Dale Harcombe's Reviews > Live and Let Chai

Everly Swan is back in the seaside town of Charm, North Carolina, where she grew up. Despite some objections from those on council especially Benedict Paine, she opens a sweet tea shop and café in her historic home. After suffering heartbreak during her time away from Charm, Everly is glad to be back doing what she loves doing. That is until one of her opponents ends up dead and she is almost publicly accused of his murder, thanks to the words of the new Detective, Grady Hays and the evidence of one of Everly’s glass tea jars right next to dead man. As Everly struggles to win back the fickle townsfolk of Charm who have turned against her, her great aunts Clara and Fran do their best to encourage her. Meanwhile Everly is determined to try and find the real murderer. Along the way she finds more trouble than she bargained for.
This is a fun cosy mystery by an author previously unknown to me. I’m not often a fan of cosy mysteries but the title of this appealed. It is light and entertaining read. As well as the plot uncover the murderer, there is also another mystery. Everly is equally as determined to help her friend, Amelia, find out who is destroying books by filling her Little Libraries with sand. Everly is naïve and impetuous but extremely likeable, although her detecting skills leave a bit to be desired.
The first in a new series, the ending of this book leaves the reader with the knowledge that there is a lot more to come about Detective Hays and his five year old son Denver. I’m definitely interested enough to read another in this series. For those convinced by the joys of sweet iced teas, which I am not, there are a couple of recipes at the end of the book to try. A fun read to start the new year.