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Shades Of Earl Grey (2003)

Shades of Earl Grey (2003)

Book Info

Author
Genre
Rating
3.9 of 5 Votes: 3
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ISBN
0425188213 (ISBN13: 9780425188217)
Language
English
Publisher
berkley

About book Shades Of Earl Grey (2003)

Theo's friend, Delaine Dish is throwing an engagement party for her niece Camille and her fiance Captain Corey Buchanan, one of 'THE BUCHANAN'S' of Charleston. This is an elegant affair and the wedding ring is being displayed for the party because it is a piece of the Estate jewelery. Unfortunately things don't go very well. As they are waiting for the couple to arrive the ring is stolen and the groom meets with a freak accident. Captain Buchanan dies and so the mystery begins, why would anyone want to kill him or was it an accident and the ring seems to have disappeared too.The following weekend the ring was supposed to be displayed at the Heritage Society's Treasures Show, that won't be happening now, but the show must go on. Even though everyone is in a tizzy over the accident, or murder, of Captain Buchanan, Theo, Drayton and Haley are planning for an open-house to introduce The Indigo Tea Shop's new line of T-Bath products.The Heritage Society goes ahead with the Treasures Show when all of a sudden the lights go out, then when the generator kicks in there is a Blue Kashmir (sapphire) necklace missing. Theo's mind goes into high gear and along with Drayton and Haley they come up with a scenario, a cat burgler, but if that's the case why is Captain Buchanan dead? The police don't agree with her, but the more Theo and her friends put their heads together they even come up with three suspects.See if you agree with them and if you can figure it out before you get to the end of the book. I am finding that these books move along kind of slow and for a mystery I'm finding more emphasis on the Indigo Tea Shop than the mystery part. I do understand that, in a way, because it is A Tea Shop Mystery series but when I hear 'mystery' I guess I expect a little more sleuthing than this book had.

I love the stories that Laura Childs weaves. However, I have two small issues with this book and her other books, generally. The first is that I don't really like how in the beginning of some chapters, she writes in the perspective of characters other than the protagonist, Theodosia. While I appreciate having extra 'insider' information, it doesn't flow very well with the rest of the novel. (However, in her later books, she stopped doing that.) The second is that the mark of a superlative mystery writer is that the story includes all the necessary clues for the reader to figure out whodunit. That is decidedly not the case for Laura Childs' books. There is absolutely no way you can ever figure out who the perpetrator is, because there is simply never enough information--and key important information--for the reader to piece it together. Now, it's true that we know what Theodosia knows. But other authors writing in the third person have been able to achieve this (for example, Rex Stout). It does make the books slightly less interactive, but on the other hand, makes them more exciting to read because you know that you really will be surprised.

Do You like book Shades Of Earl Grey (2003)?

Title: Shades of Earl GreyAuthor: Laura ChildsSeries: Tea Shop Mystery #3Publisher: Penguin GroupSynopsis (from bn.com):Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is finally invited to a social event that she doesn’t have to cater—but there’s more than champagne bubbling…Theo is mingling with the cream of Charleston society at the engagement soiree of the season. But as they eagerly await the dazzling young couple’s arrival—the groom meets with a freak accident. The exquisite wedding ring—a family heirloom from the crown of Marie Antoinette—is mysteriously missing. Theodosia suspects that trouble is brewing. But when she goes to the authorities, they treat her like she’s been reading tea leaves—and that’s the surest way to put Theodosia’s kettle on the boil…My thoughts: Theodosia, owner of the charming Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina, returns with her wonderful cast of characters to solve another murder. I enjoy the characters in this series as they are genuine, fun, and each in their own way a bit quirky. I am hoping that as I continue to series I find that the author gives us even a bit more inight and knowledge into who these characters are. I’m sure she does as this is only book #3 out of 13. (Like any good reader who is behind with a series, I pull out my Little Engine That Could – I know I can reach the end of this series, I know I can reach the end of this series All in all, I really am enjoying this series. I still am trying to find a good tea tasting in my area as the ever loving Drayton in this series is just spurring me on to go to one!A lovely cozy series with fun characters and great education about tea!
—Heather

As Theodosia Browning continues to get involved in murders around Charleston, her tea shop employees gain a bigger role in the story. Haley is a college student and master baker who fills the shop with mouth-watering delicacies as well as giving an occasional point of view to help Theodosia in her crime solving adventures. Drayton, master tea brewer who gained his expertise in India, is always creating new blends of tea that help the shop's popularity expand. He is also a welcome assistant in Theodosia's exploits out of the tea shop.This series of books includes many of the recipes and tea service ideas mentioned in the story in an appendix to the book.
—Betty Strohecker

I'm afraid I'm not a really a fan of this series. At least not for the mystery, so far the author's formula is that the villain is always the one new character that doesn't make the protagonist's suspect list. And the protagonist never actually solves the mystery before finding herself confronted by them and in mortal danger.The most interesting part of the books is really hearing about Charleston.Since I have almost the entire series, I'll finish it, but I'm not looking to pick up more at this point.Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
—Dharia Scarab

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