Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am happy to share my thoughts with you about Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah today!
Murder at the Lemonberry Tea (A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Michigan
Publisher : Kensington Cozies (November 26, 2024)
Paperback : 368 pages
ISBN-13: 9781496747402
Kindle ASIN : B0CWLHGYCZ
Lindsey Bakewell’s iconic lighthouse bakeshop in beautiful Beacon Harbor, Michigan, is hosting a celebrity cookbook author from the UK—but the notorious diva is now DOA . . .
Lindsey’s patrons have a new outdoor patio where they can eat their treats in the glorious summer weather. But even more exciting is that the Beacon Bakeshop is going to host British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry—and what could be a more appropriate event than a tea party?
What Lindsey didn’t realize is that Vivi is here to put some distance between herself and her recent professional and personal scandals. Despite assurances that Vivi is as sweet as a chocolate-dipped strawberry, Lindsey is cooling rapidly toward the culinary icon . . . especially after she banishes Lindsey’s beloved dog, Wellington, from the bakeshop and then flirts outrageously with Lindsey’s boyfriend.
She’s not the only one feeling hostile, though. While Vivi’s in the middle of making a tart in front of the cameras, a woman runs up and slaps her. Soon, Vivi’s nowhere to be found, and folks are speculating on whether she’s run off with her secret lover or just laying low due to embarrassment. That is, until Lindsey finds a body bobbing near the surface of Lake Michigan. It’s a sour ending for the diva, but Lindsey is determined to squeeze the truth out of every clue until she finds the killer . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s summer in Beacon Harbor, Michigan and Kennedy has arranged for British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry to launch her new cooking series from the Beacon Bakeshop. Lindsey is excited to meet the chef and will be hosting a tea party in her new event space in addition to baking with her for her show. Then Lindsey learns about the chef’s past personal and professional scandals and is told she was openly flirting with her boyfriend Rory. Vivi also hates dogs and demands Lindsey’s lovable Newfoundland, Wellington is rehomed for the duration of her stay. She is no longer as excited about the woman’s visit.
While taping the first episode of Vivi’s new show Lindsey finds out the “sweet” British chef has enemies in town when a woman comes onto the patio and slaps Vivi across the face. Vivi leaves the set and disappears. She’s not answering her phone or her door at the hotel. She may be with her “secret lover” or maybe she is embarrassed and staying out of sight. When she fails to show up for the tea party in her honor Lindsey is reasonably vexed.
Ready to wash her hands of Vivi and her drama Lindsey heads to the pier for her scuba lesson with Rory. She was actually enjoying herself until “something solid bumps her leg” and it was not a big fish. She now knows why the celebrity chef missed her tea party. Hard to attend when you’re dead. With evidence pointing in Lindsey and Rory’s direction they have no choice but to help the police hook the real killer.
This is one of my favorite series!
The core characters Ms. Hannah has created for this series are so genuine and engaging. Lindsey continues to top herself with new recipes and new venues while her relationship with ex-Navy Seal boyfriend Rory continues to grow. They had one obstacle or should I say 4 obstacles when Kennedy was joined by her grandmother, mother, and sister. They are all be staying at Lindsey’s lighthouse so Rory vacates while they are visiting. The “British Invasion” was timed to coincide with British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry’s visit to Beacon Harbor. These new characters were so entertaining each in their own way. Additional new characters came in the chef’s entourage. Lindsey’s parents are also back in town for the warmer months. They add so much to the story. As always, Wellington is just the best dog ever even if he is getting into a bit of mischief.
Lindsey’s visitors are all interested in her “haunted” lighthouse. I loved the meetings in the light room even if at times they were squeezed in there pretty tight. Lindsey’s new Boathouse Event Center is also a fabulous place. It is a wonderful addition to the community and the perfect place to hold luncheons, weddings, and meetings. I appreciate the author’s descriptive details. She takes her readers into each scene. It is so easy to visualize each person, place, and thing. I escaped right into the story.
Some of those things include all the treats that were baked within the pages of this book. Check out that book cover! The cravings I had for lemon bars were real. Thankfully I didn’t have to search for a recipe because it was the first recipe in the back of the book with several more.
Again, Ms. Hannah has penned a complex mystery with a variety of suspects all withholding or hiding something. Just when I eliminated one another twist put them right back on the list. There is a scene in the book where Lindsey gets advice about the case from an unexpected source that was so good. It gave her a new determination and clues started to fall into place. I enjoyed trying to solve this mystery right along with Lindsey. The reveal was complicated. The chase and takedown were terrific.
Murder at the Lemonberry Tea was such an entertaining read! I LOVED IT! Exceptional characters and a compelling mystery set in a delightful Midwest town with perfect amounts of suspense, humor, romance, small-town life, and ghostly elements set this story apart. It is my new favorite book in the series and one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year. I am excited to say it deserves more than 5 stars and has earned a place on my Best Reads List for 2024! I highly recommend the whole series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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