Gingerbread Dead

Tea and Tarot #5

by Kirsten Weiss

A tearoom owner. A Tarot reader. A murder. Solving this quirky case may take a Christmas miracle.

Tea and Tarot room owner Abigail is having a hard time getting into holiday mode. She’s working her assets off to make the tearoom a premier holiday destination, searching for an appropriate Christmas gift for her new boyfriend, and trying to forget her aggravating but oh, so tempting neighbor, Brik. But when one of the Tarot readers finds a nearby business owner dead, Abigail and her Tarot-reading partner Hyperion are on the case.

Now, with a cranky cop on their tails, the duo must find a way to solve the crime and stay out of the slammer before a killer cancels their Christmas.

Tearoom recipes in the back of the book!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2020

About the author

Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com

Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.

Reviews

[Kirsten Weiss]

Woot! Gingerbread Dead launched today!

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me. I loved this story! The characters were well developed and believable. The cozy mystery was unpredictable until the end with great false leads and misdirection. Highly recommend!

Abigail and her business partner Hyperion own Beanblossom's Tea & Tarot. Abigail is having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit and trying to get the tearoom to be a holiday destination. She has her hands full. A fellow businessman, Mr. Callum, is found dead in his shop by Sierra, one of Hyperion's readers. Abigail and Hyperion fancy themselves amateur sleuths and start investigating the murder. Mr. Callum's former and present wives get into a public argument in the tearoom whetting Abigail's curiosity even more. Her current boyfriend Gino happens to be the nephew of the deceased and is dragged into settling the estate. A week later the current wife Merry dies of an apparent suicide further muddying the investigation. Mr. Callum also had a lady on the side who is a beneficiary of his death. As the suspect list grows, Abigail experiences several accidents - a rock through the shop window, a tree lit on fire on her porch and a broken car window - could she be the next victim? Must read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracking Down a Killer . . .

Abigail owns the Tea and Tarot room and is trying to get ready for the holidays. But her heart just doesn’t seem to be in it. Her business partner, Hyperion, is in charge of the Tarot piece of the business and he brings lots of laughter to her life.

But when Sierra, one of the Tarot readers, comes running in, her face pale, gasping that “he’s dead”, Abigail and Hyperion settled her with a cup of tea and started questioning what happened. Sierra had gone to the Beach Shop to buy a gift and found the place empty – and yet it didn’t “feel” empty. A storage room door was open and she saw the owner Emery Callum on the floor with blood pooled around him! She called the police and gave a statement, then the police left her standing in the cold rain and ignored her, so she ran down to find Abigail and Hyperion. Abigail and her Hyperion walked her back to the scene of the crime before the police noticed she was gone. The police are assuming it was a robbery, but Abigail doesn’t think so. It looks like the two of them will need to get to work on the case and solve the mystery before a killer ruins Christmas for everyone.

I loved the humor where Abigail has to keep chasing every visitor away from her gingerbread house. It seems irresistible to everyone who tries to break off a piece to eat when she insists it is only decorative! Grab your copy and see if Abigail and Hyperion can find the killer. With their old friend now off the force and this new grouchy cop on the case, Abigail could end up arrested if she is not careful!

[Ruth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!

I have been reading the Tea and Tarot mysteries since tbe very first one. I've enjoyed every one of them and this one has been no different.
I found the characters all to be well drawn out and likeable.
I like Abigail and Brik and I really wish they would admit that they like one another!
Anyway. The mystery gave us several suspects, any of who could've been the culprit. It wasn't easy to choose which one!
My only very small complaint was that there were an unusually high number of errors, one of them even naming the wrong city (rather than San Borrameo). It's almost as if the author got in a little bit of a hurry and maybe didn't check for editing or perhaps there was an editor who fell down on the job. Unfortunately it was enough to be noteworthy but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the book!

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A holiday murder mystery at a tea shop. Sounds like a tasty treat.

This is book five of the series, but it is written as a standalone. Jump in at any time.

This is a cozy mystery with a cozy setting. Nothing wrong with that! The story is well written, easy to read and just plain fun. It features a well developed setting and wonderful characters that bring the story to life. I really liked our two leads who are smart and resourceful, if perhaps a bit overwhelmed. The mystery is a good one and features plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Overall, it was a wonderful story and I hope to see more in the series.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Maryalice Tomoeda]

Another Killer Tea Service

I love this series more with each book. Gingerbread Dead takes Abigail and Hyperion sleuthing for Christmas. Between tea service, tarot readings, murder attempts, murder successes, romantic tension for each of them, protecting a homemade gingerbread house from snacking customers, and a duck (can't leave Peking out), the duo still have to find time to get the perfect Christmas gifts. Another great outing in San Borromeo. Can't recommend this series enough. Read them all!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

the dreaded gingerbread houses raise their torturous heads.

if you have ever done catering that included desserts or baked goods around the holidays, they might just haunt your dreams- or nightmares.

they are oh do difficult to piece together, unless you do a simplified kids version - and people just really want to nibble, like Hansel and Gretel. things did not really end so well for them or the witch.

a murder mystery whodunnit where the victim is s notorious Scrooge is an unhappy addition to the holidays horrors.

will all the chaos bring Tony back to his police detective career - or set him on his new path?

puzzling and perplexing death and alibi defying ill deeds.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gingerbread Dead is a fun cozy mystery set in a Tea Room that also provides Tarot readings. Abigail is the main character; she’s smart and level-headed but also has a fun, dry humor. Her business partner and good friend is Hyperion (he is the Tarot half of the business); he’s absolutely hysterical. Everyone should have a Hyperion in their lives. He’s funny, loyal, generous, and gets Abigail trying new things and enjoying life. The relationship between these two characters is my favorite part of the book (and the series); their back-and-forth quips.

I haven’t read all the books in the series (yet), but I did read the first before this one. I didn’t have any trouble catching up. So, feel free to dive in even if you haven’t been following the series from the beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun cozy mystery with interesting characters. The book is well written and moves at a good pace. Gingerbread Dead is holiday themed, so that’s an added bonus if you are looking to get into the holiday spirit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 5 of the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mysteries but the first that I have read in this series. I was able to fully enjoy it without having first read the earlier books. This is the story of Abigail and her Tarot-reading partner Hyperion. A neighbor shop keeper is found dead just before Christmas. Abigail and Hyperion decide to investigate the murder inspite of the police detective telling them to keep their crime solving attempts to themselves. This is fun read. It is definitely full of the Christmas spirit. You will be in the mood to read this with a hot chocolate and gingerbread man in hand. The story is well written and easy to read. A fun holiday mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good Christmas murder mystery and with Gingerbread Dead I found it.
As a business owner Abigail was looking for a miracle for her Tea Room/Tarot Shop. So she decide to cater to the season of Christmas to get more business. Her partner Hyperion had hope these ideas would work. What neither one knew was one of the new business owner was going to be killed.
Will they be able to solve this before the police officer arrest them for a crime they didn't commit. While doing this, they came to see and deal with some very unique people in the town.
You will not be bored with this book, it was hard to put down while I prep for a hurricane.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ryca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I loved visiting Tea And Tarot again! This one had more character development, and was a strong entry in the series. The use of Tarot was more interesting, as well. However, the humor was still a great element, so it was overall really well-balanced. Once I was finally able to sit down and enjoy it, it kept me completely engaged.

I want those Tarot cookies! And I liked the history lesson on Tarot, as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raven Lynn Spalding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a fun and charming holiday cozy mystery I loved the main characters and it was so much following the story with them and trying to figure out the clues to solve the mystery I loved the cute little town as well! I will recommend this book to all lover of cozies especially if they like me love the holiday editions!
Much thanks to #booksprouts and #publisherAndAuthor for allowing me to read and review this ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have read a number of books by this author but this is the first in this series I have tried. Guess what? it won't be my last as I will definitely be going back to the start to see what I missed. Although it did make for a good standalone and isn't necessary, I just enjoyed it that much. I wouldn't say the book made me laugh out loud but it did make me smile. I normally get fed up with cooking cozy mysteries because they are either full of talk about food and what goes in this and that or the owner is never there and always running around getting into trouble but this wasn't the case with this mystery, the author balances it out well, plenty of investigating just after hours of during a hurried lunch break. I loved everything about it, the great characters and friendship between them all, I was even routing for a little romance. The mystery was good and I was still suspecting everybody when the killer was revealed. I also liked the addition of the tarot reading in the tearoom but don't worry if you don't know anything about the cards it's just a nice quirk, as was the Christmas feel.
Tea room owner Abigail and her partner tarot reader Hyperion are shocked to learn a fellow business owner has been killed in a robbery. One of Hyperion's reader's discovered the body. Worried she would get accused of the murder and with there friend having quit the police force, the pair have no choice but to do some investigation themselves. Under the cover of starting up a business watch programme the pair question his ex wife, his current wife, his girlfriend, his employee and even Abigail's own boyfriend his nephew but with everybody having alibi's will they be able to find the killer before the last sweet on the gingerbread house gets eaten?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book overall, and what I expected when reading a cozy mystery. I liked the Chritmas theme and enjoyed trying to figure out what would happen next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has everything you want in a mystery plus you just want to join them in the tearoom to try those delicious scones! Abigail and Hyperion have a great relationship and love to investigate although the police aren't too keen, the mystery keeps you guessing and there's plenty of suspects. A well written story, I didn't want to put it down. Plus there's recipes so we can try the scones at the end - what more can you ask for, except more of the same!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Kirsten's books and have read several series, but this is the first Tea and Tarot mystery for me.
Kirsten made it possible for me to read without going back to read previous books, she provided enough background within the chapters without making it heavy going. She has a light touch to narrative with gentle humour and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Clues are there for the true aficionados but maybe in retrospect.
An enjoyable, well crafted cozy mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is never a dull moment for Abigail and Hyperion. They are knee deep in another murder mystery. There are more twists for Abigail. Great characters and story. I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and quirky whodunit. Very interesting characters in this story. It keeps you guessing until the end. There are a few twists and turns and plenty of things that make you go huh! Fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story. It was enjoyable and entertaining right from the start. I always love a great mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anteia Consorto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the series and this book is no exception. Abigail and Hyperion are caught up in the murder of a neighboring business owner in this fun, unputdownable novel.
It’s the perfect recipe; a sprinkling of gingerbread, a spot of tea, heaping mysteries, and a dash of romance mixed with a tablespoon (or 2) of murder makes for a bowlful of holiday fun!
Kept me up way past my bedtime!
I love every minute spent in the worlds of Kirsten Weiss.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aineenmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was very well written. I truly enjoyed the plot of the book and couldn't put the book down. Such a cute story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth in the series but the first I have read. I enjoy this author and have read other series she has written. I loved the characters, the plot, & quirkiness of the story. So much in fact, I’m trying to work the first four books into my reading schedule.

I sort of knew who did it but not the why. There were plenty of twists and turns. I read this in just a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed this standalone story.

Bonus: Recipes at the end of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in the series!
I loved every word of this new installment of the Tea and Tarot series. The festive setting had the desired effect of putting me in a good mood and the adventures of Abigail and Hyperion are always a pleasure to read.
Highly recommended!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these characters. I loved Abigail and Hyperion. I loved their friendship. I was entertained by their sleuthing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series.
Great plot, fun and easy to read
Recommended to all cozy lovers

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

Great series, good characters and mysteries that keep you guessing. I don't buy a lot of e-books but this series is one of the exceptions.

[Katherine Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gingerbread Dead is super cute. I love Kirsten Weiss’ lead characters. I find them very relatable. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what happened next. Fun mystery and it took a while to figure out the killer.

[Annalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be the cutest and the funniest holiday themed cozy that I have read yet. The characters are sweet and the plot is fabulous. I really had a fun time reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Edyee Stocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten Weiss has done it again! Another delightful cozy mystery that definitely leaves you wondering who did it throughout the book. The characters are are very interesting and quirky.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten Weiss’s “Gingerbread Dead” is the fifth instalment in her “Tea and Tarot Cozy Mystery” series, which combines classical cozy mysteries tropes, including the tea, with light witchy subplots around tarot reading.

As the Christmas Seasons is approaching Tea and Tarot Room owner Abigail has having a hard time getting into the feeling of the holidays, despite of trying her best, thus when the partner of one of her tarot readers shows up dead, and she and Hyperion are compelled to solve the case before the killer ruins Christmas. A job made even more complicated by the cop assigned to the case, who seems to be more interesting in ‘ruining’ her life than successfully solving the murder.

The perfect whodunnit to enjoy with a beverage of choice on a cozy afternoon/evening. Abigail Beanblossom (MC) is an equal parts relatable and charming character, whose penchant to clumsiness makes her all the more endearing. However, make not mistakes Abigail might not still gone into Christmas spirit, but no one, no one 😉 will ruin the season, and her business.