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GUNPOWDER GREEN
by Laura Childs
Berkley Prime Crime, March 1902
244 pages
$5.99
ISBN: 0425184056


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Charleston, South Carolina hosts The Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia Browning, the owner, is serving for the Charleston Yacht Club annual race. The charm and ambiance of the South is here. As I read this story, I sipped my own green tea and it never tasted better.

I liked the characters! Of course, the main character is the above mentioned Theo who not only operates the tea shop but also is part time sleuth. Her two assistants are Drayton and Haley. Drayton is 61 years old and well experienced in the tea business. He formerly worked as a tea trader in Amsterdam. Haley bakes wonderful sounding pastries, carries on some verbal sparring with Drayton and her maturity exceeds her years. The three of them make a grand team in both their business and personal lives. Now, on to meet some of the others. Delaine is a business neighbor that operates a clothing shop and can be counted on to know and disperse all the gossip of the day. Another business neighbor is Giovanna Loard; he runs the antique shop. Ford Cantrell is a farmer. Timothy Neville is a crusty, wealthy man who also shows us his good side. Detective Burt Tidwell can be and is (sometimes) a pain but such a good detective. He listens to Theo's advice and often acts on it. One of my favorite characters (yes, I am a dog person) is Theo's dog, Earl Grey. She takes him to the nursing home with her where he lightens up the lives of those he touches. He is a bonus to the story.

Nine weeks ago, the talk of the town was the lavish wedding of Doe Belvedere and Oliver Dixon. One of the reasons that it was discussed was because it was so spectacular, another reason was that Oliver was 66 and Doe was 25. He was wealthy and there were questions whether they were matched for love or money. Today the talk of the town was the horrible event as the gun was fired to begin the annual yacht race. Someone died and I will tell you that it was not a natural death.

The sleuthing commences. Photographs that were taken the day of the murder are computer entered and printed out, hoping to become an aid in finding clues. Amidst the questioning and snooping, a mystery tea at the shop is arranged by Drayton that I wanted to attend. It encompassed charm and antique dÈcor. Five actors were in residence giving the patrons hints of the murder in the play. This evening was complete with a lady reading tea leaves; she predicted "change."

When Theo probes with her questions and walks too closely to the truth in her investigation, she is challenged and there is a threat that she may actually lose her business. She and her allies need to move quickly to uncover the truth.

Enjoy this comfortable cozy. The first book in this series is Death by Darjeeling. At the end of the book, recipes are included. The chocolate dipped strawberries sound like something I would like to make right now.

Reviewed by Rita Ratacheck, March 1902

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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