Lucy Stone--reporter for the Tinker's Cove, Maine, Pennysaver--is taking her first trip across the Atlantic. The tour of England, led by a local professor, is a chance for Lucy and her friends Rachel, Pam and Sue to see something of the world. When one of the tour members dies before the plane has even landed, Lucy can't help but wonder whether the death was indeed an unfortunate accident.
As she pokes around the Tower of London, bargains with vendors at Portobello Market and walks the pier at Bath, Lucy observes her fellow travelers and is left feeling uneasy. Is she allowing thoughts of a conspiracy get the better of her? After a couple of unexplained accidents and a second death, Lucy--and the police--are on the case.
Whether this is your introduction to Lucy Stone or you're caught up with the series, you'll find Leslie Meier's English Tea Murder a great escape. You'll sympathize with Lucy as she adjusts to the foods and customs of modern England and might be envious as she explores historic sites and shops in Harrods. Throughout the trip, however, Lucy can't shake the idea that she witnessed a murder, even though none of the Americans--including a grieving mother, troubled college students and a medical doctor--seems to have means or motive. Thanks to the complex relationships among the characters and an unexpected dilemma for Lucy, you'll find it difficult to predict the ending of this satisfying cozy. --Candace B. Levy, freelance editor blogging at Beth Fish Reads