A Dark and Stormy Tea

 

A Dark and Stormy Tea is the 23rd Indigo Tea Shop Mystery featuring Theodosia Browning as an amateur sleuth. Book 24, Lemon Curd Killer, will be published in March 2023. I have read all of the books in the series and have been mostly pleased with the writing. Since the author writes two other cozy mystery series and publishes three books every year, I think that she sometimes doesn't put in the same effort that she used to.

The publisher's summary:

A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning's troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.
 
In the throes of alerting police, Theodosia recognizes the victim—it is the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop.
 
Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer who is stalking the back alleys of Charleston, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, and the sage words of Drayton, her tea sommelier, amateur-sleuth Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation. And quickly discovers that suspects abound with the dead girl’s boyfriend, nefarious real estate developer, private-security man, bumbling reporter, and her own neighbor who is writing a true-crime book and searching for a big ending.

I was delighted with the crisp writing in this installment of the series. It was quite suspenseful and there was some development of Theodosia's character. The murder occurred in the first chapter, which I always prefer so that the rest of the novel can be about the investigation of the case. Also, there seemed to be more discussion than usual between Theo and Drayton about what specialty afternoon tea events that they want to plan, such as Garden Party Tea, Jane Austen Tea, Great Gatsby Tea, Limon Tea, Primavera Tea, Butterfly Tea, and Bridal Party Tea. I love when Drayton recommends the decor that he would like to have for each of them as well as the types of tea that he would like to serve. It makes me wish that I could attend.

Theo has a new boyfriend in this novel so it will be interesting to see how that relationship develops. It would be nice to see Drayton's character experience a new development. He is the only character to never had any change in his life. While I think he is perfect, I wonder what changes could be made to his character without changing his identity. Baker Haley has had some development but not alot. With Drayton being more central to the series than Haley, I would like to see something happen with him.

All in all, this is a fantastic entry into the Indigo Tea Shop series.  5 out of 5 stars.