Sunday's Book Murder and Herbal Tea #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Cozy mystery #Hudson River #Wedding

In this book, Katherine and Lars are finally getting married. What happens to her honeymoon isn't a nightmare but she's off on a new adventure.

Katherine’s wedding day has arrived and she and Lars make their vows. When she notices one of her best friends hasn’t arrived, she begins to worry. Her friend owns a shop where tea and accompaniments are sold. Her friend’s partner is a micromanager. Katherine’s friend has wanted to dissolve the partnership. A call to the New England town brings the dreadful news of a murder. Kate’s protectiveness factor takes hold and she leaves a note for Lars and heads to rescue her friend. Though she has promised to leave murders alone, she feels she has no choice. Lars follows to help her solve another murder.

Editorial Review
Long-time beau Lars has finally convinced Katherine Miller to become Katherine Claybourne. But fans won't be surprised that even on her honeymoon, Kate can't stop herself. She's a magnet for murder. ~ Writer Gail Roughton

Susan

5.0 out of 5 starsMrs. Miller reels in another culprit

July 15, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Murder and Herbal Tea by Janet Lane Walters
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Books We Love
First Sentence: During the second week of June, Lars arrived in the Hudson River village where I live and where he had a home.
Review: Katherine, aka Kate, Miller is finally marrying Lars Claybourne. They barely tie the knot and Kate’s off to clear her friend, Joyce, of any wrong doing…even though all fingers point at her. (Without giving up any spoilers)
It’s serious charges against Joyce, and Kate’s all into figuring out what the authorities seem to be missing. Following her process of elimination down a twisty path of possibilities kept me on my toes, enjoyably so.

I read Ms. Walters’ book out of sequence, (this is book 5) not that you should read the Mrs. Miller Mysteries books out of order, but I was able to follow along with the story and character relationships flawlessly.

A happy ending always makes me smile, and Ms. Walters delivers. I recommend this book to anyone who’s into cozy mysteries where the story-star sleuth comes packed with personality plus; )
Susan

eileen charbonneau

5.0 out of 5 starsAnother winner!

August 7, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Who leaves her groom on their wedding day to solve a murder? Mrs Miller-Claybourne, that's who! And her readers are all the better for it! A tolerant and helpful new husband, a friend in need, cooked books, suspects galore, lots of delicious food, tea, and Victorian homes and shops settings make this a welcome addition to this delightful cozy mystery series. And policemen? When are you going to learn that condescending: "Leave detecting to me" remarks are just NOT WISE in the presence of our super sleuth??

Excerpt:

Wednesday, my wedding day, had arrived. I stood in the bathroom and listened to the noisy chatter from the other

 side of the door. This was the last time I would be in this house as a resident. For several minutes, I stared at

 the mirror. So many years of living here. So many memories both good and bad. Time to begin anew as I had

 once before.

     I opened the door and was surrounded by a bevy of women who had come to help me prepare. Friends who

 were my neighbors, my granddaughter and daughter-in-law clapped their hands.

     “No veil, Grammy. Why not? You’re a bride.”

  “An elderly one who must maintain her dignity.” I chuckled. Andrea would have gladly seen me in a white

 creation with a mile long train.

     Maria, Beth, Sarah and Jenna laughed at the comment.

     I fitted on my hat and turned to face them. “Do you approve?’

     “Pretty, beautiful, lovely, terrific, dignified.” Those were the comments. The last one belonged to Ruth, my

daughter-in-law.

     “Thank you all but four of you had better head out or you’ll be late for my wedding.”

     With a rush of laughter and the sound of their footsteps heading down the stairs leading to the first floor

 followed. I heard the front door close. Jenna called to Richard.

     Ruth smiled. “Are you nervous?”

     "Not a bit.” I stood in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the closet door. The dark green suit and the

 lighter shade of the blouse turned my eyes from hazel to green.

     I thought of my missing friend. I hadn’t had time to call Joyce. Brenda must have played some trick to keep  

Joyce from leaving Vermont yesterday. She would be at the wedding. She had promised.

     Robespierre crawled from under the bed where he’d hidden during the invasion. He sat in his Sphinx position

 and cocked his head.

     “Do I meet your approval?”

     He stretched and sniffed my shoes. “Merrup.”

     I bent to pet him. He seldom speaks so this was a special occasion. “Guess you approve.”

     “Merrup.”

     Andrea giggled. “I think he said yes.”

     “Agreed.” I slipped on my pumps. A flutter began in my stomach. Why now? Lars and I had been friends 

when we both had spouses and had remained so for all these years. I rose and looked at the cat. “Be 

good this afternoon. Lars and I will be back for my luggage.” From here we would go to a nearby hotel to rest

 until time for reception number two.

     A rap on the door announced the arrival of my son. “Ready to go?” Andrew asked.

     Andrea and Ruth slid past and started downstairs leaving me with my only child. Tall, handsome and almost

 always reserved, except for the time my dead tenant had lured him into her web. Andrew looked so much like 

father. For a moment, I wondered how my son felt about the marriage.

     He clasped my hands. “You look wonderful. Glad it’s finally happening. You and Lars have been friends

 for so long.”

     I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

     We walked downstairs. Ruth, Andrea and the cat waited beside the car. Andrea danced toward us. “We 

could take Robespierre to church.”

     Laughter erupted and with it all my worries vanished. “You don’t want to ride in a car with him unless he’s 

 in a carrier. And when we reach the church he would tear down the aisle and attack Edward’s shoes.

 Not an auspicious start for the ceremony.” I slid into the front passenger’s seat. “Time for us to go.”

Five minutes later Andrew pulled the car into the space in front of the church where barriers stood. St.

Stephens’ custodian removed the sawhorses and walked across the street for his wife who waited at the curb.

     “Beautiful day for a wedding, Mrs. M.” The elderly man and his wife walked up the steps in front of us. 

When we reached the entrance, Ruth and Andrea hurried to their seats. Andrew and I waited behind the doors.

     I listened to the vibrant tones of the organ I had played years ago when I had directed the choir. Laurie, a

former piano student of mine, was home from college for the summer and had insisted on playing for the

 ceremony. Brilliant, I thought. Her touch had a different fire from what I’d heard when Roger played the 

instrument. But he was dead. Murdered here. I’d found his body and faced his killer. I wonder if Laurie’s mother 

would ever leave the hospital for the criminally insane.

     A quartet from the choir sang the last notes. I clasped Andrew’s arm and remembered Roger. Brilliant,

 charismatic and evil. I had found his body and solved the mystery of how he had been killed.

     “Mom, you all right?” Andrew asked.

     “Just bludgeoned by a memory.” I peered through the glass of the doors.

     Lars and his youngest son waited at the front of the church. Edward entered. The music changed to the hymn

 from Finlandia. The ushers, Lars’ older sons, opened the doors.

     “Show time,” I whispered.

     Andrew and I walked down the center aisle. The pews rivaled a holiday service. Friends, neighbors, 

relatives, acquaintances and strangers who must be Lars’ business associates lined the pews. Andrew and I 

reached the railing before the altar.

     Lars clasped my hand. The ceremony began. Before long we exchanged vows and the rings Maria had

 designed for us. Lars kissed me.