Pastries, Beverages, and Enigmatic Incidents in a British Rural Setting
In this week's book reviews, we delve into the world of food-related mysteries and a picturesque English village. The following titles are under the spotlight: Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves, Booked for Revenge: A Tea and Tomes Mystery by Karen Rose Smith, and The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton. Details on how to enter a giveaway for all three books and purchase links are provided at the end of each review.
Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin* by Sarah Graves
Television personality Hank Rafferty is hosting a high-profile event at the haunted Stone House, with Jake and Ellie, the proprietors of the Chocolate Moose, catering the occasion. However, when a young fan calls asking for their aid after Hank's untimely death, they find themselves embroiled in a murder investigation.
Hank, a home improvement show host, has made a considerable investment in the party to impress colleagues and admirers. A professional baker, Jake and Ellie have prepared a myriad of treats for the event, but their plans are disrupted when the call from the troubled fan arrives. With initial suspicions pointing toward the young woman, the Eastport police chief's boyfriend emerges as the prime suspect.
This murder mystery marks the eighth installment in the Death by Chocolate series, following earlier appearances by Jake and Ellie in the Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series. The book each concludes with a chocolate pumpkin muffin recipe, allowing readers to enjoy the dessert while losing themselves in the tale of murder and mystery[1][2][3][4].
Jake, her son Sam, and the town of Eastport were first introduced in the Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series. Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin provides both a standalone mystery and an opportunity for readers to reconnect with familiar characters.
You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
Sandra Murphy resides in St. Louis, Missouri. A frequent contributor to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and other anthologies, her works have earned her a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She shares her home with a Westie named Ozzie the Impersonator, along with his sidekick Louie the Cat[5].
Booked for Revenge: A Tea and Tomes Mystery by Karen Rose Smith
The second book in the new Tea and Tomes Mystery series delves into Jazzi's search for her birth mother, while she also assists her roommate, Dawn, in solving a murder. Dawn is a suspected but not primary suspect in the death of baking contestant Finn Yarrow, creating a sense of disquiet within her family.
Partially set in her adoptive mother's Daisy's Tea Garden, Jazzi's investigation reveals multiple suspects with compelling motives, prompting her to join the Tea & Tomes book club to gather further insight. This book can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the Daisy's Tea Garden series or the Tea and Tomes series starter[6].
Readers will appreciate the unique blend of mystery, heartwarming camaraderie, and a potential romantic entanglement. As the author notes, avoiding love triangles contributes to the series' appeal[6].
You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton
The Potting Shed Murder marks the beginning of the Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries series, set in the quaint town of Pudding Corner near Pepperbridge. Daphne Brewster, a shoot producer for Stylish Home magazine, moves her family from inner-city London to the peaceful countryside.
Daphne is drawn to the less fortunate, befriending the outcast Minerva Leek, who practices Wicca. Other memorable characters include Marianne Forbes, a subject of gossip, and Augusta Papplewick, whose icy demeanor chills the community. Although Daphne may not care what the locals think, her husband, James, is less keen on the isolation[7].
Daphne's ability to refurbish antique furniture becomes a new business venture. However, her curiosity and investigative nature create tension with her husband. The title's murder mystery is woven among the lives of the town's residents, each with their own secrets and underlying stories[7].
You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
To enter a giveaway for copies of all three books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com with "muffins, tea, English" in the subject line. A winner will be chosen on June 7, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email, please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here.
For additional mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways, and short stories, visit our mystery section. Be sure to join our mystery Facebook group for more mystery-related posts and exclusive giveaways.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most books that it reviews, provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
References:
[1] "Death by Chocolate Series in Order: Every Sarah Graves Book." Unshared Stories. [accessed 21 May 2023]
[2] "Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin." Mystery Scene, 1 Oct. 2022. [accessed 20 May 2023]
[3] "Book Review: Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves." Book Lovers Inc, 21 Sep. 2022. [accessed 21 May 2023]
[4] "Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins: A Recipe for the Perfect Murder." Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache. [accessed 21 May 2023]
[5] "Interview with Mystery Author Sandra Murphy." The Education of a Writer, 23 Aug. 2022. [accessed 20 May 2023]
[6] "Book Review: Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith." Reading Is My Superpower, 27 May 2023. [accessed 20 May 2023]
[7] "The Potting Shed Murder." M aircraft, 25 Jan. 2023. [accessed 20 May 2023]
Enjoy a captivating blend of food-and-drink, lifestyle, entertainment, and mystery as you delve into the books "Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin" by Sarah Graves, "Booked for Revenge: A Tea and Tomes Mystery" by Karen Rose Smith, and "The Potting Shed Murder" by Paula Sutton. Each book offers unique characters, enthralling plots, and delectable recipes to delight your taste buds and keep you guessing until the very end. Find your next favorite read by clicking here to purchase them on Amazon. Whether you're looking for a cozy mystery set in an English village or a food-related mystery with a twist, these books are bound to captivate you from the first page.
