Steeped in Murder

Naomi and Ella have embraced many firsts since moving to the small town of Fayette. Now that school's out, the mother-and-daughter duo stays busy helping their neighbors prepare for their tea shop opening on Main Street. Delays and obstacles pop up from the beginning—competition for the building, deliveries showing up too soon, and Barbara and Ingrid disagreeing on the details. But nothing throws a wrench in the plans like the health inspector being poisoned on site.

Owen Zenna was supposed to help them plan renovations for the second floor. Now that he's dead, the enigma of his murder complicates Naomi's efforts of getting Tea Time ready. Most of all, the women are pressed with the urgency to identify who would poison one of their own. If such a crime could happen before they open, what would they do if it occurred on their watch, with their drinks?

Chief Mooney and his officers try to crack the case, following the tips and leads from everyone within proximity of the drugged beverage. Despite so many people being near it, no one seems to have a clue. Without an answer, Naomi can't help but feel Tea Time is doomed.

Among love spats, quarreling neighbors, old grudges, and family disagreements, plenty could have had a motive to poison the know-it-all health inspector. When another person is found dead among the renovation debris at Tea Time, it seems Naomi needs to consider the possibility this new adventure of managing a tea shop might be over before it even starts.