Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott


 Murder in a Cup is the second novel in Lauren Elliott’s Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery series. I really, really like this series so far and count it as one of my automatic buys. Shayleigh Myers inherited the tea shop from her deceased, and never known, mother. Her sister Jen helps out at the shop as well as a teenage girl named Tassi. Clearing out many of the more magical items, Shay is left with some deadly plants that a local botanist professor and her college students are supposed to be removing. While in the teashop, the Little White Gloves Society has come for tea, and convince Shay to do a group tea reading. Unfortunately, the tea reading takes a deadly turn when one of the ladies collapses and dies. Now Shay must find out what happened and why before her staff and she end up behind bars. 

Yay! I’m so happy that this novel focused on Tassi. She is such a relatable character for me, because I deal with anxiety to the point of exhaustion. I felt so sad for Tassi during and after everything, but I think she will appear stronger as the series progresses. I really need Liam to get his act together, and I’m hoping Gran forces him to do so. The addition of Gran is great, because it shows the research that the author put into the novel. That’s my ultimate favorite thing about this series, the obvious care that was put into it.

I'm curious to see the plot involving Shay’s family. I think her relationship with her sister is great, but I would like to see more of the Irish side. Gran being there allows many potential options. 

I, now, have two German Shepherds, and the mannerisms depicted in the novel are real. My oldest is very in tune with my husband. The youngest is still learning, but she is very clingy and doesn’t really like when she’s not with us. Both do a dancy-prancy maneuver if they want to investigate something. 

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. 

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