Review by Library Journal Review
Jazzi Swanson and her best friend and business partner, Dawn, own a bookshop and tea bar in Belltower Landing, NY. They are eager to host authors who are judging the Gentleman's Bake-Off in town, but already on the first day, they've seen judges and competitors arguing. Dawn finds one of the competitors, a photographer, bludgeoned to death with his cake smeared around him. Jazzi tries to stay out of the murder investigation, but everything changes after Dawn has a panic attack and turns on her family and Jazzi. Only then does Jazzi step up and ask questions of the remaining contestants and the other suspects. Was the dead man killed because of the bake-off, or was it his career as a photographer that led to his death? Jazzi already knows that asking questions can put her in danger, but she has to find answers to help Dawn. VERDICT The second (after Murder Marks the Page) in a series that spins off Smith's "Daisy's Tea Garden" mysteries, this novel features a strong cast of characters, romance, and an amateur sleuth still trying to find her role in life and overcome her background of loss. Cozy readers will enjoy this bookstore/tea shop scenario, even if they haven't read Smith's earlier books.--Lesa Holstine
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A bookstore owner has apparently learned a lot from her mother's talent for crime-solving. Jazzi Swanson left the Pennsylvania hometown where her mother runs Daisy's Tea Garden to start Tomes & Tea with her best friend in New York's Finger Lakes region. Although Jazzi and Dawn Fernsby bonded in college over the fact that they were both adopted, Jazzi has found her origins, while Dawn's adoptive parents have discouraged her from even trying. Meanwhile, Jazzi, who's been guarding her heart ever since her college boyfriend dumped her, is attracted to Oliver Patel, who owns The Wild Kangaroo pub and an Aussie accent to go with it. Jazzi and Dawn are working on a book signing tied to the town's upcoming signature event, the Gentlemen's Bake-Off, a baking competition for men. The well-known judges have all written books: scone maker Emmaline Fox; TV chef Griffin Pelham; local pastry chef Colleen Cross; and Diego Alvarez, a New York City restaurateur. The judges are already sniping at each other before the book signing, but fortunately it does go well. The actual contest--not so much. The final four contestants are a wedding photographer, a plumber, a boat maker, and a firefighter, and there's some tension among them. Just before the winner is announced, Dawn finds the body of the photographer, Finn Yarrow, with his head bashed in. Jazzi may have helped Detective Milford solve a murder in the past, but he warns her to stay out of this one. Even so, she can't contain her curiosity. With some help from her friends, she tries to discover whether the motive was related to Finn's business, the bake-off, or something more personal. Fans of the popular Tea Garden series will love this spinoff and its feisty heroine. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
