Helpful Score: 1
Dollycas's Thoughts
Who knew Charleston Fashion Week could be so deadly?
Theodosia Browning finds another body. This one during the elegant Limón Tea. This was the first event to kick off the weeklong event and before the last cup of tea and lemon scone can even be served the creative director of Lemon Squeeze Couture is found dead in a walk-in cooler with her face âsubmerged in a bowl of lemon curdâ.
It isn't long before the woman's daughter begs Theo to find her mother's killer. With all the fashion shows and tea events planned for the rest of the week, Theo and tea sommelier, Drayton will be rubbing shoulders with plenty of suspects so she agrees to do her best. Theo didn't realize where her investigation would take her or who she would âteaâ off in the process but her boyfriend Detective Pete Riley is not going to be happy she is getting mixed up in another murder.
Ms. Childs has created such great characters for this series and even in this 25th book in the series they continue to surprise us, engage us, and make us root for them from the first page to the last. Theodosia Browning is a terrific amateur sleuth with a keen mind and strong instincts. Her friend and tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, tags along with her, even when he doesn't really want to, as she follows clue after clue. He is also a great sounding board. Hayley bakes up a storm and does her best to stay out of the action but sometimes she slams in at just the right time. Riley loves Theo and knows he can't change her but he is scared one of these days he could lose her.
The author also introduces a quirky crew of fashionistas, managers, and directors in this story including a pair of sisters that appear to be in over their heads even before one of them ends up dead. The remaining characters make up the suspect list for an extra twisty mystery. It was really hard to pin the guilty party down for both Theo and this reader. The author did an excellent job of distraction with some nicely placed red herrings. I fell for every one of them and was surprised when the actual Lemon Curd Killer was revealed. The way the scene played out was intense and suspenseful and I enjoyed it very much.
I do love the way Ms. Child sets a scene. From The Orchard Inn where the Limón Tea takes place to Theo's Indigo Tea Shop, to the Featherbed House B&B, and every place in between her descriptions made it so easy to visualize everything. From the tea and treats being served to the china they were served in and on and the silverware used to partake in the delectable delights readers are right there. The only thing better would be if we could jump into the pages and taste everything ourselves. For now, we are provided with several recipes so we can make them on our own. Killer Lemon Cream Scones, Haley's Lemon Bars, and Yummy Butterscotch Brownies to just name a few. Just reading them makes my mouth water.
Lemon Curd Killer is a superb addition to this series. Remarkable characters, and a masterful mystery, set in beautiful places all come together to make this book A Perfect Escape.
Don't be put off because this is long-running series. You can read this book all on its own and go back to read earlier stories if you wish. The next book in the series Honey Drop Dead will be released on August 8, 2023. I can't wait to return to Charleston to see what Theodosia gets into next.
Who knew Charleston Fashion Week could be so deadly?
Theodosia Browning finds another body. This one during the elegant Limón Tea. This was the first event to kick off the weeklong event and before the last cup of tea and lemon scone can even be served the creative director of Lemon Squeeze Couture is found dead in a walk-in cooler with her face âsubmerged in a bowl of lemon curdâ.
It isn't long before the woman's daughter begs Theo to find her mother's killer. With all the fashion shows and tea events planned for the rest of the week, Theo and tea sommelier, Drayton will be rubbing shoulders with plenty of suspects so she agrees to do her best. Theo didn't realize where her investigation would take her or who she would âteaâ off in the process but her boyfriend Detective Pete Riley is not going to be happy she is getting mixed up in another murder.
Ms. Childs has created such great characters for this series and even in this 25th book in the series they continue to surprise us, engage us, and make us root for them from the first page to the last. Theodosia Browning is a terrific amateur sleuth with a keen mind and strong instincts. Her friend and tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, tags along with her, even when he doesn't really want to, as she follows clue after clue. He is also a great sounding board. Hayley bakes up a storm and does her best to stay out of the action but sometimes she slams in at just the right time. Riley loves Theo and knows he can't change her but he is scared one of these days he could lose her.
The author also introduces a quirky crew of fashionistas, managers, and directors in this story including a pair of sisters that appear to be in over their heads even before one of them ends up dead. The remaining characters make up the suspect list for an extra twisty mystery. It was really hard to pin the guilty party down for both Theo and this reader. The author did an excellent job of distraction with some nicely placed red herrings. I fell for every one of them and was surprised when the actual Lemon Curd Killer was revealed. The way the scene played out was intense and suspenseful and I enjoyed it very much.
I do love the way Ms. Child sets a scene. From The Orchard Inn where the Limón Tea takes place to Theo's Indigo Tea Shop, to the Featherbed House B&B, and every place in between her descriptions made it so easy to visualize everything. From the tea and treats being served to the china they were served in and on and the silverware used to partake in the delectable delights readers are right there. The only thing better would be if we could jump into the pages and taste everything ourselves. For now, we are provided with several recipes so we can make them on our own. Killer Lemon Cream Scones, Haley's Lemon Bars, and Yummy Butterscotch Brownies to just name a few. Just reading them makes my mouth water.
Lemon Curd Killer is a superb addition to this series. Remarkable characters, and a masterful mystery, set in beautiful places all come together to make this book A Perfect Escape.
Don't be put off because this is long-running series. You can read this book all on its own and go back to read earlier stories if you wish. The next book in the series Honey Drop Dead will be released on August 8, 2023. I can't wait to return to Charleston to see what Theodosia gets into next.
Helpful Score: 1
Lemon Curd Killer by Laura Childs is a delight to read. A Tea Shop Mysteries was one of two cozy mystery series that got me hooked on the genre. I thought Lemon Curd Killer was well-written with steady pacing. The characters are developed and realistic (that includes Delaine). I just love Theo, Drayton, Hayley, and Miss Dimple as well as Earl Grey. I even like Detective Burt Tidwell. I am on the fence concerning Theo's beau. The author captured Charleston with her vivid descriptions. She made me feel like I was in Charleston. I like the events that were hosted by Theo, Drayton, and Hayley at the charming Indigo Tea Shop. The descriptions of the delectable delights created by Hayley will have your mouth watering. The mystery was interesting. It was not a simple whodunit. I enjoyed following the clues to solve the crime (I love solving the mysteries). I enjoyed the multifaceted mystery. I like how the victim and her killing tied into the Limon Tea. Delaine's theatrics were amusing. She is an over-the-top character. Theo asked questions and searched for clues. She even found herself in danger a time or two (need a little suspense). Theo with help from her friends puts the pieces together. Of course, Theo's detective boyfriend tells her to keep her nose out of the investigation (not a chance). I enjoyed the reveal scene. Lemon Curd Killer can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I have enjoyed reading all twenty-five books in A Tea Shop Mysteries. I am looking forward to reading Honey Drop Dead when it comes out. Lemon Curd Killer is a tangy treat with a fatal fashion show, a distraught daughter, scrumptious scones, tasty tea, a dapper Drayton, a worried detective, diaphanous fashions, and an inquisitive Theo.
Another fun cozy from Laura Childs teashop mystery series. Theodosia & staff are catering a Lemon Tea/Fashion Show when Theo stumbles upon one of the owners of the clothing line dead in the cooler. Promising the deceased's daughter to find her mother's killer, she is on the hunt for the culprit.
