When an American tourist is murdered with a scone in Gemma Rose’s quaint Oxfordshire tearoom, she suddenly finds herself apron-deep in a mystery involving long-buried secrets from Oxford’s past.Armed with her insider knowledge of the University and with the help of four nosy old ladies from the village (not to mention a cheeky little tabby cat named Muesli), Gemma sets out to solve the … mystery–all while dealing with her matchmaking mother and the return of her old college love, Devlin O’Connor, now a dashing CID detective.
But with the body count rising and her business going bust, can Gemma find the killer before things turn to custard?
(**Traditional English scone recipe included)
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Fun book
I was highly entertained by the all-too-human heroine, who makes mistakes, puts her foot in her mouth, and has second thoughts. I’ll definitely look for more books by HY Hanna
enjoyed the various approaches protagonist took to get information. Enjoyed the nuances of the cat behavior. encourages experimenting with scones.
Mystery with a light touch of romance and humor. Easy to read in a day
Not for me. Someone younger would enjoy it more
Great storyline holding the reader’s attention awaiting the discovery of the killer.
If you are a fan of Midsomer Murders this book will be right up your ally. The story takes place in a fictitious collage at Oxford University and the surrounding area. What makes it even better is the Tearoom owner, Gemma, and her four helmet haired customers. Before you know it you will be laughing out loud at the predicaments they get into trying to solve the murder themselves. Throw in Gemma’s matchmaking mother and the humor continues.
All laughter aside Hsin-Yi did a great job writing this wonderful cozy mystery, using authentic British slang so that you felt you were actually in England. She also brought the story to life with well developed three demential characters and true-to-life descriptions of the area and events. She keeps you constantly guessing who the murderer was until the very end with several characters who had motives. Hsin-Yi, I commend you for a job well done.
I recommend “a Scone to Die for” to all you cozy mystery lovers out there. I received a copy of this very joyful read from the author via NetGalley for an honest review
Come along to the Cotswolds and Oxford University, where you’ll meet twenty-nine year old Gemma Rosa who has returned from Sydney, Australia to give herself a second chance at getting her life right. Gemma uses all of her savings to purchase the Little Stables Tearoom in Meadowford-on-Smythe. The newly renovated establishment has been open for business for a mere three weeks when a loutish American tourist is found dead outside her shop, one of her well-loved scones lodged in his mouth.
With the resulting bad press, a downturn in business, four ‘Old Biddies’ from the village, an old lover turned detective, a matchmaking mother and a mischevious cat named Muesli all adding to the confusion, Gemma has no alternative but to set about solving the murder and getting her tearoom back into business.
Set against the backdrop of staid and proper Oxford University and the charming Cotswolds’ countryside, you’ll find yourself anxious to pin the crime on the right suspect even as you yearn for warm scones and butter.
Included at the end of the story is a detailed recipe for recreating those luscious scones. Yum!
This series of books are fun little easy to read mysteries that take place in Oxford, England. I have enjoyed all the books in the series as a nice little change of pace from the more traditional mysteries that I usually read.