Review by Booklist Review
While helping her friend Delaine get ready for her wedding, Theodosia, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, finds the dead body of the would-be groom, Douglas. In between running the shop, she asks questions and chases clues at Delaine's request. The illegal Cuban cigars sold under the table at Douglas' cigar shop catch the attention of local police, but Theo is focused on Douglas' ex-wife, Simone, who is angry and impetuous. Matters are complicated by a team of television ghost hunters who bring Theo and Delaine to the site of Douglas' death, hoping to connect with his spirit. Childs flavors an intelligent and layered mystery with colorful characters and tea history, along with recipes and resources. Fans of Childs' other cozy series will enjoy this one as well, as will readers of Julie Hyzy's Manor House Mysteries.--Alessio, Amy Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
More than rain spoils a June wedding in Childs's pleasing 14th Tea Shop mystery featuring Theodosia Browning, proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, S.C. (after 2012's Agony of the Leaves). On the wedding day of an old friend, maid-of-honor Theodosia finds the lifeless body of the groom, Dougan Granville, "one of Charleston's top attorneys," in his suite at the Ravencrest Inn. A glassine envelope and scattered white powder on a table suggest Dougan may have overdosed on cocaine, but subtle signs of a blow to the head point to murder. Since the Ravencrest Inn is rumored to be haunted, two ghost hunters join the investigation. Series fans won't be surprised when Theodosia's recklessness ("There's no time to think! I just have to... do something!") leads to a climactic confrontation with the killer in an abandoned cemetery. Foodies will appreciate the favorite recipes from the Indigo Tea Shop at the end. Agent: Samuel Pinkus, Philologus Procurator, Inc. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Being a bridesmaid has its dangers. Theodosia Browning, the one and only bridesmaid for Delaine Dish's wedding, watches her friend's special day get off to a less-than-auspicious start. The beautiful city of Charleston cowers under a nasty squall, and the bride is more than a mite testy. The groom, wealthy lawyer Dougan Granville, is the man of Delaine's dreams, but the wedding isn't living up to her high expectations. The venue is a run-down inn, the bride's sister is late, and Dougan wants to cut the honeymoon short. When Theodosia goes in search of the tardy bridegroom and finds him dead; the overwrought Delaine begs her to find his killer. Luckily, Theodosia and the helpers at her Indigo Tea shop, perfectionist tea-blender Drayton and pastry chef Haley, are no strangers to murder (Scones Bones, 2011, etc.). Dougan's law partner is cagey about his assets, a former girlfriend keeps popping up, the ATF is investigating the Granville cigar store, looking for smuggled Cubans, and a team of ghost hunters wants Theodosia to help them communicate with the recently departed. Theodosia, pressed by Delaine into catering the garden tour at Dougan's magnificent home, has her hands full. But her bump of curiosity refuses to give up on the ever more complicated mystery. Enough suspects to hold your interest, although the best features are the local Charleston lore and the appended recipes.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
