Gunpowder Green (A Tea Shop Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Laura Childs (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Tea Shop Mystery | Publication Date: March 1, 2011

Tea shop owner Theodosia Browning knows that something’s brewing in the high society of Charleston—something other than her newest tea…

The Indigo Tea Shop, Charleston’s favorite spot of tea, has just come out with its latest flavor: Gunpowder Green. Theodosia Browning cannot wait to hear its praises as it is unveiled at the annual yacht race. But when she hears the crack of an antique gun meant to end the race, a member of Charleston’s elite falls dead. Theodosia has a hunch that his demise was no accident—and will go out of her way to prove it. But if she doesn’t act fast, Theo will find herself in hot water with some boiling-mad Charlestonians—and more than a little gun-chai…

Includes a delicious recipe and tea-making tips!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This mystery series could single-handedly propel the tea shop business in this country to the status of wine bars and bustling coffee houses.”—Buon Gusto, Minneapolis, MN
 
“Engages the audience from the start…Laura Childs provides the right combination between tidbits on tea and an amateur sleuth cozy that will send readers seeking a cup of Death By Darjeeling, the series previous novel.”—Midwest Book Review

 

About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cackleberry Club, Tea Shop, and Scrapbooking mysteries. In her past life she was a Clio Award–winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm. She lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425184056
• ISBN-13: 978-0425184059
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She's also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries - a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans' spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe's undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Mystery and Fun with Theo, January 28, 2003

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gunpowder Green (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

Theodosia is thrilled to be catering the annual Isle of Palms Yacht Race. But the perfect day is brought to abrupt end when the gun signaling the end of the race explodes and kills Oliver Dixon. While it appears to be an accident, Theo isn't convinced and begins to investigate. Soon she has more suspects then she knows what to do with. Was it the result of an ancient feud? Or maybe the new, young widow wanted control of his fortune? Or could Oliver's business investor have wanted out of his investment enough to kill?

I thoroughly enjoyed this second mystery novel (following DEATH BY DARJEELING). The plot is complex, with the clues pointing in every direction possible. I still didn't know what was going on by the end, but the ending worked. I'm not a tea person, but enjoyed the information about tea. It was well scattered throughout and didn't bog down the storyline. My biggest complaint is the author's tendency to switch view-point characters for a few paragraphs at random within a scene. It makes for confusing reading but fortunately only happens a few times over the course of the novel.

I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Charleston and the Indigo Tea Shop. This is a fun, relaxing series with a wonderful cast of characters and good plotting. Put the kettle on and enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lovely atmosphere, mystery lacking, January 15, 2004

By 

Annag Chandler "Crane & Dragon" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gunpowder Green (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

There's a lot more than tea brewing at the Indigo Tea Shoppe in this second installment of the Laura Childs series. Unfortunately, the plot doesn't keep up with the atmosphere. Clues point in every direction, but even on a second reading there's no "aha!" moment when the reader can see -- "Oh, that's where the murderer tipped his/her hand!" The plotting is not getting better as this series progresses.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Picnics and Sailboats and Murder, Oh My!, April 2, 2002

By 

Mary E Janette (Yuma, Az. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gunpowder Green (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

My dear friend Theo Browning is back and I for one am delighted. Ms Childs characters are lifelike and interesting people. I would love to take a trip to Charlston and stroll through the historic district, perhaps even pay a visit to Drayton's home. The mystery is well plotted and convoluted enough to keep one guessing until the end. I just hate it when I guess the murderer a third or quarter of the way throgh the book. The tea tips and tasty tidbits recomended in the book are an added bonus. They encourage one to slow down and become a part of more gentle time which can be a great comfort in these turbulent times. I can hardly wait for Theo's next outing. I hope Ms. Childs continues to tantilize us with more hints from Theo's past and expands her relationship with Jory Davis and Burt Tidwell. I would also like to see her expand the characters of Drayton and Hayley, perhaps even give them a story of their own where Theo takes a more reserved roll in solving the case.