by Laura Childs
Part of Tea Shop Mystery, book 11
First published 2010
Theodosia Browning looked forward to the perfect Dickensian evening in Charleston. Shop owners wore old-fashioned cloaks and opened their back doors to welcome visitors seeking bargains and her exceptional teas. The festive atmosphere turned deadly when Theodosia discovered a body in the empty alleys. Daria, who owned the local map store, lay murdered. Several locals had expressed interest in purchasing her shop, but would someone kill for it? A persistent customer had also pressured Daria to sell a particular map she refused to part with. Detective Tidwell presents the most disturbing theory of all: the murderer intended to kill Theodosia, not Daria. If Tidwell's suspicions prove correct, Theodosia remains in danger and the killer will strike again.
Genres: suspense, mystery, thriller, cozy-mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, cozy, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, persistent-customer
Setting: Charleston
Period: Dickensian
303 pages · Hardcover · Berkley Prime Crime