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Tea and Read Mystery #2
Sweet Tea and Secrets
Sleuth Callie Aspen wants to light up the Fourth of July tea party by solving a celebrity’s decades-old disappearance—but her digging results in more fireworks than she expects.
Last Christmas, Callie Aspen left her tour guide job and settled in Heart's Harbor, Maine. Now, she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt’s vintage tearoom, where each treat has a bookish clue. Though she’s excited to start her new life, Callie worries she may regret having burned her bridges behind her. Fortunately, she finds immediate distraction in the preparations for a spectacular Fourth of July tea party, which will recreate key moments from the town's rich history.
Intrigued to learn that 1980s TV star Monica Walker was last seen in Heart's Harbor before she vanished—allegedly to elope—Callie probes the townsfolk for information. She’s stunned when several locals share contradictory stories about the last day before Monica's disappearance. Did she intend to leave her hit TV series? Was she being stalked by her ex? And why is the newspaper editor who investigated the story at the time so anxious about the cold case heating up?
When one of the talkative townspeople turns up dead, Callie aims to catch the killer. But it’s no picnic: Deputy Falk doesn’t want her meddling, and the locals suddenly know more about the past than they’d been at liberty to admit. If Callie and the Book Tea crew can’t crack the case, they’ll pay a very steep price in Joy Avon's explosive second Tea and a Read mystery.
Last Christmas, Callie Aspen left her tour guide job and settled in Heart's Harbor, Maine. Now, she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt’s vintage tearoom, where each treat has a bookish clue. Though she’s excited to start her new life, Callie worries she may regret having burned her bridges behind her. Fortunately, she finds immediate distraction in the preparations for a spectacular Fourth of July tea party, which will recreate key moments from the town's rich history.
Intrigued to learn that 1980s TV star Monica Walker was last seen in Heart's Harbor before she vanished—allegedly to elope—Callie probes the townsfolk for information. She’s stunned when several locals share contradictory stories about the last day before Monica's disappearance. Did she intend to leave her hit TV series? Was she being stalked by her ex? And why is the newspaper editor who investigated the story at the time so anxious about the cold case heating up?
When one of the talkative townspeople turns up dead, Callie aims to catch the killer. But it’s no picnic: Deputy Falk doesn’t want her meddling, and the locals suddenly know more about the past than they’d been at liberty to admit. If Callie and the Book Tea crew can’t crack the case, they’ll pay a very steep price in Joy Avon's explosive second Tea and a Read mystery.
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First published June 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 23, 2019
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon is the second book of the cozy A Book Tea Shop Mystery series. Each book of the series will have it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read and understood reading alone or out of order.
Callie Aspen is finally making the permanent move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to work with her aunt in her bookishly themed business having left her job as a tour guide. Callie’s aunt had found a cottage that was available to rent but needed a bit of fixing up and when the pair went to view the cottage a man was already there offering his assistance with the repairs.
Callie finds that Quinn’s estimate seems to be a bit too good to be true but can’t help hiring him on at the cottage. As the two are talking Callie’s shares the project she’s volunteered for and he suggests visiting the library for ideas. It’s there that Callie and Quinn find in the archives the story of the disappearance of the famous Monica Walker that happened in Heart’s Harbor but who would have thought beginning to look into a decades old cold case would bring about a new murder?
Sweet Tea and Secrets was definitely an improvement over the first book of this series in my opinion. When reading the first I felt dumped into the action without really getting to know Callie at all and thankfully I was able to this go round. I still think the series lacks an overall depth to the books though but perhaps it will continue to improve with each book of the series but for now I would rate this second at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Callie Aspen is finally making the permanent move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to work with her aunt in her bookishly themed business having left her job as a tour guide. Callie’s aunt had found a cottage that was available to rent but needed a bit of fixing up and when the pair went to view the cottage a man was already there offering his assistance with the repairs.
Callie finds that Quinn’s estimate seems to be a bit too good to be true but can’t help hiring him on at the cottage. As the two are talking Callie’s shares the project she’s volunteered for and he suggests visiting the library for ideas. It’s there that Callie and Quinn find in the archives the story of the disappearance of the famous Monica Walker that happened in Heart’s Harbor but who would have thought beginning to look into a decades old cold case would bring about a new murder?
Sweet Tea and Secrets was definitely an improvement over the first book of this series in my opinion. When reading the first I felt dumped into the action without really getting to know Callie at all and thankfully I was able to this go round. I still think the series lacks an overall depth to the books though but perhaps it will continue to improve with each book of the series but for now I would rate this second at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 21, 2019
This is a good story. I found the plot a bit confusing at times, but the mystery is really good and I didn’t expect the surprise reveal to be what it was!
June 4, 2019
Joy Avon’s Sweet Tea and Secrets is a solid cozy with an interesting mystery. Although I wish that the writing was a little better and that the characters had more depth, I enjoyed this book. This is the second entry in the series but it works perfectly as a standalone.
Former tour guide Callie Aspen has just moved to Heart’s Harbor where she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt’s vintage tearoom. While preparing for the Fourth of July tea party, Callie stumbles upon a decades old mystery. Popular 1980s TV star Monica Walker disappeared while on vacation in Heart’s Harbor. Did she run away to start a new life? Or did Monica suffer a much more nefarious ending? When a newspaper editor who investigated Monica’s disappearance is murdered, Callie must solve the mystery before more bodies turn up.
The plot is interesting and well-paced with a few really great twists. Although some of the twists are predictable, I like seeing them unfold. I really like that I couldn’t figure out the killer until right before the reveal.
I like the characters but they sometimes act implausibly and I wish there was more depth to them. Callie is a likeable protagonist but I struggled to connect with her. I also don’t buy her attraction to the reticent Deputy Falk who isn’t particularly memorable as far as potential cozy boyfriends go. I hope that the next book improves on their relationship. I also want more interaction between Callie and her great aunt Iphy because the older woman seems to play an important role in Callie’s life.
I also think the writing could be a bit better because the dialogue is a little stilted and the action sometimes jumps erratically.
Sweet Tea and Secrets is a good and intriguing cozy mystery. While I think the writing and characters could be improved, this a quick and easy read that’ll keep you entertained. I’ll definitely check out more in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.
🍵 🍵 🍵 ½ teas out of 5!
Former tour guide Callie Aspen has just moved to Heart’s Harbor where she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt’s vintage tearoom. While preparing for the Fourth of July tea party, Callie stumbles upon a decades old mystery. Popular 1980s TV star Monica Walker disappeared while on vacation in Heart’s Harbor. Did she run away to start a new life? Or did Monica suffer a much more nefarious ending? When a newspaper editor who investigated Monica’s disappearance is murdered, Callie must solve the mystery before more bodies turn up.
The plot is interesting and well-paced with a few really great twists. Although some of the twists are predictable, I like seeing them unfold. I really like that I couldn’t figure out the killer until right before the reveal.
I like the characters but they sometimes act implausibly and I wish there was more depth to them. Callie is a likeable protagonist but I struggled to connect with her. I also don’t buy her attraction to the reticent Deputy Falk who isn’t particularly memorable as far as potential cozy boyfriends go. I hope that the next book improves on their relationship. I also want more interaction between Callie and her great aunt Iphy because the older woman seems to play an important role in Callie’s life.
I also think the writing could be a bit better because the dialogue is a little stilted and the action sometimes jumps erratically.
Sweet Tea and Secrets is a good and intriguing cozy mystery. While I think the writing and characters could be improved, this a quick and easy read that’ll keep you entertained. I’ll definitely check out more in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.
🍵 🍵 🍵 ½ teas out of 5!
July 7, 2019
I think this book was even better than the first, and I know I really liked that one. This one is nice and seasonal, perfect for reading this time of year, since the town of Heart's Harbor is planning a big July 4th event. In the meantime, a cold case disappearance/possible murder was reopened when a visitor to town started asking questions about it. Then the newspaper editor who had been the reporter on the case at the time was found dead in his office. Callie and her friend Det. Falk found themselves right in the middle of another baffling case with a really good twist...or two.
I loved the little side story with Mr. Bates painting pictures of little Daisy and a rescue named Biscuit. I had guessed part of the mystery but not the killer. There were some good red herrings and plot twists along the way which made for a super enjoyable read. Callie and Falk seem to be getting to a good place with a possible relationship, and Falk's widowed sister Peggy may have found someone too. I can safely say that this is one of my favorite new series, and I'm anxious for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I loved the little side story with Mr. Bates painting pictures of little Daisy and a rescue named Biscuit. I had guessed part of the mystery but not the killer. There were some good red herrings and plot twists along the way which made for a super enjoyable read. Callie and Falk seem to be getting to a good place with a possible relationship, and Falk's widowed sister Peggy may have found someone too. I can safely say that this is one of my favorite new series, and I'm anxious for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
February 5, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I will say first off the most disappointing thing about this on is the lack of tea and books, but maybe that's because it is the second in the series and the main character is trying to work out if the big changes she made in he rlife in book one were right or not. Perhaps once she settles we can see more of the new town she lives in. BUT for all of that, I really enjoyed the mystery and guessed at some of it early, but not all of it. I liked that it was an older mystery mixed in with new, but the grand reveal was a little off. Basically this book had good points and bad, and was far from perfect, but it was still enjoyable.
The second in the series, this on probably appeals to lighter romance fans (since it never really gets off the ground) but who still enjoy a good cozy. Four stars.
I will say first off the most disappointing thing about this on is the lack of tea and books, but maybe that's because it is the second in the series and the main character is trying to work out if the big changes she made in he rlife in book one were right or not. Perhaps once she settles we can see more of the new town she lives in. BUT for all of that, I really enjoyed the mystery and guessed at some of it early, but not all of it. I liked that it was an older mystery mixed in with new, but the grand reveal was a little off. Basically this book had good points and bad, and was far from perfect, but it was still enjoyable.
The second in the series, this on probably appeals to lighter romance fans (since it never really gets off the ground) but who still enjoy a good cozy. Four stars.
June 22, 2019
The second book in the A Tea and Read Mystery series is a quick and entertaining read. I thought the first book in the series was a solid start so I was curious to see what the author had planned for this second book. The characters in this series are interesting and developing nicely. Callie is moving back to Heart's Harbor Maine and has some trepidation as to whether she is doing the right thing for herself. The last time she was in Heart's Harbor there was a murder. Unfortunately, Callie finds herself involved with an old unsolved disappearance that leads to murder. The cast of characters are interesting and the plot moves along at a nice pace that keeps the reader engaged in the story. There are plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing as to what happened to the missing movie star and who committed murder to keep that secret. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming. There is a hint of romance but it is in the infancy stage and does not detract from the mystery.
This is an entertaining series so far and I am interested to see where the author takes the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
This is an entertaining series so far and I am interested to see where the author takes the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
August 4, 2019
Callie works at her grandmother’s tea shop and is getting ready for a big Fourth of July celebration. Looking for a human interest story she discovers a TV star, Monica, disappeared in the 1980’s. After talking to several town’s people she is getting conflicted reports. One of the people she talked to is found murdered. The deputy doesn’t want her to meddle. She has to discover if Monica is still alive, especially after someone who thinks he is her son shows up. She doesn’t know why the newspaper editor who was on the story when it happened is so interested in it now. The book picked up in the 2nd half.
April 1, 2019
Callie Aspen decided to make a huge change in her life after visiting her Aunt over the Christmas holiday. She is quit her job as a tour guide and is moving to Heart's Harbor to help her Aunt with her store Book Tea. Callie is looking forward to her first holiday as a resident and can't wait for the Fourth of July weekend to kick off. Her first duty at Book Tea is to help her Aunt prepare for the Fourth of July tea party. Her Aunt wants something special to commemorate the holiday and has left it up to Callie to come up with a fabulous idea. She learns during her research that a famous movie star stayed in town and disappeared during her stay. Story after story has been spread about what could have happened to the star but nothing concrete has ever been found. Did she run away because she was tired of her life, did she run off and elope, or was she killed and her body hidden never to be found. Callie hopes that she can come up with the answers that she is looking for but finds roadblocks along the way. She begins to wonder if moving here and changing her whole life was a mistake. Follow along as Callie tries to come up with the answers to all her burning questions and see if in the end she decides to take on the new life she is starting for herself or returns to her old life. This was a fun read filled with some great characters. I look forward to seeing where the author leads them to next!
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 2, 2024
"Sweet Tea and Secrets (A Tea and Read Mystery #1)" by Joy Avon is a hint of 4th of July, some cold case mystery and a bit of a modern happening mystery. Callie is moving officially to Heart's Harbor, Maine just in time to start really helping with the big 4th of July event they're putting on. Her aunt even ropes her and the handyman, who helping clean up Callie's new cottage, into finding some local history to highlight.
Coincidentally, there's an old missing person's case the handyman is a bit too insistent on exploring. Personally, I don't see why they think this would be a great thing to highlight at a family event. They have 3 weeks to figure it out when the cops hadn't in almost 40 years? It's a cozy mystery, they gotta start somewhere I guess. They wind up at the local newspaper office and talk to a Jo Jameson (get it?) who had reported on the case when it first happened. One thing leads to another, he wont talk, and the next day his secretary finds him in his office, expired.
This all leads Callie to suspect he knew more than he was letting on. She gets pulled into finding out what really happened to the missing person and why someone needed to silence the reporter who had been on her case. I kept want to say talk to a particular suspect, at least about the missing person part of things. That I was correct about. I started coming around to the overall culprit a little ahead of Callie.
Coincidentally, there's an old missing person's case the handyman is a bit too insistent on exploring. Personally, I don't see why they think this would be a great thing to highlight at a family event. They have 3 weeks to figure it out when the cops hadn't in almost 40 years? It's a cozy mystery, they gotta start somewhere I guess. They wind up at the local newspaper office and talk to a Jo Jameson (get it?) who had reported on the case when it first happened. One thing leads to another, he wont talk, and the next day his secretary finds him in his office, expired.
This all leads Callie to suspect he knew more than he was letting on. She gets pulled into finding out what really happened to the missing person and why someone needed to silence the reporter who had been on her case. I kept want to say talk to a particular suspect, at least about the missing person part of things. That I was correct about. I started coming around to the overall culprit a little ahead of Callie.
January 13, 2019
I really enjoyed the first book (In Peppermint Peril) in this series so when I found out the 2nd book was available as an Advanced Readers Copy on NetGalley I was excited. Sweet Tea and Secrets had a slightly different feel to me than the first. In this book, Callie is a little unsure of herself and her decision of moving to Heart’s Harbor. This doubt make’s Callie character more realistic since most people in this situation would probably second guess themselves too. Deputy Falk seemed to be a little distance with Callie which caused more stress for and tension with Callie. While this distance makes sense in the end, I enjoyed their easier give and take in the first book, having said that I am happy how their relationship is at the end of the book. I enjoyed how Author Joy Avon entwines the mystery from the past and the current mystery flawlessly. Although there are parts of the story-line that I did figure out early on there were enough red-herrings to keep me guessing whodunit until the big reveal. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone or part of the series.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
June 19, 2019
Callie Aspen is home !! In the first book in Joy Avon's Book Tea Shop Mystery series, In Peppermint Peril, Callie returns to her hometown, Heart's Harbor to spend the holidays with her great-aunt. Of course she gets herself thrown in the middle of a murder case and feels it is up to her to solve the case and bring justice and peace to her hometown. However Avon teases the reader into wondering if Callie is going to leave her hometown and return to her job as a tour guide and leave everyone and everything she loves in her rearview mirror......
Well in Sweet Tea and Secrets, Avon's second book in this series Callie returns home for good just in time to help Aunt Iphy prepare for the big Fourth of July celebration......and again get in the middle of a murder case. But this time she can't help herself !! Okay maybe she can help herself but it seems like she has a knack when it comes to suspecting everyone and helping the local deputy, Falk, weed through everything.
I'm a huge fan of Avon and this series. I love Callie and the way she suspects everyone and works though everything and wants to help her hometown anyway that she can. I love the innocent relationship she has with Deputy Falk and their chemistry ( I just know things are heating up for them...). I love the small town feel that Heart's Harbor has and that while reading these books, you feel like you are right there along side Callie. Your imagination takes over as you read these books and you are there !! I couldn't put this book down and was mildly upset when I got to the end.....but I know that when the next book in this series comes out, it will only take me a moment to get back into being a part of Heart's Harbor......
Well in Sweet Tea and Secrets, Avon's second book in this series Callie returns home for good just in time to help Aunt Iphy prepare for the big Fourth of July celebration......and again get in the middle of a murder case. But this time she can't help herself !! Okay maybe she can help herself but it seems like she has a knack when it comes to suspecting everyone and helping the local deputy, Falk, weed through everything.
I'm a huge fan of Avon and this series. I love Callie and the way she suspects everyone and works though everything and wants to help her hometown anyway that she can. I love the innocent relationship she has with Deputy Falk and their chemistry ( I just know things are heating up for them...). I love the small town feel that Heart's Harbor has and that while reading these books, you feel like you are right there along side Callie. Your imagination takes over as you read these books and you are there !! I couldn't put this book down and was mildly upset when I got to the end.....but I know that when the next book in this series comes out, it will only take me a moment to get back into being a part of Heart's Harbor......
June 17, 2019
I thought this book was decent, good. I thought it was a little convoluted how Callie became involved in the search for a missing 80’s tv star. I wasn’t sure what a missing woman from the past had to do with a Book Tea Shop Fourth of July event. It just struck me as a little odd. And exactly how many recipes of sweet tea can there possibly be?
The mystery of it all got rolling about halfway through and we discover Quinn may have more reasons to look into this missing lady than he is revealing. I wanted to see more between Callie and Falk than what was revealed here. He didn’t really speak to her like a normal woman he might want to date until the last chapter. That is sad. I think an opportunity was missed here. Plus, I felt like mystery wasn’t solved. The bad guy just told them all how he had manipulated them all in the past and today. He basically just confessed. I like my mysteries to be solved by the main character.
Just okay for me. Okay mystery. Good tension but would have liked the suspense to have an edge to it. We need to feel it more to enjoy it, in my opinion. A touch more romance would have been nice too.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
The mystery of it all got rolling about halfway through and we discover Quinn may have more reasons to look into this missing lady than he is revealing. I wanted to see more between Callie and Falk than what was revealed here. He didn’t really speak to her like a normal woman he might want to date until the last chapter. That is sad. I think an opportunity was missed here. Plus, I felt like mystery wasn’t solved. The bad guy just told them all how he had manipulated them all in the past and today. He basically just confessed. I like my mysteries to be solved by the main character.
Just okay for me. Okay mystery. Good tension but would have liked the suspense to have an edge to it. We need to feel it more to enjoy it, in my opinion. A touch more romance would have been nice too.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
June 8, 2019
Callie Aspen has decided to make some life changes and move to Heart's Harbor, Maine. Her great-aunt has found a promising rental home for her but it needs some fixing up. When a handyman just turns up at the home and offers a great deal on the renovations it really seems to good to be true. Callie soon finds out he is using her for more than a chance for employment and she is now involved in a decades old missing person case.
Some of the mysteries in this story were easy to figure out early on but the biggest surprise was not revealed until the end. I feel like we are just starting to know the characters so there is a lot of room for growth in upcoming books. Thanks to Crooked Lane and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Some of the mysteries in this story were easy to figure out early on but the biggest surprise was not revealed until the end. I feel like we are just starting to know the characters so there is a lot of room for growth in upcoming books. Thanks to Crooked Lane and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 7, 2019
This book had a little bit of a slow start, but was worth having in there for. The character progression is great, little details added without being overwhelmed. I really enjoyed the way an old mystery tied in with a new one. Overall an enjoyable read.
February 4, 2020
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon is the second A Tea and Read Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you did not read In Peppermint Peril. Callie Aspen has quit her job as a tour guide with Travel the Past and is moving to Heart’s Harbor, Maine. Callie will be helping her Great Aunt Iphy with Book Tea as well as with the renovations to Haywood House. There is be a Fourth of July tea party at Haywood House with a sweet tea competition. Aunt Iphy asks that Callie find a past historical event that will have a big impact to present before the fireworks. Living history is the theme of the tea. Quinn Darrow is new to town and responded to Aunt Iphy’s ad for a handyman. Quinn will be fixing up Callie’s new cottage and has been roped into helping Callie find a historic event. Monica Walker, a television star, was taking a vacation in Heart’s Harbor when she vanished in 1989. She was never seen or heard from again. There is plenty of speculation, but no solid facts. Local editor-in-chief, Joe Jamison, reported on the incident years ago and Callie can tell he is hiding something. After an appeal for information on a local news station, the calls start rolling in. It seems Callie struck a nerve because Joe is found dead in his office and the evidence points to Quinn. Callie works to find answers before the killer strikes again. Two mysteries to solve in one book. One can be solved early in the book while the other takes a little longer. I was dissatisfied with the way the reveal was handled (I want the sleuth to solve). I wish the characters had more depth since they feel flat. There is supposed to be an attraction between Callie and Deputy Ace Falk, but I do not feel it. He comes across as overprotective especially of his sister and uses his position to dig up information on people he does not like or trust. I would like to see improvement to the dialogue which was awkward and more action. The pacing lagged throughout the book as Callie speculates on the crimes. The potential is there with a little tweaking. Sweet Tea and Secrets is a light cozy mystery with creative culinary confections, a missing movie maven, a tea tournament, a cutthroat killer, and fantastic fireworks.
February 25, 2019
A creative plot is found in the second book of the Tea and Read mystery series, however, I felt the book could use editing. The text did not generally and often was jerky. There is a definite improvement of the main character, Callie Aspen she did not come across as a 'know-it-all. She still pushing her friends so they will do any activity Callie's way.
Callie Aspen has moved back to Heart's Harbor, Maine to help her great Aunt with the Tea Room. She becomes involved with the Fourth of July Celebration and looking a feature for it she learns about the 1980's disappearance of a TV star Monica Walker. She hired a handyman Quinn to do some work on her cottage. With the help of Quinn and Deputy Falk, she begins to look into the case. The editor of the local paper has some new information about Monica's disappearance but before he tells Callie he is found dead. Twists and turns of the tale will keep your interest as Callie looks to find answers before the Fourth of July. I recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Callie Aspen has moved back to Heart's Harbor, Maine to help her great Aunt with the Tea Room. She becomes involved with the Fourth of July Celebration and looking a feature for it she learns about the 1980's disappearance of a TV star Monica Walker. She hired a handyman Quinn to do some work on her cottage. With the help of Quinn and Deputy Falk, she begins to look into the case. The editor of the local paper has some new information about Monica's disappearance but before he tells Callie he is found dead. Twists and turns of the tale will keep your interest as Callie looks to find answers before the Fourth of July. I recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 17, 2019
This was a good read. It starts with Callie and Quinn looking into a disappearance from the 80's. However, this leads to a murder in the present. Of course Callie begins to think that they must be connected and that their meddling has gotten someone killed. Now she spends the book trying to figure out what happened all those years ago and how it connects to the present murder. Needless to say, there were some surprises but thankfully everything works out.
May 25, 2019
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon is the 2nd book in Book Tea Shop Mystery series, and another fun addition. Callie Aspen returned to Heart's Harbor, Maine and is now working for her great aunt who runs Book Tea. Book Tea is a vintage tearoom that includes a clue from a book in ever sweet treat sold. Callie is second guessing herself about moving to Maine, but she is keeping busy with planning the 4th of July tea party. For the party they are recreating moments from the town's history, and come across a famous missing persons case. This book kept me reading through all the twists and turns of the book. What really happened to the missing actress in 1980's? I can't wait for the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, give this book/series a try.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Land Books. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Land Books. Thank you.
September 27, 2019
Callie sticks her neck out once again to help solve a 30 year old mystery. Her new handyman is pushing her on and supplying leads that make her wonder what is part in all this is.
As the story unfolds the storyline sounds like a tv daytime drama. I love the series and the townspeople just add to the feeling of a real town.
Ya gotta read it!
As the story unfolds the storyline sounds like a tv daytime drama. I love the series and the townspeople just add to the feeling of a real town.
Ya gotta read it!
June 15, 2019
By page 58 I had already correctly guessed the mystery and the other plot "twists" and I'm really not that clever figuring mysteries out. Disappointing and not charming enough to make up for that predictability.
July 4, 2021
I enjoyed this second book in the series. It included one of my favorite story lines of mixing past events with current ones. I was totally kept guessing about the culprit but I did guess some of the other stuff going on. I do like the characters and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 22, 2019
Callie Aspen is back in Heart’s Harbor, this time for real. She will help her aunt at Book tea, her tearoom and prepare for the 4th of July tea party which will recreate important incidents from the town‘s deep history. When she is told about the disappearance of Monica walker, an 80s TV star from heart’s harbor. She does a call for information and finds out things which don’t add up at all.
It‘s been time since I have read a mystery novel and I remembered why. I couldn’t put the book down! The whole novel was filled with what ifs and coulds. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out who the murderer was. I was glad when it ended, I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. The cover is eye-catching and daisy is looking adorable in it. My favorite character was biscuit. He gave more energy to the scenes. I liked the book.
It‘s been time since I have read a mystery novel and I remembered why. I couldn’t put the book down! The whole novel was filled with what ifs and coulds. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out who the murderer was. I was glad when it ended, I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. The cover is eye-catching and daisy is looking adorable in it. My favorite character was biscuit. He gave more energy to the scenes. I liked the book.
February 21, 2019
Sweet Tea and Secrets is the second book in Joy Avon’s Book Tea Shop Mystery series. The characters are well developed, and there is sufficient background information to allow this book to be read as a standalone. The writing style flows smoothly, and the book is a clean and easy read. The complex mysteries, a cold case involving a missing person and a current day murder, in this steadily paced book are interesting.
Callie Aspen gave up her apartment and quit her job as a historical location tour guide who traveled the world to move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt Iphy, the owner of a vintage tearoom, the Book Tea. Iphy rented a cute cottage for Callie and Daisy, her sweet Boston terrier, that’s in need of repairs. She placed a notice at the community center asking for a handyman; a non-local, Quinn Darrow, responded to the notice and they hired him on the spot. Deputy Ace Falk and Callie look for and find a lost border collie mix named Biscuit, but his owners who recently adopted him decide they can’t handle him and want to return him. Callie wants to give them a few days and hopefully change their minds and agrees to take him home with her. The town’s preparing for a Fourth of July party at Haywood Hall, and since the theme is Living History, the Historical Society plans to feature life on the coast through the ages. Iphy wants to have something spectacular presented before the fireworks start and asks Callie to come up with an idea. Quinn offers to help Callie and while researching subjects, suggests they look into the thirty-year-old disappearance of a television star, Monica Walker. No one’s sure what happened to the actress; it’s possible she was murdered, but many thought she and a lover might have stolen a boat and vanished together. After talking with Joe Jamison, the editor-in-chief of Heart’s Harbor Herald, he admitted to Callie that he had information about the star’s disappearance, but refuses to share it with her. Before she can talk to him again, he’s murdered. Callie is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to Monica Walker and who murdered Joe Jamison, and begins an investigation of her own and shares her findings with Deputy Falk. In the course of looking into Monica’s disappearance, Callie realizes Quinn hasn’t been forthcoming with her. He admits he purposely led her to the disappearance and has told her lies, and even though he has a good reason, he won’t tell her what it is.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Callie Aspen gave up her apartment and quit her job as a historical location tour guide who traveled the world to move to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt Iphy, the owner of a vintage tearoom, the Book Tea. Iphy rented a cute cottage for Callie and Daisy, her sweet Boston terrier, that’s in need of repairs. She placed a notice at the community center asking for a handyman; a non-local, Quinn Darrow, responded to the notice and they hired him on the spot. Deputy Ace Falk and Callie look for and find a lost border collie mix named Biscuit, but his owners who recently adopted him decide they can’t handle him and want to return him. Callie wants to give them a few days and hopefully change their minds and agrees to take him home with her. The town’s preparing for a Fourth of July party at Haywood Hall, and since the theme is Living History, the Historical Society plans to feature life on the coast through the ages. Iphy wants to have something spectacular presented before the fireworks start and asks Callie to come up with an idea. Quinn offers to help Callie and while researching subjects, suggests they look into the thirty-year-old disappearance of a television star, Monica Walker. No one’s sure what happened to the actress; it’s possible she was murdered, but many thought she and a lover might have stolen a boat and vanished together. After talking with Joe Jamison, the editor-in-chief of Heart’s Harbor Herald, he admitted to Callie that he had information about the star’s disappearance, but refuses to share it with her. Before she can talk to him again, he’s murdered. Callie is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to Monica Walker and who murdered Joe Jamison, and begins an investigation of her own and shares her findings with Deputy Falk. In the course of looking into Monica’s disappearance, Callie realizes Quinn hasn’t been forthcoming with her. He admits he purposely led her to the disappearance and has told her lies, and even though he has a good reason, he won’t tell her what it is.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
April 23, 2019
The second book in the "A Tea and Read Mystery" series is a quick and entertaining read. I haven't read the first book "In Peppermint Peril" yet but I can't wait to dive in.
Sleuth Callie Aspen wants to light up the Fourth of July tea party by solving a celebrity's decades-old disappearance, but her digging results in more fireworks than she expects.
Last Christmas, Callie Aspen left her tour guide job and settled in Heart's Harbor, Maine. Now, she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt's vintage tearoom, where each treat has a bookish clue. Though she's excited to start her new life, Callie worries she may regret having burned her bridges behind her. Fortunately, she finds immediate distraction in the preparations for a spectacular Fourth of July tea party, which will recreate key moments from the town's rich history.
Intrigued to learn that 1980s TV star Monica Walker was last seen in Heart's Harbor before she vanished - allegedly to elope - Callie probes the townsfolk for information. She's stunned when several locals share contradictory stories about the last day before Monica's disappearance. Did she intend to leave her hit TV series? Was she being stalked by her ex? And why is the newspaper editor who investigated the story at the time so anxious about the cold case heating up?
When one of the talkative townspeople turns up dead, Callie aims to catch the killer. But it's no picnic: Deputy Falk doesn't want her meddling, and the locals suddenly know more about the past than they'd been at liberty to admit. If Callie and the Book Tea crew can't crack the case, they'll pay a very steep price in Joy Avon's explosive second Tea and a Read mystery.
The book is filled with wonderful characters who are interesting and well developed. I was drawn in right away, the story moved at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what happened to the missing movie star and who committed murder to keep that secret.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend that you read "In Peppermint Peril" first.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading light, cozy mysteries.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sleuth Callie Aspen wants to light up the Fourth of July tea party by solving a celebrity's decades-old disappearance, but her digging results in more fireworks than she expects.
Last Christmas, Callie Aspen left her tour guide job and settled in Heart's Harbor, Maine. Now, she helps out at Book Tea, her great aunt's vintage tearoom, where each treat has a bookish clue. Though she's excited to start her new life, Callie worries she may regret having burned her bridges behind her. Fortunately, she finds immediate distraction in the preparations for a spectacular Fourth of July tea party, which will recreate key moments from the town's rich history.
Intrigued to learn that 1980s TV star Monica Walker was last seen in Heart's Harbor before she vanished - allegedly to elope - Callie probes the townsfolk for information. She's stunned when several locals share contradictory stories about the last day before Monica's disappearance. Did she intend to leave her hit TV series? Was she being stalked by her ex? And why is the newspaper editor who investigated the story at the time so anxious about the cold case heating up?
When one of the talkative townspeople turns up dead, Callie aims to catch the killer. But it's no picnic: Deputy Falk doesn't want her meddling, and the locals suddenly know more about the past than they'd been at liberty to admit. If Callie and the Book Tea crew can't crack the case, they'll pay a very steep price in Joy Avon's explosive second Tea and a Read mystery.
The book is filled with wonderful characters who are interesting and well developed. I was drawn in right away, the story moved at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to what happened to the missing movie star and who committed murder to keep that secret.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend that you read "In Peppermint Peril" first.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading light, cozy mysteries.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 17, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Loved all the twists and turns and unexpected reveals. Very interesting subplots. The only thing that bothered me was that sometimes the author seems to forget that Callie has the dog around, as it isn't mentioned for pages. She takes Daisy and Biscuit someplace and leaves, but it doesn't say she takes Daisy with her, and nothing about her in the next scene. Then all of a sudden the dog reappears. As a dog lover, this bothers me, but it's minimal. It was still a great story and a fun read.
June 9, 2019
Cozy mystery is the perfect escape. Quirky characters, quaint settings, a mystery to solve, and this story has all these ingredients. Set in a small coastal town, on the Maine coast, it features Callie, who has just moved to the town, to her help her great aunt, run her vintage tea shop with a distinctive bookish theme, and a town that has a penchant for murder.
‘Sweet Tea and Secrets’, is the second book in the series, and although the mystery is solved within the pages of this story, reading the first book would be useful, for learning about the setting and characters. I struggled a little with the characters and the writing style, initially. Both grew on me as the story progressed, but the characters come across as two-dimensional, and less believable, spoiling my enjoyment of the story slightly.
Callie is wondering if moving to the small town is really for her, and if giving up the job she loves as an international tour guide is a wise move. Her Great- Aunt, aims to get her settled in, by finding her a place to make her own and getting Callie involved in the 4th July celebrations. She meets Quinn, another new visitor to the town, he is a little mysterious, but a willing partner in the celebrations, they stumble upon a cold case, of a missing person, and then the mystery really takes off. Romance is a feature of this story too, in keeping with the style, it is of the sweet variety, and on the slow burn.
There’s murder. Plenty of suspects and misinformation. I did manage to solve the mystery, but that is part of the fun. It is a little contrived in parts, but again this is part of the style, so not detrimental to the reader’s enjoyment.
In conclusion, it is full of quirky characters, with a decent mystery, I would like to see what happens next in the series.
I received a copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
‘Sweet Tea and Secrets’, is the second book in the series, and although the mystery is solved within the pages of this story, reading the first book would be useful, for learning about the setting and characters. I struggled a little with the characters and the writing style, initially. Both grew on me as the story progressed, but the characters come across as two-dimensional, and less believable, spoiling my enjoyment of the story slightly.
Callie is wondering if moving to the small town is really for her, and if giving up the job she loves as an international tour guide is a wise move. Her Great- Aunt, aims to get her settled in, by finding her a place to make her own and getting Callie involved in the 4th July celebrations. She meets Quinn, another new visitor to the town, he is a little mysterious, but a willing partner in the celebrations, they stumble upon a cold case, of a missing person, and then the mystery really takes off. Romance is a feature of this story too, in keeping with the style, it is of the sweet variety, and on the slow burn.
There’s murder. Plenty of suspects and misinformation. I did manage to solve the mystery, but that is part of the fun. It is a little contrived in parts, but again this is part of the style, so not detrimental to the reader’s enjoyment.
In conclusion, it is full of quirky characters, with a decent mystery, I would like to see what happens next in the series.
I received a copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 25, 2021
The second in the A Tea and Read mystery Is another enjoyable and cosy weekend read as long as you don't intend on taking it seriously.
I liked the story, though at times I became frustrated by the way it seemed to jump from one scene to the next, it didn't flow as easily as I would have expected especially judging by how much I enjoyed the first book. I did like the plot, I enjoyed watching as the mystery was unravelled before our eyes, though some of the so-called twists were a little predictable but not enough to make you want to stop reading.
I have to admit that I did prefer the first book in the series, I think that book was a little more solid and well-rounded than this was., the characters were new and I could see so many great things ahead for them, but for some reason, I didn't feel as though they progressed and developed much from when we first meet them, but yet they are very likeable.
The main problem I had with this book was that it didn't seem as well put together as it could have been, the narrative at times felt a little stunted and then other times I thought it was a little cliched.
Overall, I did enjoy it, it's a fun and quick lighthearted book which you can while away a few hours with.
I liked the story, though at times I became frustrated by the way it seemed to jump from one scene to the next, it didn't flow as easily as I would have expected especially judging by how much I enjoyed the first book. I did like the plot, I enjoyed watching as the mystery was unravelled before our eyes, though some of the so-called twists were a little predictable but not enough to make you want to stop reading.
I have to admit that I did prefer the first book in the series, I think that book was a little more solid and well-rounded than this was., the characters were new and I could see so many great things ahead for them, but for some reason, I didn't feel as though they progressed and developed much from when we first meet them, but yet they are very likeable.
The main problem I had with this book was that it didn't seem as well put together as it could have been, the narrative at times felt a little stunted and then other times I thought it was a little cliched.
Overall, I did enjoy it, it's a fun and quick lighthearted book which you can while away a few hours with.
July 19, 2019
"Sweet Tea and Secrets" earns 5/5 Missing Persons...Engaging and Entertaining!
I am new to Joy Avon's Book A Tea and Read Mystery series, and starting with book two, I easily joined in without any confusion; there were enough references to background and character connections, and her writing style was smooth and easy to read. Joy follows the traditional cozy formal with delightful Callie Aspen leaving the big city, dreaming of, if not worrying about, making a fresh start, and relocating to the small town of Heart's Harbor that holds some of her fondest childhood memories. Her great-aunt runs the Book Tea and requires some help, but the endearing inclusion is a "fur" friend for Callie: Daisy, an eager Boston terrier. All of this--small town, family, friends, tea parties, books, a hint of romance, and a cute little terrier--sets up a marvelous cozy.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
I am new to Joy Avon's Book A Tea and Read Mystery series, and starting with book two, I easily joined in without any confusion; there were enough references to background and character connections, and her writing style was smooth and easy to read. Joy follows the traditional cozy formal with delightful Callie Aspen leaving the big city, dreaming of, if not worrying about, making a fresh start, and relocating to the small town of Heart's Harbor that holds some of her fondest childhood memories. Her great-aunt runs the Book Tea and requires some help, but the endearing inclusion is a "fur" friend for Callie: Daisy, an eager Boston terrier. All of this--small town, family, friends, tea parties, books, a hint of romance, and a cute little terrier--sets up a marvelous cozy.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 15, 2020
1989: A famous TV star visits the tiny Maine town Heart's Harbor and disappears. Did she really want to escape to a new life or did something more sinister happen? 30 years pass and Callie is looking through newspaper archives with Quinn, a new friend, when he shows her newspaper clippings of the disappearance. Callie takes up the mystery, visiting the local newspaper editor who later turns up dead. With two cases to investigate, Cassie once again teams up with Falk to solve the mysteries.
This is a cute, fun series and I enjoyed the intriguing mystery of the missing TV star. There wasn't much investigation, per se (how much can you investigate a 30 year old mystery?) so it was mostly Callie's uncovering what she could and putting the pieces together. Lots of surprising twists and turns kept it interesting, and the exciting ending capped it all off with a bang. A great addition to this series and I look forward to more.
This is a cute, fun series and I enjoyed the intriguing mystery of the missing TV star. There wasn't much investigation, per se (how much can you investigate a 30 year old mystery?) so it was mostly Callie's uncovering what she could and putting the pieces together. Lots of surprising twists and turns kept it interesting, and the exciting ending capped it all off with a bang. A great addition to this series and I look forward to more.
July 12, 2023
I'll be honest... I don't read cozy mysteries much. I've been doing this thing, personally, where I'm trying to read books themed around the major holidays (or that would be "appropriate" to read for said holiday). So, since this one is centered around getting reading for a 4th of July event, I figured, why not? Been wanting to try a cozy mystery anyhow.
Okay, first off... who talks like this? Seriously? I live in a small town, and no one--NO ONE--sounds like this. This entire book's voice sounds like someone tapped a high school-er with mild-to-moderate writing talent and told them to write this year's play. Not even a book. The high. school. play.
Second, I quite literally had the mystery figured out way before page 50. No later than 50, definitely--which is saying something, since the murder doesn't even happen until like page 70-ish. And the twist that comes up later? Figured that out as soon it was brought in.
Did not enjoy this. Not at all.
Okay, first off... who talks like this? Seriously? I live in a small town, and no one--NO ONE--sounds like this. This entire book's voice sounds like someone tapped a high school-er with mild-to-moderate writing talent and told them to write this year's play. Not even a book. The high. school. play.
Second, I quite literally had the mystery figured out way before page 50. No later than 50, definitely--which is saying something, since the murder doesn't even happen until like page 70-ish. And the twist that comes up later? Figured that out as soon it was brought in.
Did not enjoy this. Not at all.
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