There's a greenhouse at Shay's and unfortunately, there are some poison plants there- plants that Shay is trying to separate and rehome. But that doesn't happen soon enough because Jasmine ends up poisoned by the tea she drinks at a seance, tea made by Shay's assistant Tassi, who has reason to dislike but not to kill Jasmine. There's a lot going on in this second installment of the series and much of it is focused on Shay and her family. Liam's grandmother, who has just arrived from Ireland, has information about Shay's mother, she's learning to manage her special gifts and then there's Spirit the dog. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This should be fine as a standalone and the new reader will then, like me, be looking forward to the next one.

sisters, family-drama, family-dynamics, relationships, relatives, Irish-lore, amateur-sleuth, paranormal, small-town, small-business, secret-society, cultural-heritage, urban-fantasy, dog, cozy-mystery, botany, local-law-enforcement, teenager, murder-investigation, ex-cop, falsely-accused, false-conclusions, customs-and-belief-systems, custody-issues*****

I liked this installment a lot. The stories are a melange of witchery, mystery, and societal drama. The writing is exceptional and involved me as the reader. Highly recommend!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you.

I really enjoyed book 1, but I'm a bit annoyed at how often she doesn't believe in herself AND how much she runs away from getting answers, which only leads to more complications. Besides that, I really enjoy the book and especially the mystery and the custody subplot. Enjoyed the added new characters and really loved how the mystery went about getting solved.

Having read Steeped in Secrets, I was excited to return to visit Shay Myers again. Owner of a tea shop where she also does tea readings, Within the shop are many plants which are harvested, dried, and made into tea. shay discovers that within this greenhouse, are many poisonous plants that she inherited and makes arrangements for the local college to have them. Shay runs her shop with the help of her sister who is married to the local sheriff and Tassi, a local high school girl, living with her dear aunt Joanne. In addition, Liam's Gran who knew Shay's birth family, is now visiting and has taken a keen interest in Shay, able to tell her things about her past, her connection to her long ago ancestor who was accused of being a witch, and encourages her to use her instinct. Things shake up when Tassi's estranged father shows up after a long absence and announces that Tassi will be coming to live with him and his beloved girlfriend Jasmine, who Tassi blames for the breakup of her parents marriage. Tassi's father has deep resentment towards Shay, making all sorts of accusations claiming she is practicing witchcraft. Jasmine however has joined a local women's group that frequents the store for tea, and wants to have her tea leaves read. Shay agrees to do a group reading to for them. However, during the reading, Jasmine dies and it turns out she may have been poisoned. Tassi, who was helping out serve, is blamed and not only by the police but by her father. While Tassi is arrested, one of the tea ladies, Faye, steps in to help Shay and Jen at their shop. But Shay has an inky feeling that something is amiss. It turns out there is more to drink in here than tea. Shay sets out to find out who really killed Jasmine, and just exactly who Jasmine truly was. Lots of twists and turns, delicious surprises, with a bit of magical moments thrown in made this a fun cozy mystery to read. Elliott is good at dolling out clues here and there to help the reader discover they mystery along with Shay as she reads the tea leaves and uncovers the truth. Just a fun read! And we are left with the promise of more adventures to come. Many thanks to #netgalley #murderinacup #laurenelliott #kensingtonpress for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Murder in a Cup, is the second in Lauren Elliott's Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery series. Shay Myers the owner of Crystals and CuriosiTEAS teashop is gradually learning about running the shop she inherited and all of the intricacies and effects of the various teas, herbs and crystals she now has.  She is surprised to learn that some of the herbs are poisonous. Business in the teashop is growing especially after the local Little White Glove Society, a group of local “important” ladies decides to hold their meetings and have Shay do a “tea leaf reading”.   Shay’s teenage waitress, Tassi, is there to help serve, but when her father’s girlfriend Jasmine, dies during her tea reading, Tassi becomes the prime suspect in the murder.  Shay is determined to clear Tassi but her father will not let her near Shay and even goes so far as to use an arcane California law to charge Shay with witchcraft.  The plot tangles and knots and successfully unravels to solve the murder and restore Tassi to her friends.   A fast reading, well done sequel that leaves the reader anxious for book 3. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

 #KensingtonCozies #MurderinaCup #NetGalley

This is the second book in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAs Mystery series. It works well as a standalone, but with only two books so far, start with the first.

I have thoroughly loved getting to know the characters; they are an interesting varied group of people. The main character, Shay, has become a favorite of mine. She has done well after enduring heartbreak and moving to a new area starting a new chapter in her life. I have also enjoyed the little tidbits of information about crystals and teas.

The mystery is neatly wrapped up in the end, but there is some ongoing issues that have yet to be resolved. I hope there is a book 3 in the works.

I missed the first book in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAs Mystery series, but this one can easily be read as a stand alone. I love a good cozy mystery and this one fit the bill. I enjoyed the read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good cozy - especially with a paranormal twist.

Description:
As an eclectic tea shop owner descended from an Irish witch, intuitive Shay Myers has been living her most authentic life since moving home to California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula. Yet not even her heightened senses can predict how to run a business—or catch a killer . . .

Self-taught “seer” Shay has much to learn as autumn hits the quaint coastal town of Bray Harbor. Since attempting the art of blending herbs at her popular shop, Crystals & CuriosiTeas, she’s set on growing ingredients in the mysterious greenhouse on the second floor—if only she can separate the medicinal plants from the deadly ones. Her new skills are put to the test when she meets pub owner and ex-detective Liam Madigan’s Gran. A psychic from Ireland known for interpreting tea leaves and people, Gran encourages Shay to build upon her natural talents and hold her own group reading . . .

Despite Shay’s reservations about putting herself in the spotlight, the evening goes off without a hitch. At least, until she does a reading and a customer goes from chatty to dead in a flash, poisoned after sipping a toxic substance recently grown in the greenhouse. Worse, Shay’s assistant is suspected of intentionally serving the lethal brew and committing cold-blooded murder. Now, aided only by Liam and her dog Spirit, Shay must exonerate her employee and save the future of Crystals & CuriosiTeas. But when clues start lining up like leaves in a teacup, she’ll need to understand the signs right in front of her to catch the manipulative murderer before it’s too late . . .

My Thoughts:
Shay is a good character and I liked her adventures learning about her particular gift. The family history is interesting and provided context. Loved Spirit and the way he intuitively went where he was needed! This was an interesting mystery and following the clues didn't give anything away too early. Oh - and Liam seems like a dream guy! The setting of the tea shop seemed nice, with tea ingreadients growing upstairs. I wouldn't want those poison plants in my shop either - it would worry me all the time.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 28, 2023.

Shay Myers loves running the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS shop in Bray Harbour, California, that she recently inherited from her mother, Bridget. Being able to work alongside her sister, Jen, means every day is a pleasure apart from one thing. Unfortunately Shay doesn't remember her mum, but from other inherited items she is beginning to understand more of what Bridget hoped the future would hold for her.

When Liam, a near neighbour and ex-detective returns from a trip to Ireland he bring his grandmother with him meaning Shay finally meets someone who knew her mother as a young woman and understands the gifts she's been given. When an evening event at Crystals and CuriosiTEAS ends in disaster Shay needs her friends, family, and Gran around her especially as discovering what happened seems far from simple. With a grieving relative determined to make everyone they think is involved pay heavily could Shay’s new life be over before it’s hardly begun?

The second in Lauren Elliott's new series definitely fleshes everyone and everything out and it was a pleasure to visit with Shay once again. I like the way her new abilities have been accepted even if she is still hesitant to use them fully. The addition of Liam's grandmother, called Gran by everyone she comes into contact with, is a brilliant step. She enjoys talking about Bridget whilst also sharing similar abilities to Shay, and should become an empathetic and understanding role model for future adventures of which I hope there will be many.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more very soon. Recommended. 4.5 rounded up to 5*.

Murder in a Cup is the 2nd book in this series by Lauren Elliott. It follows Shay as she runs her teashop and develops her powers as a seer. In this novel one of Shay's customers dies during a tea leaf reading and Tassi, Shay's employee and friend is the prime suspect. The woman is Tassi's father's girlfriend and her Dad is doing everything in his power as a lawyer to make sure Tassi and Shay pay for what has happened.
Shay must use her gifts to find out why this has happened and save herself and Tassi. With the help of Liam's Gran from Ireland she learns to trust her feelings and her sight.
There is a side story involving Shay's wicked father and maybe some romance between Shay and Liam. I was able to figure out the murderer before the reveal, but I still enjoyed this read.

First, check out the great cover. I loved the detail and color and how it perfectly fits the mystery. Kudos to the artist/designer.

There are so many things happening in this book that it's difficult to decide where to start. Oddly enough, what on the surface is a slow build initially is also tinged with an ominous sense of foreboding. While feeding us lots of backstory via Shay's sort of meditation, it's preparing us for what was to come. Let's see, that includes deadly plants, Tassi, an uneasy teenager being pulled between parents, the father from h.... er, heck,confused identity, a wonderful dog, love on the rocks, family secrets, greed, new characters, and....well, much, much more.

I won't even attempt to share the plot. The blurb does an excellent job. Oddly enough, although magical tales are hit or miss with me, I'm thoroughly invested in Shayleigh/Shay's story. It's very human. While we might fantasize that having magical powers would be wonderful, Shay's experiences have been far different and fraught with danger. Nope, no cute twitch of a nose a la Samantha on "Bewitched" here. Shay neither understands her powers fully nor is she sure she wants them. She isn't even sure if Spirit, her amazingly insightful dog is, well, a dog or her familiar, but has learned to trust his instincts, at least.

There are several side stories, with the focus of the mystery as who kills Jasmine, who happens to be the younger girlfriend of the father from...heck. His daughter, Tassi, works at Shay's shop and is accused of poisoning Jasmine with one of Shay's poisonous plants. BTW, do you know what eye of newt really is? We're all familiar with that term from Macbeth and have just taken it for granted that it's some potent and dangerous ingredient. Not exactly, we learn. Eye of newt is the old-world term for mustard seeds. Toe of frog is a buttercup. That's your vocabulary lesson for the day. I love it when an author teaches me something new, don't you?

So, who killed Jasmine if it wasn't Tassi? Could it be the father from heck, tired of her money-spending ways? One of the White Glove Ladies, who you'll meet at their daily gathering at Shay's shop? Why a restraining order? Why were so many determined Shay give a group reading? How does Granny know Shay's family? Is she there to stay? Will Shay's personal life ever take a positive turn? And, wait! Who is this mysterious Conor? Changlings? Who....oh, enough teasers. This is a book that is full of action and reveals with a touch of magic, often barely controlled. Shay is learning to trust her instincts as a seer but will she learn how to use them and the tools left to her in time?

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to revisit Shay's fascinating but occasionally uneasy magical world. Love the addition of Liam's Granny. And, give Spirit a steak for dinner.

Murder in a Cup was such a fun read.

This author captures your attention by weaving a fantastic story with colorful characters.

In this story, self-taught seer Shay living in Bray Harbor where she grows medicinal and deadly plants. Of course, you can imagine what happens next - one of her customers is found dead.

Kept me guessing until the end! Loved it.

4 Stars
This is the second book in the series, but the first I've read, and it can be read as a stand-alone easily. It's lighthearted, and has a touch of magic and Irish charm, and plenty of colorful and likeable characters. I hope the MC develops her magical abilities some more in the next installment, but I definitely plan on continuing this series. For cozy mystery fans.

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Murder in a Cup is a cozy mystery with magical/fantasy elements. Shay and her sister Jen have just opened a tea shop in Bray Harbor. They offer locally harvested teas, snacks, and tea readings. When the White Glove Ladies group decides to make Shay's tea shop their new meeting location, they insist on setting up a reading. One of the newest members of the group is Jasmine, who happens to be Tassi's father's young girlfriend. Tassi's father has just recently decided to fight for custody of Tassi, who is NOT happy with the situation. During the White Glove Ladies reading, Jasmine is poisoned, and the prime suspect is Tassi. Shay is determined to ensure that Tassi does not go to jail for murder.

Unfortunately, this cozy was just not for me. To begin with, I found most of the characters to be unlikable. Shay, as the main narrator, is quite annoying. While I understand that Tassi is a teenager, she is quite whiney. I didn't think there was any sort of chemistry between Shay and Liam. Finally, Gran just sort of comes out of nowhere and then just happens to be friends with Shay's family. I also did not understand the magic. I thought that the magic definitely could have been explained better, especially since it seems to be such a big part of this series. I did actually find the mystery to be intriguing and liked who the murderer turned out to be.

Based on the reviews, a lot of readers are thoroughly enjoying the book. It simply wasn't for me.

Shay is settling in to her Crystals & Curiositeas shop and beginning to feel at home. Until murder strikes within its walls again and an employee is blamed. Will Shay, Liam and his Gran be able to solve the mystery and find the true murderer, must they rely on the help of Shay's secret weapon? A fun read!

I adored this cozy mystery! The group of characters were fantastic, and I loved the setting. I enjoyed the plot twists and the mystery. It was well paced and well written!

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott is the second in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS mystery series.The author has crafted a wonderfully intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Shay's curiosity and determination to uncover the truth make her a relatable and likable amateur sleuth. The combination of tea, crystals, and a dash of the supernatural adds a unique flavor to this cozy mystery that sets it apart from others in the genre.

In short,  Murder in a Cup is a delightful and engaging read that combines a captivating mystery with a charming setting and a memorable protagonist. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you won't want to miss this one. (I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.) It's the perfect book to curl up with on a lazy afternoon with a cup of your favorite tea. Highly recommended!

This second in a new mystery series with paranormal overtones is set in Bray Harbor, California, USA. Shay Myers inherited a unique tea shop, complete with a plant greenhouse, from the mother she never really knew. She also inherited an amulet that confers unusual abilities. Shay, aided by her sister, Jen, and young assistant, Tassi, have reopened the tea house and are also offering tea fortune readings. Things take a bad turn when Tassi’s father and his fiancée come to town and want to take Tassi with them. When a ladies group has their weekly meeting at the tea shop and someone dies, Tassi is immediately suspected.
There’s a number of plotlines included in this book. It flows well and Shay is an engaging protagonist. The paranormal aspects allow lots of directions for future stories.

I enjoyed this book. It has a lot of different mysteries going on in addition to the murder. I did suspect who the killer is in the murder. The rest does get a bit tangled especially with her using her powers than not using them and back and forth. I was hoping that she would get together with Liam but oh well. #MurderinaCup #NetGalley

The second book in a new Lauren Elliott series, Murder in a Cup was a slight disappointment. I loved the first book and applied to #netgalley for my first ARC. Our protagonist Shay now has her tea shop open and running, and is beginning to learn more about her mother's family and her own gifts of sight when a murder takes place right in front of her.

The murder mystery itself is done well and really kept me guessing up to the big reveal. And Shay, her sister, her shop assistant, and her dog are very likeable. But it feels like the book doesn't know yet what it should be. Is it a fantasy with witches and spells with a dash of murder mystery. Or is it a mystery with fanciful history. The tone is not cohesive, which made this book not as fun as the first.

That said, I'll still be looking forward to a third in the series.

Murder In A Cup is the 2nd book in the Crystals &CuriosiTEAS Mysteries.
While Shay is becoming more comfortable with running the shop she inherited, she has not come to terms with her abilities or the amulet she wears around her neck. When one of the patrons from a tea leaf reading dies from drinking poisoned tea, Shay's employee Tassi is a suspect. Shay is determined to prove Tassi's innocence. With the help of Liam's grandmother, she will learn more about
how to use the amulet and her family history. Will it be enough to clear Tassi?
#MurderinaCup #NetGalley