Murder in a teacup

At the start of Delany's beguiling sequel to 2020's Tea & Treachery, the summer tourist trade is heating up for Lily Roberts, the owner of the Tea by the Sea tearoom in the Cape Cod town of North Augusta, and she's looking forward to her busiest season yet. Trouble brews when the quarrelsome McHenry clan descend on the tearoom for afternoon tea. Sandra McHenry, a dear friend of Lilly's grandmother, Rose Campbell, who runs a B&B in North Augusta, is visiting with her recently widowed and wealthy granddaughter, Heather, and several other fractious family members. When Heather's brother-in-law, Ed French, dies of poisoning shortly after he drinks some tea, law officials shut down Lily's tearoom and take all the baked good into custody, though they later determine that someone spiked Ed's tea. To save the tearoom, Lily and Rose must do some sleuthing to figure out who wanted to kill Ed and why. Delany expertly blends a cunning mystery plot with diverting characters and sparkling dialogue. Laura Childs fans will have fun. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends. (July)

A tea shop owner and her feisty grandmother take on another murder case. Lily Roberts is owner and chief pastry chef at Tea by the Sea, located on the property of her grandmother Rose Campbell's B & B overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Rose is delighted to welcome the extended family of her old friend Sandra McHenry, but it's soon clear that there are tensions among the group, which includes Sandra's son, Brian, and his wife, Darlene; their son, Lewis, and his wife, Julie-Ann, and their two whiny teens; and Brian and Darlene's wealthy daughter, Heather French, who's footing the bill. Heather's also invited Ed and Trisha French, her late husband's brother and sister-in-law, who come from the same Iowa town as the McHenrys but are no fans of theirs. Despite Heather's willingness to spend whatever it takes to get everyone to enjoy the vacation, disaster strikes when Ed falls ill after eating at Lily's tearoom. When he dies in the hospital, poison is suspected. Tea by the Sea is shut down and all Lily's food removed by the police, forcing Lily to don her deerstalker before her business is ruined. With help from the attractive English gardener; her best friend, Bernie; and her flamboyant grandmother, Lily explores the family dynamic to see which of Ed's relatives wanted him dead. Quirky characters, a lovely setting, and a surprising denouement make this second installment a charmer. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.