Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Haunted Hibiscus (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Tea maven Theodosia Browning brews up trouble in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.
Haunted Hibiscus (A Tea Shop Mystery)
by Laura Childs
I received an ARC of this book free from NetGalley; however, all opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a review. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.
Haunted Hibiscus (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
22nd in Series
Publisher: Berkley (March 2, 2021)
Hardcover: 336 pages
It is the week before Halloween and Theodosia Browning, proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop, and her tea sommelier, Drayton, are ghosting through the dusk of a cool Charleston evening on their way to the old Bouchard Mansion. Known as the Gray Ghost, this dilapidated place was recently bequeathed to the Heritage Society, and tonight heralds the grand opening of their literary and historical themed haunted house.
Though Timothy Neville, the patriarch of the Heritage Society, is not thrilled with the fund-raising idea, it is the perfect venue for his grandniece, Willow French, to sign copies of her new book, Carolina Crimes & Creepers.
But amid a parade of characters dressed as Edgar Allan Poe, Lady Macbeth, and the Headless Horseman, Willow’s body is suddenly tossed from the third-floor tower room and left to dangle at the end of a rope. Police come screaming in and Theodosia’s boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, is sent to Willow’s apartment to investigate. But minutes later, he is shot and wounded by a shadowy intruder.
Timothy begs Theodosia to investigate, and shaken by Riley’s assault, she readily agrees. Now, she questions members of the Heritage Society and a man who claims the mansion is rightfully his, as well as Willow’s book publisher and her fiancé, all while hosting a Sherlock Holmes tea and catering several others.
But the Gray Ghost holds many secrets, as do several other key suspects, while this murder mystery plays out on the eve of Halloween.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
My review of Haunted Hibiscus
Haunted Hibiscus is the second book I’ve read in the Tea Shop Mystery series, and like when I read Lavender Blue Murder, I thought to myself, “How have I not read this entire series?”! Yes, it’s only the second I’ve read (and it’s book 22!), but I honestly have to say, it is one of my favorite series ever now. As I was reading, I made sure I texted my sister to tell her she HAS to read these books.
In Haunted Hibiscus, Theodosia gets tangled up in another murder investigation when a young author is hanged and shortly after, her boyfriend Pete is shot! Of course, Pete wants her to stay out of it, but, of course, she doesn’t “really” listen. And it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery if she didn’t get involved!
As much as I loved the mystery in Haunted Hibiscus, it’s the characters and setting that really make this book a five star book. I am a tea drinker. Sure, I drink coffee too, but I drink it much less often than I drink tea. There’s just something so comforting in a good cuppa. Plus, I can indulge in my “I’m in the UK or Ireland” fantasy while I drink it! Theodosia owns the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, SC, and I want to visit! Sure, it exists in a pretend world. Regardless, I still need to go, and when you read the series, you will too! In addition to the tea shop, the creepy Bouchard mansion, where the haunted house (and murder!) take place, is the perfect backdrop for a Halloween cozy.
What would a cozy mystery be without its wonderful characters? Not much! Haunted Hibiscus checks the box with a variety of wonderfully written characters. When you meet Drayton, you’ll be amazed by his knowledge of tea and charmed by his warm personality. I’d have to say he’s my favorite.
I could literally go on and on about the things I loved, but I won’t. You’ve got to find these things out for yourself as you read! Haunted Hibiscus, with its atmospheric setting, well-written characters, and page turning mystery, will keep you up all night reading! Make yourself a cup of tea, get comfy, and read Haunted Hibiscus.
About Laura Childs
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking 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’s 3 Cozy Mystery Series
The Tea Shop Mysteries are 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 are 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 are 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.
Laura’s Links:
Website – http://www.laurachilds.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play IndieBound
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 1
I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
The Editing Pen – REVIEW
March 2
My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
March 3
Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
The Avid Reader – REVIEW
Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
March 4
Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 5
Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
March 6
FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 7
Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
March 8
Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
March 9
Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 10
Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT
March 11
Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT
MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
March 12
Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
Novels Alive – REVIEW
March 13
Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 14
The Book Diva’s Reads – GUEST POST
StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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[…] As much as I loved the mystery in Haunted Hibiscus, it’s the characters and setting that really make this book a five-star book . . . Haunted Hibiscus checks the box with a variety of wonderfully written characters.~Christy’s Cozy Corners […]