Not wanting to besmirch her shop's good name, Theo decides to look into Hughes's death on her own and soon learns that Charleston may not be the genteel picture of southern towns it purports to be. Theo finds local historians at odds with real estate developers and all too soon realizes the problems may hit closer to home than she would like.

Death by Darjeeling, the first book in a projected series, offers readers a good setting and a promising cast of characters. Theo's maturity and wisdom seem to go beyond her thirty-six years, making her an easy hostess with customers of all ages. She and her close knit employees have the potential to grow into a strong group of characters. Laura Childs has the setting just right, the atmosphere perfect for a cozy tea shop.

The mystery remains a little unfocused and it takes Theo and the police longer to solve the mystery than it will take most readers. Once Theo settles on her choice of suspects, she is oblivious to all other clues and puts all her energies into proving her suspect is the culprit.

Death by Darjeeling is a good beginning to a new culinary series that will quickly become a favorite of readers who favor this genre. A cozy and inviting setting will quickly draw readers in and a likable cast of characters will have them eager to return.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry