Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.
The Bush Tea Murder
Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier
A Caribbean Island Mystery
I was so entranced by this story and the way that author, Ashley-Ruth Bernier, included local dishes and fun facts, that I was looking up recipes for Johnny Cakes, pictures of Flamboyant trees, and prices for a cruise that would make port in St. Thomas so I could go buy some bush tea. This is not only an unusual storyline, but an expertly crafted tale that proves that a death in paradise can be so much more than just some sand, the sea, and a gimmick. Naomi Sinclair, originally from the island of St. Thomas, has relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina and is the host of the TV show, A Word From the Kitchen. Naomi is living her dream, a job centered around culinary journalism.
What starts out as an opportunity to earn a spot hosting a new true crime food related show becomes an eye-opening experience and a chance for Naomi to shine a light on her home, St. Thomas, and all the things that make it more than just a cruise ship port of call. Naomi chooses an unsolved crime that involves a woman who had built up a business that started with bush tea and was about to be taken to the next level by a rich businessman from the states who wanted to bottle her amazing brews and stock them on shelves from coast to coast. A note to the reader, this is not a comfy cozy but more of an edgy cozy with situations that are very real life oriented, with both good and bad aspects, and good and bad people, and several mysterious suspects in between.
The premise for the new show is unsolved mysteries with a culinary theme, which I find to be a fresh and fascinating idea. In addition to the unique plot premise, the story is told, with a timeline that bounces between the present and sequential periods that span the previous year. Each period is a subplot which introduces a new character or two. The subplots are actually mini mysteries, which Naomi solves while keeping the overall themes in play such as a romance with the handsome EMT, daughterly concern for her parents' health and well-being, and navigating friendships from childhood. In addition to introducing characters in an organic way, each short story added another piece to the Ursula Merchant, locked room murder mystery and the story for Naomi’s pilot show pitch.
This series starter had everything a good mystery needs from captivating characters to amazing imagery and everything in between. The dialogue was well written, and the clues sprinkled just enough. The final reveal has everyone, from the network execs to myself, on the edge of our seats and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next Caribbean Island Mystery.
The Bush Tea Murder
