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callins23's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts were really clunky. It felt like we got to the end and the author remembered that they needed to solve the murder and just chose someone at random. It didn’t feel like the story led up to this person being the killer. Some of the dialogue was heavy handed and unnatural.
lenorayoder's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book feels like the author wrote out a personal fantasy, then added a mystery around the edges when she realized a book actually needs plot. We get endless descriptions of irrelevant details like the outfits everyone is wearing, the hallway layout of a lawyer’s office the characters visit once, the furniture in every location, hairstyles, teapot and cup and plate designs, etc. etc. I don’t share in this very specific daydream, and therefore spent a lot of time skimming over extraneous descriptions of things like “trendy” outfits that already feel dated, waiting for something interesting to happen. Meanwhile, we get very few details about the murder, and the sudden reveal of the culprit has nothing to do with any kind of detecting skills the main character might have.
The writing overall feels very amateurish, for the content reasons mentioned above, but also technically. There’s a lot of clunky dialogue and exposition, and the author frequently tells instead of shows. At least the read was quick. I won’t be checking out anything else in this series or from this author.
The writing overall feels very amateurish, for the content reasons mentioned above, but also technically. There’s a lot of clunky dialogue and exposition, and the author frequently tells instead of shows. At least the read was quick. I won’t be checking out anything else in this series or from this author.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith is the first book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Daisy Swanson co-owns Daisy’s Tea Garden (housed in a beautiful old Victorian) with her aunt, Iris Albright in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Iris has been dating Harvey Fisk who is working to obtain a divorce from his wife, Monica. At a party honoring the 25th anniversary of Harvey’s store, Men’s Trends at Daisy’s Tea Garden, Monica storms in and accuses Harvey of hiding assets. Iris leaves to meet Harvey for a date and Daisy hears a scream. Harvey is dead in their herb garden from blunt force trauma and one of their statues is missing. Detective Rappaport is on the case and he has decided Iris is the culprit. Daisy with the help of former detective, Jonas Groft start investigating the suspects. It turns out that Harvey had recently changed his will which angered his children. Who could have murdered Harvey Fisk? Daisy is worried about her youngest daughter, Jazzi. She has been acting out lately, and Daisy discovers that Jazzi wants to locate her biological mother. Business is booming at the tea garden courtesy of Harvey’s murder and Daisy brings on additional staff. Daisy questions the suspects and follows the clues in the hopes of catching the real killer (and removing Aunt Iris from the suspect list).
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is nicely written and has a good pace. The author set the stage in this book for the series. She establishes the characters, Daisy’s Tea Garden, and the town. I found the characters to be congenial and relatable. Daisy is a smart, strong and caring woman who loves her family and is striving to make a success of her new business. She is a widow with two daughters (one biological and one adopted). Thanks to Karen Rose Smith’s description, I can picture Daisy’s Tea Garden in my head. She provides sumptuous descriptions of the tea and food served at the tea garden (recipes at the end of the book). I was not a fan of cantankerous Detective Rappaport, but their does need to be one disagreeable character. He was like a dog with a bone. He gets a hold of an idea and does not let go. The mystery was appealing with several suspects and misdirection. The investigation mostly consisted of questioning. The murder was not the prominent part of the story. The mystery can be solved before the reveal if pay careful attention to the clues. More time is devoted to the tea garden, Daisy’s family, food descriptions, tea, talking and flirting. There are two possible romantic partners for Daisy. I am sincerely hoping that this will not result in a love triangle in future books in the series. Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is a good story, and I will be reading the next book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Fans of Karen Rose Smith and A Caprice De Luca Mystery series will be entertained by Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes.
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is nicely written and has a good pace. The author set the stage in this book for the series. She establishes the characters, Daisy’s Tea Garden, and the town. I found the characters to be congenial and relatable. Daisy is a smart, strong and caring woman who loves her family and is striving to make a success of her new business. She is a widow with two daughters (one biological and one adopted). Thanks to Karen Rose Smith’s description, I can picture Daisy’s Tea Garden in my head. She provides sumptuous descriptions of the tea and food served at the tea garden (recipes at the end of the book). I was not a fan of cantankerous Detective Rappaport, but their does need to be one disagreeable character. He was like a dog with a bone. He gets a hold of an idea and does not let go. The mystery was appealing with several suspects and misdirection. The investigation mostly consisted of questioning. The murder was not the prominent part of the story. The mystery can be solved before the reveal if pay careful attention to the clues. More time is devoted to the tea garden, Daisy’s family, food descriptions, tea, talking and flirting. There are two possible romantic partners for Daisy. I am sincerely hoping that this will not result in a love triangle in future books in the series. Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is a good story, and I will be reading the next book in A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Fans of Karen Rose Smith and A Caprice De Luca Mystery series will be entertained by Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes.
emilyyyytug's review against another edition
3.0
I finished this book, went to leave a review and had already forgotten who the murderer was. That's how little the resolution to the mystery resonates.
That being said the tea shop vibes are immaculate.
After rereading the end here is who the murderer was for when I inevitably forget again:
The manager of the mens clothing store. He found out about the hidden expensive coin, and tried to blackmail harris (harry? Idk the murdered guy) and harris laughed. Manager guy snapped and killed harris.
That being said the tea shop vibes are immaculate.
After rereading the end here is who the murderer was for when I inevitably forget again:
rebeccai's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
readinglover22's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beyondevak's review against another edition
5.0
Quick Summary: A sweet and tart mystery
My Review: Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith was a fantastic intro to A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The plot, the characters, and the intrigue were fresh and engaging.
My Final Say: My interest has been piqued. Bring on book 2!
Rating: 4.75
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who brought this work to my attention and afforded me an opportunity to read it.
#NetGalleywishlist
#libraryread
My Review: Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith was a fantastic intro to A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The plot, the characters, and the intrigue were fresh and engaging.
My Final Say: My interest has been piqued. Bring on book 2!
Rating: 4.75
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who brought this work to my attention and afforded me an opportunity to read it.
#NetGalleywishlist
#libraryread
maryloulynninmi's review against another edition
4.0
Fun cozy
This was a very satisfying cozy mystery featuring a tea garden. I wish I could go there and sample the tea and scones! The mystery begins when Aunt Iris finds the body of the man she is dating behind the tra garden. Daisy is determined to clear her aunt from suspicion. I really enjoyed this first book in the series.
This was a very satisfying cozy mystery featuring a tea garden. I wish I could go there and sample the tea and scones! The mystery begins when Aunt Iris finds the body of the man she is dating behind the tra garden. Daisy is determined to clear her aunt from suspicion. I really enjoyed this first book in the series.
bookwoman37's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
This is a cute cozy mystery but it was just an OK read for me. Daisy and her Aunt Iris own and operate Daisy's Tea Garden in Pennsylvania. Her aunt is dating a local store owner Harvey while Daisy a widow is still healing her broken heart. When Harvey is found dead in their garden her Aunt is the prime suspect. Daisy tries to the solve murder to clear her aunt. The author does a good job with the small town setting and the tea room background. The mystery however was weak. Daisy did not solve the crime. There were not any real suspects. It was easy to figure out the killer. The author also spent way too much time describing clothes and appearances of very minor characters. Recipes are included in the back.