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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany is the 2nd A Tea by the Sea Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you have not had time to indulge in Tea & Treachery. Everything a new reader needs to know is included. The author provides beautiful descriptions of North Augusta, Massachusetts where Lily’s grandmother, Rose runs Victoria-on-Sea Bed and Breakfast and Lily Roberts has her cozy teashop, Tea by the Sea. Rose has her friend, Sandra visiting from Iowa along with her family. Her granddaughter, Heather is footing the bill for the family reunion. Their bickering and backbiting is fraying the staff’s nerves. Lily is happy she has her cottage to retreat to at the end of the day. Unfortunately, one of the family members end up dead from poisoning casting suspicion on Lily and her staff. Lily wonders which one of the family members committed the evil deed. She intends to find out since another death has once again closed down her tea shop. I found Murder in a Teacup easy to read with a fun cast of characters. I love Lily’s grandmother, Rose. She is a classy lady. I also like Lily who is an excellent baker and her cute dog, Éclair. There are some good secondary characters that include Simon, the English gardener, and Matt, the new neighbor. I am not as enamored with Lily’s friend, Bernie. I find her flighty and annoying. The mystery was straightforward. There was a family of suspects along with misdirection. A piece of information early in the book provided me with the killer’s identity. It also helped me guess some secrets that would be revealed at the end of the book. I wish the whodunit had been more of a challenge (I love a good puzzle). There are mouthwatering descriptions of Lily’s baked goods that includes orange zest scones. I like learning about the various types of tea, foods served at teatime, and the different types of tea pots. I loved the description of Lily’s special china she received when she was eighteen. There are recipes at the end of the book for the tempting teats featured in the book. I enjoyed reading this lighthearted cozy mystery set by the sea. Murder in a Teacup is a cute Cape Cod cozy with bickering brethren, delectable delights, a gifted gardener, a bespoke brew, a cat conundrum, and a malicious murder.
kimdavishb's review
5.0
MURDER IN A TEACUP, the second book in the Tea By the Sea Mysteries by Vicki Delany, is a charming and inviting addition to the series. The protagonist, Lily Roberts, is up to her elbows in baking scones and other delectable treats for her tearoom during the busy Cape Cod summer season. The author does an admirable job in making her workday realistic – it’s nonstop with not a lot of time for sleuthing – but yet she manages to find snippets of time to ask questions and find answers. Joining the core cast of characters is Lily’s grandmother, Rose, who owns the B & B next to the tearoom. I’m happy that Rose’s personality shifted from mostly abrasive to simply feisty in this new book. I found her antics enjoyable and her zest for helping in the murder investigation made the scenes fun. Lily’s sidekick and best friend, aspiring author, Bernie, is a hoot. Her very humorous approach to trying to write a novel as each scene unfolded during Murder in a Teacup, kept me chuckling.
With a bickering family staying at the B & B for a reunion to contend with, Lily and her grandmother have their hands full. When one of the guests is poisoned during tea served by Lily, she and her grandmother are left scrambling to find out who did it after the police shut down the tearoom. Ms. Delany writes a tight plot with enough suspects to keep the reader guessing and enough intrigue to keep the reader turning pages. As the story unfolded, I was entertained and delighted with each passing scene and had a difficult time putting the book down to tend to other responsibilities. With a surprising reveal, Ms. Delany has proven once again, to be an expert storyteller!
You’ll be absolutely drooling over all the delicious goodies Lily serves at her tearoom. The author has thoughtfully provided several recipes at the back of the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With a bickering family staying at the B & B for a reunion to contend with, Lily and her grandmother have their hands full. When one of the guests is poisoned during tea served by Lily, she and her grandmother are left scrambling to find out who did it after the police shut down the tearoom. Ms. Delany writes a tight plot with enough suspects to keep the reader guessing and enough intrigue to keep the reader turning pages. As the story unfolded, I was entertained and delighted with each passing scene and had a difficult time putting the book down to tend to other responsibilities. With a surprising reveal, Ms. Delany has proven once again, to be an expert storyteller!
You’ll be absolutely drooling over all the delicious goodies Lily serves at her tearoom. The author has thoughtfully provided several recipes at the back of the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
maggienificient's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
booklovingmom_'s review
5.0
I received a copy of Murder in a Teacup through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Murder in a Teacup is the second installment of the Tea by the Sea mystery series and set in Cape Cod and a at a bed and breakfast owned by a grandmother, Rose, and a granddaughter, Lily. When Rose’s lifelong friend from Iowa comes to visit with her extended family and one of the party turns up murdered, Lily, Rose and their friend, Bernie, are on the case.
I have read both installments of this series and have liked both mysteries. I really liked this one and found myself guessing who the killer was until the murderer was revealed. This was a fun and fast read set in a great place with fun, likable characters. I really enjoyed this mystery and look forward to seeing what else is in store for this series.
Murder in a Teacup is the second installment of the Tea by the Sea mystery series and set in Cape Cod and a at a bed and breakfast owned by a grandmother, Rose, and a granddaughter, Lily. When Rose’s lifelong friend from Iowa comes to visit with her extended family and one of the party turns up murdered, Lily, Rose and their friend, Bernie, are on the case.
I have read both installments of this series and have liked both mysteries. I really liked this one and found myself guessing who the killer was until the murderer was revealed. This was a fun and fast read set in a great place with fun, likable characters. I really enjoyed this mystery and look forward to seeing what else is in store for this series.
professormarple's review
The narration of this book was not good. The accents seemed inconsistent and were distracting. It’s hard to tell what I think of the book vs how much the narration took me out of it.
I’ll probably give the series another go with the next book, but not in audiobook format.
I’ll probably give the series another go with the next book, but not in audiobook format.
wilko's review
5.0
This was a fun read where you didn't know who the killer was and there were plenty of suspects and potential secrets being kept so Lily, her Grandma Rose and Lily's bestie Bernie have their work cut out for them. I haven't read the first book in the series but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this and wanting to go back and read the first book to see how it all began for Lily. The characters were great and I especially loved Bernie and how Lily would try to get her back on track with her book, there are some love interests to intrigue you, guest you will dislike and distrust as well as the mention of food that makes your mouth water and a B&B that makes you want to visit it. When you finally find out who the killer is and the motive its a fantastic surprise and for one person you are torn for feeling bad for them and not! I can not wait to read more in this series.
em_chen's review
4.0
i felt like the generations were off and the town is too small to do too much with . . . but will likely continue
thisandthatwithkaren's review
5.0
“Murder in a Teacup” by Vicki Delany the 2nd instalment in the “Tea by the Sea Mysteries”. This was a great follow up to the first book and firmly placed it in my favourites. Vicki Delany has become one of my favourite cozy mystery authors, I’m never disappointed when I pick up one of her books.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in couple days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and delectable food.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the main character of Lily, her grandmother Rose, Simon, and her BFF Bernie. Bernie still has trouble focusing on one thing when comes to her novel, but I think she is just easily distracted and wants to do it all.
I won’t go into detail about the mystery as the book blurb does an amazing job of it but I will say if you like afternoon tea, the seaside, and a great mystery then this series is for you. Includes recipes at back of book ... yummy
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in couple days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and delectable food.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing till the very end. I love the main character of Lily, her grandmother Rose, Simon, and her BFF Bernie. Bernie still has trouble focusing on one thing when comes to her novel, but I think she is just easily distracted and wants to do it all.
I won’t go into detail about the mystery as the book blurb does an amazing job of it but I will say if you like afternoon tea, the seaside, and a great mystery then this series is for you. Includes recipes at back of book ... yummy
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
eabrevaya's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2021; Kensington Books
Lily, Bernie, Rose and the gang are back! Rose's longtime friend comes to visit with her children, grandchildren and grandchildren. Her wealthy granddaughter brings her late husband's brother and sister-in-law as well. This party alone is keeping Lily busy at the B&B and Tea room. I love how Lily tries to avoid any involvement and only finds herself further in the middle of a murder. I am loving the cozy mysteries by Delany! I am hoping to start her other series, written under Eva Gates, and maybe try her Christmas series later this year.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Kensington Books
Lily, Bernie, Rose and the gang are back! Rose's longtime friend comes to visit with her children, grandchildren and grandchildren. Her wealthy granddaughter brings her late husband's brother and sister-in-law as well. This party alone is keeping Lily busy at the B&B and Tea room. I love how Lily tries to avoid any involvement and only finds herself further in the middle of a murder. I am loving the cozy mysteries by Delany! I am hoping to start her other series, written under Eva Gates, and maybe try her Christmas series later this year.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***