The Jasmine Moon Murder (Tea Shop Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

The fifth book in the Tea Shop Mystery series simply oozes southern charm and hospitality once more. I really love this little series and heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of light, atmospheric reading- tea drinker or not!

This time amateur sleuth and the owner of Charleston's quaint Indigo Tea Shop, Theodosia, is more personally involved in solving the crime after her boyfriend's uncle, a local doctor, is killed at a society benefit in a local cemetery. Who would want to kill such a fine upstanding gentlemen, and more to the point can Theo find the culprit before she herself is put at risk?

As I've said, another lovely little cosy mystery. I adore the inspired Charleston setting and I love how every book incorporates aspects of genteel Southern charm and local culture and history as well as tea trivia- these books seem to have a little bit more substance to them than other cosies I've read if I'm honest. The character development is exceptional and by this stage you feel you really know Theo, tea connoisseur Drayton and baker Hayley. There's also character continuity from previous books which is a nice touch- I really like gruff detective Tidwell and local gossip Delaine who make regular appearances throughout. It was also interesting to get to know Jory (Theo's boyfriend) a little bit better because up until now he hasn't been featured a whole lot in these stories and was in danger of becoming a bit of a non-entity.

The book also contains the most delectable sounding food descriptions imaginable throughout the story, of which the recipes are included at the back of the book- they're seriously scrummy sounding and another nice touch to the series, pulling you further into Theo's world and giving you the impression that you too can have a taste of South Carolina.

As an aside, these books don't necessarily have to be read in their intended order as there is enough of a back story given to what is going on and what has happened in the past, but I'd recommend starting from the beginning, personally; it would be a shame to miss out on any of this wonderful little series!

This is the fifth novel of the Tea Shop Mysteries series and as I had never read any of the other novels before, I feel like I just discovered a treasure. It tells the story of Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop and amateur detective and her friends and coworkers; baker extraordinaire, Haley and tea specialist Drayton. When an influential doctor is killed during a Ghost Crawl at Charleston's historic Jasmine Cemetery, Theodosia and her friends from the Tea Shop investigate the murder.

The Agatha Christy style mystery is excellently written; each chapter reveals a new clue and each realistically drawn new character introduced, presents a new suspect. When I first started to read it, I thought that it would be difficult to find the characters familiar as I have never been to Charleston, but they are very well developed and real. Indeed I feel like I know them and that I share Theo's love for tea and dogs.

Obviously, as this is a Tea Shop Mystery there are a lot of tea trivia; information about various blends of tea, different flavors including chocolate (this must be an American thing!), ways to serve tea, and ideas for tea parties, all these weaved into the story. Also there are very detailed descriptions of the foods served at the Tea Shop and there are recipes at the end of the book for some of these great dishes. Sadly we are not provided with recipes for all the dishes mentioned; I know this is a mystery novel and not a cookbook, but just a few more recipes wouldn't hurt. In addition to the recipes, there are interesting and useful tea time tips from Laura Childs.

Every time I finish a great novel I feel sad, like I lost a good friend, so I already ordered the next novel in the series Chamomile Mourning (Tea Shop Mysteries)and until it gets here I console myself with a cup of tea, some Ham and Apricot Preserve Tea Sandwiches and some mouthwatering Chocolate Sour Cream Muffins, from the recipes at the end of the book. The other favorite recipes from the Indigo Tea Shop include the "Disappearing Buttermilk Scones", "Tea-Smoked Chicken", "Haley's Chocolate Zucchini Tea Bread", "Poached Pears with Chocolate", "Jasmine Tea Truffles", "Jory's Favorite Chicken Bog", "Haley's Heartwarming Carrot Bisque", "Drayton's Crabby Apple Salad", "Sweet Potato Comfort Pie", and "Drayton's Green Tea Tippler".

In total, this is a page turner mystery with very likable characters, great tea information and to top all that, delicious recipes.

I loved this book and it held my attention throughout. I liked the way Ms Childs described everything, particularly the horse riding scene that Jory and Theo went on together. The baking that Haley does certainly made my mouth water at times. Reading about some of the traditions of Charleston and the Low Country was interesting too.

The story flowed very well and had a nice range of characters. I never guessed in a million years who the culprit was, but I will say the ending was good.

Very well written. Would recommend.