Tea and Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher

ARC Review – Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in advance.

I genuinely appreciated the direction of the story. It presented a refreshing take on the typical vampire narrative while retaining the classic elements of a gothic vampire tale. Additionally, I enjoyed the diverse range of characters, each with their own developments and roles throughout the book.

Tea and Alchemy follows the journey of a woman named Mina Penrose as she navigates life after the tragic loss of her parents, leaving her and her twin brother, Jack, to fend for themselves. Jack, who struggles with alcoholism, is quite controlling towards Mina, which puts a strain on their relationship and plays a vital role in the book. Mina works at a tearoom called Magpie, and one evening, on her way home, she stumbles upon a man's body. Mina realises that her talent for tasseography might be more significant than she thought, as she had predicted this man's ominous fate by reading the tea leaves in his cup at the Magpie.

The body is discovered on the enigmatic Tregarrick's estate, making the mysterious man a prime suspect. But is he truly to blame, and why does he keep to himself? Mina is determined to uncover the truth behind the murders and assist Tregarrick while unraveling his heartbreaking past. She is resolved to avoid repeating history and figure out the truth behind the beast-like figure in the fog. Who is responsible for the killings in the quaint village, and is Mina herself in danger? This tale weaves together themes of love, murder, and mystery.

While I have rated this story 4 stars, it lingered at a solid 3 stars for quite some time due to its slow pace and repetitive nature. However, by the end, I found myself really enjoying the book. For me, this story is perfect for a cozy, lazy Sunday read or as a light pick-up-and-put-down option amidst a busy schedule. The narrative artfully weaves together themes of alchemy and tea leaves within a captivating love story featuring a beast and a vampire.