Wednesday, March 6, 2019

#Review & #Giveaway: Broken Bone China by Laura Childs #CozyMysteries


Broken Bone China (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
20th in Series
Berkley (March 5, 2019)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 0451489632
ISBN-13: 978-0451489630
Digital ASIN: B07DMZPLWY


Summary: Theodosia Browning serves tea and solves crimes in Charleston, a city steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery. 

My Review:
With this book, the author is celebrating her 20th book for this series. The book is a stand alone and the first that I have read.

A tea party, a hot air balloon launch, a drone, and three people killed. The book began with the murder in just a few pages into reading. The author got right to it and took her time to develop well rounded and mysterious characters of the who-done-it. I found this to be refreshing because because many of the cozies I have read take quite awhile to get to the "murder" and then more time after that.

Her descriptions of Theodosia's tea shop, the local businesses, and other areas in Charleston were so well done that I felt like I was standing right in the middle of it. It was as if everything I could "see" was through Theodosia's eyes. I suppose that would make me either a snoop or a pretty good amateur detective as Theodosia is.

I loved the twists throughout the book. As if murder was not enough (minor spoiler alert), there was also a couple of thefts which added to the twist. Just as I thought I knew who the killer had to be...wham!...another twist. This kept me reading and wanting to get to the end.

On top of all of that, then there is the tea parties that are sprinkled throughout. The descriptions were fantastic and it was obvious that the author had done her homework on the different tea services. In fact, included in the back of the book are the different parties mentioned and how the reader can throw their own party. Also included, are the different teas, and food preparations, and her complete bibliography of where to find more information.

This is a well done book! Congratulations to Theodosia on 20 mysteries solved and to the author who helped her do it!  5 stars!

Disclosure:
I received a copy of this book from the author as part of her book tour. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop MysteriesScrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Amazon   
Giveaway: Michelle aka Naila Moon of Reading Authors is not responsible for this giveaway. Prize distribution is solely responsible of the author and/or the tour coordinator. Please review their rules  for entry into this giveaway.

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3 comments:

Terrie Farley Moran said...

This is a fabulous series. Thanks for a great review. Hot air balloons Yay!

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for your review on "Broken Bone China" by Laura Childs and for being part of the book tour.

Wonderful author, lovely cover and a storyline that I would love the opportunity to read about.
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Celia Fowler said...

Broken Bone China sounds wonderful. I have been to a hot air balloon festival before, although have never ridden in one, but they are enormous! I think a book featuring hot air balloons (and a drone!) has to be fascinating. Thanks for featuring it on your blog and for your review ~