So there I was, at the opening of the Neptune Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina. A private party for big buck donors where I’d been tapped to cater tea and scones. That’s what I do, you see. I’m the proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop, a cozy little place with tea tins stacked floor-to-ceiling, stained glass windows, and a stone fireplace.
Taking a break from the party, I ducked out to view the Ocean Wall exhibit, an enormous tank filled with huge ocean-going fish. I’m minding my manners, sipping my tea, and leaning against the glass. When, suddenly, I sensed a subtle pecking. I turned around and stared into the tank. And for a few moments I’m not sure what I’m looking at. The thickness of the glass magnified and distorted whatever creature was peering at me.
Then my eyes focused and a face bobbed close to mine! A human face! With papery white skin leached of color and eyes rolled back so far only the whites were visible! I clapped a hand over my mouth, horrified but unable to look away. My darting eyes took in the entire bizarre scene of a man gently bobbing in the tank, hopelessly entwined in some kind of net. His facial expression was a death grimace. Then, a floating, almost disembodied hand slowly rose up and scratched tentatively at the glass.
Oh no! Please, no!
My world lurched crazily on its axis. Because, bizarrely, I recognized the signet ring on the dead man’s left hand! It belonged to my former boyfriend!
“Parker?” I gasped, as my legs turned to jelly and I sank to my knees. My respiration came in short, biting gasps and I felt close to blacking out.
Balling both hands into fists, I beat futilely against the glass wall. How could this happen? My former boyfriend bobbing like a cork before my very eyes!
Clawing at the glass, I let out a moan as Parker’s body twisted in the netting that wrapped around him, scattering fish like frightened lemmings. Could they sense his death, too? Did they feel my shock and dread?
It was only when a moray eel made a lazy circle about Parker’s head that I thought to scream out loud.
You can read more about Theodosia in AGONY OF THE LEAVES, the 13th book in the “Tea Shop” mystery series. The first book in the series is Death By Darjeeling.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of AGONY OF THE LEAVES to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends March 17. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author:
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. Agony Of The Leaves, her newest Tea Shop Mystery, publishes on March 6, 2012. Visit Laura at www.laurachilds.com
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Thank you for the chance to win this book. I love Laura Childs and have all of her books, she is who got me started reading cozy mysteries.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
I just recently started this series and am enjoying it. Looking forward to the latest. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com.
Ms. Childs can certainly pull you into a story. I can’t wait to get to this one. I love this series.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
I love Theodosia. Would love to win this book.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the Tea Shop Mysteries… Theo is usually much more calm about finding dead bodies. I guess seeing one “swimming with da fishes” was just a little too much.
I own about half the series and would love to add this one to my collection.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Laura Childs’ teashop series, and hope to get this book soon to read! (Winning it would be great, of course!)
lovesdogsandbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is such a great series! I don’t think I’ll want to visit the aquarium at the MOA in MN any time soon………
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I love, love, love this series–I’
m just finishing Scones and Bones, and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
What a tantalizing excerpt! Can’t wait to read more–love the Tea Shop Mysteries! 🙂 slatterye at gmail dot com
Wow, that is a scary scene! It’s been too long since I’ve visited the Indigo Tea Shop!
I love mysteries. I love tea (all kinds). I love tea shops. And, I love this series! Thanks for the great post! Looking forward to the newest book in the Tea Shop Mysteries series!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
This short description of the book makes me want to read it—dead ex-boyfriend should make it interesting fo Theodosia.
sue farrell.farrell@gmail.com
Love Laura Childs! Thanks for the giveaway.
summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com
I also have to say that I love this series. Both the characters and the setting have endless appeal.
fla_redhead@hotmail.com
You got me at “tea and scones.” Just discovered one of your paperbacks and it’s on my reading list, but this one sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to win a copy.
judydee22002 @ yahoo dot com
Seems like a great book. Love it when I find a new author.
xzjh04(at)gmail(dot)com
Laura Childs is the master of cozy mysteries. I love her tea shop series.
Thank you for the chance to win this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I discovered these books a year ago and I’ve been catching up on the series. I would love to add this one to my collection.
I have not heard of these…sounds like a great addition to my collection
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
This is one of my all time favorite series. I really enjoy Theodosia, Drayton, Haley and all of the characters in the teashop mysteries. Definitely love Earl Grey! He’s a total sweetheart. Agony of the Leaves looks like a great new adventure. I can’t believe Theo found Scully’s body. I never expected that scenario. Can’t wait to read it & see what happens. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
another Add to my WishList!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Tea + books. Could there be a better combination? Sounds like a fun series! (:
s h a k e s p e a r e a n l o v e r 1215 AT yahoo DOT com