Broken Bone China (A Tea Shop Mystery)

Product Description

Theodosia Browning serves tea and solves crimes in Charleston, a city steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

It is Sunday afternoon, and Theodosia and Drayton are catering a formal tea at a hot-air balloon rally. The view aloft is not only stunning, they are also surrounded by a dozen other colorful hot-air balloons. But as the sky turns gray and the clouds start to boil up, a strange object zooms out of nowhere. It is a drone, and it appears to be buzzing around the balloons, checking them out. 

As Theodosia and Drayton watch, the drone, hovering like some angry, mechanized insect, deliberately crashes into the balloon next to them. An enormous, fiery explosion erupts, and everyone watches in horror as the balloon plummets to the earth, killing all three of its passengers.

Sirens scream, first responders arrive, and Theodosia is interviewed by the police. During the interview she learns that one of the downed occupants was Don Kingsley, the CEO of a local software company, SyncSoft. Not only do the police suspect Kingsley as the primary target, they learn that he possessed a rare Revolutionary War Union Jack flag that several people were rabidly bidding on.

Intrigued, Theodosia begins her own investigation. Was it the CEO’s soon-to-be ex-wife, who is restoring an enormous mansion at no expense? The CEO’s personal assistant, who also functioned as curator of his prized collection of Americana? Two rival antiques’ dealers known for dirty dealing? Or was the killer the fiancée of one of Theodosia’s dear friends, who turns out to be an employee—and whistle-blower—at SyncSoft?

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

Review

Praise for Broken Bone China“Tea-related recipes and a list of tea resources round out a volume sure to appeal to cozy fans.” —
Publishers Weekly
Praise for the New York Times bestselling Tea Shop mysteries“Familiar, well-drawn characters, the lovingly described Charleston setting, details about tea and running a tea shop, and a final plot twist make this cozy a nice addition to the long-running series. Certain to appeal to readers who enjoy southern settings, tea, and strong women protagonists.”—
Booklist
“Murder suits [Laura Childs] to a Tea.”—
St. Paul (MN) Pioneer Press

“Tea lovers, mystery lovers, [this] is for you. Just the right blend of cozy fun and clever plotting.”—Susan Wittig Albert, 
New York Times bestselling author

“A love letter to Charleston, tea, and fine living.”—
Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Laura Childs is the
New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, New Orleans Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1
 
Red and yellow flames belched from propane burners, inflating the hot-air balloon to heroic proportions and propelling it skyward. High above the grassy flats of Charleston’s Hampton Park, the balloon joined a half dozen others as they bumped along on gentle currents, looking like a supersized drift of colorful soap bubbles.
 
“This is amazing,” Theodosia cried out to Drayton as the wind blew her auburn hair into long streamers. “Almost as good as sailing or jumping a horse.” Her blue eyes sparkled with merriment, and a smile lit up her face as she reveled in her first-ever balloon ride.
 
With her fine complexion, natural endowment of hair, and pleasing features, Theodosia Browning was the apotheosis of what Lord Byron might have described as an English beauty in one of his novels. She was, however, modest to a fault and would have blushed at the very thought.
 
“Is this not the coolest thing you’ve ever done?” Theodosia asked as blips of exhilaration filled her heart.
 
“No, it’s terrifying,” Drayton Conneley responded. He’d wedged himself into the