cape cod tearoom – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Trouble Is Brewing review

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Vicki Delany aka Eva Gates of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. I’ve enjoyed this series as much as her other ones. She’s always known for clever, fun characters and some cute pets like Eclair the Labradoodle and Robbie, Rose’s lap cat. Lily and her grandma really had their work cut out for them this time, what a crazy bunch of guests!

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My Goodreads review:

Trouble Is Brewing by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What’s even worse than a bridezilla? A groom’s Momzilla, that’s what and Sophia filled that role like a champ. I didn’t care for her at all but her own mother-in-law Regina who was pretty insufferable as it was stood up to Sophia’s insults and petty comments about her. I agreed with Bernie, I kinda liked the old lady! Such is the life of B&B and tearoom owners Rose and Lily.

I’m pretty sure I’d never have the patience for doing their jobs but they were awfully good at it. And wouldn’t life be boring without a bestie like Bernie? She always cracks me up but somehow she and her total opposite Lily work out great as besties and bring out the best in each other.

I’d actually guessed the killer but not any of the reasons behind it and loved how Rose helped get a somewhat confession from the person. Nice and safe and working with Detective Amy too. I loved that Amy was taking the lead on this case since especially in the first book or two, Det. Williams was just jerk who wanted to solve a case fast and close it out. Maybe he was afraid of Amy, lol. He’s actually acting pretty decent in this book, but it was using Amy’s ideas that closed this case out.

The end brought a fun thing coming up for Rose, Simon and Lily so it’ll be interesting to see if the next book tells all about that. It’s sure got some possibilities but I won’t spoil what’s happening.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Murder in a Teacup review

July 22, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second in the Tea by the Sea series, the newest by Vicki Delany who’s also known as Eva Gates, author of the Lighthouse Library series. Under Vicki Delany, she also has Year-Round Christmas and The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy mystery series. I’ve found in any of these series I’ve read (I’m up to date in Tea, Sherlock and Lighthouse) that you get lots of great characters, most being very endearing that you’d like to meet in real life. Then some are like Rose, not a huggy person but still a pretty awesome lady.

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Never underestimate the power of an eighty-year old, lol! At least Rose Campbell proved it over and over so far in this series, and this book was definitely not a disappointment. I just love Rose’s character and how she’s always getting out of working the breakfast at the tearoom. She loves Lily fiercely, but she just not the soft and cuddly granny we sometimes see in these books. Rose and Bernie always make for a great sleuthing team, but sometimes I feel bad for Lily who usually gets left out due to having to work the tearoom.

The families staying at the B&B this time for a so-called reunion would give the Ewings of Dallas and the Channings of Napa Valley a real run for their money in the drama department, lol. I guess I basically pictured the Ewing clan only upgraded with phones and tablets. I’m glad that Det. Redmond got to play an important part eventually. That Williams, well let’s just say the author’s done a great job creating a character no one likes! On the other hand, Simon’s such a sweetheart that I really hope Lily lets him closer into her life sometime in the future. Matt turned out to be a good person for Bernie to hang with-maybe being a writer, he’ll help her overcome some of her writing issues she always has.

That was some awesome showdown! At least part of Lily’s plan worked out. And they finally got peace from this crazy bickering family when they left. I can’t wait to see what Lily, Rose and Bernie get into in the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Tea & Treachery review

July 29, 2020 Tari Hann

I was excited to read the new book that Vicki Delany has out now in a new series called Tea by the Sea. I’m not a tea fan, but I still absolutely love the tearoom and the Cape Cod setting on a cliff overlooking the sea. The main character is Lily who also works for her English grandmother’s B&B which is located close to the tearoom. I loved how her friend Bernie’s book kept changing throughout the story. I’m super anxious for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Tea & Treachery by Vicki Delany

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew I’d love this book as much as I do the author’s other series, and it didn’t disappoint. The setting is amazing, and I really enjoyed the main characters. Rose is another grandmother character I’ve read recently that isn’t quite the loving or huggified grandma that we’re all used to in cozy mysteries–she’ll take some getting used to, but she’s growing on me already because she’s clever and likes to use the old lady card to her advantage sometimes–but she knows her limits and doesn’t abuse it.

Rose had a tremendous love for Lily that she expressed just by looking at her. It was fun that Lily’s bestie, Bernie just moved to Cape Cod to write a book, and she provided a lot of the comic relief by her constant outbursts of how she was changing the book. I got such a kick out of her final decision! She and Rose made the best sleuths, while Lily tried to attend to her tearoom. More than a few times though, they wrangled her into their sleuthing circle. Lily and Bernie had a couple of cute guys interested in them as well, so I hope that progresses well. I liked how Lily evolved in her thinking regarding guys. I could tell she was mellowing 😉 Simon was a sweetie.

I hadn’t guessed the killer, and I liked the little twist dealing with the detectives toward the end. The showdown was great with everyone pitching in to help and catch the killer. I’m really anxious for the next book whenever that happens.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

View all my reviews