Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Steeped in Secrets by Laura Elliott

Steeped in Secrets
Book Summary

Flat broke and divorced, intuitive gemologist Shay Myers has changed since leaving her artsy hometown of coastal Bray Harbor sixteen years ago. But when she moves back under strange circumstances, old instincts may be the only key to spilling the tea on a deadly mystery.
 
Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California’s Monterey Peninsula and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known. Her heightened senses—an empathic gift she’s had since childhood—go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget’s eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols. They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger’s body sprawled across the shop’s greenhouse roof . . .
 
With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget’s so-called accidental death, Shay fears she’s also inherited the attention of a killer. The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own. As Shay struggles to figure out her true purpose in Bray Harbor and the powerful connection she has with the tea shop, she must trust her judgment above all else to identify a ruthless murderer and save herself from becoming victim number three.
My Thoughts

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott is the debut of A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mysteries.  Shayleigh “Shay” Myers returns to Bray Harbor, California with her life in a disarray.  Her ex-husband cheated on Shay, swindled her out of her jewelry store, and has ruined her reputation as a gemologist.    Shay has inherited Bridget Early’s shop and beach cottage, but she does not know why Bridget left them to her.  Shay is touring the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS with the realtor when they discover a man dead on the roof of the greenhouse.  Shay does not like how Sheriff Frank Burrows is railroading the local pub owner.  She decides to do a little investigating to see what she can uncover.  Shay gets help from her sister and Bridget’s special dog named Spirit.  She also uses her empathic gifts in her quest for the truth.

I enjoyed reading Steeped in Secrets.  Shay is an interesting character.  I liked learning about Shay and her special gift.  I have a feeling we have just scratched the surface.  There is an eclectic cast of secondary characters that includes the charming Liam who owns the pub next to Shay’s shop.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Bray Harbor.  The mystery was interesting, but I wish it had not been so easy to solve.  I enjoyed following Shay as she searched for clues and asked questions.  Her special gift guides her along with Spirit, Brigit’s dog (now Shay’s dog).  Shay still has questions regarding her inheritance and her ancestry.  We will have to wait for the next book to learn more.  My one negative comment is I was not fond of the repetitive details (I got it the first time).  Steeped in Secrets was a fun book to read.  Steeped in Secrets is a spirited tale with a smarmy ex-spouse, enigmatic inheritance, an appealing pub owner, a dishonest sheriff, a mysterious dead man, and empathic capabilities.  

Steeped in Secrets is available from Amazon*.  Lauren Elliott has Dedication to Murder coming out April 25.  It is the 9th A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery.   You can find Lauren Elliott's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Amish Holiday Vendetta by Laura Scott.  I hope that you have a fascinating day.  I am off to work outside on my Christmas decorations.  I am doing Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree with Santa (Santa singing into a microphone, Santa playing guitar, Santa with a boombox). I also have a small snowman band to go with it as well as a snowman playing a saxophone.  I am hoping it will turn out.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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