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Book Review of No Good Tea Goes Unpunished (Seaside Café Mysteries)

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished (Seaside Café Mysteries)
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Dollycas's Thoughts

Everly Swan is back and catering the wedding a wedding right outside her new tea shop on the beach. The party is off to a great start until the groom goes missing. He is found dead bobbing in the surf. The first suspect is the new bride, a childhood friend of Everly's. The groom had a very successful business and now what was his is now hers. When his business partner is attacked she comes under greater scrutiny. Everly sees many other suspects on and off the guest list, but she soon becomes the target of the killer who is sending her clear messages to butt out or she could be next. Hunky Detective Hays begs her to leave the investigating to him as he does everything he can to keep her safe. She just can't help herself though, it seems each glass of tea comes with a little bit of snooping until the killer gets too close.

Another fine story from Bree Baker.

We escape to Charm, North Carolina. A town that has completely charmed me with its beach, sand, sun, iced tea, a bookstore, little libraries, and delightful residents. Bree is finding her place back in town running her own business. Her aunts are right down the beach at the Blessed Bee honey shop. They have enlisted Bree's help to make a honey education video for an online contest and they have some extreme plans for the 3-minute piece. (Seriously Laugh Out Loud Funny.) She also has a blast from her past in cowboy boots hot on her flip-flops. All that on top of the wedding reception she is in charge of already had her glass already full to the brim and now she has a murder to investigate and a killer on her tail.

This was such a fun read. I loved traveling along the beach with Everly either on a nice stroll or tooling around in her golf cart. She opens her home to her friend in her grief, but all of the wedding guests have been detained in Charm until the killer is caught. Everly's iced tea shop becomes the place to gather which gives readers a chance to know the most important visitors better. The author does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life. I really identified with the groom's mother as she deals with the loss of her son. Losing a child is so hard. I really liked her plans for the memorial service even though the city council would not approve them.

The story has a rapid pace and I was totally captivated from start to finish. I loved the way the story was told, mayhem and humor in the exact right amounts. Twists and turns lead to a very exciting conclusion.

Wonderful characters with great dialogue and a well-plotted mystery come together to give readers a splendid story to enjoy. Just like when I finished book 1, Live and Let Chai, I want more!! More Bree, more Aunt Clara, and Aunt Fran, more Detective Hays, and more of the charming life in Charm, North Carolina! I can't wait for my next trip.