Tea Cups and Carnage - Blog Tour Review + Giveaway

Tea Cups and Carnage (A Tourist Trap Mystery) by Lynn Cahoon
Rating: Very Good
Source: Blog Tour
Description:  The kettle's about to boil over...
The quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee.  But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there's nothing cozy about murder...
Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family.  But is she telling the truth?  And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove?  When a woman claiming to be Kathi's sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi's name - without getting herself in hot water.  (from Goodreads)

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a mystery series that I've enjoyed since the first book.  I always look forward to catching up with Jill and seeing what trouble she gets herself into!

My Impression:  This series just keeps getting stronger!  I know when I settle in to a Tourist Trap mystery from Lynn Cahoon that it's going to be like a visit with old friends in a town I always enjoy visiting and this book was no different.  In fact we have a new resident and new business owner, Kathi Corbin, who is excited to be opening a tea supply shop right across the street from Jill's store.  The men in town are already head over heels for the former beauty queen and Jill is busy thinking up business partnership ideas.  Also happening is a new festival designed to get more tourists int he middle of the week, the inaugural launch of the new food truck, and setting up for a library fundraiser.  Add in some missing business funds and Jill is about run off her feet. Into all the festival chaos a couple of bikers make themselves heard and when one of them turns up dead Jill and her detective and boyfriend Greg have even more on their plate.
I liked the introduction of Kathi and Ivy into the world of South Cove and hope we'll see more of them in the future.  It was also nice to see Greg and Jill's relationship continue to progress as well as her relationship with Sasha and her attempting to take on more of a leadership role in the business of running her store.  I also really enjoyed seeing Sadie's son Nick as a side character in his own right instead of just Sadie's son and seeing a more human side to Lille was a treat.
The mystery itself was interesting and while I had little hints about what was happening and had made a pretty good guess I hadn't figured out all the ins and outs.  I would have liked a little more resolution regarding the missing funds.  It was explained but it felt a little like it was just being quickly tied up to get out of the way.
Regardless of that tiny issue I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I have a hard time reading much when school is out with all the distractions but I flew through this book in just over a day and it really felt like catching up with old friends.  I can't wait to read the next book!

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Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely!  I'm already looking forward to the next book!

Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely!  If you enjoy cozy mysteries do not miss this series!  I do recommend you start with the first book so you really get to know the characters and the town.