Kristina A. reviewed on 6/28/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Tea with Jam and Dread by Tamar Myers is the twentieth book in the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series. Magdalena Portulacca Yoder Rosen is fifty years old, a Mennonite, married to Dr. Gabriel Rosen, and mayor for the town. Magdalena also runs The PennDutch Inn in Hernia, Pennsylvania. Agnes has convinced Magdalena that she needs to change the image of the inn (instead of giving them an "Amish" experience by working them death and charging guests for it). Agnes has too much time on her hands since the death of her husband, Doc Shafer (they were married for ten days). Agnes believes they should appeal to English nobility and Magdalena can be the "grossest hostess" (in other words show them that we are really rude Americans). The first guests of the new inn are the Earl of Grimsley-Snodgrass (this was their name) and his family (wife and Countess=Aubrey; Lady Celia=daughter; Viscount Rupert=eldest son and twin; Mr. Sebastian=youngest son). They are in for a rude awakening at The PennDutch Inn (like having to bring in their own bags). Things are off to a great start until they find a mummified body on top of the lift (elevator). Then one of Earl's sons disappear off a cliff (they look alike so it is hard to tell them apart). Though it is odd that no one can find a body. There is something very fishy about this group. Where exactly did Agnes find them? Magdalena sets out to investigate the two crimes.

I had a hard time getting through this book. Tea with Jam and Dread went from silly to idiotic to moronic. This is the worst book I have read in quite some time. Some information is repeated frequently (like the author needed filler). There are also pages of arguing, mudslinging, insults, and long annoying rants. The words "Mennonite" "Jewish" and "hunky Gabe" were repeated so often that it was ridiculous. Magdalena would go off on tangents and get off track. She would then say "Now where was I" and "Oh yeah" (this happened quite often during the course of the novel). I'm sorry, but the whole story was just ridiculous. I wondered if the author had a problem with religion the way various religious groups were mentioned and talked about (it was strange). Tea with Jam and Dread was extremely disappointing. It is nothing like the early books in the series. I give Tea with Jam and Dread 1 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of Tea with Jam and Dread from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

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