Introduction

It’s the week before Christmas as tea maven Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton, cater a fancy Victorian Christmas party for Miss Drucilla Heyward, one of Charleston’s wealthy doyennes. But smack dab in the middle of the Fa-la-la’s, Miss Drucilla is murdered, her gold rings stolen off her fingers, and a genuine Renoir snatched off the wall.

The police come screaming in while Theodosia peers speculatively at the guests and wonders – whodunit? Urged on by Miss Drucilla’s personal assistant, Theodosia runs a shadow investigation on suspects that include wealthy neighbors, a handyman named Smokey, an unscrupulous art dealer, and the executive directors of two local charities who were in line for donations.

As Theodosia continually finds herself in hot water, she also hosts numerous holiday tea parties, stumbles upon a second dead body, and shelters a cadre of homeless dogs who come to her rescue in the end. This Tea Shop Mystery is written with pacing, plot twists, and action reminiscent of a thriller and is liberally sprinkled with the magic of Christmas.

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Excerpt

Theodosia bounded down Price’s Alley, her dog, Earl Grey, running beside her. This was one of the narrow, hidden lanes that catacombed its way through Charleston’s famed Historic District. Listed on the Historic Register, Price’s Alley was too narrow for cars, was paved with antique flagstones, and boasted tall brick walls festooned with hanging ivy. And it was dark as a coal bin. Nobody would see her as she slipped along . . . ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

What was most exciting about the opening of Twisted Tea Christmas? Did the murder mystery get off to a fast start? Did the description of Miss Drucilla’s death prickle the hairs on the back of your neck?

Does the author create enough of a “sense of place” that you could picture the Victorian mansion all decked out for Christmas? What about the guests and music? How about later on at the Indigo Tea Shop with Theodosia, Drayton, and Haley?

Did you feel there were enough suspects to investigate? Were there enough twists and turns in the mystery?

Did you enjoy reading about all the holiday teas with their menus and décor? How about the different varieties of tea that were mentioned? How about the Fried Coffee Cake, Lobster Hush Puppies, Lemon Cream Scones, and Egg Nog? Since the author includes the recipes, would you try making them?

Do you think the city of Charleston serves as a sort of character in the story?
Did you like the descriptions of the harbor, narrow lanes, and stately homes?

Did you enjoy the fact that the author combined mystery with humor?

Do you think Theodosia is able to balance her busy tea shop life with her personal life as well as find time to be an amateur detective? Do you think most working women are able to achieve a good sense of balance? In not, why not?

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