Lily Roberts owns Tea by the Sea, a teahouse in Cape Cod, which stands at the front of her grandmother's Victorian B&B, the best in their town of North Augusta. The B&B is full up of guests, most of them belonging to the Reynolds family who are there to celebrate their son Greg's marriage to Hannah Hill. Perhaps celebrate isn't the right word...

When the bridal shower is held at the tearoom, everything seems to be going splendidly until Hannah opens her last gift, which is a beheaded Raggedy Ann doll, which causes her to let out a scream. Prank or warning? At any rate, the shower is ruined, and Greg and Hannah retreat to the B&B so she can collect herself. But does that stop accusations from flowing? Not at all. It's well known that the Reynolds family does not like the Hills -- Hannah and her mother, Jenny -- but why? Finding out the reason isn't any of Lily's concern. Not until patriarch Ralph is murdered, and his mother and widow are accusing each other, and Jenny, of the crime. Not until her beloved tearoom and the B&B might get a negative reputation. Then Lily, her best friend Bernie, and grandmother Rose go into action. Hopefully, their investigation won't get any of them killed...

This is the fifth in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. The idea of a teahouse near Cape Cod sounds delightful. The food and tea sounds delicious. I love that the author can pull us into the story and make us want to visit. It's a talent, to be sure. We also have the lovely descriptions of the gardens, the B&B, and, of course, the tearoom, which are pleasant to read about.

The murder, which occurs near the front of the book (gratefully) gives us plenty of time to search for suspects and rule out those who had no reason to want him dead. Those people are few and far between. It turns out that Ralph not only had skeletons in his closet, some of them were walking around causing trouble to everyone. But that doesn't make someone a killer, does it?

There are plenty of twists and turns in this mystery, and a few red herrings along the way to keep things interesting. We follow along with Lily and Rose to try and put things together, and it's a fun way to spend an afternoon. I discovered the murderer right around the same time as Lily, but I still needed the motive -- which was given admirably -- to complete the tale. This is a wonderful cozy to read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I am looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. ( )

I absolutely love the Tea by the Sea series featuring Cape Cod tea shop owner, Lily Roberts and this fifth and latest installment certainly did not disappoint.

In this one, the tearoom is hosting a bridal shower and, naturally, many in the bickering family of the groom are staying at Lily's grandmother's B&B.

This series has one of the greatest cast of characters of any of the cozy mystery series I read and these colorful characters, including Lily's "author" friend Bernie, Lily's grandmother, Rose, and Simon, the British garden and Lily's love interest. These supporting characters really add to my enjoyment of these books.

Very highly recommended to those who love cozies!!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )

Tea by the Sea Mystery #5

If I want a cozy mystery I know I will be well serve reading any of Ms. Delany’s stories. Her tales are simple, well written and not taxing for those like I needing a pause from action packed thrillers that take your breath away. I did not read the precious books in this series and in no ways felt lost. The author smoothly blends in every player like you have known them forever.

The story in a few words:

The Reynolds and the Hill family are gathered at Tea by the Sea for Hannah Hill bridal shower. While sipping delicious tea the families shower her with presents ...until the last unwrapped gift contains a beheaded Raggedy Ann doll and triggers bloodcurdling scream....Then all hell breaks loose....even a murder.....

More thoughts:

This is a delectable tall with an English flair to it. Put together a party, a murder, waves crashing on the beach, add a sleuth and toss in sweet bake goods as a bonus the result is a clever story to enjoy while sipping Earl Grey and loosing yourself in another world....

Vicki Delany has provided us with a cute cozy mystery.

I received this ARC from Kensington Books via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it ( )