New Teapot Collector Mystery: "Shadow of a Spout"

For years now, many of us have been enjoying the teashop mysteries by Laura Childs. Last year, I was delighted to learn there would be yet another series of tea-themed cozy mysteries, and in June came the first in Amanda Cooper's new Teapot Collector Mysteries. Over the weekend, I finished reading "Shadow of a Spout," the second book in the series, and it was especially fun because this was a signed copy I won by leaving a comment on a blog, a giveaway just like I have here sometimes.

I also won a tote bag that I was absolutely delighted to receive because of the pretty teawares in the design!

This book again features Rose Freemont, who operates Auntie Rose's Victorian Tea House in Gracious Grove, N.Y., and her granddaughter, Sophie. In this book, Rose travels to the Stone and Scone Inn in Butterhill, N.Y. for the annual convention of the New York State division of the International Teapot Collectors Society. The division president, a most obnoxious woman who manages to offend many of the teapot collectors almost from the moment they arrive, is soon found murdered, and through a string of unfortunate incidents, Rose ends up becoming one of the prime suspects.

The storyline of this whodunnit is fast-paced and full of red herrings. Just about the time you decide you know who the killer is, there turns up a fact proving that person couldn't possibly have done it after all. The other thing I enjoyed about this book was imagining getting to attend just such a convention and signing up for, say, a session on silver hallmarks, as some of these teapot collectors did.

Have any of you read the first book in the series, "Tempest in a Teapot," or the new one? I'd love to hear your thoughts!