Shades of Earl Grey (A Tea Shop Mystery)

I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series and hope to reread them at a later time.

Laura Childs has a great series going with her "Tea Mysteries." I especially enjoyed this one as it features the dog, "Earl Grey" a little more.I enjoyed the characters so much and I felt that the plots/subplots had some depth to them.As usual, the recipes are really great as well!

In Charleston's historic district, the Indigo Tea Shop is doing so well that they have added lunch and delectable pastries to the menu. The owner Theodosia Browning has also catered many society events including those held at The Lady Goodwood Inn. Now she is taking a holiday and is a guest at the engagement party of Camilla Cantroux and Marine Captain Corey Buchanan at the inn. The roof of the room where dinner is to be served caves in.The groom dies and the $70,000 wedding ring disappears. When Theo and her friends go looking for it, it is nowhere to be found so the tea shop entrepreneur thinks cat burglar. She is sure that the events are linked. When more items disappear, Theo and her friends set a trap for the stealthy felon, one that could lead to new flavor of tea named for a intrepid perhaps foolish amateur sleuth served at a funeral.Readers should not read this book when they are hungry or thirsty because the mouth watering recipes will just aggravate the condition. The heroine is a likable person who goes out of her way to get involved with a criminal investigation and though it may seem odd, that's Theo. Her need to see justice done and enjoin in the process as a participant is just one the reasons that she endears herself to the audience. There is a surplus of suspects with means and opportunity so readers will want to finish the book in one sitting to see who the perpetrator is in this delicious cozy.Harriet Klausner

I love this mystery series. Why? It's not gory, for one thing. If you're hoping for the next Stephen King, this isn't for you. And also, it's set in gorgeous, historic Charleston, SC. Theodosia and friends draw you into their cozy, warm circle and compel you to linger. The characters are warm and charming, though not always truly believable. Theodosia's pals are almost too devoted to believe. But, if you take this for what it is - a cute little cozy mystery, you won't be disappointed. I read this book straight through in one sitting because I got so comfortable with the characters and the their little world. Well worth your time if you are a fan of light-hearted mysteries.