by Laura Childs
Part of Tea Shop Mystery, book 18
First published 2017
Theodosia Browning receives an unusual invitation to attend a "Rat Tea" hosted by Charleston socialite Doreen Briggs. The peculiar party features servers in rodent costumes serving finger sandwiches and premium teas, continuing a tradition from early twentieth century Charleston where society ladies promoted rodent control and public health. The evening takes a deadly turn when fire erupts at one of the tables and Doreen's entrepreneur husband suddenly convulses and dies. Theodosia suspects poison in his orange pekoe tea. The widow asks Theodosia to conduct a quiet investigation into her husband's murder. Working with her tea sommelier, Theodosia examines the guest list for potential killers. Their search for answers pulls them into a perilous pursuit where hunter and hunted roles keep shifting. Theodosia must navigate Charleston's social circles and uncover hidden motives before the murderer strikes again.
Genres: mystery, contemporary, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth
Vibes: cozy, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Charleston
Period: 20th-century
317 pages · Kindle Edition · Berkley