Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.2 stars... This book was not very go...
While riding her horse in a race through the South Carolina Lowcountry, Theodosia Browning finds her arch nemesis, Abby Davis, dead. What's more, the victim's brother is Theodosia's old flame. Who'd have guessed they'd be reunited through cold-blooded murder? Theodosia's investigation takes her f...
Another outing with Theo and the gang results in a mystery that I didn't solve until about halfway through the book. Once again I am annoyed with the Parker Scully relationship. He barely appears in the novel and Theo seems to go on more "dates" with her older assistant, Drayton, than her current...
This is number eleven in a mystery series. Theodosia runs a tea and cakes shop in Charleston, giving it a southern flavour. I liked some of the early books such as Death by Darjeeling and Shades of Earl Grey, but we might wonder why this lady is such a murder magnet.Daria who owns the nearby map...
I've been complaining in that last couple books about the interesting Parker Scully, Theo's absentee boyfriend. Why don't we see more of him? Since he ends up the victim in this installment, we won't be seeing him again, that's for sure. And Theo has a new man. I'd like to warn him that her track...
I am new to the Tea Shop series and unfortunately this doesn't seem to be the book to introduce anyone to the series. while I certainly enjoyed this book there are some things that I couldn't quite understand. I am not sure how a tea shop owner has become the de facto private investigator of the...
This is the second book in the Cackleberry Club mystery series by Laura Childs. Ozzie Driesden purchases a cherry pie at the Kindred Spirit Days. Trying to do a good deed and to get done with her stint at the bake sale, Suzanne takes the pie over to the Driesden & Draper funeral home. Suzanne wan...
This is the sixth book in Laura Childs' Scrapbooking cozy mystery series. This one takes place at Mardi Gras as Carmela and her friend Ava attend a party by friend Jekyl Hardy. Ava is interested in the float designer, Archie, but they are shocked to find him garroted by a piece of barbed wire on...
The ladies at the Cackleberry Club café are busy preparing for Halloween. But someone's jumped the gun on the tricks. As mayoral candidate Chuck Peebler leaves the café, he gets struck with a crossbow arrow and is killed instantly. And when another murder occurs on the historical society's Quilt ...
I love this series and this one didn't disappoint. Mayoral candidate, Chuck Peebler is shot with a crossbow while standing next to Suzanne on the back step of the Cackleberry Club. And if that's not bad enough another citizen of the town is killed, again in an awful way. What is happening in this...
I have to admit that I liked Steeped in Evil better than the previous Sweet Tea Revenge. There were still the editing errors, but the mystery in Steeped was much better. I did know who done it very very early, but didn't know the why ... which was well done. Sorry I'm not being more specific, but...
Fiber & Brimstone by Laura Childs shows why the best place to be on Halloween is in New Orleans. I love the references to New Orleans food specialties, history that is full ghosts and creatures, and fun celebrations. There were too many parties for me. But it was interesting to see a different si...
A perfunctory rendition of what seems to be the standard outline for American craft-themed mysteries... fight with perfect boyfriend... tips on hostessing and theme craft... fabulous gay friend and Holly Golightly BFF... and so on. I did have to give it one star because it made me laugh so hard. ...
Once again Laura manages to give you the culprit you don't expect. In trying to find her friend's killer Camelia has a slew of suspects. She and Ave get threatened and run off to a cabin in the swamp. There they are shot at but someone I did not even suspect! That is why I love Laura's books! Whe...
This is the 4th in the Cackleberry Club mystery series written by Laura Childs. The story opens with the murder of banker, Ben Busacker. His snowmobile hits the back of the Cackleberry Club. Suzanne goes out to see what happens and finds Ben decapitated. Turns out someone had stretched out some w...
Good mystery. I love reading about Carmela, Ava, and their crazy adventures. I only gave it 3 stars for a couple of reasons. One: there are several editing errors. A silly as this sounds, I hate to read a paragraph describing a scene/outfit/whatever, and the very next paragraph it's different...
This is the eleventh book in the Scrapbooking Mystery Series by Laura Childs. Memory Mine store owner, Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava attend a "Get Out of Jail" party for Garden District socialites Margo and Jerry Earl Leland. Jerry Earl is release from prison early for some white collar cri...
Theo's friend, Delaine Dish is throwing an engagement party for her niece Camille and her fiance Captain Corey Buchanan, one of 'THE BUCHANAN'S' of Charleston. This is an elegant affair and the wedding ring is being displayed for the party because it is a piece of the Estate jewelery. Unfortunate...
The more I think about this book the more I wonder whether just because readers like light frothy entertainment, editors assume they can drop the ball. On page 32, our heroine and friend are having an expensive restaurant meal, (which in itself is odd fifteen hours after a murder outside her shop...
**Two and a half stars**The mystery part of the story was okay. I didn't really see it coming in the end which is always good, but then again, I don't think Childs leaves clues for you to possibly figure out who it is. The whole mystery part of the story is red herring. Which is a little decei...
I've just finished reading the third in Laura Childs's scrapbooking series set in New Orleans, Louisiana. I don't know about you, but as a Southerner, I get tired of authors who use the circa 1980's television show Designing Women as the basis for their stereotypical views of Southern women and t...
It was housed in a ubiquitous redbrick building, narrow but three stories tall, with slender, arched windows framed by elegant white shutters. It was bright and early Tuesday morning, and Theodosia peered in the front window, trying to gauge exactly what kind of merchandis...
She found a few tables occupied, while others had been readied with white linen tablecloths, flickering candles, and elegant place settings. She was happy to see that Drayton had pulled out the Shelley chintz cups and saucers. Their tiny, colorful print lit up the tables and lent a nice bit of Br...
“Now I’m a suspect!” were the first words out of Garth’s mouth. “What?” said Gabby, whirling about, looking suddenly stricken. “Are you serious?” Doggone, thought Carmela. Why hadn’t Babcock shared this with her last night when he was sharing her bed? She let that notion rumble through her brain ...
He was ebullient and had no doubt been nipping at his own wine. “If you like my menu design, folks, Carmela here is the super talented lady who did all the graphics. She’s also the owner of Memory Mine Scrapbook Shop over on Governor Nicholls Street.” There were smiles and a spatter of applause, ...
20" } @font-face { font-family: "Niagara Engraved" } @font-face { font-family: "Niagara Solid" } @font-face { font-family: "Old English Text MT" } @font-face { font-family: Onyx } @font-face { font-family: Parchment } @font-face { font-family: Playbill } @font-face { font-family: "Poor Richard" }...
IT’S BERNARD Morrow.” Clenching the phone tighter, Theodosia straightened up in her chair. “Professor Morrow, hello. I’ve been hoping to hear from you.” She glanced out across the tearoom. Haley was sliding gracefully between the small tables with a tray that held samples of their new South Afric...
Early-bird traffic meandered up Church Street, then made a small semicircular detour around St. Phillips, the landmark church that blipped out into the street, giving Church Street itswell-deserved moniker. Wisps of pink-and-white parfait clouds scudded across the sky, heralding the start of anot...
There was a lot to think about. And a lot to worry about, too. Now, in keeping with the theme of the night—strange encounters—she spotted a familiar burgundy-colored Crown Victoria parked at the curb in front of her house. Tidwell. What does he want...
Her recipe started out the same as if she was whipping up a typical omelet—combining eggs, milk, flour, and seasonings in a blender. But instead of cooking it in a sauté pan, she poured her egg mixture into a cake pan and baked it for about twenty minutes. When the eggs were golden and bubbly, sh...
She figured she had just enough time to flake out and take a nap before she had to get dressed up and walk the dogs down to Jackson Square. After she handed them off to Shamus she’d hopefully meet up with Babcock and they’d . . . She stopped short when the leaves on her ba...