Murder at the Lemonberry Tea

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea is the perfect getaway read and one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve read this year.

• Series: A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery (Book Six)

• Written by: Darci Hannah

• Published by: Kensington Cozies

• Publication date: November 26, 2024

• Mystery type: Cozy mystery

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea is the sixth book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. The series features an amateur sleuth named Lindsey Bakewell, who bought a run-down but iconic lighthouse in small-town Beacon Harbor, Michigan and converted it into a bakery. Lindsey has a knack for making pastries and solving mysteries.

In Murder at the Lemonberry Tea, Lindsey hosts a tea party and baking demonstration at her lighthouse bakeshop. The star of the event is a British celebrity chef/cookbook author named Vivi Lemonberry. Vivi has had some bad press and wants to re-launch her career; the first stop on this journey is the Beacon Bakeshop.

Unfortunately for Lindsey, nothing goes according to plan. Vivi turns out to be a dramatic diva who rubs everyone the wrong way. Then, a scandalous event and a shocking murder occur after a Bakewell tart demonstration. The event officially goes sour, and Lindsey ends up sifting through clues and putting the squeeze on suspects.

I loved Murder at the Lemonberry Tea. It is definitely one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year. The sunny summer setting on the beach near the pure, blue waters of Lake Michigan makes this book feel like a getaway. The tea party/baking demonstration provides the perfect backdrop for the mystery, and the writing is delightful throughout.

Author Dacri Hannah does a nice job of providing cozy descriptions and balancing suspense with light-hearted moments at the bakery. A subplot involving Lindsey’s British friend Kennedy and Kennedy’s family creates moments of humor and drama. The same is true of celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry, whose big personality steals almost every scene she is in.

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea concludes with six related (and doable) recipes from the Beacon Bakeshop, including several yummy lemon recipes. I have tried the Delightful Lemon Scones recipe (twice) and thoroughly enjoyed making and eating the scones. I’m looking forward to trying the rest of the recipes.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reading copy of Murder at the Lemonberry Tea. I chose to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

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