A Book Tea Shop Mystery Book 1
Author: Joy Avon
Publisher: Crooked Lane
Release Date: November 13, 2018
ISBN: 9781683317937
Pages: 285
Blurb:
Perfect for Lorna Barrett and Jenn McKinlay fans, this festive series debut introduces book-themed tea party organizer Callie Aspen and her lovable Boston terrier
This Christmas, Callie Aspen returns to her childhood hideout Heart's Harbor, Maine where her great aunt runs Book Tea, a vintage tearoom where every sweet treat contains a bookish clue. Upon arrival in the fairy-tale snowy town, Callie is drawn into the preparations for a special tea party at Haywood Hall, the rambling house of Heart's Harbor's oldest resident, rich but lonely widow Dorothea Finster, who invited her estranged relatives, old friends and the elite of the town to make a mysterious announcement about her will.
Believing they can touch a part of her fortune, everybody is determined to come, despite not liking each other or even their hostess. And Callie's old friend Sheila complicates things by using the tea party to announce her daughter's engagement, even though her daughter isn't sure she's in love with the young lawyer her mother thinks so perfect for her.
Catering to people who each have their own agenda isn't easy for the Book Tea crew, especially once the valuable engagement ring goes missing and a dead body turns up in the conservatory. Can Callie and her great aunt use their love of clues to dig into the crimes and show their unhappy hostess and squabbling guests the true Christmas spirit?
This Christmas, Callie Aspen returns to her childhood hideout Heart's Harbor, Maine where her great aunt runs Book Tea, a vintage tearoom where every sweet treat contains a bookish clue. Upon arrival in the fairy-tale snowy town, Callie is drawn into the preparations for a special tea party at Haywood Hall, the rambling house of Heart's Harbor's oldest resident, rich but lonely widow Dorothea Finster, who invited her estranged relatives, old friends and the elite of the town to make a mysterious announcement about her will.
Believing they can touch a part of her fortune, everybody is determined to come, despite not liking each other or even their hostess. And Callie's old friend Sheila complicates things by using the tea party to announce her daughter's engagement, even though her daughter isn't sure she's in love with the young lawyer her mother thinks so perfect for her.
Catering to people who each have their own agenda isn't easy for the Book Tea crew, especially once the valuable engagement ring goes missing and a dead body turns up in the conservatory. Can Callie and her great aunt use their love of clues to dig into the crimes and show their unhappy hostess and squabbling guests the true Christmas spirit?
My Thoughts:
This sounded like such a fun read with it being based around the holiday. The main character, Callie, was to help her aunt put on a holiday tea party for some people that her aunt knew as well as Callie when she was younger.
I really, really wanted to like the story but for me it sort of fell flat and felt more like I've read this one before. The main character wasn't very likeable to me and the deputy - well, I can't imagine anyone spilling all the information that he did to Callie. I don't know, but I just wasn't impressed and really wanted to get this book finished more than to read and enjoy it.
I usually enjoy these types of cozy Christmas mysteries, but not so much this time. This one got a meh rating of 3/5 stars.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion.
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