A Dark and Stormy Tea

Written by Laura Childs

Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Timesbestselling series.

It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning’s troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she
has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.

In the throes of alerting police, Theodosia recognizes the victim—it is the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop.

Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer who is stalking the back alleys of Charleston, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, and the sage words of Drayton, her tea
sommelier, amateur-sleuth Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation.

And quickly discovers that suspects abound with the dead girl’s boyfriend, nefarious real estate developer, private-security man, bumbling reporter, and her own neighbor who is writing a true-crime book and searching for a big ending.

Includes delicious recipes and tea time tips!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705082447

Reviews for A Dark and Stormy Tea

[mom2mandj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a dark and stormy night.... Theo is trying to get back to the tea shop from the Heritage Society, in a foggy, rainy night when she notices 2 figures in a cementery. One of the figures falls to the ground, and the other flashes a knive at her before running away. Did she just witness a murder? Yes, a serial killer is back in Charleston after a 7 year absence. Will they find the killer before Theo becomes the next victim?

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While on her way home from catering an event at the Heritage Club, Theodosia Browning witnesses the brutal murder of the daughter of her neighbor, Lois. But because it is foggy and dark, she is unable to identify the murderer. Lois is devastated, and asks Theodosia to help find the killer, even though it appears that it is a serial killer on the loose. The city of Charleston is filled with fear because every time the fog rolls in it appears that the serial killer does too.The mystery was very entertaining, I love how all the tea details are woven in with the characters discussions of the murders, and can't get enough of Theo and Drayton searching out the killer!

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've read most of this series by now. I enjoy the tea shop and the themed teas and learning about tea.Theo has become too much a creature of habit. I mean, really, a serial killer is out there and yet you still decide to go out running with your dog after dark? (Sounds like the plot of a bad horror movie to me.)And, as if there's not enough murders, they decide to stage a murder mystery tea at their shop. Which, while it sounds like fun, may not have been in the best taste given that their neighbor's daughter had been murdered a week or so before.

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

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs is the 24th A Tea Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series (though, you will be missing out on a charming cozy mystery series). A Tea Shop Mysteries is one of the two series that got me hooked on cozy mysteries. I look forward to reading a new book each year. I thought A Dark and Stormy Tea is well-written with developed, realistic characters. I enjoyed the vivid word imagery that brought Charleston alive. It is rainy and foggy in Charleston which gives it a creepy atmosphere especially at night. It is the perfect setting for a murder. It is great to catch up with Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, Miss Dimple, and Earl Grey. Detective Pete Riley is in the periphery in this book while Detective Tidwell takes lead. Detective Tidwell manages to stop by the Indigo Tea Shop a couple of times to question Theo, see if she has learned any new details, and enjoy Haley’s delectable food. The mystery was intriguing. It suited the creepy atmosphere of Charleston. There are several good suspects along with a red herring. There are clues, but they are subtle. Details are important when trying to solve a crime. While I was able to identify the killer early in the book (I knew who, but I did not know why), I still enjoyed following the investigation. Both men should know by now that Theo is not going to stay out of a crime. She is curious by nature and when a friend asks for help, Theo will give it. I did feel that there needed to be a better wrap up. I was left with a couple of unanswered questions which is unusual for this author. I enjoyed the tea events hosted at the Indigo Tea Shop with the mystery tea being my favorite. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering (recipes at the end of the book). I cannot wait to see what Theodosia gets up to next time in Lemon Curd Killer. A Dark and Stormy Tea is a chilling whodunit with wet weather, a creepy cemetery, a serial killer, tempting tea treats, a determined developer, and an inquisitive Theo.