Amelia, “And they would’ve gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for that meddling tea maker” (Baker 282). Everly’s friend, Amelia dresses as Velma from Scooby Doo for the Ghost Walk and teases her about the latest mystery. This novel is set during Halloween and comes with several ghosts, love, and loss.

Seaside Café Mysteries book number 5. This book may be set in a beach town, but it is perfect for the spooky season of Halloween. Everly Swan confronts many people in this novel. Some may or may not be ghosts coming back to haunt, mourn, or even warn her to be safe.

Closely Harbored Secrets by Bree Baker

Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes

Book Review

Murder Mystery Books🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

Book Review Outline and Tone:

Great cozy mystery just in time for spooky season. Everly Swan runs a tea shop on an island off the coast of North Carolina. As the novel begins they are preparing for the annual Ghost Walk. That alone is not enough to set a spooky mood. Everly is being followed and haunted by The Sandman, a captain on the HMS Belvedere, his lost love, Mourning Mable, as well as The Sad Man, a former lover to Everly’s distant relatives. Somehow, author Bree Baker manages to tie all of this into the life murder that took place the night of the Ghost Walk. Everly is determined to figure out what is happening and whether the ghosts are real. Could it be that a ghost, who is following her, what does he want, and why is her pet cat Maggie, and neighborhood seagull, Lou, acting so strange? Creepy but not too scary, a perfect fall novel.

Fortunately for the reader, the novel doesn’t solely focus on the murder mystery or the ghosts. Everly’s relationship(s) continue to progress. Her aunt’s mayoral aspirations are addressed and the election results come in at the end. I will not spoil what happens!

Everly, her best friend Amelia, Detective Grady, Denise, Aunt Clara and Aunt Fran are all great characters that are fun to follow and see how they develop. This series will bring you in and have you excited to read the next book. I hope Bree Baker keeps writing more Seaside Cafe Mystery books!

The author:

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?:

I’m up for a good scare. I would have liked more suspense or dramatic irony with the ghosts. However, that may have been too much for a cozy mystery.

The verdict:

I really enjoy this series. Everly is so likable and smart. The notion of an iced tea shop, Sun, Sand & Tea, seems like the type of place I would love to visit. I definitely recommend reading this series and making her fantastic iced teas.

Books to Read 📕📗📘📙

Read It! 4.5/5 Books 📚📚📚📚📚

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Easy Peasy Lemon Basil Green Iced Tea

Assemble the Ingredients

Easy dessert to make: 5/5 on the Easy as Pie scale 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧

The wide mouth jars Work perfectly for this recipe. Ball 64 ounce Jar, Wide Mouth, Set of 2
Slice the lemon thinly, and add to 1 quart jar or pitcher.

Top with basil leaves and green tea bags.

Add 3-4 teaspoons of honey to the pitcher if desired.

Pour the hot water over the ingredients.

Steep for 15 minutes.

Remove the tea bags. In my first batch I left the basil leaves in the tea. The next time I took them out when I took out the green tea bags. I liked the lighter basil flavor that resulted from taking out the basil leaves.

Place into the fridge for 3-4 hours, or until chilled. Serve over ice.

Taste: 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cozy mystery novel with a recipe for Easy Peasy Lemon Basil Green Tea

Easy Peasy Lemon Basil Green Tea Iced Tea

Refreshing and simple, you don't need to visit a seaside café to enjoy this light citrus tea, but it sure would be nice!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 lemon
10 fresh basil leaves
4 green tea bags
4 tsp honey
7 cups boiling hot water

Instructions

Slice the lemon thinly, and add to 1 quart jar or pitcher
Top with basil leaves and green tea bags.
Add 3-4 teaspoons of honey to the pitcher if desired.
Pour the hot water over the ingredients.
Steep for 15 minutes.
Remove the tea bags. [I recommend that you also remove the basil leaves at this point]
Place into the fridge for 3-4 hours, or until chilled.
Serve over ice. If you like sweet tea, add more sweetener at this point.

Keyword basil, green tea, honey, Iced tea, lemon

What would I do differently next time?

I recommend removing the basil leaves at the point when you remove the green tea bags. Leaving the basil leaves in gives it a strong basil flavor. I preferred it when it had a mild basil taste. I also like sweet tea, so either add more honey or add more sweetener to individual servings.