There’s Always A Body With Theodosia Browning by Laura Childs

May 13, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Ming Tea Murder Normally I’m not a big fan of black-tie affairs. In fact, I usually don’t get all gussied up for all the tea in China. But tonight was different. I could hardly say no to my handsome, hunky boyfriend who’s the PR guy at the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, SC.

Unfortunately, the evening was problematic from the get-go. First of all, the crowd was enormous – all the museum’s big buck donors had come to see and celebrate the opening of an authentic Chinese tea house. There were beating drums, dancing dragons, lots of tea and Chinese dim-sum, and . . . something quite nasty, too.

Here’s the thing. All I did was peek into the photo booth that had been brought in for the amusement of the rich guests. But you know what I found inside? A body. That’s right, a dead body! And now everyone is running around like a bunch of frightened chickens. The police have cordoned off the premises, the detectives are questioning everyone, and it looks like my boyfriend is in danger of losing his job.

Obviously, this put me on high alert and I immediately started sniffing around for clues. Well, it didn’t take long to put together an entire roster of suspects. Now I just have to dig in, get smart, and question a bunch of slightly quirky people. Oh, and I have to run the Indigo Tea Shop as well, and honcho our Titanic Tea and our Tower of London Tea. And then there’s the big Halloween celebration in the Historic District.

To top things off, I’ve got an annoying newspaper reporter buzzing around me, the newly-minted widow is weeping on my shoulder with a case of full-blown hysterics, and now I’m hearing a hint of infidelity on the dead guy’s part.

How does this all turn out? I’d love to stick around and chat with you, but I think you’d enjoy the story even more if you read Ming Tea Murder for yourself!

Love,
Theodosia

You can read more about Theodosia in Ming Tea Murder, the 16th book in the “Tea Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Death By Darjeeling.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on May 20 for the chance to win a print copy of Ming Tea Murder. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Two lucky commenters will be randomly selected. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.

About the author
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, Gerry S and Scrapbook Mysteries, and a recent recipient of the Romantic Times Book Review’s Award for Best Amateur Sleuth. In her previous life, she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, enjoys fund-raising for various non-profit organizations, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

105 Comments

Jerri Cachero on May 13, 2015 at 1:24 am

Lovely series! Makes me want a steaming cup of Darjeeling, a fresh from the bakery maple pecan scone with a cherry white chocolate almond biscotti thrown in for later (make that two)! The only drawback to a tea shop book is that I’m sure I gain a couple of pounds with every book…who cares. LOL….I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Theo and Drayton get into and out of!! Thanks Dru and Laura for the giveaway!
Sha on May 13, 2015 at 1:26 am

Thanks for the giveaway. I absolutely adore this series!
Barbara Hawk on May 13, 2015 at 1:32 am

Sounds like a book I would enjoy! Thanks for the chance!
Heather U on May 13, 2015 at 1:41 am

My sister turned me on to this series. Would love to win so her and I could both read this one!!!
ktbeeblog on May 13, 2015 at 1:51 am

Yummy series. I definitely want to read this vol. I hope I win it, please.
Pamela Woodfield on May 13, 2015 at 2:17 am

I absolutely LOVE this series!! I’m always waiting for the next one to come out. What my Mom & I wouldn’t give to hang out at the Indigo Tea Shop! Would love to win this to go on the shelf next to all the others in this series.
Marilyn Watson on May 13, 2015 at 3:59 am

I haven’t read in this series yet but I would like to…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Cynthia E. Blain on May 13, 2015 at 4:12 am

I have loved this series and would be delighted to win this book. Thank you for the chance.
Jean Utley on May 13, 2015 at 5:07 am

I want to run off with Drayton!
- 4yesterday on May 13, 2015 at 8:19 pm
  
  Ha! That is funny!
Jess Dimovski on May 13, 2015 at 5:59 am

I love Theodosia and the gang. My first cozy mystery series which had me loving the genre.
Cozynookbks on May 13, 2015 at 6:09 am

I enjoy this series and would love to win the latest, Ming Tea Murder.
Erin Nelson on May 13, 2015 at 7:03 am

Love Laura!!! Thank you.
Debbie Carnes on May 13, 2015 at 7:23 am

Love the series and look forward to reading this one. Would LOVE to visit the tea shop 🙂
Lisa Brown on May 13, 2015 at 7:29 am

Great series, love it; thanks for the chance 🙂
loveamystery on May 13, 2015 at 7:35 am

I have read every one! It’s depleting my tea supply waiting for the next one but the cups are getting out.
Shelli King on May 13, 2015 at 7:41 am

This sounds so interesting!
homesteadingandhomeschoolingmom on May 13, 2015 at 7:52 am

Thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity!
Margo Sue on May 13, 2015 at 7:56 am

Looking forward to reading this
Valeria M. Hoffman on May 13, 2015 at 7:58 am

Always ready for a new author…
Lisa Cobb Sabatini on May 13, 2015 at 8:03 am

This story seems to call for a hot cup of lemon ginger tea and a comfy chair!
Amy Gill on May 13, 2015 at 8:06 am

Definitely one of Laura Childs’ best. I want to own a hard copy!
Kiki on May 13, 2015 at 8:20 am

Looks like great cozy mystery.
noraadrienne on May 13, 2015 at 8:36 am

G’morning Dru, my better half and I love this series and I’d love to hand my winning copy to her when it arrives.

Toss my hat into the contest ring please Dru.
Kathy Cook on May 13, 2015 at 8:43 am

Love both of her series. Scrapbooking and Tea.
Meg on May 13, 2015 at 8:54 am

Fabulous series! Always a twisty puzzle to solve.
Mary Jane H on May 13, 2015 at 9:13 am

Sounds delicious, thanks, Dru!
Judy Weaver on May 13, 2015 at 9:18 am

Have not read this author yet, but this sounds like a great read. Thanks!
Brian Frauenknecht on May 13, 2015 at 9:21 am

I absolutely love this series and Theodosia. I would love to win his book. I have them all and can’t wait for this one to come out.
griperang on May 13, 2015 at 9:31 am

Laura Childs is one of my favorite authors – thank you for the chance to win
Nancy Funkhouser on May 13, 2015 at 9:40 am

Love this series and I also love tea rooms or shoppes.
Sheila K. on May 13, 2015 at 9:48 am

I love the work of this talented writer—thanks for the chance to win a copy of her latest offering!
Robin L. Coxon on May 13, 2015 at 9:48 am

What a creative name, Theodosia. I love the fact there is tea involved in this mystery. robeader53@yahoo.com
Margaret Rushton on May 13, 2015 at 9:53 am

I have not read this series yet but it looks great. Do the books have tea facts in them?
Verna Gass on May 13, 2015 at 10:13 am

I came from a household strictly of coffee drinkers so tea was always a mystery to me. So a mystery with tea or a tea shoppe sounds perfect. Now that I have tried tea I love trying all the different kinds.
Love the cover too.
suekey12 on May 13, 2015 at 10:25 am

I’m ready to read more about the adventures of Theodosia. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Karen Candee on May 13, 2015 at 10:28 am

I too love this series! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!
Betty Hall on May 13, 2015 at 10:31 am

Thank you for the chance to win this book!
sallycootie on May 13, 2015 at 10:32 am

Sounds like a fast-paced humorous series I would love to read! Thanks for the chance to win.
Tamara Blackwell on May 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

Ming Tea Murder sounds like a fun read!
Christine Boles on May 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

My favorite series set in my favorite city, who could want anything more !
Sharon F. on May 13, 2015 at 10:43 am

I am so excited that Ming Tea Murder is almost here! It always seems way too long between books! 🙂
rochf on May 13, 2015 at 10:55 am

I’m addicted to this series–I read the teaser about this in the last book and can’t wait for the Ming Tea Murder.
elainee246 on May 13, 2015 at 11:01 am

I hadn’t heard of this series until recently. The books sound very good!
Patty Allen on May 13, 2015 at 11:06 am

I have not read this series yet, but plan on it now! Thanks for the chance to win a copy 🙂
Lynn Buddenbohm on May 13, 2015 at 11:07 am

I am a fan of Laura Childs and would love an opportunity to read this newest book. Thank you for the chance.
JoAn V. on May 13, 2015 at 11:09 am

I have enjoyed this series from it’s beginning. My mom was the one that started me reading this one and I thank every time a new one comes out. Thanks for the opportunity!
Terri Crossley on May 13, 2015 at 11:14 am

I really enjoy this series! I have always been a tea drinker but since this series I have enjoyed a variety of different teas! Thanks for the chance!
Alicia F on May 13, 2015 at 11:16 am

Another great series…. I love the tea facts.
Debbie Price on May 13, 2015 at 11:17 am

I love this series and cannot wait to read this new one!
Erin Nelson on May 13, 2015 at 11:31 am

Marvelous! ! Thank you again.
Lori Dodson on May 13, 2015 at 11:51 am

Can’t wait to read, would love a teas shop like this in my town!
Mari Krampach on May 13, 2015 at 11:55 am

I have read your books and love every one!
Libby Dodd on May 13, 2015 at 12:04 pm

First, congratulations on your blog award nomination! Well done.

Now to the story–a dead body at the big “do”? How rude.
Emiko on May 13, 2015 at 12:07 pm

I love this series!
peggy clayton on May 13, 2015 at 12:11 pm

Wow so good on your blog award nomination that is great! I can’t wait to read a tea shop mystery and just like the story I don’t like to get dressed up at all.
Sharon F. on May 13, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Dru, Congratulations on your award nomination! Love your blog!
Meg C on May 13, 2015 at 12:36 pm

This is one of the series that got me hooked on cozy mysteries and it remains one of my favorites to this day. I’ve been looking forward to reading this latest Tea Shop Mystery for months. Thanks for the chance to win.
John Mazur on May 13, 2015 at 12:45 pm

I haven’t read anything by Laura Childs, but this book catches my attention. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway.
carlrscott on May 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm

Great intro, drew me right in. I’d love to win a copy of Ming Tea Murder. Thanks.
Robin Wood on May 13, 2015 at 1:18 pm

Love this series! Read all the books! I’m a big fan of Laura Child’s!
tesst1 on May 13, 2015 at 1:23 pm

This is a great series. Thanks for the chance to win
Kelli Jo Calvert on May 13, 2015 at 1:24 pm

Ooh! I’d love to win! I love Laura Childs’ books!!
Nancy Turco on May 13, 2015 at 1:26 pm

Love Laura childs books.my fav. Is the tea series. Can’t wait to get this new one.
Eleanor Jones on May 13, 2015 at 1:26 pm

I adore this series. Gave the first one to my mom with tea a few Christmases ago and now she’s a reader too. Would love to win.
MaryAnn Forbes on May 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm

This sounds like a great read; thanks for the
opportunity to win it.📖📚
Barb Bristol Wiesmann on May 13, 2015 at 1:50 pm

I love everything Laura writes. If I saw her grocery list, I would read it, too, with enjoyment.
Desiree Boettcher on May 13, 2015 at 1:58 pm

My Mom just loves her tea shop books… and I would love to win this for her!!!
kansan4dogs on May 13, 2015 at 2:15 pm

This sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for the opportunity.
Patty Degmetich on May 13, 2015 at 2:52 pm

Sounds great would love to read. Thanks for the chance 🙂
Anita Miles on May 13, 2015 at 3:28 pm

I love her books I have them all
Pen M on May 13, 2015 at 4:32 pm

Sounds like a good one. I love her books. 😉
Nancy Roessner on May 13, 2015 at 4:51 pm

I know this is a delightful series and would love to read this one.
Annette on May 13, 2015 at 5:05 pm

This probably is my favorite series because it is consistently good. I sure would love to win a copy of this new edition to the series.
marylouh on May 13, 2015 at 5:42 pm

I’ve read all of this series and have enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next installment.
thanks.
Karen A on May 13, 2015 at 6:50 pm

I was a fan of this series before I knew what a cozy mystery was.
ladyjanel on May 13, 2015 at 6:58 pm

Just picked up the first five in this series. Hoping to read them soon. Thank you for the chance to win this book. 😀
Christi King on May 13, 2015 at 7:43 pm

I love this series…the characters are great. I would love to visit Charleston some time. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
4yesterday on May 13, 2015 at 8:17 pm

I have read all of these books – I would love to win this one as the library in my small town does not usually have the newer books. Judy McPherson
Jeanie Dannheim on May 13, 2015 at 8:23 pm

I haven’t read any of Laura Child’s Tea Shop mysteries yet, but would like to. This sounds so interesting!!
Rhonda on May 13, 2015 at 8:30 pm

Series sounds perfect for me.
Helen Kotowske on May 13, 2015 at 8:55 pm

One of the my first cozy series. I love tea and murder mysteries.
MaryB on May 13, 2015 at 9:05 pm

I love the Tea Shop Mysteries! Looking forward to this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
MaryBeth McKetchnie on May 13, 2015 at 9:29 pm

I love Theodosia Browning! Can’t wait to read “Ming Tea Murder”!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Jen on May 13, 2015 at 9:43 pm

Ming Tea Murder sounds like a great book! I love green tea so I am looking forward to reading this book.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Barbara Daley on May 13, 2015 at 10:05 pm

Love this series! Thanks for the opportunity!
Susan Clarkson on May 14, 2015 at 12:35 am

I love Laura Child’s tea mysteries. This looks like it is going to be another good one.
Tricia Conner on May 14, 2015 at 7:24 am

Wonderful look into Theo’s day! I love this series. It makes me wish I liked tea!
Karlene on May 14, 2015 at 8:46 am

I’d love to win this latest Theodosia Browning, and the Titanic Tea sounds like quite an event! (Will there be enough lifeboats?) Thanks for the chance to win.
Gloria Walshver on May 14, 2015 at 9:11 am

Sounds like a amazing book to read.
anne on May 14, 2015 at 10:08 am

This series is captivating.
Pat Walker Pinkston on May 14, 2015 at 3:49 pm

I’ve read all of the previous books in this series, and loved them. Looking forward to reading Ming Tea Murder.
cyn209 on May 14, 2015 at 11:24 pm

One of my favorite series!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
tlwalcher on May 15, 2015 at 10:16 pm

This is one of my favorite series. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Ming Tea Murder.
jagjhd on May 16, 2015 at 4:42 pm

I only have half of this series, but I am always on the lookout for Childs. Judy D.
Eva on May 17, 2015 at 2:17 pm

I love this series and can’t wait for the next one!
Lindar on May 17, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Oe my favorite series! Thanks for the giveaway.
Pam on May 17, 2015 at 2:34 pm

Sounds great! Thanks!
Kathy Cook on May 17, 2015 at 3:37 pm

If I ever get to visit Charleston I hope there is a Tea House like the one in Laura Childs books.
MaryAnn Forbes on May 17, 2015 at 5:44 pm

Love tea and a great mystery, thanks for the opportunity
to win.📖📚
Vickie Williams on May 17, 2015 at 6:19 pm

I love these books! I am on the wait list at my local library,,,can’t wait to read it
Jane Firebaugh on May 17, 2015 at 7:25 pm

I’d love to win it. 🙂
Karen Terry on May 18, 2015 at 5:57 pm

Sounds like a gooood one.
Darlene Peterson on May 18, 2015 at 7:57 pm

I’d love to win this one. This is one of my favorite series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Dru on May 20, 2015 at 5:07 am

contest is closed.