Dru’s Short Musing:
Naomi’s investigative prowess helped solve the small mysteries on the island, but will it help with the decades-old murder case? Is she up to the challenge? You’ll have to read this culinary delight to find out.

This was a multi-plot storyline that delivered the authenticity of the characters portrayed in this whodunit that blends the past events with the present day telling of this drama. The action-packed mystery simmered ever so lightly teasing us with what’s to come as the steady pacing of this saga reached its climatic rise to the top. With visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue and an island atmosphere so serene, the story put me in the middle of all the non-stop action as I followed the clues and added twists that kept me in the game. The author did a great job in making us feel the heart of the story with its quirky cast of characters who had roles that were pivotal in how this drama was being told. When I thought I knew what was going on, the author changed direction all to enhance my reading pleasure. What I enjoyed most was watching Naomi solve the small mysteries which connected her to the original mystery surrounding Ursula Merchant. When all was said and done, this was a beautiful and well-written tale, and I look forward to more adventures with Naomi and her friends.

Series: A Caribbean Island Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: April 21, 2026
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Book Synopsis:
Culinary journalist Naomi Sinclair is cooking up a maelstrom of trouble upon her return to the blue waters of her native Saint Thomas.

A new cozy mystery set in the US Virgin Islands, this charming amateur sleuth will enrapture readers of Joanne Fluke and Carrie Doyle.

Food journalist Naomi Sinclair doesn’t expect a side of murder with her passion fruit juice. But when her return to Saint Thomas heralds a series of troubling cases, ranging from petty theft to cold-blooded murder, that threaten her tight-knit community, that is exactly the kind of unsavory treat she must sink her teeth into.

Luckily for her neighbors, Naomi is as adept at solving puzzles as rolling johnnycake dough—a good thing, since her island community, though small, keeps serving up plenty of trouble. With the help of her friends and her crush, Mateo, Naomi must navigate the tumultuous turquoise waters of life in the Caribbean, all as her beloved father battles an illness that keeps tugging her back to her island amid her rising career stateside.

Rich with mouthwatering recipes, lush landscapes, and a hefty dose of fun under the sun, The Bush Tea Murder has all the ingredients to make up the perfect beach read.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.