Theodosia Browning, proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop, often caters weekend parties and getting a hot air balloon ride at one of them is just an extra benefit. Unfortunately, things go seriously awry when a drone appears and sends a nearby hot air balloon crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion. Theodosia and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are horrified by the events - even more so when the fiance of one of their friends is a suspect. Theodosia doesn't initially intend to investigate, but she can't resist the desperate plea of a friend.

Charleston, South Carolina is a beautiful and historic city and the ideal place for the Indigo Tea Shop. I could easily imagine walking along the Battery and visiting the various shops there before stepping inside Theodosia's inviting little shop for a cup of freshly brewed tea. I love the various tea party themes too. After all, who wouldn't want to attend a Nancy Drew themed tea event?

The leisurely pace and exquisite use of language in BROKEN BONE CHINA are a perfect fit with Charleston as well. And oh, the characters! Drayton is so stuffy and yet so endearing that it's impossible not to love this technophobe. Theodosia is direct but polite, and I love her determination and ability to organize. Laura Childs does a marvelous job at creating likable characters that a new reader can jump right in and still enjoy.

BROKEN BONE CHINA is the twentieth book in the Tea Shop Mystery series. Despite being twenty books into the series, BROKEN BONE CHINA can easily be read on its own merits. This is the first book I've read in the series and I had no difficulty connecting with either the storyline or the characters. In fact, my only concern is why I've missed out on this fun and engaging series before now!