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Tea by the Sea Mysteries #4
Steeped in Malice
Thanks to the Great Teacup Shortage, Cape Cod tearoom proprietress Lily Roberts is already feeling the strain. But when a family fracas turns deadly over an antique tea set, she’ll really have to pour through the clues before another crime is brewed up.
Afternoon tea isn’t just about flavorful brews and delicious treats. It’s also about presentation: fine china teacups (never mugs!), with carefully coordinated saucers and plates. With her fragile stock running low, Lily has an excuse to indulge in one of her favorite hobbies: visiting an antiques fair for replacements.
Among other finds, Lily snaps up a charming Peter Rabbit-themed tea set in a wicker basket, perfect for children’s events. But a few days later, a woman named Kimberly marches into the tearoom, rudely demanding to buy it back—then later returns and removes an envelope hidden in the basket’s lining.
An acquaintance of Lily’s named Rachel is on the trail of the tea set too. Apparently, she and Kimberly are half-sisters, searching for their mother’s final will. To her annoyance, Lily is dunked into the middle of this mess — especially when her ex-boyfriend turns out to be involved. But it’s more than a storm in a teacup when one of the sisters is found dead on the grounds of the B&B owned by Lily’s grandmother, Rose.
Is this a simple case of greed boiling over, or are there other suspects in the blend? It’ll take some savvy sleuthing from Lily, Rose, and their allies to find the answers before a killer shatters more lives . . .
Afternoon tea isn’t just about flavorful brews and delicious treats. It’s also about presentation: fine china teacups (never mugs!), with carefully coordinated saucers and plates. With her fragile stock running low, Lily has an excuse to indulge in one of her favorite hobbies: visiting an antiques fair for replacements.
Among other finds, Lily snaps up a charming Peter Rabbit-themed tea set in a wicker basket, perfect for children’s events. But a few days later, a woman named Kimberly marches into the tearoom, rudely demanding to buy it back—then later returns and removes an envelope hidden in the basket’s lining.
An acquaintance of Lily’s named Rachel is on the trail of the tea set too. Apparently, she and Kimberly are half-sisters, searching for their mother’s final will. To her annoyance, Lily is dunked into the middle of this mess — especially when her ex-boyfriend turns out to be involved. But it’s more than a storm in a teacup when one of the sisters is found dead on the grounds of the B&B owned by Lily’s grandmother, Rose.
Is this a simple case of greed boiling over, or are there other suspects in the blend? It’ll take some savvy sleuthing from Lily, Rose, and their allies to find the answers before a killer shatters more lives . . .
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2023
124 people are currently reading
7385 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Delany
57 books1,870 followers“It’s a crime not to read Delany,” so says the London Free Press.
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
July 15, 2023
The fourth book in this series about Lily Roberts and her delightful tearoom called Tea by the Sea.
This episode begins with Lily out shopping for secondhand teacups. She purchases a Peter Rabbit themed set in a wicker basket which she plans to use for the children's tables. Unfortunately there is something else in the basket which a number of people want for themselves and pretty soon a murder occurs. Lily and her team, friend Bernie, grandmother Rose, and gardener (and possible love interest) Simon set themselves the task of finding the killer.
The mystery is involved and there are several suspects. The characters and dialogue are well written. There are recipes, a cute dog, a choosy cat and an ending which makes you look forward to the next book. All is well in Cosyland.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This episode begins with Lily out shopping for secondhand teacups. She purchases a Peter Rabbit themed set in a wicker basket which she plans to use for the children's tables. Unfortunately there is something else in the basket which a number of people want for themselves and pretty soon a murder occurs. Lily and her team, friend Bernie, grandmother Rose, and gardener (and possible love interest) Simon set themselves the task of finding the killer.
The mystery is involved and there are several suspects. The characters and dialogue are well written. There are recipes, a cute dog, a choosy cat and an ending which makes you look forward to the next book. All is well in Cosyland.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 28, 2024
Steeped in Malice is a fantastic installment in Vicki Delany's Tea by the Sea Mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy, which was wonderful because Ms. Delany is on my top cozy authors list. I read nearly all her series (definitely all the current ones) and think this is the strongest book to date in the collection of four. The Massachusetts setting is charming and close to home for me, plus the relationship between Lily and her grandmother easily draws in reader interest. When Lily's ex shows up, some new personality traits emerge in Lily and it makes her character shine much more. Bernadette is growing on me, and the love interest, Simon, is swoon-worthy. The mystery is tops, giving us 5 or 6 potential killers from the victim's family and close circle, and up until the end, it was potentially any one's game. The culprit turned out to be 1 of the 2 I had guessed, and the second one gets a comeuppance of sorts too. Definitely a winner in the series.
November 25, 2023
This is book 4 but it could be read as a standalone. It was a fun cozy mystery and I enjoyed the characters. Lily runs an afternoon tea shop and helps her grandmother with the breakfast part of her bed and breakfast. While replacing some china for her tea shop she finds a basket with some Peter rabbit china and despite it being more than she planned on spending she has to get it, Not long after not one but two women track her down demanding to buy the set, Lily soon finds herself stuck in their family drama, especially when one of those women is found dead at her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. I didn’t love Lily’s drama with her ex (‘he was awful) but understood how it fit into the whole story, I did figure out the guilty party but there were some interesting twists and turns in this one.
April 4, 2023
Steeped in Malice is the 4th book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series. The story takes place in the town of North Augusta on Cape Cod. Lily Roberts is the main character who owns The tea shop called Tea by the Sea. She lives in a small cottage on her grandmother, Rose's Campbell property and owns a B&B called Victoria by the Sea. Simon McCraker is the B&B gardner who also helps Lili with the baking when needed. He is also her boyfriend. Marybeth and her mother, Cherl help Lili in her tea shop. Bernadette (Bernie) is her best friend who rents a house down the road who is trying to write a book. Lily realizes that she is getting low with tea cups and decides to go to the North Augusta Antique Show with her grandmother, Rose and Bernie. While there she buys a child's tea set along with other tea cups. Kimberly Smithfield comes to the tea shop and asks Lili if she can buy the set back. It belonged in her family and was given to an antique shop in Chatham by mistake. She gets rude when Lili tells her that she can't do now but if she comes back at closing she would be happy to give the set to her in it's original box. Kimberly comes back at the end of the day and is interested in the box. She gives Lili $200.00 but only removes some of the lining and takes out an envelope and leaves. without the box or tea set. The next day Rachael Morrison who an interior designer specializing in restaurants. She is also interested in the tea set but becomes upset when she hears that her half-sister has already been there and taken the envelope. She tells Lili that it is her mother's revised will.
Kimberly is staying at Rose's B&B along with her husband, Wesley Schumann who is Lili's ex=fiancé. The next morning Rachael, Wesley and Kimberly have a fight in the dining room about the envelope. That night outside of Lili's cottage she hears a fight and goes to investigate. She finds Kimberly dead and calls the police. Detective Amy Redmond ad Detective Chuck Williams arrive. Lili has a bad relationship with Detective Williams.
This is where the story takes off on an adventure to finding out who killed Kimberly and why, There is so much going on in the story that I will leave it to the reader to find out and enjoy. It builds up to an exciting ending..
Lili's father who lives in Detroit comes and surprises Lili at the goodbye party for her neighbor who is going to help her daughter who is expecting a child. He arrives with his suitcases. He is planning to stay with his best friend Doc. The story ends with Lili and Simon going back to her cottage and stops and they kiss. I am guessing that in the next book the reader will find out more about her father coming to North Augusta and more about the relationship between Lili and Simon.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp for this ARC.
Kimberly is staying at Rose's B&B along with her husband, Wesley Schumann who is Lili's ex=fiancé. The next morning Rachael, Wesley and Kimberly have a fight in the dining room about the envelope. That night outside of Lili's cottage she hears a fight and goes to investigate. She finds Kimberly dead and calls the police. Detective Amy Redmond ad Detective Chuck Williams arrive. Lili has a bad relationship with Detective Williams.
This is where the story takes off on an adventure to finding out who killed Kimberly and why, There is so much going on in the story that I will leave it to the reader to find out and enjoy. It builds up to an exciting ending..
Lili's father who lives in Detroit comes and surprises Lili at the goodbye party for her neighbor who is going to help her daughter who is expecting a child. He arrives with his suitcases. He is planning to stay with his best friend Doc. The story ends with Lili and Simon going back to her cottage and stops and they kiss. I am guessing that in the next book the reader will find out more about her father coming to North Augusta and more about the relationship between Lili and Simon.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp for this ARC.
July 11, 2023
The cute cover on this cozy mystery grabbed my attention first and I was in the mood to read a new cozy so I grabbed this one. This is the fourth book in the Tea by the Sea series, and although I haven't read any of the previous books, this one can easily be read as a stand alone. This book involves a tea set purchased by Lily for her shop Tea by the Sea. Soon a very demanding woman shows up and tries to purchase the tea set from her. This woman is extremely irritating and demanding - I immediately disliked her. Lily refused to sell it. Then another woman comes into the picture wanting the tea set as well. What is so important about this tea set? These two women turn out to be sisters. Then there's a murder and Lily and her grandmother Rose (who owns the adjacent bed and breakfast) have to find out what's going on and they start investigating.
This was a fun cozy that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I would like to read the earlier books in this series as well. I liked the author's writing style and I enjoyed the characters.
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 25, 2023.
This was a fun cozy that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I would like to read the earlier books in this series as well. I liked the author's writing style and I enjoyed the characters.
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 25, 2023.
June 8, 2024
Review coming soon.
March 24, 2023
When I began reading #SteepedinMalice #NetGalley I was not prepared for the wild ride I'd be taking.
Lily Roberts owns Tea by the Sea, a quaint tea shop located in Cape Cod, MA.
Adjacent to her shop is Victoria-On-Sea, a bed and breakfast owned and operated by her grandmother, Rose.
An innocent visit to acquire new tea cups turns deadly, and Lily finds herself immersed in family drama, filled with greed and malice.
When a book features a character that irritates me, I find myself enjoying the story even more. Wes fit that bill for me, I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap the arrogance and rudeness right out of him.
This story has many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end, and I was stunned when the murderer was revealed.
This is by far my favorite in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I'm happy to recommend this book to all cozy mystery readers, the characters are quirky and colorful and the stories are well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Lily Roberts owns Tea by the Sea, a quaint tea shop located in Cape Cod, MA.
Adjacent to her shop is Victoria-On-Sea, a bed and breakfast owned and operated by her grandmother, Rose.
An innocent visit to acquire new tea cups turns deadly, and Lily finds herself immersed in family drama, filled with greed and malice.
When a book features a character that irritates me, I find myself enjoying the story even more. Wes fit that bill for me, I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap the arrogance and rudeness right out of him.
This story has many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end, and I was stunned when the murderer was revealed.
This is by far my favorite in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I'm happy to recommend this book to all cozy mystery readers, the characters are quirky and colorful and the stories are well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
July 27, 2023
Murder, mayhem and munchies the best way to spend an afternoon! The book should come with a warning that you'll be craving tea and scones before the end of the book so that you can be well prepared to set down and read! Wonderful multigenerational cast of characters that quickly become like old friends rather than just characters on a page. I do recommend reading the series in order so you can fully come to understand the characters personalities and quirks, plus it is hours of fun entertainment so why pass it up!?! Lily, our main character, is smart, hardworking, resourceful and a little bit naive when it comes to trusting people. Unfortunately, people who benefited from that naivety in the past are bursting into her present and bringing chaos and murder with them. It's up to Lily, her best friend and her grandmother to untangle the web being woven around them before the killer takes down one of them next! A delightful read wrought with red herrings to keep you guessing for quite some time! The perfect cozy for an afternoon of fun!
August 25, 2023
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Tea by the Sea is going through a tea cup shortage, after somebody threw a whole tea set at a wall. There's an antique fair nearby, and the owner buys a whole mess of tea cups. Soon after an obnoxious woman comes calling wanting a particular set of cups. Of course the price of being obnoxious in a cozy is death, and pretty soon we have a corpse, and contested inheritance.
I enjoyed this one, it's a bit different than most cozies.
Tea by the Sea is going through a tea cup shortage, after somebody threw a whole tea set at a wall. There's an antique fair nearby, and the owner buys a whole mess of tea cups. Soon after an obnoxious woman comes calling wanting a particular set of cups. Of course the price of being obnoxious in a cozy is death, and pretty soon we have a corpse, and contested inheritance.
I enjoyed this one, it's a bit different than most cozies.
July 31, 2023
I have not had a great run with these books [even though I have wanted to love them so much] and the previous one was just so bad [for me] that I was unsure that I would ever read one again. Thankfully, the bestie talked me into this one and remarkably, I am not unhappy that I did.
I have always like Lily and her crew [and even Rose didn't bother me in this one] and they are really shining in this one. The mystery [and story] was very good and I had no idea who the killer was, until the reveal and then I was surprised because I never went in that direction [there were PLENTY of red herrings in this one]. ALL the tea food makes one drool while listening and now I want scones every day! LOL All of this adds up to a really good read right? If only...
My biggest issue with this is the over-dramatic writing. SO. SO. DRAMATIC. Good grief. I cannot even tell you how many times I rolled my eyes at the "extra drama" that was just so not needed and is so excessive that you really have to work at sticking with the story and ignore all the drama [thankfully, this time, I was able to do just that [some of that is due to the really good narrator - even though she read all the extra parts V E R Y dramatically, she was overall a really good narrator] and hence, this book is a very strong 3 stars and I am very happy with that.
Thank you to NetGalley, Vicki Delany, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have always like Lily and her crew [and even Rose didn't bother me in this one] and they are really shining in this one. The mystery [and story] was very good and I had no idea who the killer was, until the reveal and then I was surprised because I never went in that direction [there were PLENTY of red herrings in this one]. ALL the tea food makes one drool while listening and now I want scones every day! LOL All of this adds up to a really good read right? If only...
My biggest issue with this is the over-dramatic writing. SO. SO. DRAMATIC. Good grief. I cannot even tell you how many times I rolled my eyes at the "extra drama" that was just so not needed and is so excessive that you really have to work at sticking with the story and ignore all the drama [thankfully, this time, I was able to do just that [some of that is due to the really good narrator - even though she read all the extra parts V E R Y dramatically, she was overall a really good narrator] and hence, this book is a very strong 3 stars and I am very happy with that.
Thank you to NetGalley, Vicki Delany, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2023
When I began reading #SteepedinMalice #NetGalley I was not prepared for the wild ride I'd be taking.
Lily Roberts owns Tea by the Sea, a quaint tea shop located in Cape Cod, MA.
Adjacent to her shop is Victoria-On-Sea, a bed and breakfast owned and operated by her grandmother, Rose.
An innocent visit to acquire new tea cups turns deadly, and Lily finds herself immersed in family drama, filled with greed and malice.
When a book features a character that irritates me, I find myself enjoying the story even more. Wes fit that bill for me, I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap the arrogance and rudeness right out of him.
This story has many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end, and I was stunned when the murderer was revealed.
This is by far my favorite in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I'm happy to recommend this book to all cozy mystery readers, the characters are quirky and colorful and the stories are well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Lily Roberts owns Tea by the Sea, a quaint tea shop located in Cape Cod, MA.
Adjacent to her shop is Victoria-On-Sea, a bed and breakfast owned and operated by her grandmother, Rose.
An innocent visit to acquire new tea cups turns deadly, and Lily finds herself immersed in family drama, filled with greed and malice.
When a book features a character that irritates me, I find myself enjoying the story even more. Wes fit that bill for me, I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap the arrogance and rudeness right out of him.
This story has many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end, and I was stunned when the murderer was revealed.
This is by far my favorite in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I'm happy to recommend this book to all cozy mystery readers, the characters are quirky and colorful and the stories are well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
March 26, 2023
Brangling sisters and a sleazeball chef make for a basis for a murder.
The publisher's blurb is a good hook, but I'm already hooked on the series. This one also has good sleuthing, interesting characters, sneaky twists, and inventive red herrings.
I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
The publisher's blurb is a good hook, but I'm already hooked on the series. This one also has good sleuthing, interesting characters, sneaky twists, and inventive red herrings.
I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 27, 2023
Oy! Have you ever wanted to reach into a book and slap or strangle the person? This book made me want to do just that. The book made me grumpy. Between Detective Williams who is infuriating and incompetent. Lily's ex boyfriend Wesley. Oy! Then the sisters. Lily buys an antique peter rabbit tea set and then drama ensues. Another dead body is found right outside Lily's cottage.
March 30, 2023
I’ve read all of the books in this series and I like this one the best. I did guess the murderer about halfway through but it was still fun to see Lily and the police come to the same conclusion. Lily seemed more independent in this book and stronger when dealing with others. Bernie wasn’t as annoying as she could be in earlier books. Maybe it’s because she and Matt are spending time together. Even Rose didn’t use her “frail little old lady” act very often. This story has interesting characters and a few twists and turns. I love the setting of Cape Cod and the Tea Shop. If it is was a real place, I would go! Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC.
June 7, 2023
Murder is brewing at Tea by the Sea is another fantastic addition to this series. This is one of my favorite series right now. Lily is just wanting to run her tea shop and be at peace. That doesn't happen when a shopping trip for more china and it ends up creating a hell of a time. I love all the characters in the series. I really want to go and sit on the patio and have tea!
#SteepedinMalice #NetGalley
#SteepedinMalice #NetGalley
July 21, 2023
Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany is the fourth Tea by the Sea mystery. Lily Roberts owns a tearoom in Cape Cod, next to her grandmother's B&B. The descriptions of the tearoom are excellent and I could really visualize it. I also wished it was real so I could go there for scones and tea!
Lily's purchase of an antique children's tea set for the tearoom kicks off a series of events leading to a guest at her grandmother's bed and breakfast being murdered. The victim is married to Lily's arrogant ex-boyfriend and because she could be a suspect, Lily decides to find the real killer and her best friend and grandmother assist in her investigation. The story has a nice balance of the day-to-day running of the tearoom, recipes at the end, the investigation, friendship, and a hint of a possible romance. I really enjoyed this book and loved the ending! This is my favorite of the books I've read in this series, and I'm looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Lily's purchase of an antique children's tea set for the tearoom kicks off a series of events leading to a guest at her grandmother's bed and breakfast being murdered. The victim is married to Lily's arrogant ex-boyfriend and because she could be a suspect, Lily decides to find the real killer and her best friend and grandmother assist in her investigation. The story has a nice balance of the day-to-day running of the tearoom, recipes at the end, the investigation, friendship, and a hint of a possible romance. I really enjoyed this book and loved the ending! This is my favorite of the books I've read in this series, and I'm looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
August 11, 2023
Pro:
* Good balance between ongoing major character development and the current murder case
* Appetizing tea service and breakfast
* Literary nod to a classic work
* Well-paced
Con:
* I’m ready for Simon to have more of the spotlight
* Reveal is complicated and drawn out
Thank you to Vicki Delany, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
* Good balance between ongoing major character development and the current murder case
* Appetizing tea service and breakfast
* Literary nod to a classic work
* Well-paced
Con:
* I’m ready for Simon to have more of the spotlight
* Reveal is complicated and drawn out
Thank you to Vicki Delany, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2023
“Steeped on Malice” by Vicki Delany the 4th instalment in the “Tea by the Sea Mysteries”. I’m never disappointed when I pick up one of Vicki Delany’s books. I’m excited that Ms. Delany will be in Calgary August 5th and doing book signing , I’m looking forward to meeting her.
Thanks to the Great Teacup Shortage, Cape Cod tearoom proprietress Lily Roberts is already feeling the strain. But when a family fracas turns deadly over an antique tea set, she’ll really have to pour through the clues before another crime is brewed up.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in couple days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and delectable food.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the main character of Lily, her grandmother Rose, Simon, and her BFF Bernie. People from Lily’s past show up causing drama, especially her ex Wesley.
I won’t go into detail about the mystery as the book blurb does a wonderful job of it but I will say if you like afternoon tea, the seaside, and a great mystery then this series is for you. Includes recipes at back of book ... yummy
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN. I have also preordered a hardcover copy for my collection.
Thanks to the Great Teacup Shortage, Cape Cod tearoom proprietress Lily Roberts is already feeling the strain. But when a family fracas turns deadly over an antique tea set, she’ll really have to pour through the clues before another crime is brewed up.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in couple days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and delectable food.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the main character of Lily, her grandmother Rose, Simon, and her BFF Bernie. People from Lily’s past show up causing drama, especially her ex Wesley.
I won’t go into detail about the mystery as the book blurb does a wonderful job of it but I will say if you like afternoon tea, the seaside, and a great mystery then this series is for you. Includes recipes at back of book ... yummy
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN. I have also preordered a hardcover copy for my collection.
April 28, 2023
Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delanynis an excellent cozy mystery that is the fourth book in the delightful A Tea By the Sea Mystery series. I highly recommend this one.
I love the location of the small seaside, New England town of North Augusta. The Tea By the Sea tea house that Lily owns and runs along with her spunky Grandmother Rose owning the joining Bed and Breakfast is just wonderful.
The mystery was fun, the whole cast of characters is engaging and essential to the books: Rose, Bernie, Simon, Cheryl, Eclair, and the rest of the gang make for a great experience. And that ending!!!!
I can’t recommend this series enough!
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/25/23.
I love the location of the small seaside, New England town of North Augusta. The Tea By the Sea tea house that Lily owns and runs along with her spunky Grandmother Rose owning the joining Bed and Breakfast is just wonderful.
The mystery was fun, the whole cast of characters is engaging and essential to the books: Rose, Bernie, Simon, Cheryl, Eclair, and the rest of the gang make for a great experience. And that ending!!!!
I can’t recommend this series enough!
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/25/23.
December 8, 2023
Aptly named, a book full of conflict, loathing, resentment, bad decision, bad choices. With no significant personal developments, no intelligence, no clever dialogue, too many disposable players, not credible actions, no reason to suffer this tale. Even the main characters start losing their distinction from each other. The reader familiar with the series will be thinking, "WHICH one said that? Which did that? That's not like her. Wait, isn't that Bernie? Cheryl talked about herself in the third person?" (etc.)
Too many 'stupids' in this one. Pet Peeves follow:
Too many 'stupids' in this one. Pet Peeves follow:
September 5, 2023
This was a fun, fast-paced mystery. I'm glad Lily wasn't such a pushover in this one and Rose was not so demanding of her. I enjoyed collecting clues along with Lily and her friends and learning more about her through her interactions with her ex-boyfriend, Wesley. The mystery itself was well plotted with plenty of suspects that kept me guessing until the very end. There were some questionable decisions made by Lily but, all in all, an intriguing mystery. Looking forward to the next one.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
Owning a tea room is not easy. Cups and saucers routinely get broken and tea can NOT be served in a mug. Which is why Lily is spending a nice Saturday at an antiques fair hoping to snatch up more tea cups for use in her tea room. When she finds the most charming Peter Rabbit tea set in a wicker basket, she has to have it. The price is steep but the seller gives her a discount and Lily is excited to serve her next children's tea in the adorable set. Before the set is even unpacked, an angry woman comes to the shop DEMANDING Lily turn over the tea set. The woman offers to buy and is so rude, Lily agrees. The woman then cuts open the lining of the basket, removes an envelope and takes off without the tea set! Money + the tea set = win-win for Lily! Unfortunately she hasn't seen the last of Kimberly or anyone else connected to the tea set. Next, an acquaintance from New York, Rachel shows up looking for the tea set. The set belonged to Rachel and Kimberly's mother and was sold without Rachel's knowledge. Then Lily runs into Kimberly at the B&B and not only that, Lily's evil ex, Wesley, is there too, married to Kimberley! Later that night, Lily and her dog hear arguing outside. Lily tries to ignore it but while walking Éclair, the dog discovers Kimberly's dead body on the inn property! Oh dear! Detective Williams may not be the best detective but Lily knows she can count on Detective Raymond so she plans to stay out of this one. It soon becomes personal though and Lily can't help but get involved.
This was quite a fun mystery! The mystery kept me interested, the cozy wasn't too zany and I never really knew whodunit. The reveal was fun and different. I enjoyed that more than the typical catch a killer I really want to go out for afternoon tea now. My only major quibble was the price of the tea set. Sure a vintage or antique one is cute but Lily could buy a newer one for a lot less money and the same amount of charm. Now they're made from plastic which is not charming but I had some porcelain Peter Rabbit dishes from the 1970s.
I really like Lily much better than Gemma (the same author's Sherlock Holmes bookshop mysteries). Lily is grounded. She has a passion for tea and just wants to share her love with the world. She's an amazing baker and a perfectionist who brings the best to her customers. She doesn't seek out trouble but it tends to find her! She's remarkable calm and collected with all that happens in this book. I would not have been so calm! Bernie has Lily's back. I was pleased Bernie managed to keep her wackiness toned down a bit. She's Lily's ride or die here and the one who stands up to evil ex, Wesley. Bernie doesn't hold back her opinions on HIM at all. Rose, too, is toned down a bit to manageable level. She doesn't spy on anyone (Lily does it once, on evil ex) but she does use her little old lady act to get information. That's always fun! Detective Williams manages to actually do his job and read the riot act to someone for withholding information. Detective Raymond is the calm, sensible one who accepts Lily's information without assuming Lily is the murderer.
None of the new characters were likable. Kimberly Smithfield is a piece of work. She's an internet Karen who always has to have her own way. She throws a fit, is rude, insulting and is undeserving of anything. Rachel isn't a whole lot better. She's a bit more polite about the tea set. She claims she wants it for the sentimental value but is aware of what Kimberly is after and why. The two sisters don't see eye to eye about anything and they both come across as rather entitled to me. If all Rachel wants to do is live in New York and design restaurants and things then why is she so concerned with what's in her mother's will? She knows her mother was a complicated woman who often held grudges for silly reasons and therefore, Rachel was probably cut out of the will. Her alibi seems a little weak and can be faked. She does seem cold enough to kill but not enough to get into a shouting match with her sister. I didn't think the killer was their brother Stephen at first because he lives in California but he randomly shows up without comment so he must have been in town for his mother's funeral and stayed on to see if the will was found. He had a rough start to adulthood and his childhood wasn't a picnic. I'm not really sure if he has it in him to kill his sister. He seems more like a sad sack loser than a cold blooded killer but one shove and she was probably toast.
My money would be on Wesley, the evil ex-boyfriend. He's a narcissist and like Kimberly, used to getting what he wants. He seems to have married her for her presumed inheritance and spent it all already on some new restaurants. It's come to the point where people in the industry know what he's like and refuse to work with him. He needs Kim's money to boost his career and his ego. He's attitude towards her death is shockingly cold. He is NOT grieving "in his own way." He tries to get Lily back for goodness sakes! What a creep! She should have chopped him with a kitchen knife when she had a chance. If I were Rose, I'd kick him out of Victoria-on-Sea and back to New York before Bernie grabs Lily's rolling pin and whacks Wes over the head with it. Also connected to the Smithfield family is Helen, the housekeeper. She's creepy in a gothic way and very Victorian in her attitude towards the family. She all but accuses Rachel of killing her mother and sister! If anyone killed Rachel's mother, which I don't think happened, it would have been Helen. I'm not sure I trust her version of the family history. She seems biased towards Kimberly and Stephen's father and against Rachel's mother and Rachel, the "outsiders."
The romantic relationships are moving forward a tiny bit more. Simon acts as bodyguard for Lily when asked. He's not the overprotective type and knows he has no right to act that way but if she needs him, he's there. He's very kind and very calm when something shocking happens! Matt and Bernie's relationship- whatever it is- seemed to be going well but she accidentally insulted him and hurt his feelings but I think he'll forgive her. Lily is more important.
There are recipes in back for gluten free pancakes, blueberry muffins and lemon squares. I won't be copying down anything but I do love blueberry muffins. I already have the recipe I bet Lily uses. As a Cape Cod girl, I'm sure she has the Jordan Marsh blueberry muffin recipe! Certainly Edna would have the recipe to share with Lily!
https://www.afamilyfeast.com/real-jor...
This was quite a fun mystery! The mystery kept me interested, the cozy wasn't too zany and I never really knew whodunit. The reveal was fun and different. I enjoyed that more than the typical catch a killer I really want to go out for afternoon tea now. My only major quibble was the price of the tea set. Sure a vintage or antique one is cute but Lily could buy a newer one for a lot less money and the same amount of charm. Now they're made from plastic which is not charming but I had some porcelain Peter Rabbit dishes from the 1970s.
I really like Lily much better than Gemma (the same author's Sherlock Holmes bookshop mysteries). Lily is grounded. She has a passion for tea and just wants to share her love with the world. She's an amazing baker and a perfectionist who brings the best to her customers. She doesn't seek out trouble but it tends to find her! She's remarkable calm and collected with all that happens in this book. I would not have been so calm! Bernie has Lily's back. I was pleased Bernie managed to keep her wackiness toned down a bit. She's Lily's ride or die here and the one who stands up to evil ex, Wesley. Bernie doesn't hold back her opinions on HIM at all. Rose, too, is toned down a bit to manageable level. She doesn't spy on anyone (Lily does it once, on evil ex) but she does use her little old lady act to get information. That's always fun! Detective Williams manages to actually do his job and read the riot act to someone for withholding information. Detective Raymond is the calm, sensible one who accepts Lily's information without assuming Lily is the murderer.
None of the new characters were likable. Kimberly Smithfield is a piece of work. She's an internet Karen who always has to have her own way. She throws a fit, is rude, insulting and is undeserving of anything. Rachel isn't a whole lot better. She's a bit more polite about the tea set. She claims she wants it for the sentimental value but is aware of what Kimberly is after and why. The two sisters don't see eye to eye about anything and they both come across as rather entitled to me. If all Rachel wants to do is live in New York and design restaurants and things then why is she so concerned with what's in her mother's will? She knows her mother was a complicated woman who often held grudges for silly reasons and therefore, Rachel was probably cut out of the will. Her alibi seems a little weak and can be faked. She does seem cold enough to kill but not enough to get into a shouting match with her sister. I didn't think the killer was their brother Stephen at first because he lives in California but he randomly shows up without comment so he must have been in town for his mother's funeral and stayed on to see if the will was found. He had a rough start to adulthood and his childhood wasn't a picnic. I'm not really sure if he has it in him to kill his sister. He seems more like a sad sack loser than a cold blooded killer but one shove and she was probably toast.
My money would be on Wesley, the evil ex-boyfriend. He's a narcissist and like Kimberly, used to getting what he wants. He seems to have married her for her presumed inheritance and spent it all already on some new restaurants. It's come to the point where people in the industry know what he's like and refuse to work with him. He needs Kim's money to boost his career and his ego. He's attitude towards her death is shockingly cold. He is NOT grieving "in his own way." He tries to get Lily back for goodness sakes! What a creep! She should have chopped him with a kitchen knife when she had a chance. If I were Rose, I'd kick him out of Victoria-on-Sea and back to New York before Bernie grabs Lily's rolling pin and whacks Wes over the head with it. Also connected to the Smithfield family is Helen, the housekeeper. She's creepy in a gothic way and very Victorian in her attitude towards the family. She all but accuses Rachel of killing her mother and sister! If anyone killed Rachel's mother, which I don't think happened, it would have been Helen. I'm not sure I trust her version of the family history. She seems biased towards Kimberly and Stephen's father and against Rachel's mother and Rachel, the "outsiders."
The romantic relationships are moving forward a tiny bit more. Simon acts as bodyguard for Lily when asked. He's not the overprotective type and knows he has no right to act that way but if she needs him, he's there. He's very kind and very calm when something shocking happens! Matt and Bernie's relationship- whatever it is- seemed to be going well but she accidentally insulted him and hurt his feelings but I think he'll forgive her. Lily is more important.
There are recipes in back for gluten free pancakes, blueberry muffins and lemon squares. I won't be copying down anything but I do love blueberry muffins. I already have the recipe I bet Lily uses. As a Cape Cod girl, I'm sure she has the Jordan Marsh blueberry muffin recipe! Certainly Edna would have the recipe to share with Lily!
https://www.afamilyfeast.com/real-jor...
July 29, 2023
I love tea and everything to do with it, from tea shops to tea sets and so forth and so on. Steeped in Malice feeds my tea obsession in every way. The story of sisters fighting over a tea set gave me a thrill. But finding out that there is more mystery to the story and the tea set isn’t what it seems to be, neither are the sisters' issues, makes this book my favorite in this series.
When controversy and murder show up in Lily’s tea shop and Rose’s B&B becomes a hotbed of sisters fighting, a family tea set dispute, and a fatal argument, she can’t help but get involved, but when her ex-boyfriend becomes the center of attention, she wishes she could head for the hills. Suspects are not hard to find, and a killer's motive becomes evident to everyone. There are some delightful twists and red herrings, along with some wonderful scenic descriptions.
The sisters are not nice people, and don’t even care about the tea set, only what is hiding in the case. When Lily and Rose figure out who the killer is and unveil the culprit, it makes readers happy, and most will have figured out everyone’s part in the mystery. Lily and Rose, as always, make you happy, and anyone who likes tea will be in heaven. This story keeps moving with no dull or unnecessary filler. If I had a single complaint, it would be about this crazy heat wave we are having this summer. It definitely doesn’t make me want to curl up with a hot cup of anything. It's too bad this book didn’t come out in October or November; it would have been perfect!
When controversy and murder show up in Lily’s tea shop and Rose’s B&B becomes a hotbed of sisters fighting, a family tea set dispute, and a fatal argument, she can’t help but get involved, but when her ex-boyfriend becomes the center of attention, she wishes she could head for the hills. Suspects are not hard to find, and a killer's motive becomes evident to everyone. There are some delightful twists and red herrings, along with some wonderful scenic descriptions.
The sisters are not nice people, and don’t even care about the tea set, only what is hiding in the case. When Lily and Rose figure out who the killer is and unveil the culprit, it makes readers happy, and most will have figured out everyone’s part in the mystery. Lily and Rose, as always, make you happy, and anyone who likes tea will be in heaven. This story keeps moving with no dull or unnecessary filler. If I had a single complaint, it would be about this crazy heat wave we are having this summer. It definitely doesn’t make me want to curl up with a hot cup of anything. It's too bad this book didn’t come out in October or November; it would have been perfect!
July 15, 2023
Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany is due to be published July 25th 2023 by Kensington Cozies is the 4th book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery Series.
Steeped in Malice is the 4th book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series. The story takes place in the town of North Augusta on Cape Cod. Lily Roberts is the main character who owns The tea shop called Tea by the Sea. She lives in a small cottage on her grandmother, Rose's Campbell property and owns a B&B called Victoria by the Sea. Simon McCraker is the B&B gardner who also helps Lili with the baking when needed. He is also her boyfriend. They need new tea cups so they go to the North Augusta Antique show with her grandma. Kimberly comes to the tea shop to buy the tea set back that belongs in her family and lily tells her to come back after closing and she’ll give them back to her.
Kimberly is staying at Rose's B&B along with her husband, Wesley Schumann who is Lili's ex=fiancé. The next morning Rachael, Wesley and Kimberly have a fight in the dining room about the envelope. That night outside of Lili's cottage she hears a fight and goes to investigate. She finds Kimberly dead and calls the police. Detective Amy Redmond ad Detective Chuck Williams arrive. Lili has a bad relationship with Detective Williams. Is this a simple case of greed boiling over, or are there other suspects in the blend? It'll take some savvy sleuthing from Lily, Rose, and their allies to find the answers before a killer shatters more lives.
I cannot wait to read more from this author because she is amazing! Only other book I’ve read is Have yourself a Deadly Little Christmas. And I gotta say she is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors!!!
I highly recommend this book and all of her others!
Thank you Netgalley, Vicki and Kensington for the chance to read this ARC!
Steeped in Malice is the 4th book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series. The story takes place in the town of North Augusta on Cape Cod. Lily Roberts is the main character who owns The tea shop called Tea by the Sea. She lives in a small cottage on her grandmother, Rose's Campbell property and owns a B&B called Victoria by the Sea. Simon McCraker is the B&B gardner who also helps Lili with the baking when needed. He is also her boyfriend. They need new tea cups so they go to the North Augusta Antique show with her grandma. Kimberly comes to the tea shop to buy the tea set back that belongs in her family and lily tells her to come back after closing and she’ll give them back to her.
Kimberly is staying at Rose's B&B along with her husband, Wesley Schumann who is Lili's ex=fiancé. The next morning Rachael, Wesley and Kimberly have a fight in the dining room about the envelope. That night outside of Lili's cottage she hears a fight and goes to investigate. She finds Kimberly dead and calls the police. Detective Amy Redmond ad Detective Chuck Williams arrive. Lili has a bad relationship with Detective Williams. Is this a simple case of greed boiling over, or are there other suspects in the blend? It'll take some savvy sleuthing from Lily, Rose, and their allies to find the answers before a killer shatters more lives.
I cannot wait to read more from this author because she is amazing! Only other book I’ve read is Have yourself a Deadly Little Christmas. And I gotta say she is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors!!!
I highly recommend this book and all of her others!
Thank you Netgalley, Vicki and Kensington for the chance to read this ARC!
March 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. This is the first one of the series that I've read and I gobbled it up. Lily is a very respectable entrepreneur in her own right. But I also love that she helps her grandmother out with her B&B without complaint. It really comes across how much she cares about what she does, who she works with, and her loved ones.
I found the mystery very complex but in a good way. This certainly massaged my brain a good deal trying to figure things out. In the end, it was who I had originally suspected but most certainly not the way I suspected.
And I love Rose and the friend group. Not to mention, can we just say how much I'm enjoying the cat and mouse game between Lily and Simon? Holy cow! That ending! It really drew me in and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and the others previous.
This was written very well. I loved the author's use of words, and I could easily picture everything in my head. Great world building.
And I have to say a big kudos to the author for being imaginative and not having Lily hook up with a police officer, detective, or something else like that. I LOVE the gardner aspect. I also loved learning about different teas and imagining all the beautiful tea sets in the tea house.
I love this series. Fantastic cozy. I most certainly recommend.
I found the mystery very complex but in a good way. This certainly massaged my brain a good deal trying to figure things out. In the end, it was who I had originally suspected but most certainly not the way I suspected.
And I love Rose and the friend group. Not to mention, can we just say how much I'm enjoying the cat and mouse game between Lily and Simon? Holy cow! That ending! It really drew me in and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and the others previous.
This was written very well. I loved the author's use of words, and I could easily picture everything in my head. Great world building.
And I have to say a big kudos to the author for being imaginative and not having Lily hook up with a police officer, detective, or something else like that. I LOVE the gardner aspect. I also loved learning about different teas and imagining all the beautiful tea sets in the tea house.
I love this series. Fantastic cozy. I most certainly recommend.
June 15, 2023
This was a solid cozy mystery. The setting and tea room details of the Tea by the Sea mysteries are irresistible to me. I also really like the main character, Lily. The side characters I’m not always sure about, but they mostly behaved in this book.
As in the 2nd book, a family brings lots their drama and murder to stay with them at the B&B. But this time, Lily knows the husband of the murderer victim - he is her ex-boyfriend! The scenes with him were painful for me because he is a jerk. Luckily, Lily stands her ground, and her friends have her back.
What I liked about this mystery was that different family members told completely conflicting stories about the family dynamic. The reader has to figure out who is lying. The pacing was good too. Overall, this is a series that I recommend and will continue reading.
As in the 2nd book, a family brings lots their drama and murder to stay with them at the B&B. But this time, Lily knows the husband of the murderer victim - he is her ex-boyfriend! The scenes with him were painful for me because he is a jerk. Luckily, Lily stands her ground, and her friends have her back.
What I liked about this mystery was that different family members told completely conflicting stories about the family dynamic. The reader has to figure out who is lying. The pacing was good too. Overall, this is a series that I recommend and will continue reading.
April 17, 2023
Lily Roberts is a restaurant chef👩🏻🍳 and owner of a tearoom called Tea by the Sea which is on a bed-and-breakfast property called Victoria-on-Sea owned by her maternal grandmother Rose Campbell. Lily moved to Cape Cod from Manhattan to help her grandmother run her B&B and stayed back to open her tearoom.
At Victoria-on-Sea Lily offers her guests a traditional full English breakfast every day along with cereal and yogurt, pastries and fruit 🍳 🥞 The B & B consists of eight rooms and suites.
Tea by the Sea needs new china 🍵 🫖 for the tearoom and to this end Lily has gone to North Augusta Antique Fair with her grandmother 👵🏻 and her friend Bernie, hoping to find a good bargain.
At the fair she buys finds a booth—McIntosh Antiques—where she buys matching teapots, cups, and side plates, 🫖 🍵 🍽️ and so on. Lily then exchanges pleasantries and business cards with the owner.
While scanning the antique vendor’s items, Lily’s eyes land on a brown Beatrix Potter tea set in a wicker box, cracked and worn with age. The box contains a children’s tea set nested cozily in a lining of faded blue cloth. The set of six cups cost two hundred dollars which Lily and Bernie find quite steep.
The vendor, however sensing Lily wouldn’t pay such an amount for a fragile teacup set, offers Lily a twenty percent discount and Lily accepts.
A few days later, a woman walks into Lily’s tearoom demanding to speak with Lily. According to the lady, the teacups she bought earlier at the fair are hers and she’d like them back. Like now.
Lily tells her it’s not possible seeing as some of her guests using it. But she asks the lady to come back at closing time so they could talk about it.
Later when Kimberly returns to the tearoom, Lily hands the box to her whereupon she rips the inner lining in the box, extracting an envelope and the dashes off without the box.
Lily suspects the envelope may contain something of sentimental value but shrugs it off.
Not too surprisingly another lady turns up at the tearoom; Rachel Morrison, an interior designer specializing in restaurants who Lily knew from her days as a pastry chef in New York. Turns out Rachel is Kimberly’s half-sister and she’s here for the envelope ✉️.
Not too long, the sisters are seen having an altercation in the dining room at breakfast. Later that night Lily hears people arguing outside her cottage. When she goes to investigate she finds Kimberly lying dead.
Recipes include Gluten-Free Pancakes 🥞, Blueberry Muffins🫐, and so on.
Thank you to Vicki Delany, NetGalley, and Kensington Books—Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book.
At Victoria-on-Sea Lily offers her guests a traditional full English breakfast every day along with cereal and yogurt, pastries and fruit 🍳 🥞 The B & B consists of eight rooms and suites.
Tea by the Sea needs new china 🍵 🫖 for the tearoom and to this end Lily has gone to North Augusta Antique Fair with her grandmother 👵🏻 and her friend Bernie, hoping to find a good bargain.
At the fair she buys finds a booth—McIntosh Antiques—where she buys matching teapots, cups, and side plates, 🫖 🍵 🍽️ and so on. Lily then exchanges pleasantries and business cards with the owner.
While scanning the antique vendor’s items, Lily’s eyes land on a brown Beatrix Potter tea set in a wicker box, cracked and worn with age. The box contains a children’s tea set nested cozily in a lining of faded blue cloth. The set of six cups cost two hundred dollars which Lily and Bernie find quite steep.
The vendor, however sensing Lily wouldn’t pay such an amount for a fragile teacup set, offers Lily a twenty percent discount and Lily accepts.
A few days later, a woman walks into Lily’s tearoom demanding to speak with Lily. According to the lady, the teacups she bought earlier at the fair are hers and she’d like them back. Like now.
Lily tells her it’s not possible seeing as some of her guests using it. But she asks the lady to come back at closing time so they could talk about it.
Later when Kimberly returns to the tearoom, Lily hands the box to her whereupon she rips the inner lining in the box, extracting an envelope and the dashes off without the box.
Lily suspects the envelope may contain something of sentimental value but shrugs it off.
Not too surprisingly another lady turns up at the tearoom; Rachel Morrison, an interior designer specializing in restaurants who Lily knew from her days as a pastry chef in New York. Turns out Rachel is Kimberly’s half-sister and she’s here for the envelope ✉️.
Not too long, the sisters are seen having an altercation in the dining room at breakfast. Later that night Lily hears people arguing outside her cottage. When she goes to investigate she finds Kimberly lying dead.
Recipes include Gluten-Free Pancakes 🥞, Blueberry Muffins🫐, and so on.
Thank you to Vicki Delany, NetGalley, and Kensington Books—Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book.
April 17, 2023
Lily Roberts is a restaurant chef👩🏻🍳 and owner of a tearoom called Tea by the Sea which is on a bed-and-breakfast property called Victoria-on-Sea owned by her maternal grandmother Rose Campbell. Lily moved to Cape Cod from Manhattan to help her grandmother run her B&B and stayed back to open her tearoom.
At Victoria-on-Sea Lily offers her guests a traditional full English breakfast every day along with cereal and yogurt, pastries and fruit 🍳 🥞 The B & B consists of eight rooms and suites.
Tea by the Sea needs new china 🍵 🫖 for the tearoom and to this end Lily has gone to North Augusta Antique Fair with her grandmother 👵🏻 and her friend Bernie, hoping to find a good bargain.
At the fair she buys finds a booth—McIntosh Antiques—where she buys matching teapots, cups, and side plates, 🫖 🍵 🍽️ and so on. Lily then exchanges pleasantries and business cards with the owner.
While scanning the antique vendor’s items, Lily’s eyes land on a brown Beatrix Potter tea set in a wicker box, cracked and worn with age. The box contains a children’s tea set nested cozily in a lining of faded blue cloth. The set of six cups cost two hundred dollars which Lily and Bernie find quite steep.
The vendor, however sensing Lily wouldn’t pay such an amount for a fragile teacup set, offers Lily a twenty percent discount and Lily accepts.
A few days later, a woman walks into Lily’s tearoom demanding to speak with Lily. According to the lady, the teacups she bought earlier at the fair are hers and she’d like them back. Like now.
Lily tells her it’s not possible seeing as some of her guests using it. But she asks the lady to come back at closing time so they could talk about it.
Later when Kimberly returns to the tearoom, Lily hands the box to her whereupon she rips the inner lining in the box, extracting an envelope and the dashes off without the box.
Lily suspects the envelope may contain something of sentimental value but shrugs it off.
Not too surprisingly another lady turns up at the tearoom; Rachel Morrison, an interior designer specializing in restaurants who Lily knew from her days as a pastry chef in New York. Turns out Rachel is Kimberly’s half-sister and she’s here for the envelope ✉️.
Not too long, the sisters are seen having an altercation in the dining room at breakfast. Later that night Lily hears people arguing outside her cottage. When she goes to investigate she finds Kimberly lying dead.
Recipes include Gluten-Free Pancakes 🥞, Blueberry Muffins🫐, and so on.
Thank you to Vicki Delany, NetGalley, and Kensington Books—Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book.
At Victoria-on-Sea Lily offers her guests a traditional full English breakfast every day along with cereal and yogurt, pastries and fruit 🍳 🥞 The B & B consists of eight rooms and suites.
Tea by the Sea needs new china 🍵 🫖 for the tearoom and to this end Lily has gone to North Augusta Antique Fair with her grandmother 👵🏻 and her friend Bernie, hoping to find a good bargain.
At the fair she buys finds a booth—McIntosh Antiques—where she buys matching teapots, cups, and side plates, 🫖 🍵 🍽️ and so on. Lily then exchanges pleasantries and business cards with the owner.
While scanning the antique vendor’s items, Lily’s eyes land on a brown Beatrix Potter tea set in a wicker box, cracked and worn with age. The box contains a children’s tea set nested cozily in a lining of faded blue cloth. The set of six cups cost two hundred dollars which Lily and Bernie find quite steep.
The vendor, however sensing Lily wouldn’t pay such an amount for a fragile teacup set, offers Lily a twenty percent discount and Lily accepts.
A few days later, a woman walks into Lily’s tearoom demanding to speak with Lily. According to the lady, the teacups she bought earlier at the fair are hers and she’d like them back. Like now.
Lily tells her it’s not possible seeing as some of her guests using it. But she asks the lady to come back at closing time so they could talk about it.
Later when Kimberly returns to the tearoom, Lily hands the box to her whereupon she rips the inner lining in the box, extracting an envelope and the dashes off without the box.
Lily suspects the envelope may contain something of sentimental value but shrugs it off.
Not too surprisingly another lady turns up at the tearoom; Rachel Morrison, an interior designer specializing in restaurants who Lily knew from her days as a pastry chef in New York. Turns out Rachel is Kimberly’s half-sister and she’s here for the envelope ✉️.
Not too long, the sisters are seen having an altercation in the dining room at breakfast. Later that night Lily hears people arguing outside her cottage. When she goes to investigate she finds Kimberly lying dead.
Recipes include Gluten-Free Pancakes 🥞, Blueberry Muffins🫐, and so on.
Thank you to Vicki Delany, NetGalley, and Kensington Books—Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book.
August 19, 2023
4.5. When Tea By the Sea owner Lily Roberts purchases a Peter Rabbit children's set for her tearoom, it comes with quite a bit of figurative baggage. A woman named Kimberly comes into Lily's kitchen demanding to buy it back, saying it belongs to her and should not have been sold in the first place. When she is found dead, Kimberly's brother, sister and husband (who also happens to be Lily's smarmy ex) are among the suspects in a case of a family inheritance dispute. I enjoy this series more with each one, with an engaging set of main characters. This ended with a bit of a cliffhanger regarding Lily's personal life which has me looking forward to the next one.
August 26, 2023
I enjoyed this entry into the Tea by the Sea Mysteries. I wasn't overly fond of these characters at the beginning of the series, but as they have grown, they have grown on me too! I like that Lily is really trying to stay out of the investigation, but gets pulled into it anyway. I like the running joke (although I'm not sure it is to her) over the plot for Bernie's book, and even the imperious Rose has grown on me. Oh yes, and Simon, just such a nice guy!! The the number of red herrings was great, each time I decided this person HAD to be the suspect, I was wrong!
This book can be read as a stand alone, but if you want the total amount of enjoyment, read the series!! Be warned, the number of yummy treats mentioned in this book can be tempting to your diet! 😏
This book can be read as a stand alone, but if you want the total amount of enjoyment, read the series!! Be warned, the number of yummy treats mentioned in this book can be tempting to your diet! 😏
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