Death at a firefly tea

In Childs's 30th "Tea Shop Mystery" (after High Tea and Misdemeanors), Theodosia Browning once again finds herself neck-deep in murder and mayhem. Theodosia owns and operates the Indigo Tea Shop in historic Charleston, SC, assisted by her friends and colleagues Drayton and Haley. The tea shop is known for its themed tea events, and Theodosia is frequently invited to host special occasions at different venues. While attending Theodosia's "Firefly Tea" at a local B&B, Mrs. Van Courtland, a beloved Charleston philanthropist, is murdered. At the urging of her aunt and friends, Theodosia begins conducting her own shadow investigation. Navigating through an assault, a kidnapping and ransom drop in a muddy swamp, and a wild chase through the historic streets of Charleston, Theodosia must figure it all out before it's too late. Childs once again delivers a convoluted mystery with Theodosia jumping in to conduct her own investigation. VERDICT Cozy mystery lovers will devour this latest offering. The yummy recipes at the end of the book are a delicious bonus.--Sandra Knowles

When a wealthy society woman is murdered at one of their tea parties, the gang from the Indigo Tea Shop reluctantly investigates. Theodosia Browning is well known in Charleston, South Carolina, for both her shop and the innovative tea parties she hosts for special occasions. Her Firefly Tea in the garden of the Tangled Rose B & B is going swimmingly, with the little insects putting on a marvelous show, until Olivia Van Courtland tastes the flambéed Alaska bombe, chokes, and dies. Noticing a shadowy figure lurking nearby, Theodosia gives chase through a hedge until she's fended off by a butane torch. Someone posing as a waiter apparently added fentanyl to Olivia's dessert. Theodosia's Aunt Libby, who attended the tea, suggests that Olivia's $20 million provides a perfect motive. Theodosia has a long record of solving murders, and although Det. Burt Tidwell warns her off, Aunt Libby and her friends urge her on. Coincidentally, Olivia had hired Gordon Twombley--who's dating Theodosia's friend Angie Congdon, owner of another local B & B--to appraise her collection of art and antiques, and he fills Theodosia in on some of Olivia's problems, which include Brody, her spendthrift son; his greedy ex-wife, Payton; and Roger Birch, a real estate developer who'd been pushing to buy her house. Theodosia starts getting threats, and with an ever-growing list of suspects, she has her hands full. To make matters worse, Brody's new girlfriend is kidnapped, and he enlists Theodosia to help rescue her. A charming mystery full of surprises, recipes, hints for throwing unusual tea parties, and a stellar cast of characters. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.