Review of Oolong Tea at 10:30 by Alice Reed

BooksForABuck.com, January 2007 (currently out of print)

Oolong Tea at 10:30 cover Marty Brighton dreaded going to her ex-lover's funeral. The gossip-mongers from PaperCo, her ex-lover's wife, the entire world of Cliffside society were all there watching her, wondering what she would do. But Marty's worst nightmares wouldn't have stretched this far. The man in the coffin might be Robert's splitting image, but it wasn't Robert. So, if that wasn't Robert in the coffin, where was he--and who had wanted to make it look like he was dead?

Marty doesn't exactly miss Robert. He stole her money, leaving her broke in the dying Cliffside economy, but she is still interested in what could have happened to him. Almost as soon as she begins to investigate, however, the warnings start to arrive--warnings and threats. Sexy cop Clay Thorpe is anxious to help Marty out--and even to start a relationship with her, but there's something about Thorpe that doesn't quite fit. Marty has to wonder whether she's going crazy, or whether her life really is in danger.

Author Alice Reed combines dark humor, solid mystery, and a strong sense of place in OOLONG TEA AT 10:30. The dying town of Cliffside serves as a counterpoint to Marty's investigation of the funeral home that prepared someone for Robert's funeral. Marty brings a strong attitude to her investigation and never hesitates to try a new tack on her search for the truth--even if that tack is more than a little wild, as when she tears apart Robert's coffin. Marty's friends, neighbors, and even an evolving relationship with Robert's wife add both dimension and suspects to the story.

With her prizewinning mystery, OOLONG TEA AT 10:30, Alice Reed unleashes an exciting first mystery. I'll definitely be looking for more from this talented author.

Four Stars

Approximately 60,000 words.

Reviewed 1/13/07

Oolong Tea at 10:30 is no longer available from BooksForABuck.com.

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Here's what one reader had to say: "THERE IS AN ALMOST IMMEDIATE intrigue when you read the title, "Oolong Tea At 10:30" authored by former Appletonian Alice Reed. The mystery is an easy read thanks to the skills Alice has achieved as you glide through a story of misspent affection so cleverly crafted, you feel like you're living in the scene unfolding before your eyes."