Book 66, 2021

Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I had very little of my work book yet to read, so I brought it home with me and finished it this evening. I read Gunpowder Green, which is the second book in Laura Childs' "Tea Shop" mystery series, featuring tea shop owner Theodosia Browning.

Theodosia joins members of Charleston's society at the annual yacht race. As the yachts make their final push to the finish, the antique pistol that was meant to signal the end of the race misfires and kills Oliver Dixon. Theo is one of the first people to reach him, but it is too late for Dixon. The sad event is chalked up to a bizarre accident, but Theodosia can't help but think it was murder. There were plenty of people who stood to gain from Oliver's death, including his new bride, Doe. As the police start to take a closer look, they hone in on Ford Cantrell, with whom Oliver had quarreled the day of the race. When Ford's sister begs Theodosia to clear her brother's name, Theo starts looking into the matter in earnest. With the help of her friends, Theo aims to flush out a killer before anyone else is harmed.

I bought a bunch of these books at a second-hand store, and now I'm sort of regretting it. They're okay for the most part, but not my favorite cup of tea. Heh. The characters are portrayed well, and the mystery was nifty, but the resolution was almost more appropriate for an episode of Scooby Doo. Once again, the author drove me batty by calling a character by first-name last-name far too often. In this case, it was Lizbeth Cantrell this and Lizbeth Cantrell that. Introduce her as Lizbeth Cantrell, then refer to her simply as Lizbeth. Guh.

Favorite line: Because not one of those good old boys was smart enough to find his backside in the hall of mirrors at high noon.

Average read, average score