by Laura Childs
Part of Tea Shop Mystery, book 28
First published 2024
Theodosia Browning attends the Mad Hatter Masquerade at the old Pendleton Grist Mill. The Friends of the Opera host this Alice in Wonderland themed fundraiser on a night that turns deadly. Someone strikes Harlan Sadler in the head with a croquet mallet and hangs his body from the mill's chains and paddles. The victim's wife Cricket serves as chairwoman of the event, and she cannot understand why anyone would target her beloved husband. Cricket and Delaine plead with Theodosia to uncover the truth behind the murder. Theodosia discovers the killer likely intended to murder Harlan's son Duke instead. Duke owns slum properties and recently caused a woman's injuries in a boating accident. Theodosia must determine which enemy of Duke's committed this case of mistaken identity. The investigation takes her deep into family secrets and property disputes while she serves tea and searches for answers in this latest mystery.
Genres: mystery, contemporary, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth
Vibes: cozy, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Mad Hatter Masquerade, Pendleton Grist Mill
Period: Contemporary
320 pages · Hardcover · Berkley