Proprietor of the Indigo Tea Shop
I’ve never been a wine connoisseur, since tea is my forte – fragrant Darjeelings, malty Assams, and my current favorite, a house-blended orchid plum tea.
On the other hand, I’m enjoying myself here at Knighthall Winery’s rather upscale wine tasting. And Drayton, my right hand man and tea expert at the Indigo Tea Shop, is steering me toward an enormous trestle table where wine bottles beckon like shiny beacons and attentive waiters fill glasses.
Drayton handed me a flute of white wine. “This is Knighthall’s White Shadow,” he said.
I took a small sip and found the wine utterly delicious. Crisp and aromatic, with hints of apples and citrus. Not unlike a fine Oolong.
“Good,” I told him.
“And here’s our genial host,” said Drayton. Jordan Knight, the owner of Knighthall Winery came bounding up to greet us.
“Congratulations on a fine turnout,” I told him. Jordan had a shock of white hair and slightly pink complexion. He’d removed his jacket and his manner veered between nervous and ebullient.
“I’m pretty sure I just convinced the owner of the Lady Goodwood Inn to carry my wine,” Knight chortled.
“Well done,” said Drayton.
“Your winery appears to be thriving,” I told Knight. Being a business owner myself, I know how difficult it is for a company to succeed, let alone flourish in today’s tough economy.
“We’re starting to gain traction,” Knight responded. “And my son is currently negotiating a major deal with a Japanese distributor.” He gazed about distractedly. “You’ve met my son, Drew?”
I nodded. “I’d love to say hello to him. Is he here tonight?”
“Drew’s around somewhere,” Knight said as he scanned the crowd. “No doubt managing behind-the-scenes activity.” Now he glanced nervously at his watch.
“Relax,” Drayton told him. “This is your big night.”
Knight grimaced. “I’m worried about my presentation.”
“What is that?” I inquired politely.
“In about two minutes,” said Knight, “we’re going to do a special barrel tasting of our Cabernet reserve.” He flashed a hopeful smile. “I’m calling it Knight Music.”
“Catchy,” I told him.
“We’re pinning all our hopes on this,” said Knight. “Going for broke.”
“Good luck to you,” I said, as Knight hurried away.
Drayton and I edged their way slowly through the crowd toward a makeshift stage where two workers rolled out an enormous oak barrel.
Then Jordan Knight vaulted to the stage and the crowd hushed and pressed forward.
“Thank you all for coming,” said Knight. “This is a proud moment.” He clasped a hand to his chest. “We’ve labored long and hard to cultivate grapes in South Carolina.”
There was a spatter of applause.
“Our newest vintage, Knight Music, which you are about to taste, would never have been possible without a lot of hard work.” Jordan extended a hand toward a red-haired woman. “My wife, the lovely Pandora Knight, and my son, Drew Knight.” He smiled as his eyes searched the crowd for Drew. When he didn’t find him, he said, “Though my son seems to be missing in action at the moment.”
There were chuckles from the crowd.
As Jordan continued his speech, two workers began to tap the large barrel of wine. They fumbled, trying to get a spigot going, but nothing seemed to work.
“Of course,” said Jordan, playing to the crowd, “our winery is not without problems – as you can plainly see.”
One of the workers tilted the large barrel onto its edge. The other worker, frustrated and brandishing a crowbar, suddenly popped off the round, wooden top. The heavy lid went airborne, spinning like an errant Frisbee, and hit the stage with a loud bang. At that same moment, the entire barrel seemed to teeter dangerously.
“Whoa!” Jordan shouted. “Careful there!
But I could see that the giant barrel, unbalanced and heavy with wine, was more than the workers could handle. They fought valiantly to right it, but were beginning to lose their grip.
Slowly, the barrel tipped sideways and viscous red liquid sloshed across the stage, spattering the crowd, setting off cries of dismay.
Jordan Knight scrambled for the barrel in a last ditch effort to avert total disaster. He tried to muscle his shoulder beneath the huge barrel, but the laws of physics had been set into motion and he was clearly too late. The barrel continued to roll over in slow motion like a sinking ocean liner making a final, dying gasp.
The barrel landed on its side with a deafening crash and torrents of red wine gushed out like rivers of blood!
Now horrified gasps rose up as Jordan Knight staggered drunkenly. He crumpled to his knees, landing hard, and his entire face seemed to collapse. Then an agonized shriek rose from his lips, blotting out the music and even the cries of onlookers.
Curiosity bubbling within me, I pushed my way through the crowd to see what on earth was happening.
And was completely shocked to see the body of a dead man lying on the stage!
He was curled nose to knees, like a pickled fish. His skin was practically purple from being submerged inside the barrel of red wine.
My eyes flicked over to Jordan Knight, who was kneeling in the spill of wine, pants legs completely soaked as tears streamed down his face.
From the look of utter devastation on Jordan Knight’s face, I was pretty sure he’d found his missing son.
You can read more about Theodosia in Steeped In Evil, the 15th book in the “Tea Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Death By Darjeeling. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Book Synopsis
When Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia attends a fancy wine tasting at Knighthall Winery, a body spills out of an oak barrel filled with Cabernet. It’s the son of the proprietor and Theodosia soon gets swept up in the murder investigation. Could it be the ex-girlfriend, neighboring golf course owner, or angry step-mother? In between her Downton Abbey tea and the Art Crawl Ball, Theo uncovers a raft of suspects. Still, it looks like this nasty killer might have her over a barrel. Halfway between a cozy and a thriller (a thrillzy!) book #15 in this New York Times Bestselling Tea Shop Mystery series offers fast-paced action, quirky characters, and recipes that include jammy scones, ladybug tea sandwiches, and crab casserole.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by 6pm EST on March 17, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of STEEPED IN EVIL, Laura’s brand new Tea Shop Mystery. Two (2) lucky winners will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and 
Cackleberry Club 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, rides horses, enjoys fund-raising for various non-profit organizations, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
So frustrating the giveaway is only open to US entries–so I’ll just say I’m looking forward to reading the latest on Theodosia and thanks for the heads up Dru!
I really Enjoy this series.
I haven’t read this series but I would like to. It sounds good! Thank you for the giveaway!
Sounds intoxicating 🙂 I am definitely going to savor this one. Thank you!
I can’t believe this is #15. I hope I have time to play catch-up. This one sounds terrific.
I’ve been away from this series for a bit so I need to catch up. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I so enjoy this series!! thank you for the giveaway!!!!
I enjoy all of Laura’s series. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is SUCH a good series!! I’ve loved it from book one!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Love this series would love to win this new book
One of my very favorite series.Thanks for having this giveaway.
I would love to start this series!
Great series! Looking forward to the newest book. Thanks for the review!
Laura is my all time favorite cozy author thank you for the chance to win her book
I really LOVE Laura Child’s work and am looking forward to the latest book Thanx for the giveaway
Sounds like a great series.
Can’t wait to catch up with Theodosia and Drayton! Love this series! Thanks!
Oh dear! What a waste of wine!
I love this series and adding wine in the mix is intriguing,
Looking forward for another visit with Theo and friends….
Thanks for another cance to win a great book!
My daughter loves Laura’s books, I would love to win this book for her so thank you for the chance.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Great series. Always eager to read the latest.
I haven’t started this series yet (big TBR pile) but I certainly have it on my list!
I have read most of this series and would love to win this one.
I absolutely love this series and would love to win this book for my personal collection 🙂
A wine tasting with dead bodies! Maybe our heroine should stick to tea rooms. Sounds like a good ” thrilzie”! Would love to win this book!!
It’s incredible to think that this series has produced 15 books already. Thanks for the chance to win this one.
I love her other series and know that this one will be a great winner. Thank you for the chance to win!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This is one of my favorite cozy series. I’m glad there is a new one to read 🙂
I love all three series and eagerly await each new release. Thanks for a chance to win this one. 😀
I just purchased her latest book. I read all three of Ms. Child series and cherish each new addition.
I’ve started this series and am trying to catch up, I love the Cackleberry club series too. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love this series. Thanks for chance to win.
I must have lost track of the latest book in the Tea Shop series. I have enjoyed all of the ones I have read which was up to book 12 I believe, so I have some catching up to do. Would love to win this one as it sounds so good as all of Laura’s books are.
Thank you for the giveaway and the great blog page (as always) Dru.
Cynthia
Sometimes I drink tea, but no wine. I love this series. It’s one of my favorites and I’ve read all but one (two, including this one). I’m trying to keep up on this series. I’ve read one of the Cackleberry Club books and aim to read the others sometime.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
I love these books and welcome a chance to win. I am from South Carolina so it’s fun to read about the places in Charleston that I know!
I love this series and the Cackleberry Club series.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
I’m a tea drinker and really love this series. It would be great to win!
I love tea and this series. It would be great to win!
I’m really enjoying these tea shop mysteries and appreciate the chance to win one.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’m actually caught up on this series and ready, more than ready, for this latest one! Thanks for the review and giveaway!
I love Laura’s books!
I would love winning “Steeped in Evil”. I read the article and found it interesting. Something appeals to me about the dead man in the wine barrel. I enjoy finding new authors. Thank you for the giveaway. Melody
I have enjoyed how Laura uses a surprise ending..just when you think..then bam! Something totally different..she is really polished. Her last 2 tea books have been a joy to read because of that tact.
It’s always time for a tea break. I have several of Laura’s books and I love those covers!
Just purchased Sweet Tea Revenge and am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for a chance to win Steeped in Evil.
I love Laura’s books, and this one sounds so good. It has a great storyline. Thanks for having the giveaway.
contest is closed.