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Teacup Magic #3
Spellcracker's Honeymoon
Our honeymooning heroine must unmask a magical murderer.
Happily married, Mrs Mnemosyne Seabourne travels to an island of no magic, for a relaxing honeymoon with her new husband Thornbury.
But the magic-free Isle of Aster is not what it seems. There's a monster roaming the hills, a royal scandal brewing on the horizon, and (of course!) an impossible, magical murder to be solved.
On the night of the Midsummer Masque at the Queen's country palace, Thornbury goes missing, leaving Mneme to unravel a web of secrets and lies involving her husband.
Who could commit magical murder on an island with no magic? Only a spellcracker...
If you enjoy cozy magical mysteries, glamorous masquerade balls and the art of saucy letter writing, you'll love the third Teacup Magic novella, sequel to Tea & Sympathetic Magic and The Frost Fair Affair.
Happily married, Mrs Mnemosyne Seabourne travels to an island of no magic, for a relaxing honeymoon with her new husband Thornbury.
But the magic-free Isle of Aster is not what it seems. There's a monster roaming the hills, a royal scandal brewing on the horizon, and (of course!) an impossible, magical murder to be solved.
On the night of the Midsummer Masque at the Queen's country palace, Thornbury goes missing, leaving Mneme to unravel a web of secrets and lies involving her husband.
Who could commit magical murder on an island with no magic? Only a spellcracker...
If you enjoy cozy magical mysteries, glamorous masquerade balls and the art of saucy letter writing, you'll love the third Teacup Magic novella, sequel to Tea & Sympathetic Magic and The Frost Fair Affair.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2021
8 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Tansy Rayner Roberts
132 books313 followersTansy Rayner Roberts is a fantasy and science fiction author who lives in southern Tasmania, somewhere between the tall mountain with snow on it, and the beach that points towards Antarctica.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2025
3.5 stars
November 24, 2022
The third novella in this delightful series sees a newly married Mnemosyne Seabourne honeymooning on an island that has no magic, and then getting involved with a murder that could only have been carried out by magical means. Like the other stories in this sequence, it's a lot of fun, very readable and adorably cosy. I really like Mneme as a protagonist; she's sensible, prone to thinking before acting, and mulling things over with tea (and cake, if it's available). She's also taking great delight in, er, the rights and privileges of being a married woman and it's delightful to see two people obviously in love be allowed to be in love without having obstacles thrown in their way.
There's a nice epistolary element to the book, with parts of the story being told in exchanges of letters. I've always been fond of this and don't think it's used enough, so it was nice to see it popping up here, unexpectedly, especially since it's not been used in previous books in the series.
I see that there are more books set in the Teacup Isles (still a name I'm never going to take seriously), but they feature other protagonists, and not Mneme. I'll probably end up reading them eventually, but I'll miss Mneme. Still, if this is the end of her story, I'm happy where it was ended.
There's a nice epistolary element to the book, with parts of the story being told in exchanges of letters. I've always been fond of this and don't think it's used enough, so it was nice to see it popping up here, unexpectedly, especially since it's not been used in previous books in the series.
I see that there are more books set in the Teacup Isles (still a name I'm never going to take seriously), but they feature other protagonists, and not Mneme. I'll probably end up reading them eventually, but I'll miss Mneme. Still, if this is the end of her story, I'm happy where it was ended.
July 20, 2021
this amusing story makes use of a letter exchange, as well as first person action.
A magical reality where a young queen was smitten with a courtier, and same sex marriage was not impossible
Magic keeps the tea in this kingdom always at the right temperature, and affects a puzzling collection of pockets of magic powered up and on occasion somewhat dangerously floating about
Romance, intrigue and action and adventure
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A magical reality where a young queen was smitten with a courtier, and same sex marriage was not impossible
Magic keeps the tea in this kingdom always at the right temperature, and affects a puzzling collection of pockets of magic powered up and on occasion somewhat dangerously floating about
Romance, intrigue and action and adventure
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 27, 2021
LOVED IT ARGH my goodness, such a fun read.
July 22, 2021
Loved it! This book is a wild ride with quirky characters, tongue-in-cheek comments, multiple mysteries, many surprises and magic. Creative! Kooky! So much fun!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2021
Another fun instalment of the Teacup Magic Books, though it could also be read as a standalone magical mystery.
July 16, 2021
Mneme and Thornbury get more adorable with every book. Plus a cosy mystery in a magical universe is exactly what I needed for a light summer read.
June 19, 2021
The masquerade ball reminded me of the 'golden age of crime.'
A fun, and magical cozy mystery.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fun, and magical cozy mystery.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
Magical mayhem and romance
In this third volume, Spellcracker Charles has become Mr Seabourne and he and Mneme are honeymooning on the Isle of Aster, the only one of the Teacup Isles to be almost completely devoid of magic. This happy time is interrupted by an invitation to the nearby palace of Queen Aud, the canny young monarch of the Teacup Isles. Mneme soon has two problems - her new husband's devotion to his patriotic duties and the fact that she has stumbled on the body of the Queen's social secretary. A dramatic masked ball at the palace throws up even more mysteries for Mneme and Charles to solve.
`Spellcracker's Honeymoon' is more of a Paranormal Mystery novel than the previous two volumes but, due to the liberal marriage laws of some of the Teacup Isles, there are also plenty of opportunities for partner-swapping and same-sex romance. Witty prose and social comedy are still part of the mix but there is more depth of feeling in this novella. I look forward to future volumes in this engaging series.
In this third volume, Spellcracker Charles has become Mr Seabourne and he and Mneme are honeymooning on the Isle of Aster, the only one of the Teacup Isles to be almost completely devoid of magic. This happy time is interrupted by an invitation to the nearby palace of Queen Aud, the canny young monarch of the Teacup Isles. Mneme soon has two problems - her new husband's devotion to his patriotic duties and the fact that she has stumbled on the body of the Queen's social secretary. A dramatic masked ball at the palace throws up even more mysteries for Mneme and Charles to solve.
`Spellcracker's Honeymoon' is more of a Paranormal Mystery novel than the previous two volumes but, due to the liberal marriage laws of some of the Teacup Isles, there are also plenty of opportunities for partner-swapping and same-sex romance. Witty prose and social comedy are still part of the mix but there is more depth of feeling in this novella. I look forward to future volumes in this engaging series.
August 12, 2024
Another good book and cup of tea
Another look into the magic on the Teacup Isles. Mnemosyne and Thornbury are enjoying their honeymoon on the Isle of Aster, a non magical Island. We find out more about our favourite characters as well as a chorus of supporting acts.
Of course, there's been a murder and the main suspect is Mr S! Can Mnemosyne get to the bottom of this mystery before another murder takes place?
Tansy Rayner Roberts makes the characters so believable and three dimentioned that you find yourself rooting for them in this the 3rd book of the series. I'm off to read book 4, do take a chance to read these delightful books and let's see if a charm can be found to make a cup of tea stay at the perfect temperature!
Another look into the magic on the Teacup Isles. Mnemosyne and Thornbury are enjoying their honeymoon on the Isle of Aster, a non magical Island. We find out more about our favourite characters as well as a chorus of supporting acts.
Of course, there's been a murder and the main suspect is Mr S! Can Mnemosyne get to the bottom of this mystery before another murder takes place?
Tansy Rayner Roberts makes the characters so believable and three dimentioned that you find yourself rooting for them in this the 3rd book of the series. I'm off to read book 4, do take a chance to read these delightful books and let's see if a charm can be found to make a cup of tea stay at the perfect temperature!
July 6, 2025
The entire first chapter is epistolary (letters.) I enjoyed the letters but was relieved when chapter two returned to prose format.
This magic-rich series takes a vacation on a magic-free island - quite disorienting. Vacation is just as real as retirement for Thornbury, so of course political and magical machinations will occur in his vicinity. There are quite a few new characters and I had trouble keeping track of them. Features a masquerade ball, to make things even more confusing.
Distinctly lacking in hedgehogs.
This magic-rich series takes a vacation on a magic-free island - quite disorienting. Vacation is just as real as retirement for Thornbury, so of course political and magical machinations will occur in his vicinity. There are quite a few new characters and I had trouble keeping track of them. Features a masquerade ball, to make things even more confusing.
Distinctly lacking in hedgehogs.
September 4, 2021
If I likened this series to the very best quality chocolate and hazelnut macaroons, that might not be the worst simile I could find: delicious, melting yet chewy, complex flavours and just sweet enough. Just enough to make you wish there was another immediately! I hadn't thought i would become such a fan of magical cozy crime, but here we are. Another thing this book did very well, that I can never really get enough of, is happily married people solving problems together. *swoon*!
October 13, 2024
I really enjoy this author's stories. They are filled with all my favourite things: strong female characters, cheeky, clever funny writing and, of course, magic.
The books in this series are short, but so fun! I love the magical world-building here, and the adventures and shenanigans the characters get up to are simply buckets of fun!
I highly recommend this author and all her books if you enjoy light-hearted, cheeky fun peopled by very likable characters!
The books in this series are short, but so fun! I love the magical world-building here, and the adventures and shenanigans the characters get up to are simply buckets of fun!
I highly recommend this author and all her books if you enjoy light-hearted, cheeky fun peopled by very likable characters!
September 14, 2021
For a cosy mystery, this took a surprisingly long time for the murder to happen. And there were so many twisty things happening that I was mighty suspicious about so many things; many of which turned out to be right.
Overall, agood murder mystery, with cute bits of romance woven in. Very nice that the main romance continues along sensibly for a newly married couple.
Overall, agood murder mystery, with cute bits of romance woven in. Very nice that the main romance continues along sensibly for a newly married couple.
August 3, 2021
A cozy fantasy mystery set in the Teacup Isles is every bit as entertaining and silly as the last two. Tansy Rayner Roberts is Australian and most of her work appears on her Patreon site first so I've been waiting for this novella to appear.
September 1, 2021
Each Teacup Spins Faster
How can there be a Teacup island without magic? And why would the new Mrs. And Mr. Seabourne honeymoon there? A mystery involving a masquerade and murder follows on the Seabournes holiday. Flirty letters between newlyweds are the best.
How can there be a Teacup island without magic? And why would the new Mrs. And Mr. Seabourne honeymoon there? A mystery involving a masquerade and murder follows on the Seabournes holiday. Flirty letters between newlyweds are the best.
November 26, 2022
Again, a bit longer than each of the first two in the series but just as much fun. Now married and honeymooning on a non-magical island, Mr. and Mrs. Seabourne pool their talents to solve a murder and an attempted murder.
July 18, 2023
A holiday isn't a holiday for this couple as there is no respite from the demands of state. And on an island without magic, which isn't as lacking as you'd expect. Their relationship and trust in each other is tested, alongside copious witty banter, tea and cakes.
September 17, 2021
Darling... I will be returning to these books for a light hearted pick me up, and I will be looking at what else Roberts has written.
September 20, 2021
Fluffy fun again! In this one, our favourite couple are honeymooning on the island of no magic, but then... a magic crime occurs!!!
April 26, 2022
3.5 stars this is a fun easy read. I would prefer Thornbury to be more open with Mneme about his investigations though, especially as she usually ends up playing a key role in solving things.
June 25, 2022
This wasn't my favorite in the series but still tons of fun! Love the writing, humor, and characters.
CW: Grief, attempted murder
CW: Grief, attempted murder
August 20, 2022
Lovely. Though not as engaging as the previous instalment.
Looking forward to next instalments.
Looking forward to next instalments.
January 17, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
This series is just such a fun light read. Just the right thing to relax in between all those heavy (theme- and/or weight-wise) Fantasy books I usually read.
This series is just such a fun light read. Just the right thing to relax in between all those heavy (theme- and/or weight-wise) Fantasy books I usually read.
July 30, 2021
The Teacup Magic series is a fun, cosy read, and this third novella was no exception! I liked being back with Mnemosyne, and I liked the new characters, like Mrs Phoebe and Lady Persimmon. The whole non-magical island and a masquerade ball added a nice flourish. I did wish, however, that Mnemosyne had been more involved in solving the mystery/crime; now it seemed more like everything was happening around her.
The Frost Fair Affair is still my favourite of the series, I was into the whole winter fair setting and found the plot the most interesting one, maybe because it was the longest novella.
The Frost Fair Affair is still my favourite of the series, I was into the whole winter fair setting and found the plot the most interesting one, maybe because it was the longest novella.
January 24, 2022
This is a fun installment to the series, which returns to the slower pace of book one even though a murder happens in this one. I enjoyed the mix of standard prose and letters as a means of telling the story, though it does slow the pace down in some spots. I enjoyed it, but this is not the place to start the series (start with book one; they're short, so getting to this point won't take long). As with the rest of the series, the romance in this one is a focus of the plot, but nothing is shown onscreen.
April 5, 2022
This series is so delightful!
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"Most situations were drastically improved with the addition of a hot cup of tea, even having to contemplate the possibility that one's husband might be a murder suspect."
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"The idea of wanting party invitations had always been such anathema to Mneme that she regularly fell into the trap of assuming that, like herself, everyone would prefer to be at home with a good book."
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"Most situations were drastically improved with the addition of a hot cup of tea, even having to contemplate the possibility that one's husband might be a murder suspect."
--
"The idea of wanting party invitations had always been such anathema to Mneme that she regularly fell into the trap of assuming that, like herself, everyone would prefer to be at home with a good book."
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews