Lavender Blue Murder (Tea Shop Mysteries, 21)

Lavender Blue Murder by Laura Childs is the twenty-first A Tea Shop Mystery. I look forward to each new installment of A Tea Shop Mystery series. This is one of the two series that got me interested in cozy mysteries. I picked up Death by Darjeeling and quickly devoured it. I hurried back to the bookstore to pick up the next two books in the series (that was all that was out at that time). Theodosia Browning and Drayton Conneley are at Reginald Doyle's estate participating in an old English bird hunt. Well, Theo is shooting while Drayton is holding his gun like it is a "plague infested rat". The hunting party ends when their host is found shot in a nearby lavender field. That night the mansion is set on fire and then Fawn Doyle, the victim's daughter-in-law, disappears. A distraught Meredith asks Theo to investigate and find who is responsible for these terrible events. Theo is too curious to say no. Lavender Blue Murder is a well-crafted novel with developed characters set in a beautiful city. I just love descriptive images of Charleston and Theo's charming shop plus her home (makes me want to live there and own a bookshop next to the Indigo Tea Shop). At the tea shop, they have a Gone with the Wind Tea complete with the staff in costumes and a Lavender Lady Tea. The mystery had a multiple suspects, secrets were revealed and good clues. The story moved along quickly with Theo asking questions and nosing around. The take down scene was delightful. I like the relationship Theodosia has with Drayton. They are more than co-workers. They are good friends who respect each other and enjoy each other's company. I like how Drayton participated in the mystery. It added humor to the story with Drayton's reactions. Haley, Miss Dimple, and Detective Burt Tidwell are back along with Theo's beau, Detective Pete Riley. Theo is having her kitchen remodeled (new cabinets made with reclaimed barnwood). It will be beautiful when it is done, but Theo is having a hard time with chaos (you know how she loves to cook). Lavender Blue Murder was over far too soon and now I must wait a year for the next A Tea Shop Mystery. Lavender Blue Murder is an enchanting cozy mystery with a weeping widow, a surplus of suspects, tasty tea, loads of lavender, blaring bagpipes, and a spooky séance.