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Ravenwood Cove Cozy Mystery #9

Tea, Treats & Terror

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NINTH book in the Ravenwood Cove Cozy Mystery series

It’s tough enough to try to make a living in Ravenwood Cove, but when a fancy new tea shop shows up and starts to compete with the existing shops in town, its abrasive owner definitely isn’t making any friends. The first annual Spring Fun Run is on everybody’s minds, but a grisly discovery puts some of the most respected people in Ravenwood high on the suspect list, and square in the path of deadly danger.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2018

409 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn L. Dean

72 books151 followers
USA Today Bestselling author

Carolyn's Website at http://CarolynDeanBooks.com

I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.

I've been a published author for a while now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.

In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy Oregon beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for James.
Author 20 books4,396 followers
April 6, 2020
If you're new to the Ravenwood Cove Mysteries, there are currently 10 published by Carolyn Dean. They are usually ~100 pages each, considered novellas, and are very lighthearted and simple whodunits. The books are more often about the relationships between the characters, the lovely Oregon setting, and the everyday things people go through in life.

In this caper, a new tea shop opens in town. Will it take over the current coffee shop? A few residents are worried, especially when the owner begins to spread bad news about his competition. Who dares move to a new town and tries to hurt the citizen? Amanda will figure it out... except the poor guy dies from an allergy attack even while trying to get his epi pen to work. What happened?

I enjoy seeing Amanda's marriage and relationship with her husband. She is also getting close to a new person in her life that has ties to her past. I won't spoil it, but it was a bit of a shock to see where this story went! It's been over a year since I read the first few books, so I can't be sure if history was changed a little. Either way, it makes for good tale, and I look forward to the next one. Light, simple, and fun... you can read them in an hour and just have a relaxing adventure.
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,955 reviews42 followers
January 29, 2018
4 stelle scarse (più perché mi piacciono alcuni protagonisti che per altro)
Il libro abbisogna di un po' di revisione: ci sono un paio di capitoli che sembrano mal piazzati o del tutto inutili. La storia gialla è poco sviluppata, almeno a mio parere...
Profile Image for IslandRiverScribe.
473 reviews24 followers
January 31, 2018
This is a novella-length entry in the series that, at the beginning, shows a lot of promise. You know early on who will probably die; it's just a question of when, where, why and by whom. And as the story proceeds, you get a sense that several important changes are coming to our main protagonist's life, which could provide some very, very interesting additions to the series.

However, be aware that, while the story moves along at a good pace and is well-plotted, there are areas where the author brings specific information to light but does not follow up, leaving the reader hanging. And I don't mean like a "hook" for another book - I mean that the author just doesn't complete the thread of the sub-plot.

Also, this novella has serious editing and proofing problems. Characters are called by one name in one paragraph and a different name three paragraphs later. Words are misspelled or left out entirely. Sentences alternate between present and past tense within the same paragraph and sometimes within the same sentence.

In addition, there is at least one situation where an entire scene is played out in a chapter, only for the author to have the main character, two very short chapters later, have an internal dialogue that implies that scene never occurred. Talk about being jerked out of a story in a state of confusion!

Just because of human nature, some proofing mistakes are to be expected, but the sheer numbers and types of errors in this work really killed my enjoyment of the book.
77 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2018
Enjoying this cozy mystery series

I like this mystery series taking place in a small town on the Oregon coast. The characters are fun and believable. Looking forward to the next installment. There were a few misspelled words this time.
Profile Image for Suzann Darnall.
1 review
February 15, 2018
great read

i love the series! charming characters. great descriptioms. adorable commmunity. nothing too gruesome. a relaxing read. hope she is planning to write more.
Profile Image for Robin Resch.
651 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2019
The past and present collide

Story line was okay. Not as good as some of her other books. Story line was a little short could have used a little more "danger".
25 reviews
March 15, 2018
Enjoyable

This series really holds my interest and I enjoyed reading them. What I haven't enjoyed are the misspellings, wrong words used, sentences in the wrong order and miserable punctuation. It seemed to get worse with each book. If there is a proof reader, I would find a new one.nd If it's computer driven then I would find a human proof reader. These errors disturb the flow of the story.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2018
Like an old friend.

It is like having an old friend coming to visit. The visit was too short though. There were a lot of grammatical errors and misspellings towards the end of the book. I did love the story though. Keep them coming Carolyn.
Profile Image for C M Hilderbrand.
17 reviews
May 4, 2018
I have read all the previous books in this series. It's time to a review. I like detective and suspensei ful books. I don't like every gory, obscene detail ground into my face. I am aware of reality, but I choose to see it from a it from a Christian point of viewChristian point of view. Carolyn Dean has that ability! Also I love Oregon's beaches! Oh, how I would like to inherit an inn on an Oregon beach. Looking forward to the next book.

I have read every preferring book in this series. I like detective and suspenseful books. I don't like every gory, obscene detail ground into my face.I am aware of reality,but I choose to see it from a Christian point of view.Carolyn Dean has that ability! Also I love Oregon's beaches.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 4, 2018
Tea for two or will it be a tea party

Another good solid cozy. The plot for this was stronger and had a surprise ending. A new tea shop has opened in town. The only problem is the owner - who is a nasty piece of work. However no one expected him to die at the annual Mutt run. The list of suspects is growing with the information being uncovered about the deceased. Who actually did the deed? Who is the shabby stranger that is staying at the Inn. Nice to meet up with the characters again.
836 reviews10 followers
January 29, 2018
A Real Treat!

Another enjoyable Ravenwood Cove mystery. Amanda is just settling down to married life & the changes it brings. She’s busy running the inn when unfortunately another death occurs in her sleepy little town. Lots of twists & turns while Amanda tries to find the killer & sort out her own family secrets. There are a few editing errors that I hope will be corrected with an update but really don’t distract from the overall enjoyment of the book!
128 reviews
January 31, 2018
Love this series!

I cannot wait to see what life has in store for Amanda and James now that they're married.
Her father showing up is going to bring more surprises I'm sure.
This is one of my favorite series ever.
The quirky townspeople are awesome.
Hope they keep them coming!!
Thank you Carolyn!! :)
Profile Image for Lisa Hibbard.
46 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2018
A story about changes

Amanda is getting ready for spring when she meets a new business owner who rubs people the wrong way. He soon dies under mysterious circumstances, and Amanda sets to find the killer. But the climax comes when a mysterious guest at the inn reveals himself to Amanda and the surprising role in her life. A good mystery with a very unexpected twist.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Evans.
279 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2018
More?

Wow the mystery was good but the revelation s that came up for Amanda and James were surprising! I love the fact that Amanda is turning to God for help and I know that pleases James too! The ending left room for so much more and I know Carolyn L Dean won't disappoint her readers... I hope soon there is a lot more to come!
44 reviews
May 21, 2018
Dangerous place to live

Ravenswood Cove is one of those villages like Cabot Cove, Maine or Midsomer, England and others where someone is murdered every week. I do like a good mystery though.

I love the characters in this series. I love Oscar and now Benson. I got choked up when Amanda cried out to God to help her in her emotional pain. She is headed in the right direction.
91 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2019
This so far has been my favorite book. It is a fast, funny, cute book. It holds your attention, and can read it in one sitting. Without giving away any spoilers, there was one scene with a dog, a squirrel, in a car.....enough said. For anyone that has a dog, or pet, let’s just say, that I was actually laughing out loud....when I was by myself!
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
January 28, 2018
Nice Cozy Mystery

I loved this latest cozy mystery filled with many twists and turns, an appealing storyline and picturesque characters
This book is recommend for cozy mystery lovers.
203 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2018
Very good

I thought the story was very good. I like the main characters. You describe The setting well. I was surprised about the father. This was the first book I've read by you. I certainly would read more. Thanks for your writings. Stay well.
2 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2018
Can't wait for the next book.....

Loved it! I have found the Ravenwood series to be very enjoyable, entertaining, and relaxing. Sure hope there are more books to follow. What happens next for Amanda and James?


109 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2018
The mystery continues

This book has the same setting as the others since it is a series . Bad things happen,but good alwAys wins. A sweet book. I'm not sure men would enjoy the sweetness, but it is a clean quick read.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,426 reviews12 followers
August 11, 2022
It's the annual Mutt Marathon in Ravenwood Cove; James is desperate for a dog so Benson joins Amanda, James and Oscar the cat at Ravenwood Inn.

Of course, things don't go smoothly and when someone dies at the end of the Marathon it's determined it's not the Marathon which killed him but an allergic reaction, James has his hands full, again, finding the murderer.

This is a cozy mystery series comprising short, easy to read books which are all standalone stories. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series. Easily read in a couple of hours, just the thing for an afternoon break.
1 review
January 31, 2018
Just So-So

For some reason this book feels hurried. There are so many grammatical errors, wrong names, people speaking, and the list goes on and on! Her other books had a mistake or two but this one is filled with them. This is her 11th book (I think) and you would think by now there would be no errors or just 1. I have enjoyed all the books until now and am sad I had to pay for this one. Not sure if I will read the next one.
1,262 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2025
Overall, the series is fun - a very quick and easy read. The murders are always solved by the main character in a pretty dramatic fashion without much info provided to the reader. The characters are likable for the most part and easy to relate to. Editing is not always the best and there will be misspellings, repeated sentences, and even wrong information (or competing information). The books are short - novella length (~100 pages).
1,926 reviews5 followers
September 24, 2025
Death to finding a truth

A new tea house has opened and some people are not happy. The owner is a piece of work.
The town is getting ready for another party. Sounds very exciting.
The owner from the tea house has died. While investigating, it is found that he has many enemies. Which one took care of him?
Amanda gets some news and she isn't sure what to do with it. Guess I will have to wait to find out.
958 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2022
More strangers

Amanda and James' new home is being built. James wants a dog for new house and the Mutt Run coming up. Ruben has opened a teahouse from Sage's place. He wants to close Sage down, too much noise. Ruben dies at the end of the Mutt Run. James has to go out of town to bring a criminal back. Amanda tries to figure out who killed Ruben.
877 reviews25 followers
November 3, 2022
Tea, Treats & Terror (9)

Oh my goodness!! I can’t believe how much I have enjoyed reading this story. I am surprised and awed at the story too. I grew up in a big loving kind family and don’t understand some of the feelings expressed. However, I appreciate the fact that our heroine finds peace. Oh wow!! Great reading
Profile Image for Laurie.
321 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2018
Wow....where to begin... The number of editing errors was distracting. The sequence of chapters and events seemed to be mixed up. The plot was laughably bad. I don’t think I will even give this author another chance. Her previous stuff was good, but giving readers craplike this is truly insulting.
60 reviews
June 21, 2023
Just Delicious

Carolyn Dean is my favorite cozy mystery writer. This is my second go round reading this series. Warm and inviting with a good mystery to sink your teeth into.

Stephanie L.
130 reviews
June 26, 2023
Ravenswood Cove

This was another great, clean read. I have enjoyed this series and recommend to anyone. I personally don't care to write or read a preview of the story other than my first two lines.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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