***** An Exciting Tea Room Adventure – Review By Rox Burkey
SUMMARY
A year has passed since Caroline McCluskey’s friends travelled to Magnolia Bluff for their annual retreat. During their short stay, an unknown sniper made several attempts to create chaos and ruin their trip. Caroline sent her lifelong friends home in order to protect them.
In Linda Pirtle’s Book 37, The Book Swap and Tea Room Murder, the would-be killer turned arsonist is still at large. Caroline finds a mysterious bouquet someone left on her front porch. The vase, filled with black and white roses, serves as the catalyst for the plot. Each rose sports a tag with a name of one of Caroline’s fellow Magnolians. Black roses represent the names of the deceased. White roses represent those who remain on the killer’s list. A yellow cardstock piece of paper accompanied the bouquet. On it, were the words: “Your time is coming. Wait for it.”
Caroline teams up with her best friend Magnolia Nadine to seek justice for those who are dead and to protect those who are alive. Could the psychopath posing as the Grim Ripper be someone they know?
REVIEW
Dive into the thrilling world of ‘Book Swap and Tea Room Murder,’ the latest installment by Linda Pirtle in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. This captivating cozy mystery revolves around Caroline McCluskey, who finds herself in a race against time after receiving a chilling bouquet of black and white roses. Each flower bears the name of a local, with the black roses marking those already lost to mysterious circumstances and the white ones pointing to possible future victims—one of whom might be Caroline herself. Joining her side is her spirited best friend, Magnolia Nadine.
Linda Pirtle does a fabulous job of portraying their friendship, merging humor, support, and unyielding determination as they navigate the twists and turns of this gripping plot. They embark on a daring investigation filled with suspense, unexpected revelations, and a few hilarious moments that only longtime friends can appreciate. This well-written mystery is a must-read. It’s not just the thrilling chase to uncover the truth behind the bouquet but also the strong bonds of friendship that shine throughout the narrative.
Caroline and Magnolia’s loyalty to each other brings warmth to the suspense, reminding readers of the power of camaraderie in the face of danger. With quirky characters, a dash of romance, and plenty of head-scratching moments, this page-turner promises to keep you on your toes. Hey Mystery Fans, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and join Caroline and Magnolia as they unravel a web of secrets that could lead to justice—or their demise!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deadly Dominoes: Best of Texas Award Winner for Cozy Mysteries.
It is only natural that I would one day wind up in the literary field. I taught the art of writing and understanding literature for years as an English teacher at St. John High School, Lancaster High School, and Ennis High School as well as Business Communications at Navarro College.
When I retired, I turned my attention to working with my husband to create and build Venture Galleries, a book publishing company. Our website, CalebandLindaPirtle.com is a literary Website devoted to connecting readers with today’s growing population of authors worldwide. I have served as editor for some great books presently in the marketplace, and a year ago I entered the field as an author myself.
It was a perfect transition. I have long read and reviewed mysteries, and I found myself infatuated with the kinds of cozy hometown mysteries produced by Agatha Christie and Diane Mott Davidson. I am fascinated with dastardly murder mysteries solved by the lady next door who relies on intuition, instinct, and deductive reasoning.
I decided to write cozy mystery series.
The Games We Play Series: The series focuses on how people bent on evil can ruin an innocent, fun game.
Book 1, The Mah Jongg Murders.
Book 2, Deadly Dominoes.
Book 3, Tarot Terrors.
Book 4, Scrabbled Secrets.
The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles: All of the action occurs in Magnolia Bluff, a small town in the Texas Hill Country. This series is a cooperative effort of a group of authors who call themselves the Underground Authors. Members of the group are CW Hawes, James Callan, Charles Breakfield, Roxanne Burkey, Joe Congel, Cindy Davis, K.D. McNiven, Kelly Marshall, Caleb Pirtle, Linda Pirtle, Richard Schwindt, Jinx Schwartz, and Rob and Joan Carter. To date, I have written two novels for this series.
Book 7, The Dewey Decimal Dilemma.
Book 10, The Dog Gone Diamond Dilemma
I have been blessed with the following recognitions: Nominated as Top Female Author 2017; Author of the Month, KC Books and Music; and selected as a Readers Favorite for Deadly Dominoes.
email: lsgp2019@yahoo.com
lsgpirtle@gmail.com
Calebandlindapirtle.com
Linda.pirtle.10@facebook.com
twitter@LindaPirtle1
Linda Pirtle is a member of the Underground Authors group and excels at writing cozy mysteries. BOOK SWAP AND TEA ROOM MURDER is her latest–Book #37 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. If you love non-stop action and head-scratching mysteries, this book supplies plenty of both. The personalities of the quirky characters are engaging and keep the story moving at a fast clip, so hang on and enjoy the barrage of bullets, deception and a satisfying conclusion.
Another great mystery in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles series. This one, authored by Linda Pirtle, is triggered by Carolyn McClusky receiving a bouquet of roses. They’re normally supposed to inspire love and hope, but NOT! Half the bouquet are white roses, the other half black. Each is labeled with a name. Black refers to the people–locals–who’re deceased under mysterious circumstances. The names on the whites flowers…hmm, I guess they’re predictions of the future.
Of course, her name is on the list, along with those of several friends and cohorts, so, to Carolyn, there’s nothing to stop her from beginning her own investigation. I see trouble coming. Anyone else?
When danger approaches, they take cover, vowing to ‘stay together’ for protection at Circle C Ranch outside of Magnolia Bluff. Mike talks Carolyn into a trip to his mom’s ranch where they learn interesting information about the person Carolyn suspects is responsible.
As they’re headed back to Circle C, the suspense amps up as Mike’s car is run into a step ravine. The next day when the wreck is discovered, they find Carolyn badly injured, and the driver dead.
Question. Carolyn left the ranch with Mike. He was in the car when they crashed. So, who is the dead person? Where is Mike?
There are numerous subplots throughout Book Swap and Tea Room Murder, one in particular that’s intriguing. Mary Lou Fight, nemesis to many in Magnolia Bluff, has taken an interest in children, reading to them at a local event. What’s up with that?
Linda Pirtle’s latest addition to the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles follows Caroline McCluskey, as well as her best friend Magnolia Nadine, as they attempt to unravel the mysteries and secrets surrounding the deaths of several of their friends, as well as discovering who is threatening to kill them and many of their loved ones. Along the way, Caroline ponders the romantic overtures of two of Magnolia Bluff’s most eligible bachelors. With help from many friends and colleagues, the murderer is finally revealed and brought to justice.
