Shadow of a Spout
A Teapot Collector Mystery #2
By Amanda Cooper
ISBN#9780425265246
Author’s Website: http://www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Avid teapot collector Rose Freemont takes a break from her Victorian tea house only to find a new mystery brewing elsewhere…
Leaving her home in Gracious Grove behind her, Rose is off to the annual convention of the International Teapot Collector’s Society. Her granddaughter Sophie is minding the tea house while she’s away. Rose is eager for tough cookie Zunia Pettigrew to appraise a prized antique teapot she believes may be a holy water vessel from China.
But when Zunia declares the pot a fake, Rose is really steamed. After Zunia’s found dead beside Rose’s dinged-in teapot, Sophie must rush to her grandmother’s aid and find the real killer—before Rose is steeped in any more trouble… (Goodreads)
Review:
Septuagenarian Rose and her best friend/employee Laverne take their leave of Gracious Grove, NY, and entrust Aunt Rose’s Victorian Tea House to the capable hands of Rose’s granddaughter Sophie to attend the New York State division of the International Teapot Collectors Society (ITCS) annual convention in nearby Butterhill. Rose is excited to see her fellow society members and have the New York president Zunia, whom she has never met, appraise her newest teapot acquisition. However, when Zunia belittles everyone’s items in front of the entire group Rose stands up to her, an act quite out of character for Rose. Her nemesis and neighbor, Thelma Mae, makes matters worse when she tells anyone who will listen that Rose is dangerous and blames a death (from Tempest in the Teapot) on her. Later that same night, Zunia is discovered in the hall of the inn deceased with Rose’s teapot beside her, the suspected murder weapon. This, along with Rose’s earlier altercation with Zunia, lands her at the top of the police’s list of suspects. When Sophie learns of her grandmother’s predicament, she rushes to Butterhill to find the real culprit and clear Rose’s name.
Shadow of a Spout tells a tale full of jealously, adultery, and deceit. Zunia did not endear herself to many. Just about everyone had negative dealings with her and most would be justified in wanting her dead. The suspects include her husband and his ex-wife, present and former lovers, her step-daughter, a rival candidate for her presidential office, and others. It is presented in puzzle form told from various points of view. Sophie follows in the police’s footsteps as she methodically garners the pieces to fit the stories together, discovering lies and misdirection, eliminating some suspects, and determining the killer moments before (s)he reveals her/himself.
I so wanted to love this book. It combines elements that I enjoy – I am a bit of a tea connoisseur, collect teapots, and am interested in all things related to the ritual of tea. However, this just fell kind of flat for me. I do not care much for the style of the writing despite the fact that differing POV do not usually bother me. The story takes place outside of Gracious Grove, and I think it suffered by not having that “hometown” atmosphere that is often such an essential part of cozy mysteries. Mostly, I think my issue is with the characters. For the most part, they seem shallowly drawn, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Rose and Laverne are nice enough, but I found their descriptions contradictory. Are they strong, older ladies capable of withstanding the rigors of running a tea shop or are they weaker individuals, diminished by age? The cast of suspects were all thoroughly unlikable. Who would have thought that a group devoted to collecting some of the finer things in life could be so ugly, petty, and a group of back stabbers? Sophie is one dimensional, too insecure and indecisive. The saving grace can be found in sixteen-year old Josh. His youth juxtaposed with the older people and collectibles was endearing. And finally, what can I say about Thelma Mae? She is one of the most wretched people I have come across in quite a while. I understand that she is supposed to be Rose’s foil, but I just do not get her. Is she supposed to be funny?
On the bright side, the tea talk is still quite interesting, and the premise of the mystery solid. Though a bit repetitious, the clues are presented in a logical, organized manner. Also, I did not guess whodunit until quite far into the book. This is a good thing in my opinion. The somewhat cliffhanger ending does make me want to read the next book in the series. Finally, the inclusion of the short article A Cup of Enlightenment by Karen Owen (of Karen Mom of Three) was informative and a nice addition.
Though this, in the end, was not my cup of tea, I do think many cozy readers will enjoy it. I will continue to read Ms. Cooper’s other works (written as Victoria Hamilton). Recommended to fans of the series and those who enjoy older characters.
