Introduction

The murder of a political bigwig at a Honey Bee Tea sends Theodosia Browning buzzing for answers in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

Theodosia’s Honey Bee Tea was an elegant affair set in Charleston’s new Petigru Park amid newly planted native grasses and a community beekeeping project. But when a phony beekeeper shows up and sprays toxic smoke at the guests, the party erupts in chaos. Worse yet, a shot rings out and Osgood Claxton III, candidate for state legislature, falls to the ground—dead.

Holly Burns, the gallery owner who asked Theodosia to cater the tea, is understandably heartbroken. A man is dead, her guests are angry and injured, and the paintings that were on display are left in tatters. When the police don’t seem to have a clue, when old-line politicos don’t want questions asked, Holly begs Theodosia to run a shadow investigation and help restore her gallery’s good name.

Between hosting a Wind in the Willows Tea and a Glam Girl Tea, Theodosia questions everyone that had a bone to pick with Claxton. This includes Booker, an angry outsider artist; Lamar Lucket, Claxton’s political opponent; and Mignon Merriweather, the dead man’s soon-to-be ex-wife. But the investigation becomes a political hot potato following a second murder, the revelation of a messy affair, a chase through a swamp, and a vandalized shop.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

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Excerpt

Theodosia plunked her purse down on Drayton’s kitchen counter and said, “Where’s this gun?”

“I keep it under the sink.” Drayton bent down, opened a cupboard door, and fumbled around inside looking for it.

“That’s a good place for a gun. Easy to get at in case of an emergency.”

“Don’t make fun,” Drayton said as he finally pulled out the pistol and set it on the counter along with a box of shells. He took a step back and added, “I really don’t want to touch it.”

“Then don’t,” Theodosia said. “You go get changed and I’ll figure this out.”

“Be careful,” he warned as his dog, Honey Bee, followed him out of the room.

No stranger to guns, Theodosia flipped the pistol open and checked to make sure it was empty. She hefted it in her right hand – it had some weight to it – then dug six shells out of the box and popped them in the chamber. Basically, anyone could load, point, and shoot a gun. The real trick was knowing when you were in genuine physical danger and could make the right split-second judgement call.

Theodosia stuck the pistol in her jacket pocket and looked around the kitchen. Drayton lived in a historic house that had originally been built by a Civil War-era doctor. Over a century and a half of owners, updates, and additions had been made. And when Drayton moved here some fifteen years ago, he’d turned it into a showpiece. His kitchen stove was a six-burner Wolf range, the sink was custom hammered copper, and the cupboards were faced with glass, the better to show off his collection of teapots and Chinese blue and white vases. A small indoor herb garden sat on a windowsill. It was both homey and classy at the same time.

Five minutes later, Drayton tromped into the kitchen. He’d changed into khaki slacks and a dark green Barbour jacket, the same brand that England’s royal family favored for riding horseback and stalking the moors. On his feet was a pair of Wellington boots.

“You look like you just stepped out of a fancy British outdoor clothing catalog,” Theodosia said.

“Thank you,” Drayton said. “That was the exact look I was going for.”

“Really?”

“No, not really. I’m so nervous I have no idea what I threw on. In fact, I’m getting more and more upset because I still think your idea of going to that island borders on unhinged.”

“Like I said, you don’t have to . . .”

“But I do. If only to humor you. And try to keep you safe.” Drayton glanced at his do, Honey Bee, who’d followed him into the kitchen. “Do you think we should bring Honey Bee along? As a kind of guard dog?”

Theodosia gazed at the little dog. She was the essence of a girly-girl pup, petite with adorable liquid brown eyes, a professionally groomed coat, and pink suede collar complete with sparkles.

“Probably not,” she said. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

What was most exciting about the opening of Honey Drop Dead? Did the murder mystery get off to a fast start? Did the description of Theodosia’s chase after the phony beekeeper prickle the hairs on the back of your neck?

Does the author create enough of a “sense of place” that you were able to picture Petigru Park, the Imago Gallery, the Indigo Tea Shop, and the city of Charleston? How about Theodosia’s tea shop cohorts Drayton and Haley?

Did you feel there were enough suspects to investigate? Were there enough twists and turns in the plot?

What did you think of the second murder? Did you see it coming?

Did you enjoy reading about all the various event teas with their menus and décor? How about the different varieties of tea that were mentioned, such as Darjeeling, Jasmine, and Hibiscus? How about the English Tea Biscuits, Honey Chicken, Poached Pears, Honey Scones, and Scotch Eggs? Since the author includes these recipes, would you try making them?

Do you think the historic city of Charleston serves as a sort of character in the story? Did you like the descriptions of the harbor, narrow lanes, and stately homes?

Did you enjoy the fact that the author combined mystery with bits of humor?

Do you think Theodosia is able to balance her busy tea shop life with her personal life as well as find time to be an amateur detective? Do you think most working women are able to achieve a good sense of balance in their lives? In not, why not?

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