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Berkley, Jan 2003, 5.99, 256 pp. ISBN 0425188213 In Charleston's historic district, the Indigo Tea Shop is doing so well that they have added lunch and delectable pastries to the menu. The owner Theodosia Browning has also catered many society events including those held at The Lady Goodwood Inn. Now she is taking a holiday and is a guest at the engagement party of Camilla Cantroux and Marine Captain Corey Buchanan at the inn. The roof of the room where dinner is to be served caves in. The groom dies and the $70,000 wedding ring disappears. When Theo and her friends go looking for it, it is nowhere to be found so the tea shop entrepreneur thinks cat burglar. She is sure that the events are linked. When more items disappear, Theo and her friends set a trap for the stealthy felon, one that could lead to new flavor of tea named for a intrepid perhaps foolish amateur sleuth served at a funeral. Readers should not read this book when they are hungry or thirsty because the mouth watering recipes will just aggravate the condition. The heroine is a likable person who goes out of her way to get involved with a criminal investigation and though it may seem odd, that's Theo. Her need to see justice done and enjoin in the process as a participant is just one the reasons that she endears herself to the audience. There is a surplus of suspects with means and opportunity so readers will want to finish the book in one sitting to see who the perpetrator is in this delicious cozy. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60% Misc. Murder Plotlets - Proving innocence of very obvious suspect Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - money/treasure How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting United States Yes The US: - Southeast Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |
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