If you have experience in a small town then you will love the gossip of Charm, NC. Small town gossip and small town politics go hand in hand in this cozy mystery. Throw in a murder and then watch the drama escalate. Be sure you make the fabulous Cranberry Mint Black Tea to enjoy while you read.
This is book #3 in the Seaside Café Mystery series. Everly Swan continues to delight readers with her in extended family of her two great aunts, her best friend, her boyfriend, a cat and a seagull. Her shop Sea Sand & Tea also boasts fantastic iced tea recipes.
- Tide and Punishment by Bree Baker
Cozy Mystery Novel Series with Recipes
Book Review
Outline and Tone:Â
How do you feel about yard art? Are plastic flamingos a no-go for you? My own mother has a 5 foot tall blue heron made of metal that she has named Richard after her very first boyfriend. Everly Swan’s Great-Aunt Clara has suddenly become obsessed with yard art in the form of gnomes. Fran has started painting gnomes and giving them to everyone she knows. The problem arises when her sister, Fran, picks up a broken gnome that just so happened to be used as a murder weapon on the current mayor of Charm, North Carolina. Fran was running for mayor against the now deceased man. Everly has to clear Fran of murder charges before this spit-fire elderly woman winds up in jail.
Everly continues with her flirtations with Charm’s chief of police and it is exciting to see things begin to heat up for the two of them. Everly also participates in the Charm tradition of a progressive dinner hosted by either local businesses or wealthy residents. This has inspired me! I haven’t done a progressive dinner in years, but I think it is high time to rally my friends to do this. I will choose the dessert stop, of course, as there are so many delicious dessert options on my blog.
The author:Â
Julie Anne Lindsey writes as Bree Baker, Julie Chase, and Jacqueline Frost. She writes both mystery and romance novels. As Bree Baker, she is an award winning author. Her website highlights all of her book series and even a cozy mystery reading club. Ms. Lindsey is also active on Facebook and Twitter (@julieALindsey). She is a prolific writer and even has a mystery series starring cats titled Kitty Couture Mysteries that have rave reviews on Amazon.
What is not to like?:Â
The only thing that makes me scratch my head in disbelief is that the sheriff’s ex mother in law, who is a senator, is stepping down to move to Charm and wants to run for mayor. I find it hard to believe that a former senator would want to be a mayor of a small town.
The verdict:Â
Be inspired! Enjoy a cookie and some tea. Gather friends and do a progressive dinner. But most of all, read and enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
A Fabulous Iced Tea Recipe from the Cozy Mystery Novel
Assemble the ingredients
I decided to use a no sugar added cranberry juice mix because the recipe does call for adding a bit of sugar. The no sugar added juice worked perfectly. The tea was neither tart or tasted like a sugar substitute.
Directions:
Heat cranberry juice cocktail to boiling.
Remove from heat. Add tea bags and mint.
Steep 10 minutes.
Strain.
Stir in sugar.
Chill and serve over ice.
The tea should keep in your fridge for a week, mine didn’t last more than 2 days because my family drank it all so fast. Such a simple recipe and with the fresh mint it has a wonderful flavor.
This recipe is so simple, it does not require much equipment. I did use my favorite OXO Measuring Cups and Spoons. The markings on these tools are so easy to read, they are my favorite.
Cranberry Mint Black Iced Tea from: Tide and Punishment a Cozy Mystery Novel
Ingredients
- 6 cup cranberry juice cocktail [the juice in the ingredients picture is 8 cups, I used the whole container]
- 4 tea bags black tea [I used 5 tea bags since I used more juice]
- 6-12 fresh mint leave [I used 12 and it was perfect]
- 6 tbsp sugar [I did not add extra sugar and it was still sweet enough]
Instructions
- Heat cranberry juice cocktail to boiling
- Remove from heat
- Add tea bags and mint
- Steep for 10 minutes
- Strain
- Stir in sugar
- Chill and serve over ice.
What would I do differently next time?
I always include this section in my blog posts because the first time I make something I always have ideas to improve it for the next time I make the recipe. Except for now. This recipe is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing!
If this iced tea recipe looks good to you, then you simply must try these other iced tea recipes. Blushing Bride Hibiscus Iced Tea and Summer Strawberry Peach Iced Tea
