320 pages Berkley publisher August 6, 2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Murder at an Alice in Wonderland–themed event threatens to send Theodosia Browning through the looking glass in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.
During the Mad Hatter Masquerade, a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Opera on the grounds of the old Pendleton Grist Mill, Harlan Sadler, husband of Cricket Sadler, the chairwoman, is killed. He’s been hit in the head with a croquet mallet, and his body hung on the chains and paddles of the grist mill. Nobody can figure out why since Harlan was much beloved by everyone. It’s only after Cricket and Delaine beg Theodosia to investigate that she realizes the killer might have mistaken Harlan for his crazy son, Duke. After all, Duke is a slum landlord and recently injured a woman in a boating accident.
I really enjoy this series. I own most of the books in the series and they are all worth a reread. Once again Theodosia is front and center again conveniently asking questions and nosing around to solve the crime. Some of the things she did took me by surprise as I’m not too sure they’re safe.
A fundraiser with a Mad Hatter Masquerade party goes horribly wrong when a body is found in the old Pendleton Grist Mill. The deceased, Harlan Sadler is the husband of the chairwoman, involved in banking and all-around friendly guy liked by all who know him.
As his wife Cricket begs Theodosia for her help, past relationships are uncovered, and things may not all be as friendly as assumed. With red herrings and the list of suspects growing this one had me thinking the suspect may have been several different people.
Set in historical Charleston, the author easily brings it to life with her vivid descriptions adding a delightful flavor to her mysteries.
I always enjoy reading about the different themed teas Theodosia and Drayton have. The themed teas with the Indigo Tea Shop being decorated and the different teas and meals to go with it sounds like so much fun.
I’m all in for reading more of my favorite tea shop cozy mysteries.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
304 pages Berkley publisher March 5,2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s Lights, Action, Murder as tea maven Theodosia Browning scrambles for clues in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
When Theodosia Browning reads the tea leaves on the set of the movie, Dark Fortunes, things go from spooky to worse. Lights are dimmed, the camera rolls, and red hot sparks fly as the film’s director is murdered in a tricky electrical accident.
Or was it an accident? Though the cast and crew are stunned beyond belief, nobody admits to seeing a thing. And when Theodosia’s friend, Delaine, becomes the prime suspect, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. But who among this Hollywood cast and crew had murder on their mind? The screenwriter is a self-centered pot head, the leading actress is trying to wiggle out of her contract, the brand new director seems indifferent, and nobody trusts the slippery-when-dry Hollywood agent.
Between hosting a Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea, a Poetry Tea, and trying to launch her own chocolate line, Theodosia doggedly hunts down clues and explores the seemingly haunted Brittlebank Manor where the murder took place. And just when she’s ready to pounce, a Charleston Film Board member is also murdered, throwing everything into total disarray. But this clever killer will go to any lengths to hide his misdeeds as Theodosia soon finds out when she and her tea sommelier, Drayton, get caught up in a dangerous stakeout.
MY THOUGHTS
Murder in the Tea Leaves is another Tea Shop mystery. I’m a tea drinker and always make it a point to try different kinds of teas, I like most kinds but do have my favorites. When I see a cozy mystery series taking place in a tea shop, I know it’s on my to read list at the top.
Tea shop owner Theodosia Browning has hit the big time, and a movie is being filmed in her tea shop. Because she has such knowledge of tea, she is put in at the last minute to read the tea leaves by the movie director. The lights are low and though she was there she didn’t see who set the wires up to electrocute the director in his metal chair.
When a friend of hers is the prime suspect she knows she must take matters into her own hands to solve this case. Quick read, I enjoyed the clues presented.
The descriptions of the delightful different types of teas, and desserts was divine and even the talk about the different cups and tea pots and how they were acquired, how fun. Earl Gray was her dog’s name, loved it.
There are delightful recipes included plus tea plantations to visit and other things to do while traveling. I really enjoyed the information in the back of the book and look forward to visiting Charleston, such a wonderful travel guide. I always look forward to more books in this series, it’s a favorite of mine.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Thank you for stopping in and I hope you’ll have a refreshing cup of tea soon.
316 pages August 8, 2023 publication date Berkely publisher
About The Book
The murder of a political bigwig at a Honey Bee Tea sends Theodosia Browning buzzing for answers in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
Theodosia’s Honey Bee Tea was an elegant affair set in Charleston’s new Petigru Park amid newly planted native grasses and a community beekeeping project. But when a phony beekeeper shows up and sprays toxic smoke at the guests, the party erupts in chaos. Worse yet, a shot rings out and Osgood Claxton III, candidate for state legislature, falls to the ground—dead.
Holly Burns, the gallery owner who asked Theodosia to cater the tea, is understandably heartbroken. A man is dead, her guests are angry and injured, and the paintings that were on display are left in tatters. When the police don’t seem to have a clue, when old-line politicos don’t want questions asked, Holly begs Theodosia to run a shadow investigation and help restore her gallery’s good name.
Between hosting a Wind in the Willows Tea and a Glam Girl Tea, Theodosia questions everyone that had a bone to pick with Claxton. This includes Booker, an angry outsider artist; Lamar Lucket, Claxton’s political opponent; and Mignon Merriweather, the dead man’s soon-to-be ex-wife. But the investigation becomes a political hot potato following a second murder, the revelation of a messy affair, a chase through a swamp, and a vandalized shop.
I will have to say I’ve bought many books by this author, haven’t read them all yet but have read quite a few of them. I drink a lot of tea, iced and hot and love the setting of this cozy mystery series taking place in a teashop.
Theodosia Browning owns a quite popular teashop in Charleston, South Carolina. Aside from running a teashop she seems to call amateur sleuthing her second calling. Murder always seems to find her or perhaps she finds it. In any case there is a murder during a private tea party at her Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street.
It’s a honeybee themed tea party complete with yellow bumblebee decorations and honey filled foods. When a “beekeeper” shows up at the party the guests think it’s part of the entertainment, but this “beekeeper” has other things on his mind when he smokes out a guest with noxious gas and they wind up dead. You will be kept buzzing along as you piece together all the clues thrown at you, many which will throw you off track as you think you’ve solved it, but it turns out to be a dead end.
Very entertaining and well-paced cozy mystery. I’m satisfied with this book. Don’t forget to read to the end of the book as there are delicious sounding recipes, interesting facts about tea and a fun list of things to do when visiting Charleston, South Carolina.
Pub Date 08 Aug 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Have a fabulous day and thanks for spending time here today.
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
We’ve all heard the great debate—which is better, coffee or tea? While we may never be able to put the debate to rest, we can take a look at a few tea and coffee statistics that lovers of these beverages can take with them into the new year. This will help you know where your favorite stands and whether you’re willing to give the other beverage a try due to how others feel about it. Read on below to learn all about tea drinker versus coffee drinker statistics.
The 30 Tea Drinkers vs. Coffee Drinkers Statistics
Tea is considered the second most popular drink of choice worldwide.
You’re welcome to use our images, but we require you link directly to this site for credit (ex. Image from Coffee Affection)
Tea is considered the second-most popular drink of choice worldwide.
(World Tea News)
While coffee is a preferred drink in many countries, when looking at worldwide beverage consumption statistics, tea is the second-most consumed beverage. The beverage making the top of the list is packaged water.
Image Credit: jsbaw7160, Pixabay
Black tea is the most consumed tea around the world.
(NCBI)
Black tea is considered the favored type of tea worldwide. In the United States alone, nearly 90% of all tea consumed is steeped from black tea leaves.
297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide in 2021.
(World Tea News)
The worldwide consumption of tea has been on the rise. In 2021, 297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide. This is an increase of 63 billion liters since 2013.
Image Credit: stux, Pixabay
In 2020, China dominated the tea market with 78.7 billion US dollars of revenue.
(Statista)
When it comes to the tea industry, China is predominately the leader in all areas. In 2020 alone, the country earned what translates into 78.7 billion US dollars in revenue from tea production. Brazil and India found themselves taking 2nd and 3rd place by earning 16 billion and 15.8 billion, respectively.
5.In 2018, bubble tea made a 3,000% jump in orders throughout the Southeast Asia region.
(The Asean Post)
The bubble tea in the Southeast Asia region made an incredible leap when it came to orders in 2018. With the popularity of this tea continuing to rise, this number is expected to continue growing, especially as bubble tea becomes a global trend.
Image Credit: RODNAE Productions, Pexels
Worldwide, the wholesale price of tea rose 50% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
(Forbes)
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect on the price of tea around the world. On average, consumers were paying up to 50% more for wholesale tea, bottled tea, and tea bags across the globe.
US Tea Statistics
7.75%–80% of tea drank in the United States is iced tea.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Popularized in the Southern states, iced tea is quite popular in America. Many enjoy this type of tea throughout the year but it is a beloved staple during the warmer months, especially in those states with long, hot summers.
Image Credit: makafood, Pexels
Americans consumed 85 billion servings of tea throughout 2021.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Throughout 2021, people in the United States consumed 85 billion servings of tea which equates to more than 3.9 billion gallons.
9.In 2019, 48% of tea consumed by Americans took place at food service locations.
(Euromonitor International)
Before the pandemic, most Americans enjoyed their tea while at restaurants or other locations that served food. This is where 48% of the country’s overall tea consumption took place.
Image Credit: Marta Dzedyshko, Pexels
Worldwide Coffee Statistics
10.Worldwide, more than 50 countries contribute to coffee production.
(National Coffee Association)
With the growing demand for coffee, more than 50 countries throughout the world are now producing coffee in some form for distribution.
11.In 2019, Brazil accounted for 44% of worldwide coffee exportation.
(International Coffee Organization)
Brazil, as expected, was the leader when it came to coffee exporting in 2019. They were followed by Indonesia, which reported roughly 8% of export sales.
Image Credit: Diego Catto, Unsplash
In 2020, worldwide coffee sales decreased by 3.8% in comparison to 2019’s reported numbers.
(International Coffee Organization)
The year 2019 was bigger in terms of worldwide coffee sales than 2020. In 2020, sales decreased by 3.8% and have bounced back yet.
Coffee Industry Statistics to Know
13.Coffee sales in 2023 are expected to reach over $100 million
(Global News Wire)
With more young people becoming fans of coffee, sales are expected to reach upwards of $100 million by 2023.
Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels
The Netherlands was responsible for the highest coffee consumption in 2020, reaching 8.3 kilograms per capita.
(Espresso Coffee Time)
People in the Netherlands love coffee. In 2020, they were the world leader in coffee consumption.
15.In 2019, the world reported the lowest coffee prices per pound in more than a decade.
(National Coffee Association)
2019 was a great year for coffee drinkers. Prices were at the lowest per pound than they have been in over a decade, but pandemic impacts have bumped the prices back up and have yet to match 2019 levels.
Image Credit: Ri_Ya, Pixabay
US Coffee Statistics
16.The United States ranks 25th in the most coffee consumed per capita.
(World Atlas)
While people in the US may love coffee, when it comes to per capita consuming the country ranks 25th. This comes out to roughly 9.26 pounds per person.
17.In 2020, there were over 37,000 coffee shops or cafes in the United States.
(World Coffee Portal)
The US is well-known for coffee shops. In 2020, more than 37,000 coffee shops were active in the country. Imagine if we included all the places that simply served coffee but weren’t labeled cafes, the number would likely be 10 times as big.
Image Credit: Charlotte May, Pexels
On average, US coffee drinkers consume two to three cups of coffee each day.
(Statista)
The love of coffee in the United States is clear. However, on average, coffee drinkers in the US consume two to three cups of coffee each day, which is somewhat tame compared to some European countries.
19.59% of Americans consume coffee every day.
(National Coffee Association)
According to a 2019 study, more than half of Americans over 18 years of age drink at least 1 cup of coffee per day. This number is down from 2013, when 63% of Americans drank 1 cup of coffee per day.
Image Credit: Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay
Finland is the top coffee drinker in the world.
(World Atlas)
Finland is the top coffee drinker globally, with the average person drinking more than 26 pounds of coffee per year. Norway is the second biggest drinker, with the average person drinking a little more than 21 pounds per person. Many Americans think that they are big coffee drinkers, but the U.S. is actually in 25th place, behind France, Germany, Austria, and Canada.
21.Seniors drink more coffee than young adults.
(Statista)
The amount of coffee that we consume in the United States varies by age. For example, you might expect that young adults burdened with college and work would consume the most coffee, but it turns out that seniors are the biggest drinkers, with some studies showing a steady increase as we age. Currently, 70% of seniors consume coffee regularly, while slightly less than half of young adults do.
Young people are more likely to visit coffee shops.
(Statista)
Research shows that more than a 1/3 of Americans ages 18–29 recently purchased coffee from a coffee shop, while only a 1/4 of older people did. Older Americans also prefer to use traditional drip machines, while younger people are more open to experimenting with other forms, like the French press, AeroPress, and cold brew.
29% of people drink coffee to relax.
(Statista)
When asked why they drink coffee, 29% of people said that they like to consume it to relax, so they enjoy it in the afternoon or early evening instead of treating it as a pick-me-up during breakfast.
24.There are almost 20,000 people producing coffee in the United States.
(IBIS World)
19,849 people are working to produce coffee in the United States as of 2022. This number has increased steadily since 2019 and should continue to rise at a rate of 3% for the next several years.
25.Starbucks is currently the most popular coffee shop.
(World Coffee Portal)
Starbucks is currently the most popular coffee shop in the United States and is responsible for 40% of the market. Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) is in second place with 26%.
Image Credit: Adrianna Calvo, Pexels
Tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world.
(Food and Agriculture Organization)
Some experts say that humans started drinking tea somewhere around 2700 B.C., and there are more than 1,000 varieties available.
27.China and Japan drink more than 40% of the tea produced each year.
(Grand View Research)
China and Japan consume more than 40% of the tea made each year, which is the most in any region. Experts expect tea consumption to grow in other countries in the region, like Thailand, Indonesia, and India, which will enable them to control an even larger market share.
28. 33% of people in the United Kingdom drink four to five cups of tea per day during the week.
Statista)
While surveying tea drinkers in the United Kingdom in 2019, researchers learned that 33% drink more than 4 cups per day during the week. This number should increase in the coming years.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Researchers expect the tea market in the United States to grow by more than 5% each year.
(Statista)
Researchers expect the tea market in the United States to grow by more than 5% each year from 2022 through 2025. Currently, the average person spends around $30 per year on tea.
30.Seattle, Washington, consumes the most coffee in the United States.
(Caffeine Informer)
Seattle, Washington, has the highest rate of coffee consumption in the United States. Other cities that make the top 10 list include Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; Denver, Colorado; and New York City, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tea Drinkers vs Coffee Drinkers
Which has more caffeine, coffee or tea?
While tea leaves have more caffeine than coffee beans, it is the brewing process that makes all the difference. More coffee beans are used when making a cup of coffee, therefore brewed coffee has more caffeine content than seeped or brewed tea. (Healthline)
Who prefers sugar in their drink more? Tea drinkers or coffee drinkers?
According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, most coffee drinkers prefer their beverage black. When it comes to tea, however, most people want sugar added. (SWNS Digital)
Which drink do people prefer most in the mornings?
When it comes to waking up, coffee is the clear winner for those that need the caffeine jolt. Yes, people enjoy tea in the mornings, but most caffeine lovers consider coffee the stronger of the two and the most likely to supply the surge needed to get their day started.
Image Credit: Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay
Are Tea and Coffee Bad for You?
One thing every tea or coffee drinker wonders is whether their drink of choice is bad for them. Each beverage brings something different to the table so let’s take a look at each one below.
The Good and Bad of Tea
Whether you’re a fan of hot tea, iced tea, sweetened tea, or tea with honey the most important question is what will it do to your health. One of the biggest things to keep in mind when you’re drinking tea is the amount of caffeine it contains. Each type of tea is different. Black tea contains more caffeine than green tea. Plus, the caffeine level in tea changes according to how it’s brewed. However, tea also includes L-theanine, which helps metabolize the caffeine it contains. This is why most people who drink tea feel more sustained energy than coffee drinkers.
The Good and Bad of Coffee
While coffee contains a lot more caffeine than tea, that doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. Coffee is a great way to wake up in the mornings, but it also offers more antioxidants than tea. Antioxidants are good for the body and can help fight against several diseases and disorders. By consuming the proper amount of caffeine recommended daily, coffee drinkers can use the love of their favorite beverage to help improve their health in some ways.
Do More People Drink Tea or Coffee?
While tea is the most popular beverage worldwide, coffee is close, especially in Finland and other European countries. It’s not quite as old as tea, but it’s still much older than many modern beverages, and it’s becoming more popular with the invention of specialty products, like espresso. These beverages aren’t going anywhere, and experts expect sales to continue to grow until at least 2027.
Is the coffee and tea market growing?
Yes. Experts believe that the coffee and tea market will grow by at least 5% annually from 2022 to 2027. The anti-aging properties of tea and the increasing popularity of both beverages among the youth will help boost sales. In addition, a growing preference toward non-alcoholic beverages and an increase in consumption of ready-to-drink beverages will also help drive sales. (Digital Journal)
Why is tea the most popular drink in the world?
It’s hard to nail down a specific reason for the popularity of tea. That said, people have been brewing it for thousands of years, long before most modern beverages, and there are currently close to a thousand varieties available. Tea has anti-aging properties, and it can also improve brain function, protect against cancer, and reduce the risk of heart disease, among other health benefits that help make it popular. It’s also a traditional drink in China and Japan, two countries that not only have huge populations but are also responsible for growing much of the tea that we drink. (Healthline)
Image Credit: Pixabay
What kinds of tea are available?
There is a wide variety of teas available for consumption in the United States and abroad. Traditionally, the most popular type is black tea, but recently, green and oolong tea have become popular. Green tea is especially sought after due to its health benefits. You can also find white tea, yellow tea, and Pu-erh. All kinds of tea come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to China. The difference between them is a result of the harvesting and preparation process.
What kinds of coffees are available?
Unlike the different kinds of tea, which generally come from the same plant, there are several varieties of coffee trees, and each can affect the final flavor. Environmental concerns like rain and sunshine can also affect the finished product. However, most people purchase their coffee primarily by its roast. A light roast will have a gentle, earthy taste, while dark roasts have a burned flavor that many people enjoy. Dark roasts also tend to have more caffeine and pack more of a punch to help you get moving. The standard coffee from Dunkin is a medium roast, while Starbucks specializes in dark-roasted coffee.
Conclusion
As you can see, tea may be the better selling beverage, but the love for coffee is steadily growing. When it comes to money, coffee is clearly the bigger industry. Whether you’re a fan of a morning cup of joe or a nice cup of tea to unwind, one thing is constant, great taste. Each beverage has caffeine and can be sweetened to your liking so enjoy your coffee or tea and remember to be open-minded when someone offers you something different. You may end up becoming a fan of a drink you never imagined you’d like.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Joanna Kosinska, Unsplash
What country are you in and what is your beverage of choice and is that hot or cold?
I am in the US and my beverage choice is tea, hot or cold but I also enjoy iced coffee. I won’t touch hot coffee though.
Thanks for stopping in and enjoy that beverage of choice soon!
With the cold weather upon us drinking hot tea and reading cozies is the perfect combination in my opinion. Add in a cat for your lap, chocolate and a baked good or two and you’re set. My feature today are those cozies with oh so delightful and relaxing tea. Enjoy!
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Agony of the Leaves, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning may always be a bridesmaid, never a bride, but this groom is never going to make it to the altar…
Theodosia Browning’s dear friend, Delaine Dish, has asked her to be a bridesmaid for her wedding. But when the big day arrives, everything seems to be going wrong. First, a massive storm is brewing over Charleston. A bad omen? Second, Delaine’s maid of honor is late for the ceremony. And finally, the groom not only has cold feet—his whole body is cold. A murderer has crashed the wedding.
n bestselling author Karen Rose Smith’s sixth delightfully devious Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery, Pennsylvania Amish country’s favorite tea house proprietor, Daisy Swanson, finds herself going back to school expecting to serve tea–only to get a crash course in criminal justice! The faculty of Willow Creek High School are having a get-together after the spring concert with refreshments provided, courtesy of Daisy’s Tea Garden. Oolong tea and chocolate biscuits are just what the staff needs to help them unwind from Althea Higgins’ demanding curriculum. Her lessons on such controversial subjects as school uniforms and under qualified substitute teachers are earning her an F from her colleagues. But a failing grade was preferable to Althea falling victim to foul play. Daisy was there when her body was discovered in the school swimming pool, murdered by strangulation. Althea was certainly a strict, opinionated taskmaster, unliked by both teachers and students, but would any of them actually want to kill her? As Daisy starts asking questions, she gets a real education in Althea’s history, discovering more than enough enemies with more than enough motives to cancel her classes permanently…
In national bestselling author Vicki Delany’s delightful Tea by the Sea mystery series, Lily Roberts—Cape Cod tearoom proprietress and part-time sleuth—stirs up trouble when she unwittingly serves one of her grandmother’s B&B guests a deadly cup of tea . . . Lily has her work cut out for her when a visit from her grandmother Rose’s dear friend, Sandra McHenry, turns into an unexpected—and unpleasant—McHenry family reunion. The squabbling boils over and soon Tea by the Sea’s serene afternoon service resembles the proverbial tempest in a teapot. Somehow, Lily and her tearoom survive the storm, and Sandra’s bickering brethren finally retreat to Rose’s B & B. But later that evening, a member of their party—harmless Ed French—dies from an apparent poisoning and suddenly Tea by the Sea is both scene and suspect in a murder investigation!
A book club meeting turns murderous in this mystery in the national bestselling series…
Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year’s book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock’s bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths—and send Krissy to the remainder bin forever.
Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.
A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning’s troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.
The New York Times bestselling author of The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss serves up a new mystery steeped in murder…
When The Parlour opens up in town, domestic diva Sophie Winston finally has a place to satisfy her cravings for all things tea and crumpet related. And the shop serves as the perfect place for the ladies of the town to gather and gossip, especially since it’s conveniently located right across the street from the new antique store run by the handsome and charming Robert Johnson.
But speculation around Robert really boils over when he’s found dead—a victim of poisoning after attending a literacy fundraiser at The Parlour the night before. What Sophie learns about the man leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, and she’ll have to strain out a killer from a strange brew of suspects…
Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!
n the second book of the popular Seaside Café Mysteries, No Good Tea Goes Unpunished, Everly Swan caters a high-profile beach wedding where the groom doesn’t make it to the altar before the wedding bells ring.
Hitting All the sweet-tea spots, this series is:
A delightful Tea Shop and Café Culinary Mystery
The ideal cozy beach read
Perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Kate Carlisle
Catering her childhood friend’s beachfront wedding was a dream come true for Sun, Sand and Tea Shop and Café owner Everly Swan—and the hundreds of guests in attendance would be great exposure for her new business. But when the well-to-do groom is found floating facedown in the surf, the coastal vibes of a beach wedding disappear and the locals of Charm, North Carolina turn their suspicions to his new bride. Could she have been so desperate to lay her hands on his fortune that she arranged for his murder before they even set off on their honeymoon?
This is no boring librarian shushing people from behind a desk. This librarian corrals rogue magic. But more importantly, she has a frog and a cat, and she’s not afraid to use them!
A new life complete with tea, scones, and… murder?
On a whim, April May buys a huge Victorian home in the cozy seaside town of Serenity Cove. She plans to open a tearoom featuring lace tablecloths, exotic teas, and dainty sandwiches.
No one told her the house came with a cat in the attic who might just be guarding a treasure. How else to explain people breaking into her house?
From the moment she moves in, nothing goes right, but her problems seem minor when a dead body turns up in her home. Accused of murder, April teams up with a cantankerous bar owner and a feisty, young antique expert to solve the crime.
And what about the handsome, arrogant chef in her kitchen no one else can see? She plans to get medical help for what must be a hallucination, but in the meantime, he’s putting a tasty French twist on her menu.
If you’ve ever wished someone would remake The Ghost and Mrs. Muir as a culinary murder mystery, this book is for you!
Get the first Haunted Tearoom Cozy Mystery now—complete with delicious recipes!
With the grand relaunch of Victoria Square’s tea shop, Tealicious, just days away, Nona Fiske decides it’s time to sabotage it and its owner, Katie Bonner. With gossip, innuendo, and outright lies, Nona tries to turn the other merchants on the Square against Katie. But Katie has learned how to deal with people like Nona. Can she kill with kindness?
This story takes place between the Victoria Square mystery novels Yule Be Dead and Killer Ink.
A film crew enters San Bastion Bay, and the movie turns deadly when a starlet who hailed from the small town is killed on set. Olivia Darrow must investigate the murder of the former prom queen turned movie star before the police arrest an innocent man. Unfortunately, the film crew and the town are full of potential suspects and dangerous secrets. In a race against time, can Olivia uncover the real killer before she becomes the next target? A feel-good cozy mystery about a quirky teashop owner and her side-kick little sister solving mysteries in a small town on the California coast. This book does not contain any cliffhangers, gore, graphic scenes, or foul language.
Are you a tea drinker? Would you read any of these teatime cozies?
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A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning’s troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.
In the throes of alerting police, Theodosia recognizes the victim–it is the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop.
Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer who is stalking the back alleys of Charleston, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, and the sage words of Drayton, her tea sommelier, amateur-sleuth Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation. And quickly discovers that suspects abound with the dead girl’s boyfriend, nefarious real estate developer, private-security man, bumbling reporter, and her own neighbor who is writing a true-crime book and searching for a big ending.
I would say A Dark and Stormy Tea is my favorite of the books I’ve read in A Teashop Mystery series. Once again we have tea maven Theodosia Browning butting her nose in, err helping to investigate a murder committed by a possible serial killer. On a dark and stormy night on her way home from working at her delightful teashop ,Theodosia Browning cuts through a cemetery and witnesses a brutal murder. Because of the cloaked figure she can not identify who it was but the victim is her friend’s daughter who owns a bookshop next to her teashop, the Indigo Teashop. Her boyfriend is a police detective so we get an inside scoop on how the investigation is going which makes it interesting, I enjoyed the descriptions of the the types of tea in the shop,the china and the fancy parties taking place there. Earl Grey is a great name for her dog. There are other similar types of murders taking place at different places and times so this just may be the work of a serial killer. Theodosia Browning’s gotten herself into a bit of hot water with her investigating, see how a teakettle and a bit of tea helps her out. Recommended to fans of foodie cozy mysteries also teashops. Absolutely delightful food and drink recipes included in the book.
Pub Date 09 Aug 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
Gerry Schmitt, who writes under the pen name Laura Childs is now adding two more series that are harder-edged Wednesday February 26, 2014 in Plymouth. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
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Do you have a favorite tea you enjoy? Let me know in the comments. I enjoy Orange teas,also lemon,peppermint,pumpkin spice,salted caramel and Constant Comment tea, plus more but I’m not going to bore you and list even more 🙂
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