A Bodkin for the Bride (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries) (Volume 4)

I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, but I didn't really feel lost jumping in here. It was a quick read and was enjoyable. Maybe if I'd read the previous books I would have connected with the characters more. The storyline was a little light for a real mystery. Even if there are to be more books in the series, I feel the ending could have been more complete.

More of the same. Ellen finds yet another body, which should be reason enough to avoid ever going anywhere near anywhere she's likely to be.

The ghosts and romance action plots all progress a slight step (these could be spun out for ages yet at this rate, enough time to decimate the town if the murder rate is concurrent). The tearoom remains the focus, with some new recipes thrown in as well. There's a bizarre hiccup based sub-plot, as if the author had recently suffered and managed to turn it into a story.

But the rest remains cosily fun. I enjoy this series, even though they're fluff of the highest order.

This is a lovely cosy mystery about a young teashop owner who finds on a regular base some deaths on her doorstep. This time she is haunted by a young dead man whom she saw at a local market selling decorated knives. Shortly after the market visit this young fellow is found dead in front of her aunt's house. Elli is sure that the knife plays a major role in solving the puzzle.
But this isn't the only thing she has to solve there is also her love-life and the next of her boyfriend to be as well as her aunt's wedding preparation which keep her busy. The only steady and comforting pole is her 'house ghost'.

A quick, light read. Nothing really special. Between the murder, the sister's wedding, the possible budding romance, the ghost, and her depression, she doesn't have much time to run a business. Good thing she can afford that huge, efficient staff. And, for all of that going on, the book was kind of short. It was fine as cozies go, but I probably won't read another from this series.

I didn't realise this book was part of a series, but the book had enough information included to fill in the gaps. It was a pleasant read, made more interesting by the realistic portrayal of Ellen, the main character, and her feelings about her current situation. I really enjoyed and have bought the first book in the series!

An entertaining book that can be picked up and read when you have five minutes free time. It can be read and enjoyed without having read any of the previous books in the series although I may now buy some of them. I liked the characters and I'm sure there is more to discover about them in the other books, although we didn't really learn much about the criminal in this story. I think the book is just as much about the life of the tea shop owner, Ellen, as it is about the crimes she stumbles across and it is none the worse for that.

I received the first book in this series from the Early Review system and wasn't very impressed but felt that it showed promise. However having read this fourth episode in the series I don't feel that the writer or the series has progressed much. There is still too much trivial description - the preparation of every meal is minutely and unecessarily included - and the plot is vague and, even for a 'cosy' mystery hardly gripping.