By: Sophie TaylorFrom: The Grim Steeper
Series: Teapot Collector Mysteries
Author: Amanda Cooper aka Victoria Hamilton
Website: Victoria Hamilton Mysteries
So, I've been watching a lot of TV late at night, what I call Murder at Midnight. I'm addicted to all these true crime shows, like 48 Hour Investigates, Hollywood Confidential, The First 48, Murder in Paradise, City Confidential, Deadly Affairs... wow... there are a lot of them.
Maybe I ought to vary my watching habits.
'Cause after a while you kind of get skeeved out, you know? I work in the tearoom and I watch folks, and wonder... who among these nice folks could do something so drastic? Then I shake myself; I know better. Despite all those shows I know that few people would even consider murder, much less to someone they love.
But then, when it happens in your town, when a prominent man like the dean is murdered, you wonder; will it end up like in the true crime shows? 90% of the time it's the significant other, the husband or wife, who did the murder, and it gets you thinking... what goes wrong in these people's lives that murder is the only option to a failing marriage? It makes a girl think; surely those men and women didn't go into marriage thinking, "Well, if it doesn't work out I'll just kill him/her!"
However, I'm an optimist. Despite all I watch, I believe in the goodness of most people, and I'm not cynical at all. I truly believe that 99% of people would risk life and limb to save another, even a stranger, and I think most police officers, despite all they witness, would agree.Sometimes I feel bad about murder as entertainment; it's someone's life, after all. When I get down to that, it's horrible that someone's tragedy is on TV. But you know, those shows often feature the family speaking about the victim, and I believe it helps them move on. They can tell the public about all the important things about their loved one, and not just how their life ended. I hope it's healing for them; I find myself saying a prayer for the living.
But about the dean... who killed him? Could it have been the wife? Or is it someone else in his life? The one person I know it wasn't is Jason Murphy. I would trust him with my life; he's that kind of special.
I'm wondering... if you watch true crime or read mysteries, does it affect how you think about other people?
GIVEAWAY alert!
Comment here to enter to win a signed copy of The Grim Steeper, a bookmark, a book tote, and a packet of Auntie Rose's Tea-rrific Tea Blend! I'm also including a handcrafted one-of-a-kind Delft teapot bookmark!So...
1 - Comment here.
2 - Canadian and US addresses welcome.
3 - Leave your email address in some format, (yourname (at) yourserver (dot) com) and your first name, please!
4 - Comment by midnight, today, February 21st!
~::~
About The Grim Steeper:
The national bestselling author of Shadow of a Spout invites readers back to the Finger Lakes town of Gracious Grove for more tea and murder...
Mid-October in the charming Finger Lakes town of Gracious Grove means it’s time for the annual Fall Fling Townwide Tea Party. The highlight of the festivities is a roaming tea-tasting, which includes a stop at Auntie Rose’s Victorian Tea House. Sophie Taylor would like to share her enjoyment of the event with her sort-of boyfriend, English teacher Jason Murphy, but Jason’s dean has accused him of falsifying grades to help an athlete at the local college. Steamed and stressed, Jason shows up the night of the party with bags under his eyes.
But the dean shows up under Sophie’s Japanese Maple later that night, murdered, and now Jason is suspected of far worse than fudging grade reports. It’s up to Sophie, her Nana, and their friends the Silver Spouts to pore over the clues to find out who really decided to teach the dean a lesson.
Mid-October in the charming Finger Lakes town of Gracious Grove means it’s time for the annual Fall Fling Townwide Tea Party. The highlight of the festivities is a roaming tea-tasting, which includes a stop at Auntie Rose’s Victorian Tea House. Sophie Taylor would like to share her enjoyment of the event with her sort-of boyfriend, English teacher Jason Murphy, but Jason’s dean has accused him of falsifying grades to help an athlete at the local college. Steamed and stressed, Jason shows up the night of the party with bags under his eyes.
But the dean shows up under Sophie’s Japanese Maple later that night, murdered, and now Jason is suspected of far worse than fudging grade reports. It’s up to Sophie, her Nana, and their friends the Silver Spouts to pore over the clues to find out who really decided to teach the dean a lesson.
Social Media Links:
Amanda Cooper/Victoria Hamilton Mysteries: http://www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com
Amanda Cooper/Victoria Hamilton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHamilton
Teapot Collector Mysteries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amanda-Coopers-Teapot-Collector-Mysteries-296605927102353/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vintagekitchenm/teapot-collector-mysteries/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria - or - @MysteryVictoria
Posts
Oh I ove tea and add in a book and it is heaven. Thanks for the chance.
Replydebby236 at gmail dot com
I love a great cozy mystery and a cup of tea to make it the perfect entertainment. :)
Replyvgeslak(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love this writer's work (and tea)—thanks for the chance to win a copy of The Grim Steeper!
Replyskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I love, love Victoria Hamilton/Amanda Cooper books! I am a tea drinker and a collector of teapots, so this is the perfect cozy for me. Thanks for the chance. dr(dot)oldsmobile(at)iclous(dot)com
ReplyThank you for the chance. I watch The First 48 and Forensic Files a lot. I love true crime shows.
Reply[email protected]
An excellent point! Have wondered if I should vary my viewing habits. Then again, have never wondered about my reading choices. geringlisa @ gmail .com . Thank you for this chance to win :-) . Lisa
ReplyI love tea and a good book. [email protected]
ReplyI am fan of the Victoria Hamilton / Amanda Cooper books. Always enjoy good mysteries. I like to solve them before the end of a book, the end of a movie or the end of a television show. Never have enjoyed the real life murder mysteries. They make me to sad! Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy all if these goodies. Donna at [email protected]
ReplyI don't know if watching true crime shows has caused me to think differently about people but I worked with the public for almost 25 years and I did become a little more skeptical.
ReplyThanks for this great giveaway!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I am fan of the Victoria Hamilton / Amanda Cooper books. Always enjoy good mysteries. I like to solve them before the end of a book, the end of a movie or the end of a television show. Never have enjoyed the real life murder mysteries. They make me to sad! Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy all if these goodies. Donna at [email protected]
ReplyLove this thank you [email protected]
ReplyWhat a delightful combination! Would love to read the book. Mark mu page with a delft bookmarker and a bag to carry them around in.
ReplyThank you for a wonderful chance at a great gift set.
Della at [email protected]
I love cozy mysteries! That's a great point that I never thought of. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! �� [email protected]
ReplyI enjoy cozy mysteries very much! I try to think less about the murder and more about trying to solve the crime with all the clues that are given. This sounds like a story I would enjoy! Thank you!
Replymittens0831 at aol dot com
I watch some true crime shows but I hate the way some of them treat the families - makes me cringe! This book is on my wish list. What a lovely giveaway.
Replykpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Cozy to me is a good book, comfy chair, hot chocolate or tea! Heaven on Earth
Replygot2get2there(at)gmail.com Karen
I love cozy mysteries! I just started drinking hot tea last year, but I am always trying new and different kinds! Thanks! c_mitchell1998(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI love cozies and this book is on my list of books to get. Tea lover here with a good book in hand, don't watch tv much.
Reply[email protected]
I love your books and love cozy mysteries. Cozies are my cup of tea! Thanks, Tammy [email protected]
ReplyIt is so true that you start wondering about people after watching or reading too many true crime stories! Ah, but a soothing cup of tea can mellow you! And a fun book certainly takes your thoughts happily away!
ReplyTrue crime shows definitely make you wonder about people. Thanks for the giveaway!
Reply[email protected]
Great post. I also watch true crime shows. The one thing they make me think about...what's going on behind the closed doors I drive past all the time. We had a big news story several years where the mother of two sisters died. They didn't want to lose her SS check so they hid her body in a huge storage tub and kept collecting her checks. I drove past that complex all the time on the way to my sister's house less than 3 minutes away. >shiver<
ReplyNothing like a little tea & a good mystery, which is what you write. Thanks for this amazing giveaway I do appreciate it. Linda May [email protected]
ReplyWatching murder shows does make me believe that a lot of unsavory things are possible! [email protected]
ReplyI'd love to win this book and sip some tea while I relax and read! rebarger (at) bellsouth (dot) net
ReplyI read mysteries not much of a TV watcher. [email protected]
ReplyThanks for the giveaway! I loved the first two book!
Reply[email protected]
I love the title and cover of this book. I will be adding it to my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway, Marlene [email protected]
ReplyLooking forward to the latest book in the series😊.
ReplyHeather
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Looking forward to the latest book in the series😊.
ReplyHeather
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I enjoy mysteries, especially cozy mysteries, but for some reason I've never liked true crime---maybe it's just too real. Thanks for the giveaway.
Reply[email protected]
I love cozy mysteries. I am still kind of new the these books but loving all I have read so far. Cookielady881 @yahoo.com
ReplyThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyThere's nothing I like better than to curl up with a good book and a mug of tea! Stacy
Replytattooedmommy06 at yahoo dot com
I agree that watching these shows makes you start to wonder, but they are also interesting and slightly addicting to watch. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to win! -Bree Herron
Reply[email protected].
While I do like true crime I have not watched any of the shows in a long time. And of course I love Cozies.
Replynlb1050 at yahoo dot com
The thought of sitting with a hot cup of tea and your cozy mystery makes me all warm inside regardless of the weather outside. Thank you
Replyfor the chance to win. [email protected]
I truly try to think the best of people, I really do. I don't watch too any true crime on tv, frankly it's a little too disturbing sometimes to see such darkness in people. Cozy mysteries, however, are a completely different story and exactly my cup of tea (pun intended!!!)! Happy Sunday! Nicole [email protected]
ReplyWatching true crime shows and reading mysteries makes me realize that how you view people when you see them in a social or work setting isn't always how their lives are behind closed doors. It amazes me how creative and innovative people can be. [email protected]
ReplyI don't know that true crime shows necessarily change how I think about people, but they do make me believe that one person can never really know the depths of another person's mind, understand what another person is capable of, and never know what goes on behind closed doors. On a lighter note, I love, love, love this series, and thank you, Sophie, for the chance to win this great package! [email protected]
ReplyMysteries are always intriguing, although I rarely watch true crime since they are much too hard to take. Love cozies. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway since I am a tea drinker and only enjoy tea. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI would love to try this series.
Reply[email protected]
Thanks for the chance.
This series sounds captivating. Tea is my favorite drink all year and hot tea is soothing and lovely. True crime is not my cup of tea but mysteries are. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyI love true crime shows and books. [email protected] Carlotta
ReplyLove this! Thank you! [email protected]
ReplyI am a cozy book lover and as a teapot and tea cup collector I was thrilled to discover your books. I am looking forward to this new one! I always carry a tote bag and I'd love to carry this one! Cindy at [email protected]
ReplyI am a retired surgical nurse. I would come home at midnight and watch those crime and forensic shows till 2 in the morning. I was addicted. Then every time there was a noise I was scared to death. Or every time someone walked by the house I wondered if they were a serial killer. Imaginations are awesome things. Oh yes,tea and scones fix nearly everything.
ReplyI watch some crime shows - some real, some not. I think they make you be more aware of what's going on. May make you less trusting of people and situations, which isn't a bad thing.
Reply[email protected]
I am interested in true crime a little bit. All fictional crime has its roots in some type of reality that inspired the author to create the story that they did. I love a theme, like tea and teapots, it adds a little something extra that makes a series extra appealing to me. Thanks for the chance to win. Emily [email protected]
ReplyJust finished "A Familiar Tail" by Delia James, so I'm in need of another good cozy :) If you like chocolate (and who doesn't) my favorite tea is Mint-Chocolate Truffle Tea from MightyTea.
Replykimheniadis (at) gmail (dot) com
I love many mystery shows and enjoy figuring them out. I'm not always right but it is [email protected]
ReplyTea is my go to drink more than coffee....Can't wait to read the [email protected]
ReplyI watch some true crime shows, but I don't think it effects how I view people. I love a good cozy mystery! This time of year cuddling up with a book and a cup of peppermint tea is a great way to spend an afternoon. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway offer. rebecca(at)losey-farms(dot)com
ReplyI don't watch a lot of true crime stories they make me so sad that people are so demented and then I have weird dreams so I stick with cozy crimes [email protected]
ReplyI love true crime but hope it doesn't really affect how I view people. Sometimes I think, though, that I go on "high alert" in a situation and then realize I've watched too much TV again. Thanks for the giveaway.
Reply[email protected]
I love reading cozy mysteries and I watch all the true crime shows mentioned. I do think it makes me a little more aware of my surroundings when I am out.
ReplyThank you for the chance to win this awesome giveaway!
karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
I love watching those shows too. Until it's too close to home. Can't wait to read your book either. Thanks fire the chance to win. I'm off to search for mismatched tea sets today. Hoping to find some treasures.
Reply[email protected]
That would be awesome to win that book. My favorite thing is reading and buying books. That book sounds like it would be super to read. I just love mysterys they take me away from all my troubles.
ReplyThat would be awesome to win that book. My favorite thing is reading and buying books. That book sounds like it would be super to read. I just love mysterys they take me away from all my troubles.
ReplyI would rather read about tea than drink it. I do have a small collection of teapots. Bobbipad at gmail dot com
ReplyI love tea and mystery. Thanks for the giveaway.
Reply[email protected]. the tote looks awesome
I love tea and mystery. Thanks for the giveaway.
Reply[email protected]. the tote looks awesome
I like to watch DATELINE when the guy with the white hair does the story(sorry blank on his name at the moment,lol) Love a good mystery and a good cup of tea! Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyRosie [email protected]
I also enjoy the true crime shows. My husband doesn't like them, so I only watch them when he is not around. My daughter has the same problem. Why is it that women seem to be drawn to these shows more than men?
ReplyKathleen Chrisman
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HUGE tea drinker and big cozy reader. [email protected]
ReplyLooks like a must read for me :) Cozy up with a good book and a cup of tea ....perfect for this winter day ....
ReplyAndra
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I love to read anything by Victoria Hamilton.
Replysadly to say, I do find that shows such as those mentioned do affect how I see people. Negatively, I am afraid. I stop watching them, and find my cynicism and perception fading from pure black to a soft gray. Much nicer!
ReplyAnnie
[email protected]
I love to read your books.
ReplyLove the name of the book and thank you for the contest, lilflynracer at msn.com, Amy
ReplyTea and books go together so well, (plus some scones too!) Really enjoy these mysteries. Thanks for the chance to win one! Anne [email protected]
ReplyJust love the name of your book also love the way the mystery sounds! Thanks for letting me throw my hat in! [email protected]
ReplyLove it
ReplyDiane
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Tea, totes, and cozy mysteries... Life is good! Winning this contest would be too because you can never have too many books or totes!!!!
ReplyI have renewed my passion with tea, even getting my unique tea pots out of the closet and into the china cabinet. This series is a great accompaniment to a "tea party" book club.
Reply[email protected]
I love cozy mysteries and some true crime...if you have Netflix you need to watch Making a Murderer! It will suck you in! I would love to win your contest! [email protected]
ReplyJust saw an advertisement for this book.Perfect for me. I love books and tea. I collect teapots. Surely do hope I win. [email protected]
ReplyThis sounds like a good read.
Replylibbydodd at comcast dot net
I love Cozy mysteries ! I also love tea , throw in a tote you've got me hooked for sure. Thank you so much for the chance to win. [email protected]
ReplyI love Cozy mysteries ! I also love tea , throw in a tote you've got me hooked for sure. Thank you so much for the chance to win. [email protected]
ReplyWhat a great giveaway; thank you!! I love mysteries in all forms. I'm always pleased when I "solve the crime" before the end. My preferred emai is: [email protected]
ReplyI read and enjoy mysteries, I think I like to see if I can figure out who ends up being the killer. I also do watch some of the true crime and mysteries shows on TV. Great giveaway, would really enjoy reading the book with a good cup of tea.
Replydiannekc8 (at) gmail (dot) com
Tea lover here, who thinks this is a wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDianne
[email protected]
I love the Teapot Collector series and watching true crime shows (I don't watch any about serial killers, though). Thanks for the opportunity to win! [email protected]
ReplyVery nice gift package. I love Delft (actually have a small collection including hand painted tiles>). I don't watch much true crime as our local news is primarily crime!! I do exercise extreme caution when driving/riding through high crime areas. [email protected].
ReplyI am a fan. There's nothing better than a good cozy mystery and a hot cup of tea. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Reply6186pep(at)msn(dot)com
My favorite quiet moments and when no one is home. I light candles and cuddle on the couch with my cats. I have a good book and its pure bliss
Reply[email protected]