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Maritime Teashop #1
Murder for Two
There has been a murder in San Bastion Bay and Olivia Darrow just might be next. Not the best birthday present she could have asked for.
Now a potential suspect in the murder investigation, Olivia must find out who poisoned her least favorite customer and stop the killer from striking again. Unfortunately, her list of suspects includes nearly the entire town and a hooded figure seems determined to ensure the culprit remains hidden. In a race against the clock, will Olivia uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or has she been framed to take the fall?
A feel-good, festive cozy mystery about a quirky teashop owner and her side-kick little sister solving mysteries in a small town on the Californian coast. This book does not contain any cliffhangers, gore, graphic scenes, or foul language.
Now a potential suspect in the murder investigation, Olivia must find out who poisoned her least favorite customer and stop the killer from striking again. Unfortunately, her list of suspects includes nearly the entire town and a hooded figure seems determined to ensure the culprit remains hidden. In a race against the clock, will Olivia uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or has she been framed to take the fall?
A feel-good, festive cozy mystery about a quirky teashop owner and her side-kick little sister solving mysteries in a small town on the Californian coast. This book does not contain any cliffhangers, gore, graphic scenes, or foul language.
- GenresCozy Mystery
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2017
29 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Louise Lynn
11 books31 followersLouise Lynn lives in a small town in California with a host of cats. She loves to crochet, travel, and indulge in both chocolate and all things mystery related.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 21, 2018
A cuppa makes it better
A good plot. However the who and how were easy to spot but the why was a surprise. The characters are still a bit flat but should get better as the series progresses.
The little cafe has been doing a brisk trade but it was a Friday and the meanest woman in town would soon be coming in. With her gripes, digs and put downs. Today she was in fine form and was worse than normal to one of their customers but no-one expected her to drop dead a few yards down the road. Poisoned! Now hers and her sister's cafe is suspected of the crime. As the two look into it they find out how the dead woman made enemies every where she went. Can they find the killer? Why did she pick on some more than others? How did her husband stand it? Why was she and the English man arguing? Did anyone have a kind word for her?
A good plot. However the who and how were easy to spot but the why was a surprise. The characters are still a bit flat but should get better as the series progresses.
The little cafe has been doing a brisk trade but it was a Friday and the meanest woman in town would soon be coming in. With her gripes, digs and put downs. Today she was in fine form and was worse than normal to one of their customers but no-one expected her to drop dead a few yards down the road. Poisoned! Now hers and her sister's cafe is suspected of the crime. As the two look into it they find out how the dead woman made enemies every where she went. Can they find the killer? Why did she pick on some more than others? How did her husband stand it? Why was she and the English man arguing? Did anyone have a kind word for her?
January 20, 2018
I was drawn to this one because it was about a tea shop. I love tea, and I couldn't resist grabbing a book off Kindle Unlimited that was set in a tea shop. The setting is coastal, which is not my favorite setting, but the writers actually did a great job of focusing more on the small town feel than the actual coastal-ness of it, I thought. I really enjoyed the town and thought it sounded like a lovely place.
The characters make the book, though. Olivia and her sister, Ivy, have the most charming relationship. So much sibling bickering and teasing, but you can feel how much they love one another. And their mother, she is a one of a kind! The other townspeople were great characters as well, and a couple of them surely tricked me!
And now I'm going to say something I've never said before -- I solved the mystery! I'm not sure if this was an easy one, or if I just had my thinking cap on tonight, but I actually figured out whodunit. I wasn't convinced that there was no possibility it could be anyone else, but I was strongly considering the killer and was not surprised when it was revealed that they were, in fact, the murderer.
All in all, I enjoyed this book very much! The characters were wonderful and the town seemed like a lovely place to live. Solving the mystery was new and refreshing. And all the talk of tea in it sent me running for my kettle.
*4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
The characters make the book, though. Olivia and her sister, Ivy, have the most charming relationship. So much sibling bickering and teasing, but you can feel how much they love one another. And their mother, she is a one of a kind! The other townspeople were great characters as well, and a couple of them surely tricked me!
And now I'm going to say something I've never said before -- I solved the mystery! I'm not sure if this was an easy one, or if I just had my thinking cap on tonight, but I actually figured out whodunit. I wasn't convinced that there was no possibility it could be anyone else, but I was strongly considering the killer and was not surprised when it was revealed that they were, in fact, the murderer.
All in all, I enjoyed this book very much! The characters were wonderful and the town seemed like a lovely place to live. Solving the mystery was new and refreshing. And all the talk of tea in it sent me running for my kettle.
*4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
January 3, 2018
This was a delightful mystery story! I liked how well paced the plot was and the characters entertaining.
January 26, 2018
I had a couple of rather large pet peeves going on with this book. The first was that Olivia and Ivy were law-abiding shop owners who hadn't actually been accused by the police of murdering Mrs. Walker, and who didn't already enjoy solving puzzles. Yet despite all of this, they decide that, without any particular evidence for it, the police have focused their efforts on the sisters and it's up to Olivia and Ivy to clear their own names. This just isn't believable; normal people like these two are supposed to be would trust the police at face value when they said they weren't suspects and probably look into getting a lawyer, just in case.
Next, while I liked the misdirection that was presented for various characters, I found the actual killer to be fairly easy to spot, and I deduced the motive for it pretty early in the story. And I thought that everything Olivia and Ivy discovered was all stuff that the police would have easily found in the course of a normal, non-intensive investigation over the course of a couple of days. Also, when she finally figures it out, Olivia makes a comment that the murderer is the one person that the police would never suspect, but, in reality, that person would actually be on the top of any adequately trained detective's list.
The story was fun, and I liked seeing the sisters work their way through their list of suspects, but ultimately I found this to be unsatisfying and unbelievable.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Next, while I liked the misdirection that was presented for various characters, I found the actual killer to be fairly easy to spot, and I deduced the motive for it pretty early in the story. And I thought that everything Olivia and Ivy discovered was all stuff that the police would have easily found in the course of a normal, non-intensive investigation over the course of a couple of days. Also, when she finally figures it out, Olivia makes a comment that the murderer is the one person that the police would never suspect, but, in reality, that person would actually be on the top of any adequately trained detective's list.
The story was fun, and I liked seeing the sisters work their way through their list of suspects, but ultimately I found this to be unsatisfying and unbelievable.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
January 9, 2018
This was such a great read. It kept me enthralled from the first till the last page. Funny, lighthearted, and puzzling, just like I look for in a cozy mystery.
Sisters Olivia and Ivy own the teashop in town and have to deal with all sorts of customers. One of them is the sour, grumpy Jenny Walker. Nobody really likes her, but to murder her? No, that is too much for the townspeople. Unfortunately, the old lady was last seen in the Maritime Teashop and guess who becomes the number one suspect? But Olivia is a feisty girl and is determined to clear her name. Together with her sister she goes on the hunt for the truth.
Piece by piece, Olivia and Ivy are finishing the puzzle. It was fun to read how the sisters followed all the clues. Although the culprit is not really a surprise, the authors did a wonderful job misleading me. I kept second-guessing myself. Some twists and an explosive ending make this a true mystery. As a bonus, there is some love interest for Olivia and Ivy.
This book is a very promising start to a series. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Sisters Olivia and Ivy own the teashop in town and have to deal with all sorts of customers. One of them is the sour, grumpy Jenny Walker. Nobody really likes her, but to murder her? No, that is too much for the townspeople. Unfortunately, the old lady was last seen in the Maritime Teashop and guess who becomes the number one suspect? But Olivia is a feisty girl and is determined to clear her name. Together with her sister she goes on the hunt for the truth.
Piece by piece, Olivia and Ivy are finishing the puzzle. It was fun to read how the sisters followed all the clues. Although the culprit is not really a surprise, the authors did a wonderful job misleading me. I kept second-guessing myself. Some twists and an explosive ending make this a true mystery. As a bonus, there is some love interest for Olivia and Ivy.
This book is a very promising start to a series. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
January 12, 2019
Olivia Darrow owns a tea shop in town. Her sister Ivy is a student at the local college and works part time there.
On Friday's, Jenny, the most hateful woman in Maritime comes into her shop for tea and two scones for breakfast, while she does her crosswords. On this particular Friday, she causes a confrontation with one of the other patrons in the tea shop, and then gets into another argument with someone else right outside the building. An hour later she is dead.
The girls start their own investigation because they're afraid of being blamed themselves.
This is another fun story from Louise Lynn. My only complaint was there needed to be a better reason for the girls to actually start investigating. The police had done routine checks and questioning, even taken some of the supplies from the shop. They were not seriously looking at the girls for the murder.
On Friday's, Jenny, the most hateful woman in Maritime comes into her shop for tea and two scones for breakfast, while she does her crosswords. On this particular Friday, she causes a confrontation with one of the other patrons in the tea shop, and then gets into another argument with someone else right outside the building. An hour later she is dead.
The girls start their own investigation because they're afraid of being blamed themselves.
This is another fun story from Louise Lynn. My only complaint was there needed to be a better reason for the girls to actually start investigating. The police had done routine checks and questioning, even taken some of the supplies from the shop. They were not seriously looking at the girls for the murder.
January 29, 2018
Murder for Two review
I enjoyed reading about Olivia and Ivy Carrie's attempts to solve the murder of the most despicable person in San Bas. Jenny Walker visited the Maritime Tea Shop every Friday morning. She always ordered the same tea and muffins. What Hampton this Friday when she left the tea shop and collapsed dead on the sidewalk outside the tea shop with one of their tea cups in hand?
The book keeps you guessing until the end. The description of the characters makes you wonder until the end who could have killed Jenny. While reading you can imagine the characters and feel the cold winds they are experiencing.
A must read if you like cozy mysteries.
I enjoyed reading about Olivia and Ivy Carrie's attempts to solve the murder of the most despicable person in San Bas. Jenny Walker visited the Maritime Tea Shop every Friday morning. She always ordered the same tea and muffins. What Hampton this Friday when she left the tea shop and collapsed dead on the sidewalk outside the tea shop with one of their tea cups in hand?
The book keeps you guessing until the end. The description of the characters makes you wonder until the end who could have killed Jenny. While reading you can imagine the characters and feel the cold winds they are experiencing.
A must read if you like cozy mysteries.
December 20, 2017
This story is about a couple of sisters, one who runs a tea shop...they way she wants which might seem a bit odd to others, but Olivia doesn't mind what others think. That is until her least favorite customer is murdered and she is the number one suspect. She is bound and determined to prove her innocence and find the killer, but there are a lot of them. Seems the whole town wasn't to happy with the deceased. But who is the hooded stranger lurking about? You will need to read the book to find out the answers. I voluntarily read a copy of this book, the review is my own opinion.
December 25, 2017
Deliciously Puzzling
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Murder for Two." The little seaside community of San Bas and Olive and Ivy are already a part of my reading life. The forward movement of the plot and character developmental are well written, and, while I suspected the murderer a couple of times, that suspicion was well redirected until Olive discovered and affirmed I was right the first time. Congratulations to Ms. Lynn and Ms. Winters for a delightful cozy mystery. I look forward to the sequel.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Murder for Two." The little seaside community of San Bas and Olive and Ivy are already a part of my reading life. The forward movement of the plot and character developmental are well written, and, while I suspected the murderer a couple of times, that suspicion was well redirected until Olive discovered and affirmed I was right the first time. Congratulations to Ms. Lynn and Ms. Winters for a delightful cozy mystery. I look forward to the sequel.
December 21, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review and I'm pleased to report that it was an engaging read, with a well developed cast of locals and a central mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It's fun to watch the main character, Olivia, as she investigates the death of one of her regular customers. The only problem being that Jenny Walker was disliked by most of San Bastian Bay, giving Olivia no shortage of suspects to investigate. Recommended.
January 2, 2018
I really liked this book, in which two sisters were trying to find a killer and clear the elder's name. Our amateur detectives here, Olivia and Ivy, were a lot of fun, and their mom was a hoot. I loved Olivia's tea shop. The other townspeople were interesting, and the murder victim seemed to have it coming. I wasn't surprised by the killer's identity, but I did enjoy following the clues with Olivia and Ivy. I will happily read the next in the series when it is released.
February 23, 2018
Lovely story with delightful characters
Good story about tea shop owner and her sister. While the story isn't new and the plot is old, the storytelling is first rate and the characters are wonderful. I hope more tales of Olivia and Ivy continue. Note to author... "I" should not be used with a conjunction...like and...When it not the subject in a sentence. It is off putting in an otherwise well written and edited story.
Good story about tea shop owner and her sister. While the story isn't new and the plot is old, the storytelling is first rate and the characters are wonderful. I hope more tales of Olivia and Ivy continue. Note to author... "I" should not be used with a conjunction...like and...When it not the subject in a sentence. It is off putting in an otherwise well written and edited story.
December 22, 2017
Really good story and the characters are fun to get to know. Olivia owns a tea shop and when her least favorite customer drops dead with a cup in her hand on the street Olivia is out to clear her name.
Really enjoyed this book. New to the authors and hope there is more to come from Olivia and the gang.
Really enjoyed this book. New to the authors and hope there is more to come from Olivia and the gang.
January 17, 2018
This is the first time reading this author and the first in the series. I really enjoyed it. The main character is Olive and she owns a tea shop . The most disliked woman in town ends up dying right after leaving Olive's shop. With the help of her younger sister, Ivy the set out to figure out who murdered her and clear Olive's name. I am looking forward to more of their adventures.
January 19, 2018
This book was as delightful inside as the cover of it was on the outside. Read this over Christmas and it was the perfect read while curled up on the sofa with a hot cuppa. The heroines are women with depth and the plot is well thought out and evenly paced. Despite having two authors, the writing was seamless, too. Highly recommended!
December 26, 2017
This is a cozy mystery set in a seaside town in California at Christmas. It was a really good mystery. The characters were great and well developed and the story moved along. I thought I had solved the mystery multiple times, before the real perpertrator was revealed. It was a good story!
May 10, 2018
A real who dunnit
A really good read although the editing leaves a bit to be desired. It has twists and turns and leads you away from the obvious culprit. Looking forward to the next book
A really good read although the editing leaves a bit to be desired. It has twists and turns and leads you away from the obvious culprit. Looking forward to the next book
December 23, 2017
OMG...I adored this book. Normally I'm not a fan of cozy mysteries but once I started this I just couldn't stop reading it. Absolutely loved it
January 8, 2018
Murder for Two
A good start to a new mystery series! This had a good murder mystery and I’m really looking forward to book two!
A good start to a new mystery series! This had a good murder mystery and I’m really looking forward to book two!
February 19, 2019
Not bad. I liked the characters. The plot was a little too easy to figure out.
January 17, 2018
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
This first book by this author duo was a great, entertaining read and I enjoyed it very much.
The blurb was promising and the way it was delivered gave me a satisfying feeling after I finished it.
With Olivia we have a nice, but independent heroine who's having her own tea shop. With the help of her sister Ivy and her mother she is keeping her business alive & loves what she does. Until a patricular nagging town person, Jenny Walker - unpopular by a lot of people in town - was found dead in front of her shop. And it's Olivia who's one of the suspects.
The crime case the two ladies are presenting is an entertaining, thrilling tour of events, twists & misunderstandings with more than one suspect.
I really liked the easy style, the great floating in words & the descriptive setting. I also adored that Olive is the shop owner of a tea shop, my beloved drink. :3 I would totally love to visit & chat with her if she was real. :D
The dynamics are definitely in the book. Olive is a heroine who doesn't sit still, a charming attitude and together with her sister we see a lot of charming, warm sides. This connection to her family is also the biggest point in the book, it's the drive which gives Olive her energy, it's her support.
I also loved the small side-story with the romantic subplot. It gave a promising hope of what we can expect in the next book.
The book was really entertaining, a great debut work and definitely not the last book I read by the authors. 4 out of 5 stars. :)
Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words
This first book by this author duo was a great, entertaining read and I enjoyed it very much.
The blurb was promising and the way it was delivered gave me a satisfying feeling after I finished it.
With Olivia we have a nice, but independent heroine who's having her own tea shop. With the help of her sister Ivy and her mother she is keeping her business alive & loves what she does. Until a patricular nagging town person, Jenny Walker - unpopular by a lot of people in town - was found dead in front of her shop. And it's Olivia who's one of the suspects.
The crime case the two ladies are presenting is an entertaining, thrilling tour of events, twists & misunderstandings with more than one suspect.
I really liked the easy style, the great floating in words & the descriptive setting. I also adored that Olive is the shop owner of a tea shop, my beloved drink. :3 I would totally love to visit & chat with her if she was real. :D
The dynamics are definitely in the book. Olive is a heroine who doesn't sit still, a charming attitude and together with her sister we see a lot of charming, warm sides. This connection to her family is also the biggest point in the book, it's the drive which gives Olive her energy, it's her support.
I also loved the small side-story with the romantic subplot. It gave a promising hope of what we can expect in the next book.
The book was really entertaining, a great debut work and definitely not the last book I read by the authors. 4 out of 5 stars. :)
Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews