Perfect for Lorna Barrett and Jenn McKinlay fans, this festive series debut set in small-town Maine introduces book-themed tea party organizer Callie Aspen and her lovable Boston terrierThis Christmas, Callie Aspen returns to her childhood hideout Heart’s Harbor, Maine where her great aunt runs Book Tea, a vintage tearoom where every sweet treat contains a bookish clue. Upon arrival in the … arrival in the fairy-tale snowy town, Callie is drawn into the preparations for a special tea party at Haywood Hall, the rambling house of Heart’s Harbor’s oldest resident, rich but lonely widow Dorothea Finster, who invited her estranged relatives, old friends and the elite of the town to make a mysterious announcement about her will.
Believing they can touch a part of her fortune, everybody is determined to come, despite not liking each other or even their hostess. And Callie’s old friend Sheila complicates things by using the tea party to announce her daughter’s engagement, even though her daughter isn’t sure she’s in love with the young lawyer her mother thinks so perfect for her.
Catering to people who each have their own agenda isn’t easy for the Book Tea crew, especially once the valuable engagement ring goes missing and a dead body turns up in the conservatory. Can Callie and her great aunt use their love of clues to dig into the crimes and show their unhappy hostess and squabbling guests the true Christmas spirit?
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Callie has come home to Heart’s Harbor, Maine, to spend the holidays with her great aunt and help in her tearoom, the Book Tea. Helping to set up a special tea for childhood friends at her beloved Haywood Hall, she’s shocked when the man who inspired her current career of travel guide and story teller is murdered during the tea. Setting up a rocky start with Deputy Falk when she questions his abilities to solve the crime, Callie delves right into the thick of things as she and her aunt attempt to play detective.
Book 1 of this new series is filled with excellent characters. You truly feel the bittersweet reconnect of coming back home after having been gone for so long. The characters themselves are beautifully flawed which makes the character development all the greater. The dialogue is well-done. Nothing about it felt overly stilted or unnatural. There was a good pace between the action and stepping away from it. There was a nice mixture of the unexpected blended with the mundane of every day life. The mystery itself was excellent. I didn’t guess it straight away at all. In fact, the big reveal felt a little sudden and from left field. I didn’t exactly get how Callie suddenly came to put those particular pieces together but it may have had something to do with those she ruled out. All in all, I felt this was a wonderful book that I definitely recommend. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Joy Avon, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon is the first A Tea and Read Mystery. Calliope “Callie” Aspen has returned to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt Iphy with her tearoom, Book Tea. Iphy incorporates mystery books into her pastry decorations and hosts book themed events. Callie is carting the supplies to Haywood Hall for the tea party being hosted by Dorothea Finster, the town’s oldest resident, a week before Christmas. Callie has fond memories of playing at Haywood Hall as a child plus she vividly remembers the crush she had on Stephen, one of Dorothea’s relatives. Dorothea has invited various relatives and friends to hear an announcement regarding her will. Sheila Du Bouvrais, Stephen’s wife, has her own agenda for the event and insists that Callie hide an heirloom engagement ring in the cake. She is trying to force Ben Matthews, a lawyer, into proposing to her daughter Amber, despite Amber’s lack of interest. When the ring box is removed from the cake and opened, they find the empty. A scream then rings out from the conservatory where Amber has stumbled upon Mr. Leadenby, the gardener and storyteller, stabbed to death. Deputy Falk is in charge of the case since the sheriff is out of town for the holidays. Callie and Iphy join forces to solve this knotty conundrum before Santa slides into town on his sleigh.
In Peppermint Peril we are taken to the small town of Heart’s Harbor, Maine where Callie grew up. After Stephen broke her heart by marrying her childhood friend, Sheila, Callie took a job as a tour guide. Callie has traveled around the world with Travel the Past, but it left her little time to visit home or have a personal life. Callie is quickly confronted by her past when Iphy’s latest catering gig takes her to Haywood Hall. Haywood Hall is a special place to Callie. When I started In Peppermint Peril, I felt like I was dumped down the rabbit hole like Alice. It felt like I started in the middle of the book instead of the beginning. Readers barely get a chance to know Callie and Iphy, when a hoard of other characters are introduced. Callie’s dog, Daisy is an adorable addition to the story. Iphy is lovely woman with a delightful tea shop with mystery book themed pastries. She hides clues on her cakes for the guests to solve. I enjoyed the references to the older mystery novels. Iphy’s creations sounded beautiful and delectable. The mystery was multi-faceted with pointed clues and multiple suspects. Unfortunately, I easily identified the killer early in the story. The why is revealed as the story progresses. The one thing I did not like is Callie jumping to conclusions which led to exasperating situations. She spends a significant amount of time thinking and speculating about the case. Her investigation technique is unique. In Peppermint Peril has steady pacing along with the author’s casual writing style which made the story easy to read. Unfortunately, the book lacked depth. There are details missing on the main characters and the town. The ending felt incomplete. I believe the author was trying to start the series with a BANG, but it fell flat. I am giving In Peppermint Peril 3 out of 5 stars. The series has potential, and I hope the author is more successful in her next A Tea and Read Mystery.
Callie has moved back to Maine to help her Great Aunt with Book Tea. A fun tearoom that is filled with sweet bookish clues from beloved mysteries. They’ve agreed to cater a small party at Haywood Hall for Dorothea so she can make an announcement regarding her will. Unfortunately, several things occur, one of which is murder, that prevents the announcement from happening. Callie has taken it upon herself to find the killer. Will she succeed?
My favorite part of the book: Daisy, the Boston Terrier. I wish she had made the cover of the book. As a Boston Terrier owner, I am a sucker for books with one on the cover or as a character. Daisy doesn’t do much but eat and sleep but alas that is the life of a Boston.
As a debut cozy this series has a lot of potentials. I am curious how the town will progress, the direction of Callie and Deputy Falk’s friendship and Callie’s job at Book Tea. I was disappointed no recipes were shared at the end of the book. As a culinary cozy mystery, I have come to expect them. I would have enjoyed learning more about Iphy’s “The Duel”. It sounded yummy to eat and look at.
I will definitely be reading the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
In this first book of the series we are introduced to Callie Aspen who has come back to Heart’s Harbor, Maine for the holidays. After arriving her Aunt, who owns Book Tea, asks her to help with the catering for a party at Haywood Hall. The old woman who lives there, Dorothea, is having a gathering to share with all what her new will says and thinks a tea is the perfect setting. When a murder occurs during the party everyone starts looking at each other wondering who the culprit could be and are they finished with killing. After the police arrive Callie wonders if they will be able to do their job and find a killer among all those who hated the victim, they don’t seem to be adept at the job they were hired to do. She decides she must try to figure out who the killer is before something else bad happens but is she canny enough to do just that? Follow along as Callie weaves her way through a murder, old relationships, and wonders where her life is headed. Will she be able to figure out who the killer is? Will she fix old relationships? Can she decide where she wants her life to be? The characters were interesting and the setting was great. I felt like I got to know them a bit but look forward to learning more about them in the future.
Read 2.7.2020
Adding this narrator to my list of ones that really shouldn’t be narrating books. Wow. Thankfully I only have one more book with her. Meh.
The book was okay. Not great, not hideous. I guessed the killer early one, but was not 100% sure on the why. And can we PLEASE have a cop that is normal? This guy made me roll my eyes so much I am sure I sprained them.
This was an amazing read. Couldn’t put it down once I started and its no small book.
Everything about this book called to me. The premise, the description, the cover. I knew I simply had to read it. With that being said, I a few reviews where readers didn’t care for a some of the characters. I love character driven stories, so this concerned me a bit. But I went with my first instinct and read it. I am so very happy that I did. Not only did I enjoy the characters, the entire book was a wonderful read.
IN PEPPERMINT PERIL, author Joy Avon’s debut novel (as far as I can tell) is a wonderfully sweet treat. I loved being introduced to Heart’s Harbor, Maine, and its residents. I was excited to learn more about them as the tale went on and I look forward to getting to know them even better in the next volume.
This was a very well written mystery. A true page turner with plenty of clues to keep me engaged in the investigation and wanting to get to the bottom of this whodunit. The author’s sense of timing is close to perfection when it comes to throwing in a shock here or there. The story’s reveal caught me by surprise. I really thought I had quest right on this one.
Once again, I’m so happy I read, IN PEPPERMINT PERIL, and I’m looking forward to my next visit to this series.
This was a good start to a new series. It was a bit short on background for the main character but I’m hoping the author fleshes that out more as we go along. Loved the small town setting and the book/tearoom business along with the catered tea party. And who wouldn’t love a Haywood Hall hosted book themed tea party at Christmas? To die for, right?!! LOL!!
The perfect Christmas cozy mystery! Complete with intrigue, murder, blackmail, red herrings and fun twists and turns. Fantastic character development really draws you in and makes you like the characters and care about their story lines. Definitely an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next!
A great holiday read or cozy mystery for any time of the year. This is a well-written mystery with a few twists and turns along the way. The characters are interesting and have great chemistry with one another. The setting of Haywood Hall lends an air of nostalgia for our main character Callie which gives the story a warm homey feel even though we have a murder mystery to solve. Another sub-plot that added a lovely touch for this cozy is Callie’s relationship with the dog she is fostering. Overall this was a lovely cozy and I would recommend this to other cozy fans.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
It’s basically a good cozy and the characters are interesting. But it just doesn’t read like a series debut, there are disconnects that made me hunt around for parts of the backstory. Callie makes a good protagonist, and an excellent job is done in portraying Sheila as an insecure, thoughtless, controlling person who has to push her own agenda without a care for her daughter or for the person who really initiated the party. Initially there seems to have been no reason to single out the man who was murdered, but after some interesting twists and red herrings there really is a solution.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
“In Peppermint Peril” is the first mystery in the Book Tea Shop Mystery series. The setting features the small town of Heart’s Harbor, Maine in which our protagonist, Callie Aspen, has returned to in order to help her Great Aunt run the book themed tea party shop called Book Tea. Book Tea has been called upon to host an upcoming party at Haywood Hall, resident of Dorothea Finster, the oldest living resident of town and owner of Haywood Hall. Haywood Hall holds a near and dear spot to Callie as a special place she was close to when growing up in Heart’s Harbor. Dorothea has announced she will be letting the contents of her will be known at this party, and as you can imagine, everyone wants to gather and see if they have been rewarded a piece of the pie. While hosting the party, things go awry and a body is discovered – the body of a long standing employee of Dorothea Finster. Join Callie and friends while they look into solving this mystery and discover clues to long held secrets of family and town while Callie develops new friendships and ties to her community, having returned home.
I appreciate this new book series, and would rate it a 3.5/5 stars, if given the option. I believe the beginning of the book was a bit too descriptive for me as my attention was lost at times, but would be very good for someone who is able to be very visual with language when descriptions are so vivid. The style of writing could be comparable to older mystery stories such as Agatha Christie and had a murder mystery dinner feel to the unfolding of the story. By all means, I believe the author did a great job on her debut mystery novel, but the style was hard for me to get past. For example, the author uses a lot of questions throughout her story to set thoughts and possible plots into the mind of the reader. I also didn’t feel as if I connected with the characters as much as I have in other mystery stories.
If you enjoy a good mystery story, particularly those of past times, I believe you will enjoy this story! It’s also a perfect, quick read for the holiday season!
In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon is a new cozy mystery with promise.
Callie Aspen is visiting her Aunt Iphy who owns Book Tea in the small Maine town of Heart’s Harbor for Christmas. She agrees to help her aunt organize a tea party at Haywood Hall for Dorothea Finster. Callie is drawn into two mysteries when a lovely ring disappears from the cake being served at the tea party and then an employee is killed during the party. As this is the first book in a series, this book took sometime introducing the characters so the book did start slowly. However, the paced picked up as the red herrings and twists led me from page to page to discover who was behind the murder and why. A satisfactory read and I would definitely consider reading the next one in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
In Peppermint Peril is the first book in Joy Avon’s new A Tea and A Read Mysteries. Callie Aspen, career traveler and tour guide, has returned to Heart’s Harbor, Maine, to spend the Christmas holidays with her great Aunt Iphigeneia. During her visit, Callie is set to assist her great aunt with the high end tea parties that she orchestrates on behalf of the Book Tea Shop.
The first event Callie helps her great aunt is a special afternoon at Haywood Hall, where Callie had spent many happy hours as a child. Ms. Dorothea Finster, mistress of the hall, was always quite fond of Callie and her love of the books stored in their library. Also at the Hall are childhood friends Sheila and her now husband Stephen Du Bouvrais. With no known children of her own, relative Stephen is Dorothea’s most likely heir. Also at the Hall, Callie sees the eccentric gardener Mr. Leadenby who she remembers fondly for his love of history and the places where momentous things occurred.
During the catered tea party that happens soon after Callie’s arrival, there is a failed and contrived proposal for Amber Du Bouvrais from young Ben, a junior attorney with the firm charged with preparing Dorothea Finster’s newly prepared will. However, with the failed engagement and the misunderstood plans, Callie finds herself in the position of investigator, which may be a dangerous position.
As the mystery unfolds and the clues accumulate, the story evolves to see who the real villain is. In a time of important elections and less than honorable leaders, this story is timely and important. I love how the author brought forth the conclusion and am looking forward to the next book in this series. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it.
Peppermint Peril is the first book in the A Book Tea Shop Mystery series.
Callie Aspen is going to take a break from her job as a tour guide and return to her hometown of Heart’s Harbor and give her great Aunt Iphy a hand at her tea shop Book Tea. Callie is excited to learn that Aunt Iphy is putting together a tea for Dorothea Finster at her home, Haywood Hall. Dorothea has plans to announce the terms of her new will and has invited her remaining relatives, and the mayor and his wife, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a new school teacher to her tea party. All are hoping for substantial bequests to help fund projects that will benefit the community of Heart’s Harbor.
At the same time, Shelia Du Bouvrais, wife of Stephen Du Bouvrais Dorothea’s only heir, plans on using the party to announce her daughter’s engagement to her boyfriend, Ben. She has asked Callie to put a family heirloom ring into the cake that is to be served at the party. Ben will be cutting the cake and will remove the ring and propose. But as the old saying goes about best-laid plans going awry happens at the tea party. First, the ring box is empty and the longtime gardener is found brutally stabbed in the conservatory.
Callie has known the gardener, Mr. Leadenby, since childhood and is shocked to learn that he has been stabbed to death. She remembers that she had heard Leadenby and Brenda Brink, the school teacher, having a heated discussion. Also, she wants to learn how Sheila had gotten blood on her dress, that hadn’t been there earlier in the evening. She also remembers seeing handyman, Cole Merton, who had a troubled youth, leaving about the time she had put the ring box in the cake. She begins to speculate whether the two events are related. So she sets out to try and find if they are, first, related and who might have done them.
This was an enjoyable first book and looking forward to seeing the next book to learn where the series will go once everyone is able to understand the terms of the new will. I enjoyed all the characters but will be looking forward to learning more about them, particularly Aunt Iphy.