Dead As a Scone
A Royal Tunbridge Wells Mystery

By Ron and Janet Benrey

   Eighty-four-year-old Dame Elspeth Hawker has a secret. At the conclusion of a meeting of the board of directors for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Tea Museum, she intends to reveal the identity of "an exceedingly clever thief." Nigel Owens, acting director of the museum, tries to get Dame Elspeth to tell him the name of the offender-but to no avail. Unfortunately, the old lady will never get to share her information with anyone. Before the meeting is over, she is dead. Her doctor, who is also on the board, immediately declares that his patient has succumbed to a heart attack, but Felicity Adams, chief curator of the museum and a student of forensic toxicology, can clearly see signs that point to poison. Although Nigel finds Felicity (nicknamed Flick) rather abrupt (of course she is an American!), he also realizes that much of what she says makes sense. Flick and Nigel join forces to find out what Dame Elspeth knew-and who killed her because of it.

    Ron and Janet Benrey have created a truly wonderful setting for their new series. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Tea Museum is quirky, interesting and fun, and Flick and Nigel have a delightful chemistry that will keep readers coming back for more. Dead As a Scone brings back the "true" cozy mystery. It is a "delicious" offering that deserves a rainy day, a comfortable chair, and a "cuppa" to make it complete. I highly recommend it!