Tuesday, February 28, 2012

"Agony of the Leaves" by Laura Childs

It was bound to happen. It was simply a matter of time. And sure enough, just like that, in Tea Shop Mystery #13 we face the death of one of the old familiar characters from Theodosia Browning's Indigo Tea Shop crowd in Charleston, S.C.

I was fortunate to get an advance copy of the new novel, coming March 6, and it begins with the grand opening of the city's new Neptune Aquarium. Theodosia and company are there catering when she takes a break to admire one of the huge tanks on display, only to find a familiar face come bobbing by, the victim of an apparent drowning--or was it something more sinister instead?

This novel finds Theo quite a bit more personally involved in solving the mystery because of her past relationship with the deceased, and it makes for some *very* interesting reading. And though I found myself suspecting everyone at first, I must admit it wasn't 'til near the end of the book that I figured out who the culprit was. "Agony of the Leaves" also teases us with plans for a longtime character's wedding coming in the next book. My only beef with Laura Childs is that she doesn't write these books fast enough to suit me!

12 comments:

  1. Sounds fascinating!

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  2. I'm waiting patiently for this book to come out, Bernideen received hers and reviewed it too. I started out buying the Tea Shop murder mysteries but received an ereader for my birthday and download them now. Unfortunately not all are available in this format but I'll be sure to get the new one.
    Judith

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  3. I have even a longer wait as I'm reading/buying the paperbacks... which come out a YEAR after the hardback versions. I really enjoy the series and you have peaked my curiosity as to who gets killed.

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  4. Did you just tell us the Butler did it????

    : - p

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  5. Love, love her tea mystery books. As a homeschooling mom of 5, I rarely buy books - but Laura Child's are so descriptive and her characters have such depth, that I've purchased most of her books. And yes, I'm waiting impatiently for Agony of the Leaves to show up in my mailbox March 6...

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  6. Oh my! Can't wait! I just finished the Hunger Games - quite a different story line, but also very good.

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  7. I pre-ordered this one, because I love this series, and the author's a lovely person too. Now you've got me worried about who gets killed. Ah well, it'll be here in a week!

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  8. HMMM. Can't wait to read this one. One of my favorite series.♥♫

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  9. I haven't kept up with this series like I should. I always like them when I do find a new one. Thanks for the reminder.

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  10. Sounds like a great book - thanks for the review, Angela. I will add it to the reading list, Joanie

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