Food journalist Naomi Sinclair doesn’t expect a side of murder with her passion fruit juice. But when her return to Saint Thomas heralds a series of troubling cases, ranging from petty theft to cold-blooded murder, that threaten her tight-knit community, that is exactly the kind of unsavory treat she must sink her teeth into.
Luckily for her neighbors, Naomi is as adept at solving puzzles as rolling johnnycake dough—a good thing, since her island community, though small, keeps serving up plenty of trouble. With the help of her friends and her crush, Mateo, Naomi must navigate the tumultuous turquoise waters of life in the Caribbean, all as her beloved father battles an illness that keeps tugging her back to her island amid her rising career stateside.
Rich with mouthwatering recipes, lush landscapes, and a hefty dose of fun under the sun, The Bush Tea Murder has all the ingredients to make up the perfect beach read. (Summary via Goodreads)
I'm always excited when I have the chance to read a book by a new author or a book in a new series and I had both with The Bush Tea Murder, the first book in the Caribbean Island Mystery series by Ashley-Run Bernier. I was very excited to be spending time on an island with Naomi, her friends and lots of mouthwatering dishes and drinks. But sadly, I was disappointed and had a difficult time finishing the book.
When I read and review a book, whether I liked it or not, I always let readers know what I did like within the story. I want to be honest and truthful and just because the book wasn't for me, doesn't mean it won't be for others.
In The Bush Tea Murder main character Naomi, who has a television show centered around food, is approached to host a different show. She along with another co-worker, is given a year to provide a first episode for a television show regarding a cold case murder that has food involved. She instantly knows the case she wants to showcase so she sets her sites on that and returns to St. Thomas to begin her research, interviews and investigation.
The story goes in a lot of different directions. Sometimes readers are back at the television station offices where she is presenting her story, then it jumps to back to a certain time in the past year. During that time, she finds herself instrumental in solving some smaller present cases as well as the case she is working on.
Naomi also learns that her father has been ill and she tries to be there for that and then there is Mateo, I think he is what got me through the book. Their relationship is awesome !!
Okay..... The Bush Tea Murder is categorized as a cozy mystery and although there is no strict definition of it, the main rule of thumb seems to be that the story contains no graphic violence and generally no swearing or sex. In The Bush Tea Murder there was quite a bit of cursing throughout. The only reason I kept reading is that the worst swear word was NOT used. I have been reviewing cozy mysteries for over 10 years and have had this problem less than 10 times, so I think I am doing pretty good. However, I do know that cursing can be a turn off for some readers.
Even though I was not a fan of this book, I don't want you to take just my word for it. Please read other reviews and maybe begin reading it yourself if it sounds like something you will enjoy. I never listen to others' opinions when it comes to a movie I want to see and I refuse to read reviews on them so take that into consideration.
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