Daisy’s Tea Garden series is heavy on the character’s lives and loves and light on the murder mysteries. A fun and quick read if you enjoy growing relationships more than a twisted mystery. These novels always contain simple and delicious recipes that one would find in a local tea garden. For this book, I reviewed Rum Raisin Rice pudding. So easy to make! Classic, creamy, and always a big hit.
This is book #3 in The Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. The series dives deeper into the main character’s life as well as her 2 daughters. Now that her tea garden restaurant is doing well, here comes a food critic to review the food and ambiance. The question isn’t can Daisy’s tea garden survive the review but why didn’t the critic survive.
Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith
Rum Raisin Pudding
from a cozy mystery novel:
Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches
by Karen Rose Smith
Book Outline and Tone:
Daisy and her aunt, Iris, run a successful tea garden in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. The town is surrounded by traditional Amish folk and Daisy counts many as her friends. The tea garden is doing so well that even tours stop by for a light meal and refreshing tea. But when news begins to spread that food critic Derek Schumaker is planning to review the restaurant, Daisy begins to worry.
As with most cozy mysteries, the mystery is the death of the new character, the food critic. Daisy is tied to this murder as his sandwich he took from the tea garden is poisoned. This is when Daisy begins to tally a list of likely suspects trying to clear her name.
As I have mentioned before, this series is light on mystery but heavy on the development of the characters. I got more enjoyment reading about Daisy’s personal life than the search for the killer. Daisy’s love life and her children’s life directions are in jeopardy that only get resolved to the point of making me want to see what they will do in the next book!
Point of View:
The novel is written in third person with the reader hearing only Daisy’s thoughts.
The Author: Karen Rose Smith
Karen Rose Smith writes both mystery novels and romance novels. The tagline on her website is “Romances & Mysteries with heart and emotions.” Smith has been publishing novels since 1992. She has received writing awards from around the country in places such as Colorado, Phoenix, and Washington, just to name a few. Her work has been on USA Today’s and Amazon Romance bestseller lists. Her website reveals to the reader that she has a love for cats as well as tea. She has even given Daisy Swanson (the main character in this novel) her own webpage.
Karen Rose Smith can be contacted through her website or follow her on Facebook or X (Twitter) @Karenrosesmith.
What is not to like?:
If you are looking for a psychological thriller, this is not the series for you. If you want a novel with likable characters who face life’s struggles and grow through them, then this is the novel for you.
The verdict:
First, the Rum Raisin Rice Pudding is delicious! Second, the novel is written with almost no fluff so it flows quickly and is an enjoyable read. I recommend it.
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).
Rum Raisin Pudding
Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Slightly beat eggs with a mixer.
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
Add sugar, flavorings (vanilla and rum), and salt until well mixed.
Slowly stir in milk, one-half cup at a time.
Easy to read measure marks on inside of cup. Dishwasher safe.
Stir in rice and raisins.
Ready a pan with hot water. The casserole must fit into the pan comfortably. Hot water should be about an inch deep.
Pour mixture into the casserole dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon.
Bake for 65 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Remove the casserole from water. Can be served warm or cold.
Refrigerate leftovers.
Rum Raisin Pudding
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooked long-grain rice
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp rum flavoring (or almond, if you prefer)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2½ cups milk, warmed, but not scalded
- ⅔ cup golden raisins
- ¼ tsp cinnamon to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Slightly beat eggs with a mixer.
- Add sugar, flavorings, and salt until well mixed.
- Slowly stir in milk, one-half cup at a time.
- Stir in rice and raisins.
- Pour mixture into the casserole dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon.
- Ready a pan with hot water.
- The casserole must fit into the pan comfortably. Hot water should be about an inch deep.
- Bake for 65 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Remove the casserole from water.
- Can be served warm or cold.
- Refrigerate leftovers
What would I do differently next time?
I chilled it before I ate it, next time I want to try it hot.
If you like desserts with fruit try:
Lemon Tart from Death of a Cupcake Queen, or
