It is with pleasure that I share my review of Sweet Tea Revenge, the newly released #14 in the Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs.
As a rule, I read more non-fiction than fiction, but I found Sweet Tea Revenge absolutely captivating. Even though it's fiction, it is laced with lots of non-fiction information pertaining to tea, tea time foods [that made me down-right hungry as I read the book], recipes, as well as informative tea facts, ideas, and resources - all currant and up-to-date.
As someone who aspired and trained to open a tea room of my own, I loved reading about the menus and special events that were frequently taking place at the Indigo Tea Shop. Some were so creative I couldn't help thinking how beneficial the book would be to actual tea room owners. I found myself wishing there was an Indigo Tea Shop in my city!
I love Laura Childs' imaginative, descriptive, and vivid writing style. Each character, no matter how large or small their role in the mystery, was described with such detail that precise mental images were immediately formed. The book drew me into the physical and emotional setting of Charleston, South Carolina, and Theodosia Browning's world.
The multi-faceted, effervescent Theodosia is the heart of the Sweet Tea Revenge mystery, but the other characters, places, and things fulfilled their roles in making the book entertaining, interesting, and fun to read.
As far as the book's mystery intrigue...I discovered I'm not a good amateur sleuth. I compiled a list of eight viable suspects from various chapters, and chuckled when the revelation of the killer proved to be none of those eight!
Are you a fan of Laura Childs Tea Shop Mystery books? If not, get your copy of the book right away. The 30 chapters are chock-full of good reading, and you, like me, will become one of the newest fans.
Thank you, Laura, for the opportunity to read and review your latest book. Best wishes for many more!
While perusing the recipes at the back of the book, the recipe for Peanut Butter Scones on page 299 piqued my interest. My hubby loves anything peanut butter, and since these were drop scones, they seemed easy enough to make while I am in recovery mode. The recipe makes 8, and I opted to use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy.
My hubby put his stamp of approval on them and so do I!
I ordered my book this week and can't wait to read it! I'm a fan of all Laura Childs' books but the tea shop series is my favorite. (go figure..) I want to visit the Indigo Tea Shop! I'm glad you had the book to read as you recover and I'm glad you enjoyed it. And the scones look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the books, but appreciate the referral. The scones ---- look wonderful! I love peanut butter too. I'll have to try the recipe. Thank you! I hope you continue to feel better and better!!!
ReplyDeleteI also have a copy (and enjoyed it) and will try these scones!
ReplyDeleteI have never read any fo Laura Childs' books, but I need to. Thank you for your review. The scones sound wonderful! Happy Easter to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I have also wished to have an Indigo Tea Shop in my neighborhood too. Love her stories surrounding the tea shop and have this on my list to read. Can't wait to get it and read now.
ReplyDeleteWhile the recipes in this series have proven overall reliable, the tales have not. The answer to all tea party aficionados and interested parties is to have your own and use her recipes that interest you. As for the tales, they lost substance very early on in the series. It now carries the paste and cut quality of many a modern series most unfortunately. If you have not previously delved, read about the first five (from the library) and cease and desist at that point.
ReplyDeleteGood recipes, especially if you are interested in doing your own tea parties - a very fun thing. Unfortunately, that is the only redeeming quality of these books at this point, and even the recipes are better from the first books in this declining series.
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