a fast paced, action packed mystery with tons of fun and tea!
342863
PLUM TEA CRAZY by Laura Childs
The Nineteenth Tea Shop Mystery

Theodosia Browning and her friend Drayton are enjoying the Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy's home when a local banker falls to his death. The horrific accident turns out to be murder as it wasn't the fall that killed him, but rather the quarrel he was shot with! Now Theo is off and running, literally, as she tries to catch a killer.

I'm delighted to return to the Indigo Tea Shop to spend time with Theo and the gang. As always, I wish I could try some of Drayton's tea blends, not to mention Theo's T-bath products and Hailey's treats. I love the plum blossom motif and how it contrasts with the antique weapon angle. It proves a fitting combination for the mystery as well as the behind the scenes relationships.

Theo is a bit more eager to get involved in murder than perhaps she should be, running blindly after a killer with only Drayton behind her (no offense, Drayton) when she doesn't even know what's going on or who could be involved. And doing some, not quite legal, digging for answers. Still, this is her nineteenth outing and so with plenty of experience behind her, I guess she feels competent. It's no secret that Theo does love the adrenalin rush, whether from solving murders or going for a run, even without chasing any criminals!

PLUM TEA CRAZY is a fast paced, action packed mystery with tons of fun and tea! I devoured this book, reading it quickly as it spurred me on to keep turning pages as I was so caught up in the action. One scene in particular is still fresh in my mind, it was so memorable. I still find myself chuckling, I won't give any spoilers, but watch out for a certain fashion show!

Recipes and Tea Time Tips included.

FTC Disclosure  The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
2191696
Jolie hunts ghosts with a hot dead guy and several friends, the self-absorbed princess Brit, drowning in pink, Reese, the techie allergic to ghosts, and Hayden the hot live guy. Together they seek the killer of a ghost haunting a house in Plymouth, MA, a great location for the dead. Each ghost hunter has a psychic talent that helps them work with the dead. Brit's haunt, a Revolutionary ghost, adds humor to this fast paced mystery. The characters good and bad are well developed. This book also blends historical details to the setting without bogging down the story. The action and pace are fast and has a great double finale.

I can't recommend this book enough! I'm looking forward to the next installment that I read about on the author's website.
1265014
Dana and Deck are on a collision course working on two seemingly different cases. Dana is FBI and Deck is Cincinnati Police Detective. Dana has three bodies that have been found posed with some kind of religious medal or rosary in their hands. Deck has a young Chinese girl who might be escaping a human trafficking ring.

Elizabeth Bemis has created a new series that I could not put down. I found myself rooting for all the people and wondering every time I had to put the book down what was going to happen next. There is lots of action and many twists and turns. It keeps you guessing right until the last page. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3694923
I collected Emily Brightwell's Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries series ever since the first book came out and I just fell in love with the series.  It's a combination of Victorian style and atmosphere with a hilarious tone and tons of fun.  I could think of nothing more to do on a weekend than curling up on the couch with a hot mug of coffee and a blanket and just let your mind read the entire series.  Each one of them is full of excitement and fun sleuthing by Mrs. Jeffries and her staff, Betsy, Smythe, Mrs. Goodge, and Wiggles(?) and the household dog Fred along with some of their friends are involved in solving cases that Inspector Witherspoon relunctantly but dutly solves. Including in the series, the ever hilarious Luty Belle Crookshank and her butler Hatchet especially with her wealthy, American attitude and her outspoken views versus his stiff upper lip Brtishiness and that adds up to some really wild exchanges between the two of them.  The joy of this is that the Inspector has no clue that he has help from his devoted staff and their friends.  Even the loyal Constable Barnes clued in to their sleuthing but supports them.
1194915
Loved this second book in another great series from Hazel Hunter!  There is action, adventure, mystery, and romance.  There's some steamy sex, too.  Ms. Hunter writes wonderful characters in enchanting locations, and the plots and action pull you in and hold you fast until you've read the last word.  This is a stand-alone book, but I recommend you start with Book 1 in the series because it's fantastic too.
I received an ARC.  This is my honest, voluntary review.
1111636
I love this story.  We are introduced to Nic and Nigel and their illustrious family when a missing husband leads to murder, deceit, betrayal and a downright enjoyable mystery that left me hungry for more fun times with the Martinis. This past-paced and action-packed drama immediately pulled me in and quickly became a page turner as I couldn't put it down, especially as this light drama plays homage to the Thin Man series.  I loved the way the mystery was set-up where the other players in the well-written drama were suspects and every clue pointed to one or the other, and when I thought I had it narrowed down, the author change direction and I did not even see that one coming when the killers identity was revealed. Brilliant touch! Boasting a terrific cast of characters that includes the marvelous Skippy and with engaging and witty repartee, this was a great read and I look forward to the next book in this wonderfully entertaining series
2690757
A thoroughly engaging mystery filed with action and thrills. The most delightful aspect of the book was the clean language (vulgarity is not a necessity, writers) and the humor filed with delightful bits of trivia. I'll definitely continue to read the rest of the series.
1210561
I took a chance on a new author and am delighted with her work! In this action packed adventure a young lady is dealing with an apparently deadbeat brother, shrinking castle coffers and being kidnapped for ransom.  Full of intrigue and action this book explores Nichola's stubborn nature and her captor, Alexanders equally stubborn pride . For a lively and exciting romp through Scotland you definatly want to grab this series.
853198
Another great read by Christina Freeburn. I am thoroughly addicted to these characters!

Fast paced and a fun read, Faith finds herself caught up in yet another mysterious death and is desperate to find out who did it. While aboard a cruise ship with her cop boyfriend and his family for the wedding of his brother and his fiance, Faith stumbles finds out that one of his brother's friends has committed suicide. Or did she? Grab this book, a warm cup of tea and curl up for a high seas mystery that will leave you dangling.
944259
This book is a fun read, and I found it even more fun than the last book in the series. Pyper is trying to plan her own wedding, her friend Kat's wedding and take care of her pregnant friend Jade along with her younger brother Bo, who she was recently reunited with. Bo's the one who is in danger this time, along with his new friend Reagan. Reagan has no one in her corner and is suspected of murder, so of course the whole team works together to help her out and solve the mystery. I hope we finally get to read about the weddings in the next book of the series, and I hope we get to see more of all the regular characters, along with more of Ida Mae and Reagan and Bo!
3251046
I can't resist saying that if you like cozy mysteries, this will probably be your cup of tea!  The "detective" in this series owns a tea shop in Charleston, SC -- upscale and inventive, with luncheons and some catering activities, etc.  The murder victim that begins the book lands on her tea table at a special event, so naturally she gets involved in trying to solve the murder, particularly since the police suspect someone she believes is innocent -- or is she.

There's a LOT of stuff about tea in this book, which I like, but it does slow the pace down.  If you like your mysteries fast-paced, this might be a problem for you.

I intend to read more by this author -- this was my first.  But I'm unlikely to get on a waiting list for her next book, if you understand the distinction.
3586853
"Scones and Bones" is the twelfth installment in the Laura Child Tea Shop Mystery series. I picked the first one up years ago and was pretty much hooked from that point forward. The vast majority of the books have been wonderful with the exception of the last one, "The Teaberry Strangler" which I thought was one of the weaker installments. I was a bit worried since many series seem to fall apart around book seven or so and thought maybe this one had run its course. I am pleased to report that, in my opinion, "Scones and Bones" is back on track and is another good entry in a very strong series of cozies.

Set in Charleston, South Carolina, the Indigo Tea Shop owned by our protagonist Theo Browning is the center of most of the action. In addition to Theo, we have Drayton the master tea-blender and Hayley, the baker/chef for the tea shop as supporting cast. This time out, the murder takes place quickly in the story with a dead body found the Heritage Society's Plunder and Plunder party (which has a pirate connection). One of the exhibits ends up missing and Theo is immediately caught up in trying to figure out who the thief and murder is. Running down clues and gathering information from folks in the historical district of Charleston provides plenty of interesting back-drop as well as a plethora of possible suspects.

I adore the character of Drayton and was glad to see him more prominently featured this time out. Both he and Hayley take more active roles in the mystery than they did the last time which is a very good thing. Even more background information about these two characters would be appreciated as they are interesting additions to the cast. Charleston itself is front and center again providing a story rich in atmosphere and history - the city really is one of the characters. This installment was heavier on the setting and lighter on the mystery than usual.

I actually thought we were on target for a 5-star rating until I hit the last 30 pages. Up until that time, I had settled on my couch in front of one of the last fires of the season and was absolutely delighted. In the last section of the book, things didn't work so well and the ending felt rushed and a bit contrived where Theo (normally reasonably thoughtful) does a couple of really stupid things that feel totally out of character. Sad to have a less than stellar ending to what had been a wonderful read, but it's still a good book and worth a read.

For fans of this series, I think you will be pleased and if this is your first try at these, you can pick it up without having all the previous background. As is true with most cozies, it is best to start at the beginning and move forward but this one could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Glad to see Laura Childs hasn't lost her touch and I am looking forward to "Agony of the Leaves" when it is published.
2065484
A great read that is a lot fun, while also making the heart tick a little fast in suspense.  It doesn't take long for you to root for Tom.  Hillary is just enough mysterious to keep you wondering and wanting to know more.  A great duo!  My only disappointment is that I can't jump right into the next book and read more.  Officer Involved is a page turner that instantly hooked me.  Once embedded in the story, I couldn't put it down.  I found myself reading faster and faster as the story progressed.  Zahren keeps the action moving while also providing the right amount of details to keep the reader informed.  There's also the right amount of humor thrown in, especially with Tom's thoughts to keep you grinning.  Hurry up and finish book 2!
1910964
What a very highly entertaining and exciting mystery with so many surprises along the way. This was such a great mystery ride that it gets you more
and more involved with such interesting characters that you meet along the way. I thought the characters were well developed. This is well worth your time. It was really such a awesome page turner and I am looking forward to many more novels to come from this fantastic author. Loved It!
I am positive that you will not be disappointed
1929524
Bud and Bert are back in "The Elixir," the second Bud Hutchins thriller in J.B. Michaels wonderful action adventure series. I love the humor scattered throughout the book, as well the many unique and eclectic characters, old and new. This is a fast-paced series that starts off with a bang, literally, and continues to jump from one escapade to the next with nary a pause in between. It can definitely be enjoyed by adults, as well as children, and probably even more so, since adults would probably get some of the witty observations more readily than children.

As with the first book in this series, it's very hard to explain what makes this series so fun and enjoyable. I've never run across an author who can combine so many genres and pull it together so brilliantly. I love when I find books like this, because they literally defy description, but will entertain you to the moon and back.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
4367352
The book is fast paced, a wonderful mystery, and blow away action!  The sassy, young attorney takes on big, black oil.  The ending may be a little predictable, but once you fall in love with these characters, it Must end right!  Diane Castle delivers on this one.  You know a "Lucy" somewhere in your life; your have to love her!  If you are a Texan, it adds to the fun to recognize everything from Interstate numbers to big hair and accents.  Darn fun.  I've ordered three more books today to give as gifts; great reading for around the pool this summer.  Even the cover is so great that friends are spotting it on my coffee table and asking about the book.  Now, I can't wait to see what or who our young attorney heroine will take on next!
2912192
Opening the pages of MURDER BY MOCHA is like stepping inside my favorite coffeehouse with friends there waiting and a few new faces to greet. The sights, sounds and smells are brought to life by the talented writing of author Cleo Coyle.

Readers who aren't coffee drinkers don't need to shy away from this tantalizing book and series. While there are references to coffee and all it's amenities; there is murder, mayhem, and suspense all wrapped up with a splash of romance, a dollop of humor and a lot of love for family and friends.

Clare Cosi is the manager and head barista of the landmark Village Blend coffeehouse in Greenwich Village. Clare's boss, Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubbors (who is also her former mother-in-law) has gone into partnership with an old friend. Madame has agreed to use the Village Blend coffee beans to create a new java love potion, `Mocha Magic Coffee,' billed as an aphrodisiac.

The new product will be sold exclusively online at Aphrodite's Village, a popular website community for women. At the launch party, however, one of the website's editors is murdered. When tragedy continues to strike the website's Sisters of Aphrodite, Clare thinks the secret formula behind the `Mocha Magic Coffee' is the key and could be illegal.

Clare works to find the answers to the murders and save her beloved Village Blend's reputation at the same time. Can she uncover the killer before she becomes the next victim? The twists and surprises will keep you guessing.

To add to her mounting problems Clare's boyfriend, police detective Mike Quinn, is asking `that' question; her daughter, Joy, is home from Paris and closer than ever to Sergeant Franco; and a cold case involving a slain police officer has surfaced that implicates Madame.

Author Cleo Coyle has created a group of multifarious characters who are intriguing and likeable. She also introduces a group of eclectic minor characters who further add dimension to the story. As Clare undertakes to solve the murders, she also maintains her determination and loyalty to keep her family safe.

MURDER BY MOCH is the 10th installment in the Coffeehouse Mystery series and each new adventure just keeps getting more captivating. Readers are able to pick up any books in this series and not feel as though they are missing half the story. There's just enough back story to help new readers understand, while reminding returning fans of exciting past adventures.

An extra feature of the book is the coffee-making tips and recipes included at the end. The scrumptious recipes include such treats as `Aphrodisiac Brownies,' and `Roasted Rock Cornish Game Hens with Rosemary and Lemon Butter.'