Scones & Bones

A Tea Shop Mystery

By: Laura Childs

Narrated by: Barbara McCulloh

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is lured into attending the Heritage Society's "Pirates and Plunder" soiree. But it's an antique diamond skull ring that gets plundered by someone who murders a history intern in the process. Theodosia knows she'll have to whet her investigative skills to find the killer among a raft of suspects.

©2011 Gerry Schmitt & Associates, Inc. (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Ok as a Plus listen, not worth a credit.

Main character is great, right up until she starts solving mysteries. She's a good friend and is creative with her tea business. Otherwise, she's just randomly picking suspects and asking questions and destroying police procedure. So it's doubtful how any of the guilty people would be convicted, any lawyer would find multiple technicalities to get the case tossed out.

Also, she (and the whole town) are always down on the police for no real reason, like corruption for example. It's a very worn stereotype to just assume they're incapable just because they can't immediately solve a crime within 16 minutes of it happening. And why would detectives share confidential information with a clumsy, nosy woman with no investigator's license? I suppose as a fantasy story we're not supposed to worry about that?

Narrator tries to create distinctive voices, some are more successful than others. Her southern drawls are fun. But there's also a lot of shrieking that has me scrambling for the volume down button.

Nice details about Charleston's landscape, architecture, and shops.

voice

Poor voice choice. no southern softness . not the voice of a vibrant young woman. irritating.

Terrific Novel!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This audiobook is outstanding. The first time I have felt so drawn in by the reader, Barbara McCulloh.The cast came alive! It was a new dimension in reading.
Barbara brought Theo, Drayton, Haley, and Det. Tidwell to life right in front of my ears

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I have read and enjoyed many of the Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs. I read Death by Darjeeling back in 2006. I knew Laura had a winner.
I love Charleston and Laura brings us into her town and all its history.

Have you listened to any of Barbara McCulloh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've only heard three other readers before. She is the best! I will certainly look up her other performances

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A novel of suspense and pirate intrigue.

Any additional comments?

Thanks for giving me a new experience in reading.

Just not my cup of tea

I had high hopes for this series because I love cozy mysteries and am a tea aficionado. This is cozy enough I guess, just not quite what I was hoping for. Not complex enough, too easily solved. I liked the recipes after the story better than the story itself. Narration was just ok. I tend to prefer a male voice for some reason though; all my favorite narrators are male. I don't think I will continue this series even though I used several credits for multiple volumes from it, thinking I would love it. Maybe I'll come back after some time passes and try another of these. Maybe not.

Love tea and mysteries but this was NOT my cup of tea

The narrator should have been southern. She was too clipped and the characters were just off

The story makes the police seem inept and totally lacks any idea of true police procedures. The characters are flat and stereotyped

Read some of this series many years ago but it seems much now it is just dreary and tried to hard. I really wanted to like it too.

The recipes at the end aren’t even that good.

Not worth a credit so glad this was free

Murder for Nothing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, because while the descriptions of life running a tea house are sweet and informative, the mystery itself is too far-fetched to be believable. Police officers do NOT let civilians lead criminal chases, much less without back-up a la Old West Cowboy style. Trying not to give spoilers: The apprehension of the criminal does nothing to actually describe motive, nor do we actually hear anything from the criminal at the crucial end except for

What do you think your next listen will be?

My next listen will not be another offering from this author.

What three words best describe Barbara McCulloh’s voice?

over the top

Was Scones & Bones worth the listening time?

Only 50% of the time, for descriptions of running the tea house and the events they sponsored.

Any additional comments?

This book started off well, but the mystery wasn't focused and finished up too quickly, conveniently, and unbelievably. At the end, I wondered if it couldn't have been totally rewritten from Chapter 3 down a different plot line, one that was mentioned as key to the mystery but then ignored.

Wholesome!

A nice non-gory detail mystery with no cursing. Rated G. I liked the Narrator - excellent performance / reading.

Scones and bones

I enjoyed this audio book mystery. it wasn't as good as other Laura child's mysteries, but it was good.

Funny and interesting

I loved the narration and the strong personalities created in this book and the series in general.

Super enjoyable!

What made the experience of listening to Scones & Bones the most enjoyable?

I was unsure at first, but decided to give it a try as I have enjoyed audio versions of books in the past. But it is all in the reading of course. Barbara McCulloh brought this book to life in a most delightful way. I am pretty picky too because I adore Laura Childs' tea shop mystery series. Highly recommend other fans - and even first timers - to listen to the book even if you have already read it - like me!

What other book might you compare Scones & Bones to and why?

If you have already fallen in love with Theodosia, Drayton and Haley (and Earl Gray), you know what a fun series this is. Very entertaining. So I would compare it with other Laura Childs' mysteries.

Which character – as performed by Barbara McCulloh – was your favorite?

The first character that popped in my head was Delaine and her high-pitched screech which Ms McCulloh handles exceptionally well. It made me chuckle and cringe at the same time, which is exactly the right result.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I rarely read a book all in one sitting, time being an issue. But saying that, I couldn't wait to get back to this one. And it was easy to do. So yes, I would have loved to but that didn't take one iota away from my total enjoyment.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Audible.com. And more Laura Childs and Barbara McCulloh tea shop mystery recordings please!