Agony of the Leaves [Hardcover]

As a fan of the tea shop series by Laura Childs, I enjoyed this latest book. In the last one, Theodosia's relationship with Parker was ending but it was a surprise to have his character killed off so soon, and even more of a surprise to discover he already had another girlfriend who becomes a suspect, along with several others who were involved with Parker on a business level in the competitive restaurant industry. As ususal, Theodosia and her employee and friend, Drayton, get caught up in investigating a murder that ends up putting them in danger.

I always like the recipes that are included from the tea shop treats described in the story. This cozy mystery was easy to read in one day and would be a good one to take along to the beach or on vacation this summer. I'm looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher but the opinion of it is my own and was not solicited, nor was a positive review required.

When an author cranks out three books a year to feed the same number of series, how can you expect them to be much? There's no time to hone the writing or even check for continuity with the last book. What is happening, whether intended or not, is that her "heroine" is becoming more and more obnoxious. Theo's skill-less, knee-jerk blundering into other people's business in the guise of "investigating" went way over the top with this edition. The thought processes toward noodling (groan) it out are so trite and childish, the author should be embarrassed. Theo just jabs at it with an irrational and emotion-centered thrust, entirely more brass than brain. She's a loose cannon.

She is initially presented as a conventional Southern lady type with some independence or what is to pass for spunk. However, this creature is leaving the first part of that well behind. In this book, she confronts heads of businesses, board directors, established citizens (while a guest in her shop) with in-your-face innuendos, challenges and just plain nastiness. When a man is arrested in the middle of a posh restaurant event, everyone is appropriately stunned. Our miss-adventuress rears up from her table and charges into the middle of it, spluttering all this stuff. She's a redneck.

Again, we have her striking out alone in the darkest of night exploring an isolated place, a grave yard this time. Usually, she just sets out alone without telling anyone. This time, her male shop friend is actually along with her, but is told to wait for her in the car, to which he readily agrees. Again, it all works out anyway. People really get tired of that type of thing.

With all amateur sleuth (or private eye) versus police venues, there is a tension between the head detective character and the sleuth. That is presented here, but very inconsistently handled. If the police detective is a boob, then play it out that way. But don't describe him as really sharp and tops in the field and have him consistently perform or non-perform otherwise. And the amateur sleuth or private eye counterpart has to have something working here. Don't have everyone praising them for their skill at investigating and then have them go from one banana peel to another. And then again, despite all the blundering on both their parts, it somehow all works out anyway. The laws of reason, logic and consistency are just suspended in these absurd plots.

And why would the killer come after her? She is not even close to suspecting the person. They could have just stayed beneath the radar. Does anyone care to notice that she's wrong in all of her suspects, as per usual? What about all the people she has brashly "interviewed," harassed and insulted on the mistaken premise they were the culprit. Not so much an amateur detective as a failed one. Why would anyone ask her to investigate anything? What she essentially does is stir up the killer by her meddling, so goes the premise of the book. But, again, since she's so off course of the left field person who did it, why does the killer bother with her? What we have here is an amateur writer.

Clearly, the author doesn't have the skill for plots, and could use some help with it. She certainly should put more time into it. Either major on the social interaction and have a very simple mystery, or get help with the writing of the mystery plot. She would do well to consult even the Nancy Drew series and note how the author managed these and other elements to make up a sound and consistent mystery series.

I always enjoy books by Laura Childs .For me, they are fast reads but they do hold my interest and I thoroughly enjoy the settings, having visited the cities many times.The plot of "Agony--" was more interesting than most which says good thoughts for Childs. She is only getting better.
I would have given this book a five star because it is tops in its field, except for one STRANGE thing. I received a Kindle for Christmas so of course, ordered this book on Kindle.I believe this is the first time I have ever encountered typos or misspelled words on every page. Two or three words are run together so that one has to slow down and try to figure out what is being said.
Please be sure to do a better job proof reading these Kindle books.Could it be that the person with this job, does not speak English ???

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