Murder with Darjeeling Tea

Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery #8

by Karen Rose Smith

When the owner of a local stationary shop known for its whimsical style is found dead behind Four Paws Animal Shelter, it’s up to tea shop owner and amateur sleuth Daisy Swanson to find the stone cold killer in the latest installment of Karen Rose Smith’s popular Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series.

When Daisy Swanson arrives at Rumple’s Statuary shopping for a birthday present for her beau Jonas, Wilhelm Rumple’s cottage looks like something out of a fairy tale, reminding her of the Storybook Tea family event she’s planning. Even the man himself—short and stumpy in overalls with bare feet—seems like a storybook character. But as a businessman, Rumple is rumored to be as cold and hard as the statues he sells.

Maybe that’s why, following a break-in at his cottage, Rumple is found dead in a dog run behind Four Paws Animal Shelter, bashed in the head. Now it’s up to Daisy to get the residents of Willow Creek to spill the tea on a little man who may have had some big secrets, so she can find a stone-cold killer…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Cooking, Tea, Food

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2022

About the author

Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business.

She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing relationship novels. Now she writes romances as well as mysteries full time. Her first book was published in 1992; her 110th novel will be published in 2024. A winner of New Jersey's Golden Leaf Award in Short Contemporary Romance, Colorado Romance Writers Award Of Excellence for short contemporary, as well as the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter's Golden Quill for Traditional Romance, she has also been honored with Cataromance.com's award for Best Special Edition and Washington Romance Writers Career Achievement Award. Her romances have made both the USA TODAY list and the Amazon Romance and Contemporary Romance Bestseller lists. Her mysteries have made the USA TODAY and Barnes and Noble bestseller lists.

She has written for Meteor/Kismet, Kensington, Silhouette and Harlequin. Readers can contact Karen through her website, on Facebook (Karen Rose Smith Author) and on Twitter @ Karenrosesmith, on TIKTOK at karenrosesmithauthor and on Instagram. They can also follow her monthly e-zine IN TOUCH with KAREN ROSE SMITH which has the latest news about her books, recipes and contests.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder with Darjeeling Tea by Karen Rose Smith is a 2022 Kensington publication.

While shopping for a birthday gift for her boyfriend, Jonas, she meets the local statuary shop owner, Wilhelm Rumple and his dog. Daisy is shocked when she later learns he has been murdered- Right behind the local animal shelter, at that.

Because Daisy overheard a heated argument while at Rumple’s shop, which could have some bearing on the murder investigation, she finds herself, once again, helping local law enforcement solve the case…

And living up to her reputation in the community as a top notch amateur sleuth!

As always, KRS delivers a solid mystery alongside a contemporary story of family, friendship and community.

This story continues with the progression of Daisy’s family life- both her daughters are going through changes, and Daisy is ready to make some big decisions too…

But, she’s beginning to wonder if Jonas will ever address their future.

Meanwhile, the tea shop and the animal shelter are prospering… As is the town gossip- making Rumple’s murder harder to solve….

As I have said before, I love the balance between Daisy’s personal life and the mystery segments of the book. I really enjoyed seeing Foster's father, Gavin, get a bigger role in this installment. While he still seems a little intense, he’s much more relaxed here, I think. I also liked how Jonas was very hands-on with Daisy’s sleuthing and I could really feel the chemistry between them sizzling.

I liked the way the mystery unfolded- though I did figure out the probable motive, I never even came close to guessing whodunit… which is always a plus!

Overall, I am still enjoying this series, immensely. I love the pets, the Amish community, the character development, and charm of the tea shop and community, and the lovely recipes that are included, as well. This is a wonderful series- always a pleasure to read.

4.5 stars

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Daisy Swanson has arrived at Rumple’s Statuary to find the perfect birthday gift for the man in her life. Jonas loves his golden retriever Felix and Daisy thinks he would love a statue version of the canine as well. While there she finds that Wilhelm Rumple has some very unique merchandise to sell in and around his unique little cottage. Some of it is quite pricey. She also hears him have a bit of an argument with a local pet supplement company’s CEO. Daisy couldn’t hear all the details by money was definitely mentioned. She quickly finds the exact statue she wants and leaves very happy with her purchase.

A couple of days later Wilhelm Rumple is found dead behind the Four Paws Animal Shelter where he volunteers. Daisy worries because Jonas volunteers there too. Was it an isolated incident? Could the argument she overheard have escalated to murder? Are others in danger? Daisy is determined to find out who Rumple tea-d off enough to want him dead.

Family is a key theme throughout the stories in this series and in this installment we see there may be plenty of changes to shake up Daisy’s world. The characters are growing in natural ways so all the changes make sense. I really enjoy the way the author blends these regular family occurrences, both Englisch and Amish, with the mystery. Her characters are strong and well-developed and come across as caring and genuine. It is a pleasure to sneak into their world.

Wilhelm was an interesting character and cleverly written. Foster thought he looked like a troll. “A stumpy little man with unusual features.” He had brown hair that was “curly, fuzzy, and stuck out around his head”, which made his ears stick out more. Dressed in red overalls and bare feet, he was a unique man that had much more going on than met the eye. Daisy would have to dig deep to learn all his secrets.

And dig she did. She was very caught up in the mystery of his death and I had a great time trying to follow all the clues with her. This one was a real puzzle to piece together. There were several suspects and the author served up plenty of twists with all the Darjeeling tea, both hot and iced. I was still spinning my wheels when the actual killer was revealed and you could have knocked me over with a tea leaf.

Murder with Darjeeling Tea was so well-plotted and written. The characters came alive off the pages and kept me totally entertained and surprised. While the mystery was all buttoned up by the end of the story Daisy has some exciting times ahead and I truly can’t wait for my next visit to Willow Creek.

Note: Each book can be read on its own but to really get to know these characters the series is best read in order.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy Swanson makes a gift purchase at Rumple’s Statuary for her beau Jonas. Mr. Rumple has a large selection of product, including some very high priced items kept under lock and key.

Within days of her purchase Mr. Rumple is found murdered at the animal shelter where he volunteers i the evening. Daisy didn’t start out investigating the crime, but as she learns more about the man, she is unable to help herself.

This is the 8th book in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series. It is the first book in the series that I have read and I enjoyed it very much. The book was able to stand alone and was very engaging. I will definitely go back and read the series from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and the plot interesting. I recommend this book.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this refreshing visit to Daisy’s Tea Garden in Willow Creek! The author shares gorgeous word pictures of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the tea garden. The delicious offerings and events at Daisy’s Tea Garden reflect both elegance and comfort. The characters come alive; each of the primary characters are engaging and easy to become invested in. Sufficient backstory is provided so the new or returning reader can quickly feel at home. The mystery is admirably crafted, and I was very surprised at the real whodunit.

Daisy and Jonas have been seriously dating for some time. She and her son-in-law went to Rumple’s Statuary to find something special for Jonas’s birthday. The owner, Wilhelm Rumple, is described by her customers as odd, but he has the best selection of decorative statuary in the area. Daisy was happy with what she found and is looking forward to seeing Jonas’s reaction to it and to his surprise party.

While they were there, they witnessed an unpleasant exchange between a wealthy local businessman, Stanley King, and Rumple. Stanley said he needed more time to make this month’s payment. His son and future daughter-in-law are getting married, and he covered most of their costs. Rumple was not happy, and it didn’t sound like either man would budge when King left. Several days later, Daisy got a call about Four Paws Animal Shelter. Jonas volunteered there, as did Rumple. When the shelter opened that morning, Rumple was found murdered in one of the dog runs.

Since returning to Willow Creek, Daisy has been involved with several murder investigations, ones in which she, her family, or loved ones were suspects. She and Jonas knew Rumple, but certainly not well enough to feel driven to help solve his murder. She offered the detective only what she had heard the night she had been at Rumple’s Statuary. Everything changed, however, when she became a target.

Reading this novel is like visiting old friends. I like Daisy for many reasons, one being how important to her the Amish values of family and community are. She learned so much from her years of growing up with a close friend who is Amish. She values being an independent woman who does not rely on others to determine her self-worth and has done her best to raise her daughters likewise. I also like Aunt Iris, who has been an important person in Daisy’s life, and enjoy watching the changing, growing relationship Daisy has with her mother.

Rumple had many secrets, and he was not a nice man. The only thing in his favor is his love and concern for dogs. Several suspects are identified, and sorting through them would take time. I appreciate that whodunit isn’t discovered in the first couple days, but the police go through realistic processes and timing that many crimes entail. I was unable to solve the mystery on my own no matter how hard I tried. The real whodunit was quite a sad surprise. The end was very satisfactory with a huge, wonderful surprise, and no loose ends remained. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries that emphasize strong family and community ties, the Amish country setting, various kinds of teas and foods, and romance.

From a thankful heart: I received an advanced readers’ copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy is looking forward to buying her boyfriend Jonas something special for his upcoming birthday. Jonas recently adopted a dog and she thought he might like a statue of a dog just like his that he can put on his porch. She goes to Rumple's Statuary where she meets the most interesting man, Wilhelm Rumple. She has heard that he isn't a very pleasant man but her experience wasn't a bad one. When Wilhelm is found dead at the local Animal Rescue Daisy wonders who would have wanted to kill the man. She decides she must investigate and soon learns the man had many secrets. There was also bad blood between his brother and himself. With so many options Daisy must figure out how all the clues fit together and who do they point at. Follow along as Daisy investigates, will she be able to find a killer before she ends up dead?

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilhelm Rumple owns Rumple’s Statuary, where Daisy is shopping for a gift for Jonas, her boyfriend. Rumple might look like a storybook character and his cottage decorated like a setting from a fairytale, he is a tough businessman, cold and hard. When she selects a statue of a retriever, he invites Daisy and her son-in-law, Foster, into his cottage, where he has a very expensive collection of animal themed items housed in a very secure safe. When there is a break-in at his cottage, he is not there, but his body is found in a dog run behind Four Paws Animal Shelter, with his head bashed in. Daisy has recently overheard a heated argument while at his shop, at it might have some bearing on the murder investigation, so once again, she is in the middle of the investigation helping the police solve the case.

This is an enjoyable mix with a mystery that has plenty of suspects and twists, as well as a lot happening in Daisy's family. Both her daughters are going through changes, and Daisy is ready to make some big decisions, if Jonas is ready to make some decisions about their future. I liked getting to know Foster's father, Gavin in this story with his expanded role. This time out, Jonas, an ex-detective, gets involved in Daisy's sleuthing and their chemistry really shone. Throw in lots of darjeeling tea, both hot and iced, they put the clues together to come to a satisfying conclusion. I had a few suspicions along the way, and figured out the motive for the murder, but until the reveal, I did not have the right culprit in mind. This cozy mystery series, has a lot to like. There are pets, an Amish and English community living side by side, great character development, and a charming setting of the tea shop and community. Overall, Murder with Darjeeling Tea is well-plotted and written. The characters are relatable and realistic. While the mystery was solved by the end of the story, Daisy has some exciting times ahead and I am ready with the next book cued up to see what happens. I listened to this story, narrated by C.S.E. Cooney. Although I have become used to her voice with this series, I still find that beyond the main characters, all her voices sound the same. I do speed them up to 1.5 and find that a very enjoyable speed to listen to with this series. If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, with not only a mystery, but great personal side stories, then I recommend you give this series a try.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Swanson enlists the help of her son-in-law when she goes shopping for an animal statue to give to her boyfriend, Jonas, as a birthday present. They have heard good things about Rumple's Statuary from visitors to Daisy's tea room and that leads them to Mr. Rumple's quaint cottage where he runs his business. At first glance he appears to be the real life version of a garden gnome. He's pleasant enough and Daisy finds the perfect statue of a Labrador dog for Jonas. As they chatted about what she had in mind, Mr. Rumple invited them into his house and showed them his very expensive collection of animal themed items housed in a very secure safe, not what one would expect to find in this setting. Not long after their encounter Mr. Rumple is found murdered behind the animal shelter. As the investigation progresses it turns out that he wasn't much liked and the list of suspects is very long. He had lots of secrets. Daisy wants to stay out of it but one thing leads to another and she finds herself involved if only to make sure she isn't on the killers' list of victims.
Visiting the area around Lancaster, PA is always a treat in this series. Daisy, her family and friends are people I would like to call friends. The blending of the communities of Amish and Englishers is well done and the mysteries always have me guessing wrong. If you love animals and animal rescue this will please you, too. It's not necessary to have read the whole series nor to read them in order as each works as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew birthday gift shopping, for her boyfriend, could be deadly! Daisy finds out just how dangerous when she's drawn into solving the murder of a local businessman.

Daisy is a fun character who is relatable and down-to-earth. The mystery kept me reading and was full of twists and turns. It's nice to have an older character who is out there solving crimes and living life on her own terms!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4th in this series although it is the 8th instalment, Daisy Swanson runs a tea garden she co-owns with her aunt. Daisy moved back to her hometown of Willow Creek, Pennsylvania, after the death of her husband. Daisy makes a great amateur sleuth and she gets involved when she is out shopping with her son-in-law, Foster Cranshaw, looking for a present in Rumple’s Statuary, the cottage of Wilhelm Rumple. Wilhelm sells concrete statues and she wants one in the style of a golden retriever. He also sells collectibles made from porcelain, and others from Plymouth Foundry iron or bronze. Her boyfriend, Jonas, an ex-detective has recently adopted Felix, a golden retriever from the Four Paws Animal Shelter where he now volunteers and Felix is on a visit with his previous owner. When Daisy goes to see Serena Langston at the Animal Shelter to collect Felix and Jonas, she meets a new volunteer Hetta Armbruster and learns that Wilheim is also an unpaid worker there. The next day, someone is found dead at Four Paws; it's Wilhelm Rumple.

Danger lurks in this charming mix of mystery, delicious-sounding foodstuffs, and furry friends. Daisy has a good relationship with her boyfriend and ex-detective, Jonas and I enjoyed reading about their growing and improving togetherness. She is a great character as she is personable as well as being compassionate and level-headed and her family is one of her main focuses. Engrossing and endearing, I am already looking forward to the next in this series and who knows, maybe I will find the time to read the ones I've missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy my visits to Daisy’s Tea Garden as the characters are starting to feel like family. As with most cozies, the emphasis seems to be more on the lives of the characters rather than the murder, which is fine, but there is still plenty of investigating. The mystery was easy to follow but a little slow in the middle. I do love the focus on pet shelters and adoption.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

No...just no. The author of the book can't seem to introduce a new person, or even a known person in this mystery without describing in detail what the person is wearing...every single time. There seem to be more than enough non-sequiturs, too. And introducing people the first time in the book does not keep them immune from having the same things said about them the next time they appear.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revisiting a fun series that I haven’t in awhile. As usual, I enjoyed the progression of seeing what’s going on with Daisy’s family. And I appreciate that the amateur sleuthing angle in this series is more realistic than others I’ve read — she’s not going out of her way to try to solve the crime, most of the time, it just naturally unfolds in her interactions with the others in town. A nice, cozy read with a good cup of tea (Darjeeling, of course.)

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Daisy owns a tea shop in a small town in Pennsylvania. I loved that Daisy was older and had kids and a grandkid. I loved that the book kept me hooked from the beginning. This is the 8th book in the Daisy's tea garden mystery series and my first. I'm hoping to read the rest of the series. This is a perfect book for a cozy mystery lover. I had no idea who was the murderer and I loved following the clues with Daisy.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piacevole lettura, anche e soprattutto per quanto accade nella vita personale della protagonista. Per quanto riguarda il mistero non avevo proprio capito chi fosse il colpevole o almeno non avevo proprio sospettato della persona che è poi risultata colpevole. E devo dire che ci sono rimasta un pochino male perché mi stava simpatica.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/2/2022 3.5 stars rounded up. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy gets pulled into another murder due to her previous work with the detectives. Exciting change in her personal life with Jonas at the end.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I suggest you read this series in order to get the most from it, you can read this mystery all on its own. A mixture of Amish and Englisher culture, for the most part the community gets along. In this book we find that we may have more in common than people often think.

Daisy is struggling with some empty nest symptoms, even though her girls have not exactly left home yet. Change is on the horizon. She also has a beau with whom she wants to move to another level,
His birthday is coming and she wants to get him something , something meaningful.

The descriptive prose is wonderful, making settings and relationships as important and as enjoyable as the plot. Secrets abound and several mysteries intertwine. Danger also rears its ugly head!

A well crafted series that any mystery lover will enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishers for the opportunity to read, enjoy and review this book. The opinions expressed are all my own.

[J.S. Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seemed to be mostly descriptions of food and what people were wearing.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t care about everyone’s outfit down to their shoes or what color bicycle everyone has.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts: This is the eighth installment in the Daisy’s Tea Garden cozy mystery series and it still entertains. You don’t have to have read the others in the series to get what’s going on, but it definitely helps in understanding the relationships of the people involved. The story takes place in Amish country, Pennsylvania and is true to the area with horses and buggies mingling with bikes and cars. The author does an excellent job of showing the differences between the Englishers (non-Amish) and the Amish even when mingling in the same community.

In this one, Daisy is struggling with the upcoming empty-next syndrome as her daughter Violet prepares to leave for college and her older daughter and family look into moving away from the apartment above Daisy’s garage. And then there’s Daisy’s relationship with her boyfriend Jonas and where that’s going. And Aunt Iris and her beaus. There is a lot going on in town beyond the murder. And as always, Daisy is right in the middle of it.

Daisy is looking for a statue of a Labrador dog for Jonas for his birthday—one that matches his own dog. The man she goes to, Rumple, is a strange little man, but she finds what she wants at his statuary. While she’s looking, he shows her expensive small statues in a safe so when he ends up dead a few days later, she wonders if it has anything to do with what he deals in.

Which it does…in a way. But not in the way she thinks. Suspects start adding up, but there’s no motive until she discovers it and breaks the case wide open—unfortunately for her as it puts her in the murderer’s crosshairs.

Recommendations: If you’ve read the other Tea Garden book, definitely pick this one up – especially for the surprise at the end! And if nothing else, the great recipes included in the books. If you haven’t read any of them, you’re missing a great series!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for providing this ARC. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder With Darjeeling Tea by Karen Rose Smith is another of the vastly popular Daisy's Tea Room Mysteries. Not only is this a murder mystery but it is the story of a family, with all its ups and downs and relationships. Dairy is a widow with a natural daughter, Viv, who got pregnant before she was married. She and the baby's daddy, Foster, had married and had some tough times when Viv had to deal with a serious bout of post partum depression. All had worked out and they were on a good path now. Then there was Jazzi, whom she had adopted, but now was hers in every way. She was currently filling out college applications, after having successfully found her birth mother and, not without difficulties, established a relationship. The, there was Jonas, an ex-police detective and her love. They were happy together and individually assessing where this relationship was going. And Daisy's aunt and partner, Iris, who is just getting over a broken relationship. There is far more of this part of the story, than the murder.

Smith makes these people all so relatable and Daisy so easy to talk to that she is able to get information from people that the police are never able to get. It's all in the conversations. This time, the whole thing revolves around a dog rescue and the brother and sister who own it. Jonas volunteers there and got his own dog, Felix, there, so he is less than thrilled when a volunteer is killed there one night. During the investigation, Daisy learned secrets she didn't really want to know. She did make some new friends, though, and that always made her happy. Even with the murder, it is a heart-warming story, so much about the good things, and not the bad.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder With Darjeeling Tea by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #karenrosesmith #murderwithdarjeelingtea

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy, owner of a tearoom in Willow Creek, sets out to buy a dog statue for her boyfriend Jonas’ birthday. Unfortunately, the odd man she bought it from is murdered soon after. While trying to keep her business running successfully, she is drawn into the investigation because she has an easy way with people and they find themselves confiding in her. She and the reader are drawn into the world of local secrets, teenage mistakes, catering for the wealthy, rescue dogs, homeless shelters, and Amish customs. It is a wild ride whenever Daisy is around whether she’s on her bike or driving an Amish buggy for her friend. On the side, she is dealing with the deepening of her relationship with Jonas and the realization that her children are moving closer to leaving the nest.

If you are new to this series, you really could jump into it with the eighth book. Author Karen Rose Smith has your back, serving up needed background information as you dive into the story. She is also talented in providing detailed descriptions of the characters and what they are wearing. From the pen of a less skilled writer, this might seem like overkill, but Smith does it in such a way that the characters stand out. Because the background is the tearoom, there is a lot of food talk but it is never repetitive or seems like it is included just to increase the word count. There are many plot threads and a number of suspects. The conclusion of Murder with Darjeeling Tea is dramatic, and the identity of the murderer is a surprise.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy is looking for the perfect birthday gift for Jonas, and decides to investigate the local statuary store. There, she finds the perfect dog statue for him, but while there, overhears an altercation between the owner Wilhelm and Stanley King. When Wilhelm's body is found a short time later, she advises the police about the argument. But then as she learns more about Wilhelm, she wonders if there are others who had problems with this man. Once again, despite all her good intentions, she finds herself drawn into another murder mystery, one that threatens her own life. I really enjoy this series because the main characters have become very real to me. I love the way Daisy and her family interact with each other and the townspeople. It's rare in today's world to find spontaneous respect and courtesy to family, friends and even strangers and this series helps create that through its characters and story...despite also being a murder mystery. I enjoy how the relationship between Daisy and Jonas has been progressing, and how he makes sure to include her whole family in his relationship with Daisy. I am looking forward to the next story in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Swanson finds that her life is changing yet again. Her relationship with Jonas is deepening. She's looking forward to giving him a surprise party for his birthday. Her decision to get him a dog statue from Wilhelm Rumple changes her focus when he's murdered. The victim was a mysterious man who had no friends. His one good trait was that he cared for dogs. Daisy is concerned that the police aren't making any headway. I knew that she would try and help. Daisy is such a good listener. People know she cares and that she can be trusted so they confide in her. Her tea shop is the perfect gathering place for Willow Creek locals and tourists. I always enjoy visiting here. It's great catching up on all the happenings. There is so much going on. I find it heartwarming seeing Daisy with her daughters. Jonas is her rock. I love how they support each other. Now if Daisy doesn't get hurt tracking down a killer, everything will be fine! Murder with Darjeeling Tea is a well crafted mystery that I enjoyed very much. Karen Rose Smith has a wonderful writing style. The identity of the killer was a surprise. I'm anxiously waiting for her next Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery.

[Lorraine Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilhelm Rumple, owner of a statuary business, is found murdered in a dog run at the Four Paws animal sanctuary where he volunteers. Daisy had just bought birthday present for Jonas there and when she hears of his death, she helps the police investigation by turning over anything she hears that may help with the investigation. Apparently, there are a lot of people in town that do not think very highly of Rumple; in fact, there were secrets many people wanted to keep hidden, one that someone would murder for.
I have ready every book in this series, because I am never disappointed and they are well written, entertaining reads with characters we can relate to. The mysteries and story behind the murders in these books are well thought out and anyone who likes to read clean, cozy mysteries without bad language will enjoy this series. I definitely recommend it.

Note: I was given a copy of this book by the author through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Laurie Pinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Karen Rose Smith has written a compelling story that kept me turning page after page. A man who had no friends and apparently only had one good trait, he loved dogs. During one of his shifts at night volunteering at the dog shelter, he’s murdered. Unfortunately the number of people who could possibly have done the deed is great. I had my suspicions and I believe that is exactly what Ms. Smith had in mind when she so craftily wrote the book. I bounced around like a ping pong ball zeroing in on first one person then another, none of which turn out to be the killer. The characters are real. They have substance and could be someone you’ve met or someone you know well. They are believable. I think that’s part of the appeal to this series. No super powers or unbelievable heroic acts. You can identify with the characters. I find myself wishing Willow Creek was a real town in Pennsylvania because I want to be one of the tourists that visit the Tea Garden, Woods and the many quaint shops I read about when I open one of these books. I am looking forward to the next one.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Daisy wanted to do was buy a statue for Jona's birthday but noooooo. Wilhelm Rumple was a cranky and difficult man who owned the Statuary until someone murders him at the animal shelter- where Jonas is a volunteer. Daisy knows he has some valuable stuff in his house but she didn't know (although she's not surprised) that others didn't like him but who would murder him? It's always fun to spend time with Daisy, her family, and her community- a place where others usually (well, except the murderers) respect one another. Daisy's daughters Jazzy and Violet are both about to have big life changes and this has shaken her a bit as she contemplates what it's going to be like without them around the house. The girls, her aunt, her friends- all great characters. AND there are recipes. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I really enjoy this series but if you haven't read it before, know that this latest will be fine as a standalone.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eight installment of Daisey’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Family is a key theme throughout this series and doing the right thing when needed.

Again, I enjoy visiting Daisy and her family, Jonas, and other friends in this quaint Pennsylvania town. The characters just get richer and have greater depth. I feel as if I’m there with them.
I empathize with Daisy as she tries to navigate and balance giving guidance and freedom to her daughters so they may make good decisions for themselves.

Daisy is planning a surprise party for Jonas. She visits Rumple’s Statuary to find the perfect gift, a life size statue of his retriever, Felix, for his front porch.

A few days later, Wilhelm Rumple is found dead behind the animal shelter.

As par for the course Ms. Smith delivers plenty of well-thought-out twists and turns that deliver an intense story. I was concerned for all involved investigating what happened to Mr. Rumple.

I highly recommend this book and series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It involves Daisy finding the cold murderer of the blackmailer and owner of the statuary site. It starts out that Daisy buying a golden retriever statue from Wilhelm Rumple for Jonas Groft's birthday present. Most of the people were blackmailed by Mr. Rumple but only one was caught as a murderer of Mr. Rumple. Each suspect has a story of how they were blackmailed. Daisy with the help of her friends and acquires information from different sources to gather information about the murder victim and their history. In the midst, she is getting ready to let Jazzi leave for college, and Vi and foster move out of their apartment and get the mindset of letting Jonas move in with her. I really thought the book has quite an interesting intake in Amish life and how it combines different cultures and react to each other. I love the ending of the book with Jonas asking the important question .

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming series that I have read from the beginning. Daisy and her family,, the tea shop and the morals of the people capture the reader in this Amish town . This is a family oriented series where people come first to all with kindness and consideration. Daisy is integral to the town as she is a friend and advisor to all.

The sleuth was intriguing and kept me guessing to conclusion. I loved the twist at the end the author included for her long time readers. Each new book in the series is charming and delightful. This is a series I highly recommend. The tea shop is a charming place for readers to spend time. We all wish we could live in Daisy's world so we are thankful to the author for continuing this wonderful series.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.