Cute new beginning story.

I love these food and murder mystery stories. Guilty pleasure reads. Good read, great characters. Can't wait to read the next one. ( )

This was a prequel to the Oxford Tearoom Mystery series. I have actually read the first six in the series, and I want to say that those are amazing. This one however, was not as on point as I wanted it to be. Since I had already read 1-6 I was expecting something a little more detailed and a murder plot that I would have to guess more about.

I know that this is supposed to be a prequal to the series, but I know that if I would have read this book first, I would not have wanted to read the rest of the series. I am glad that I read it though! I loved seeing how Gemma was when she came back from Australia! I loved seeing her struggle a bit with getting the loan for her tearoom. But other than that, this seemed to be a little bit of a waste of time.

The only reason that I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars is because I know that the series does get a lot better, and you fall in love with the characters. This book however did not have me wanting to read more.

Overall, if I could give this book a 2.5 I would. It is not mandatory to read this book in order to love the rest of the series. ( )

This is the prequel to the Oxford Tearoom Mystery. I absolutely love the covers of this series, they are very eye-catching which was what drew me in the first place. This is a short stand alone story about Gemma Rose moving back to Oxford, England from Australia. She has given up her job, home etc and planned to return to Oxford to open a Tearoom with her friend. Unfortunately, it did not go smoothly.

On the plane home, Gemma sits with Jenn and strikes up a conversation. When they deplane, Gemma realizes that Jenn has left her scarf, caught between the seats. Remembering where she is staying, Gemma contacts her and makes plans to get the scarf to her. AFter a few drinks in the hotel bar, Gemma takes Jenn up to her room, goes back down to find her handbag, and returns it to her. The next morning she received a call from the police that Jenn has been murdered. Being the last person to see her alive means she is a suspect. When her loan for the tearoom is threatened, she gets herself involved with the investigation along with the four old biddies from town.

The characters in Oxford are a hoot, especially the old biddies, one of which is constantly trying to clean off smudges from Gemma using spit on her finger. Her mother is another character that I hope we see more of, they give Gemma more dimension as we see her interactions with them. The baker she has hired will also add much to the series as it goes on. I love the setting of Oxford and the descriptions given are enough to add character but not bog down the novel.

Along with the mystery, there is humour thrown in. I did not guess who the culprit was so that bodes well for this series. This was a fun read and I am looking forward to the series. I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers, especially if you like the English setting.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


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The plot is common to the cozy mystery series. A woman, Gemma, gives up a professional well-paying profession to become a proprietor of an Oxford tearoom. A murder happens and it is up to Gemma and four local villagers to find the murderer. Considering Gemma’s professional experiences, she is naive and blunders through her relationships with others. It is a good start to the series, but needs editing to strengthen the plots and pacing.

I received this book through a random giveaway. Although encouraged as a courtesy to provide feedback, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

It's a wonderful, sunny, funny and bubbling book All-Butter ShortDead (Prequel: Oxford Tearoom Mysteries ~ Book 0) by H.Y. Hanna and published by Wisheart Press.

At first what attracted me the most was the cover, beautiful, surely sunny and enthusiastic, with an inviting smiling cat that seems to ask to the reader: "Do you want to read this story where am I in? It's great," a teapot, a little pile of books, a slice of cake, scones and biscuits, a fuming cup of tea with a biscuit on it, and behind these elements, Oxford.

I wasn't wrong.

What I love the most of this book, I have still finished to read it, it is the freshness of the narration and the writing-style.
There are no boring times, substantially it's the perfect book everyone wish to dream plenty of funny adventures lived by the protagonist able to make the difference, without forgetting humorous treats and unforgettable characters like the Old Billies, four friends of Gemma's mom able to make the difference in the big problem Gemma would have fall once back home.

The story is this one.
Gemma is back from Sydney Australia.
She decides to give up with her old life for starting a tea room in UK, Oxford precisely.
During the long flight, close to her a lady, Jenn Murray. Gemma tries to make friendship with the lady, one day is long spent in solitude and without chats, killing the time indispensable. Jenna is confused, she doesn't want to answer her questions and love to drink a lot of alcohol.

Once they arrive, Gemma notices that the lady forgot her scarf on the airplane. OK she thought grabbing it, she would have called her later. She knew where she would have spent her holidays: at a very good and prestigious realities in Cotswold. Gemma in the while is welcomed by all her mom's old friends, including her baby-sitter, by her old schoolmates and she is back to her old life.

The evening of the restitution of the scarf, Jenn is assassinated.

Gemma will be the one who, firstly, will be suspected and the bank doesn't want to give her anymore the money for opening her tea room considering the reputation discovered thanks to some newspapers. Maybe Gemma was the lover of Jenn. Maybe Jenn was assassinated for jealousy.

Which is the truth?

Thanks also to the old friends of her mom, a panic attack, a cup of tea and some biscuits, Gemma will discover a truth no one would have suspected of.


Brilliant, quick, plenty of humor and good sense, very well written, few characters and all very focused, nice and funny, a great suggestion for your reading.


I thank Netgalley for this book! ( )