Once again Alex Erickson serves up a delicious read
Death by Tea
by Alex Erickson
Kensington Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: November 24, 2015
Description
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 at Death by Coffee, 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. To clear her name and find the real killer, Krissy turns to an old flame, Officer Paul Dalton. But even Paul can't ignore the trail of evidence that seems to point in her direction. And with Krissy's personal nemesis, Officer John Buchannan, working overtime to pin the murder on her, it will take an amazing feat of detective work to close the book for good on an elusive killer. . .
Review
Alex Erickson serves up murder and mayhem in Death by Tea, the delectable sequel to Death by Coffee.
Krissy's success in solving a murder has brought attention and business to their bookshop/cafe, Death by Coffee. Members of the Pine Hills book club and the opposing team from Cherry Valley, have arranged to hold their meetings at Death by Coffee. The clubs compete each year for a silver teapot, and they take the competition very seriously. When the newest member of the Cherry Valley team, David is found dead in Death by Coffee, suspicion immediately falls on Krissy - despite lack of motive.
Office Buchannan is going out of his way to harass her, and Paul is avoiding her, offering neither comfort nor assistance. The police leave her home a ransacked mess, and her nosy neighbor is spying on her and spreading rumors. The only person Krissy can rely on is herself. Krissy has to clear her own name, before she is arrested for a murder that she didn't commit.
It is easy to empathize with Krissy and all that she suffers through. Being a murder suspect is a daunting experience. Her cat Misfit's antics, despite being destructive, are welcome comic relief.
Death by Tea is an engrossing cozy, filled with a cast of quirky suspects and a charming, believable lead. Readers can't help but root for Krissy as she struggles to uncover the truth.
I highly recommend Death by Tea to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.
5/5
Death by Tea is available for preorder and will be released November 24, 2015
I received a copy of Death by Tea from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
http://muttcafe.com/2015/11/death-by-tea
