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msnyderk's review against another edition
2.0
I normally love reading one of the tea shop mysteries. I found this one not as enjoyable as others in the series. The plot device is eerily familiar and it got annoying to see similar scenarios in this book that I’ve seen in her others, for instance when Theo gets followed while running with Earl Grey. I also found Theo a little more annoying and pushy than before. Especially with her boyfriend in the police when he wouldn’t give her the info she wanted or when she’s asking a complete stranger something personal and then finds them rude for not answering her. I felt Theo to be a little too over the top this time.
tracey_stewart's review against another edition
2.0
In a book I read recently, someone's "rules for writing and life" are cited – one of which was "don't use more than two similes per page". Laura Childs probably doesn't actually exceed that … but her writing made me realize anew that it's not the quantity of simile but the quality that counts. For example, Robin McKinley uses lots and lots of similes, and they almost invariably elicit a reaction – they make me smile, or put a lump in my throat, or make me laugh out loud, or make me feel that little click that comes when you see exactly what the author wanted you to see. They're an art. The similes in this book are … not. They're different, I'll give them that (except when they're clichéd), and they're colorful (there are lots of monkeys, and even some castanets), but …
The writing just grated now and then. The ninth or tenth time the author resorted to Batman-style sound effects – all caps, exclamation points – and one character (included to be obnoxious) did something outrageously obnoxious (even for him), I closed the book and deleted it. I was at 87% - and a good part of what remained was recipes and an excerpt from the next book. A day or so later I went back to it; I hadn't DNF'd a book yet this year, and I was close enough to finishing that I figured I might as well. But I didn't enjoy it.
WHAP! BOOM! SMASH!
I mean – who stops in the middle of a supposedly frantic moment to describe the scenery? A man falls off a roof; intrepid amateur detective races down the stairs to check it out; the narrative pauses in the middle of her sprint to dwell on the décor in the garden. *sigh*
BAM, BAM, BAM!
Cardinal sin of the cozy: when the main character tells bald-faced lies about what is obviously a hobby (or else there wouldn't be a series of books) –
“Haley, we don’t ['chase all over Charleston trying to solve the latest murder'],” Theodosia said. “And we certainly won’t get tangled up in this one.”
Look out - your pants are on fire there.
WAH-HOO!
Another cardinal sin of the cozy: Remarkably slipshod running of a small business.
“'Who’s minding the store?' Drayton asked.
"Haley flapped a hand. 'I was. But don’t worry, everything’s cool.'"
No, it's not cool if you left the shop completely unattended.
BOOM!
The characters are more caricatures than anything else. Two of them go from antipathy at first sight to practically weeping in each other's arms, in the span of a week. The Young Man is the very picture of a cliched Young Man. The gallery owner is the Platonic ideal of the gallery owner. The aforementioned obnoxious journalist ticks every single box central casting would want ticked off. There are few surprises.
BANG!
As usual, there are lots and lots of nits I could pick. Like … "'Delicious,' he said. Only it came out dulishush because his mouth was full." Isn't that pretty much how "delicious" is pronounced? Seriously. Dictionary.com: "[dih-lish-uh s]". Say it a couple of times. Seriously. Oh, and like … why does Our Heroine's sidekick have such a hard time saying the word "murder" when talking about the murder? He's not that delicate. And – like … Really? You expect me to swallow (no pun intended) the idea that someone not steeped (pun intended) in a world like this shop might consider a party ruined because you picked a funky tea? And … really? How do you not go directly to the police immediately on receiving a threatening note? (And how could you possibly confuse the smells of cooked onions and cooked potatoes? Have I been doing something wrong?)
EEEEEYOWWW!
In addition to the comic book sound effects – actual examples of which are scattered throughout this review (sorry) – there's also this:
"Holy Hannah"
“Holy crap”
“Holy cats"
“Holy smokes"
“Holy butter beans"
“Holy buckets"
“Holy sweet potatoes”
“Sweet Fanny Adams"
Holy euphemisms, Batman.
One more Cozy Cardinal Sin: When any character puts on their Captain Obvious hat to remind the audience why a bad cozy mystery is a bad cozy mystery:
“The best thing Theo can do is let her boyfriend, Detective Riley, figure it out. That’s what the City of Charleston pays him for. That’s the smartest thing, the safest thing, to do at this point.”
YOWWWWWW!
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
The writing just grated now and then. The ninth or tenth time the author resorted to Batman-style sound effects – all caps, exclamation points – and one character (included to be obnoxious) did something outrageously obnoxious (even for him), I closed the book and deleted it. I was at 87% - and a good part of what remained was recipes and an excerpt from the next book. A day or so later I went back to it; I hadn't DNF'd a book yet this year, and I was close enough to finishing that I figured I might as well. But I didn't enjoy it.
WHAP! BOOM! SMASH!
I mean – who stops in the middle of a supposedly frantic moment to describe the scenery? A man falls off a roof; intrepid amateur detective races down the stairs to check it out; the narrative pauses in the middle of her sprint to dwell on the décor in the garden. *sigh*
BAM, BAM, BAM!
Cardinal sin of the cozy: when the main character tells bald-faced lies about what is obviously a hobby (or else there wouldn't be a series of books) –
“Haley, we don’t ['chase all over Charleston trying to solve the latest murder'],” Theodosia said. “And we certainly won’t get tangled up in this one.”
Look out - your pants are on fire there.
WAH-HOO!
Another cardinal sin of the cozy: Remarkably slipshod running of a small business.
“'Who’s minding the store?' Drayton asked.
"Haley flapped a hand. 'I was. But don’t worry, everything’s cool.'"
No, it's not cool if you left the shop completely unattended.
BOOM!
The characters are more caricatures than anything else. Two of them go from antipathy at first sight to practically weeping in each other's arms, in the span of a week. The Young Man is the very picture of a cliched Young Man. The gallery owner is the Platonic ideal of the gallery owner. The aforementioned obnoxious journalist ticks every single box central casting would want ticked off. There are few surprises.
BANG!
As usual, there are lots and lots of nits I could pick. Like … "'Delicious,' he said. Only it came out dulishush because his mouth was full." Isn't that pretty much how "delicious" is pronounced? Seriously. Dictionary.com: "[dih-lish-uh s]". Say it a couple of times. Seriously. Oh, and like … why does Our Heroine's sidekick have such a hard time saying the word "murder" when talking about the murder? He's not that delicate. And – like … Really? You expect me to swallow (no pun intended) the idea that someone not steeped (pun intended) in a world like this shop might consider a party ruined because you picked a funky tea? And … really? How do you not go directly to the police immediately on receiving a threatening note? (And how could you possibly confuse the smells of cooked onions and cooked potatoes? Have I been doing something wrong?)
EEEEEYOWWW!
In addition to the comic book sound effects – actual examples of which are scattered throughout this review (sorry) – there's also this:
"Holy Hannah"
“Holy crap”
“Holy cats"
“Holy smokes"
“Holy butter beans"
“Holy buckets"
“Holy sweet potatoes”
“Sweet Fanny Adams"
Holy euphemisms, Batman.
One more Cozy Cardinal Sin: When any character puts on their Captain Obvious hat to remind the audience why a bad cozy mystery is a bad cozy mystery:
“The best thing Theo can do is let her boyfriend, Detective Riley, figure it out. That’s what the City of Charleston pays him for. That’s the smartest thing, the safest thing, to do at this point.”
YOWWWWWW!
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
murmredmusings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
itsjenrob's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
I really was disappointed in this Theodosia Browning mystery. While I am used to the formulaic plot, this one was REALLY formulaic. I wasn't surprised by who the murderer was yet we hardly got a reason behind why actions were done. The person was arrested and I was like "that's it?"
And while Theodosia always disobeys the cops, in "Plum Tea Crazy" she really did. The first four chapters are about her running after a suspect......then she breaks and enters a home without a second thought......yeah I thought it was outlandish
There wasn't nearly enough tea shop action. That was why I loved these books in the first place.
And while Theodosia always disobeys the cops, in "Plum Tea Crazy" she really did. The first four chapters are about her running after a suspect......then she breaks and enters a home without a second thought......yeah I thought it was outlandish
There wasn't nearly enough tea shop action. That was why I loved these books in the first place.
victorial's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
betcei's review against another edition
4.0
Theodosia and Drayton once again have a mystery to solve in Charleston. I'm between serving tea and scones and delectable tea party lunches, they help solve a mystery of a local resident killed in a roof nearby during a party. There are a handful of suspects, but Theodosia puts all the information together to solve the mystery of whodunnit. a quick fun read!
booksbythecup's review against another edition
3.0
Kettles steamed, candles flickered, and the Aroma of sweet Moroccan Mint tea and malty Assam tea permeated the Indigo Tea Shop."
-
"Theodosia glanced around the tea room. Everything looked lovely and serene..."
-
Can't you just smell the deliciousness that is The Indigo Tea Shop? If not I've attempted to help you with this picture, but then again I think everyday I try to create my own tea time experience.
-
Plum Tea Crazy was a quick, cozy murder mystery I enjoyed while orchestrating a small tea party (me + tea + book= Tea Party of 1). Theodosia has a keen eye, a sense of humor, and is an amateur sleuth of sorts (she figures out more than the detectives, one of which happens to be her boyfriend with a little breaking and entering towards the end). Set in Charleston, South Carolina, there's lots of opportunities for Southern hospitality but we have to figure out who killed the banker? Of course the obvious suspects have motive and seem guilty, but Theodosia is on the case and before long the murderer is revealed.
-
With a dog named Earl Grey, running her own tea shop (that's my dream), with wonderful business partners and a mystery to solve, Theodosia is a girl after my own heart.
-
This was my first time Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries and I'm sure it won't be my last.
michellef's review against another edition
5.0
`Plum Tea Crazy` is a Tea Shop Mystery by author Laura Childs. With a name like Plum Tea Crazy it sounds like a funny story. It is actually a light-hearted, cozy mystery. There is not a lot of blood and guts. It is a who-done-it story and the female protagonist, Theodosia is determined she will find out who did it and why.
It was hard to decide who the real suspect was, the story was written so well. What I liked most about the book is that the second I thought I knew who did it a different character would show up in the story and lead me astray. Halfway through the story I still couldn't figure out who it was. That kept me wanting to read the book.
Some of the characters had unique names that made the reader picture what they looked like. An example, Miss Dimple had a plump five-feet-one-inch body whose whole body went into motion when she laughed. There was also a florist named Floradora.
I learned `receipt` was the old-timey Southern way of saying `recipe` and that griddle scones were a tradition until conventional ovens were invented. There are several recipes to try at the end of the book to try from The Indigo Tea Shop. As well as some Tea Tips if the reader wants to have their own tea party. This title will be available to the public on March 6, 2018.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own."
It was hard to decide who the real suspect was, the story was written so well. What I liked most about the book is that the second I thought I knew who did it a different character would show up in the story and lead me astray. Halfway through the story I still couldn't figure out who it was. That kept me wanting to read the book.
Some of the characters had unique names that made the reader picture what they looked like. An example, Miss Dimple had a plump five-feet-one-inch body whose whole body went into motion when she laughed. There was also a florist named Floradora.
I learned `receipt` was the old-timey Southern way of saying `recipe` and that griddle scones were a tradition until conventional ovens were invented. There are several recipes to try at the end of the book to try from The Indigo Tea Shop. As well as some Tea Tips if the reader wants to have their own tea party. This title will be available to the public on March 6, 2018.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own."