DEATH BY TEA
Book 2 in the Bookstore Café
by Alex Erickson
Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year’s book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock’s bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths—and send Krissy to the remainder bin forever.
Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off at Death by Coffee, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.
To clear her name and find the real killer, Krissy turns to an old flame, Officer Paul Dalton. But even Paul can’t ignore the trail of evidence that seems to point in her direction. And with Krissy’s personal nemesis, Officer John Buchannan, working overtime to pin the murder on her, it will take an amazing feat of detective work to close the book for good on an elusive killer.
Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off at Death by Coffee, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.
To clear her name and find the real killer, Krissy turns to an old flame, Officer Paul Dalton. But even Paul can’t ignore the trail of evidence that seems to point in her direction. And with Krissy’s personal nemesis, Officer John Buchannan, working overtime to pin the murder on her, it will take an amazing feat of detective work to close the book for good on an elusive killer.
MY REVIEW
The second book in the Bookstore Café mystery series was a
good read.
Author Alex Erickson has created a wonderful setting for his
series. I’ve wanted to own a bookstore café for a very long time. So the scenes
in the store were fun for me as I pictured the shop in my mind, imaging
spending my days there.
This was a well written mystery with a plot that kept me
guessing. Also, it had good reveal that was nicely thought out.
There were some good characters in DEATH BY TEA, but I have
to be honest…I do not care for series protagonist, Krissy Hancock. I find her
to be juvenile and whiney. I don’t expect all female leads to be super women,
but I do want to find them likeable. As this series goes forward, I hope to see
some growth in Krissy.
I like this series okay, but I want to love it. My 4 star
rating is on Mr. Erickson’s ability as an author. Not for the overall piece.
There is an excerpt in the
back of the book for the third book in this series, DEATH BY PUMPKIN SPICE.
AVAILABLE NOW!
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Thanks, Lisa. Hope your Monday is mellow, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. It was pretty mellow! :-)
DeleteWhat I like about this series is that you can read this book and not be lost for not having read the first book. Some series you can't do that with. So to be able to do that was a plus.
ReplyDeleteAnd the setting was perfect in my opinion. Who wouldn't want to own their own bookstore/coffee house? I would love it!
Thanks for the great review. And thank you for being honest in what you thought of it.
Hey Angie! I adored the setting. I would be thrilled to own something like that!
DeleteTotally agree with you, Lisa, about Krissy. I didn't like her in the first book but I read the second book hoping Alex might redeem her but it didn't happen. The story is enjoyable but Krissy, not so much.
ReplyDeleteJoan, here's hoping she gets tweeked a little for the book. I really do love the concept of the series.
DeleteMy daughter and I were thinking it would be fun to have a bookstore/coffee shop. Sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'd be in heaven!
DeleteLiking the character is so important! And I noticed your little graphic has a character drinking...tea??? No, probably coffee, right? :>)
ReplyDeleteMaria, I think since we can't see into the cup, it can be whatever we want it to be! ;-)
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