Theodosia, Drayton, and Haley are back in the 26th Tea Shop Mystery buzzing about their tea party guests at their Honeybee Tea being held in the lovely Petigru Park. Holly Burns from the Imago Gallery is hosting the party to drum up more business, but when a nearby beekeeper turns his toxic fumes on the party guests, chaos ensues and Theodosia finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery in HONEY DROP DEAD.

When the fumes settle, Theodosia realizes the beekeepers’ ploy was a diversion tactic to murder a local politician, Osgood Claxton III. Claxton was well known for taking bribes and ruffling a few feathers in the business community. The tea party is ruined and the paintings on display are damaged. Gallery owner, Holly Burns, is devastated and asks Theodosia to solve the mystery and save her gallery’s reputation. As Theodosia starts investigating, she realizes Caxton had more than a few enemies, including an angry ex-wife, a political opponent, an up-and-coming artist, and a former suspected mistress. Theo’s sleuthing takes her on a crazy chase which includes a boat ramming, a shop break-in, a secluded farm, and a showdown with an angry bull. Can Theodosia and the gang solve this latest mystery while pulling off some fabulous tea events and staying safe in the Holy City of Charleston, SC?

This long-running New York Times bestselling mystery series shows no signs of slowing down. HONEY DROP DEAD is the latest installment and includes all the charm, mystery, action, and ambiance readers come to expect from a Laura Childs mystery. Theodosia is one of my favorite sleuths. With an entrepreneurial spirit, she runs a highly successful tea shop where she comes across a myriad of colorful characters who hide their secrets well. Theodosia is whip-smart and resourceful, diving headfirst into mysteries that often land her and Drayton in precarious situations. Set in Charleston, SC,  the mysteries always have great atmosphere, and Childs’ details about food, tea, historical places, and events add a special depth to her mysteries. HONEY DROP DEAD is well-plotted with an interesting set-up for the murder and a fabulous ending where Theodosia and Drayton are facing death at the hands of a maniacal killer. Childs has a formula that works and HONEY DROP DEAD is another highly entertaining mystery that readers can enjoy with a good cup of tea!  Recipes, scone tips, and Tea Time tips are included!