"Crosswords and Chamomile" by Elizabeth Adams

 

About this book:

  “When an opportunity arises for the tearoom to host a special event with famed puzzle maker Bill Markham, Jan is elated! The event brings in puzzle lovers from all over Lancaster, Maine, but at Tea for Two, mystery often lurks in unexpected places.

When Katelyn Grande begins her puzzle, she quickly realizes that it was made specifically for her—as a declaration of love!

  As Jan and Elaine set out to discover who the would-be paramour might be, they quickly find the clues more challenging and cryptic—than any of Bill’s legendary puzzles. Meanwhile, when Jan’s granddaughter Avery begins practicing her cello after school at the tearoom, she confides in Elaine about problems she’s having with a friend.

  Can Elaine draw on the wisdom she gained raising her own children to help the girl navigate the difficult waters of preteen angst?”

Series: Book #4 in the “Tearoom Mysteries” series. Review of Book #1, Here!, #2 Here!, #3 Here!

 

 

Spiritual Content- A Scripture is read; Church going; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & talking to God; Mentions of church going, churches, Bible studies, Sunday School, hymns, & a pastor; A few mentions of a devotional & Bible reading; A few mentions of religious symbols; A couple mentions of events in the Bible; A couple mentions of Queen Mary I & her Catholic faith; A mention of missionaries; A mention of Christian romance books.

 

 

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’ and two ‘dumb’s; Mentions of car accidents & injuries (semi-detailed); Mentions of robberies; Mentions of school trouble, mean girls, & hatred; A few mentions of a murderer & murder investigation; A few mentions of fires; A few mentions of scams; A few mentions of vandalism; A couple mentions of executions; A mention of shocking; A mention of hunting; A mention of a cat dying (didn’t actually happen);

             *Note: Mentions of books & authors; Mentions of movies, characters, & TV shows (including preteen girls watching Downton Abbey); Mentions of car brands & other brands; A few mentions of NFL teams.

 

 

Sexual Content- All about many mentions of a secret admirer & trying to find out who it is (this includes thinking it could be a much older, married man who may have a roving eye—this is not who it actually is); Mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, dating, & crushes; A few mentions of flirting; A few mentions of a moony face; A few mentions of romance books & movies; A couple mentions of blushes;

             *Note: A few mentions of preteens’ body changes; A mention of a young girl wearing a tight-fitting top.

 

-Elaine Cook

-Jan Blake

                                P.O.V. switches between them

                                                        281 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I personally had a really hard time getting into this story. I didn’t really find the mystery that interesting and wasn’t overall thrilled with some hinted content towards the end (such as thinking a much older, married man was the secret admirer to a young woman and a mention of preteen’s watching a show that has questionable content), but I did like the final reveal at the very end.

 

 

See y’all on Friday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.