Friday 24 May 2013

Artful Readers Club - May

Another month has zipped by and it's time for my book review.

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:

Diane said...

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 !!

Gina said...

Aaaargh! I thought it was next week!!!!...and WOW nummy scones!!! :D XXX

Valerie-Jael said...

Sounds like a good read! Donna Leon sounds better! Valerie

Joanna said...

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

Sarah said...

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!

Sheri said...

love this series. i need to get caught up with it.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

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.

abby j said...

Sounds like a wonderful series that I will definitely check out...You're so funny... I love your artwork, Susan!! Yum!! :)

Magaly Guerrero said...

I WANT to eat your art. Yum, yum, yum! Maybe now we need to read Like Water for Chocolate and cook for days :-D

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

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. :)

Carmen said...

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!

Julie Lee said...

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?

Janet said...

Fruit scones are perfect for your book review!

Janet xx

Jen said...

Brilliant art that tastes as good as it looks.
Jen x

Jez said...

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!

Darcy Marshall said...

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

Maz said...

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.

San @ Made in Hem said...

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! :)

Shirley said...

Your tea looks do delicious. Lovely to learn things when reading. Great review,