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Book Review of In Hot Water (Misty Bay Tearoom, Bk 1)

In Hot Water (Misty Bay Tearoom, Bk 1)
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In Hot Water is the debut of the Misty Bay Tearoom series set in Misty Bay, Oregon and featuring tearoom owner Vivian Wainwright. Vivian runs the Willow Pattern Tearoom along with her friends Jenna Ramsey and Gracie Jackson and the trio is looking forward to hosting the shop's second anniversary celebration.

A body plummets six stories from a balcony at the Blue Surf Hotel dressed only in a pink negligee. The body belongs to a man and that man is none other than Jenna's ex-husband Dean Ramsey. When Detective Lieutenant Tony Messina learns that the divorce was contentious, that Dean owed Jenna quite a bit of money and she was seen leaving the hotel earlier in the morning he's quick to label her the prime suspect. Knowing that her friend is not a killer, Vivian sets out with the ladies to find out who really murdered the man.

An enjoyable read with an interesting mix of characters. For me, it was pretty obvious from the start the killer's identity. There are a few character background discrepancies, an unresolved question and a glaring typo that while distracted don't take away from the overall plot. I really hope that in future installments Vivian spends more time with Felix, as the fact that she adopted the dog but then locks him up alone in her apartment while she wanders around really was a huge NO NO for me.