Cozy Mystery Book Review: Murder With Earl Grey Tea

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at July 23, 2023

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Growing up watching “Murder She Wrote” with my parents and “Matlock” with my grandma, I acquired a taste for cozy mysteries early in life. Today, as a graduate student, I don’t get to do much reading for pleasure, so when I do, it’s almost always such a book. This time, I chose the Murder With Earl Grey Tea novel by Karen Rose Smith.

I wanted a cozy read and something I could feel a connection with. My great love of tea, the title immediately grabbed me. Delightedly as I read, I learned other books on a similar theme in the series exist. Those will go onto my reading list for next year.

The setting of Willow Creek, the small farming community in Amish country in Pennsylvania, lends itself as a delightful backdrop. An almost idyllic place to stop by on a road trip or week-long vacation. Well, except for the murders, of course.

I will admit the book felt like it needed another editing pass to clean up some of the redundancies and over-explainers (I prefer to believe readers can read between the lines). But despite these minor blips, the story still managed to pull me into the small town and comfort me with a hot cuppa Earl Grey.

I’m usually someone who sees the perpetrator within the first chapter but it took me much longer (almost to the end!) in Murder With Earl Grey Tea, which took me by surprise. Cozy mysteries rarely keep me wondering, which I found truly delightful.

For a quick read over the weekend, or casual page-through on vacation, this tender, sweet small town mystery deserves a place on the list. I highly recommend delighting in the vivid town and the featured families that feel real and pull you into the tragedy and the joy within just the first pages.

Of course, I also highly recommend grabbing a good cuppa tea to enjoy along with this darling book. (See my tea recommendations below.)

Need a good cuppa for your reading companion? Check out Rita’s tea reviews and some other great cozy mysteries you might love.

Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.