Kristina A. reviewed on 1/30/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna is the first book in an Oxford Tearoom Mysteries. Gemma Rose (age twenty-nine) has left her executive job in Sydney (that she disliked) to open Little Stables Tearoom in Meadowford-on-Smythe (her hometown in Cotswold near Oxford). Gemma has hired her best friend, Cassie to wait on the tables and has a great chef named Fletcher. One day a rude American comes for tea (he actually touched Cassie's butt and thought it was okay to do it). The next day Gemma comes to work to find Brad Washington (the rude American) dead in her courtyard outside the tearoom. There is one of the tearoom's scones stuffed into his mouth. Who killed him and why did they have to leave him there? Gemma sets out to find the killer with the help of the "Old Biddies" (four elderly ladies that have their nose in everyone's business). When Professor Geoffrey Hughes is killed (went to college with Brad), Gemma knows the cases are related. Can she find the killer?

A Scone to Die For is a satisfactory cozy mystery. We are not given clues that help solve the mystery until just before the killer is revealed. The mystery is very good, but I like trying to solve the crime as I read the book (don't we all). I felt that there was too much romance in this book. Gemma's old boyfriend, Devlin O'Connor is the inspector assigned the case. They have not seen each other in eight years. However, Gemma gets jealous when Devlin questions a beautiful suspect (there is also much admiration of Devlin's looks--goes on and on). There were also some puzzling items. Like Gemma wanting to call Devlin but does not know his number (but he called her a couple of times). Also calling the library to get information in the newspaper archives (has she not heard of the internet). I give A Scone to Die For 3 out of 5 stars. Be aware that the novel contains British spelling of words (does not detract from novel). Some of the desserts (i.e.--sponge is a thin cake) mentioned are not what we are familiar with here in the United States (unless you watch the British Baking Show). I just felt A Scone to Die For was a superficial novel. There is not enough information on the characters and too much information on Devlin's good looks.

I received a complimentary copy of A Scone to Die For from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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