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Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries #7
A Black Place and a White Place
When a Texan tourist turns up dead in a lonely arroyo at Ghost Ranch, questions arise that reach back to the Wild West. Murdered by outlaws, or by a lynch mob? Killed for money or for hate?
Finally done with the hectic holidays, Ellen Rosings gets a chance to relax. After catching up on researching the Wisteria Tearoom’s resident ghost,
Captain Dusenberry, she and sweetheart Tony Aragón plan a long weekend at Ghost Ranch, where artist Georgia O’Keeffe lived and painted the colorful northern New Mexico landscapes.
Hiking, horseback riding, and a tour of O’Keeffe’s studio are on the agenda, but finding a body is not. Alas, even the most careful plans are subject to change. When a ranch guest from Texas dies, Ellen and Tony must collaborate to identify the killer—but he suspects Ellen’s new friend. Are they headed for a clash?
This cozy mystery is the seventh in the Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries series.
Finally done with the hectic holidays, Ellen Rosings gets a chance to relax. After catching up on researching the Wisteria Tearoom’s resident ghost,
Captain Dusenberry, she and sweetheart Tony Aragón plan a long weekend at Ghost Ranch, where artist Georgia O’Keeffe lived and painted the colorful northern New Mexico landscapes.
Hiking, horseback riding, and a tour of O’Keeffe’s studio are on the agenda, but finding a body is not. Alas, even the most careful plans are subject to change. When a ranch guest from Texas dies, Ellen and Tony must collaborate to identify the killer—but he suspects Ellen’s new friend. Are they headed for a clash?
This cozy mystery is the seventh in the Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries series.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2019
63 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Greenwood
20 books109 followersPatrice Greenwood was born and raised in New Mexico, and remembers when the Santa Fe Plaza was home to more dusty dogs than trendy art galleries. She has been writing fiction longer than she cares to admit, perpetrating over twenty published novels in various genres. She uses a different name for each genre, thus enabling her to pretend she is a Secret Agent.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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December 24, 2019I really enjoyed this latest entry in the series, which I read in draft.
Readers could begin anywhere, I think. At heart is Ellen Rosings, a quiet book nerd who opened a tea house that is wildly successful, and based on the luscious descriptions, I can imagine why. I've been to teahouses like this one--beautifully decorated, with attention to every detail, from food to background music.
But Ellen is a quiet book nerd who falls into mysteries. Most of them have a dead body at the crux of the mystery, and Ellen ends up involved, drawn into helping solve it. She's no action hero--she remains a quiet, cautious (but tenacious) book nerd throughout the series, which I really enjoy. Especially when she meets, and butts heads with, a fiery cop named Tony Aragon.
There is a strong sense of place in this series--it couldn't happen anywhere but New Mexico, and that is especially true of this latest entry, which overlaps with Georgia O'Keeffe country. The mystery includes quotes from O'Keeffe, snips of her life, and descriptions of her art. Never overpowering the story, always apropos.
Ellen and Tony are now heading toward marriage--and we get to see Tony working a case from the inside, which is a real pleasure. The book began leisurely, but once the body is found the tension and interest cracked right along, with a twist I totally did not see coming. Though the author plays fair, and the clues are there all along.
New Mexico, and its sometimes fraught history, underlie the current mystery; there is an ongoing century old mystery Ellen is determined to solve, especially as she has a ghost silently watching her. That's right, a ghost. Just adds that touch of magic to an already fun read.
Readers could begin anywhere, I think. At heart is Ellen Rosings, a quiet book nerd who opened a tea house that is wildly successful, and based on the luscious descriptions, I can imagine why. I've been to teahouses like this one--beautifully decorated, with attention to every detail, from food to background music.
But Ellen is a quiet book nerd who falls into mysteries. Most of them have a dead body at the crux of the mystery, and Ellen ends up involved, drawn into helping solve it. She's no action hero--she remains a quiet, cautious (but tenacious) book nerd throughout the series, which I really enjoy. Especially when she meets, and butts heads with, a fiery cop named Tony Aragon.
There is a strong sense of place in this series--it couldn't happen anywhere but New Mexico, and that is especially true of this latest entry, which overlaps with Georgia O'Keeffe country. The mystery includes quotes from O'Keeffe, snips of her life, and descriptions of her art. Never overpowering the story, always apropos.
Ellen and Tony are now heading toward marriage--and we get to see Tony working a case from the inside, which is a real pleasure. The book began leisurely, but once the body is found the tension and interest cracked right along, with a twist I totally did not see coming. Though the author plays fair, and the clues are there all along.
New Mexico, and its sometimes fraught history, underlie the current mystery; there is an ongoing century old mystery Ellen is determined to solve, especially as she has a ghost silently watching her. That's right, a ghost. Just adds that touch of magic to an already fun read.
November 11, 2022
I wasn't really sure about Ellen and Tony as a couple but this book gave me a better feeling for the two. Loved the setting and learning quite a bit about Georgia O'Keefe. This is a gem of a series!
September 29, 2024
Ellen and Tony decide on a weekend away their stay is at Ghost Ranch and there is an obnoxious guy who seems to be abusive to his son and wife. When he ends up dead Tony helps the locals with the case as does Ellen of course.
I love Ellen and Tony as a couple even though they are very different their love shines through. From every time Tony holds a door open to making sure she is safe and his concern for her is so sweet from this fierce tough cop. Ellen is patient when he needs to work and even is fine with him going off to watch football.
The story line was really good and had me guessing to the end. There were parts that made me smile like Tony referring to Ellen as his little corpse magnet and the line when Ellen observes at the end of a tour she wanted to go on you are not on your phone and Tony honest as ever says "No bars".
A really good book in a fantastic series. I am so sad I have only one more book to go.
I love Ellen and Tony as a couple even though they are very different their love shines through. From every time Tony holds a door open to making sure she is safe and his concern for her is so sweet from this fierce tough cop. Ellen is patient when he needs to work and even is fine with him going off to watch football.
The story line was really good and had me guessing to the end. There were parts that made me smile like Tony referring to Ellen as his little corpse magnet and the line when Ellen observes at the end of a tour she wanted to go on you are not on your phone and Tony honest as ever says "No bars".
A really good book in a fantastic series. I am so sad I have only one more book to go.
January 4, 2020
Disappointing
I have liked all of the previous quiet, semi-cozy Wisteria Tearoom books very much. There's a lot of enjoyable detail about New Mexico's history and culture, the characters are generally dimensional and believable, and the ghost srory is mostly an accessory. This most recent book disappointed me. I was immediately among friends for the first quarter, then found myself slogging through dull narrative, unconvincing pop-up characters, and mini red herrings. The social-consciosness agenda is an ongoing element in the series, but here it felt forced and preaching, pulling in characters who will never reappear, specifically for the purpose. I found the ending satisfying, but the whole seemed written for a publisher's deadline. I hope the next in the series will focus on its established story lines and community once more.
I have liked all of the previous quiet, semi-cozy Wisteria Tearoom books very much. There's a lot of enjoyable detail about New Mexico's history and culture, the characters are generally dimensional and believable, and the ghost srory is mostly an accessory. This most recent book disappointed me. I was immediately among friends for the first quarter, then found myself slogging through dull narrative, unconvincing pop-up characters, and mini red herrings. The social-consciosness agenda is an ongoing element in the series, but here it felt forced and preaching, pulling in characters who will never reappear, specifically for the purpose. I found the ending satisfying, but the whole seemed written for a publisher's deadline. I hope the next in the series will focus on its established story lines and community once more.
August 30, 2021
This was a disappointing installment in the Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries. The murder didn't even happen until halfway through the book and the mystery was lackluster. The book mostly took place at Ghost Ranch instead of in Santa Fe, so it completely lacked all the cozy tearoom descriptions and interesting supporting characters that are part of what I've enjoyed in the series up until now. Without these parts I found it rather boring (particularly the first half before the murder happened). I will most likely continue reading the series but I sure hope the next one brings back the elements that make it cozy and engaging!
February 2, 2020
Another great addition. It was interesting being it wasn't set at the teahouse and shared about Georgia O'Keefe.
Though I missed the tearoom and its cast, I did enjoy getting to see more of Ellen and Tony's relationship. Hoping the next book will be their wedding, but no the murder on the big day!
Though I missed the tearoom and its cast, I did enjoy getting to see more of Ellen and Tony's relationship. Hoping the next book will be their wedding, but no the murder on the big day!
October 1, 2020
Am a little disappointed with A Black Place and a White Place. The story takes place at a "rustic" dude ranch near many Georgia O'Keeffe sites. The setting is desolate and primitive. This is quite a stark contrast to the beautiful setting of the Wisteria Tearoom and Sante Fe. The story really drags on with the long suffering description of the landscape, which for me was very difficult to visualize. Hope the next volume resumes with the lovely, familiar scenery of Sante Fe.
March 26, 2021
This was not my favorite book of the series. A few of Ellen's "Miss Manner's moments" made her slightly unlikable. She came across as more stuck up than in other books, especially when the trail leader made small talk with her in the dining hall. I still enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series, but I hope Ellen becomes a little more humble in future books.
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December 28, 2019Enjoyed it
I love Ellen, Tony and the Wisteria Tea room. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciated the history in Georgia O'keefe. Seeing the relationship between Ellen and Tony grow and deepen has been so interesting. I look forward to the next book!
I love Ellen, Tony and the Wisteria Tea room. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciated the history in Georgia O'keefe. Seeing the relationship between Ellen and Tony grow and deepen has been so interesting. I look forward to the next book!
January 6, 2020
I enjoyed the Georgia O’Keefe history and setting so much that I nearly forgot that a corpse would pop up since these books are murder mysteries. I was glad to spend some time with Ellen and Tony but I missed the tearoom and staff and the goings on back home. Always a nice palate cleanser.
December 30, 2019
Another great book in the series by Patrice Greenwood.
January 4, 2020
4.5 stars. Great book, love this series.
January 26, 2020
Ellen and her fiancé, Tony, visit Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch. Hiking, visiting O'Keeffe's homes, horseback riding and fine dining are on the menu, but so is a snowstorm and a possible murder!
March 3, 2020
Love this book
I could just imagine the beautiful scenery. I want to know more about Georgia O’Keefe’s painting. Lynn has a way with words that draws you in.
I could just imagine the beautiful scenery. I want to know more about Georgia O’Keefe’s painting. Lynn has a way with words that draws you in.
April 21, 2020
Greenwood does it again. Another page turner you don't want to put down until you're finished.
August 25, 2020
I am addicted to these books. That's all I'm sayin'.
November 11, 2020
It took a long time to find a dead body. Despite this it was still an enjoyable read.
July 8, 2021
I’ve enjoyed this series and hope it continues.
May 26, 2022
The book was good. TW: diet culture - less than usual.
June 27, 2024
Really enjoyed the descriptions of Ghost Ranch and surroundings - not so invested in the characters.
August 1, 2024
Another delightful tea cozy from Patrice Greenwood.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews