Tea and Treachery by Vicki Delany (Tea by the Sea book 1)In this charming new cozy mystery series from nationally bestselling author, Vicki Delany, a New York City expat-turned-Cape Cod tea shop owner must solve the murder of a local real estate developer to help her feisty grandmother out of a jam . . .
As the proud proprietor and head pastry chef of Tea by the Sea, a traditional English tearoom on the picturesque bluffs of Cape Cod, Roberts has her hands full, often literally. But nothing keeps her busier than steering her sassy grandmother, Rose, away from trouble. Rose operates the grand old Victorian B & B adjacent to Lily’s tea shop . . . for now. An aggressive real estate developer, Jack Ford, is pushing hard to rezone nearby land, with an eye toward building a sprawling golf resort, which would drive Rose and Lily out of business.
Tempers are already steaming, but things really get sticky when Ford is found dead at the foot of Rose’s property and the police think she had something to do with his dramatic demise. Lily can’t let her grandmother get burned by a false murder charge. So she starts her own investigation and discovers Ford’s been brewing bad blood all over town, from his jilted lover to his trophy wife to his shady business partners. Now, it’s down to Lily to stir up some clues, sift through the suspects, and uncover the real killer before Rose is left holding the tea bag.
Redmond knocked on the front door of Tea by the Sea in seven and a half minutes. I let her in.
“I’ve made tea. The coffeepot’s switched off, and the leftover coffee thrown away, but I can start a small pot if you’d prefer that.”
“Tea will be fine.”
“We can talk out here.” I indicated the dining room. “I don’t have any chairs in the kitchen.”
I’d laid out a teapot and two place settings. Perhaps because I wanted to be surrounded by something pleasant when I talked to the police about death, I used my personal set of Royal Doulton. I’d taken some of tomorrow’s baking out of the pantry and arranged a proper setting for afternoon tea with scones, pistachio macarons, and slices of chocolate tart, and had put small bowls of strawberry jam and clotted cream on the table. Today’s flower arrangement, red roses in a thin glass vase, was still fresh.
Amy Redmond studied the table. She tried not to smile. “Is this a bribe, Ms. Roberts?”
“Call me Lily. I was preparing my own tea when I called you, so I thought you might want to join me. You can consider it a bribe, if you want.”
She sat down. “This looks lovely. Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a proper afternoon tea.”
“Time to start, then.” I lifted the teapot and poured. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I’ve made my favorite. This is a Creamy Earl Grey.”
She took a deep breath, clearly enjoying the rich, fragrant scent. “Isn’t tea just tea? Usually black, but green in a Chinese restaurant? Served with ice in parts to the south.”
“Tea is a highly varied beverage,” I said, “although it all has its origins in the plant Camellia sinensis. I’d educate you on what goes into making and serving the different varieties, but we’d be here all night, and that’s not why I called. But I will tell you that Creamy Earl Gray is based on the traditional Earl Gray, with an added hint of caramel for a boost.
“This place is a labor of love for you, isn’t it?”
I smiled at her.
Redmond helped herself to a scone. She cut it in half and spread it with butter, then added a spoonful of jam and a dollop of clotted cream. I put a macaron on my plate and put a splash of milk and a half spoon of sugar in my own tea. I was glad I’d thought to serve tea. This felt a lot more comfortable than a police interrogation should.
“So,” Redmond said, around a mouthful of scone, “what did you want to tell me?”
“Do you know a local woman by the name of Dorothy Johnson?”
“That name has come up in our inquiries. She and Mr. Ford had a public dispute over the sale of her property to him. She claimed he cheated her, but as far as we can see, he did nothing illegal. He paid her less than her property was worth, but the onus is on the seller to ensure they get a good price, unless they’re mentally incapable of taking responsibility for what they’re doing, and there was never any suggestion Mrs. Johnson was in such a state. Why do you ask?”
“You said she’s mentally competent. What about her physical condition?”
“Again, Lily, you need to tell me what you’re getting at.”
I sighed. “Okay. My grandmother and I paid a call on Dorothy.”
“Why did you do that?”
“My grandmother isn’t happy at being the suspect in a murder investigation. She thinks she can get to the bottom of things herself. She’s like that.”
“So I gathered.”
“We heard through the North Augusta grapevine about Mr. Ford’s business practices in general and his dealings with Dorothy Johnson in particular. So we checked up on her.”
“And . . .”
“And . . . she appeared to be a feeble little old lady. Strong willed and bluntly spoken but quite frail.”
Redmond nodded and drank some of her tea. Her eyes widened. “Wow, this is good. You say she appeared to be. That was my impression also. Do you know something to the contrary?”
“I saw her in town this morning, running across the street, standing in line for coffee, jumping out of the way of a man who accidently bumped into her. No walker, even though she has a handicap license plate and she gets around her residence with the aid of a walker. I’d be willing to bet good money she plays up being disabled for the sympathy factor and to get in front of lines. Also helps when the police come to call. Seeing as to how she’s perfectly mobile, she might even enjoy the occasional walk along the oceanfront, maybe with the assistance of hiking poles.”
“Do you make all the food served here yourself?”
That was an abrupt change of topic. Had she even heard me? Might as well answer the question. “I do, and everything’s made completely from scratch. Nothing purchased and nothing out of a package. More than once, people have complained when they saw the prices. We never apologize. Good food, well prepared with excellent ingredients, much of it sourced locally, costs money. Not to mention fresh flowers on the table and real china and silver and linen at every place. Afternoon tea isn’t an everyday thing, not even in the UK and certainly not in America. It’s a treat, an indulgence, and I believe it needs to be presented accordingly.”
Scone finished, Detective Redmond helped herself to a macaron and sipped her tea.
I decided to plow on. “I also just happened . . .”
Redmond peered at me over the top of her cup.
Tea and Treachery by Vicki Delany is available at:
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than thirty-five books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, the Year Round Christmas mysteries for Penguin Random House, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.
Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. She is the 2019 recipient of the Derrick Murdoch award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Learn more about Vicki and her books at:
www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor
Instagram: vicki.delany
Twitter @vickidelany
@evagatesauthor
A Patchwork Murder by Jan Fields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This mystery is great! It’s the first time I’ve read a book by Jan Fields and so glad the local librarian helped pick this out for me. I wanted something different and this fit the bill! This book kept me captivated and I read it in one sitting. This book is about 2 friends that can’t get over their friends’ death 15 years before. For some reason they believe she was murdered and the town cops and college dean covered it up. Throughout the book the friends try to find out who did it. They even go as far as stalking a student that was in her class all those years ago. The story ended on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read the next in the series! Happy reading my friends.
Book Summary:
Join Emma Cotton, Kelly Grace, and the members of the Nimble Thimbles quilting group in the quaint seaside town of Mystic Harbor, MA, as they piece together new clues found in an old quilt that could help solve the mystery surrounding the death of their dear friend, Rose, 15 years ago. Throughout this series, their quest will lead them on exciting adventures around the globe — from an Irish castle, to New York’s Amish country, to a luxury quilting cruise on the high seas.
SUMMER DEEDS AND SUMMER READS WITH LISA KESSLER
Hi Everyone –
This has been a weird summer, right? We’re staying inside and social distancing, and venturing out includes a mask. It’s stressful and not really the summer fun we’re used to in San Diego where I live.
The good news is it’s giving me more time to read! Yay! So in between writing, I’ve been listening to audiobooks and I have a couple recommendations…
#1 – Beach Read by Emily Henry – I loved this book! The audio narrator was fantastic too. The crux of the story is our heroine is a best-selling romance writer who just lost her dad and found out he had secrets which leave her in a tailspin. She’s got a book due, but she can’t seem to write a happy ending.
Her neighbor turns out to be a literary fiction writer who is having a similar life crisis because his marriage fell apart and he’s got a book due too! They team up with a bet. They decide to swap genres and whoever sells their book first, the other will give them a cover quote. The scenes of them giving each other “lessons” in romantic comedy and heavy literary fiction research are brilliant. It was a wonderful escape from all the stress of the plague!
#2 – Agent 355 by Marie Benedict – This one isn’t my usual genre, but it’s so fascinating you need to listen to the audio! It’s actually an Audible original which means you can’t get a print or eBook copy just yet. I found it after watching Hamilton. I was so hungry to learn more about the American revolution and I stumbled onto this story of a female spy during the revolutionary war who helps to uncover the espionage of Benedict Arnold! It’s a great adventure with a little romance on the side…
So what are you all reading this summer? If you’re looking for some romance with shifters, my new book Sedona Scandal will be out everywhere on July 27th. I hope you’ll check it out and escape with the Sedona Pack!
Happy Reading!
Lisa Kessler
Check out Lisa’s latest release SEDONA SCANDAL::
WHAT THE HATMAKER HEARD, A Missy DuBois Mystery by Sandra Bretting
When a groom gets murdered, Louisiana hat maker Missy DuBois must look behind a veil of secrets on a former sugar plantation . . .
Bride-to-be Lorelei Honeycutt is brimming with excitement over the elaborate headpiece Missy has created for her wedding but fears she won’t be able to maintain her balance when she walks down the aisle. She’s asked Missy to assist her during the rehearsal at Honeycutt Hall, a once grand sugar plantation now used as the family’s home. Missy’s trying to keep a cool head herself, as her own wedding is coming up in three short weeks on the Riverboat Queen. But after the rehearsal, she overhears the bride and groom quarreling. The next morning, Wesley Carmichael is missing. After searching the house and grounds, Missy discovers the groom lying at the bottom of an old, unused sugar silo—and now it’s up to the mystery-solving milliner to find an unbalanced killer . . .
EXCERPT……….
The minute our conversation lagged, I remembered why I came outside in the first place.
“Say, Darryl, I’m afraid Mrs. Honeycutt sent me out here to help you. She’s worried sick about her daughter’s fiancé, and she thought I might be able to help you find him.”
His aqua eyes slanted a bit. “It don’ look good, ta tell you da truth. I covered da house from top ta bottom, and most a’ da fields out back.”
“Hmmm.” It seemed to me Darryl would have a handle on the best places for someone to hide if he wanted some peace and quiet. Especially someone who wasn’t feeling well. “So, what’s left to search?”
“I was abou’ ta look at da silos.” He nodded at the twin water towers that bookended the mansion. Two stories tall, they resembled thin, pastel pagodas that stood watch over the property.
“But how will you get inside?” I peered at the nearest one, which faced east.
“Look closer. Deys got doors on der backs.”
Sure enough, someone had carved three-foot-high doors into the backsides of the towers, and crude wood handles kept the panels in place.
“I see. Why don’t we divide and conquer? I’ll check the one on the right, and you can check the one on the left.”
He nodded, apparently satisfied with the plan. “Meet ya back here. And be careful, Miz Dubois. No tellin’ what’s inside dem.”
I gulped, since I hadn’t even thought about what could be lurking in the structures. For all I knew, the towers could be home to a family of possums, a fez of armadillo, or worse. At least the structures were close to the house, so everyone would hear if I let out a bloodcurdling scream.
We turned, and, like two gunfighters in a duel, we each took a dozen paces to our respective water tower. Being July, the ground had hardened, even with last night’s showers, and my flats slapped against the hardpacked earth. Once again, I thanked my lucky stars I wasn’t wearing stilettos, because my toe caught on the exposed root of a pin oak on my way to the tower, and it nearly upended me.
After I regained my balance, I appraised the silo in front of me. In addition to a simple door that covered the opening, a turret spiraled from the roof of the tower, and it was made of horizontal slats that allowed water to seep into a holding tank. It was quite charming, actually, given the sunny yellow paint on the walls and peacock-blue turret on top.
I paused in front of the door. One twist of the handle and it slowly swung open, emitting a loud and high-pitched squeak.
My, but it’s dark inside. I automatically reached for the flashlight app on my cell phone. Once I trained it into the darkness, it pierced the black with a shaft of light. I leaned as far as I could into the opening, since I had no desire to wiggle into the tank and come across a curious marsupial or two.
I waved the phone at the walls, but they all looked perfectly normal to me. A sheet of aluminum covered them, and mineral deposits freckled the surface. The storms last night had added about a half-inch of water to the tank, and a lone ladder stretched from the concrete floor to the roof. Apparently, no one had used it in quite some time, because cobwebs crisscrossed the ladder’s rungs.
Just when I was about to shut off my phone and cry “uncle,” I noticed something navy lying against the far side of the ladder. It looked like one of Darryl’s coveralls, which he must’ve tossed into the tower at some point and forgotten about.
“Interesting,” I said, more to myself than anyone else.
“What’s dat?”
The voice startled me so much, I dropped my cell phone and it lurched toward the water.
“Oh, sugar!” I quickly dove for it. Luckily, my reflexes saved the phone from a watery death, and I scooped it up in the nick of time.
“Ya shouldn’t drop yer phone like dat.” It was Darryl again, who hadn’t moved from his spot behind me.
“And you shouldn’t scare the bejesus out of me.” I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Okay, then. Did you find anything in your water tower?”
“Nuthin’ but sum fresh rain and spiders. You?”
“Same. Oh, and you might want to check your supply of coveralls. I think you left one over there.” I pointed my cell into the maw, which illuminated the pile of clothing I’d spotted earlier.
“I don’ keep nuthin’ in here. I gots a supply closet for dat.”
Now it was my turn to look confused. “So, what’s that over there?”
We both reached the same conclusion at the same time.
“Aaaiiieee!” we screamed, the noise ping-ponging around the tower like machinegun fire.
You can purchase WHAT THE HATMAKER HEARD at:
Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Bretting writes The Missy DuBois Mystery Series for Kensington/Lyrical Underground. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she began her career writing for the Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine and others. From 2006 until 2016, she wrote feature stories for the award-winning business section of the Houston Chronicle.
The Missy DuBois Mystery Series follows milliner and bona fide Southern belle Missy DuBois, who becomes entangled in several unfashionable murders on the Great River Road in Louisiana. The first book, Murder at Morningside, debuted in 2016, followed by Something Foul at Sweetwater and Someone’s Mad at the Hatter in 2017 and Death Comes to Dogwood Manor in 2018. In 2019, All Hats on Deck released in September. The final installment—What the Hatmaker Heard—debuts July, 2020.
Learn more about Sandra and her books by following these links:
https://www.facebook.com/SandraBrettingBooks
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6485706.Sandra_Bretting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is such a great book. I love how it’s written like she’s just talking to you. I wasn’t a big fan of Pop music back in the day, however, I did watch some episodes of Newly Weds on MTV. I never knew how she struggled with anxiety and then alcoholism. I like how she’s so open about it. By telling her story she will be able to help others that feel the need to self medicate instead of reaching out for help. I’m so glad she’s overcoming her demons. So if you’re looking for an autobiography this is a great one to read. Happy reading my friends.
Book Summary:
Jessica tells of growing up in 1980s Texas where she was sexually abused by the daughter of a family friend, and of unsuccessfully auditioning for the Mickey Mouse Club at age 13 with Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling before going on to sign a record deal with Columbia and marrying 98 Degrees member Nick Lachey.
Along the way, she details the struggles in her life, such as the pressure to support her family as a teenager, divorcing Lachey, enduring what she describes as an emotionally abusive relationship with musician John Mayer, being body-shamed in an overly appearance-centered industry, and going through bouts of heavy drinking. But Simpson ends on a positive note, discussing her billion-dollar apparel line and marriage with professional football star Eric Johnson, with whom she has three children.
Summer Reads and Summer Deeds with Susan Carlisle
I love to spend my summers at my mother’s place on the lake swimming, reading, and relaxing. No matter how hot it is it seems ten degrees cooler on the deck with my feet propped up. I spend a lot of time with books when I’m there. I’m currently doing some retro reading. I’m appreciating Georgette Heyer’s The Quiet Gentleman. I now understand she was the queen of regency romance in the 1950s.
Is their surprise reunion…Nurse Macie Beck never imagined she would see Dr. Landon Cochran again—especially in her small Pacific island hospital. But the shock of his arrival is overtaken by their obvious and unresolved chemistry… As they are forced to work with each other, memories of the past blur their professional boundaries. Keeping things strictly business becomes impossible…and they find themselves wondering if this might be their opportunity for a second chance together!
Website: http://www.SusanCarlisle.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SusanCarlisle1
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SusanCarlisle
Without a doubt book pirating is on the rise and millions are being made by people other than the author, publisher or bookseller. Illegal sales of ebooks is a profitable business. Enough so that this pirating ring includes participants from Ukraine, Australia and Canada so far.
The Author’s Guild has joined forces with Amazon Publishing and Random House Penguin Publishing as well as individual authors to help bring down KISS Library and its mirror sites.
KISS Library, which we will not link to, is considered the biggest book pirate endeavor in the world with millions of dollars being stolen since it’s inception in 2017.
The lawsuit names the sites and the known owners/operators of those sites. It will be an uphill battle to get traction and have these sites removed or blocked, but someone has to start somewhere or publishing houses, authors and legitimate booksellers will continue to suffer.
From the article released by The Author’s Guild they state-
A 2017 study by Nielsen and Digimarc indicated that illegal ebook downloads in the United States amounted to approximately $315 million in lost ebook sales per year,[1] negatively affecting legitimate book sales by as much as 14 percent.[2] Since the 2017 study, the number of pirate ebook sellers has proliferated at an alarming rate.
The Author’s Guild also shared, “We are very grateful to Amazon Publishing and Penguin Random House for joining us in this lawsuit, as few authors possess the financial resources to file suit in federal court, particularly against a foreign adversary as cagey as KISS Library,” said Mary Rasenberger, executive director of the Authors Guild. “Over the last several years, we have worked through various channels to curtail the proliferation of ebook piracy sites, but KISS Library has been a challenge since it is a particularly egregious criminal enterprise.”
We will continue to follow the progress of this suit and its outcome.
Calgary readers and writers festival reborn for 2020
When Words Collide Festival
The popular When Words Collide festival has been reinvented as an online event for the pandemic-affected summer of 2020.
The 2020 edition of the Calgary festival for readers and writers was cancelled when the Alberta government banned indoor gatherings of 15+ people until the end of summer due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Since then, organizers have been hard at work to develop an alternative.
When Words Collide is now pleased to announce a free, online version of WWC will be held August 14-16, 2020. Already, more than 65 hours of programming has been set.
So far, the weekend includes interactive webinar presentations, discussion panels and social activities. An online art show and merchants corner will run through the weekend. Other programming includes blue pencil and pitch sessions, book launches, readings and podcasts. The weekend will also feature the presentation of the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association’s Aurora Awards.
Information is still evolving but some details, including a downloadable program guide, program descriptions and confirmed presenters can be found at the WWC website and will be updated over the next four weeks. Specifics for accessing the program streams will be available closer to the date.
The tenth anniversary celebration is re-scheduled to next summer with all 2020 featured guests confirmed to return for August 2021.
ABOUT WHEN WORDS COLLIDE:
When Words Collide is an annual non-profit festival modelled after the volunteer conventions popular in the Science Fiction and Fantasy communities. Nobody is paid for attending (though guests of honour have their expenses covered) and even the organizers buy passes to attend.
The festival is designed to bring readers and writers together in a celebration of the written word. Up to 10 tracks of programming, beginning at 1 PM on Friday August 14th and running through 5 PM Sunday August 16th. The festival offers informational, educational, and social activities covering a wide spectrum of literature including Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Literary, Script-writing, Poetry, Comics, and Non-fiction. Roughly 800 readers, writers, editors, publishers, agents, and artists attend with over a hundred presenters in our program.
Organizers and presenters alike volunteer their time and talents to make When Words Collide as accessible and varied as humanly possible. Here you can find out what is being developed for this year, to register for this year, to see what has happened in previous years, or to get involved in one of the largest literary events in Canada!
ABOUT CLIFFORD SAMUELS: GUEST LIAISON WWC
Organizer, reader and avid collector; are the best words to describe him. He has been collecting Science Fiction and Fantasy books for over 40 years with a collection in the thousands.
Since 1981 he has worked on almost every aspect of a convention and is currently guest liaison for When Words Collide in Calgary. For the past 10 years he has been the Aurora Awards administrator for the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association (CSFFA).
To get further information about the When Words Collide Festival or request an interview with Clifford, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com 403.464.6925.
The Vampyre: A Tale by John William Polidori
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sheila English
So, I know I’ll catch some flack for my 3.5 stars. But, I do realize this book was originally published in 1819. I have taken into consideration that time period, the way people speak, the culture of the times, etc. But, even so, Polidori is, in my opinion, one of the weaker writers of those who participated in the “dare” extended by Lord Byron. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is by far my favorite of that time period, and that dare.
Still, I do credit Polidori for his scare vampiric tale since it’s not just a monster story, but one in which the vampire is more cultured, though cruel and even somewhat sexy through his mystery. This novel pre-dates Stoker’s Dracula, but I feel confident Stoker read this book. So many vampire novels were to scare you, but Polidori and Stoker had vampires who people also found alluring.
If you’re good with reading or listening to the speech of the time I do recommend checking out this book. It’s a classic!
ABOUT THE BOOK
The superstition upon which this tale is founded is very general in the East. Among the Arabians, it appears to be common: it did not, however, extend itself to the Greeks until after the establishment of Christianity; and it has only assumed its present form since the division of the Latin and Greek churches. At which time, the idea becoming prevalent that a Latin body could not corrupt if buried in their territory, it gradually increased, and formed the subject of many wonderful stories, still extant, of the dead rising from their graves and feeding upon the blood of the young and beautiful. In the West it spread, with some slight variation, all over Hungary, Poland, Austria, and Lorraine, where the belief existed that vampyres nightly imbibed a certain portion of the blood of their victims, who became emaciated, lost their strength, and speedily died of consumption. Whilst these human blood-suckers fattened, and their veins became distended to such a state of repletion as to cause the blood to flow from all the passages of their bodies, and even from the very pores of their skins.
In the London Journal of March 1732 is a curious, and, of course, credible account of a particular case of vampyrism, which is stated to have occurred at Madreyga, in Hungary. It appears that, upon an examination of the commander-in-chief and magistrates of the place, they positively and unanimously affirmed that, about five years before, a certain Heyduke, named Arnold Paul, had been heard to say, that, at Cassovia, on the frontiers of the Turkish Servia, he had been tormented by a vampyre, but had found a way to rid himself of the evil by eating some of the earth out of the vampyre’s grave and rubbing himself with his blood. This precaution, however, did not prevent him from becoming a vampyre himself. For about 20 or 30 days after his death and burial, many persons complained of having been tormented by him.
