It was a dark and stormy night.... Theo is trying to get back to the tea shop from the Heritage Society, in a foggy, rainy night when she notices 2 figures in a cemetery. One of the figures falls to the ground, and the other flashes a knife at her before running away. Did she just witness a murder? Yes, a serial killer is back in Charleston after a 7 year absence. Will they find the killer before Theo becomes the next victim? ( )

I've read most of this series by now. I enjoy the tea shop and the themed teas and learning about tea.

Theo has become too much a creature of habit. I mean, really, a serial killer is out there and yet you still decide to go out running with your dog after dark? (Sounds like the plot of a bad horror movie to me.)

And, as if there's not enough murders, they decide to stage a murder mystery tea at their shop. Which, while it sounds like fun, may not have been in the best taste given that their neighbor's daughter had been murdered a week or so before. ( )

While on her way home from catering an event at the Heritage Club, Theodosia Browning witnesses the brutal murder of the daughter of her neighbor, Lois. But because it is foggy and dark, she is unable to identify the murderer. Lois is devastated, and asks Theodosia to help find the killer, even though it appears that it is a serial killer on the loose. The city of Charleston is filled with fear because every time the fog rolls in it appears that the serial killer does too.

The mystery was very entertaining, I love how all the tea details are woven in with the characters discussions of the murders, and can't get enough of Theo and Drayton searching out the killer! ( )

A Dark and Stormy Tea is the 23rd Indigo Tea Shop Mystery featuring Theodosia Browning as an amateur sleuth. Book 24, Lemon Curd Killer, will be published in March 2023. I have read all of the books in the series and have been mostly pleased with the writing. Since the author writes two other cozy mystery series and publishes three books every year, I think that she sometimes doesn't put in the same effort that she used to.

The publisher's summary:

A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning's troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.

In the throes of alerting police, Theodosia recognizes the victim—it is the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop.

Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer who is stalking the back alleys of Charleston, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, and the sage words of Drayton, her tea sommelier, amateur-sleuth Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation. And quickly discovers that suspects abound with the dead girl’s boyfriend, nefarious real estate developer, private-security man, bumbling reporter, and her own neighbor who is writing a true-crime book and searching for a big ending.

I was delighted with the crisp writing in this installment of the series. It was quite suspenseful and there was some development of Theodosia's character. The murder occurred in the first chapter, which I always prefer so that the rest of the novel can be about the investigation of the case. Also, there seemed to be more discussion than usual between Theo and Drayton about what specialty afternoon tea events that they want to plan, such as Garden Party Tea, Jane Austen Tea, Great Gatsby Tea, Limon Tea, Primavera Tea, Butterfly Tea, and Bridal Party Tea. I love when Drayton recommends the decor that he would like to have for each of them as well as the types of tea that he would like to serve. It makes me wish that I could attend.

Theo has a new boyfriend in this novel so it will be interesting to see how that relationship develops. It would be nice to see Drayton's character experience a new development. He is the only character to never had any change in his life. While I think he is perfect, I wonder what changes could be made to his character without changing his identity. Baker Haley has had some development but not alot. With Drayton being more central to the series than Haley, I would like to see something happen with him.

All in all, this is a fantastic entry into the Indigo Tea Shop series. 5 out of 5 stars. ( )

I was able to guess who the killer was quite early in the novel but that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. Laura Childs did a great job of making me second guess my assumption. Looking forward to reading the next installment in the Tea Shop Mystery series "Lemon Curd Killer". ( )