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Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries #4
A Bodkin for the Bride
Something old, something new, something dead...
It’s autumn in Santa Fe, and Ellen Rosings is planning her Aunt Nat’s wedding at the Wisteria Tearoom. Her progress is derailed by a dead body—yes, another one—that she finds in her aunt’s driveway.
The corpse is an artist Ellen saw that morning selling gem-handled knives at the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market. The detective assigned to the case—not, alas, the handsome, sympathetic Tony Aragón—is looking to Ellen to explain why the body ended up in Nat’s driveway. Tony is busy on his own case and can’t help.
Soon the dead artist starts appearing in Ellen’s dreams, holding the knife that was found beside him. He wasn’t stabbed. What does it mean?
Between the dreams, the looming wedding, work pressures and a tenacious case of hiccups, Ellen fears she’s unraveling. Then a gem-handled knife is left embedded in Nat’s door, and Ellen knows she must solve the artist’s death before another crime strikes closer to home.
It’s autumn in Santa Fe, and Ellen Rosings is planning her Aunt Nat’s wedding at the Wisteria Tearoom. Her progress is derailed by a dead body—yes, another one—that she finds in her aunt’s driveway.
The corpse is an artist Ellen saw that morning selling gem-handled knives at the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market. The detective assigned to the case—not, alas, the handsome, sympathetic Tony Aragón—is looking to Ellen to explain why the body ended up in Nat’s driveway. Tony is busy on his own case and can’t help.
Soon the dead artist starts appearing in Ellen’s dreams, holding the knife that was found beside him. He wasn’t stabbed. What does it mean?
Between the dreams, the looming wedding, work pressures and a tenacious case of hiccups, Ellen fears she’s unraveling. Then a gem-handled knife is left embedded in Nat’s door, and Ellen knows she must solve the artist’s death before another crime strikes closer to home.
228 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2015
76 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Greenwood
20 books109 followersPatrice Greenwood was born and raised in New Mexico, and remembers when the Santa Fe Plaza was home to more dusty dogs than trendy art galleries. She has been writing fiction longer than she cares to admit, perpetrating over twenty published novels in various genres. She uses a different name for each genre, thus enabling her to pretend she is a Secret Agent.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
She loves afternoon tea, old buildings, gourmet tailgating at the opera, ghost stories, costumes, and solving puzzles. Her popular Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries are colored by many of these interests. She is presently collapsed on her chaise longue, sipping Wisteria White tea and planning the next book in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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July 13, 2015I got a chance to read this in draft, and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the delicious descriptions of the tea shop offerings, and the way Greenwood gently weaves in several storylines arcing over the series.
She also brings the central mystery to a satisfactory close. I've become addicted to this series, and hope there will be plenty more. (I am especially curious about the story of the ghost . . .)
A new reader could easily begin here, but for maximum fun, I suggest starting with the first.
She also brings the central mystery to a satisfactory close. I've become addicted to this series, and hope there will be plenty more. (I am especially curious about the story of the ghost . . .)
A new reader could easily begin here, but for maximum fun, I suggest starting with the first.
February 19, 2018
This one has been my least favorite so far. Although it was still good, it felt a bit thrown together and disjointed with the rest of them. I can understand wanting to mix things up, but this one just fell a little flat for me.
November 28, 2020
This series gets better and better. I love Ellen, Tony and Nat and all the other side characters that make this book so wonderful. I love the paranormal side to it and the wonderful tea room. The story was great and kept twisting and turning till the end. I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait to read more in the series.
October 2, 2018
Definitely not my favorite in this series. There really wasn't much sleuthing; events just happened.
September 8, 2020
Fourth in the Wisteria Tearoom Mystery series. Another cute, easy to read mystery. This one however had 2 flaws: I figured out the murderer early on and Detective Tony Aragon was hardly in this story! Such a disappointment!
I did thoroughly enjoy the meeting of Ellen and Tony's family (without Tony present). You could feel the tension and anxiety. Who hasn't had a similar nerve racking experience - wanting to impress and please, yet feeling judged? Can't wait for another meet-up with the extended Aragon family!
I did thoroughly enjoy the meeting of Ellen and Tony's family (without Tony present). You could feel the tension and anxiety. Who hasn't had a similar nerve racking experience - wanting to impress and please, yet feeling judged? Can't wait for another meet-up with the extended Aragon family!
July 25, 2015
Rating is really a 3.5 - I have avidly read this series; I think the characters are well drawn and I enjoy getting to know them. I felt, however, that the mystery in this story was not fully elucidated - the motive was not made clear. I realize that in real life the motives for people committing murder are not easily understood - but since most of Wisteria Tea Rooms cases seem to be solved by psychic insight I guess I just expected more of an explanation at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2015
Another Success
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. I look forward to the next one. the characters are a big draw for me. series with recurring characters are like reading about a town you once lived in, but have moved away: you want to find out how everyone is. these are cozy mysteries with a tea room to die for--and that's what people have been doing.
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. I look forward to the next one. the characters are a big draw for me. series with recurring characters are like reading about a town you once lived in, but have moved away: you want to find out how everyone is. these are cozy mysteries with a tea room to die for--and that's what people have been doing.
May 10, 2020
Phew! another great addition to the Wisteria Tearoom series :D
Ellen and Nat are making preparations for Nat and Manny's upcoming wedding, including Ellen making the dresses for both Nat and herself, one of the things Nat wants on the dresses are some silver buttons, she has seen some at the local flea market and so Nat and Ellen head there. Whilst Nat is shortlisting the buttons Ellen has a wander around some of the other stalls, including one where a young man is selling inlaid knives. Before she gets a chance to talk to him to see if he does other metal work Nat calls her over, the rest of the day is spent sewing and having a good time together, which screeches to a halt when Ellen gets outside to her car and finds a dead body behind it!
It turns out that the dead body is that of the young man with the stall of knives, with Tony on another case Ellen needs to deal with a new detective and the stress of everything has caused a major bout of hiccups! Now Ellen keeps dreaming of the young man who keeps holding out one of his knives, so if she is going to be fit and well for Nat's wedding she needs to sort everything out pronto!
Ellen and Nat are making preparations for Nat and Manny's upcoming wedding, including Ellen making the dresses for both Nat and herself, one of the things Nat wants on the dresses are some silver buttons, she has seen some at the local flea market and so Nat and Ellen head there. Whilst Nat is shortlisting the buttons Ellen has a wander around some of the other stalls, including one where a young man is selling inlaid knives. Before she gets a chance to talk to him to see if he does other metal work Nat calls her over, the rest of the day is spent sewing and having a good time together, which screeches to a halt when Ellen gets outside to her car and finds a dead body behind it!
It turns out that the dead body is that of the young man with the stall of knives, with Tony on another case Ellen needs to deal with a new detective and the stress of everything has caused a major bout of hiccups! Now Ellen keeps dreaming of the young man who keeps holding out one of his knives, so if she is going to be fit and well for Nat's wedding she needs to sort everything out pronto!
September 27, 2019
This is a review, not a synopsis. Really 4.5 stars. I like this series because of setting, ghost, and a mix of Southwest and 'Victorianna'. Least favorite book, still gets a 4.5. Love that Tony and Ellen were not together in most of book. She has enough support, she doesn't need him around all the time. Her rich person, cultural awkwardness was overdone in this book. And I really want to see more of Tony's family. The hiccups were different, but seemed too contrived and other than a bizarre physic sign was annoying. Kept thinking I could not carry on more than one conversation with her, that she should apologize to people first, and that her muscle aches must be excruciating. Was a little disappointed in end. I would have liked some dating over next next books. Now I just need to like tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2022
The books continue to be well written novels, but the mystery part of them is still missing something. I am enjoying them, though, and I would recommend them to cozy mystery readers who enjoy the growth of the characters.
July 5, 2017
This is the 4th book in this series but still an engaging read. Almost too good to put down for any reason.
April 19, 2019
Another successful chapter in the Wisteria Tearoom series. Glad to get to know the regulars better and see their relationships evolve. Can’t wait to read book 5!
September 19, 2021
Excellent
The book had a great plot, and continued the story of Ellen and Tony in a great way! Kept my interest all along the way, and I had a hard time putting it down!
The book had a great plot, and continued the story of Ellen and Tony in a great way! Kept my interest all along the way, and I had a hard time putting it down!
August 29, 2015
This is a lovely cosy mystery about a young teashop owner who finds on a regular base some deaths on her doorstep. This time she is haunted by a young dead man whom she saw at a local market selling decorated knives. Shortly after the market visit this young fellow is found dead in front of her aunt's house. Elli is sure that the knife plays a major role in solving the puzzle.
But this isn't the only thing she has to solve there is also her love-life and the next of her boyfriend to be as well as her aunt's wedding preparation which keep her busy. The only steady and comforting pole is her 'house ghost'.
But this isn't the only thing she has to solve there is also her love-life and the next of her boyfriend to be as well as her aunt's wedding preparation which keep her busy. The only steady and comforting pole is her 'house ghost'.
August 4, 2015
An entertaining book that can be picked up and read when you have five minutes free time. It can be read and enjoyed without having read any of the previous books in the series although I may now buy some of them. I liked the characters and I'm sure there is more to discover about them in the other books, although we didn't really learn much about the criminal in this story. I think the book is just as much about the life of the tea shop owner, Ellen, as it is about the crimes she stumbles across and it is none the worse for that.
February 10, 2016
Ellen Rosings, owner of the Santa Fe Wisteria tearoom, after spending time with her Aunt Nat at a flea market is now using the rest of the day sewing wedding clothes for the Aunt's wedding. As she leaves she discovers the body of an artist she saw at the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market.
Unfortunately not much of a mystery.
Unfortunately not much of a mystery.
October 21, 2015
I enjoyed this fourth mystery in the series very much. I love Ms. Greenwood's voice and the way she gives a clear sense of place. I have loved all of the books in the series, but this one seemed pretty obvious early on. I am glad she keeps bringing the mystery of the captain (the ghost who inhabits the tea room) back in each book.
November 15, 2015
Another wonderful book in this series. These are fun reads and more: the Santa Fe background is closely and compassionately observed, the tea-room setting is very interesting, and the heroine is both smart and warm-hearted.
January 31, 2017
Enjoyable series
The characters in this series have progressed nicely. Each book digs a little deeper into the depth of each character. The "crime" portion of the each book has been entertaining and leaves you guessing as to how the mystery will be solved. On to Book 5!
The characters in this series have progressed nicely. Each book digs a little deeper into the depth of each character. The "crime" portion of the each book has been entertaining and leaves you guessing as to how the mystery will be solved. On to Book 5!
August 3, 2015
Another winner
The story was ever so good. The interactions between the characters was dead on. The title was a bit misleading, but that's what makes a great mystery.
The story was ever so good. The interactions between the characters was dead on. The title was a bit misleading, but that's what makes a great mystery.
January 7, 2017
Murder and a haunted tearoom!! You really can't go wrong with this series! I love the world that Patrice Greenwood has created in this series. On to the next! :)
September 10, 2016
The conclusion to this one felt a bit unsatisfying, almost unfinished. I liked seeing more of the secondary characters, but there wasn’t enough story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews