Scones & Bones (A Tea Shop Mystery) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Scones and Bones" the 12th book in her Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs.

From Publishers Weekly

Charleston tourist notes enhance Childs's charming 12th tea-themed cozy featuring Theodosia Browning, proprietor of the city's Indigo Tea Shop (after 2010's The Teaberry Strangler). During the Heritage Society's Pirates and Plunder show, someone steals a diamond-embedded skull cup possibly fashioned from the skull of pirate Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) right beneath the noses of Theo and Drayton Conneley, Theo's master tea blender. Even worse, the robber fatally stabs college kid Rob Commers, the society's history intern, and assaults Camilla Hodges, the society's office manager. While plucky Theo, her faithful shop employees, and CPD's Det. Burt Tidwell chase a nasty killer, Theo feels romantically torn between her boyfriend, chef Parker Scully, and an attractive newcomer, Max Scofield, a local museum's PR director. As usual, everyone finds time for abundant tea breaks. Tempting recipes include creamy dreamy parfait and lemon chess pie.
 
Product Details
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425238962
ISBN-13: 978-0425238967

My Review:

Storyline:  Theodosia and her right-hand man, master tea blender Drayton Conneley, attend the heritage society's "Pirates and Plunder" party which features all kinds of historical pirate memorabilia but at center stage is a diamond-embedded cup made from a human skull, believed to be that of Blackbeard himself. When the cup is stolen and a guest is murdered in the process, Theodosia finds herself once again on the trail of a killer, putting herself and her friends at risk of becoming his or her next victim.

Characters:  Theodosia and Drayton both own the teashop and Haley is their chief.  All three have different personalities but work well together.  Love the way Drayon and Haley banter with one another.  Some great lines!

Romance:  Theodosia is dating chef Parker but is wildly attracted to Max the local museum PR director.  She and Max have shared a couple of spine tingling kisses which leaves her confused between her Parker and Max.

Killer:  Wow never expected the killer to be that certain person and you didn't find out until near the end who it was.  This person thought their relative was wronged and wanted revenge.

I love the way Laura incorporated the Blackbeard legend into the storyline and I certainly want to go visit her Tea Shop!

4/5

Thanks Laura from Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!