Tainted
Tea For Two, my best-selling mystery
romance, is my homage to Agatha Christie and the English murder mystery genre.
So, to get started on this insider buzz on my novel, why don’t you prepare a
hot cup of delicious tea--not tainted, of course--and I’ll begin!
One
of the genres that I always wanted to write was an English murder mystery, a
la Ms. Christie. Before I start a project, I like to come up with a working
title. Many of the mysteries I’ve read had menacingly playful titles, so
TAINTED TEA FOR TWO just popped into my head. Naturally, this meant poison had
to play a role in the novel! And not just poison... but injections, and, oddly
enough, potatoes!
For my “What if” scenario, I
proposed: what if having a nice spot of tea took on a sinister meaning? Hard Shell Word Factory
loved the idea, and soon published TAINTED TEA FOR TWO, both electronically and
in print.
While
in England, a personal trainer finds romance... and murder. Can she prove her
innocence?
Print book available (2001
edition) at www.susanneknight.com/orders.htm
After a few years, TAINTED
TEA FOR TWO was picked up by Uncial Press. Its new cover won an Ariana Award
for Best Contemporary /Suspense /Mystery /Historical Romance.
Someone wants Lord Embrey dead. Will the method of
execution be by poison, or injection, or... potato??
In
addition to winning the Ariana Award, TAINTED TEA FOR TWO has been a
best-seller over the years and has received 5 star reviews with The Romance
Studio and Word on Romance. The book video I created for this mystery earned a
Cameo Awards nomination for the Best Romantic Suspense in the Amateur Division.
Music is by Kevin MacLeod, Scheming Weasel Faster.
This book is part of the
Intriguing Mysteries line.
Here
are some fabulous reviews:
5
HEARTS! TAINTED TEA FOR TWO is a delightfully creative romance that centers on
a mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. A colorful
cast of characters go about each with their own reasons for wanting the
viscount out of the way. Marty wishes she had never taken the job. The stress
of being a suspect has her in tears. If that isn't bad enough, the men all want
to get her in their beds and she ends up spending a lot of time fending off
their advances. That is, all except for Gregory; him she does not fight... The
settings are described in clear detail...TAINTED TEA FOR TWO by Susanne Marie
Knight is a fast paced romantic mystery that is sure to be enjoyed by the
readers.--The Romance Studio
Ms.
Knight throws an independent American into the midst of a stuffy English family
providing readers with a bit of humor in the middle of this riveting suspense.
The characterizations add to the charm and character of TAINTED TEA FOR TWO.
While clearly a contemporary suspense, there are moments when readers will feel
a slightly historical feel through the “stiff upper lip” attitudes of the
British aristocrats. Susanne Marie Knight uses unique plot points, while trying
a few tried and true ones as well. This provides readers with a comfortable
feel while trying to figure out “whodunit”. I was stumped until almost the end,
a rare occurrence for this avid mystery buff. I give TAINTED TEA FOR TWO a
solid “two thumbs up.--Word On Romance
This
is a tale with plenty of suspense, intrigue and mystery mixed with the
possibility of romance. Join Marty as she walks the halls of the manor and finally walks into a murder. The
intention by the killer is to make her the suspect, but will it succeed? A well
written tale by talented author Susanne Marie Knight that will please the
mystery fan or the romantic suspense fan. Is there something more to the
viscount's illness? Why does he keep having recurring bouts? Will they discover
what is happening in time? Recommended for a fun read to learn who the killer
is and why he plotted such a complex crime. Is it about money or a title or
revenge of some sort? Enjoy following Marty and the rest of the well drawn cast
along the twisting paths of suspense and suspicion. I did.--Mysteryfiction.net
Ms.
Knight has written a wonderful story. One full of mystery, romance, and even
comedy. I couldn’t put it down, and read TAINTED TEA FOR TWO in one setting.
Her description of the scenery brought back many wonderful memories of my trip
to England. She even captured the musty smell of big manors, and the small
shops in the village. TAINTED TEA FOR TWO is a delightful “who done it”, that I
truthfully enjoyed very, very much. I recommend that everyone read this
wonderful book. Ms. Knight has captured the true feelings of England, in a
wonderful tale of love, and mystery. You will be absolutely delighted with your
choice.--All About Murder Reviews
The
charming English countryside, stately manner, and regional dialect embellish
this murder romance into a cozy night’s read.--Affaire de Coeur
TAINTED
TEA FOR TWO offers gentle humor as the family’s stuffy British attitudes and
Marty’s easy going nature clash. This riveting and hard to solve mystery races
to the conclusion.--Romance Reader’s Connection
FIVE
STARS for TAINTED TEA
FOR TWO: Excellent! I truly enjoyed this story. I had a small
idea who did it half way through but was not completely sure until the end. I
would recommend to those who enjoy a light hearted murder mystery
romance.--D.B. Amazon.com.
Amazon's
Listmania: for TAINTED TEA FOR TWO--recommended cozy mystery!--M.A.
TAINTED
TEA FOR TWO is so good!--C.G.
Love
your Brit-lit: Regency, Time-Travel & Contemporary (Tainted Tea). All are
terrific!--A.S.
I
love TAINTED TEA FOR TWO!--L.E.
I
couldn't figure out who the intruder was. What a surprise!--J.D.
Very
English, very funny, with interesting character interplay. Kept me laughing and
guessing, laughing and guessing...--M.B.
I
read TAINTED TWO FOR TWO with a good deal of pleasure. It's a neat idea, and I
liked the characters. This is a very clever concept. Your opening is great! One
couldn't help to read the book on that basis and basis alone. Cheers to
you!--B.W.
I
kept guessing all the way to the end and I thought someone else was the
murderer. Wonderful!!--B.K.
I
loved TAINTED TEA! What a wonderful homage to Agatha Christie!--M.W.
Now
that TAINTED TEA is in paperback, I'm ordering another copy!--C.K.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As always, there are small
snippets from my life embedded into this novel. The heroine, Ms. Marty Jackson,
is a personal fitness trainer. Her name is Marty because her father--a former
Mr. Universe--wanted a son to carry on his name. Although I’m not a trainer, I
do have a fitness background, having worked for thirteen years for an exercise
program shown on public television.
Marty also has a cherished
possession similar to one that I have... or had, given to me by my daughter.
Marty took out her most prized possession: a
paperweight in the shape of a giant, clear crystal. She held it upside down,
and the colorful pearls suspended inside gently floated to the bottom. A kid's
toy, of course, but she never went anywhere without it. It was the last thing
her father had given her.
She gave it a place of honor on the nightstand...
This isn’t an actual picture
of the paperweight, but it’s close enough. As with Marty’s diamond, mine also
fell to its doom.
"No!"
Marty raced to the window and watched her beloved remembrance of her father
shatter into a zillion pieces. Part of her shattered with it.
For
a classic English murder mystery, I recommend TAINTED TEA FOR TWO. I hope you enjoy Marty and
Gregory’s story.
Happy reading,
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing
With A Twist!
