Steeped in Malice

by Vicki Delany

Lily, a trained pastry chef, is hard at work making breakfasts for her Grandmother Rose’s B & B and her own tea room on the same property. While shopping for more china tea cups in an antique store, she finds a cute children’s tea set with Beatrix Potter decorations. It costs more than she should pay, but it is unusual and so she purchases it. She has bought more than she bargained for; there is something important hidden in the set’s box.

There are a lot of surprises that Lily truly doesn’t go looking for including the arrival of her old boyfriend and his new wife. He is not a very nice person and immediately makes flirtatious advances on Lily. There is a murder outside the tea house that involves a formerly wealthy family and all kinds of machinations. 

I enjoyed my visit to Lily’s tea room which is picturesque with a view of Cape Cod Bay. Rose is quite a character using her age to her advantage in the informal investigations. Lily’s friend Bernie, an aspiring writer, is always ready to help along with her boyfriend Matt, already an accomplished author. Lily’s romantic interest is Simon, a gardener from England. He doubles as a landscape artist; he is handsome, charming, and knows his way around a kitchen. 

I liked Steeped in Malice so much that I am going to dive immediately into the next book in the series. I need something relaxing this week and Vicki Delany’s cozy mysteries are just the ticket.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #4 in the Tea by the Sea Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone as the author quickly fills the reader in on any repeating characters.

  2. Recipes included are all fairly easy but sound delicious: Gluten-Free Pancakes made with oats, Blueberry Muffins, and Lemon Squares. 

Publication:  July 25, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

As far as I’m concerned, mugs are for coffee and cups with saucers are for drinking tea, and I do not—shudder—serve tea in mugs. Presentation is a vitally important part of the image of a traditional afternoon tea.

Seeing the signs of leaving, Éclair stretched and came out from under the kitchen table, stubby tail wagging, ears up. She spends the mornings under the table, hoping I’ll drop something tasty. I never do, but her optimism could serve as an inspiration to us all.

“Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it makes being miserable a heck of a lot better.”