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A review by serenityofbooks
The Cryptic Clue by Amanda Hampson
5.0
The Tea Ladies are back!!
And it could not be soon enough for me – I loved catching up with my favourite sleuthing “cosy of tea ladies” in Amanda Hampson’s, The Cryptic Clue.
After solving a murder, kidnapping and arson case last year (as well as serving tea and biscuits!), Hazel, Betty, Irene and Merl have slotted back into their usual routines and lives. But all that changes when Irene receives a coded message from her past, there is something not quite right going on at the local church and the biggest enemy of their profession is threatening their livelihoods – the tea & coffee machine!
After getting to know each of the ladies in the first book, it was so easy just to immediately pick up where we left off. All the elements from the first book I loved were still there – Sydney in the 60’s, the entertaining way they solve crime and most importantly, the personalities and voices of each of the women – but I particularly loved the historical events featured in this installment. The author does an amazing job of weaving the fictional narrative around the historical events and as a reader who wasn’t around in the 60’s I found it fascinating to read how Australia changed during this era.
But most importantly, this is a fun cosy crime caper with endearing characters that quite often had me laughing out loud and enjoying being along for the ride!
I can’t get enough of this #tealadies series! I’m so excited to see another book is coming in 2025, The Deadly Dispute – now I just need to find some patience until then
And it could not be soon enough for me – I loved catching up with my favourite sleuthing “cosy of tea ladies” in Amanda Hampson’s, The Cryptic Clue.
After solving a murder, kidnapping and arson case last year (as well as serving tea and biscuits!), Hazel, Betty, Irene and Merl have slotted back into their usual routines and lives. But all that changes when Irene receives a coded message from her past, there is something not quite right going on at the local church and the biggest enemy of their profession is threatening their livelihoods – the tea & coffee machine!
After getting to know each of the ladies in the first book, it was so easy just to immediately pick up where we left off. All the elements from the first book I loved were still there – Sydney in the 60’s, the entertaining way they solve crime and most importantly, the personalities and voices of each of the women – but I particularly loved the historical events featured in this installment. The author does an amazing job of weaving the fictional narrative around the historical events and as a reader who wasn’t around in the 60’s I found it fascinating to read how Australia changed during this era.
But most importantly, this is a fun cosy crime caper with endearing characters that quite often had me laughing out loud and enjoying being along for the ride!
I can’t get enough of this #tealadies series! I’m so excited to see another book is coming in 2025, The Deadly Dispute – now I just need to find some patience until then