Daisy has a catering job to serve tea at a historic farmhouse, and is busy making the guests happy, but the grim reaper has other ideas and serves up a corpse as dessert. Daisy finds hostess dead and covered with clotted cream. Of course, Daisy is intrigued and caught up in the mystery. Her family problems might be put on hold for a bit while she delves into the murder. As usual, it’s an entertaining and well written story, and the family aspect continues to be interesting as the characters grow and their lives change. ( )

This book, Murder with Clotted Cream, is the 5th book in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series but is the first in the series for me. Overall, I enjoyed the story, particularly the tea shop and the theater elements, as well as the characters, particularly Daisy herself and her family and in particular, her budding romance.

However, as the first book I've read in this series, I had an unusually hard time keeping track of who's who among the secondary characters. I've gone back and obtained the first book in the series, Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes, and hope to get caught up with this series by the time the next book comes out.

Recommended but with the caveat that it didn't work as well as it ought to for someone jumping into the series with this book.

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

Murder with Clotted Cream is the 5th A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. Daisy Swanson has her hands full in this story. I thought the story contained good writing and it had steady pace. The characters are developed and continue to evolve as the series progresses. A Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series is character driven. Daisy has two children who are each going through different issues. There is also her mother, Rose and her aunt, Iris. I find the family experiences to be realistic and relatable. The author touches on PTSD, postpartum depression, and moving on after losing a spouse. Jazzi, Daisy’s youngest daughter, is reconnecting with her biological mother, but the husband has thrown a wrench in the works. I like how Daisy’s relationship with Jonas Croft is progressing. I was happy to see that they are not rushing matters. I enjoy the author’s descriptions of Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Her word imagery brings the town alive for me. I like that there are English and Amish elements. The mystery was stimulating. There are multiple suspects who could have committed the crime. There are threats made against Daisy that provides action and suspense. This was my favorite whodunit of the series. I will, though, be avoiding clotted cream! It was fun following Daisy as she asked questions and assembled the clues. There are mouthwatering descriptions of the food served at the tea shop and at the catered tea. I am amazed at the variety of tea blends available. The author even mentions tea blends that pregnant women can and cannot imbibe. My favorite line from Murder with Clotted Cream is, “Tea calms the soul.” Murder with Clotted Cream is an enjoyable cozy mystery that has theater theatrics, clotted cream, a bouncing baby, missing memories, and tasty teas. ( )

Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith is a 2020 Kensington publication.

An absorbing page turner!

In troubling times, it is often comforting to turn to something familiar. Some folks binge watch favorite series, others are re-reading favorite books instead of searching for something that will hold their divided, distracted attention. For me, I have found reading new installments in my favorite mystery series to be very calming and cathartic.

This book happens to be the latest chapter in one of my favorite series, and is also an upcoming release- a win-win! I am also happy to report this book not only held my attention, it kept me guessing from beginning to end!

In this fifth installment, Daisy accepts a catering job for Margaret Vaughn, who is hosting a tea for her theatre group. Margaret has recently moved back to Pennsylvania after pursuing a career in acting in New York. Now she is residing, with her millionaire husband, in her historic farmhouse.

Margaret isn’t exactly the warmest person, but when Daisy finds her body in the pantry, covered in clotted cream, she is shocked to the core- believing she might 'never view clotted cream the same way again'…

One of the great things about cozies is that they are 100% pure 'whodunits'. Trying to figure out who the culprit is and what the motive might be amongst the suspects is always challenging and fun. But the other great thing about cozies is checking in on the personal lives of the recurring characters, who over time begin to feel like old friends.

In this episode, Daisy is experiencing some anxiety due to the impending birth of her first grandchild, her mother’s odd behavior, and the prospect of her younger daughter’s first visit with her birth mother and her family.

The author does a magnificent job with balancing the mystery with the family drama. Both threads are interesting and compelling and kept me turning pages past my bedtime. I also appreciate the depth and maturity of this installment, which addresses some important mental health issues, without becoming too heavy. In fact, the writing here is so good, I’d go so far as to say this book would appeal to a broader audience, including those who enjoy contemporary or women's fiction.

The story has a few nice twists and some big surprises you won't want to miss out on.

Of course, it goes without saying, there are some delicious recipes included and I want to try all of them!!

Overall, this is another great addition to what has quickly become one of my very favorite cozy series. You can bet I will be the first in line for the next chapter! I can hardly wait!!

5 stars ( )

In this 5th Daisy Tea Garden mystery, Daisy has been asked to supply an afternoon tea to the amateur theater group by the owner/director Margaret Vaughn, a former NY actress. Everyone praises the tea however, just as things are winding down and dessert is about to be served, Daisy finds the hostess in the pantry dead - covered with clotted cream. As Daisy works to find out why Margaret was murdered, she is also welcoming her first grandchild and help her daughter with all the changes that are taking place in her life.

I love this series! The characters are so well-written and lifelike. I really which there was a Daisy's Tea Garden, my friends and I would be there often! ( )