Pushing Up Daisies

Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries #1

by Katherine Hayton

Fifty-something widow Willow Foxglove is looking forward to a cup of tea and a dalliance with the local realtor. Instead, she ends up with a dead body on her doorstep!

When the murder victim is revealed as her 'kind-of' boyfriend, the finger of blame points squarely at Willow. To avoid a murder charge, she needs to track down the real killer.

Believing that the local Aniseed Valley sheriff is unequal to the challenge, Willow sets about clearing her name. She must also decide the fate of a gifted Maine Coon kitten, who's set her allergies ablaze.

As the net tightens, Willow draws on the book-smarts of best friend Harmony and conspiracy-laden facts from second-best friend Reg to help solve the crime. And, of course, she can always rely on handy hints from her favorite TV show of all time - Miss Walsham Investigates!

Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries are quick 1-2 hour reads, perfect for filling in time waiting for appointments, commuting to work, or when your significant other insists on watching a TV show that makes you roll your eyes!

These books contain no swearing, no gore, no cliffhangers, and no graphic scenes.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2018

About the author

I'm a middle-aged woman who works in insurance, doesn't have children or pets, can't drive, has lived in Christchurch my entire life, and currently reside a two-minute walk from where I was born.

For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.



I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pushing Up Daisies is Book 1 of the Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries series by Katherine Hayton. Our main character, Willow Foxglove is in her 50s. She was a former model and grows her own herbs and spices. She looks forward to having her own little Tea Shop but does not know when that could happen. In the meantime she is looking forward to her boyfriend showing up on the sly. When he does not show up, she is disappointed. Even more so when his dead body is found in her garden.

With little faith in the local sheriff, Willow enlists her best friends, Harmony and Reg in trying to solve the mystery. After all, on her favorite TV show, Miss Walsham Investigates, they make it look so easy. This is a quick 2 hour read with lots of fun little twists. I thoroughly enjoyed it and decided to buy the entire 6 book set.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up through Kindle Unlimited mainly because of the cover... I think it's so cute! I've learned that I've been really loving short novellas, and I've always known I really enjoy characters that are much older than I am. It's nice to finish a book in one afternoon and feel so accomplished. This is a delightful cozy mystery about a 50ish woman who's boyfriend turns up dead in her garden. Not much too it, very short and sweet. I will definitely continue on in the series.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 1 in the "Tea Shop Cozy Mystery" series. This was a short quick read and my first time reading this author. Willow Foxglove is looking forward to a cup of tea and a dalliance with the local realtor. Instead, she ends up with a dead body on her doorstep! When the victim turns out to be her boyfriend she sets out to clear her name. I loved the characters in this book. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny short story about a middle-aged woman solving a crime at her doorstep while the sheriff can't figure his fingernails from his toenails.

[Tari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the explanation was missing at the end of this book. The mystery was very simple and quick to read. I thought the characters were likable but I have to be very honest and say I was glad I just borrowed it through my Kindle Unlimited. The killer was more or less left up to our assumption so the ending was a let down to me with no arrest or closure. I'm pretty sure it wasn't left like that to continue in the next book.

The story line was that a retired lady named Willow found her boyfriend Roger dead in her garden. He'd left her a kitten that he'd ordered in special from the pet shop since it was Maine Coon cat, which she was allergic to. Her friendship with Harmony and Reg was pretty cute--they were funny and supportive. Very nice characters but again, no real mystery closure. I will probably borrow the next book on Kindle Unlimited just to see how she's getting along with the kitten.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect cozy read!


Great introduction to a new cozy mystery series written by a well established author.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is about Willow, a 50-something woman, discovering the body of her secret boyfriend in her garden. The discovery was helped along by a kitten that appeared in her conservatory, with blood on her paws. After getting arrested and then released, Willow decides to find the killer because she doesn't think the police are up to the task.

This was an entertaining read. I thought the killer was obvious, but it was still fun to watch Willow and her friends work to solve it. I also enjoyed the kittens antics and hope she's in the next book.

[Carley Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a six part series. It's more of a long short story really and I'll probably carry on the series now and then when I want something light and uncomplicated to read.

I chose this book to read as I wanted to read some cozy mysteries set in New Zealand or Australia so I was a bit disappointed that there was no sense at all of where it was set. I wonder if any of her other books have more of a setting in term of location with reference to a particular way of life?

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting. A quick read. I’m not sure I even caught or understood how the mystery was solved 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read, clean and friendly for the most part. This series is as much about small town life and friends helping one another as it is about finding a killer. I thought it was much like the Spice Town mysteries by Sheri Richey, Cindy Bell's Dune House series, or the Happenstance books by Janice Dick.
A romance is budding between widow Willow Foxglove and a wealthy realtor, Roger Randall. In fact it appears he was bringing her a gift when someone murdered him in her back yard. She wakes up in the night to find a Maine Coon kitten knocking over plants and pots in her small conservatory. The next morning she finds Roger's body.
The town sheriff, not the sharpest knife in the drawer and not especially inclined to investigate, goes for the quick solution: Willow stabbed him during a lovers' quarrel. When investigators find out Willow stands to inherit a substantial amount in Roger's will, they have all the more reason to suspect her.
Thankfully Willow has some loyal friends who stand by her. Her BFF Harmony is positive, practical, and outspoken in her defense of Willow -- and ready to help her deal with a severe allergic reaction to cats. Together these two and their good friend Reg sift through clues to deduce who really committed the crime.

[Brittany Settle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, cozy mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie. If you’re looking for something light, easy, and unproblematic, this series of novellas promises to deliver no-gore, no-cliffhanger kind of stories. Character-building and world-building will be promising as the series moves forward. This first book was cute, albeit not as fleshed-out as I would have liked, but I came for the wholesomeness!

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pushing Up Daisies (Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries #1)" by Katherine Hayton is a quick cozy mystery read. Willow is a widow who may have finally found love again until he doesn't show up for the expected evening tea. Next morning someone is breaking into her conservatory and he's dead out back of her house. Willows two best friends and her decided to investigate when she's arrested for suspicion of committing the crime.

This is a cute cozy mystery of retired friends investigating crime. They're also figuring out a Maine Coon kitten and handling figuring out their next steps in life. Some without their spouses.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, quick, cozy mystery read. Nothing too outlandish or deep. Entertaining.

[Robin Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know what a “cozy mystery” is: short, simple, and mostly pleasant.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella about a widow, Willow, who loves to garden and make special tea blends. She was secretly dating Roger, her estate agent until he is found dead in her garden stabbed with her pitchfork. He also brought her a Maine Coon kitten as a gift, apparently not knowing that she was allergic. The sheriff arrests her because it was her pitchfork and her garden but since the evidence was only circumstantial she was let go. She decides that she needs to do her own investigation in order to clear her name. Her friends, Harmony and Reg, help her find a couple of suspects. Harmony and Willow learn that Reger's long-time secretary, Trish, was recently fired. Reg, a UFO enthusiast, has photos of Trish's son egging Roger's car. And their prime suspect is Jimmy who protests outside of Roger's office everyday because Jimmy claims that he gave him a bad deal for his house. There were hijinks with the kitten and bungling by the cops and in the end it is Willow who cracks the case. Jimmy was the killer. He got a homeless guy to pose as him protesting outside of Roger's office so that Jimmy could slip away and kill Roger. Roger left Willow a sizeable inheritance so Willow plans to open her own tea shop. I have a few issues with the novella. There was no sense of time or place. Willow is a 54-year-old widow who wears dresses and aprons, making it sound like a book set in the 50's. But there is talk of DVRing her favorite tv show so obviously it must be more modern, but no mention of cell phones? Odd. Also, for all of the bellyaching that Willow does about her aches and pains she sounds more like a woman in her 70's. I am 53 and I do not at all resemble Willow at all! Also what is with the names? Willow and her dead husband Molly?! Roger and Reg? Do both main male characters have to have names that start with R? Not really the best mystery or conclusion but it kept my attention for an hour.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, I don't feel that this series has anything to draw the reader to it. I got the box set incredibly cheaply or I wouldn't have even noticed it.

The story has not yet established a 'theme'. She will have a tea shop, or at least that's what the boxset implies but in this book, nothing.

I am so used to my cozy mysteries having some kind of theme; magic, a pet that helps solve crimes, an undercover spy, a novelist, or a psychic that I found it hard to come to terms with how banal the story was.

Despite that, I was shocked by how real the characters felt.

Willow - was incredibly human. She is fickled about how she feels about everyone, her opinion changing at the drop of a hat by some slight she felt. She was willing to throw other people under the bus to save herself and then decide on innocence because of mutual interests. I was also amazed that the author included a marriage that was so normal; it was neither good nor bad it just was.

Harmony - As an anti-social bibliophile I can really relate to this character.

Reg - Everyone knows someone like him that's a bit off but that doesn't stop him from being your friend, it just makes him interesting.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the book fits the cozy mystery requirements of an amateur trying to figure things out on their own with no special abilities or training.

This book is exactly what a cozy mystery should be, even if it's boringly written.

[Syd · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I don't think I've met a novella yet that I just absolutely loved. They all seem to have the same problem of lack of depth, and Pushing up Daisies is falling into that.
The main character is interesting: 54 year old Willow is dating a nice realtor a year or so after her husband passes, and she is expecting a visit from him, but he's a no-show. Hours later, she discovers him deceased in her back garden, and finds herself as the number one police suspect. Willow is apparently an avid gardener and enjoys brewing tea for her friends, but because the book is so short, there's not a ton of explanation on this. The book does set up how Willow is able to open her tea shop - it's mentioned in the title, but is not yet in operation at this point.
The murder investigation is also very quick and wrapped up very nicely with a confession at the end. I didn't think the motive was very well explained.

I have the six book audiobook, so will continue on to #2, but I am hoping they improve and there's a little more focus on the titular tea shop.

[✨🍄 Natasha 📚🐉🧚🏻‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, the main character, Willow, is recently widowed and has found a new love interest. When he ends up murdered, she’s the first suspect. This cozy mystery follows Willow and her friends, Reg & Harmony, as they try to solve the murder. A cute “who done it”, with an even cuter (at least in my head) kitten, Mavis.

I listened to the audiobook which made this much more enjoyable. The narrator sounded like what I pictured Willow would sound like (even though this is 3rd pov). I did find myself zoning out while listening to it, it didn’t grip my attention, but it made for a fun background book for housework. I may read the 5 books at some point for background noise, but the end of the book did not leave me needing to read the next book.

I know that the books follow a story line, but I don’t feel like I missed out on anything but stopping after this book. It could’ve been a standalone.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a quick, short read, a little cozy mystery that deals with a cute kitten and a middle aged lady as the solve a murder in the ways of an Agatha Christie novel.

I was hoping for a little bit more fun with teas in this book but was really only brought to light a few times. I was thinking on drinking some good ol' Chamomile while reading this since that was the one on the cover and was touched on in the beginning of the story and made a few come backs in the story.

Needless to say with that thought in mind, I have now spent some free time in looking at types of Chamomile, history, growing, drying, and making tea with both fresh and dried.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This audio book has 6 books in one and while this first intro entry was good enough, if the other 5 books had not been included, I am not sure I would read them. "Fifty-something widow Willow Foxglove is looking forward to a cup of tea and a dalliance with the local realtor. Instead, she ends up with a dead body on her doorstep!" She also ends up with a kitten to which she is alergic and a plan for a tea shop in her conservatory. Read in a stereotypical southern accent by Sara Morsey, the story moves along and we are introduced to Willow's friends and neighbors as they attempt to prove her innocence and solve the murder of her would-be boyfriend. Since I use audio books as background to other tasks like sewing, Willow will serve for now. I hope book two is better.

[Kymm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pushing Up Daisies by Katherine Hayton is the first in the Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book series and a new one for me. I enjoyed the book, but found it lacking in content. I liked the characters and the setting, the concept and the mystery, but it seemed so short the story seemed rushed. Just when I was starting to go through clues in my head and try to sort out the who dunnit, the book was over and the perpetrator was revealed. I guess I just wanted more! I'm going to read book 2 just to make sure because sometimes the first books are all about laying the groundwork and background for better things to come.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern charm and hospitality abounds in this cozy mystery that sets up the amateur sleuth, a retired widow on a fixed income named Willow. She has a group of other seniors that she pals around with, all with impeccable manners and quirky personalities. Imagine my shock when I discovered that Willow is only 54!!! The way she’s obsessed with aches and pains, arthritis, grey hair and wrinkles I thought she was more like 78! Still, the first novel in the series sets up her tea shop with homegrown herbs and handcrafted teas and the friendships are genuine and sweet. A pleasant read that won’t give me nightmares.

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cozy Read

I enjoyed this story. It was a good mystery surrounded by interesting friendships and caring hearts. Plus, there was a cat, so that's a win!

The characters were charming. I loved how diverse the Willow, Harmony, and Reg were from each other, yet they had a deep respect for one another. The support and concern they shared was beautiful.

The dynamic between Willow and the sheriff added a lovely layer of depth. At times, it made me laugh. At times, it irritated me. Ultimately, where I find myself was surprised.

I recommend this book. It's well written and entertaining. I'm looking forward to jumping into the next installment of the series!

[Jessica Roth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decided to listen to the audiobook because I’m in search of more cozy reads. Decided on this one because I got 6 books for 1 credit on Audible! That being said, I probably wouldn’t read the other 5 if they weren’t all bundled together…but I’ll stick it out and keep my fingers crossed things get better (mostly because I need books to listen to while I work)!

The author doesn’t really allow us to get to know any of the characters on a deeper level. The mystery was present but it wasn’t focused on well enough. The investigation jumped around and was very poorly written. BUT seeing as there are 5 more books..our author has time to redeem herself…we’ll see!

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Average cozy mystery aka protagonist that involves themselves in a crime because either they were at one point a suspect or someone they are close to or because they found the dead body

Truthfully it’s more 2.5 that 2 stars. The mystery fine but the protagonist taste in men is questionable

She’s a widow but her husband had a wandering eye and the guy she was dating was douche

The other thing was that she was so ill equipped to be snooping around. It’s not an age thing there has been plenty of older protagonists who have done better jobs

The “evidence” she shows sheriffs are not concrete and everything she knows is based off a show that sounds very familiar to the old mystery shows where barely any questioning/evidence is produced

A character gets introduced in the middle of the story but is not mentioned afterwards

I don’t know if it’s because it’s so short that the story feels so incomplete but it’s a quick read

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different faces on show

Easy read, gentle cozy. Okay the ending was a bit "off" but the rest of it more than made up for it. She had been a widow for some time but now was enjoying a special friendship with the local estate agent. That is if her friends would stop popping in when she was expecting him. Imagine her surprise when she finds a kitten, a dead body and is accused of murder. Can she and her quirky friends find the real culprit before anyone else is accused of the murder. The characters are full of idiosyncrasies which make for an entertaining read.

[Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got from Kindle unlimited as part of the Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries Books 1-6. Surprisingly short. More short story than novel. I enjoyed it. Still not sure I love the characters though. That is, it was so short that I didn't have time to get invested in them.

Remainder of six:
Berry Murderous (Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book 2)
Deathbed of Roses (Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book 3)
Orange Juiced (Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book 4)
Keeping Mums (Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book 5)
Hibiscus Homicide (Tea Shop Cozy Mystery Book 6)

[Michele Crandell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple murder mystery, but really without much of the mystery. I liked the light and flowing plot, but the story moved rapidly, there was little character development, and motives for everything felt rather flat.

If there had been a little more development in the story, and the investigation by our main character had gone on a little longer, this story would have made for a really compelling afternoon read over tea. Instead, it focused in all the wrong details and left me ready to just finish the story.

All the points for Mavis the cat though.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instead having a date, Willow Foxglove finds a dead body and a kitten. The dead body is her sort of boyfriend and the kitten is a Maine coon cat he bought as a gift. Now instead of being a widow who gets to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it, Willow is the leading suspect in a murder. With the help of two friends she needs to clear her name and find a killer. She also has to figure out what to do with a kitten she’s allergic to. This is an entertaining cozy mystery with likable characters in a small town flavor.