In an old Victorian in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Daisy Swanson and her aunt Iris serve soups, scones, and soothing teas to tourists and locals–but a murder in their garden has them in hot water . . .
”… readers are immediately drawn to main character, Daisy Swanson, and her beloved Aunt Iris.”- Suspense MagazineDaisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling … Iris.”
– Suspense Magazine
Daisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling protective–so when Iris started dating the wealthy and not-quite-divorced Harvey Fitz, she worried . . . especially after his bitter ex stormed in and caused a scene at the party Daisy’s Tea Garden was catering. Then there was the gossip she overheard about Harvey’s grown children being cut out of his will. Daisy didn’t want her aunt to wind up with a broken heart–but she never expected Iris to wind up a suspect in Harvey’s murder.
Now the apple bread and orange pekoe is on the back burner while the cops treat the shop like a crime scene–and Daisy hopes that Jonas Groft, a former detective from Philadelphia, can help her clear her aunt’s name and bag the real killer before things boil over . . .
Includes delicious recipes for Iris’s Lemon Tea Cakes and more!
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The first in Karen’s new series. You’re gonna love it.
A charming start to what promises to be another delightful series from Karen Rose Smith! I loved the characters, and enjoyed sorting out all the “possibles” for the villain. All the loose ends were neatly tied up at the end, and the hint of a future romance made me smile. I’m anxious to embark on the next installment!
When Daisy’s aunt’s boyfriend is found dead outside of their tea shop, Daisy is determined to find out who did it. All the while, she’s trying to prove her aunt did it. And also dealing with the angst of her teenage daughters.
Why would anyone want to drink hot tea with pizza? That just seems odd. I really liked Daisy and the rest of the characters in this book. I loved getting to know them and the town they live in. I really like Jonas, too. I enjoyed the fact that we were able to see so many parts of Daisy’s life. Like, she still had to work and take care of her family. Sometimes, I feel like the characters in cozies just drop their whole life to solve the mystery. I liked that Daisy was still participating in the rest of her life. I was taken completely by surprise by the whodunnit. I totally didn’t see that coming. I’m excited to continue with this series!
Daisy Swanson and her Aunt Iris open a Tea House in a beautiful, old Victorian in Amish country. This cozy series is almost as enjoyable as Karen Rose Smith’s Caprice De Luca home-staging mysteries.
A delightful tea room adventure through Pennsylvania Dutch country. The characters are three-dimensional and fun. I can’t wait to try the recipes!
I really enjoyed this book. The characters in the small town that the author created are realistic with problems and issues that we all face. The small town atmosphere comes through as well. And tying it to a tea shop with recipes I can then try… nice. 🙂
Daisy and her aunt Iris run a small tea shop in a nice little town. Daisy is widowed with two teenage daughters. I love that one is adopted and searching for her biological parents – the emotions we see Daisy go through with this are spot on. There are love interests, but nothing too serious.
The murder – and the reason behind it – are well done. We’re given lots of options for the person(s) who “dunit”, including Daisy’s aunt. The ending is satisfying, but you know this is the beginning of a series as there are several threads left dangling (but not who the murderer is!). The murder is solved, but we’re just getting started with Daisy’s life.
The only thing that didn’t seem to fit was the subplot of Daisy’s adopted daughter, Jazzy, looking for her birth parents. You could have taken that entire subplot out and it wouldn’t have made a difference to the story. Yes, it gives us insight into Daisy’s life, but it just didn’t seem to fit. Still… the rest of the story was really good.
Overall, a satisfying read with a good ending.
Really enjoying this book. Murder and baking is a great combination. Pity there aren’t many recipes included.
Daisy Swanson and her daughters have moved back to
Willow Creek, Pennsylvania after the death of her husband.
Daisy and her Aunt Iris have started a Tea Garden which
serves a large variety of teas, scones, tea cakes plus other
goodies depending on the time and day of the week.
The story is set the Amish Country of Lancaster County.
Daisy and Aunt Iris use the available fruits and vegetables
from the locals. They provide parking places for horse and
buggies at Daisy’s Tea Garden in addition to the regular
area for cars and buses.
Aunt Iris has been dating a man separated from his wife
for about three years and in the final stages of his divorce.
The man has disinherited his children and has the reputation
of being a relentless business man.
Aunt Iris discovers his dead body in their tea garden. Who
would have killed him?
When a Aunt Iris becomes the main suspect, Daisy decides
to investigate on her own.
Great array of well-defined, well developed characters
involved in an unpredictable plot. Moves at a steady
pace with vivid descriptions of the houses and area
where Daisy lives and works. Plus lots of food ideas with
recipes after the book ends.
I also learned about a variety of teas.
Daisy has two cats: Marjoram, a tortoiseshell with
unmistakably unique markings and Pepper, a black with
white fluffy spots on her chest.
Murder, house trashing, suspense with many suspects
all combined with some humor, family issues and a hint
of romance to make this a good read.
Very good book, have read the series. Looking forward to additional additions to this series!
Very enjoyable book. Believable characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
This was a very good book. I love the murder mystery written around a bakery. It is a book youdo not want to put down the ending was
a surprise. Please read it, you will really enjoy, it.
Enjoyed very much
I found the characters not very well developed
I enjoyed it thoroughly and am reading the second book in the series!
I seem to love these types of book. I have read the Wisteria Tea Room series and absolutely loved it so I gave this one a try, and glad I did..It kind of follows the same line as the other series, but still a very enjoyable read. I do recommend this for a nice light enjoyable read.
Really fun book to read. Could not get to read it all at one sitting but sure wanted to! Could wait to figure out this who done it. And a treat to get a fee good recipe!
nice story, good characters.
I live in York PA. I enjoyed the nice realistic hometown feel. I did not predict the murderer. The easy low key tone of the book made it a pleasure to read.
Good & different setting with murder suspect not obvious. More homey with believable characters and situations. Though police are not trusted to make right decisions Daisy has good retired policeman to help and listens to reason. Good backstory with the family adds depth to narrative. A little awkward with old boy friend not enough development. Good story
like the mysteries especially without the foul language.