BOOK REVIEW: Death by Tea by Alex Erickson

Death by Tea (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #2)

by Alex Erickson (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 320 pages

Published November 24th 2015 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis: Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year’s book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock’s bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths—and send Krissy to the remainder bin forever.

   Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off at Death by Coffee, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.

   To clear her name and find the real killer, Krissy turns to an old flame, Officer Paul Dalton. But even Paul can’t ignore the trail of evidence that seems to point in her direction. And with Krissy’s personal nemesis, Officer John Buchannan, working overtime to pin the murder on her, it will take an amazing feat of detective work to close the book for good on an elusive killer. 

***

5 Stars

Death seems to follow Krissy Hancock around. In book one of this series, the murder happened inside the bookstore/cafe called Death by Coffee. And in this second offering by Alex Erickson the dead body is also found in the bookstore. Dueling bookclubs compete for the coveted silver teapot and in this quest for glory someone ends up dead.

Erikson weaves a very interesting mystery that takes our lead character down a few dead ends while having the police give her the third-degree even though they figure she is completely innocent since she had only met the dead man the day before. 

Sometimes you open your eyes and you think, "What? That's crazy." And then I remember that a whole lot in this world is crazy and that isn't unthinkable to have the police treat her in such a way. The man that she is most interested in, Officer Paul, son of the police chief, keeps his distance while a creepy officer is riffling through her underware drawer and threatens to throw her in jail at every turn. It is up to Krissy to solve the murder and clear herself and her reputation from the bloody stains of murder.

This book was great. I truly enjoyed all the twists and turns it took. I look forward to the next book in this author's arsenal. If you see the name Alex Erickson in a bookstore ile, definitely pick it up.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this title.