Mar 10, 2015

Steeped in Evil: A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs

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Steeped in Evil (A Tea Shop Mystery #15) by Laura Childs
Published March 3, 2015; Berkley

First paragraph:
Theodosia Browning didn't consider herself a wine connoisseur, since tea was really her forte. Fragrant Darjeelings, malty Assams, and her current favorite, a house-blended orchid plum tea that tickled her fancy as well as her taste buds. 
On the other hand, how often did a girl get invited to a fancy wine-tasting party at the very upscale Knighthall Winery?
I can see why this tea shop mystery series is so popular it has reached its fifteenth novel. Theodosia's Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina is something out of a food and wine magazine, serving only the best of teas, mixed and blended by her master tea maker, Drayton. I found myself wanting to make some of the sandwiches, soups, and scones whose recipes are at the back of the books.

In Steeped in Evil, however, Theodosia attends a wine tasting party in which a murder is revealed in a gruesome scenario.  So the book has its share of the bizarre to make it a true mystery novel. Theodosia also has some scary and frightful adventures, one a car chase, another a dangerous rescue, so the high octane action adds to the plot. '

I enjoyed both the cozy tea shop scene as well as the mystery plot and the suspense. I'd give this a 5/5 rating.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book. 

9 comments:

  1. I do like a good mystery story - here is my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/4158/

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  2. Makes me want to brew a cup of tea.

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  3. There are times when nothing but a good cozy will do... this sounds like fun!

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  4. This sounds awesome! Terrific review!

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  5. My library just added a ton of Laura Child's books to their digital site so I'm so glad to see your review. It sounds like the very best kind of cozy. Can't wait to start on this series!

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  6. I actually visit a tea shop on a regular basis and chat with the owner. i must mention this series to her.

    I am going to remanned this series to my wife as I think that she will like it.

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  7. Sounds like a fantastic cozy series! Great review!

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