A Dark and Stormy Tea (A Tea Shop Mystery)

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.