Book of The Day ~ Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs

Book of The Day ~ Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs

Hello members of Travel / Food / Wine Book Reviews and anyone else who stumbles upon this review.

"It pleases me so when I sip orange pekoe/ such color with taste crisp and clean"

Robert Ford, "Tea"

I‘ve loved mysteries since I was a little girl. My Gramma introduced me to the joys of Agatha Christie and Erle Stanley Gardner and over the years, I've added to many sleuths both amateur and professional to my bookshelves. Laura Childs has a series of murder mysteries set in Charleston, South Carolina's historical district and presided over by Indigo Tea Shop owner, Theodosia Browning. "Blood Orange Brewing" is the seventh book in the series. Each of the books are peopled with Theo and her tea shop assistants, Drayton and Haley. Haley is a gifted baker and Drayton is a tea-blending wizard. Like most cozy mysteries, you need to watch out for those business people who are new to town, and it is probably best if you don't befriend Theo, because your murder might be next on the list. People around her do not have a good track record.

In this particular story, The Indigo Tea Shop folks are catering another fund-raising event at which one of the guests will be murdered. This time, it is for the Historical Society and retired businessman and full-time philanthropist, Duke Wilkes appears to have meddled where he shouldn't have as he gets stabbed with a Civil War era dirk just before the tea sandwiches and blood orange tea is served.


What I Liked

One of the things I like about Laura Childs' writing is that it is clear and easy to read, while imparting tea knowledge, recipes, Charleston history and flavor, as well as dealing with news topics of the day. Since it would spoil the surprise ending, I won't get specific about the current events.

Coincidentally, the story takes place in early autumn, which it is as I am reading and I find the fall flavors and scents to be quite mouth watering. The food and tea serve almost as another character and are given prominence throughout the story. Conveniently, several of the recipes for items served in the tea shop during this story are included in the special section in the back of the book. I can't wait to try out the sweet potato muffins and the low country black bean soup. There are also tea making and tea party ideas and tips.

It would be great to have a tea party using the recipes in the book and discuss the book with your friends.

Although series stores can begin to sound alike and there s always the need to reintroduce continuing characters and plot lines, Childs does this very unobtrusively and "Blood Orange Brewing" could easily be read as a stand alone.


What I Didn't Like

Since food and drink play such a major role in Childs' books, I always finish them not only hungry for more of her writing, but also for food; lots of food. In this book alone they catered the fund-raiser, a political campaign tea party, attended an oyster roast, as well as setting the menu for day to day operations of the tea shop. I need food and I need it now!


Final Recommendation

"Blood Orange Brewing" is a fast paced murder mystery with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. I learned more about Charleston and tea. And Theo helped catch the killer, much to the dismay of her detective friend, Officer Tidwell. Well done!


If you liked this book review, you might like to read some of my other book reviews which you can find by clicking on this link.

2008 © Susan K Barton

Book Description
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (March 6, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 042521057X
ISBN-13: 978-0425210574
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches