Wilhelm Rumple owns Rumple’s Statuary, where Daisy is shopping for a gift for Jonas, her boyfriend. Rumple might look like a storybook character and his cottage decorated like a setting from a fairytale, he is a tough businessman, cold and hard. When she selects a statue of a retriever, he invites Daisy and her son-in-law, Foster, into his cottage, where he has a very expensive collection of animal themed items housed in a very secure safe. When there is a break-in at his cottage, he is not there, but his body is found in a dog run behind Four Paws Animal Shelter, with his head bashed in. Daisy has recently overheard a heated argument while at his shop, at it might have some bearing on the murder investigation, so once again, she is in the middle of the investigation helping the police solve the case.

This is an enjoyable mix with a mystery that has plenty of suspects and twists, as well as a lot happening in Daisy's family. Both her daughters are going through changes, and Daisy is ready to make some big decisions, if Jonas is ready to make some decisions about their future. I liked getting to know Foster's father, Gavin in this story with his expanded role. This time out, Jonas, an ex-detective, gets involved in Daisy's sleuthing and their chemistry really shone. Throw in lots of darjeeling tea, both hot and iced, they put the clues together to come to a satisfying conclusion. I had a few suspicions along the way, and figured out the motive for the murder, but until the reveal, I did not have the right culprit in mind. This cozy mystery series, has a lot to like. There are pets, an Amish and English community living side by side, great character development, and a charming setting of the tea shop and community. Overall, Murder with Darjeeling Tea is well-plotted and written. The characters are relatable and realistic. While the mystery was solved by the end of the story, Daisy has some exciting times ahead and I am ready with the next book cued up to see what happens.

Outstanding. This one sure kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the killer was. I totally was not expecting it to be who it was. I especially enjoyed the ending and am very much looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I received an advanced copy of this ebook from the publisher for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I enjoyed Daisy's character. I absolutely enjoy this author’s writing style. She keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what will happen next. You will never believe who did it. This book is in stores for $8.99 (USD).

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

I am never disappointed in this series. The book is well written, and the characters are likable and feel like family. I love the overwhelming sense of family and friendship as well. It's always a pleasure to visit Daisy and her tea shop.

A well crafted mystery. Daisy is dealing with empty nest syndrome in this one. and her romance. This one has a lot of sub plots going on that is expertly mingled with the mystery. Loved the surprise at the end.

Who knew birthday gift shopping, for her boyfriend, could be deadly! Daisy finds out just how dangerous when she's drawn into solving the murder of a local businessman.

Daisy is a fun character who is relatable and down-to-earth. The mystery kept me reading and was full of twists and turns. It's nice to have an older character who is out there solving crimes and living life on her own terms!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As I have enjoyed reading other books in the series, I wasn't surprised that this one kept me reading from the first few pages. It was a pleasure to 'visit' Daisy and her friends and family. I've enjoyed watching the characters grow and relationships continuing to develop.

The mystery was well-written and had a nice mix of twists and turns during the story. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

I’ve loved this series since book one.

I love the sense of family and love this series has. Daisy is definitely one of the more relatable cozy protagonists for me.

While Daisy is sleuthing and solving crimes, she is running her own business, being a single mom and grandmother, and balancing a personal relationship. And of course, tea!!

Murder with Darjeeling Tea by Karen Rose Smith is a 2022 Kensington publication.

While shopping for a birthday gift for her boyfriend, Jonas, she meets the local statuary shop owner, Wilhelm Rumple and his dog. Daisy is shocked when she later learns he has been murdered- Right behind the local animal shelter, at that.

Because Daisy overheard a heated argument while at Rumple’s shop, which could have some bearing on the murder investigation, she finds herself, once again, helping local law enforcement solve the case…

And living up to her reputation in the community as a top notch amateur sleuth!

As always, KRS delivers a solid mystery alongside a contemporary story of family, friendship and community.

This story continues with the progression of Daisy’s family life- both her daughters are going through changes, and Daisy is ready to make some big decisions too…

But, she’s beginning to wonder if Jonas will ever address their future.

Meanwhile, the tea shop and the animal shelter are prospering… As is the town gossip- making Rumple’s murder harder to solve….

As I have said before, I love the balance between Daisy’s personal life and the mystery segments of the book. I really enjoyed seeing Foster's father, Gavin, get a bigger role in this installment. While he still seems a little intense, he’s much more relaxed here, I think. I also liked how Jonas was very hands-on with Daisy’s sleuthing and I could really feel the chemistry between them sizzling.

I liked the way the mystery unfolded- though I did figure out the probable motive, I never even came close to guessing whodunit… which is always a plus!

Overall, I am still enjoying this series, immensely. I love the pets, the Amish community, the character development, and charm of the tea shop and community, and the lovely recipes that are included, as well. This is a wonderful series- always a pleasure to read.

4.5 stars

Daisy Swanson makes a gift purchase at Rumple’s Statuary for her beau Jonas. Mr. Rumple has a large selection of products, including some very high priced items kept under lock and key.

Within days of her purchase Mr. Rumple is found murdered at the animal shelter where he volunteers i the evening. Daisy didn’t start out investigating the crime, but as she learns more about the man, she is unable to help herself.

This is the 8th book in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series. It is the first book in the series that I have read and I enjoyed it very much. The book was able to stand alone and was very engaging. I will definitely go back and read the series from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and the plot interesting. I recommend this book.

Also, I'm left wondering if Daisy would have been Mr. Rumples next victim.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Thank you to NG and Kensington for the ARC. What can I say? I didn't want to put this book down once I started reading it. I did but could not wait to get back to reading it. What a fun cozy mystery and tea is in the title. My ❤️ Will recommend!

Murder with Darjeeling Tea by Karen Rose Smith is a sweet, cozy mystery that kept me guessing through the whole story. Daisy is adorable as always and the other characters in the story seem like people you could be friends with. I enjoyed this book and others by Karen and I hope to read more in the future.

this was my first garden mystery of the series and it checked off my boxes for a great cozy mystery! i loved the description of willow creek and all of the unique little shops that make the town special. as someone who loves to bake and dress-up, i was especially drawn to daisy’s tea shop! her creations and tea selections had my stomach needing to taste them! all the people of willow creek were well-written and i didn’t find myself having to refer back to the beginning to refresh the names of characters. each of them bring a unique personality to the plot and their ship’s specialization helped in putting names to faces.

i find that a lot of cozy mysteries feature a furry side kick and as a dog lover, i was excited that the setting centers around the animal shelter. daisy also had a handful of her own companions that made an appearance in the novel. i also enjoyed how the plot took some time in bringing attention to daisy’s relationship with her partner as well as her family dynamic. overall, i thought this was a great novel that was able to capture much more than solving the mystery itself

As always, visiting Daisy’s Tea Shop is a breath of fresh air. I love the characters. After reading a series for a time, the characters feel like friends! The mystery in this book introduced readers to a new character who had a dark side and no shortage of enemies! A light, fun read with good mystery and a great ongoing thread of the life and evolution of family and friends!

Murder with Darjeeling Tea

by Karen Rose Smith

Daisy, owner of a tearoom in Willow Creek, sets out to buy a dog statue for her boyfriend Jonas’ birthday. Unfortunately, the odd man she bought it from is murdered soon after. While trying to keep her business running successfully, she is drawn into the investigation because she has an easy way with people and they find themselves confiding in her. She and the reader are drawn into the world of local secrets, teenage mistakes, catering for the wealthy, rescue dogs, homeless shelters, and Amish customs. It is a wild ride whenever Daisy is around whether she’s on her bike or driving an Amish buggy for her friend. On the side, she is dealing with the deepening of her relationship with Jonas and the realization that her children are moving closer to leaving the nest.

If you are new to this series, you really could jump into it with the eighth book. Author Karen Rose Smith has your back, serving up needed background information as you dive into the story. She is also talented in providing detailed descriptions of the characters and what they are wearing. From the pen of a less skilled writer, this might seem like overkill, but Smith does it in such a way that the characters stand out. Because the background is the tearoom, there is a lot of food talk but it is never repetitive or seems like it is included just to increase the word count. There are many plot threads and a number of suspects. The conclusion of Murder with Darjeeling Tea is dramatic, and the identity of the murderer is a surprise.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #8 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series, but can be read as a standalone.
2. Recipes are included: Chicken Chili, Cheese Biscuits, and Mild Peach Salsa.

Publication: May 24, 2022—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

Fiona already had more color in her cheeks and a smile on her face. That’s what the tea garden could do for Daisy’s customers. That’s what her customers could do for her.

Amish buggies in Lancaster County taught everyone in the community an important lesson—slow down and enjoy the scenery.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked. “You look preoccupied.” “Too much to sort out, I’m afraid. Mainly, that life is one big succession of changes. At my age, you’d think I’d be used to it.” 
“I’m not sure we’re ever used to change.”

A cozy murder mystery, Murder with Darjeeling Tea by Karen Rose Smith is a well-paced read. Full of interesting tidbits about Amish life, the action takes place mainly around a tea house and one of the owners. This writing is excellent.

Murder with Darjeeling Tea is the 8th title in Karen Rose Smith's Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries. Daisy and her son-in-law, Foster go to Rumple's Statuary to find a dog statue as a birthday gift for Daisy's boyfriend, Jonas. Wilhelm Rumple creates beautiful statues, has a collection of expensive object d'art hidden in a secret room, and volunteers at the Paws Animal Shelter. When he is found murdered at the Shelter, Daisy looks for an explanation and reasons why. As her queries continue Rumple's true character is revealed and tangles the p!ot. Many suspects, red herings and family changes all keep Daisy curious and busy. Series fans will be pleased. Thanks to NetGalley for sending this book to review.

Daisy is getting used to the fact that her daughters are both close to moving away. At the same time, she is looking to move forward in her relationship with Jonas. When a local recluse is murdered, Daisy is super concerned. It seems to have something to do with the dog shelter that Jonas has been working at. Can Daisy figure out what's going on before anyone else gets hurt?

I adore this series so much! I love Daisy and her daughters. I love their relationships. I love being able to peek in to see their lives. This one had me guessing the whole time. So many twists and turns! And I'm loving where Daisy and Jonas's relationship is going! I cannot wait to read the next one!

Daisy Swanson goes to Rumple’s Statuary on the edge of town looking for a gift for her boyfriend for his birthday. Daisy completes the unusual transaction (Wilhelm Rumple reminds her of a troll or Rumpelstiltskin but is said to be a shrewd businessman), and thinks no more about until several days later when Rumple is found dead and no one can figure out where his money and records are. Was Rumple into something sinister or was there something more to his murder? Daisy seems to be able to get people to talk to her who won't talk to the police but is she putting herself in danger?

Great mystery, great characters - love how story fit well with the ongoing lives of the regular characters. Can't wait the next one!