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by Laura Childs
Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs
A Tea Shop Mystery #19
Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.
While viewing the harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of Timothy Neville’s Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it’s discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.
At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner–all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
The Serendipity of Tea
A Guest Blog by Laura Childs, New York Times Bestselling Author of Plum Tea Crazy.
Several ago, as my husband and I toured Japan, we found ourselves riding the bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto. As we zipped through the Uji region, it was amazing to see the tea gardens, terraced up the mountains and looking so green and lush they could have been a hand-colored photo. There were even nearby spas where you could soak in hot tubs filled with green tea.
When we arrived in Kyoto, we checked our luggage and then searched the streets around Rozan-ji Temple, looking for an apartment that a friend had offered us. We wandered gravel streets and peeked through ancient wooden gates that revealed Zen gardens and patios filled with bonsai trees. Still not finding the apartment, we walked past a small tea shop. A Japanese woman – the owner – sensed our predicament and waved us in. She sat us down and served bowls of Gyokuro tea as well as fresh-baked sweet potatoes. It was a small kindness and a huge treat. Afterwards, appreciatively fortified, we found our elusive apartment and enjoyed a one-week stay in Kyoto, a city filled with some of the most famous temples and gardens in all of Japan.
Upon arriving home, I was informed by my literary agent, that I now had a three-book contract to write a series of Tea Shop Mysteries – very serendipitous indeed! And it’s hard to believe, but now my 19th Tea Shop Mystery, Plum Tea Crazy, has just been released.
Now it’s definitely time to put the kettle on and let me tell you a little bit about Plum Tea Crazy: As tea shop owner Theodosia views Charleston Harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of a nearby mansion, a local banker tumbles over the narrow railing and plunges to his death. But when Theodosia discovers that the victim was actually shot with a crossbow, this tragic accident turns sinister. With pacing that moves like a thriller, and any number of quirky suspects, it’s one of the reasons Book Riot named my Tea Shop Mysteries to their list of “25 of the All Time Best Cozy Mystery Series.”
Hugs to you,
Laura Childs
About Laura Childs
Laura Childs is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, New Orleans Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese and Japanese art history, enjoys travel, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
