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Book Review of Murder with Darjeeling Tea (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery)

Murder with Darjeeling Tea (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery)
dollycas avatar reviewed on + 694 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Dollycas's Thoughts

Daisy Swanson has arrived at Rumple's Statuary to find the perfect birthday gift for the man in her life. Jonas loves his golden retriever Felix and Daisy thinks he would love a statue version of the canine as well. While there she finds that Wilhelm Rumple has some very unique merchandise to sell in and around his unique little cottage. Some of it is quite pricey. She also hears him have a bit of an argument with a local pet supplement company's CEO. Daisy couldn't hear all the details by money was definitely mentioned. She quickly finds the exact statue she wants and leaves very happy with her purchase.

A couple of days later Wilhelm Rumple is found dead behind the Four Paws Animal Shelter where he volunteers. Daisy worries because Jonas volunteers there too. Was it an isolated incident? Could the argument she overheard have escalated to murder? Are others in danger? Daisy is determined to find out who Rumple tea-d off enough to want him dead.

Family is a key theme throughout the stories in this series and in this installment we see there may be plenty of changes to shake up Daisy's world. The characters are growing in natural ways so all the changes make sense. I really enjoy the way the author blends these regular family occurrences, both Englisch and Amish, with the mystery. Her characters are strong and well-developed and come across as caring and genuine. It is a pleasure to sneak into their world.

Wilhelm was an interesting character and cleverly written. Foster thought he looked like a troll. âA stumpy little man with unusual features.â He had brown hair that was âcurly, fuzzy, and stuck out around his headâ, which made his ears stick out more. Dressed in red overalls and bare feet, he was a unique man that had much more going on than met the eye. Daisy would have to dig deep to learn all his secrets.

And dig she did. She was very caught up in the mystery of his death and I had a great time trying to follow all the clues with her. This one was a real puzzle to piece together. There were several suspects and the author served up plenty of twists with all the Darjeeling tea, both hot and iced. I was still spinning my wheels when the actual killer was revealed and you could have knocked me over with a tea leaf.

Murder with Darjeeling Tea was so well-plotted and written. The characters came alive off the pages and kept me totally entertained and surprised. While the mystery was all buttoned up by the end of the story Daisy has some exciting times ahead and I truly can't wait for my next visit to Willow Creek.

Note: Each book can be read on its own but to really get to know these characters the series is best read in order.