Haunted Hibiscus earns 5+/5 Hanging Mysteries...Entertaining Page-Turner!

There’s Christmas in July, so why not Halloween in March! This twenty-second adventure is steeped in images of the holiday with Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, and Drayton Conneley, her tea sommelier, attending opening night of a haunted house event inspired by literature and history in masterful displays and costumed characters roaming the halls. The old, somewhat dilapidated, Bouchard Mansion, dubbed the Grey Ghost, was gifted to the Heritage Society, and despite a challenge by a distant Bouchard relative, the Society owned the grand gem...all of it! Timothy Neville, the Society’s leader, is “busting his buttons” having his grandniece holding her first book signing at the event. Her book, “Carolina Crimes and Creepers,” is appropriately themed with true crime and haunted legends for which Charleston’s and the low country’s history is wildly painted. The evening is full Halloween excitement, but it all turns dark. Screams. A body hanging from the eerie tower. It isn’t one of the event’s displays. It’s murder!

I greatly enjoy Laura Childs’ writing style; it’s what has made me an eager fan. First, I have to say this series has fueled my passion for tea with all of the tidbits hidden in the drama sending me to various purveyors, trying special accoutrements, but it’s the traditional cozy formula she uses that keeps me returning. The murder occurs early, really early, so it’s the journey through the mystery, the investigation, misdirection, twists, and turns, challenging me to uncover the killer before her final “Oh, my!” The victim was a sad surprise, not one with my preferred level of karma-style comeuppances, but it made finding the killer all that more immediate; a few times I had to stop myself from leaping to end just to find some nice closure. Suspects seemed hard to find and trouble seems to be ‘round every corner, but when Theodosia and her friends taken a closer look, we see suspicious raised with the Society itself. Childs’ story is well-developed and steady paced with side trips of humor with the tea shop...witch’s broom puerh? different versions of...beige? and electric tea brewers...sending messages? She uses such rich descriptive language to paint a “bucket-list” worthy setting with inviting southern charm along with the ins and outs, darks and scary, and murderous events. Her witty banter illustrates personalities making her characters entertaining literary friends. I love it!

Of course, if the engaging mystery wasn’t enough, Laura provides a marvelous mini cookbook from the Indigo Tea Shop with recipes from starters to entrees, quick treats to luscious dessert, sweet to savory, and a delicious Haunted Hibiscus Cooler. She also includes delightful Tea Time Tips with suggestions for the most wonderful tea parties from creating a romantic setting or recreating a romantic movie, from something classy and crystal to casual backyard. Last, she includes Tea Resources for the beginning sipper to the master totaler with links to magazines and publications, plantations, websites and blogs, purveyors of fine teas, and some sites to plan a visit to Charleston. It’s not just a cozy delight...Enjoy!

Reading the latest book in The Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs is like opening a present you knew you were going to get (in a good way). Even though you know what’s inside, there is still a sense of anticipation and surprise. For those unfamiliar with the series, Theodosia Browning is the proud owner of the Indigo Tea Shop located in enchanting Charleston, South Carolina. This time around, Theodosia and her partner, tea sommelier Drayton, are attending a haunted house party when the inevitable murder takes place. What we don’t know is who will be killed, why, and where the investigation will take Theodosia and her tea shop staff.

Brimming with southern charm, a diverting cast of supporting characters, an intriguing mystery to solve, and the delectable recipes at the end, this is an absorbing addition to the series. If you haven’t partaken of these books yet, don’t put it off any longer, it’s a delicious treat for cozy mystery fans.

Settling in to read Haunted Hibiscus felt as if I were coming home. The Indigo Teahouse, a comfortable place filled with familiar faces, heavenly treats, and assorted teas that entice the palate lets us cozy in. By now, as Haunted Hibiscus is #22 in the series, Theodosia and company have become our family, and our family didn’t disappoint us in this delightful read.

A falling-down mansion turned into a haunted house, a dark night, and the Historical Society Halloween fundraiser, complete with characters dressed in historical garb, are described so well we are salivating for more. The few short pages introducing us to the victim made me fall in love with the character right away. The anguish I felt at her startling death was real because I wanted more of her. I loved the Sherlock Holmes themed tea and wanted to sign up for the Edgar Allen Poe Symposium. I thought this time I'd zero in on picking up clues and solving the mystery, but Miss Childs lured me away again with electric tea brewers that are Bluetooth enabled (Drayton's reaction was priceless), pumpkin spiced tea, witch's broom tea (Did you know white teas have the highest level of antioxidants?), and local architecture.

I finished the book with Drayton’s Hibiscus tea on my mind and wanted to attend a tea tasting at the Indigo Teahouse with its lovely themed décor and assortment of treasures in the charming shop.  I loved coming home to this next in the series. Home is where you want to be when life’s conundrums are solved.

This is a great story and I love the time line. The fall and Halloween is my favorite of the year. It has great characters and the plot was easy to follow. The tea shop series is interesting and introduces people to the many kinds of teas out there. There is also great recipe that I have tried once or twice. if you love teas this is a great series to follow.

I always look forward to another visit to the Indigo Tea Room. This installment did not disappoint. Theodosia, Haley and Drayton must spring into action when a friend is killed and another is shot. Highly recommended for cozy fans.

I absolutely love Laura Childs. She has an incredible ability to flesh out her settings and characters and action to make you feel like you're there, all without any of the long descriptions that bog a story down. There's also a touch of understated humor; there was one scene where she's visiting a wedding planner and she describes almond this, cream-colored that, ecru this, creating this magical bridal vision, then Theodosia observes how her boyfriend would describe the same scene: beige.

In this book Theodosia and Drayton visit a haunted house put on by the Heritage Society. Timothy Neville's great-niece, Willow. Willow is in her early 20's and has everything, a successful and handsome fiancé, a recently published book, a doting family, but before the first chapter closes Willow's life is over. Riley meets with disaster as he attempts to begin the investigation and the stakes have never been higher for Theodosia.

If you're a fan of this series you know the drill. Don't start reading this book unless you have the time to finish it because you won't want to do anything else until you've seen it through to the end.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Thank you, THANK YOU!

Review posted on Goodreads, Amazon, and Facebook. The review is also posted in my library for patrons.

I haven't read many in this series, however, I still enjoyed this one. I really like the characters and the setting. I had a feeling about who did it, but had no idea why. I find the teashop information entertaining as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. .

For some reason I'm addicted to the tea books by Laura Childs. I find them fast reading and love the tea references, not so much the mystery. The writing is somewhat stilted and the mystery is usually unbelievable and outlandish, so why do I keep reading this series?
It's great escapism into another world and the author does a good job of setting the scene and describing the surroundings of her characters. Her characters are well- developed after twenty- two (!) books. I would recommend this book for those that like light cozies.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This review can also be found on my Goodreads page.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Years ago, I read a few by this author and enjoyed them. Unfortunately, they just aren't to my taste any longer. Since I didn't finish it, I will not be posting a review online.

I love this series! The characters are great and I like the mysteries. I can't wait for the next book!

Haunted Hibiscus is another enjoyable book in this long running series. The characters are everything.

Timothy's grandniece is in town signing copies of her new book at the haunted house fundraiser. Characters walk through the house making it a family affair instead of a super scary one. As Theodosia and Drayton leave the house they look and see the scariest sight of the evening, a hanging body! A murder to be solved and noone seems to tell the truth.

Reading a new title in this long-running series is like visiting an old friend. Haunted Hibiscus is an entertaining and fast paced read. I especially appreciate how much I learn about Charleston, tea and cooking is series.