I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Honey Drop Dead
by Laura Childs
Series: Tea Shop Mystery #26
Series Rating:
Published by Berkley on August 8, 2023
Setting: Charleston, South Carolina
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 320
Format: Audible Audiobook, Hardcover, Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Also in this series: Haunted Hibiscus, A Dark and Stormy Tea, Lemon Curd Killer, Murder in the Tea Leaves, Peach Tea Smash
Theodosia’s Honey Bee Tea was an elegant affair set in Charleston’s new Petigru Park amid newly planted native grasses and a community beekeeping project. But when a phony beekeeper shows up and sprays toxic smoke at the guests, the party erupts in chaos. Worse yet, a shot rings out and Osgood Claxton III, candidate for state legislature, falls to the ground—dead.
Holly Burns, the gallery owner who asked Theodosia to cater the tea, is understandably heartbroken. A man is dead, her guests are angry and injured, and the paintings that were on display are left in tatters. When the police don’t seem to have a clue, when old-line politicos don’t want questions asked, Holly begs Theodosia to run a shadow investigation and help restore her gallery’s good name.
Between hosting a Wind in the Willows Tea and a Glam Girl Tea, Theodosia questions everyone that had a bone to pick with Claxton. This includes Booker, an angry outsider artist; Lamar Lucket, Claxton’s political opponent; and Mignon Merriweather, the dead man’s soon-to-be ex-wife. But the investigation becomes a political hot potato following a second murder, the revelation of a messy affair, a chase through a swamp, and a vandalized shop.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
Honey Drop Dead by Laura Childs sees Theodosia Browning serving a honey-themed tea with artwork that ends early thanks to a dead body.
Will Theo save Holly’s business?
Theodosia, Drayton, and Haley have a big business opportunity at the beginning of the book that ends in murder. The gallery owner talks Theo into figuring out who killed Osgood Claxton III. I love that Theo doesn’t allow the police to bully her when she is looking into a case. Although the investigating is easy, as she owns a tea shop where gossip always happens, so she finds things out before they do.
Drayton is a fun loving guy. I feel bad whenever Theo talks him into investigating with her. He just wants to make his tea, which makes him happy. Even though he doesn’t want to be involved, he does keep a good eye on Theo for Pete Riley. He is a good friend to Theo.
Haley is an excellent cook, and I love how she keeps her head down while working there. Haley only speaks her mind when she needs Theo and Drayton to understand that she only sometimes needs their help.
The Mystery
The mystery involves a phony beekeeper killing one of Theo’s guests and turning Honey Bee Tea into a frenzy. Theodosia must figure out who killed the guy. Wow, that twisted in a way I wasn’t expecting. She has to wade through politics, angry soon-to-be ex-wives, scorned lovers, and other things that have Theo’s suspect list long. I totally didn’t figure out whodunit. Did you?
Five Stars
I am giving five stars to Honey Drop Dead by Laura Childs, and I’m recommending it. Whenever I’m reading a book from this series, it’s nice to have a nice pot of tea and some cookies close by. Otherwise, it will make me hungry. Ms. Childs has outdone herself with this series’s newest book, which is fantastic! I feel like I should bake something now.
This book has recipes in the back of the book. They are Italian Ricotta Cookies, Haley’s Honey Chicken, Honey Bee Cookies, Glory Bee Honey Scones, Cheddar and Sausage Scotch Eggs, Moscato Poached Pears, Tuscan Soup, Smoked Trout Tea Sandwiches, and English Tea Biscuits. Also, included Ms. Childs’ has left us with Get Creative with Scones and Tea Time Tips from the author herself.
A Tea Shop Mystery Series
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Thank you for dropping by! What do you think of Honey Drop Dead by Laura Childs?
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
About Laura Childs
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook 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.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
- 2023 Cloak and Dagger
- 2023 Craving the Cozies
- 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
- 2023 Goodreads RC
- 2023 Medical Examiner RC
- 2023 Six Shooter
Thanks for the review.
You are so welcome. I love coming back to these books.
I love this series!
I do too.