Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith

Welcome!  I have been under the weather the last few days courtesy of my Fibromyalgia.  I am slowing gaining my energy back.  If you are a fan of paranormal mysteries, you should check out Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon. It is the prequel for a Kitchen Witch Mysteries and releases August 25.  One Poison Pie publishes January 26, 2021 will be the first full-length book in the series.  Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams is the next A Secret, Book and Scone Society Novel.  It will be out on January 26 as well.  I love being able to pre-order books and have them pop up on my kindle on release day (I know, I am a book geek). 

Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith has Daisy Swanson happily anticipating the birth of her first grandchild.  In the meantime, Daisy has been hired by Margaret Vaughn to cater tea for the people involved in the Willow Creek Little Theater.  There has been tension in the group because Margaret brought in two people from New York City to oversee the production of the play Christmas in the North Woods.  The tea goes well until dessert when people disappear from the table for various reasons.  Daisy goes to the butler’s pantry where she finds Margaret dead on the floor.  Daisy works with her beau and former detective, Jonas Croft to unmask the killer.

Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith is the 5^th A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  Daisy Swanson has her hands full in this story.  I thought the story contained good writing and it had steady pace.  The characters are developed and continue to evolve as the series progresses.  A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series is character driven.  Daisy has two children who are each going through different issues.  There is also her mother, Rose and her aunt, Iris.  I find the family experiences to be realistic and relatable.  The author touches on PTSD, postpartum depression, and moving on after losing a spouse.  Jazzi, Daisy’s youngest daughter, is reconnecting with her biological mother, but the husband has thrown a wrench in the works.  I like how Daisy’s relationship with Jonas Croft is progressing. I was happy to see that they are not rushing matters.  I enjoy the author’s descriptions of Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Her word imagery brings the town alive for me.  I like that there are English and Amish elements.  The mystery was stimulating.  There are multiple suspects who could have committed the crime.  There are threats made against Daisy that provides action and suspense.  This was my favorite whodunit of the series. I will, though, be avoiding clotted cream!  It was fun following Daisy as she asked questions and assembled the clues.  There are mouthwatering descriptions of the food served at the tea shop and at the catered tea.   I am amazed at the variety of tea blends available.  The author even mentions tea blends that pregnant women can and cannot imbibe.  My favorite line from Murder with Clotted Cream is, "Tea calms the soul."  Murder with Clotted Cream is an enjoyable cozy mystery that has theater theatrics, clotted cream, a bouncing baby, missing memories, and tasty teas.  

Murder with Clotted Cream is available from Amazon*.  The 6th A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery is Murder with Oolong Tea which releases on December 29.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I am sharing Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner tomorrow.  I do hope you have an uplifting day.  I am off to relax for a while and read.  My father liked to tell people that he never saw me without a book and later my kindle.  Do you take a book with you wherever you go?  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith

Good Day!  Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon comes out on June 11 along with Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner.  Murder's No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher releases June 25 with Left Fur Dead by J.M Griffin and Clause & Effect by Kaitlyn Dunnett.  Plain Truth by Susan Simpson publishes on June 30.  It is the third book in the Plainly Maryland series.

Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith has readers enjoying March in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania.  Daisy Swanson and her aunt, iris co-own Daisy’s Tea Garden where they are preparing for a visit from food critic and blogger, Derek Schumacher.  He is widely known for his malicious reviews which has everyone at the tea garden on edge.  Derek eats and drinks heartily from the offerings and even gets a to-go order of Daisy’s cucumber and pimento sandwiches.  The next day, Detective Morris Rappaport arrives just as they are opening to question the staff about the death of the critic who perished after eating his take home munchies.  When words leaks out, business at the tea garden drops dramatically.  Daisy needs to serve up the killer before her business expires. 

 

Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches is the third book in A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series.  I recommend reading the series in order to avoid confusion (there are a number of characters and ongoing personal situations).  Karen Rose Smith has a relaxed writing style which makes for an easy to read story.  I like the various characters that include the kindly Aunt Iris, the kitchen manager Tessa Miller, Foster Cranshaw, Jazzi, Violet, Daisy’s Amish best friend Rachel and various townspeople.  While Daisy is busy looking into Derek’s death, she is also dealing with personal drama at home and at work.  Foster Cranshaw, an employee & her social media expert, is acting unlike himself and needing extra time off.  He refuses to tell Daisy what is bothering him.  Jazzi, Daisy’s teenage daughter, wants to have a close relationship with her biological mother, Portia.  First, though, Portia needs to come clean to her husband about Jazzi.  Sean, Daisy’s father, has concerns and needs some helpful advice.  Jonas Croft, Daisy’s boyfriend, is not happy when Daisy cancels plans with him for Violet (Daisy’s eldest daughter).  Daisy wonders if Jonas is the right man for her.  Violet has some important news to share with Daisy and it is going to change all of their lives.  There is a regular customer interested in dating Iris, but first he needs to work up the nerve to ask her out.  Murder with Cucumbers Sandwiches is heavy personal drama and light on mystery.  There are multiple suspects for Daisy to question in her attempt to identify Derek’s killer.  Detective Rappaport wants to keep her nose out of the investigation (as he tells her several times).  I do wish the author had put more work into the mystery and had made it the focus of the story.  My favorite quote from Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches is “children give us hope that a new generation will treat the world more kindly than we did”. There are recipes at the end for dishes mentioned. Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches is a light cozy mystery with an unpleasant food critic, a jittery employee, a tearful teen, a hopeful beau, delectable delights, two affectionate felines, tasty tea, and a worried mom with a penchant for sleuthing. 

The fourth book is Murder with Cherry Tarts which comes out November 26.  The other novels in A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series are Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes and Murder with Cinnamon Scones.  Thank you for joining me today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Right Sort of Man of Allison Montclair (great characters).  Take care, stay cool and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Cut to the Chaise by Karen Rose Smith

Welcome!  Batter Off Dead by Maymee Bell comes out on December 11 along with A Spell of Murder by Clea Simon and The Fallen Women by Lindsey Hutchinson.  Live and Let Pie by Ellie Alexander will be out on December 29.  It is the ninth A Bakeshop Mystery.

Cut to the Chaise by Karen Rose Smith takes readers to Kismet, Pennsylvania.  Caprice DeLuca is finalizing the plans for her wedding to Grant Weatherford now that his annulment has finally come through from the Catholic Church.  They are having their reception at Rambling Vines Winery who happened to have a last minute cancelation and Caprice had redecorated their tasting room for Travis and Michelle Dodd who own the winery.  The wedding is coming together with Bella making her dress, a last minute opening at St. Francis Catholic Church and Nikki agreeing to cater the reception.  When Caprice starts hearing rumors about Rambling Vines having financial problems and unhappy clients, she wonders if they made the right choice for their reception.  It does not help matters that Michelle Dodd once dated Vince and he failed to tell Roz about the relationship (awkward).  Then Travis Dodd is found stabbed in the neck with a cheese knife on the teal chaise in the tasting room.  Michelle is the prime suspect and requests Vince represent her.  Caprice sets out to identify the culprit, so she can prove Michelle’s innocence, get Vince away from Michelle before his relationship with Roz implodes and clear the bad karma from Rambling Vines.  Time is of the essence with her wedding just around the corner.  Can Caprice wrap up the case before she walks down the aisle? 

Cut to the Chaise is the eighth A Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery and it cannot be read alone.  This is one series that you need to read in order.  Each book builds upon the previous one.  Caprice’s business is successful, she has a wonderful relationship with her family, and is marrying the man she has loved since the moment she met him.  Caprice and Grant were waiting for the annulment from the church before planning their wedding.  Now that the annulment has come through, they are wasting no time in getting married.  A Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery series is a character driven series.  There is Caprice’s large family which includes Vince, Nikki and Bella along with their wide circle of friends.  Unfortunately, Grant’s family is not as warm and friendly as Caprice’s which creates tension.  I like the author’s conversational writing style.  It has an ease to it which makes Cutto the Chaise easy to read and enjoy.  The mystery is not the focus of the book, but it was intriguing.  The fast paced mystery has a couple of suspects along with misdirection to throw you off the track of the real killer.  There are many lovely cozy and romantic moments in Cut to the Chaise and fans of the series will be thrilled with the wedding.  Caprice helps a sweet dog find a forever home plus Grant’s and Caprice’s dogs are featured along with the families’ other pets.  I am giving Cut to the Chaise 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  There are recipes at the end for the enticing dishes featured in the story. 

I appreciate you stopping in today.  It is a busy time of year for everyone as we get ready for the holiday season.  I will return tomorrow to feature Murder at the Mill by M.B. Shaw as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.  It is the first book in The Iris Grey Mysteries and there is a giveaway.  Take care, stay warm and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Murder with Cinnamon Scones: A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery

Good Day!  Falcon's Prey by Terry Odell is the eighth book in A Blackthorne Inc. series and is now available.  Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid along with A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden will be published on June 5.  

Murder with Cinnamon Scones by Karen Rose Smith is the second book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series.  Daisy Swanson co-owns Daisy’s Tea Garden with her Aunt Iris in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania.  The town is getting ready for Quilt Lovers Weekend in three weeks.  Daisy has been working with Reese Masemer, owner of Revelations Art Gallery and Tessa’s boyfriend, on the preparations.  Unfortunately, Reese will not get to enjoy the fruits of his labors.  He is found dead in the woods near the covered bridge and Tessa finds herself at the top of the suspect list.  Matters are not helped when Chloie Laird, Reese’s attractive assistant, openly accuses Tessa of the crime at the tea shop.  Knowing that Tessa did not commit the crime, Daisy takes a deep dive into Reese’s life.  It seems that Reese had some secrets and one of them could have gotten him killed. 

Murder with Cinnamon Scones is well-written and has steady pacing.  There is a lovely cast of characters and a charming town.  Daisy is friendly, smart main character who is moving on with her life after the death of her husband.  I think she is handling her adopted daughter’s (Jazzi) search for her biological mother very well.  It is sensitive issue that the author handled thoughtfully.  Daisy has starting dating Jonas Graft, but their path is bumpy.  I could have done with less romance and more mystery.  I prefer a romance that plays out slowly in the background.  There are beautiful quilt descriptions in the book especially of the Baltimore Album Quilt.  There are many cozy moments with cooking, baking, eating, tea events, family time, town events, quilting plus more.  I especially like that Daisy and her kids live in a converted barn.  Foster Crenshaw’s father is worried about him working at the tea garden and his relationship with Daisy’s daughter, Violet. Mr. Crenshaw does not want Foster’s college plans derailed.  The mystery had some good components, a couple of suspects and misdirection.  I am not a fan of Detective Morris Rappaport who is a cliché cozy mystery detective.  Murder with Cinnamon Scones can be read alone if you have not had the opportunity to pick up Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes.  I am rating Murder with Cinnamon Scones 4 out of 5 stars.   I thought Murder with Cinnamon Scones was an engaging cozy mystery that will delight readers of this genre and Karen Rose Smith.

Thank you for reading my review.  I am featuring Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch next time.  I hope that you have a day filled with joy.  Please take a moment to follow my blog (upper right).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Slay Bells Ring: A Caprice De Luca Mystery

Thank you for visiting today.  A Place at Our Table by Amy Clipston will be out on November 14. It is the first book in An Amish Homestead Novel series. 

Slay Bells Ring by Karen Rose Smith is the seventh book in A Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery series (that’s a mouthful).  Caprice De Luca is staging Christopher and Sara Merriweather home with a “Christmas Delight” theme for their open house.   Chris and Sara own a local hobby store along with Chris making beautiful wood toys during the year.  Chris has been acting strangely since his return from his annual trip to visit old war buddies in Washington, D.C.  Late one evening, Chris (who plays Santa each year) is found dead outside Santa’s cabin on Santa Lane.  Why would someone murder him?  Caprice is asked to look into the crime and see if she can unmask the killer.  She soon discovers that Chris was keeping many secrets.  Which one of them go them got him murdered?

Slay Bells Ring is not a standalone novel.  You do need to read the previous six books in the series or you will be lost.  There are numerous family members (friends, townspeople) and it will be impossible to keep them all straight.  The murder occurs at the 20% mark in the story (I was beginning to wonder if I was reading a cozy mystery). The culprit’s identity can be discovered before the murder occurs (I am not kidding).  I wish the mystery had been slightly more complicated and had been more of the focus of the book.  The focus of Slay Bells Ring is on Grant and Caprice.  They are newly engaged and very much in love (as we are told repeatedly).  Slay Bells Ring is nicely written and has a good flow.  It contains a charming town and a good female main character.  I appreciate Caprice’s fashion sense and love of animals.  Food items and Caprice’s clothing are described in detail (each and every outfit).  Slay Bells Ring is perfect for readers looking for a light-hearted cozy mystery with love, family and Christmas.  There is a preview of Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes at the end of the book (publishes on December 26, 2017).

I hope you found my review helpful.  I will return tomorrow to share my thoughts on A Deadly Eclair by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the first book in A French Bistro Mystery series.  May you have a very special day!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader