Murder in a Cup (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery, #2), by Lauren Elliott

 Publication Nov. 28, 2023

First, check out the great cover. I loved the detail and color and how it perfectly fits the mystery. Kudos to the artist/designer.

There are so many things happening in this book that it's difficult to decide where to start. Oddly enough, what on the surface is a slow build initially is also tinged with an ominous sense of foreboding.  While feeding us lots of backstory via Shay's sort of meditation, it's preparing us for what was to come. Let's see, that includes deadly plants, Tassi, an uneasy teenager being pulled between parents, the father from h.... er, heck,confused identity, a wonderful dog, love on the rocks, family secrets, greed, new characters, and....well, much, much more. 

I won't even attempt to share the plot. The blurb does an excellent job. Oddly enough, although magical tales are hit or miss with me, I'm thoroughly invested in Shayleigh/Shay's story. It's very human. While we might fantasize that having magical powers would be wonderful, Shay's experiences have been far different and fraught with danger. Nope, no cute twitch of a nose a la Samantha on "Bewitched" here. Shay neither understands her powers fully nor is she sure she wants them. She isn't even sure if Spirit, her amazingly insightful dog is, well, a dog or her familiar, but has learned to trust his instincts, at least.

There are several side stories, with the focus of the mystery as who kills Jasmine, who happens to be the younger girlfriend of the father from...heck. His daughter, Tassi, works at Shay's shop and is accused of poisoning Jasmine with one of Shay's poisonous plants. BTW, do you know what eye of newt really is? We're all familiar with that term from Macbeth and have just taken it for granted that it's some potent and dangerous ingredient. Not exactly, we learn. Eye of newt is the old-world term for mustard seeds. Toe of frog is a buttercup. That's your vocabulary lesson for the day. I love it when an author teaches me something new, don't you?

So, who killed Jasmine if it wasn't Tassi? Could it be the father from heck, tired of her money-spending ways? One of the White Glove Ladies, who you'll meet at their daily gathering at Shay's shop? Why a restraining order? Why were so many determined Shay give a group reading? How does Granny know Shay's family? Is she there to stay? Will Shay's personal life ever take a positive turn? And, wait! Who is this mysterious Conor? Changlings? Who....oh, enough teasers. This is a book that is full of action and reveals with a touch of magic, often barely controlled. Shay is learning to trust her instincts as a seer but will she learn how to use them and the tools left to her in time? 

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to revisit Shay's fascinating but occasionally uneasy magical world. Love the addition of Liam's Granny. And, give Spirit a steak for dinner.