Review: Broken Bone China by Laura Childs

Genre:
Cozy mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Berkley

Release Date:
March 5, 2019






Synopsis from Goodreads:

Theodosia Browning serves tea and solves crimes in Charleston, a city steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

It is Sunday afternoon, and Theodosia and Drayton are catering a formal tea at a hot-air balloon rally. The view aloft is not only stunning, they are also surrounded by a dozen other colorful hot-air balloons. But as the sky turns gray and the clouds start to boil up, a strange object zooms out of nowhere. It is a drone, and it appears to be buzzing around the balloons, checking them out.

As Theodosia and Drayton watch, the drone, hovering like some angry, mechanized insect, deliberately crashes into the balloon next to them. An enormous, fiery explosion erupts, and everyone watches in horror as the balloon plummets to the earth, killing all three of its passengers.

Sirens scream, first responders arrive, and Theodosia is interviewed by the police. During the interview she learns that one of the downed occupants was Don Kingsley, the CEO of a local software company, SyncSoft. Not only do the police suspect Kingsley as the primary target, they learn that he possessed a rare Revolutionary War Union Jack flag that several people were rabidly bidding on.

Intrigued, Theodosia begins her own investigation. Was it the CEO's soon-to-be ex-wife, who is restoring an enormous mansion at no expense? The CEO's personal assistant, who also functioned as curator of his prized collection of Americana? Two rival antiques' dealers known for dirty dealing? Or was the killer the fiancée of one of Theodosia's dear friends, who turns out to be an employee—and whistle-blower—at SyncSoft?

My Review

Theodosia and Drayton are excited to be on a hot-air balloon adventure. The adventure turns to horror when a nearby hot-air balloon is targeted by a drone and crashes. All three passengers are killed instantly. One passenger happens to be the CEO of SyncSoft. They wonder if this was an accident or was this a murder with the main target being Don Kingsley, CEO.

After being so close to the crash, Theodosia can’t get it out of her mind. Against the orders of the local detective, Theodosia dives right in and starts investigating on her own. With the help of her trusty friend and employee, Drayton, of course.

I can’t say enough good things about Laura Childs’ writing. I’m a huge fan of all her series even though I’m also a bit behind on them, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve enjoyed them all, even when I jump into the middle of one of her series. She gives you enough info so you aren’t lost or left wondering.

The series oozes with charm with its quaint tea shop setting. The myriad of quirky characters make you smile or grit your teeth depending on their antics.

I couldn’t put this one down until I knew who the killer was. Laura Childs is an expert at keeping readers guessing and this one is no exception. The ending is exciting. I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait to see what Theodosia is up to next.

For reading challenges:
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2019
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2019
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2019 (South Carolina)

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.