I just LOVE a cosy mystery and this is a great one, a fantastic example of this genre, fantastically written, one to re-read!

Sweet Tea and Secrets

by Joy Avon

Like the main character, Callie Aspen, the plot of Sweet Tea and Secrets seems to exist in limbo in Joy Avon’s latest cozy mystery. Callie has quit a job she loves as an international tour guide and moved back to Heart’s Harbor to help her Aunt Iphy run Book Tea, the local tea shop. She is waiting for a local rental to be restored to livable condition. She doesn’t actually contribute much help to the tea room in this book. To top it off, Deputy Falk, an additional enticement when she decided to move, seems less than enthusiastic about Callie’s return to town.

The plot follows the same erratic pacing and intensity as we see in Callie’s personal life. Callie gets pulled into the investigation of a cold murder case that revolves around a web of lies. It is hard for Callie and the reader to know which characters are reliable. My interest would ramp up, and then I would find myself wondering when the book would end. The ending was a surprise in regards to the mystery, and the author didn’t leave any loose ends. There were a number of subplots that were interesting but sometimes too distracting when acting as red herrings. I was glad Callie’s personal relationship with Falk showed forward progress. I would read another book in the series, but I hope it will have more of a focus on the tea room like the first books in the series do.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #2 in the Book Tea Shop Mystery Series

Publication: June 11, 2019—Crooked Lane Books

Memorable Lines:

But nothing happened. Just those lights teasing her from the darkness. Telling her she wasn’t alone.

“So far everybody seems to have been lying about everything.”

In this second book in the “Tea and Read” mystery series, Callie has just moved back to Heart’s Harbor to help her great aunt run a vintage tearoom, and to help the town showcase and restore Haywood Hall. But then she gets caught up in an old town mystery. The stakes get even higher when a prominent local is found dead

This was a nice addition to the series. The mystery is an interesting one, I was hoping for a bit more character development, especially from Callie and Deputy Falk. And sadly, Great Aunt Iphy didn’t play a very big role in this story... I hope she returns more prominently in future installments.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a complimentary digital review copy of this title!

Author Joy Avon follows up her first "Tea and Read Mystery," In Peppermint Peril, with another well-written cozy mystery, Sweet Tea and Secrets. This go-round, Callie Aspen has left her old job as a tour guide and is beginning to settle in to her new life in Heart’s Harbor, Maine. She moves into a fixer-upper and continues to assist her great-aunt, Iphy, with the operation of Iphy's tearoom, Book Tea, where the teatime treats are book-themed. This time, that includes Hound of the Brownivilles (brownie bites) and Grimm Tales, cookies in fairy tale shapes.

Callie is helping her great-aunt plan a Fourth of July tea, where the fun will include a sweet tea competition, and one of Callie's ideas is to feature some important event in town history. While researching the history of Heart’s Harbor, Callie is intrigued to learn that a famous across, Monica Walker, disappeared from town in the late 1980s and was never heard from again. Callie starts making a few inquiries about the missing actress, and one of her sources turns up dead. Is someone worried about this missing-person case getting another look?

Meanwhile, Callie is getting mixed signals from Ace Falk, the local deputy she met last Christmas. She thought he was interested in her—one of several reasons she decided to move to Heart’s Harbor—but now she’s wondering whether she read him wrong. One thing’s for sure, though: Falk means for her to stay out of his investigations. And as Callie comes closer to find out what really happened to Monica Walker and who wants the story kept quiet, readers will feel increasingly edgy and find themselves looking for the killer at every turn. An excellent second novel in a fun new series!

Last Christmas, Callie Aspen moved back to Heart’s Harbor and started helping at her great aunt’s Book Tea shop. When she finds a cabin to buy, a visiting gentleman named Quinn offers to help her fix up her place. For July 4th, she’s been asked by the town to share a story of the town’s history during the festival. While doing some research at the library with Quinn, the two discover a 30-year-old unsolved mystery. A 1980s tv star, Monica Walker, disappeared from Heart’s Harbor and was never seen again. The only possible evidence is a boat that went missing at the same time. When the duo questions the local journalist who was working the case at the time, Jamison, the man expresses concern that Quinn had already been asking about the case prior to Callie’s visit to the library. Soon, Jamison shows up dead. What really happened to Monica? How is Quinn connected? What did Jamison know that got him killed? The plot is engaging, mysterious, and full of surprises. The characters are intriguing and draw the reader into the story. The combination of tea and books is fun and adds a cozy, enchanting feel to the book. Fans of cozy mysteries, small town fiction, tea, and books will enjoy reading this book.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Callie has recently returned to Heart’s Harbour planning to settle down. She hopes the sparks that were flying at Christmas ignite now that she is there but she is getting some seriously mixed messages. But that takes second place to the real issue at hand.
What does the murder of a newspaper editor have to do with the disappearance of a tv star 30 years ago and the arrival in town of a mystery man who seems obsessed with the event? There was a ton of gossip at the time but if anyone knows what happened to the woman, they have kept the secret for decades. Then when a boat that sunk with a body onboard is discovered, it answers nothing and just adds more questions.
I enjoyed the first book of the series so I looked forward to reading this. I am pleased to report it did not disappoint. I rather like Callie and the other characters. I twigged to some of the details that were revealed fairly quickly but I did not see the killer nor his motive. The book kept me enthralled to the end. I suspect there will be more adventures and I am quite happy to sign up.
Four purrs and two paws up.

This was an interesting mystery with good writing and a fast paced storyline. I was entertained while reading but I'm not sure if it was really my cup of tea. I'd still recommend to those I know who really enjoys a cozy mystery.

Sweet Tea and Secrets is the second book of the cozy A Book Tea Shop Mystery series. The story is not dependent on the previous book.

Callie Aspen winds up researching town history in preparation for the Fourth Of July tea party. She is contemplating recreating scenes from past history at the tea party. She learns that back in the eighties, a TV star, Monica Walker, disappeared. As she, Quinn, the handyman she hires for work at her cottage and Deputy Falk investigate what happened to the TV star, a death occurs in town. Is it related to this search through history?

The characters are developing nicely but still seem flat. The plot could be tightened.

Looking forward to the next book.

This was a fast paced great book. I loved the mystery of it. I liked the style of this authors writing. I look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend.

Callie returns to her hometown, but she is still torn between the glamour of her tour guide job and her growing affection for her duties at Book Tea. That growing affection is also including a certain deputy with whom she had butted heads in the past. She gets involved in a murder mystery concerning a famous TV star who suddenly disappeared years ago while staying in Heart's Harbor, and while solving this mystery, a person of interest gets murdered.

Other than my growing interest in Callie's character and how I wanted her to improve her life, especially in her career and love life, there's nothing much happening in this book, considering that you have two murder mysteries you have to solve. There are some shady characters who do not have reasonably explained and justified backgrounds. I was not able to empathize with the real murderer; I feel that the murderer's character and motive was too detached.

I would want to like Callie Aspen, because she's a more stable cozy heroine, and I understand her reluctance at not giving up her tour guide job. Why give up a job that you're excelling in, and that takes you to a lot of places? Also, there's not much to go back to, because she has big responsibilities facing her if she and her aunt wants to keep Book Tea afloat, and the romance she's currently pursuing is not doing so well. I pity Callie because the romantic lead is kind of an ass towards her when she's not doing anything wrong. Although I would have wanted Callie to stand up for herself, because she's better than she thinks she is.

I'm still giving this a chance, as I am hoping Callie decides what she finally wants to do, and moves on to better things.

"Sweet Tea and Secrets" earns 5/5 Missing Persons...Engaging and Entertaining!

I am new to Joy Avon's Book A Tea and Read Mystery series, and starting with book two, I easily joined in without any confusion; there were enough references to background and character connections, and her writing style was smooth and easy to read. Joy follows the traditional cozy formal with delightful Callie Aspen leaving the big city, dreaming of, if not worrying about, making a fresh start, and relocating to the small town of Heart's Harbor that holds some of her fondest childhood memories. Her great-aunt runs the Book Tea and requires some help, but the endearing inclusion is a "fur" friend for Callie: Daisy, an eager Boston terrier. All of this--small town, family, friends, tea parties, books, a hint of romance, and a cute little terrier--sets up a marvelous cozy.

A very cute cozy mystery. It’s the second book in a series but it could be read alone. I look forward to reading more of Callie and her Boston Terrier, Daisy. Plus I’m a sucker for any book with a Boston.

This is a fun cozy mystery. I love the characters and the small-town setting of the book. Callie’s character is the anchor to the whole book. She’s bright, inquisitive, and caring. This mystery has a good pace as the ending was not rushed. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Callie Aspen has given up her job as a traveling tour guide to help her Aunt Iphy in the tea shoppe. While settling into Heart's Harbor, Maine her aunt has rented a cottage for her and found a handyman to help with the fixer upper. Aunt Iphy has also asked her to help with the program for the 4th of July celebration by spotlighting an historical event of the town. Her handyman suggests the disappearance of a soap opera star back in 1989. While researching the event, Callie talks to the newspaper editor who was the lead reporter on the story. When later he is found murdered in his office, Callie knows that the disappearance from 1989 may be connected with a certain handyman that seems to be acting a bit peculiar.

I liked the fact that Callie is still uncertain about the decision of changing her job and settling in one place, and the other characters lend their support to her as she tries to figure what happened 30 years ago and how she may have brought another death.

Well written - good clues.

I think this book was even better than the first, and I know I really liked that one. This one is nice and seasonal, perfect for reading this time of year, since the town of Heart's Harbor is planning a big July 4th event. In the meantime, a cold case disappearance/possible murder was reopened when a visitor to town started asking questions about it. Then the newspaper editor who had been the reporter on the case at the time was found dead in his office. Callie and her friend Det. Falk found themselves right in the middle of another baffling case with a really good twist...or two.

I loved the little side story with Mr. Bates painting pictures of little Daisy and a rescue named Biscuit. I had guessed part of the mystery but not the killer. There were some good red herrings and plot twists along the way which made for a super enjoyable read. Callie and Falk seem to be getting to a good place with a possible relationship, and Falk's widowed sister Peggy may have found someone too. I can safely say that this is one of my favorite new series, and I'm anxious for the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I read this just in time for the 4th of July holiday. I hadn’t read the first book (this is the second) but I was easily able to catch on to the back story. The main character was just ok for me. Her love interest was also meh. Overall not my favorite cozy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

While the second book in the Heart's Harbor series, you can start with this book and not feel like you've missed out anything significant in the first book. This is a cozy mystery and is a good story with an interesting mystery that leaves you wondering who "done it" until the end. You may have suspicions, but I think most readers would be left questioning the murdered until the end.

The characters are well developed and will have you invested in their lives. Some you will love and others you will be either irritated by their behavior or questioning their integrity. There are some twists and things that will leave you hanging.

I enjoyed the book and would be happy to go back and read the first in the series as well as any new books that the author writes.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Cassie Aspen leaves her job as a tour guide and settles in Heart’s Harbor, Maine, working at her great-aunt’s tearoom, Book Tea, she finds herself smack in the middle of a decades-old mystery. Monica Walker, a 1980’s TV star, disappeared from Heart’s Harbor under mysterious circumstances, and Cassie thinks solving her disappearance will be a perfect addition to the town’s Fourth of July tea party, where they’re featuring events from the town’s history.

But when Cassie starts to investigate, she finds herself in the middle of a firestorm as the events of the past are catching up the present. Why did Monica disappear? Was she eloping…or leaving her hit TV show…escaping a stalker…or something completely different? Cassie hears different stories from various townspeople.

Then a local is murdered and Cassie decides she needs to solve the slaying. Local police officer Deputy Falk doesn’t agree. Will Cassie be able to figure out what happened so many years ago that’s affecting today’s Heart’s Harbor before there is any more murder?

Cassie is an appealing heroine, and the dance between Cassie and Deputy Falk is fun. Joy Avon creates an interesting mystery and puts plenty of hurdles in Cassie’s way before she figures out what happened and who is involved.

While this book was a pretty solid cozy mystery there were a few areas that it was lacking in. I enjoyed the mystery overall and liked the mix of a cold case with a fresh one. I like some of the characters, others though I felt really need more development. They just felt flat to me. I also wanted more the Books and Tea shop. It felt like she was never there, despite that now being her job. I liked the end of the mystery and thought it was pretty well done. Overall it was an okay book. I would definitely give the author another chance though. Although this is the second book in the series it can be read as a stand alone.

I have not read the first book in this series and it took me a little bit to get caught up on the characters and story. I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect of the novel and there was some good writing as well. The characters were not my favorites as far as their interactions and story. While I really did like the mystery, I wanted more from the story between Callie and Quinn. The book was definitely entertaining though and a solid read.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for my advanced reader copy through netgalley.