A Scone to Die For

Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1

De: H.Y. Hanna

Narrado por: Pearl Hewitt

"They say you have to make sacrifices to follow your dreams. I just didn't expect the sacrifices to involve an American tourist and a killer scone."

Gemma ditches her high-flying job and returns to Oxford to pursue her dream of opening a traditional English tearoom. It means giving up her savings, moving back with her parents, and coping with her bossy, matchmaking mother, but she's sure it will all be worth it. In fact, business is already booming—that is, until she opens up shop and finds an American tourist murdered by one of her signature scones! Now Gemma is apron-deep in a puzzling mystery, with her past coming back to haunt her when the handsome CID detective leading the case turns out to be her old college flame. And with the nosy "Old Biddies" from the local village meddling at every turn and her baker's cheeky cat terrorizing her kitchen, she's beginning to find herself in a real pickle....

Who was the American, and what was he really doing in Oxford? Is his death linked to a long-buried scandal at the historic university, or was he just the unlucky victim of a brawl at the village pub? What about the sultry new member of local book club—is she lying about her relationship with the murdered tourist?

The question that's really bothering Gemma, though, is how she can keep serving warm buttery scones with jam and clotted cream, and fragrant tea in pretty bone china...when her customers think her baking is more deadly than delicious! With the body count rising and her tearoom going bust, can Gemma find the killer before her dreams turn to custard?

A Scone to Die For is the delectable first book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries. If you like deliciously endearing characters, intriguing whodunits, and hilarious British humor—not to mention cats with big personalities!—then you'll love the first book in H.Y. Hanna's best-selling culinary cozy mystery series.

©2016 H.Y. Hanna (P)2023 H.Y. Hanna

Perfect With A Cup of Tea! Just Perfect!

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

YES, I am highly recommending this audiobook to all my friends. It is a delightful journey from the engaging storyline to the quirky characters, from the descriptions of the little Meadowford-on-Smythe village to Oxford University, from more than a few suspects to more than a few mysteries to ponder. This story has me hooked and eager to continue the journey.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1?

The most memorable moments came as Gemma reflected on the thoughts and memories of her past relationship with DI Devlin O'Conner...the passion, the quiet, the regrets. We all had those college relationships and first loves, and for her the possibility of reigniting those feelings is an intriguing direction I look forward to see how it is addressed in the series.

What does Pearl Hewitt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Pearl Hewitt is "Absolutely Fabulous!" Her British accent is the perfect dialect for Gemma's educated manner, and the tone changes helped add a bit to the other characters: proper English for the 'old biddies" and the Oxford Dons, street English for the pub owner and some questionable villagers, and the change she mastered for the Americans. She kept me engaged, giggling at the British tone I so enjoy...even murder sounds great with an English accent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was very moved by how Gemma was looked after by so many of her friends and family. Even when her mother drove her crazy with comments about her change in career not worthy of an Oxford education, Mabel shared advice for keeping regular, Glenda remarked a man who is good at 'dancing' is also..., Cassie pointed out the dangers, and DI O'Conner scolded her, their motives were to protect her...showing their love and friendship.

Any additional comments?

No Spoilers! But, the final solution to the mystery was not expected, and I choked back a tear when all was revealed. H.Y. Hanna gave a twist that often is not part of the 'cozy mystery' formula. But it was the right decision. I really LOVED this book, and am inviting Pearl over for tea and scones and...will you read book 2 to me?
SCONES!
The Traditional English Scone method is described in the audiobook as Gemma tries her hand at Fletcher's recipe, but in the eBook/print the recipe is included.

watch out for the scones

I am big fan of the cozy mysteries. Normally the ones i read are the paranormal but i have to say did enjoy this one. I loved how the characters interacted and just when you thought you knew who murderer was it changed. Look forward to more by this author and in this series.

Umm...After reading the reviews I expected more

I am a fan of Agatha Raisin , Flavia de luce and other "Cozy mysteries" but I just never connected with the main character ; she was not as mischievous,interesting or as flawed as I expected. (she's no Agatha Raisin). Never once did I laugh out loud or gasp. Also was not that intrigued by the mystery and did not like the solution to the mystery either. The narrator was fine but she made the thirty year old main character seem older. I may eventually try the next in the series to see if this was just a scene setter and if the storylines improve.

A Fun Little Amateur Sleuth Story

The author succeeded in creating lovable, interesting characters, and the ending is a real surprise. I'm eager to read more books in this series to see if she brings out more of these same characters, especially the four old bitties. The narrator was easy to listen to.

Well crafted fun

This was a fully developed cozy mystery complete with quirky characters, great twists, and a well managed ending.

The most masterful part of this book was the twists and turns just when you think you've got it figured out, you don't. Unlike a lot of other books in this category the author did a wonderful job of keeping the ending a secret till the very last moment.

As an audiobook this was very well done. The narration was smooth. The characters distinct. And very well mastered, excellent sound quality.

Pure delight from start to finish!

Where does A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in the top ten

What did you like best about this story?

The quirky characters, the humor, and the Oxford area setting

Which character – as performed by Pearl Hewitt – was your favorite?

Gemma Rose

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

This first book in the Oxford Tearoom series by H.Y.Hanna is a delight from start to finish! The author brings the Oxford area setting to life, as well as the quirky characters who live there. This well written story held my interest from the beginning, and I was sorry to have it end. (Thank goodness there are more books in the series!) The "Little Stables Tearoom" is a place I would love to visit, and the well drawn and completely believable cast of characters, including Gemma Rose, the spunky tea shop owner, her artistic assistant Cassie, Gemma's well meaning but annoying mother, handsome police inspector Devlin O'Connor, and a group of customers fondly referred to as "the old biddies", are people I would like to know.. The "old biddies" in particular provided several laugh out loud moments. This book has it all - humor, mystery, a wonderful setting, and a hint of possible romance in the future. I really enjoyed listening to the Audible version - the reader, Pearl Hewitt, did a great job with the different characters, and has a perfect reading voice which was easy and pleasant to listen to. I highly recommend this Audible book.

Possibly for younger readers

The narrator did her best to put some color into a fairly insipid story. The main character is a silly twit with stereotypical reactions and over reactions to situations. The plot is formulaic but the language is good.
I imagine the story appealing to 15 to 20 year olds who are new to mysteries.

I really like it

My first read/ listen from author H.Y. Hanna. I got this book back in August of 2017 and then got the audiobook in November of 2017 & finally got around to reading it. An enjoyable cozy mystery, since I own both the Kindle & Audible versions I was able to follow along as I read it. Once I got used to the British accented narrator I really enjoyed the read. Next up, All Butter Shortbread, the prequel in the series.

Good book, took awhile to get going

The story was interesting once things started happening after 5 chapters of world building. 4 stars only because of the slow start and detailed world building. Otherwise the story was very good! I enjoyed this good clean murder mystery with cursing or sex scenes plus is has a cute cat in it!!

Cute

A bit slow in parts but clean and cute. Nice group of characters, good setup for a series.