There's a new cozy mystery nestled on my bookshelf tucked among the many cookbooks and tea themed books I collect. This new tome, Emeralds and Envy, happens to have been authored by fellow tea enthusiast and Tea With Friends blogger Angela McRae. Angela has a descriptive, easy-to-read, casual writing style with bits of humor popping up throughout the book. The story opens with a murder in the small town community of Roseland, GA. Multiple characters are introduced, friendships are formed, town gossip is shared all the while leading the reader to wonder who committed this deed. There is a strong community of small businesses within the story line that makes you want to visit the cute shops and cafes! The main character, Emma Madison creates jewelry and is always on the lookout for garage sale finds that can be redesigned into her clever designs. Emma is mostly a coffee drinker, but there is an afternoon tea interlude that was enjoyable to read, plus a recipe for the Egg-Olive Sandwich Spread that was served can be found in the back of the book along with Emma's Blueberry Tea Bread recipe. In the end, Emma is glad to finally have the murder solved (no spoilers here), and peace and quiet will reign over Roseland again. Since this is Book 1 in the Junkin' Jewelry Mystery series, I suspect there might be another situation that requires more sleuthing in the future.
In the acknowledgements, Angela shares that this book is dedicated to her first born niece, Madison Horton, and that the last name of the main character (Emma Madison) also honors her. This special bond between aunt and niece is particularly sweet. 
1 comment:
What a fun review of this book. I also enjoyed it.
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