Y’all, when I saw this book on a list for a possible book tour, I was intrigued. I haven’t read anything by Kate Oliver before but something about the description of the book caught my attention. I was not disappointed when opened the book on my Kindle and started reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a fictional small town in Virginia. In  many ways it reminded me of the Sneaky Pie Brown series with the close knit community set in the rolling mountains, the cozy mystery with a hint of suspense, and the fantastic characters. The heroine is a quirky English professor at a small university who dresses in Jane Austen era garb while she teaches. When someone dies of poisoning at the grand opening of her sister’s French bakery, she is determined to help the police find the murderer. She needs to clear her sister so that the bakery can be a success. When additional attempts are made, the stakes continue to rise. The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to go back and read the earlier books in the series — it was that good!

Here’s more about the book:

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she’s quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra’s sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business.

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah’s new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah’s famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel’s assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra’s help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

PRAISE FOR CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY

• “This is the first book I have read in the Jane Austen Tea Society series, but it won’t be my last…If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is a book you will enjoy.”— Book Looks by Lisa
• “The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. Highly recommend.”— Cara Putman, author of Come What May
• 5 STARS— Gwendalyn’s Books

 If you’d like to buy a copy, you can find links and more information at these locations:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

 AUTHOR BIO

Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series.

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