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Vampire Tea Room Magical Mystery #3

A Score to Kettle: The Magical Tea Room Mysteries

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Welcome to the coziest, vampire-owned tea room in Bath! It’s steeped in magic and mystery.

Minnie Wells is working her marketing magic to save the coziest, vampire-owned tea room in Bath, England. But add in a string of murders, spells to learn, and a handsome Mr. Darcy-esque boss, and Minnie’s cup runneth over with mischief and mayhem.

170 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2021

507 people are currently reading
284 people want to read

About the author

Erin Johnson

90 books721 followers
A native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.

In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).

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5 stars
847 (57%)
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444 (30%)
3 stars
167 (11%)
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20 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Nina Silva.
198 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2021
4.5/5 stars
I felt like I received a warm hug and sweet welcome home, as soon as I immersed myself in this latest instalment of the A Magical Tea Room Mystery series. Welcome back to Bath!

This time the mystery we want to solve is who killed theatre star, Petra. Oooh, it’s a juicy on and the suspect list is not short! We’ve got a secret husband, a miserable mother-in-law, a jilted bestie (who might have been something more), an over-protective director, a bitter and competitive co-star and colleagues who seem friendly enough but maybe they have hidden motives. Motives and opportunities for each person is revealed at a good pace. That’s on top of the clues that are dropped for us to follow, so long as we don’t confuse them with the many red herrings. All the pieces come together in the big reveal, which is perfectly dramatic enough to suit its location of the gorgeous Theatre Royal.

But let’s not forget the secondary mystery which plays into the series arc about vampire hunters. Minnie overhears her date, DI Prescott, talking vampires with a mysterious stranger. She makes every effort possible to figure out his identity and motives to help out her friends Gus and Fitz. I think we get more questions than answers on this one and have to wait for later books in the series. I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait though!

Minnie’s powers continue to grow, or at least her understanding of them. She’s introduced to some new witchy colleagues and maybe even a new friend. Her ex, Desmond, makes an unwelcome appearance and is greeted by a group of no-nonsense butlers who won’t have anyone insulting their darling Minnie. And as for, Fitz, well, you have to read the story to find out what he does!

The descriptions of Bath, and the Theatre Royal, in particular, continue to add to the charm of this series. This is certainly a story you want to try if you love witchy cozies or anything set in this part of England.
Profile Image for Toni.
1,576 reviews66 followers
June 11, 2021
4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Vampire Tea Room magical mystery series by Erin Johnson.

This is a fun cozy mystery with magical and paranormal elements. This witch is a newbie and just learning about her powers but in this book she doesn’t really focus on that. She delves more into the relationship side of things with this book.

I am kind of disappointed the author decided to go there with the relationship between detective Prescott and Minnie. The man wasn’t even given a fair chance in my eyes. I am always going to root for the detective no matter what and now she is casting Prescott as a villain which I assume is because she wants to use him in a future book as a bad guy. I would more likely believe Detective O”Brien of that than Prescott.

I like this series a lot, but this development between him and Minnie is just rubbing me the wrong way. I will totally continue with it to see what unfolds and I will cross my fingers that Prescott will get another chance at love.

Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,953 reviews29 followers
April 14, 2023
Quick read.Minnie is finally on a date with DI Prescott, however all does not go as planned when the star of the show is murdered. Minnie decides to investigate,amid concerns that DI Prescott is away of supernaturals and may be working with a vampire hunter. The book while quick was enjoyable, Minnie friendships with the Butlers is great and when the enmasse rise to her defense against Desmond cements her role at the teashop. Tilly the familiars affection for butler Leo is so cute :) it’s almost as if she’s his familiar not Minnie’s. Overall, a good read
Profile Image for Linniegayl.
1,379 reviews32 followers
August 30, 2024
Another cute entry in the Vampire Tea Room mystery series. This time the murder (of course there's a murder) occurs away from the Tea Room and has nothing to do with them. However, in the course of investigating the murder (because of course Winnie gets involved), Winnie learns there's a Vampire Hunter in town. She doesn't know exactly what this means, but her vampire friends assure it's not good.

This was fun, but definitely carries forward character development from the previous entries, so I do not believe it would work as a standalone.
Profile Image for Gemma.
834 reviews67 followers
April 20, 2021
Oh boy. I love Minnie, and I must say I cringed for her a few times in this book. She really knows how to get herself right in the middle of things.
I really didn't see everything fall into place when Minnie did! The suspence was killing me.
I couldn't believe i was at the end when the book finished. I really wanted so much more. I need more with Minnie and Fitz, I really do.
Another brilliant instalment in this series.


I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
290 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2024
Just as good as the last

Minnie finds a few bodies and tries to solve the mysteries, that's the same. Minnie does find out that police officers are full of themselves. I will keep reading because each future books are as good as the past.
4,417 reviews43 followers
February 12, 2022
Who killed Petra Cornflower and why??? And Minnie is back in the dating game again!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
Profile Image for S.E..
263 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2023
I like her other books, but this one felt flat. I also didn't find Minnie terribly likable in this one. It was ok. I'll still read the others and enjoy the previous two.
Profile Image for Jolina.
115 reviews
November 27, 2022
I'm starting to kind of really enjoy this series :)
Profile Image for Karen (BaronessBookTrove).
1,125 reviews108 followers
May 8, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.A Score to Kettle by Erin Johnson is about a deadly date night at the theater and how not everything is how it looks on the outside.
Will Minnie be able to solve who killed the leading lady of Emma?
Minnie Wells
Minnie Wells is our sleuth, and she is neck and neck with Imogen as my favorite of Erin Johnson's leading ladies. I love how Minnie stays true to what she wants in this new chapter of her life. That is to be with someone even if they are just friends, someone who sees her true self and doesn't care about anything else. Minnie is a witch, albeit a novice one who's learning her craft, a writer, and sometimes a sleuth when she doesn't want to be. I like so many things about Minnie, and I think each new thing that we learn about her throughout the series is a cool tidbit.
Fitz
Fitz is the tea room owner that Minnie works at as a marketing consultant and is definitely more present in this installment. I love how the two of them do their flirting dance. Even more, know that they both know that they like each other. These two will make an interesting couple.
The MysteryA Score to Kettle CR
Minnie and Detective Inspector Clive Prescott end their date with a play that ends with the two of them being sucked into another investigation. Prescott because that is his job, and Minnie because she was with Prescott throughout most of the investigation helping out as she wanted actually to figure out whodunit. The victim was stabbed in her dressing room that was locked with a knife. Petra was pretty drugged up with allergy pills that she had taken because of an allergy to cats. Who could have killed the star of the show? This question and more are answered here, and I had a feeling of who it was. Sadly I wrote the culprit off as a red herring. Throughout the investigation, Minnie learns more about her witchiness. Not only that but feeling like her time with Clive Prescott was never supposed to happen.
Five Stars
A Score to Kettle by Erin Johnson is a fun paranormal mystery that I loved from the beginning to the end. Ms. Johnson has stumped me of whodunit. I didn't follow the clues very well.  I feel that Clive Prescott will be a problem later as we figure out more about this vampire hunter. Ms. Johnson has done well and I still love that she is in the same world as her last two-book series were in. Minnie Wells is becoming a favorite of mine the more I read about her. I can't wait to read what she puts Minnie through in the next book. A Score to Kettle by Erin Johnson is worthy of this strong recommendation and a rating of five stars.


Other Books in the Series

Spelling the Tea by Erin Johnson With Scream and Sugar by Erin Johnson A Score to Kettle by Erin Johnson


Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Score to Kettle by Erin Johnson.

Until the next time,

Karen Signature

Happy Reading!



Victim/Toe Tag #1:Petra Cornflower (P)

Beachcomber Weapons: knife

Beachcomber Crime Scene: locked room

Detectives: Minnie Wells (M)

 

Victim/Toe Tag #2: Bertram Kensington (B)

Beachcomber Weapons: blunt object (hammer)

Beachcomber Crime Scene: backstage (free space)

Detectives: Minnie Wells (M)

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

Profile Image for Amanda Pagano.
274 reviews12 followers
November 23, 2022
This series is so fun to read. I love Minnie as a protagonist. She is so real and relatable as a character even though she's a witch in a fantasy series. She is very down-to-earth and struggles with the same dilemmas and anxieties as non-fantasy people. Her problems just happen to be helped by other witches and vampires. It's also fun to try and figure out the murder mystery along with her as she uses her witch senses to find clues.

In this book, a young actress is found murdered in her dressing room shortly after her show's performance. It was a Jane Austen-inspired play that Minnie attended on a date with the young and attractive Bath detective she's encountered on the two previous murder cases she was tied to. Of course, Minnie was part of the group of people that went to greet the actress in her dressing room only to find she was no longer alive. This is the first time Minnie isn't as closely tied to a murder so her involvement in solving the case comes off as a bit pushier to the detectives this time around. The young detective even starts to think she's possibly stalking him because she likes him.

As Minnie starts to finally come into her own in this series we see her stumble into the land of dating for the first time since her separation from her ex-husband. The detective may be cute but Minnie finds herself blushing quite a bit around her vampire boss Fitz. This book sees a lot more romance blooming for Minnie than the previous two. We also see Minnie socialize with other witches too. I'm excited to see as Minnie grows more into her witchiness in this series.

I'd actually love to read more witch content in this series and hope we get even more in the next book. We do find out about more dangers for witches and vampires alike as there seems to be a vampire hunter in Bath. This plays more as a side story that will be ongoing as the man Minnie believes to be a vampire hunter is not easy to track. I'm intrigued to see what this vampire hunter will bring to future stories.

I highly recommend this book series to people who enjoy cozy reads with a side of murder. It's an absolute breeze to read these books and I look forward to reading the entire series. Murder, witches, vampires, cats, and awkward moments. There is a ton of great content in this book and the many others written so far. I know I'll be sad whenever I read the last one in the series.
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews29 followers
March 3, 2023
Much to Fitz's dismay, Minnie has accepted a date with DI Clive Prescott. He's taking her to dinner and then the theater.

While the date has gone okay, he clearly isn't into the theater, he even nodded off a couple of times. He did agree to go with her to the meet the cast party in the lobby. Things get a bit crazy when the star Petra Cornflower doesn't show.

On the suggestion of the director, some folks head toward the dressing rooms. Minnie is going to follow with Clive but he pales and heads toward a stranger. Minnie hangs back for a bit to eavesdrop and hears vampires in the conversation. This cements her suspicion that the man is the vampire hunter Gus and Fitz were referring to earlier.

She hurried to catch up with the group only to witness the discovery of Petra's body and then things really get crazy. After the questioning, DI Prescott escorts her home and warns her the streets aren't safe at night. While she doesn't totally agree with that, she's also sure there shouldn't be a second date.

That's just the beginning of the fun, as her ex Desmond shows up at the tearoom the next day.

Having all the guys at her back does wonders for her confidence, but it's Fitz who puts the fear in Desmond's eyes.

Hopefully we won't see more of him.

Now all Minnie has to do is figure out who killed Petra and identify the vampire hunter she suspects DI Prescott is working with.

There's laughter, tears, suspense and intrigue as this investigation unfolds.

I love this series, the books can be read as standalones, but I think you'll get more out of reading them in order.
Profile Image for Kim Loomer.
625 reviews9 followers
April 10, 2021
Minnie Wells has a date with the good looking detective Prescott and they go to the Royal Theatre to see one of Minnie's favorite plays. After the play is over she, along with a number of people taking a back stage tour find the woman who played "Emma" dead in her dressing room. So now Minnie has two mysteries to solve. The one at the Theatre and whatever DI Prescott's other case is, which Minnie is certain is about a vampire hunter. She just wants to keep her best friends safe so she needs to learn all she can about this new case. This was a very enjoyable book and Erin Johnson has a way of weaving a story that gets you so engrossed in both reading the story and trying to solve the mysteries which makes me feel like I am almost part of the book. I had to give this one 5 stars and now I am going to be on pins and needles until the next book in this series comes out to see what kind of a mess arises between her and DI Prescott before everything is put to rights. I am loving this series and I love the setting of the Tea Room and all the characters that work there.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
21 reviews
February 10, 2023
And we're back to Bath and Minnie and her friends.

Minnie decided to go on a date with DI Prescott, who after a lovely dinner went to the theater with her, were he promptly fell asleep. After the show, there's a meet and greet with the actors, but the star, Petra, is missing. The theater director walks a group of fans, including Minnie, to Petra's dressing room and since she doesn't open the door, uses his master key to open it. They find Petra sleeping on the couch, only she isn't sleeping and Minnie once again has found another body.

And off we are for another murder to solve.

We also see witch Mim again, meet some other witches during an Ostara celebration. We meet Minnie's ex Desmond, who is a real jerk, but the butlers from the tearoom rally around Minnie and even Fitz does. DI Prescott does a 180 and we will have to wait for the next book to probably find out what he is after...

Another entertaining, well written story with lifelike characters. Its just fun to visit Bath.
181 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2021
Loved this cozy paranormal story set in famous Bath, England. Minnie, a fledgling witch, is out on a date at the Theatre Royal with Detective Inspector Prescott. She met him through two recent murders at the tea room where she works. She felt an attraction to him and was hoping for a great date as they are attending one of her favorite Jane Austen plays. Things don't go as hoped and there is a murder at the theater! Minnie sees the DI talking with an unknown man and she's sure she hears the words "vampire hunter". She's immediately on alert as her friend and landlord is a vampire as is her boss at the tea room. On top of this worry for her and her friends, her ex shows up at the tea room. He threatens her because he believes that she did some type of spell so that his girlfriend left him. Things get even more complicated when there's another murder... The book has a great cast of characters and a good storyline. I loved this book by Erin Johnson and think that you will too.
Profile Image for Catherine.
487 reviews
April 27, 2021
The Play's Not the Thing

Minnie & DI Prescott are enjoying a Jane Austen poay at the Royal Bath Theatre. At least Minnie is, her date seems to have nodded off. When lead actress Petra doesn't show up for the meet & greet, director Richard offers to check on her while giving a backstage tour. Petra, famous for her allergies, looks to be zonked out on antihistamines. Turns out her sleep is permanent as there's a literal knife in her back. With a group of ambitious actors & the director as suspects, Minnie is trying to help Prescott investigate. But when he tells her she's out of her league, Minnie is determined to get justice for Petra. Of course Fitz, Gus & all the tea room butlers are willing to help.
A change of murder scene in this third of the series is a nice setting for this Bath outing. There's enough background if this is the first book you read but I heartily recommend you read the previous ones too. They are all that good.
Profile Image for Lori.
362 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2022
The show must go on!

The theater... Ah, the theater!
The angst, the tears, the passion; and that's just behind the curtains.
It's murder most foul...again.
Minnie and her inspector date are there, just after the body of the beautiful young actress is found.
What an ending to a first date!
With a mysterious vampire hunter roaming the area, and communicating with Clive, Minnie is desperate to get any info she can from her inspector friend.
Unfortunately, he is thrown by his newly acquired knowledge of the supernatural, and becomes completely closed mouthed about the case.
What's A witch to do?
This is a fun, entertaining read, as we get to know a little more about the characters, and I am enjoying the series immensely!
I feel the author has made the historical town of Bath, one of the characters. Having read many historical romances over the years, (Georgette Heyer being my favorite), I am having fun exploring Bath alone with Minnie.
I highly recommend this series!
9 reviews
April 22, 2021
Loved this book and could not put it down and read all through the night as I enjoyed it so much and wanted to be there with Minnie. I was shouting at the book as I was so involved. I really want to know what happens next and how Minnie gets into the murder investigation is interesting especially dating a hunky detective. A play is suppose to be relaxing but not for Minnie and it becomes important to find the murderer before anything happens to her vampire friends. The detective is hiding something important and I hope we find out soon what as I am very impatient and will have to read them all soon to find out. I definitely recommend this book as you will enjoy the investigation into the murder and all the interactions between the characters. Just becareful when you start the book. Can't wait to see what happens between Minnie and Fitz.
610 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2021
Another delightful book from Erin! Her books just flow and draw you into her fictional worlds. She returns us to Bath, England in the third book of the Vampire Tea Room Magical Mysteries. You walk the streets with Minnie and her familiar Tilda. Tilda is the cutest cat character and I'm not a cat person at all. Minnie is finally putting herself out there after her horrible ex and is on a date. The Royal Theatre is performing Emma. Where else would a Jane Austen fan go? Minnie is enthralled with the play while DI Prescott snoozed throughout. Boring date, right? That is until a dead body turns up. Minnie inserts herself into the investigation at first out of curiosity, but a new disturbing situation has come to light forcing her to seek answers to keep her vampire friends safe, especially Fitz.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,853 reviews9 followers
April 19, 2021
This is the third in the Vampire Tea Room Mystery series set in Bath, England. This story revolves around an actresses’ murder at the theater and a vampire hunter. Are they related or separate cases? Will DI Prescott and Minnie have more than one date?

Minnie is present when a dead actress is discovered in her dressing room while a backstage tour is being given. Who did it, how did they do it and why? There are plenty of twists in this sweet mystery.
I enjoyed the family feeling at the tea room when the butlers stick up for Minnie and run Desmond off.

It doesn’t look as if DI Prescott is a good fit for Minnie but he does give her a measure for potential suitors.
I was given an e-copy ARC and am not required to leave a positive review.
1,190 reviews9 followers
April 26, 2021
Delightful Read

Minnie goes to the theater for her with DI Prescott, things don't go as she hoped. Minnie is surprised by a man that interrupts the date and then the murder of one of stars. Gus asks for Minnie's help that will require Minnie to keep pretenses up. Minnie meets new people that are like her. Minnie is determined to figure out the murder and keep her friends safe.

This was such delightful, fun story by the author. Minnie and the characters are that are old friend that you have fun hanging out with. Love the how Minnie and Fitz are slowly building to something more. You will not really know who committed the crime until closer to the end. I am loving this series, can't wait for more
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews10 followers
March 12, 2022
Disappointing deadly date

When DI Prescott takes Minnie on a date it's only going to end one way.. fortunately neither of them are the victim!

After a pleasant meal Minnie is treated to the dulcet tones of Prescott snoring through a performance of Emma at the theatre.. it's only afterwards when they are mingling with the cast and the body of the leading lady is found that Prescott perks up.

Prescott's strange encounter with a bizarrely dressed man rings alarm bells for Minnie as she overhears him mention vampires.. is this the elusive vampire hunter?

With a murder to solve and friends to protect Minnie's rushing around and getting unfoot.. can her romance with Prescott make it through the investigation?
1,667 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2021
Dating disaster

Another interesting case for Minnie to solvs. Her first date with DI Prescott does not go plan and a dead body is discovered but even before that Prescott is preoccupied and distant. Minnie tries to help solve the murder but is then involved with a further murder. While simultaneously dealing with her ex, her new found witch friend, the threat to her friends from a possible vampire Hunter and Prescott's views on supernatural beings, Minnie manages to piece together the murder clues. Very enjoyable. The author enchants the reader with every story.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book but voluntarily and happily leave this review.
339 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2021
A Score to Kettle

Finally Minnie is going out on a date, to the theatre and seeing a Jane Austin play, which her date (a detective) slept partially through. At the Meet and Greet after the play, the detective is pulled away by a rough looking man, one she hears using the word "vampire". The leading lady of the cast is missing and found dead when the Director takes a group of theatre goers back to the dressing rooms.

Minnie's almost ex-husband believes she put a hex on him and is demanding she remove it. The men she works with take umbrage and come to her defence. Her boss, who is a vampire glamours him and send him on his way.
882 reviews3 followers
December 15, 2022
Minnie Wells' first date with Detective Inspector Clive Prescott turns into an unforgettable night, when the lead actress of the play they attended together is found dead shortly after the show's conclusion. Not only is Minnie determined to solve the murder, but she has also heard rumor of a vampire hunter in town, which causes her to worry about her good friend and roommate, Gus, as well as her boss, Fitz, who both happen to be vampires. Minnie has also begun taking lessons in witchcraft, in order to strengthen her recently discovered abilities brought on my her current location in Bath, England.
37 reviews
April 14, 2021
Book 3 of the Magical Tea Room Mysteries, is the best of the series so far, and they have all been excellent! The characters and their relationships are all starting to come together. It's fun watching the growth and development. I expect it will continue as the series does. Minnie continues to almost literally trip over dead bodies. She is still dealing with her contentious soon to be ex husband, and growing her circle of friends. Now if she can get this being a witch stuff under her belt, she might even be ready for starting a new relationship. A very satisfying read. Enjoy!
408 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2021
Minnie goes on a date!

With the hot detective! But things don't turn out so well when the star of the play they go to turns up dead in her dressing room. Can she get past all the assumed alibies and figure out who the culprit is? And what about the man in the trench coat she sees Prescott talking to? Could he be the vampire hunter? So many twists and red herrings before the murder is solved. And wait until you see how Minnie's ex is welcomed to the tea room! Very enjoyable series!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
510 reviews3 followers
Read
April 23, 2021
Fizzled

After the prior buildup that DI Donovan was interested in Minnie their first date was a major let down. Then as she follows leads to solve questions that started with their date he accuses her of chasing him when he isn't interested. Loved how Fritz and all the butlers backed Minnie up when her ex caused trouble at work. She had made the mistake of telling him she was a witch, but for him to assumed it was a hex that broke up the relationship with his new girlfriend when he did it himself was so egotistical.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,699 reviews5 followers
May 10, 2021
This tea room is truly magical!

This is such a fun read! Minnie is busy juggling several roles: friend, newbie witch, marketing whiz...and, now, clingy semi-stalker! Deciding to lean into her role of amateur sleuth may bring mild embarrassment to Minnie, but the reader gets a well-contrived mystery with lighthearted moments to enjoy. There's still the looming threat of paranormal hunters (note Ariel's reaction) but Minnie is steadily building a loyal base of support to see her through upcoming adventures. And, is there a subtle teaser about a name...?
Profile Image for Katherine Decker.
1,358 reviews
June 14, 2022
Real life drama at the theater

Minnie is on a date with DI Prescott. She’s hoping to enjoy a play and try out the dating scene. She is definitely not expecting to be a part of real life drama at the theater when one of the lead actresses is found dead after the show. Throw in a rumor of a vampire hunter and a surprise visit from her soon to be ex-husband and Minnie has plenty of drama to handle. This series continues to make smile and I can’t wait to read what is next in store for Minnie, Fitz and the rest of tea room gang.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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