Plum Tea Crazy

Written by Laura Childs

Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs. While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow. At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner-all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts. INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781980002161

Reviews for Plum Tea Crazy

[Kristin Foster · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good book, very enjoyable. Characters are well developed. Reader also has good voice.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have only read a few books in the series, but I am glad I read this one. The first thing that drew me to this book was the lovely cover. This book starts off with a bang when Theodosia (Theo) and her good friend and tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are viewing the the city’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade event. Sailing ships from around the world are converging on Charleston and the pair have been invited to view it from the widow's walk of one of the spectacular mansions situated on the route. When one of the guests appears to have been shot and falls from the widow's walk during the event, Theodosia jumps in right away. She ends up chasing a person who she thinks is responsible through the B & B next door. When it’s reinforced that it was a murder and not a horrible accident, Theo's friend asks her to poke around and see if she can come up with some suspects. This is a busy time of year in Charleston with the Cat Show and the accompanying Hair Ball, The Ancient Guns and Weapons Show, a Fashion Show at her "friend" Delaine's boutique and the Garden Club's Plum Blossom Tea that Theo and her staff are kept hopping. Somewhere in there, she has time to make a new friend, Alexis, who has opened a Japanese Gallery down the street and to investigate the murder.

Theo’s supportive friends are there to help her out from Drayton to Haley, the talented shop’s chef, and Haley’s young nephew, Jamie. The supporting characters are well thought out and add fun to the storyline. Theo’s relationship with Detective Pete Riley helped her to gather some facts and I find it refreshing that he doesn’t demand that she stop snooping. There were some laugh out loud moments in the book that I enjoyed as well. I thought I figured out who the murderer was and I was right, but the reveal was well done and tied up all the loose ends. I enjoyed this story and will probably go back and read some of the ones that I have missed. I will also try a couple of the recipes included in the back. If you are a tea lover, there are also some Tea Time Tips and links for Tea Resources, which you might want to check out. I received a copy of this book from the First To Read Program. I willingly reviewed this book and the opinions are my own.

[caitz-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Theodosia and Drayton become embroiled in the murder of a banker and after a few missteps are able to solve the crime. I think for me this series is much more about the setting than the mystery. The tea shop and southern charm keep me coming back for more and wishing I lived in South Carolina.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When a banker shot with an antique crossbow falls from Timothy Neville's roof becoming impaled on the iron fencing thus meeting his death, Theodosia, who was present at the event, feels compelled to help her boyfriend Detective Pete Riley and his superior Detective Burt Tidwell with the investigation. She does uncover useful clues for the detectives but endangers those around her in the process. Theodosia's lists of suspects includes the wife of the victim, a colleague of the victim, a man involved in business deals with the victim, and a man who wants to stop the upcoming antique weapons show. A few comical moments are created. My suspicion fell to the person who committed the dastardly deed almost from character's introduction. This series is becoming very formulaic. I'd like to see Jamie become a regular in the series--perhaps being mentored by Drayton. It was nice to spend some time with my Theodosia and company, but with Theodosia dating Pete, her interaction with Tidwell was limited, and I missed that aspect.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

For some unknown reason, I am behind in reading the Tea Shop Mysteries, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Plum Tea Crazy. A new shop owner appears in town and the killings begin. Who can be silently killing these individuals, but Theodosia rushes in where fools fear to tread. I adore the mix of adventure, tea blends, and mouth-watering recipes in each of the mysteries. Laura Childs does not sink into the psychological mind of the killer but stirs the senses in her cozy mystery. The characters in each of the stories are wonderful from the police detective to Theodosia’s co-workers, and of course the other shop owners in Charleston. Laura Childs does a wonderful job in bringing life to old Charleston.

[katebaxter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A truly sweet cozy mystery - #19 in "A Tea Shop Mystery" series by Laura Childs. Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston's Indigo Tea Shop, is a spitfire of a character. She has her father's plucky spirit and when she gets a whiff of a troublesome mystery, she sticks her nose in everyone's business. This story focuses on historic weaponry, Japanese antiques and the Plum Blossom season. The descriptions of Charleston's charming neighborhoods are delightful. The characters are each quirky in their own charming way. I only wish I hadn't figured out the murderer way too early on.

[stewartry · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

In a book I read recently, someone's "rules for writing and life" are cited – one of which was "don't use more than two similes per page". Laura Childs probably doesn't actually exceed that … but her writing made me realize anew that it's not the quantity of simile but the quality that counts. For example, Robin McKinley uses lots and lots of similes, and they almost invariably elicit a reaction – they make me smile, or put a lump in my throat, or make me laugh out loud, or make me feel that little click that comes when you see exactly what the author wanted you to see. They're an art. The similes in this book are … not. They're different, I'll give them that (except when they're clichéd), and they're colorful (there are lots of monkeys, and even some castanets), but … The writing just grated now and then. The ninth or tenth time the author resorted to Batman-style sound effects – all caps, exclamation points – and one character (included to be obnoxious) did something outrageously obnoxious (even for him), I closed the book and deleted it. I was at 87% - and a good part of what remained was recipes and an excerpt from the next book. A day or so later I went back to it; I hadn't DNF'd a book yet this year, and I was close enough to finishing that I figured I might as well. But I didn't enjoy it.WHAP! BOOM! SMASH!I mean – who stops in the middle of a supposedly frantic moment to describe the scenery? A man falls off a roof; intrepid amateur detective races down the stairs to check it out; the narrative pauses in the middle of her sprint to dwell on the décor in the garden. BAM, BAM, BAM!Cardinal sin of the cozy: when the main character tells bald-faced lies about what is obviously a hobby (or else there wouldn't be a series of books) – “Haley, we don’t ['chase all over Charleston trying to solve the latest murder'],” Theodosia said. “And we certainly won’t get tangled up in this one.”Pants on fire.WAH-HOO!Another cardinal sin of the cozy: Remarkably slipshod running of a small business. “'Who’s minding the store?' Drayton asked. "Haley flapped a hand. 'I was. But don’t worry, everything’s cool.'"No, it's not cool if you left the shop completely unattended. BOOM! (Or, as the camera, er, says, "boom, boom, boom".)The characters are more caricatures than anything else. Two of them go from antipathy at first sight to practically weeping in each other's arms, in the pace of a week. The young man is the very picture of a cliched young man. The gallery owner is the Platonic ideal of the gallery owner. The aforementioned obnoxious journalist fits the mold perfectly. There are few surprises.BANG!As usual, there are lots and lots of nits I could pick. Like … "'Delicious,' he said. Only it came out dulishush because his mouth was full." Isn't that pretty much how "delicious" is pronounced? Seriously. Dictionary.com: "[dih-lish-uh s]". Say it a couple of times. Seriously. Oh, and like … why does Our Heroine's sidekick have such a hard time saying the word "murder" when talking about the murder? And – like … Really? You expect me to swallow (no pun intended) the idea that someone not steeped (pun intended) in a world like this shop might consider a party ruined because you picked a funky tea? And … really? How do you not go directly to the police immediately on receiving a threatening note? (And how could you possibly confuse the smells of cooked onions and cooked potatoes? Have I been doing something wrong?)EEEEEYOWWW!In addition to the comic book sound effects – actual examples of which are scattered throughout this review (sorry) – there's also this:"Holy Hannah"“Holy crap”“Holy cats"“Holy smokes"“Holy butter beans"“Holy buckets"“Holy sweet potatoes”“Sweet Fanny Adams"Holy euphemisms, Batman. One more Cozy Cardinal Sin: When any character puts on their Captain Obvious hat to remind the audience why a bad cozy mystery is a bad cozy mystery: “The best thing Theo can do is let her boyfriend, Detective Riley, figure it out. That’s what the City of Charleston pays him for. That’s the smartest thing, the safest thing, to do at this point.”YOWWWWWW!The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

[lindapanzo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s always exciting for me when a new book in my favorite cozy mystery series, the Laura Childs tea shop series, is released and this newest installment, the 19th in the series, did not disappoint.All of the usual Indigo Tea Shop characters I’ve come to love are present in this one, as usual but, once again, Childs brings something unique to each new book. In this case, a unique murder weapon, for instance. When I read a Laura Childs mystery, I always feel like I’m catching up with old friends, along with the plot twists and turns, and, once again, that was true in this book. I can hardly wait til the next installment. Very highly recommended!!(I received this book from First to Read, in exchange for my honest opinion.)

[lisaksbookreviews · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There’s always a cup of trouble in the Tea Shop Mysteries. This nineteenth installment is no exception.Some of my best times reading have been spent in the Indigo Tea Shop. I can vividly smell the smells, imagine the tastes of all the delicious offerings, hear the clink of spoons to fine bone china, as well as the voices of Theo and Drayton. When not talking about tea, they’re talking about murder. And I’m always wrapped up in every word of it!PLUM TEA CRAZY was a great mystery. I pondered every angle of the story, reread what I felt were important clues, put forth my inner Nancy Drew, and still never guessed the killer. Well done! I honestly didn’t want this book to end. I would have read it in one setting if my tired eyes hadn’t betrayed me. Laura Childs in an exemplary writer. Her books are always well plotted, entertaining, and interesting. This series is proof of that, and PLUM TEA CRAZY is the truest testament yet.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As always the author delivers a scrumptious story filled with murder, mystery and a wonderful assortment of teas to try out. The characters are classy and intriguing. It's not long into the story until a murder occurs which sets in motion an adventure that is like a cat and mouse game. I simply adore Theodosia. She is charming and has a knack for finding out information very cleverly. I would love to sit with her at her shop and sip tea and eat scones . I could visualize the beautiful and delicate tea cups and setting that is calming and inviting. The victim is a surprise to some in the town, but his enemies start to line up in this fast paced story. The author captures the untimely death with a very unexpected fall and ends with a painful injury that was vividly described. Someone sure wanted to make sure our victim was dead. I really like the theme in cozy mysteries where there is a detective dating or married to the person who eventually figures out who the killer is. Riley is a very smart detective who happens to be dating none other than Theodosia. I liked how he at times seemed to be exasperated by Theodosia's interference in the investigation.I had to laugh when she continued to bombard him with questions that he knew he shouldn't answer. If you have ever witnessed a physical fight between two women, you know it can be funny at times. The scene that the author writes between the wife and mistress of the deceased is nothing short of hysterical and over the top entertaining. It is probably not a great idea to invite them both to an event unless you are prepared for fireworks to go off. The fight has tongues wagging as it becomes front page news. Theodosia can add two more suspects to her ever growing list after this escapade.The more Theodosia delves into the mystery, the more her life is in danger along with her friends and associates. Someone is not happy that Theodosia is involved in the investigation and is pulling out all the stops to encourage her to not play detective. The story is very well written and had me on the edge of my chair till the end. I loved the twists and turns and suspense as the author leaves a trail of subtle hints to the killer's identity. I love the way the author is able to give such precise details of weapons and the history behind some of them. The more I read the book, I realized how talented the author is. She can weave a tale of mystery that captures your attention right away, while enticing you with witty sayings like, "Sweet Fanny Adams," or "You're like a danger magnet." I love that she can make you laugh while still adding intense drama to the story. The ending is one you don't want to miss as it reaches a level of high danger for Theodosia. Don't miss this wonderful addition to A Tea Shop Mystery Series that is Laura Childs at her best. I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs is the nineteenth story in A Tea Shop Mystery series. Theodosia “Theo” Browning owns the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carlson. Theo is aided by her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley and chef, Haley Parker. Drayton and Theo are enjoying the Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of Timothy Neville’s Archdale Street mansion. When the cannon volleys begin a scream rings out, and Carson Lanier slides down the roof to his death atop a fleur-de-lis fence finial. Upon inspection of Carson’s body, it is discovered he was shot by a quarrel (type of arrow used in a crossbow) which caused him to tumble over the railing of the widow’s walk. Timothy requests that Theo use her skills to investigate Carson’s murder. It turns out that there are several viable suspects that include a protestor of the upcoming antique firearms display at the Heritage Society, Carson’s estranged wife, a co-worker, and the manager of a local bed-and-breakfast. Who shot Carson and why? Theo works in her sleuthing in between working at the tea shop, handling catering gigs, taking care of Earl Grey, and specialty tea events they have scheduled at the Indigo Tea Shop. The killer, though, does not appreciate Theo’s snooping and attempts to dissuade her (the person evidently does not know Theo). Will Theo be able to expose the guilty party before she ends up the next victim?Plum Tea Crazy may be the 19th book in the series, but it can be read alone. I do, though, highly recommend reading each book in this charming cozy mystery series. A Tea Shop Mystery series is one of the first cozy mystery series I discovered. I found the books in my local bookstore (before e-books) and quickly devoured Death by Darjeeling. I then returned to the store and purchased the other books in the series that were out at the time. I look forward to a new book in this series each year. Plum Tea Crazy is well-written, has a steady pace and engaging. I love when I am drawn into the books world as I was with Plum Tea Crazy. The book contains delightful characters that are well established, and they continue to grow as the series progresses. Theo is an intelligent woman who is warm, thoughtful and has a big heart. I like the interactions between Theo, Haley, Drayton and Earl Grey is just adorable. The only character that I dislike is Delaine Dish. She is overbearing, pushy, annoying and seemed a little off balance (she grates on my nerves) in this book. Delaine is one of those people that can only be taken in small doses. The setting of Savannah, South Carolina sounds just lovely. Laura Childs provides beautiful descriptions of the area, homes, the featured stores and the Indigo Tea Shop. The mystery is complex, and it will perplex readers. There is a clue to the killer’s identity, but you will need a keen eye to spot it. The book contains delectable food and tea descriptions. I especially enjoyed the cozy moments in Plum Tea Crazy. I did feel that Plum Tea Crazy needed an epilogue to tie up all the loose threads (details seemed to be lacking). There are recipes and tea tips at the end of the book as well as a preview of Glitter Bomb. Plum Tea Crazy is an engaging, light hearted cozy mystery that will delight fans of Laura Childs.

[jlslipak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.MY THOUGHTS:I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Recently, I've taken it upon myself to acquire cozy mysteries to read since a lot of the crime mysteries I've been reading lately seem to be repetitive. I found this book to be a fun, easy to read, cozy mystery filled with twists and turns that kept you guessing who did it almost right up to the end. The plot flowed, the character development was complete and the setting was beautifully written.This was a very busy mystery with lots of things happening all the time and it was easy to miss details critical to the story if you didn't pay attention.Included was a tea menu and recipes that look yummy! I think this book could well be like an addiction, read one and you're hooked for all the rest. However, I wouldn't recommend starting with book #19. If you like English accents, tea, a Victorian feel with beautiful settings, great characters and amazing food... add a mystery... then this book is for you. I have to admit there was one character that I didn't like at all, and that was great! Then there's all those crazy and dangerous decisions the Protagonist kept making...Overall, I thought this was a great read!

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea shop in Charleston, never fails to amuse and entertain me through her "investigations" that she is "forced" to undertake. Her friend and business associate, master Tea blender Drayton, is with her when they witness a Heritage Society board member fall from the Timothy Neville's widow's walk and be impaled on a wrought iron fence. Timothy asks Theo for her assistance in determining suspects when it is discovered that the victim didn't just fall but was shot with an arrow.The mystery winds n and out and is interspersed with events at the Tea shop and other social events for Theo but somehow she manages to her questioning done and aggravates the killer enough to get others in the line of fire.One of my favorite series, I was so thrilled to receive a copy from the author for review. Now to just learn patience while I wait for the next one!!!

[pattylouise_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Plum Tea CrazyByLaura Child’sWhat it's all about...Theodosia owns a tea shop in Charleston. Apparently she is the kind of person who loves to get involved in happenings in her town. However for Theodosia most of the things that she gets involved in involve a murder or two. Although this is my first tea shop book I know that these books are incredibly popular. This author has written tons of them! I usually like to read a series in order but this one was easy to get into. The author did an excellent job of introducing these characters as well as their places in this book. Theodosia works daily with Haley...her chef at the shop...and Drayton...her partner and tea expert. In this book Theodosia witnesses a fellow Charlestonian fall to his death and actually get spiked on a fence. She is in this from the very first moment! Why I wanted to read it...I am in a cozy mystery kind of mood and this one looked very appealing...tea and scones and murder! What made me truly enjoy this book...Theodosia is quite a character! Again...this was my first introduction to her so this book was all about getting to know her and her style. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. I look forward to reading more books in this series! Why you should read it, too...Readers who love this kind of cozy mystery should truly enjoy this one...it’s got everything! Murder, a bit of mayhem and even a girl fight! It was total fun! I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.