Laura Childs Reviews

Page Three

Added December 11, 2003

Photo Finished

A Scrapbooking Mystery

Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: January 2004
Genre: Mystery: Cozy
Format: Paperback
Price: $5.99
ISBN: 0425194345
Author Email/Website: www.laurachilds.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

It was supposed to be a night of fun, food and scrapbooking. Twenty people gathered around the craft tables, busily working at the first ever Crop-Till-You-Drop at Memory Mine, Carmela Bertrand's scrapbooking store. Not even the appearance of her dour business neighbor Bartholomew Hayward could dampen Carmela's spirits. This was going to be a night to remember.

Her assistant Gabby had volunteered to move Carmela's car out from behind the back alley to different spot so Carmela would be able to stay with her customers. Outside in the dark alley, she hears someone running away and then suddenly screams. Carmela rushes outside to find Gabby standing completely still and staring in shock at something on the ground. Lying facedown in the alley with a pair of scissors in his back is none other than Bartholomew Hayward.

Her personal life in shambles, thanks to her soon-to-be-divorced husband Shamus, and committed to several events, Carmela has no time to investigate the murder. It is only when the police persist in trying to prove Billy Cobb, Bartholomew's assistant, committed the crime does she start investigating. Between trying to decide what to do about Shamus, preparing things for the Monsters and Old Masters Ball and her investigation, she has her hands full. Will Carmela unmask the killer before he comes after her?

Murder, mayhem, atmosphere, food and scrapbooking... what more could you ask for? Author Laura Childs delivers yet another wonderful tale, full of excitement, memorable characters and surprises. The reader is swept into Carmela's world and hates to leave it. A brilliant follow-up to its predecessor (Keepsake Crimes), Photo Finished is a must read. Do not miss!

Reviewer Note: Included in this wonderful novel are several of the recipes Carmela and her friends prepare. I highly recommend the Hearty Pumpkin Soup; even my picky eaters loved it.

Return to top of page.

Added November 15, 2003

The English Breakfast Murder

A Tea Shop Mystery

Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: August 2003
Genre: Mystery: Cozy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0-425-19129-X
Author Email/Website: www.laurachilds.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

The latest Tea Shop mystery opens with Theo on a beach at night, helping shepherd just-hatched loggerhead turtles safely into the sea. While serving gumbo and tea to the other volunteers, she notices a large mass floating in the water. Having helped in several other murder investigations, her first thought is the mass is a dead body. She swims out to be sure, and unfortunately her instincts are right.

The dead body is Harper Fisk, a local art dealer and amateur underwater salvagers. A friend of the deceased, Drayton takes Harper's death hard. Telling herself she's doing it for Drayton's sake, Theo begins investigating. Her first stop is the English Breakfast club, as Harper and his friends call themselves. Her investigation proves that remaining members all have motives, but would these elderly gentlemen murder one of their own?

A fantastic read from beginning to end, The English Breakfast Murder is a charming addition to the Tea Shop series. Once again, Ms. Childs has thrown her wonderful characters into a dangerous situation and they rise beautifully to the occasion. I admit my favorite part of the book was the opening chapter. Ms. Childs' descriptions of the turtles hatching made me want to join the volunteers. Don't miss!

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.