Just in time for the holidays, In Cold Chamomile is sure to be a cupid’s arrow aimed straight for your bookshelf.Tea party organizer Callie Aspen learns that Cupid’s arrows can be deadly when a Valentine’s Day soiree ends in murder.Callie Aspen can’t think of a more appropriate place to spend Valentine’s Day than her adopted hometown of Heart’s Harbor, Maine. When she’s not helping out at Book … she’s not helping out at Book Tea, her great-aunt Iphy’s vintage tearoom, Callie’s adorning Haywood Hall with hearts and roses for the big Valentine’s event, where townspeople will fall in love with sweet treats, heartwarming music, and delightful books. But tension is brewing: The librarian argues with the expert who is on hand to appraise precious volumes. And Iphy is shocked to recognize the baritone who’s slated to sing at the event as an old acquaintance–one she’d hoped she’d never meet again. And then, when a dead body is discovered, the stirring spoon of suspicion points at the many people who had reasons to want the victim dead.
When Iphy’s old acquaintance draws the attention of Deputy Ace Falk, Callie finds herself in a spot. Ace, as usual, doesn’t want Callie involved, but how can she ignore Iphy’s anguish over the fate of a man she cares for more than she will admit? Bringing the killer to justice may endanger Callie’s budding relationship with Ace–and, quite possibly, her own life.
Callie and the Book Tea crew may think they have this case in the bag, but un-kettling truths are yet to be decanted.
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In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon is the third A Tea and Read Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. Callie Aspen is organizing a Valentine’s fundraiser at Haywood Hall with a variety of events. My favorite was Fall in Love with Books where there was a book exchange, a book sale, and book appraisals. There was also plants for sale, seed swap, dogs for adoption, a concert with a singer as well as tea and pastries. Mrs. Forrester is in charge of the book events and she is a perfectionist. She also organized the appraiser, Mr. King who had recently been on a television appraisal show. Aunt Iphy is out of sorts after seeing the replacement baritone. Turns out Aunt Iphy has a history with the singer, Sean Strong but she does not share the details with Callie. When Callie is taking a quiet moment outside, Peggy comes running towards her car and she is crying. She is upset by something Quinn has done, but (once again) she does not share what happened. Then Mrs. Moffett comes running out and announces, “he’s dead”. Mr. King, the appraiser, has been murdered. Mrs. Forrester was seen arguing with him and her prints are on the murder weapon. Deputy Ace Falk determines that Sean Strong, the baritone, is the killer. Aunt Iphy knows Sean did not kill the victim and needs Callie’s help in proving it. Ace Falk warns Callie to stay out of the investigation. Callie is aware that by becoming involved in the case, it may affect their personal relationship. The mystery was very straightforward and could easily be solved (early in the book). There was a lack of suspects, clues and investigation. Callie does not even check out the body or the room he was in before the police arrive. The majority of In Cold Chamomile focused on romantic issues. Peggy and Quinn, Aunt Iphy and Sean, plus Ace and Callie. I know the book is for Valentine’s Day, but the mystery should have been more complex and prominent. There were several inconsistencies in this book as well (those who have read the first two books will notice). Deputy Ace Falk treats Callie terribly and acts like a jerk. Callie needs to find a new love interest. Someone who will appreciate her and her curiosity. I thought the ending was odd. In Cold Chamomile was a miss for me. My favorite line in Cold Chamomile is, “…if there was an object in the world you could easily fall in love with, it had to be books.” In Cold Chamomile has a deceased evaluator, romantic morasses, tempting treats, a stylish singer, and a daft deputy.
This is definitely a series you need to read in order. This is book 3 in the series. I read book 1 and absolutely loved it. I missed reading book 2 so when I first started reading book 3 I was a bit confused because there were characters I didn’t know and how they fit into the story.
I truly did enjoy this story. Poor Callie and Iphy are at it again. Sleuthing to prove someone’s innocence. This time it’s an old friend of Iphy’s that they need to prove is innocent. Can Callie and Iphy figure out whodunnit before either one of them is next victim? With Callie helping Iphy will it be the end of Deputy Ace Falk and Callie Aspen? You’ll just have to read the book to find out.
This book for me had 1/3 a happy ending and left the other 2/3 in the air. Yes it makes me want to continue reading the series but it also had me feeling a little sad.
I definitely recommend this series. It’s a wonderful; cozy mystery.
Thank you to #netgalley, #crookedlanebooks, and #joyavon for allowing me to read such a wonderful book. All opinions are my own and were no way influenced by anyone but myself.
A delightful and interesting cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters and thought the mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing for a bit.
I received a copy of this book from Crooked Lane books via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Valentine’s Day brings more than hearts and roses when Callie finds herself steeping in a murder happens during a booktastic charity even.
Callie Aspen is unique in a few ways. She’s got a knack for getting things out of people yet you can tell there are times she feels guilty for digging in deeper than she should. Even drives her cop of a boyfriend batty with her sleuth thing. I personally just think he’s jealous because Callie is good at what she does. I liked how Callie would cut the conversation and excuse herself when she knew she was crossing the line yet hightailed it out of there before she did. In Cold Chamomile brings many changes in her life, along with a murder Callie can’t helped to be wrapped up in.
In Cold Chamomile is a Multi layered cozy mystery with a romance or two added in. Well develop characters with a vast array of personalities, charm and quarks that make them more relatable and fun. Joy Avon twisted and turned the plot, keeping readers guessing. While I had an idea of who, the why caught me by surprise. Callie and Iphy are a force, whether it be good or bad, these women will make you laugh. In Cold Chamomile is my first read of the A Tea and Read Mystery series and I felt like I was walking into a friend’s house for tea and entertainment. The characters definitely drive the story while the layered plot keeps pages flying.
I really liked this book except for the ending. I was sure I knew who the killer was but not the reason.
Good plot, lots of twists, and kept me turning the pages. The murder victim is despicable and unscrupulous. I liked the mixing of the past with the present and learning more about the main characters.
I was given an electronic advanced copy of the book by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.
The third book in the A Tea and Read mystery series did not deliver the expected punch. It fell very flat.
There was much potential with the relationships between Iphy and Strong, Ace and Callie, and Quinn and Peggy but none of the stories between those couples were given a chance. What we did get was nuts and pieces and felt very rushed.
Overall it was a nice read.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Things were undoubtedly cold in In Cold Chamomile. I loved the cozy mystery and the intricate puzzle it provided, but I was left cold by the characters and their actions.
What I Love
The Cozy plot is masterful with its misdirections and false leads. Red herrings are planted sublimely and led me to a delightfully shocking big reveal. Looking back, I can see that the clues are all there, but the story successfully led me down the wrong path. I love this! As I have mentioned in other reviews, my favorite part of a mystery, especially a cozy mystery, is the puzzle aspect and this story delivers wonderfully,
I love the set up of the plot – a book appraiser, who left everyone sad about the lack of value of their appraised books, is stabbed with a pair of scissors. Appraisers notoriously have that air of scandal about them, so this set up is intellectually perfect. And the character is written in such a way that I did picture a weasley, cunning, little man.
I also loved that the book is so stimulating and smart. As I mentioned before, the puzzle aspect is absolutely masterful and satisfying.
What I Wish
I didn’t include a favorite character section this time because frankly, I did not have one, which is such a disappointment. I couldn’t connect to the characters that I loved in Sweet Tea and Secrets, and the new support characters left me with a blah feeling. Aunt Iphy came across as blindly selfish, and Ace Fauk, who was a bit annoying in the last book, seemed to show progress in this installment only to revert again. The main character, Callie – I wanted her to stand up to everybody that was running roughshod all over her – I badly wanted this. I thought she was a strong female lead in Sweet Tea and Secrets, but In Cold Chamomile’s Callie is unsympathetically weak. The story is set up for a potentially significant change going forward, and I hope that includes a substantial leap for the main characters.
To Read or Not to Read
I enjoyed Sweet Tea and Secrets so much and couldn’t wait to delve into #3, and the mystery aspect did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the characters did leave me with a bad taste, and I hope that they redeem themselves in future novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is book three in this series can be read alone but more fun if you already know the main characters. It is Valentines now in this chapter and Callie is in the middle of a mystery even though her new boyfriend Deputy Ace would rather she stay out of it!! But when friends ask for help what can you do but be there for them! It was a good plot and fast moving not the ending I was expecting but hopefully next time round! Worth the read.
Calile helps her Great-Aunt Iphy run her Book Tea shop. They are helping to organize and participate in a Valentine’s event at a nearby manor. Lots happens at this event, including an old acquaintance of Iphy’s showing up and book appraiser being murdered. Ace Falk is Callie’s boyfriend and local deputy. Callie and Iphy set out to find the real murderer and free their friends whom they believe are innocent. This is a fun little cozy. The characters are engaging and fun. The story is easy-to-read and there are lots of suspects along with a few red herrings.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my honest opinion on this book.
I have enjoyed the first two books in this series so I was looking forward to reading this third installment. Unfortunately, for me, this book fell flat. I found that I didn’t particularly care for the characters which made it had for me to push through this book. I am not as engaged in a cozy mystery if the characters are flat or I find I don’t care much for them. In addition, I thought that Callie came across as weaker in this book than she had in previous books. No author hits a home run everything, so that being said I will try the next installment in this series to see if this book was a fluke or if it is the new normal for the series.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.