Shades of Earl Grey (A tea shop mystery) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Laura Childs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003 | Series: A tea shop mystery

Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is finally invited to a social event that she doesn't have to cater-but trouble is brewing at the engagement soiree of the season...

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

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.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Chivers; Lrg edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754073254
• ISBN-13: 978-0754073253
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,626,268 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

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tea-lovers mystery, March 16, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shades of Earl Grey (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was an enjoyable read. Laura Childs delivers yet again a wonderful cosy setting with descriptions of different teas and desserts to make your mouth water. The characters are great and everything is so lighthearted that it makes me happy to read her books.

The only drawback is the mystery itself. I was able to guess the identity of the cat burglar long before the ending and the plot is slow throughout the book. Then again this is not meant to be a thriller. The beautiful setting, the teashop atmostphere and the delightful characters more than make up for the flat mystery.

If you love cosy mysteries, Laura Childs Tea Shop Mystery Series is a MUST READ.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grab a cup of tea and enjoy this cozy, atmospheric mystery!, January 15, 2003

By 

Kristigirl6 (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shades of Earl Grey (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I love this mystery series. Why? It's not gory, for one thing. If you're hoping for the next Stephen King, this isn't for you. And also, it's set in gorgeous, historic Charleston, SC. Theodosia and friends draw you into their cozy, warm circle and compel you to linger. The characters are warm and charming, though not always truly believable. Theodosia's pals are almost too devoted to believe. But, if you take this for what it is - a cute little cozy mystery, you won't be disappointed. I read this book straight through in one sitting because I got so comfortable with the characters and the their little world. Well worth your time if you are a fan of light-hearted mysteries.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series..., February 3, 2003

By 

Chelle "Chelle" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shades of Earl Grey (A Tea Shop Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have thoroughly enjoyed Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries from the first. However, *Shades of Earl Grey* is not quite up to par with the previous two.

Sure, the setting is still just as cozy, and the little pieces of tea knowledge just as interesting, but the story is lacking. The characters, for some reason, seem too breezy this time round. There is little depth to any of them. To be honest, they come across as almost silly. They are constantly going around spouting "poor him," "poor her," "poor baby." The repetition of the word poor is bad enough, but the rest of the dialogue is also rather unrealistic. And there really is no mystery. There are crimes and suspects, but the investigation in no way reveals any true talent on the part of Theo Browning and it's basically pure luck that catches the thief.

*Shades of Earl Grey* is a very, very light mystery. It's enjoyable, but by no means engrossing or even particularly satisfying. It's a nice little book that would be great for killing some time. But even though this particular title in the series wasn't the best, I'd have to say that I'll still read the ones that follow.