Laura Childs Reviews

Page Four

Added January 19, 2006

Chamomile Mourning

A Tea Shop Mystery

Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2006
Genre: Mystery: Cozy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0425206181
Author Email/Website: www.laurachilds.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty
Rating: 8.75 Gargoyles

It was supposed to be the perfect finish for the inaugural Poet's Tea; a delightful spread furnished by the Indigo Tea Room. However, unpredictable Southern weather forced the tea party inside. Theodosia Browning and her employees/companions Drayton and Haley outdid themselves creating a perfect menu to complement the Poet's Tea. Theo had even baked a gorgeous almond cake, decorated with plenty of sugar roses and baubles. Not that anyone got a chance to taste her delightful confection due to unfortunate appearance of Roger Crispin's body plummeting from the balcony onto the cake.

Although Theo has a penchant for solving crimes, she doesn't intend to get involved. That is, until she learns the police are looking at Gracie Venable, a fellow shop owner and recent friend for the murder. With Haley's urging and Drayton's cooperation, she begins her own investigation, determined to see that justice is served. However, when all the evidence seems to suggest Gracie is the culprit, will she be able to sort through the information to discover the truth? Throw in the fact her relationship with Jory Davis has taken an unexpected turn and it's no wonder Theo is ready to give up. Will this be the one murder she can't solve?

Art openings, tea parties, auctions, exquisite jewels and lies abound in Laura Child's latest Tea Shop Mystery. Bringing to life once again the charm of genteel Charleston, Childs weaves a mystery both interesting and not to easily solved. Theo and the supporting characters continue to endear themselves with every successive book and one is simply hard pressed to put the book down. Chamomile Mourning is the perfect companion to a good cup of tea (Personally, I think Lapsang Souchong) and a lazy evening. Now if only Haley could be persuaded to share her green-tea infused brownie recipe. *ggg*

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Added February 4, 2005

Jasmine Moon Murder

A Tea Shop Mystery

Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: August 2005
Genre: Mystery: Cozy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 042519986X
Author Email/Website: www.laurachilds.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty
Rating: 8.75 Gargoyles

It was time once again for Ghost Walk, an annual autumn event where amateur actors in Civil-War garb acted out short tableaus for guided tours. As the proceeds from the Ghost Walk went to charity, Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, had no problem volunteering refreshments from her store or her time. Plus it gave her a chance to see friend and employee Drayton Connolly perform. There was only one problem: as the only stop serving refreshments the tourists didn't want to leave.

Her wonderful night took a turn for the worse not long after Jory Davis and his uncle Dr. Jasper Davis arrived. Dr. Davis was part of a team from the company Cardiotech working on an invention called the Novalaser, a cardiac device that aided in angioplasty. The only voice of reason on the Novalaser team, Davis advocated patience and wanted to delay promotion until further tests could be run. His colleague Dr. Rex Haggard seemed almost frantic to push the product's release. Running into each other at the Ghost Walk, the doctors have a heated argument just before another tableau begins. The spotlight hits one of the tombstones and at first Theo believes the man stumbling out to be one of the actors until she glimpses his face and realizes it's Dr. Davis. Moments later, he collapses to the ground and even as she bends down to help him, Theo realizes he was beyond her aid. Before the police arrive, she discovers an empty syringe and immediately suspects foul play.

The next morning, Detective Tidwell enters the Indigo Tea Shop and extracts a promise from Theo not to investigate. For once she intends to follow his advice... at least she did until Jory asked her to look into his uncle's murder.

There's no end to the list of suspects. Could it have been Starr, Jasper's ex-wife? Vance Tuttle, director of the local theater company, upset because Cardiotech hadn't donated as usual? Or Dr. Rex Haggard who wanted nothing more than to promote Novalaser? What about Ben Kingsley, the overzealous Public Relations director? So many suspects and not of lot of time.

Throw in plenty of tea gatherings, Delaine's hysterics, Drayton's tea knowledge and Haley's scrumptious goodies and you've got a sure-fire mystery treat.

One of my must-read authors, Laura continues to grow as a writer. Her characters become more human, more real with each successive book. You truly expect to step into the Indigo Tea Shop while strolling about Charleston. The greatest sign of her maturity is how much more difficult it is to discover the culprit's identity. A most enjoyable read from beginning to end, The Jasmine Moon Murder will whet your appetite for murder and tea.

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