Review: Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (Mar 6 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425245535
• ISBN-13: 978-0425245538

Book Description

In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Scones and Bones, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning finds herself in hot water when a body surfaces at the grand opening of Charleston's Neptune Aquarium... 

The opening of the aquarium is a major Charleston event, and Theodosia has been hired to cater tea, scones, and sandwiches for the private party to honor dignitaries and big buck donors. Things are going swimmingly, until Theodosia escapes the party for a momentary rest, only to discover the body of a man entangled in a net, drowned in one of the aquarium's state-of-the-art tanks.

To make matters worse, the victim is Theodosia's former boyfriend Parker Scully. The EMTs on the scene think Parker's drowning was an accident, but when Theodosia notices what look like defense wounds on his hands, she realizes that someone wanted Parker dead. The local police aren't keen on hearing her theory-especially because of her ties to the victim-so Theodosia knows that if she wants Parker's killer brought to justice, she'll have to jump into the deep end and start her own investigation...

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!


About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and the Scrapbooking Mysteries. She is a consummate tea drinker, scrapbooker, and dog lover, and travels frequently to China and Japan with Dr. Bob, her professor husband. In her past life she was a Clio Award-winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm. 

My Review

I love Laura Child's books! I discovered her with the Scrapbooking Mysteries and then delightfully discovered her other two series the Cackleberry Club Mysteries and the Tea Shop Mysteries.  The Agony of the Leaves is the latest in the Tea Shop Mysteries.  I love being transported to the magical world of Charleston in this series.  Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia, Drayton, Haley, Detective Tidwell,  Delaine and the rest of our favorites are back with the exception of Theodosia's old flame Parker Scully.  Parker is found drowned in the new aquarium on opening night....thus the mystery begins.

This series is very educational for learning about the various types and blends of teas available worldwide.  I have learned quite a bit about various blends of teas that I had never heard of before.  These books also make you very hungry!  Luckily the recipes are included at the end so that you can make them yourself.  There are also tea tips and tea resources listed at the end of the book.

There is an adventure with some bees...bees have always terrified me!  And I'll have to say that I did not even slightly suspect the murderer.  Very clever!  I really enjoyed the ending.  I like that Ms. Childs' moves her characters along.  They have broken relationships, new relationships, they make life changes like moving house.

 Do you like cozy mysteries?  Laura Childs is one of the best.  If you haven't read any of her series yet, don't delay any more.  I've read all of her books and I love each new adventure.  Agony of the Leaves is a wonderful cozy mystery.  Pick up a copy and enjoy with a cuppa!  Looking forward to Postcards From The Dead, a new scrapbooking mystery, in October.  There is a short preview of this new book included.