Laura Childs, author of Peach Tea Smash, the latest novel in Tea Shop mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.

Welcome, Laura.

Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Peach Tea Smash is the 28^th book in my Tea Shop Mystery series. Though each book is written as a stand-alone, they all feature the same cast of characters. We have Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, SC, as well as Drayton Conneley, tea sommelier, and Haley Parker, their chef and baker. Because these are murder mysteries I make sure to drop a dead body right in chapter one which generally sends Theodosia into amateur sleuth mode. Besides having a strong sense of justice, Theodosia also has a fierce curiosity gene, and it doesn’t take much to prompt her into launching her own shadow investigation. All of my mysteries are hybrids – a cozy feel with the pace and pulse of a thriller – so I’ve coined the term “thrillsy” to describe them. The entire series has been super successful and most have been on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?

I started thinking about a fancy Alice in Wonderland masquerade party held at an old grist mill in Charleston, SC. Then I pictured neon cheshire cats lurking atop crumbling walls while music blasts, drinks flow, croquet games are played, and some poor soul gets murdered.

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?

The theme in all my books deals with Theodosia trying to figure out who the bad guy or girl is and bringing them to justice. There really are just a few powerful themes that books, movies, and TV shows are based on. These include “trying to get home,” “seeking justice,” or “re-connecting with someone.” Think about it. The “trying to get home” theme has been used for dogs and cats whose goal was to find their way home. In the movie Saving Private Ryan, the men wanted to win the war so they could catch that big boat home. And “seeking justice” is the basis for almost every cop show, murder mystery, and thriller because it’s just so doggone powerful. It satisfies our basic need for safety and order.

How do you create your characters? Do you have favorites? Is so, why are you partial to them?

My main characters are fairly well formed by now – and I absolutely adore them. Theodosia is a tea shop entrepreneur who’s smart and feisty but never forgets her genteel Southern roots. Drayton always starts out as slightly standoffish in his tweed jacket and bowtie, but the minute Theodosia drags him into a murder investigation, he’s ready to dig in as well. And Haley is an amazing chef who can cook like Gordon Ramsey (and swear like him too) as she delights their Indigo Tea Shop guests with her chocolate scones, apple bread, and pecan pies.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?

Charleston, SC is so amazing that it almost becomes its own character. This is a city that was founded before the Revolutionary War, sits on a peninsula where the Atlantic’s waves come crashing in, and has an Historic District with enormous mansions, verdant gardens, and narrow, twisty lanes. Charleston is also highly atmospheric. Mist and fog drift in from the Atlantic, there are haunted graveyards, and old Southern families with any number of skeletons in their closets. Really, a terrific city to write about!

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?

Oh, poor me, I have to visit Charleston occasionally to soak up the feel of the city. Of course, I also do book research so I get the buildings, monuments, museums, restaurants, and streets right.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?

I’d have to say this isn’t your mom’s style of cozy. My Tea Shop Mysteries kick off with exploding hot air balloons, smash and grabs, bombings, car crashes, art heists, poisonings, murders in haunted houses, drownings, fires, shootings, and so much more. In the case of Peach Tea Smash, the mystery jumpstarts with a greenhouse collapse that kills a bridesmaid, then weaves in spooky skull clues, tea events, chase scenes, a second murder, romance, rescued dogs, and a climactic conclusion at an outdoor opera. I promise you, the pace never lets up!

Thank you for answering my questions, Laura, and good luck with Peach Tea Smash, the latest book in the Tea Shop mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Laura Childs by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook page.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org – PenquinRandomHouse 

Laura Childs: Laura is the author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and Afton Tangler Thrillers. Most have been on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. Recently, Book Riot named her mysteries to their list of “25 of the All Time Best Cozy Mystery Series.” In herprevious life Laura was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, and has a Chinese Shar-Pei named Lotus.