Crystals & CuriosiTEAS #2
Lauren Elliott’s second book in her Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series, Murder in a Cup, does not disappoint. Shay Myers is determined to make her new life in Monterey Peninsula a success and, given the popularity of her shop, that seems to be more than possible. With the help of her sister Jen, a local misfit teenager named Tassi, and of course her loyal dog Spirit, Shay has plenty of help in running Crystals & CuriosiTEAS. Serving tea and selling knick-knacks isn’t Shay’s only business, she also provides services as a Seer, such as reading tea leaves or palms. Given that she is a self-taught Seer, logical minded Shay is always a little nervous about exploring this more mystical side of herself. Luckily local pub owner and friend Liam has his Gran coming into town and she is a well versed Seer. Unfortunately for Shay, Gran is also more than a little pushy and has her committing to doing a group event reading before she’s really comfortable with it.
Tragedy strikes at the event, but not because Shay can’t complete the readings appropriately. One of her guests, the most obnoxious one, ends up dropping dead shortly after receiving her reading. One of her employees has an unwilling connection to the woman, and not a positive one, which quickly makes her the prime suspect. Shay tries to stay out of it, focusing on just getting the shop back on its feet, but when it becomes painfully clear that the problem isn’t going to go away or come to a quick conclusion, she decides to put on her detective’s cap and try to figure out who could be behind it herself. Luckily, she has help from Liam’s law enforcement past, his Gran’s mystical know-how, and as always her loyal dog Spirit. Together they dive into the real and the mystical in order to exonerate their shop and their friend.
I have always liked Shay Myers for being not only a very practical and logical heroine, but also for being open to the mystical and embracing her abilities when they manifest. It is difficult for her to reconcile the two halves of herself, but she is determined to embrace everything about who she is and where she came from. She is desperate for guidance from Gran, who is luckily willing to help, and she welcomes any and everything she can share with her. Gran gets into the lore of the fair folk and legends of Ireland, including Shay’s own family connection to them. Learning about her abilities, her biological family, and all the lore that intermingles with it is a lot for anyone to take in, but Shay takes it all in stride. She is determined to make the most of her new life, to find the secrets of her past, and to keep her Crystals & CuriosiTEAS family safe and together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and have eagerly been awaiting the sequel. I can safely say that it did not disappoint. Shay’s determination and fearlessness endears her to readers, as does her compassion and concern for those around her. Her all-white German Shepard Spirit is also an endearing part of the narrative, as he is determined not just to warn and protect her, but also their young friend as she goes through a very difficult time. Lauren Elliott also gets into Irish lore and myth a bit more in this book, which was very nice to see and helps Shay to ground concept of her powers a little. If you have read the first book in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series, then this is a must have. If you want to give Murder in a Cup a try before going back to the first book, you won’t be lost. Characters and setting are explained in a succinct and clear way so you will not be wondering who is who and where we are, or what is going on. Careful, after finishing this book you may be giving your own left-over tea leaves a little side eye of CuriosiTEA. – Carla Schantz