A Valentine’s Day Cozy Mystery
In Cold Chamomile
Author Joy Avon brings us Book #3 in her “A Tea and a Read Mystery” series.
Story Locale: Heart Harbor, Maine
Time: February
Event: Valentine’s Day
Main Characters: Callie Aspen, Great-Aunt Iphy Aspen, Deputy Ace Falk
Story Plot
As the story of In Cold Chamomile begins, Callie is getting ready for the town’s big Valentine’s Day event to be held at Haywood Hall, a famous old mansion recently renovated.
The event has six main themes all based around love, including a musical performance, the tearoom’s sweet treats brought by Callie and Aunt Iphy from their tea shop, and a second hand book market where you can ‘bring a book, take a book’. Additionally, a book expert is on hand to appraise (and buy) vintage books brought in.
But, trouble is brewing in the form of an argument the librarian has with the book expert. Plus, the baritone who arrives for the music program turns out to be someone Aunt Iphy recognizes as an old acquaintance she had hoped never to meet again.
The event appears to be going well until a dead body is discovered. Suspicion points to quite a few people who had reasons to want the victim dead.
Enter Deputy Ace Falk to investigate. Falk not only is currently acting Sheriff due to the Sheriff being ill, he is also the boyfriend of Callie Aspen. In the first two books in this Tea and Read mystery series, Callie had ‘helped’ solve previous murders (of course getting herself in trouble and danger as the heroine in cozy mysteries tend to do). This time, Ace wants Callie to stay away from any ‘amateur sleuthing’ because he worries that her impulsiveness will endanger her. But when Aunt Iphy’s friend-from-the-past (the baritone) is suspected of the murder, both Iphy and Callie set out to clear his name.
Summary
A delightful cozy mystery that is light-hearted and easy to read involving books and tea and a murder to solve. A fun Valentine’s Day read.
Note: All three of the books in the ‘Tea and Read Mystery Series have ‘tea’ names (In Peppermint Peril, Sweet Tea and Secrets and In Cold Chamomile). Described as “The Perfect Brew” by a fellow cozy mystery writer, this is a delightful new series.
*In Cold Chamomile book review written by Wednesday Elf
*Images source: Pixabay
In Cold Chamomile: A Tea and a Read MysteryCheck PriceIn Peppermint Peril: A Tea and a Read MysteryCheck PriceSweet Tea and Secrets: A Tea and a Read MysteryCheck PriceIn Cold Chamomile: Book Tea Shop Mystery AudiobookCheck Price
Elf, this sounds positively delightful and perfect for a cozy mystery and tea fan like me. I think the entire series would be right up my alley. Thanks for your review and recommendation of this book and cozy mystery series!
ReplyDeleteI found it to be a delightful series, Margaret. I'm sure you would enjoy it.
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea for those who love to read, love clean mysteries and love tea (yep, I know someone who fits this criteria - really appreciate the review, because otherwise I would have no idea such a book series existed!
ReplyDeletePleased I've been able to introduce you to a book series someone you know would enjoy. I certainly did. :)
DeleteI absolutely love the series title, "A Tea and a Read"! It describes my favorite kind of day is a short phrase. I also have a fondness for amateur sleuths that tend to put themselves in harm's way. I enjoy trying to solve a good fiction mystery from my comfortable armchair, but I assure you, I have no desire to be an active sleuth in real life. Still, it is fun in the pages of a great mystery. Thanks for the wonderful recommendation. I know I will want to check it out soon.
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed my cozy mystery book review, Mouse. It DOES seem that the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries tend to get themselves in trouble while trying to solve a crime (and somehow get themselves also OUT of trouble...LOL). I love Cozy Mysteries because they are light-hearted and fun to read. Plus, it's been interesting to find that each series in this genre I discover has a central theme (around libraries, tea rooms, book stores, etc.). This "A Tea and a Read' series was a fun (and tasty) delight to read.
DeleteThis does sound like a lovely, delightful, lighthearted mystery! Thankyou for your wonderful review and the recommendation of this book series.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Raintree Annie. Glad you enjoyed my review.
DeleteThese sound wonderful. I will be sure to check them out.
ReplyDelete