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Saturday, March 10, 2018

Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery)
by Laura Childs

When you think about a quaint and elegant tea shop you may picture delightful pottery and scents and delicious scones. I generally do not expect murder and weaponry. Only Laura Childs can combine such things and make me want to keep turning pages.
~Laura’s Interests
There are some funny moments and a well-paced plot.
~Teresa Trent, Author
Set in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, Plum Tea Crazy jumps right into the action. . . Always a pleasure to return to Charleston with Theodosia, Drayton and all the gang.
~MysteriesEtc
The twists, turns, plots had me cheering Theo on the whole way as she met new people throughout the story who in turn, unknowingly, would set themselves up as a suspect and at the same time point the finger towards someone else who was just as guilty as they were.
~Ms. Cat’s Honest World
Some of my best times reading have been spent in the Indigo Tea Shop. I can vividly smell the smells, imagine the tastes of all the delicious offerings, hear the clink of spoons to fine bone china, as well as the voices of Theo and Drayton.
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews
Plum Tea Crazy has to be one of the prettiest books I’ve ever held in my hands. The cover is just so gorgeous. . . Like most of Ms. Child’s books, you’ll have a hard time deducing who the real suspect was.
~A Chick Who Reads
Plum Tea Crazy grabs you within the first few pages. . . Full of twists and turns. Full of suspects. A little comic relief.
And some great recipes at the end!
~My Reading Journeys 
I’ve always enjoyed Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, Detective Tidwell and the rest. It’s fun to come back each spring to another visit into their world! These are well-rounded, complex, developed characters and they’re delightful.
~Valerie’s Musings 
This book has everything I love.
~A. Holland Reads 
This story is filled with delightful charm and gentle humor – along with the sights, sounds and tastes of the city. Theodosia is a warm, caring lead character who solves some great murder mysteries.
~The Power of Words 

About the Book

Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
19th in Series
Berkley (March 6, 2018)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451489609
Digital ASIN: B071K4DPRH
Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.
While viewing the harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of Timothy Neville’s Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it’s discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.
At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner–all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Laura’s Links:
Purchase Links


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Review.jpg

As always the author delivers a scrumptious story filled with murder, mystery and a  wonderful assortment of teas to try out.  The characters are classy and intriguing. It's not long into the story until a murder occurs which sets in motion an adventure that is like a cat and mouse game. I simply adore Theodosia. She is charming and has a knack for finding out information very cleverly. I would love to sit with her at her shop and sip tea and eat scones . I could visualize the beautiful and delicate tea cups and setting that is calming and inviting. 

The victim is a surprise to some in the town, but his enemies start to line up in this fast paced story.  The author captures the untimely death with a very unexpected fall and ends with a painful injury that was vividly described. Someone sure wanted to make sure our victim was dead. I really like the theme in cozy mysteries where there is a detective dating or married to the person who eventually figures out who the killer is. Riley is a very smart detective who happens to be dating none other than Theodosia. I liked how he at times seemed to be exasperated by Theodosia's interference in the investigation.I had to laugh when she continued to bombard him with questions that he knew he shouldn't answer. 

If you have ever witnessed a physical fight between two women, you know it can be funny at times. The scene that the author writes between the wife and mistress of the deceased is nothing short of hysterical and over the top entertaining. It is probably not a great idea to invite them both to an event unless you are prepared for fireworks to go off. The fight has tongues wagging as it becomes front page news. Theodosia can add two more suspects to her ever growing list after this escapade.

The more Theodosia delves into the mystery, the more her life is in danger along with her friends and associates. Someone is not happy that Theodosia is involved in the investigation and is pulling out all the stops to encourage her to not play detective. The story is very well written and had me on the edge of my chair till the end. I loved the twists and turns and suspense as the author leaves a trail of subtle hints to the killer's identity. I love the way the author is able to give such precise details of weapons and the history behind some of them. 

The more I read the book, I realized how talented the author is. She can weave a tale of mystery that captures your attention right away, while enticing you with witty sayings like, "Sweet Fanny Adams," or "You're like a danger magnet."  I love that she can make you laugh while still adding intense drama to the story. The ending is one you don't want to miss as it reaches a level of  high danger for Theodosia. Don't miss this wonderful addition to A Tea Shop Mystery Series that is Laura Childs at her best. 

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 1 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
March 1 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Teresa Trent Author Site – REVIEW
March 2 – La libreria di Beppe – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW
March 3 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Ms. Cat’s Honest World – REVIEW
March 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
March 5 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
March 5 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT
March 6 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
March 6 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, GUEST POST
March 7 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
March 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
March 8 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
March 8 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW
March 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
March 10 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
March 10 – Sapphyria’s Books – SPOTLIGHT
March 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 12 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
March 13 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
March 13 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 14 – Varietats – REVIEW
March 14 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW
March 15 – The Editing Pen – REVIEW, GUEST POST
March 15 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
March 16 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
March 17 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
March 18 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
March 18 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – INTERVIEW
March 19 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 19 – Ruff Drafts – INTERVIEW
March 20 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW


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