The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier

Hailing from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Naomi Sinclair has been living in NC for 8 yrs., using her culinary journalist skills on a TV cooking show. But things change. She finds herself, along with her colleague, Travis, having the opportunity to host a brand new show — a new show investigating mysteries with a culinary theme.

But here’s the thing. There can only be ONE host for the new show – either her or Travis. Both of them are to compete – each presenting a culinary mystery and the solution to pitch to the producers.

It doesn’t take long for Naomi to figure out the theme for her presentation. She’s flying back home to St. Thomas to investigate the 80’s murder of Ursula Merchant, a woman who started a small tea and pastry cafe and wound up creating an empire!

At the height of her success, Ursula was found slumped over her desk with a bullet hole in her back – an unsolved mystery – a cold case gone VERY cold.

Islanders link the murder to a beverage magnate that was wooing Ursula to merge with his company – but no one is really talking and Naomi knows it will be hard to uncover the truth.

In the Bush Tea Murder, if you’re expecting a basic whodunit mystery, forget it. This tale is so much more. When she flies home to St. Thomas, she re-connects with a slew of friends, an old flame and extended family members. She’s in demand. Not only is she a TV star with her own show, but to the islanders, she’s also a very intuitive sleuth.

It takes no time at all for several people begging (actually dragging) her into their own private problems. Sorting out a shady island senator, blackmail, poisoned food and stolen secret recipes, all cut into her time to focus on Ursula’s murder. But she’s happy to do it – and darn good at it!

Along with all the inner island drama, Naomi begins forming her own suspicions about Ursula’s killer. Another hitch: will she be able to prove any of it and officially close the case? Even if she does, there’s no guarantee that will land her a new TV show. Travis is giving her some serious competition.

Naomi flies back and forth anxious to finally solve Ursula’s murder. She’s caught between two worlds: Her boss at the TV station wants her back with her finished presentation. The island calls to her to stay there permanently. It’s become a tough balancing act.

The Bush Tea Murder is a Caribbean Island Mystery.  This book is filled with the island spirit and a culture that only makes this mystery more interesting.  The island is a small, tight-knit community. Bittersweet moments, family dynamics and long-distance romance draw out the mystery, but readers won’t mind.

A copy of this book and cover photo were provided by Crooked Lane Books.