Murder in the Tea Leaves by Laura Childs is the twenty-seventh A Tea Shop Mystery. I always look forward to reading Theo’s latest adventure. The series, though, has changed since the beginning. It is lighter (easy breezy) than the earlier books. There are descriptions of the food Hayley prepares, the different teas, fashions, and rooms (the sets, the tea shop, Theo’s home, historical society, etc.). Murder in the Tea Leaves can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you have missed a book (or two) along the way. I enjoyed catching up with Theo, Drayton, Hayley, Miss Dimple, and Earl Grey. The story is easy to read, and it moves along at a steady pace. The mystery was interesting. There is a small pool of suspects. There are clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal. I loved this one scene near the end with Theo and Drayton. I could envision the scene which was suspenseful and amusing. I was disappointed when the story ended with the villains being caught and no further details were provided (I want the how and the why explained). Delaine is her usual high strung, demanding self (she thinks of only herself). Theo needs to learn to say no to Delaine. I enjoyed meeting the newest member of the Indigo Tea Shop. Murder in the Tea Leaves is a theatrical tale with movie making, fruity teas, a dead director, a haunted attic, and a wild ride.

Title: Murder in the Tea Leaves

Author: Laura Childs

Publisher: Berkley

Format: Hardcover, e-book

Will be published on: March 5, 2024

Set in: Charleston, South Carolina

Genre: Cozy Mystery

In this latest Tea Shop Mystery, Theodosia Browning, the owner of Indigo Tea Shop, and Drayton Conneley, her tea sommelier, are hired to provide food and beverages for Dark Fortune’s movie crew filming at the haunted Brittlebank Manor.

No sooner does Josh Morro, the film’s director, insist that Theo be the fortune teller reading the tea leaves of the lead actress than he gets electrocuted in his chair. Everyone present on the set witnessed the terrible end of this man’s life. Soon after, Theo learns from an on-air TV personality that Andrea Blair, the lead actress, wants to star in a reality TV show, and Morro won’t let her out of her contract. Then, clothing store owner Delaine Dish enters the tea shop to tell Theo how worried she is, as she might be a suspect after arguing with Morro in public. According to Drayton, there’s also a legend about a woman being held prisoner in the manor’s attic.

No sooner does Detective Burt Tidwell tell Theo what the police force assumed happened to Morro than people start pointing fingers at each other, and the clues start forming. Helene Deveroux tells Theo about her involvement in the movie’s pre-production meetings. As she is a member of the Charleston Film Board, Peregrine Pictures needed to be informed about tax rebates and local incentives from the City of Charleston. She also noted who she thought to be suspects, including Andrea Blair, as Morro wouldn’t let her out of her contract; Craig Cole, the screenwriter constantly at odds with Morro; and the lighting crew. When Theo talks to Cole about Andrea’s contract, he suggests that the executive producer, Lewin Usher, doesn’t want her out of her contract. He pointed to the new director, hired immediately after Morro’s death, to complete the movie.

There is so much more to this book; you’ll have to read it to find the killer and his or her motive.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this one, and that’s what made it interesting. I would have never guessed the ending, but some clues lead the reader in that direction. The setting was dark and creepy, perfect for the film. I could not imagine what it would be like to witness someone dying that way. I would think the witnesses would be more shaken. The girlfriend coming out of nowhere didn’t seem believable. Also, I know Theo has been attacked many times over the years; not sure why she wasn’t more affected by someone trying to kill her in one scene.

I love the characters’ personalities. You know it’s only a matter of time before they talk to Theo about the latest murder. The tea shop events are fun to follow. I don’t see how Haley keeps up with all the baking and preparing for the special teas. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes.

four out of five movie sets

Denise Fleischer

gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com

February 6, 2024

This wasn’t my favorite book but I did finish it, it’s a 3* for me. It had some quirky characters and a mystery that had a few twists. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

The Indigo Tea Shop has been asked to do craft services at a movie set. Tensions are high among the people working there but never so high as when the director sits in a chair and is electrocuted. Who gave him the chair? Unfortunately the set lights were all down and no one saw a thing but Theodosia knows it was someone on the set who was responsible. Was it the diva actress? The replacement director-in-waiting? The bullied screenwriter? Or someone else entirely?

This is one of my all-time favorite series. I've even gone to Charleston to visit the sites described in these books (spoiler alert: in this book Theo says Indigo is the premiere tea shop in the city, there are actually NO tea shops in Charleston!) For the first several years after I saw this series, I resisted reading it because it sounded very high brow and I didn't think I'd connect with it but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Theo is classy and Drayton is the very epitome of class, but they're also down-to-earth and sweet and the relationship between them in terms of work and personal, is perfect. They make a wonderful crime-fighting duo. We also get to see Theo's Aunt Libby in this book. Her appearances throughout the series have been rare but she's a character I really like and would love to see more of. I also wish Haley would be more involved in their sleuthing, she's a charming character who's kind of been relegated to the background.

If you have not read the Tea Shop series, this is one you absolutely must read. I would also say it's a good intro into the genre for those who maybe haven't previously read cozies.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I love a good cozy mystery and Laura Childs Tea Shop Mysteries never miss.

Theo and Drayton are back for another mystery, this time on a film set where the director has just been electrocuted. Back with familiar characters like Delaine, Tidwell, and Riley, Theo is tasked once again with solving the mystery when Delaine comes under suspicion and begs for Theo to intervene.

This is one series that no matter what I always have a good time. Even if the twists are sometimes predictable and the murderer easy to figure out, this is a fun story from start to finish and worth every minute it takes to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. Theodosia still does some ridiculous things, taking chances that could literally kill her, but I guess that’s going to keep happening. Delaine is only in this for a short time. She is so annoying that it was good not to hear too much from her. Drayton plays a bigger part in this story than he has in the past, which I enjoyed. The only thing I really don’t like is that this book just ends. Pages and pages of descriptions about food and gardens and furniture and then the villain is caught. Bingo. I’d like to have another chapter that explains the why and how of the crime. I have read all of these books and will continue to.

I enjoy this series a lot! I love the characters and setting. The mystery wasn't as good as others (figured it out early), but the rest of the plot was entertaining.

Theo is catering on a movie set when the director is electrocuted. Because her friend Delaine was dating him, she becomes one of the suspects, and she begs Theo to help clear her name. Several people on the set had issues with the director, so Theo sets out to investigate aided by Drayton. Of course, there are several delicious recipes in the back.

Get ready to go on another tea-riffic adventure with Theodosia Browning and Drayton, of course!

Things seem just like normal, except for the movie crew filming on location. Theodosia is asked to step in and help with a minor role when electricity and sparks start flying, literally. The film director is brutally murdered in front of the whole cast and crew.

In between hosting and amazing "Breakfast at Tiffany's" tea party, the dynamic duo must solve the case, before it is too late. Tea anyone?.

O

Theodosia Browning returns. And this time, she’s investigating a murder on the set of a movie, entitled, Dark Fortunes. At first, it appears to be an accident, but the electrocution of the films Director turns out to be more sinister, then was first suspected. When Delaine Dish becomes a prime, suspect, Theodosia has to step in. There are plenty of suspects, but Theo won’t stop until she finds the culprit. This long running series continues to entertain and delight.

One of my favorites of recent titles in the Tea Shop Mystery series. Murder in the Tea Leaves starts off with a bang and continues apace. It is one of the more action packed titles in the series. With no apologies for meddling Theo seeks out and rights injustice.