This month I'm reviewing another cosy by Laura Childs
"Scones and Bones" from her Tea Shop Mystery series.
Theodosia Brown runs the Indigo Tea Shop with Drayton, her tea expert, and Haley, her chef and baking expert.
This series is set in the more genteel surroundings of Charleston and the local Historical Society plays a large part in most of Theodosia's investigations....yes, she's another amateur sleuth.
The starting point for this mystery is a murder that takes place during the theft of a diamond embellished skull cup......a skull cup is exactly what it says...the skull in question is reputedly that of Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, the notorious pirate.
The book was a lovely light read but I did learn quite a bit about the history of Charleston and the surrounding area.Vivid descriptions of the houses and gardens (and graveyards)in the Historic district brought the city to life.
I also learnt more about tea than I ever imagined I would.....Drayton's descriptions and blends could almost convert me...I'm a non-tea drinker....apart from the occasional cup of Earl Grey or Orange Blossom I loathe the stuff!
The characters are well drawn and include the usual suspects.... a brusque policeman who wishes amateurs wouldn't interfere, the unlikeable female etc. etc.
This story also introduces a new love interest for Theodosia....I'm hoping this one is "the one".
Having enjoyed the book I eagerly read the recipes (but not the tea tips) included at the back....I wanted to make the lemon scones and with the help of FB found out exactly how much a "stick of butter" weighs (4oz if you're interested) but sadly had no buttermilk to hand.
And so to my art work......I couldn't decide whether to run with pirates or the whole tea thing.
In the end I made the only thing possible.........
fruit scones!!
Next month I'm off to Venice, courtesy of "Beastly Things" by Donna Leon.
19 comments:
I was just thinking about you !! Are you OK Sue as you haven't posted for sooooo long ??
hugs Diane xx
PS Cor those scones look lovely !!
Aaaargh! I thought it was next week!!!!...and WOW nummy scones!!! :D XXX
Sounds like a good read! Donna Leon sounds better! Valerie
Ugh, a skull cup - I wouldn't want to be sipping my Earl Grey out of that!
Those fruit scones look delicious - you're still going to make the lemon scones, right? I'd like to hear/see how they go (buttermilk can be quite tricky to get hold of).
xx
don't worry Gina, it is next week, Susan is just super keen!
I think I would enjoy this book, as I like books that teach me about history on the sly while distracting me with a good story :)
and your scones look delish!
love this series. i need to get caught up with it.
Sounds like you and I both posted a week early. What was it about May that did it to us?
I'm a big fan of the cozy genre, and one that throws in a bit of history is always a bonus.
I'm not much of a tea drinker, either, but then, I don't live in England. However, it might be fun to read about different teas from a US perspective.
I'm quite impressed with your ARC art this month, and you have just made me super hungry. Off to find something to take the place of scones.
Sounds like a wonderful series that I will definitely check out...You're so funny... I love your artwork, Susan!! Yum!! :)
I WANT to eat your art. Yum, yum, yum! Maybe now we need to read Like Water for Chocolate and cook for days :-D
Lol! That's a fabulous idea for the art part. :)) Wouldn't mind indulging in it myself. :) Sound like a great read and I think I would enjoy it as well. If not other for the tea part as I love tea. :)
This sounds a really interesting book. I do like my cosy murder mysteries on the TV so I wonder why I don't read any. Hmm. The scones. Look. NOMMY!
Is that the Charleston in Sussex? I love that area so much. I don't read crime fiction of the cosy genre, but I love the Agatha Christies that the BBC did a while back and it sounds like that. Your scones look fabulous. I haven't eaten yet and they're making me feel famished! A really readable review and culinary art, what more could you want?
Fruit scones are perfect for your book review!
Janet xx
Brilliant art that tastes as good as it looks.
Jen x
Now that's the kind of artwork I really like! A good idea. The book sounds a nice light easy read, but not my 'cup of tea'. Enjoyed the review though, and wish I could have enjoyed the art more practically!
oooooo that is awesome artwork lol i love scones. I have a lavender scone recipe on my blog. I find buttermilk is required in lots of recipes, and yet isn't that easy to find. only one of my 4 supermarkets carries it, and wouldn't you know its the shop furthest away lol
Love your "artwork" - my favourite kind :) If you don't have any buttermilk you can add lemon juice to milk instead and use that. If you google "replacement for buttermilk" you can find the exact amounts of lemon juice to milk.
I ♥ tea and this sounds like a fun read! I have to get my hands on one of these books... :)
And thanks, I'm off to search my shelves, I don't have scones but a cookie will do! :)
Your tea looks do delicious. Lovely to learn things when reading. Great review,
Post a Comment