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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It is a HEA but not in the traditional sense this is a series in the making, the mystery was solved I did guess correctly who the villain was but not for the reasons I thought. Author is building the characters; I will say I didn’t like the heroine’s mother, she needs a head smack and an attitude adjustment.
Easy read!
Great read
Warm charters. well thought out.
Was on way to “happily ever after” until tragedy strikes. Real-life struggles add to the enjoyment of getting to know the characters. A cozy mystery to the end with subtle beginnings of romance. Another book where characters become friends and family to the reader.
I absolutely loved reading this book, and had my suspicions about who the killer would be, but I kept changing my mind. I enjoyed the atmospheres created in the book. I wish I could visit Daisy’s Tea Room (in real life my fave tea house is closing).
All of the characters are very well described and rounded. I also enjoy the closeness of Daisy’s family. Since I loved this book I will be sure to grab book 2 in the series!
Nice start to a new series. Daisy is a strong character that seemed to be handling workshops and single parenting fairly well. She runs a tea shop with her Aunt who gets accused of murder when her married boyfriend is found dead in their outside path. Daisy can only see how this will ruin their business so She starts investigating until She finds herself in danger. Overall this is a well written cozy mystery that had vivid characters, a sweet setting, and a captivating mystery. If you enjoy cozy mysteries then you should try this book. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.
“Murder with Lemon Tea Cake” earns 5/5 Tasty Lemon Cakes…Sans the Murder!
My introduction to Karen Rose Smith’s work came through reading books in her delightful Caprice DeLuca Home Staging series, so I was very eager to read her new series Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery. Of course, every first book in a series takes the additional time to introduce the relevant backstory and character connections which often determine whether or not a reader will become a fan…I am now a fan! We meet Daisy Swanson, a late-thirties widow with two children (one starting college, one fifteen-year-old showing a rebellious side). She returned to Willow Creek, Pennsylvania, her hometown set in the middle of Amish country, and partnered with her Aunt Iris to manage a quaint tea garden in a converted Victorian. I love culinary/beverage themed cozies and with this book we are treated to subtle references rekindling my passion for all things tea along with three original recipes found in the story: Daisy’s Leek & Potato Soup, Tessa’s Carrot Salad, and of course, Iris’s Lemon Tea Cakes. The supporting cast are all delightful from Daisy’s BFF Tessa Miller, to daughters Violet and Jasmine ‘Jazzi,’ to possible renewed love interest Cade Bankert, and lots of residents, witnesses, and suspects.
I was immediately hooked and eager for an “on the horizon” release of book two “Murder With Cinnamon Scones” (Chapter One is available to read in the eBook version). Karen penned engaging dialogue and descriptions bringing to life the tea garden, the Victorian house, and all sorts of characters. The clever story is the epitome of the ‘cozy’ genre with a murder treated lightly, but using characters, clues, twists and turns, a reasonable amateur investigating style as the driving force. Aunt Iris is dating a soon-to-be divorced Harvey Fitz, owner of Men’s Trends, and is helping him plan a twenty-fifth anniversary party for his business at the tea garden. Sadly his murder puts Aunt Iris at the top of the suspect list and Daisy on the track to save her from prison. Lost of suspects with motives…dysfunctional siblings? A soon-to-be Ex Wife? Competitors? Secrets? Lies? Karen entwines all this together in a well-written mystery with a myriad of delightful characters, a couple of “Oh my!” twists, and even a few giggles out loud. I loved it!
In this new book we meet Daisy the owner of Daisy’s Tea Garden. Her aunt begins dating a man who is not only well known in the community but still married leaving Daisy feeling very apprehensive about all that could go wrong. When the man in question is murdered and things start pointing in Iris’s direction Daisy hopes that she will be able to help solve the mystery of who killed Harvey and why. Follow along and see of you can solve the mystery!!! What a lovely start to a series, Karen didn’t disappoint with this new book and I look forward to seeing where these characters progress.
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith is the first book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Daisy Swanson co-owns Daisy’s Tea Garden (housed in a beautiful old Victorian) with her aunt, Iris Albright in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Iris has been dating Harvey Fisk who is working to obtain a divorce from his wife, Monica. At a party honoring the 25th anniversary of Harvey’s store, Men’s Trends at Daisy’s Tea Garden, Monica storms in and accuses Harvey of hiding assets (talk about a party pooper). Iris leaves to meet Harvey for a date and Daisy hears a scream. Harvey is dead in their herb garden from blunt force trauma and one of their statues is missing. Detective Rappaport is on the case, and he has decided Iris is the culprit. Daisy with the help of former detective, Jonas Groft query the various suspects. It turns out that Harvey had recently changed his will which angered his children. Could one of them have murdered Harvey? Daisy is worried about her youngest daughter, Jazzi. She has been acting out lately, and Daisy discovers that Jazzi wants to locate her biological mother. Daisy knows she needs to support Jazzi’s decision and help her in any way she can. Business is booming at the tea garden courtesy of Harvey’s murder and Daisy brings on additional staff. Daisy follows the clues in the hopes of catching the real killer and removing Aunt Iris from the suspect list. Who murdered Harvey?
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is nicely written and has a good pace. The author sets the stage in this book for the series. She establishes the characters, Daisy’s Tea Garden, and the town. I found the characters to be congenial and relatable (except for Detective Rappaport). Daisy is a smart, strong and caring woman who loves her family and is striving to make a success of her new business. She is a widow with two daughters (one biological and one adopted). Thanks to Karen Rose Smith’s description, I can picture Daisy’s Tea Garden in my head. She provides sumptuous descriptions of the tea and food served at the tea garden (recipes at the end of the book). I was not a fan of cantankerous Detective Rappaport, but their does need to be one disagreeable character (someone who readers love to hate). He was like a dog with a bone. He gets a hold of an idea and does not let go. The mystery was appealing with several suspects and misdirection. The investigation mostly consisted of questioning (I wish there had been more action). The murder was not the prominent part of the story. The mystery can be solved before the reveal if pay careful attention to the clues. More time is devoted to the tea garden, Daisy’s family, food descriptions, tea, talking, cats and flirting. There are two possible romantic partners for Daisy. I am sincerely hoping that this will not result in a love triangle in future books in the series. Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is a lovely cozy mystery, and I will be reading the next book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Fans of Karen Rose Smith and A Caprice De Luca Mystery series will be entertained by Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes.
Karen Rose Smith has hit a grand slam homer with her fabulous first in a new series, Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eagerly looking forward to the next one. The author has the perfect elements – very likable characters, a lovely Tea Garden with scrumptious-sounding food, and a mystery that will stump some of the most diligent readers.
Daisy Swanson wears many hats – widowed mother to teen girls Violet and Jazzi, as well as daughter, sister, niece, and business owner/ manager. Her beloved Ryan passed away three years earlier, and she packed up and returned to Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. She and Aunt Iris found the perfect location for a tea shop that also sells pastries baked in-house and serves proper afternoon tea. Tessa, her best friend since high school, is her chef, who also rents the second floor of the Victorian home housing Daisy’s Tea Garden.
Iris is dating a man who treats her as she deserves to be in every way except one. Harvey is still married, although is only weeks away from the divorce being final. While Daisy wished he was already divorced, she is not as outspoken about it as her mother, Iris’ sister. Harvey is a wealthy man, owning a specialty store called Men’s Trends for twenty-five years.
Harvey rented the tearoom for a full Sunday for an invitation-only celebration of the stores’s anniversary. His adult son and daughter attend and have a mild spat, and Harvey’s soon to be ex-wife crashes the party but is quickly led out by another attendee. Based on things that Harvey tells Iris, she knows he wants to discuss their future as soon as his divorce is final.
Iris is excited to meet Harvey one evening after work. It begins no different from others in that Harvey will meet Iris in the garden at the Tea Garden. When Iris sees Harvey, however, he is dead, having clearly been murdered. The detective in charge of the case believes Iris killed Harvey, perhaps in collusion with Daisy.
I find the relationships between family members and loved ones fascinating. I learn the most about the ladies in Daisy’s family from the challenges between sisters and how one’s mother can help them grow closer or farther apart. Daisy helps each daughter see her strengths as equal to her sister’s, and she shows Vi and Jazzi that they are equally her beloved daughters, whether by birth or adoption. I really like Daisy and Iris, and Daisy’s new acquaintance, Jonas, and his helpfulness in her family’s needs .
There are unique elements to the plot, including twists that change the course of the investigation or how dangerous the bad guy/ gal is. Determining who might be the killer is a challenge, as there is little evidence. I had a tiny suspicion at one point, yet also considered red herrings when they looked better than my guess. The solution was surprising as I had so readily discarded the person.
I appreciate seeing that there is more in Daisy’s life than work and finding a killer. The author demonstrates sensitivity through Daisy’s familial relationships and the needs of her daughters. There is a depth to Daisy and Iris that makes them fully three-dimensional, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better in upcoming mysteries. I highly recommend Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes; it is one of my favorite new series in 2017!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and here is my honest review.