the whodunit.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher for my honest review.
September 26, 2016
This is my favorite book in the series so far, and the ending has be anxiously awaiting the next book! I wish I could crawl into the pages and visit Gemma's tearoom.
I received an ARC from the author.
I received an ARC from the author.
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