In this 3rd book in 'A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery' series, café owner Daisy Swanson helps the police investigate the murder of a food critic. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Daisy Swanson, owner of 'Daisy's Tea Garden' in the Amish region of Pennsylvania, is anxious about an upcoming visit by restaurant critic Derek Schumacher. Schumacher has a reputation for writing harsh reviews, and his scathing blogs have been the death knell for some up-and-coming eateries.

Daisy has other things on her mind as well. She's a single mother of two daughters - Violet, a college freshman and Jazzi, a high school student.....and she strives to always 'be there' for her girls. In addition, Daisy's relationship with handsome Jonas Groft - a former cop who now makes wood furniture - is heating up.

Daisy and her staff carefully plan for Schumacher's visit, and when the critic shows up - camera and appetite at the ready - he samples a wide variety of offerings such as: Daisy's blend tea; salad with sweet and sour bacon dressing; cheesy cauliflower soup; maple and walnut scones with raspberry spread; a fresh fruit plate; bacon and cheddar puff pastry; chicken salad sandwiches; cucumber and pimento triangles; a plate of assorted sweets (cream puff; brownie; Snickerdoodles, blueberry tart) and finally a lemon sorbet.....all on Daisy's best serving dishes.

Schumacher likes the food well enough to purchase a dozen pimento and cucumber sandwiches and a half-dozen Snickerdoodles 'to go', and leaves the café with no hint of what he'll write in his blog. The next day, Daisy is nervously waiting for Schumacher to publish his review when Police Detective Rappaport shows up to ask, "Do you know who killed Derek Schumacher?"

It seems that Schumacher died after snacking on Daisy's cucumber sandwiches, which had been tainted with a foreign substance. Of course Daisy and her entire staff are under suspicion, as is anybody else who had access to the goodies. There are a lot of possible suspects because Derek was an unpopular guy who treated people badly.

News that Schumacher died from food purchased at Daisy's Tea Garden spreads like wildfire, and customers stay away in droves. Daisy can't allow this situation to continue and decides to help Detective Rappaport find the killer. Thus Daisy makes it her business to talk to Derek's relatives and other people in town, trying to winkle out the critic's secrets.

Unlike many cozy mysteries, 'Death by Cucumber Sandwiches' includes a hefty dose of family drama. In addition to looking for Derek's killer, Daisy is concerned about her family: Her younger daughter Jazzi, who was adopted as a baby, wants a closer relationship with her birth mother - and it's not quite happening; Daisy's older daughter Violet is making new plans for her future - and needs guidance; Daisy's dad Sean has something on his mind - and requires advice; and Daisy's Aunt Iris has a beau on the horizon - IF Daisy can convince the gentleman to ask Iris for a date. Daisy's also concerned about her boyfriend Jonas, thinking her family responsibilities might drive him away.

The story has an array of interesting characters, including customers who come to Daisy's Tea Garden; Daisy's employees; other business owners in the community - including some Amish residents; the church secretary who knows some secrets; and more.

This is an enjoyable light mystery, recommended to fans of the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Karen Rose Smith) and the publisher (Kensington) for a copy of the book.

Daisy's Tea Garden is doing well, but Daisy is getting nervous about an upcoming visit from a renowned food critic, Derek Shumaker. He was famous as a chef with a popular TV show, but since then, his critic reviews have been extremely harsh. She sets out to prepare a delicate array of cucumber sandwiches for him, along with cheesy cauliflower soup, a fresh fruit plate, and assorted sweets. After his visit, Daisy hears the unsettling news that Derek has been found dead. If it is murder, there is a long list of suspects, based on his recent food critic behavior. This is the 3rd story in Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery, and once again Daisy finds herself interviewing people for motives and alibis. What I enjoy about this series is that in addition to the mystery, the main characters have lives that are filled with normal highs and lows. As each character is further enhanced throughout these stories, the reader becomes connected with their situations, sometimes rooting for a particular outcome, sometimes happy and sometimes sad...all part of the circle of life. I look forward to the next story in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book received from NetGalley and all opinions are strictly my own.

Loved this book. Really enjoyed the characters, setting and plot. Thank you Karen Rose Smith for this very enjoyable read. Can't wait to read more.

I absolutely love this charming series. A few surprises in this one. Some new characters were introduced. I look forward to seeing what part they will play in future books. I was completely surprised by who the killer turned out to be. A few secrets were revealed. Exited for the next book.

A great cozy mystery, set around Daisy's tea shop. When a food critic is killed by Daisy's cucumber sandwiches, it, of course, affects her café. Although told by the detective to keep out of it, she knows that she has to solve the mystery before the are goes down the pan.

This is the first Karen Rose Smith book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with an interesting mystery murder plot, but it is so much more than that. It is a story of family love and family drama - from aging parents to adopted children finding birth parents, it's a story about running a small business- a tea shop- and all that it entails, it's a story about living in a community with the Amish and how the two cultures interact, and it's especially a story about the delicious food served at Daisy's Tea Garden. I loved this book and can't wait to see what the future holds for Daisy,Jonas, Jazzi, Foster, Aunt Iris and Vi.

Love this series! It's always a pleasure to visit Daisy's Tea Garden and see what happens next. Wonderful warm characters with great interaction that's true to life and the author captures the difficult age of 15 quite well with the adopted daughter. Well written mystery with the food blogger that keeps you guessing. Looking forward to more visits to the tea garden.

I always enjoy a visit to Daisy's Tea Garden. Daisy, her friends, family, and growing romance are enjoyable to watch unfold. Big changes are coming.
Business is going well. The staff are all a bit on edge, as they know a reviewer will be writing up the Tea Garden soon. He has a reputation for being difficult but they have confidence in their atmosphere and products. Daisy's reputation continues to get positive response. The family of employees has a wonderful balance, even if one of them seems to be hiding something.
Daisy's adopted daughter Jazzi has been building a relationship with her birth mother and adjusting to her big sister being away at college. Fifteen is a difficult age without added stresses.
Daisy always puts her girls first, but is it time she takes a leap of faith and moves her own romantic life a step or two ahead?
Populated with wonderful characters and life like realism, the troubles that arise could happen to you or me. Hopefully without murder. Old secrets have a tendency to come to light eventually.

Daisy is a single mom with two daughters and lots of surprises on the horizon. Things heat up when a food blogger dies after he was at the tea shop.

Great series and the characters are interesting to get to know and the setting is different from most stories. Karen Rose Smith's writing makes you feel like you are there with everything happening. Hope to read more of the series soon.