The English Breakfast Murder

Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, was encouraged by her pastry chef, Haley Parker, to volunteer for a shift as a guardian angel to endangered loggerhead turtles on Halliehurst Beach. This role involves ensuring the safety of hatchlings from predators as they make their way from the nest to the sea after emerging from their shells. Haley had shared with Theodosia how exciting it was to join members and volunteers of Charleston's Sea Turtle Protection League, but the actual experience was almost an indescribable joy. No one could have anticipated the Sheriff's Water Patrol would need to be notified that evening and not because of hatchlings.

The author's descriptive writing is so rich in detail that it adds to the immersion show more in imagining the delights of historic Charleston, South Carolina, whether one is familiar as a resident, tourist, or planning a trip. I love the owner and employees of the Indigo Tea Shop. I can only imagine the delight of being a customer, whether a resident or tourist, as each time I enjoy my armchair travel, I learn exciting tea origins, history, facts, and crafted blends. As Theodosia welcomes her employees to make suggestions, there is always a new aspect of the business to enjoy, from daily menu offerings to in-house events to catering for charity or celebration events in the city. In combination with an intriguing investigation related to underwater archaeology, there's never a dull moment.

In the off hours, as Theodosia's dog, Earl Grey, previously earned his Therapy Dog International certificate, there are additional opportunities to learn more about assistance dogs.

At the end of the novel, you'll find a delightful surprise, Recipes from the Indigo Tea Shop and Teatime Entertainment Ideas. These unique additions not only enhance your reading experience but also allow you to bring the charm of the Indigo Tea Shop into your home.

Reviewer's Note: Gerry Schmitt writes the Afton Tangler Thrillers and, using the pseudonym Laura Childs, writes the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbook Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries. show less

My first, and last, book of this series and author. I much prefer my solution to the mystery: that her friend and employee did it. He acts upset about the murder throughout the book and no one else, including the actual killer, has a better motive or opportunity or means. Then the book could have been about how one handles being responsible for the death of someone---accidentally, of course, in my version----and how a relationship with someone changes when one party is responsible for the death of someone. Instead, I didn't come close to guessing whodunit because there was no particular reason to suspect this person.

The author encourages helping baby turtles and sponsoring service dogs as well as promoting the use of tea and food to go show more with it. But while Robert Parker also spends much of his books discussing food and beverages, Parker's books actually deal, eventually, with some important issue. Ms. Child's books don't. Perhaps if I had read the previous books I would have understood why the main character's best friend is her best friend. As it is, she just seemed annoying.

Nonetheless, I did finish the book. It was not excruciatingly bad and encourages good behavior. show less

Theodosia and her friends are back to sleuthing again. The Charleston setting, the Southern characters, and the recurring tea theme have been charming. I’ve truly loved this series. The fourth in the set just didn’t live up to the previous books. The theft plot line didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the story and began to grow tedious before the end. Also, the main character’s life seems a tiny bit too charmed for reality. Her business is booming, her employees are perfect, her love life is nice and not messy, her parties are fabulous, and she even pulls off a hectic television promo sure to add tons of new business. I’d love to see a little more realism in the future instead of perfection.

***Spoilers ahead you’ve been warned***

This would have to be the worst book in the series so far. I read this through because I just wanted to get to the end of it in the hopes of having somewhat of a satisfying ending but even that was denied.

The plot wasn’t that interesting. It tried to have intrigue and mystery but it was severely lacking. What you read more was more tea parties than anything else. Yes, she owns a tea shop and has two large events that somehow took over nearly half of the book. The mystery takes a back seat in this book and it’s disappointing. The pace of the book was slow and although it tried to make it a little engaging with two issues going on at once it wasn’t enough to really capture my attention.

I show more wasn’t even that interested in the suspects. Nothing stood out and even when it was revealed it was so lackluster. There wasn’t much of an action scene and it completely did a nose dive. The suspect was nabbed. Done. No explanation, no way to tie the loose ends. Everything was just left open and unfinished. I have no idea what in the world happened in this book with the mystery aspect of it. Then there was the issue with Nadine being a complete kleptomaniac. Okay, she stole stuff….so...what ever happened to the items she stole? Nothing was said. Was it ever recovered? And Delaine, lordy. She got the point where she became annoying everytime she appeared in a scene.

I read this book just because it was following the series. I think the next one will determine if I continue on with it or not. It’s too bad. I actually enjoyed these and thought they were quaint little mysteries to get into after heavy reads. Not so with this one. You could probably skip this one and go to the following. You’re not missing anything. show less

Theodosia Browning owns the Indigo Tea Shop, where she has a café that serves tea and also offers tea and tea-related items for sale. Her two employees are Haley, her baker, and Drayton, her master tea blender. One night she's on the beach at night helping the Charleston Sea Turtle Protection League as they watch little green loggerhead turtles hatch and head to sea, keeping them safe. Drayton shows up in the nick of time with a huge pot of gumbo for the volunteers; but when he and Theo notice something large in the water, Theo swims out and discovers it's a body. So she calls her friend Detective Tidwell, and when it's towed to shore, Drayton recognizes it as a friend of his, Harper Fisk.

When his boat is found, it's ruled an show more accident; but Theo thinks otherwise, and so does Drayton. So she starts quietly asking questions of the remainder of the English Breakfast Club, as Fisk and his friends were known (including Drayton) and it leaves her with more questions than answers.

But Theo has other problems: her friend Delaine has roped her into helping with a charity event, and between all her other obligations, it's going to be tight. But once she agrees, there's no way out of it. Theo also has a suspect in Fisk's partner, Summer, who seems to be taking his death hard, but that can be faked. Theo is up to her ears in suspects, with very little clues, and she needs to find out who killed the old man before someone else is another victim...

While I wanted to enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed the first three, I found it odd that a woman who owns a tea shop doesn't know the difference between high tea and afternoon tea. High tea consists of cooked food such as meat pies. It also had hearty food such as meat sandwiches, cheese, crackers, etc. because this is considered an evening meal. Afternoon tea has sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, pastries, cakes, etc., and can also be called a cream tea. (Although Theo would definitely get more business if she did offer high tea, as it would be a dinner meal).

Anyway, the mystery was fine, but it kept getting disrupted by Delaine and her antics. While she's always been a decent character, she was over-the-top pushy in this book and so demanding that it was as if she didn't care if others had things to do, that her wants and needs took priority, and that's just extremely rude in itself (and she calls Tidwell rude!).

Other than that, look for clues with Theo and watching the action around her made the book somewhat interesting. When the murderer is discovered, there weren't really and clues leading to that person, so I was a bit disappointed. But, since I enjoyed the first three books, I will continue to read this series. There are also quite a few recipes in the back of the book, which sound delicious. show less

I just adore this cozy mystery series. The characters are wonderful, the mysteries are intriguing and best of all, the main character owns a tea shop. Being a tea aficionado, I love reading about all the various teas mentioned throughout the story. The author's knowledge about tea is remarkable and I enjoy her mysteries a little bit more because of this. I have not followed them in sequence and have not lost anything plot-wise because of it. There is also a collection of recipes at the end of the book, based on recipes in the story. And they sure sound good.

I would recommend this series to the cozy fan, to a tea lover or to anyone who loves a lighthearted murder mystery.

This is another well plotted suspenseful mystery in the Tea Shop series. The pace is brisk, from the first chapter in which the body of the murdered antique store owner is found, until the murdered is unmasked at the end. There are many red herrings in the main plot, and along the way there are "sidebars" about sea turtles and therapy dogs. Of course, there is the usual tea lore (and recipes). It's an easy read.
The obtuse Detective Tidwell is joined by Detective Hudson for a brief appearance. Hudson adds nothing to the story-telling and one wonders why he is included. Delaine, Theo's best friend, has a kleptomanic sister visit her and play a part in the solution of the mystery. The other continuing tea shop characters (Drayton and show more Haley) play their usual supporting roles.
"The English Breakfast Murder " is better than the previous one in the series (Shades of Earl Grey). Perhaps the future ones in the series will continue this trend toward improvement. show less