Murder Spills the Tea (Tea by the Sea Mystery #3), by Vicki Delany

Having reluctantly agreed to appear on a reality baking show, the show's production crew keep reminding Lily Roberts that a reality show has nothing to do with reality. Unfortunately, the dead body she discovers is very real. So, too, is the arrest of one of her staff for the murder. Lily, her grandmother Rose, and best friend Bernie must work together to find the real killer of Tommy Greene. Unfortunately, they too well know the detective in charge is one of those who tends to focus on the first suspect to come to light, meaning they need to help ensure that the truth prevails.

Lily and her friends and associates are likeable and the setting itself is a essentially a character in the book. Set in Cape Cod, you find yourself virtually traveling from the delightfully soothing beauty of the tearoom itself, with its quaint British aura and its garden, with it's tinkling teacups and drifting aromas from the flowers so lovingly tended by Simon, to the shoreline's crashing waves, rapidly rising tide, and slippery rocks. And, hey, there's a dog, too, not to mention a cat. Toss in hints of a growing romance, a budding author, and old world eloquence and it's all the more startling that a murder took place.

So, who did it? I'm obviously not telling. Could it have been the mayor's obnoxious husband? How about the mayor herself? Did one of the other judges kill Tommy for reasons not even connected to the show? Who is related to who? Does all the food talk make you hungry? Or, maybe thirsty for a cup of properly prepared tea? How far would you go to protect a member of your family? Does Lily really, really want to go where the evidence leads? Who was the mystery woman in the garden? Did Lily lock that door or not? And, what's going on with Simon? You'll have to read the book for answers to these questions and more. It's fast paced and will keep you turning the pages.

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to Tea By the Sea to spend a bit more time getting to know Lily and friends. I'd like a table in the garden, please.