Keeping Mums

Tea Shop Cozy Mysteries #5

by Katherine Hayton

Willow's waitress, Tiffany, just became the lead suspect in a murder investigation!

After taking a few days sick off work, Willow Foxglove's waitress, Tiffany Woodstock, is declared a missing person. When Clay, her husband, then turns up dead, the search escalates into a manhunt.

Willow can't rest easy until she knows Tiffany is safe and sound. Unfortunately, though her best friend Harmony seems to know something more, she's keeping mum.

If Willow can't uncover the truth, or turn up her missing employee, then it could spell disaster for her fledgling tea room business. Even Mavis, her Maine Coon kitten, can't put a bright side on the worsening stakes.

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 the show that makes you roll your eyes! They contain no swearing, no gore, no cliffhangers, and no graphic scenes.

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

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 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]

Keeping Mums by Katherine Hayton is Book 5 of the Tea Shop Mysteries series. These novella length stories are wonderfully plotted and highly entertaining reads. The books are quick-paced and can be read in about 2 hours.

Willow Foxglove is a 50-something former British top model who now owns a tea shop. Conspicuously, she continues to get herself involved in the small town’s murders, where she then has to behave like the amateur sleuth with two best friends that help her in her investigations. In this tale, one of her notoriously reliable waitresses calls out sick two days in a row.

This is suspicious because Tiffany is an exceptionally dependable employee, but when Tiffany’s husband turns up dead, a disappeared Tiffany becomes the prime suspect. She's nowhere to be found. Where did she go? Did she murder her husband or is she also somehow the target of a murderer. Enter, amateur sleuth Willow and her bestie assistants!

[Mahoghani 23]

Small town cozy mystery.

[Megan]

Willow's employee, Tiffany, hasn't shown up for work in several days and then Tiffany's husband is found dead. Willow and her friends help solve who killed Clay, Tiffany's husband, and what happened to Tiffany. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to next, and final, installment in this series.

[Jenell Klinedinst]

loved the story. enjoy the characters. Was shocked that who the killer was.

[Meg]

3.5 stars. The best of the series so far. Willow and friends investigate the disappearance of Tiffany, a waitress at Willow's Tea Room. Willow's friend Harmony seems to have some idea of what is going on but she is keeping mum. But when Tiffany's husband Clay is found dead from a hit and run, Tiffany is the prime suspect. Harmony and Willow go to the hotel where Tiffany was laying low for a few days while she tried to figure out what to do about her marriage but Tiffany is gone. A waitress at the diner across the street said that she saw a man force her into a car. Was it Clay or Tiffany's father, Trace, who has been arrested for Clay's murder once the police found his car with a damaged front bumper. Willow wants to know what happened to Clay's car and why he was walking home instead of driving. The bartender at the local pub says that he took Clay's keys when he got to be too drunk to drive and an investigation of his parked car reveals Tiffany locked in the trunk. Willow then figures out that Clay's mistress was the one to kill him using Trace's car after she found out that he had gone and collected Tiffany.

[J.M. Northup]

Wonderful Mystery

It's nice visiting the friends of Ainseed Valley, especially as the mysteries increase. Willow and Harmony are really coming into their sleuthing skills, too. I love that they do it together with the support of Reg, Mavis, Wendy, and the Sheriff.

This case was the most unpredictable yet. It was well thought out, though there were so some questions I wish I had concrete answers for. However, the author wrote them in a realistic manner, where you really wouldn't know necessarily. Not everything in life is neatly concluded, so it was a great ending despite my curiosity.

Definitely recommend this series. Again, it is what drew me into the cozy mystery genre, and this book was my favorite installment yet. I can't wait to get onto the next!

[Cynthia Sacks]

Very enjoyable

Another nicely written and highly enjoyable book in the series. I've read them in order but they can stand alone also. Reading in order helps build the appreciation of the characters.

[Viridian Silvocia]

I loved it of course. No surprise at this point from the author and series. This one had a bit more drama happening too in terms of mysterious happenings and what they could solve. Highly recommend this series.

[Joss McK]

A cosy little novella that was the perfect break between bigger reads. I absolutely love the antics of Willow and her kitten Mavis as they somehow manage to insert themselves into every mystery that comes their way.

[Susan]

totally enjoyed the latest episode with Willow and friends, look forward to more...

[gary c lehn]

Great series.............

I love to read Ms Katherine Haytons wonderful stories of the adventures of the two senior maidens. Who seem to always find some mischief to get into.

[Cheryl A.]

Murder doesn't seem to take a rest and Willow must do investigating to prevent from becoming another victim. Great interactions between characters and lots of twists. Couldn't put it down!

[Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman]

I enjoy these small town everyone knows everyone mysteries. The inclusion of Willow's favorite television show cast was great too. Characters continue to develop nicely.

[Jessica]

Loved it!! Loving this series! Enjoyable cozy mystery series.

[Christine Goodnough]

This short story, #5 in the series, was okay.

[Michele]

Another short mystery story that was thoroughly entertaining. This one is my favorite so far.

[Cowboys_Sweetheart]

Fun read!

A fun quick read! Willow and Mavis are always hot on the trail, I truly enjoy their adventures! I loved the how strong the tea crew friendship is becoming!

[nancy janette ✿]

Kind of boring, tried to pay attention to the audio version but I was dozing off. Giving 2 stars because I like the overall series and the character development.

[Debbie]

It’s everything I expect from a cozy mystery.

[Teresa]

Will continue to listen to this audiobook series.

[JoAnn]

very entertaining

[Pat]

Audiobook

[Tracey]

Another fun mystery at Willow’s Tea Shop!

[Jessica Roth]

Had to speed up the audio to double speed. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Same as my other reviews.

[Heather]

This book is the best of the previous 4 books. Just a fun, soothing read!

[Denaiir]

this is definitely the best book in the series! The plot of this one was really twisty and had quite high stakes, I loved it

[Paula]

Audiobook. Fun cozy

[Clyde]

May be the last in the series I read.... Not very well written, not many surprises..... Kinda short......

[Stacey]

The plot line is a little mid. If it isn’t the SO it’s their lover.

[Jo]

This one was pretty wild to be honest 🤣