Greetings! One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein, Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier (two previously published Lucy Stone Valentine Mysteries), Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox, Steamed Open by Barbara Ross, Fashions Fade, Haunted is Eternal by Rose Pressey and The Amish Sweet Shop by Emma Miller, Laura Bradford and Mary Ellis are out today. Dreams of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the fourth book in the Witches of Keating Hollow and it is now available for purchase. Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae comes out on January 1. Do not miss the return of the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series. So many wonderful new books to read!
In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon is
the first A Tea and Read Mystery. Calliope
“Callie” Aspen has returned to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt
Iphy with her tearoom, Book Tea. Iphy
incorporates mystery books into her pastry decorations and hosts book themed
events. Callie is carting the supplies to
Haywood Hall for the tea party being hosted by Dorothea Finster, the town’s
oldest resident, a week before Christmas.
Callie has fond memories of playing at Haywood Hall as a child plus she
vividly remembers the crush she had on Stephen, one of Dorothea’s relatives. Dorothea has invited various relatives and friends
to hear an announcement regarding her will.
Sheila Du Bouvrais, Stephen’s wife, has her own agenda for the event and
insists that Callie hide an heirloom engagement ring in the cake. She is trying to force Ben Matthews, a
lawyer, into proposing to her daughter Amber, despite Amber’s lack of
interest. When the ring box is removed
from the cake and opened, they find the empty.
A scream then rings out from the
conservatory where Amber has stumbled upon Mr. Leadenby, the gardener and
storyteller, stabbed to death. Deputy
Falk is in charge of the case since the sheriff is out of town for the
holidays. Callie and Iphy join forces to
solve this knotty conundrum before Santa slides into town on his sleigh.
In Peppermint Peril we are taken
to the small town of Heart’s Harbor, Maine where Callie grew up. After Stephen
broke her heart by marrying her childhood friend, Sheila, Callie took a job as
a tour guide. Callie has traveled around
the world with Travel the Past, but it left her little time to visit home or
have a personal life. Callie is quickly
confronted by her past when Iphy’s latest catering gig takes her to Haywood
Hall. Haywood Hall is a special place to
Callie. When I started In Peppermint
Peril, I felt like I was dumped down the rabbit hole like Alice. It felt like I started in the middle of the
book instead of the beginning. Readers
barely get a chance to know Callie and Iphy, when a hoard of other characters
are introduced. Callie’s dog, Daisy is
an adorable addition to the story. Iphy
is lovely woman with a delightful tea shop with mystery book themed
pastries. She hides clues on her cakes for
the guests to solve. I enjoyed the
references to the older mystery novels.
Iphy’s creations sounded beautiful and delectable. The mystery was multi-faceted with pointed
clues and multiple suspects.
Unfortunately, I easily identified the killer early in the story. The why is revealed as the story
progresses. The one thing I did not like
is Callie jumping to conclusions which led to exasperating situations. She spends a significant amount of time
thinking and speculating about the case.
Her investigation technique is unique.
In Peppermint Peril has steady pacing along with the author’s casual
writing style which made the story easy to read. Unfortunately, the book lacked depth. There are details missing on the main
characters and the town. The ending felt
incomplete. I believe the author was
trying to start the series with a BANG, but it fell flat. I am giving In Peppermint Peril 3 out of 5
stars. The series has potential, and I
hope the author is more successful in her next A Tea and Read Mystery.
Sweet Tea and Secrets is the next book in A Tea and Read Mystery series which will be available on June 11, 2019. I appreciate you joining me today. Tomorrow I will share my review of The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere. Until then, take care of yourself and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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