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Haunted Tearoom #3
Tea is for Tragedy
A mysterious tragedy from years ago remains unsolved until a stranger arrives in town seeking vengeance.
April May is intrigued by the fog-shrouded lighthouse where a troubled woman lost her life a decade earlier. When the woman's sister chooses to re-examine the past, secrets are revealed that threaten the peaceful town and its residents.
Meanwhile, the long-dead French chef who haunts April's kitchen has a heartbreaking secret of his own that may change everything for one family.
Can April help her ghost find peace while also solving a murder and preventing another?
April May is intrigued by the fog-shrouded lighthouse where a troubled woman lost her life a decade earlier. When the woman's sister chooses to re-examine the past, secrets are revealed that threaten the peaceful town and its residents.
Meanwhile, the long-dead French chef who haunts April's kitchen has a heartbreaking secret of his own that may change everything for one family.
Can April help her ghost find peace while also solving a murder and preventing another?
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2021
About the author
Karen Sue Walker
30 books148 followersKaren Sue Walker is a lover of cozy mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Joanne Fluke. When not working or writing, she spends time with her very talented daughter and ever so fun granddaughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 19, 2022
This series is so much fun. In this 3rd book the focus is on a suicide that happened at the lighthouse a decade ago. There is a surprise in the solution that I enjoyed a lot. We also learn a lot more about Chef Emile. His is a complex story. If you enjoy cozy paranormal mysteries I think you will enjoy this series and book.
January 10, 2026
A wonderful read, I’m enjoying this cozy murder mystery series.
September 28, 2026
The third book confirms something I was already noticing in Tea Is for Toxin: the mystery side of this series keeps getting stronger.
This time I worked out who the murderer was earlier, but I still enjoyed following the investigation and finding out the motive.
It remains a light, entertaining cosy mystery series that is so easy to listen to. Crime, suspects, a murder to solve and enough humour and cosiness to keep it fun.
Three books in, and I’m still enjoying my time with April and her rather unusual tearoom.
@livros100fim
This time I worked out who the murderer was earlier, but I still enjoyed following the investigation and finding out the motive.
It remains a light, entertaining cosy mystery series that is so easy to listen to. Crime, suspects, a murder to solve and enough humour and cosiness to keep it fun.
Three books in, and I’m still enjoying my time with April and her rather unusual tearoom.
@livros100fim
March 4, 2025
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It was a change from the sort of books I typically read, but I still found it heartwarming & I loved the recipes at the end of it. I especially liked the cat Whisk & his mischievous antics & the handsome dead French chef that no one else can see that gives the heroine cooking lessons. I read this book on Kindle.
October 22, 2026
The more I am getting to spend time with these characters, the better I am liking them. I enjoyed this book in the series the most so far. This one kept me guessing and had a twist on the end I wasn’t expecting.
Enjoying the narrator reading these first 3 books too.
Enjoying the narrator reading these first 3 books too.
January 1, 2022
You never know the whole story, do you??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
October 23, 2026
This was another sweet short book that I listened to for free on audible plus.
Aprils tea house has been doing well especially since a beautiful young woman started coming in with one of the regulars to talk about writing her memoir. The beautiful young woman coming into the tea house every day say brought a steady stream of men both young & old in just go get closer to her.
This book is as centred around a suicide that happened a decade prior. Apparently a troubled sister jumped off a light house to her death. Again like in book 2 I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen before it did. The pretty young woman went on a date with Aprils handyman who she’s had a crush on since book 1. ( I actually found it quite gross that he’s described to be in his 50’s and the young woman was maybe 21 🤢🤮)
Anyway I had a feeling she was just using him and when his pocket knife was found to have killed the older lady she was writing the memoir for it felt obvious.
I knew the baby in the story was going to turn out to be her but was surprised that she killed her biological mother and her biological mother had pushed her twin sister off the lighthouse 10 years ago and took over her identity.
We got a little bonus mystery solved by finding out who killed the French chef. The young woman who lives with April whose grandmother left her father and grandfather when he was 5, was because her grandfather killed chief and threatened to kill the grandmother Helen if she was ever came back. With the grandfather having died she was able to come back to town to see her son all grown up & meet her granddaughter.
Aprils tea house has been doing well especially since a beautiful young woman started coming in with one of the regulars to talk about writing her memoir. The beautiful young woman coming into the tea house every day say brought a steady stream of men both young & old in just go get closer to her.
This book is as centred around a suicide that happened a decade prior. Apparently a troubled sister jumped off a light house to her death. Again like in book 2 I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen before it did. The pretty young woman went on a date with Aprils handyman who she’s had a crush on since book 1. ( I actually found it quite gross that he’s described to be in his 50’s and the young woman was maybe 21 🤢🤮)
Anyway I had a feeling she was just using him and when his pocket knife was found to have killed the older lady she was writing the memoir for it felt obvious.
I knew the baby in the story was going to turn out to be her but was surprised that she killed her biological mother and her biological mother had pushed her twin sister off the lighthouse 10 years ago and took over her identity.
We got a little bonus mystery solved by finding out who killed the French chef. The young woman who lives with April whose grandmother left her father and grandfather when he was 5, was because her grandfather killed chief and threatened to kill the grandmother Helen if she was ever came back. With the grandfather having died she was able to come back to town to see her son all grown up & meet her granddaughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2023
I’m just really enjoying this cozy mystery series. The mystery was really good, and this one. There were lots of twists, and turns along the way. The one twist I definitely did not see coming but it made it all the more better. I liked that there was a connection to the past murder and the current murder. And the whole thing with the guy house was really cleverly done and drew me immediately into the story as it told of Charlotte “suicide”. Then there was the whole thing with Libby and Aprils jealousy as Mark has developed an interest in Libby. It added more drama and angst. Then the whole connection with Cozumel and Jennifer was really interesting and how that came together at the end with Helen was bittersweet. It just all worked on every single level. It was a very quick read because I was so hooked on the mystery that I couldn’t put it down for a single moment. It was just it was a great story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2026
I must warn readers that this story may be heartbreaking. It was for me. I have gotten to know the characters and care about them. When secrets of the past are revealed, it is clear the past was shaped by tradition and expectations of carrying on said tradition. No room for modernizing. Those past characters had to live by society’s rules or leave. Some did.
It is interesting to see the overall storyline arc through the first three books of the series, as I read them in a one volume set. The series starts off with a new woman in town. It’s lite and fun. The second story brings more of the dark underbelly of humanity into the picture. Then there is this third story with its rubber-meets-the-road atmosphere.
Even though the mood is darker, friendships become stronger. Our tea hostess is no longer the only outsider and while she assists the new outsider sheriff in solving crimes she becomes much more comfortable in her new world.
It is interesting to see the overall storyline arc through the first three books of the series, as I read them in a one volume set. The series starts off with a new woman in town. It’s lite and fun. The second story brings more of the dark underbelly of humanity into the picture. Then there is this third story with its rubber-meets-the-road atmosphere.
Even though the mood is darker, friendships become stronger. Our tea hostess is no longer the only outsider and while she assists the new outsider sheriff in solving crimes she becomes much more comfortable in her new world.
May 9, 2022
Heartbreak
This is one of the most engaging series I’ve run into recently. April May is fascinated by the lighthouse and the ten year old mystery surrounding it. Did the woman who jumped die a suicide or a murder victim? She’s also fascinated by the ghostly chef that haunts her kitchen. How did the chef die and what secrets are connected to the death? Surrounded by friends who make up her family, April May begins to poke into long past situations. And as always, her poking leads to problems. The story is multifaceted and heartbreaking. And I can’t wait to start the next one.
This is one of the most engaging series I’ve run into recently. April May is fascinated by the lighthouse and the ten year old mystery surrounding it. Did the woman who jumped die a suicide or a murder victim? She’s also fascinated by the ghostly chef that haunts her kitchen. How did the chef die and what secrets are connected to the death? Surrounded by friends who make up her family, April May begins to poke into long past situations. And as always, her poking leads to problems. The story is multifaceted and heartbreaking. And I can’t wait to start the next one.
April 19, 2023
"April May is intrigued by the fog-shrouded lighthouse where a troubled woman lost her life a decade earlier. When the woman's sister chooses to re-examine the past, secrets are revealed that threaten the peaceful town and its residents. Meanwhile, the long-dead French chef who haunts April's kitchen has a heartbreaking secret of his own that may change everything for one family.
Can April help her ghost find peace while also solving a murder and preventing another?"
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Can April help her ghost find peace while also solving a murder and preventing another?"
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
April 3, 2024
I'm really getting into this cosy mystery series. April May buys a house in Serenity and opens a tea room. She has a resident ghost who is teaching her how to cook, but he has secrets.
One of the town residents, Rhonda, is employing a ghost writer to write her memoirs, and they're using the tea rooms to meet. April May is intrigued by the lighthouse and the story of the death of Rhondas sister, Charlotte, several years before. Did she commit suicide?
The series gets better with each book. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline. I can see me binge reading all the books released so far...
One of the town residents, Rhonda, is employing a ghost writer to write her memoirs, and they're using the tea rooms to meet. April May is intrigued by the lighthouse and the story of the death of Rhondas sister, Charlotte, several years before. Did she commit suicide?
The series gets better with each book. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline. I can see me binge reading all the books released so far...
January 8, 2022
A ten year old suicide rears its ugly head and whispers "murder" and when April gets a feeling that it is murder, it usually turns out to be murder, and this is another one of those times. Is it because Rhonda has decided to write her memoires and old wounds are opened? Or is there more to this than meets the eye?
The Haunted Tearoom always guarantees a great read, and this is another one. Thoroughly enjoyed the clever plotting and of course, Chef Emile is still my favourite!
The Haunted Tearoom always guarantees a great read, and this is another one. Thoroughly enjoyed the clever plotting and of course, Chef Emile is still my favourite!
September 18, 2022
So good!
I've been reading this series and it just gets better and better. There are so many other people reviewing this book that you don't need mine. But if you're looking for a good series with interesting characters with just a touch of paranormal activity in the form of a "French" chef who gives cooking lessons, this one's for you. Now I'm going to go start on the next book.
I've been reading this series and it just gets better and better. There are so many other people reviewing this book that you don't need mine. But if you're looking for a good series with interesting characters with just a touch of paranormal activity in the form of a "French" chef who gives cooking lessons, this one's for you. Now I'm going to go start on the next book.
August 18, 2026
Pretty consistent cozy murder mystery with a focus on the characters more than the actual investigation. There was a bit of swing with the "who knows/who doesn't" since April (FMC) decided to tell Irma about the ghost of the Chef still hanging around. The actual murderer wasn't too hard to figure out. Both times. I wasn't expecting that ending though. I'll probably hold off on further books in the series, but it's a decent break from heavier reads.
September 13, 2026
3.5 ⭐
Tea is for Tragedy was a good continuation and easily matches if not slightly surpasses the strength of the second book. The ghostly tearoom setting is as charming as ever, and having the spectral companions actively involved in the investigation adds a brilliant layer of humour and fun. While it stays true to its lighthearted, low-stress cozy roots, the steady momentum and delightful character dynamics made this a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read
Tea is for Tragedy was a good continuation and easily matches if not slightly surpasses the strength of the second book. The ghostly tearoom setting is as charming as ever, and having the spectral companions actively involved in the investigation adds a brilliant layer of humour and fun. While it stays true to its lighthearted, low-stress cozy roots, the steady momentum and delightful character dynamics made this a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read
September 16, 2026
SPOILERS- The last of the 3 books in the series I got for free on Audible. This one followed April as she stated to look into an old suicide case which then leads into another murder. I love these kinds of books where the other characters in the book are so strong, you fall in love with the town. This also has one of my favorite tropes in a mystery- mistaken identity/twin swap. WARNING- a lot of suicide talk in the one.
4 out of 5 🌟
4 out of 5 🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2023
When Things Go Wrong, a Cup Of Tea Can Comfort
A cozy mystery set in a seaside town where the tea room regulars often find themselves in the midst of murder investigations. This novel is part of a series starting the tea room owner and her friends. The characters are likable, the tea room goodies mentioned will make you wish you were enjoying them, and the mysteries are clever.
A cozy mystery set in a seaside town where the tea room regulars often find themselves in the midst of murder investigations. This novel is part of a series starting the tea room owner and her friends. The characters are likable, the tea room goodies mentioned will make you wish you were enjoying them, and the mysteries are clever.
June 3, 2024
Good but predictable
It wasn’t too hard to figure out who the murderer was Also, I’m not quite sure why April decided to go on her own to check out the lighthouse after everything that happened. And finally, I would have loved to have had a little more time with Chef Emile at the end. But, I still like the characters although this book seems a tad underdeveloped.
It wasn’t too hard to figure out who the murderer was Also, I’m not quite sure why April decided to go on her own to check out the lighthouse after everything that happened. And finally, I would have loved to have had a little more time with Chef Emile at the end. But, I still like the characters although this book seems a tad underdeveloped.
December 29, 2021
A delightful cozy mystery with a great twist. All the characters are fun, even the ghost! A secret is revealed, hearts are healed and a murder is exposed. What’s not to like? I received an arc from the author through BookFunnel. The comments and review are my opinion.
March 27, 2022
Very entertaining
This third book in the Haunted Tearoom series has April May embroiled in yet another murder mystery along with a cold case. The plot is engaging, the characters are endearing, and the story is well written. I look forward to the next book.
This third book in the Haunted Tearoom series has April May embroiled in yet another murder mystery along with a cold case. The plot is engaging, the characters are endearing, and the story is well written. I look forward to the next book.
March 29, 2022
Third in a Row!
Another winner! Great characters. Wonderful cozy small town atmosphere. I've enjoyed these books so much! Can't wait for #4 to be released. Highly Recommend this series.
Another winner! Great characters. Wonderful cozy small town atmosphere. I've enjoyed these books so much! Can't wait for #4 to be released. Highly Recommend this series.
April 24, 2022
Awesome
I loved this book but at the time of writing this review, I'm pretty close to tears. Can't say why because of possible spoilers but poor Chef Emile😪😪. This is an amazing series with such brilliant characters and I'm off to read book 4.
I loved this book but at the time of writing this review, I'm pretty close to tears. Can't say why because of possible spoilers but poor Chef Emile😪😪. This is an amazing series with such brilliant characters and I'm off to read book 4.
June 17, 2023
Gunpowder Green Tea
I really have enjoyed the series! I love teas and mysteries and old homes. The setting by the ocean is a plus, too.
I jave emjoed getting to know the characters.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us!
I really have enjoyed the series! I love teas and mysteries and old homes. The setting by the ocean is a plus, too.
I jave emjoed getting to know the characters.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us!
January 4, 2024
Delightful Cozy
Tea is for Tragedy finds April May busier then ever in her tea room. A letter sends her on the journey to solve a years old cold case. Well my precious readers I certainly didn't know the ending would be so clever. Enjoy
Tea is for Tragedy finds April May busier then ever in her tea room. A letter sends her on the journey to solve a years old cold case. Well my precious readers I certainly didn't know the ending would be so clever. Enjoy
October 9, 2025
What would you do?
What would you do if you found the person you felt was responsible for your mother's passing? If you had been given away as a child and thought she would of found you had she lived?
What would you do if you found the person you felt was responsible for your mother's passing? If you had been given away as a child and thought she would of found you had she lived?
August 14, 2026
Another Good Story with the Haunted Tea Shop
We learn more about who the chef really is and meet up with the missing Helen who is Jennifer’s Grandmother and the love of the chef and what really happen year’s ago.
We learn more about who the chef really is and meet up with the missing Helen who is Jennifer’s Grandmother and the love of the chef and what really happen year’s ago.
December 30, 2021
Enjoyed this book from the beginning til the end! Continues the great characters in this series! Can't get enough of Chef Emile & April, of course! Not the expected!
December 31, 2021
A great read
This is one of my most favorite series I read this year. The characters are fun, people I would want to be friends with, and the mysteries they solve are compelling.
This is one of my most favorite series I read this year. The characters are fun, people I would want to be friends with, and the mysteries they solve are compelling.
February 9, 2022
Loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews