Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 8/12/2023 + 704 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts 

Theodosia, Hayley, and Drayton are catering a Honey Bee Tea for gallery owner Holly Burns in Charleston's new Petigru Park. Chaos ensues when a rogue beekeeper crashes the party spraying toxic gas at the guests. Before the smoke clears a candidate for the state house is shot dead. Many other guests are injured and suffering from the effects of the gas. The paintings the gallery had on display are damaged and torn. Theodosia did try to chase the killer but they got away. The police arrive but don't get a lot of answers and Holly is devastated because this event was supposed to get her gallery off to a great start. Now she is afraid it is going to be forced to close. She knows Theodosia's reputation so she asks her for help to find the person responsible. It could be the only way to save her business.

So while her Indigo Tea Shop has several special tea events coming up Theodosia tries to help Holly by looking into Candidate Osgood Claxton III to see who he may have "tea-d" off enough to publically gun him down. There are several worthy suspects. A second murder, a crazy chase, and even scary threats do not stop Theodosia from buzzing around trying to get the answers she needs to put the killer bee-hind bars. Especially when someone she cares about is in the line of fire.

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I was delighted to return to Charleston and the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, and Riley are like old friends and I love to visit them. Theodosia is so smart and business savvy. She has also become quite an astute amateur sleuth. Drayton, usually right by her side, is up for almost anything even when he thinks Theodosia's sleuthing ideas are way over the top. Hayley is a fantastic chef with such creative ideas. She has a new man in her life which makes things with her even more interesting. I do enjoy the "family" these three have become. They work so well, in sync, whether it be serving tea or riddling out clues. Riley, is well, Riley, grousing around telling Theodosia to stay out of his investigations even though he knows she will never do that. I applaud Ms. Childs for being able to keep these characters fresh and evolving with this being the 25th book in the series.

She has also set up such a clever mystery. The suspense and tension erupt from Chapter 1 with toxic gas and gunfire in a park full of people and Theodosia giving chase. With the exception of a few special teas, the suspense continues throughout the whole book. Her detailed descriptions put her readers right on the scene for many exciting events. Soon after I started reading Chapter 30 I found myself sitting truly on the edge of my seat. When Theodosia found a huge clue my heart rate started to increase and the pages started to really fly. The showdown was riveting and surprising. Had this been a movie I probably would have been watching through my fingers. The banter when Riley arrived was so good! and Theodosia's final actions were even better. At first, I thought the ending was a little abrupt but within a few minutes, I realized it was absolutely perfect.

Ms. Childs continues to top herself. I love this series! Honey Drop Dead is a SWEET addition! The characters are genuine. The mystery is extraordinary. The setting is fun and fabulous. This book receives my top rating and has earned a spot on my Best Reads of 2023.

I do recommend series like this be read in order to really get to know the characters, but Ms. Childs does an excellent job at making new readers feel welcome with enough character history and backstory. So please, while this is the 25th book in the series, don't hesitate to pick it up. After reading it you may want to go back and read previous books in the series or just wait for the next, Murder in the Tea Leaves will be released on March 5, 2024.

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