Mid-October in the charming Finger Lakes town of Gracious Grove means it’s time for the annual Fall Fling Townwide Tea Party. The highlight of the festivities is a roaming tea-tasting, which includes a stop at Auntie Rose’s Victorian Tea House. Sophie Taylor would like to share her enjoyment of the event with her sort-of boyfriend, English teacher Jason Murphy, but Jason’s dean has accused him of falsifying grades to help an athlete at the local college. Steamed and stressed, Jason shows up the night of the party with bags under his eyes.
But the dean shows up under Sophie’s Japanese Maple later that night, murdered, and now Jason is suspected of far worse than fudging grade reports. It’s up to Sophie, her Nana, and their friends the Silver Spouts to pore over the clues to find out who really decided to teach the dean a lesson.
About the Author:
There was never a time when I didn’t want to be a writer, and it was how I always defined myself. But even when I wasn’t writing — which at first was most of the time! — I was reading. Since the moment my mom handed me an Agatha Christie book when I was twelve, I’ve been a devoted mystery fan, and the passion lives on!
It may seem odd, then, that I started my writing career as a Regency romance author, gradually moving to the paranormal romance, and then historical mystery writing. I truly enjoyed my time writing romance, and I believe that it was the perfect training ground to force me to focus on creating character.
But the urge to write and become published in mystery still held me captive. I finally achieved my life’s dream with the publication of the first Vintage Kitchen Mystery in May of 2012.
Aside from writing, I have a lot of hobbies and passions. I collect vintage bowls, especially Pyrex and kitchen utensils. I also have a sizable collection of teacups. Cooking and baking muffins — of course! — are beloved pastimes. I have the best friends and family in the world, and I am passionately fond of tea and anything sweet, especially brownies 😉 I enjoy hobbies: crochet, cross-stitch, and beading, among other crafts.
But writing takes precedence over everything, and I truly love hearing from readers, treasuring the friends I’ve made over the years!
So… drop me a line anytime!
Review of The Grim Steeper
Review (4.5 Stars): I loved The Grim Steeper!! Sophie, Nana and Laverne are such magical characters and I learn so much about the world of tea whenever I visit them. This mystery involves Sophie’s boyfriend, Jason, who is under suspicion of changing a student’s grade and is in a lot of hot water. When the Dean of the University is found dead, Sophie must find a killer before Jason is found guilty of more than just changing grades.
Such a delightful cozy series and I enjoy every minute that I spend with these characters. This mystery was fun, smart and kept me guessing until the very end. Can’t wait to read book number four in the series.
