Joe Pickett
mystery
Series · cozy mystery
Tea Shop Mysteries
The Tea Shop Mysteries series by Laura Childs has 30 known books (30 published). It is best read in publication order, starting with Death by Darjeeling (2001). Death at a Firefly Tea is the latest book with a fully recorded publication date. The next announced book, Buttermint Bomb, is due 2 March 2027.
- Books
- 30 known books (30 novels)
- Published
- 30
- First published
- 2001
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Mystery & Crime
Start here: Death by Darjeeling (2001)
— then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Death by Darjeeling
"Death by Darjeeling" is book 1 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2001, and runs 313 pages. It's the book that opened the series and introduced Theodosia, the Indigo Tea Shop, and its Church Street setting. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Death by Darjeeling - Book 2:
Gunpowder Green
Published in 2002, "Gunpowder Green" is the 2nd Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and spans 284 pages. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Gunpowder Green - Book 3:
Shades of Earl Grey
"Shades of Earl Grey" (2003) continues the series at number 3, and runs 277 pages. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shades of Earl Grey - Book 4:
The English Breakfast Murder
"The English Breakfast Murder" is book 4 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2003, and is 349 pages long. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The English Breakfast Murder - Book 5:
The Jasmine Moon Murder
Published in 2004, "The Jasmine Moon Murder" is the 5th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and comes in at 304 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Jasmine Moon Murder - Book 6:
Chamomile Mourning
"Chamomile Mourning" (2005) continues the series at number 6, and is 345 pages long. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Chamomile Mourning - Book 7:
Blood Orange Brewing
"Blood Orange Brewing" is book 7 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2006, and spans 369 pages. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Blood Orange Brewing - Book 8:
Dragonwell Dead
Published in 2007, "Dragonwell Dead" is the 8th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and runs 290 pages. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dragonwell Dead - Book 9:
The Silver Needle Murder
"The Silver Needle Murder" (2008) continues the series at number 9, and spans 274 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Silver Needle Murder - Book 10:
Oolong Dead
"Oolong Dead" is book 10 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2009, and comes in at 320 pages. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Oolong Dead - Book 11:
The Teaberry Strangler
Published in 2010, "The Teaberry Strangler" is the 11th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and is 303 pages long. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Teaberry Strangler - Book 12:
Scones & Bones
"Scones & Bones" (2011) continues the series at number 12, and comes in at 305 pages. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Scones & Bones - Book 13:
Agony of the Leaves
"Agony of the Leaves" is book 13 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2012, and runs 431 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Agony of the Leaves - Book 14:
Sweet Tea Revenge
Published in 2013, "Sweet Tea Revenge" is the 14th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and spans 392 pages. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sweet Tea Revenge - Book 15:
Steeped in Evil
"Steeped in Evil" (2014) continues the series at number 15, and runs 303 pages. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Steeped in Evil - Book 16:
Ming Tea Murder
"Ming Tea Murder" is book 16 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2015, and is 326 pages long. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ming Tea Murder - Book 17:
Devonshire Scream
Published in 2016, "Devonshire Scream" is the 17th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and comes in at 320 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Devonshire Scream - Book 18:
Pekoe Most Poison
"Pekoe Most Poison" (2017) continues the series at number 18, and is 311 pages long. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Pekoe Most Poison - Book 19:
Plum Tea Crazy
"Plum Tea Crazy" is book 19 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2018, and spans 320 pages. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Plum Tea Crazy - Book 20:
Broken Bone China
Published in 2019, "Broken Bone China" is the 20th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and runs 320 pages. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Broken Bone China - Book 21:
Lavender Blue Murder
"Lavender Blue Murder" (2020) continues the series at number 21, and spans 322 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lavender Blue Murder - Book 22:
Haunted Hibiscus
"Haunted Hibiscus" is book 22 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2021, and comes in at 408 pages. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Haunted Hibiscus - Book 23:
Twisted Tea Christmas
Published in 2021, "Twisted Tea Christmas" is the 23rd Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and is 398 pages long. It's one of the seasonal, holiday-set entries that slot into the main numbered sequence in publication order. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Twisted Tea Christmas - Book 24:
A Dark and Stormy Tea
"A Dark and Stormy Tea" (2022) continues the series at number 24, and comes in at 320 pages. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Dark and Stormy Tea - Book 25:
Lemon Curd Killer
"Lemon Curd Killer" is book 25 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2023, and runs 336 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lemon Curd Killer - Book 26:
Honey Drop Dead
Published in 2023, "Honey Drop Dead" is the 26th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and spans 320 pages. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Honey Drop Dead - Book 27:
Murder in the Tea Leaves
"Murder in the Tea Leaves" (2024) continues the series at number 27, and runs 364 pages. It carries forward the series' brisk, puzzle-driven mysteries built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala, and historic-society circuit, with tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at Theodosia's side. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Murder in the Tea Leaves - Book 28:
Peach Tea Smash
"Peach Tea Smash" is book 28 in the Tea Shop Mysteries series, published in 2024, and is 320 pages long. Like its neighbors in the series, it's a self-contained mystery -- Theodosia's relationships and the tea shop's cast evolve gently, but there's no ongoing whodunit spanning multiple books. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Peach Tea Smash - Book 29:
High Tea and Misdemeanors
Published in 2025, "High Tea and Misdemeanors" is the 29th Tea Shop Mysteries novel, and comes in at 312 pages. Like the rest of the series, it follows Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street, as she turns amateur sleuth after a body turns up at one of Charleston's genteel tea events. Alternative text for cover: Cover of High Tea and Misdemeanors - Book 30:
Death at a Firefly Tea
"Death at a Firefly Tea" (2026) continues the series at number 30, and is 337 pages long. It's the most recent entry in the series. As with the rest of Laura Childs's series, it's steeped in specific detail about tea varieties and Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, usually with a back-of-book appendix of the recipes Theodosia serves. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Death at a Firefly Tea
Key facts about the Tea Shop Mysteries series
Our list has 30 books in the Tea Shop Mysteries series. Since all 30 are out now, you can read the whole list today.
Start with Death by Darjeeling, since it opens the publication order in 2001. Gunpowder Green is book 2, from 2002. Shades of Earl Grey is book 3, from 2003.
The English Breakfast Murder is book 4, from 2003. The Jasmine Moon Murder is book 5, from 2004. Chamomile Mourning is book 6, from 2005.
Blood Orange Brewing is book 7, from 2006, while Dragonwell Dead is book 8, from 2007. The Silver Needle Murder is book 9, from 2008.
Oolong Dead is book 10, from 2009, while The Teaberry Strangler is book 11, from 2010. Scones & Bones is book 12, from 2011. Since the list above shows all 30, you can find the rest there.
The list keeps the books in date order, while each title links to its own page. Each book page shows its dates and editions.
Death at a Firefly Tea is the latest book with a full release date, out on 10 March 2026. Meanwhile, Buttermint Bomb comes next, due on 2 March 2027.
The books came out between 2001 and 2026, while their length runs from 274 to 431 pages. That is a run of 25 years.
Laura Childs has 55 books on our list. Additionally, they write Scrapbooking Mysteries and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. We shelve the books under cozy mystery.
About the Tea Shop Mysteries series
Theodosia Browning owns the Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street in historic Charleston, South Carolina, where she brews specialty blends, hosts elaborate themed tea parties, and — with alarming regularity — trips over dead bodies at those same genteel events. With her tea sommelier Drayton Conneley and baker Haley Parker at her side, Theodosia turns amateur sleuth every time Charleston's high society, tourist trade, or historic preservation circles turn up a corpse, working her contacts and her nose for gossip faster than the police can process a crime scene.
Laura Childs writes cozy mystery as a sensory experience: each book is steeped in loving, specific detail about tea varieties, Charleston's cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, and the recipes (bundled in a back-of-book appendix in most entries) for the scones, finger sandwiches and confections Theodosia serves. The mysteries themselves are brisk and puzzle-driven rather than dark, built around Charleston's tourism, charity-gala and historic-society circuit, with a reliable cast of series regulars and a low-key long-running flirtation with detective Pete Riley. It's the series for readers who want their amateur-sleuth mystery served with genuine Lowcountry atmosphere and enough tea lore and recipes to double as a lifestyle read between the murders.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Tea Shop Mysteries series?
There are 30 Tea Shop Mystery novels, from Death by Darjeeling (2001) to Death at a Firefly Tea (2026). A 31st book, Buttermint Bomb, is due 2 March 2027.
What order should I read the Tea Shop Mysteries in?
Publication order, starting with Death by Darjeeling, is recommended to meet Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop cast as Laura Childs introduces them, though each mystery is self-contained enough to pick up out of order.
Is the Tea Shop Mysteries series finished?
No, it's ongoing. Laura Childs continues to publish roughly one to two new Tea Shop Mysteries a year, with Buttermint Bomb due in March 2027 and further titles (Cardamom Crimes, Haunting in a Teacup) already announced as in progress.
Do I need to read the Tea Shop Mysteries before Laura Childs's other cozy series?
No. Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries are separate series with different casts and settings; none requires reading another first.
Does the series include recipes?
Yes. Most entries include a back-of-book appendix of tea-shop recipes and tea-tasting notes tied to the story's events, which is part of the series' signature cozy appeal.
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