Theodosia’s Honey Bee Tea was an elegant affair set in Charleston’s new Petigru Park amid newly planted native grasses and a community beekeeping project. But when a phony beekeeper shows up and sprays toxic smoke at the guests, the party erupts in chaos. Worse yet, a shot rings out and Osgood Claxton III, candidate for state legislature, falls to the ground—dead.
Holly Burns, the gallery owner who asked Theodosia to cater the tea, is understandably heartbroken. A man is dead, her guests are angry and injured, and the paintings that were on display are left in tatters. When the police don’t seem to have a clue, when old-line politicos don’t want questions asked, Holly begs Theodosia to run a shadow investigation and help restore her gallery’s good name.
Between hosting a Wind in the Willows Tea and a Glam Girl Tea, Theodosia questions everyone that had a bone to pick with Claxton. This includes Booker, an angry outsider artist; Lamar Lucket, Claxton’s political opponent; and Mignon Merriweather, the dead man’s soon-to-be ex-wife. But the investigation becomes a political hot potato following a second murder, the revelation of a messy affair, a chase through a swamp, and a vandalized shop.
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
Release Date: Aug 8, 2023
Series:Â Tea Shop Mysteries
Book:Â 27
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $14.99
Theodosia Browning is excited that her tea shop is branching out into catering events and is pleased at the way her “Honeybee Tea” is turning out. The guests seem to be enjoying the honey-themed food and delicious tea being served. This tea is celebrating the relaunch of the art gallery run by Holly Burns, but long-winded politician Osgood Claxton III won’t be quiet and is trying to make the event all about him. Unfortunately, someone handles Osgood, but in a tragic way. A person wearing beekeeping attire arrives, but instead of tending to the community bee hive in the park, the person kills Osgood. Everyone warns Theo that Osgood had dangerous connections, but she is determined to find the killer and help clear the reputation of Holly’s gallery.
The story started out strong with an interesting event and an unexpected death. Theo starts out reporting the progress of her investigation to her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley. There is no shortage of suspects, so both the police and Theo have their work cut out for them in finding the killer. The plot has potential, but then starts to drag as Theo takes things too far by putting herself in danger several times and getting into over-the-top situations.
On the positive side, I like it when Theo and Drayton Conneley, who works with her in the tea shop, investigate together. There is some entertaining drama when the killer is revealed, but then the book ends very abruptly which takes away from what could have been a really good ending. A few more scenes at the end or at least a short epilogue would have made a big difference. At the end of the story, I like the recipes which sound really good, as well as ideas for elevated scones and tips for holding your own tea event.
~ Christine
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