A Scone to Die For

Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1

De: H.Y. Hanna

Narrado por: Pearl Hewitt

"They say you have to make sacrifices to follow your dreams. I just didn't expect the sacrifices to involve an American tourist and a killer scone."

Gemma ditches her high-flying job and returns to Oxford to pursue her dream of opening a traditional English tearoom. It means giving up her savings, moving back with her parents, and coping with her bossy, matchmaking mother, but she's sure it will all be worth it. In fact, business is already booming—that is, until she opens up shop and finds an American tourist murdered by one of her signature scones! Now Gemma is apron-deep in a puzzling mystery, with her past coming back to haunt her when the handsome CID detective leading the case turns out to be her old college flame. And with the nosy "Old Biddies" from the local village meddling at every turn and her baker's cheeky cat terrorizing her kitchen, she's beginning to find herself in a real pickle....

Who was the American, and what was he really doing in Oxford? Is his death linked to a long-buried scandal at the historic university, or was he just the unlucky victim of a brawl at the village pub? What about the sultry new member of local book club—is she lying about her relationship with the murdered tourist?

The question that's really bothering Gemma, though, is how she can keep serving warm buttery scones with jam and clotted cream, and fragrant tea in pretty bone china...when her customers think her baking is more deadly than delicious! With the body count rising and her tearoom going bust, can Gemma find the killer before her dreams turn to custard?

A Scone to Die For is the delectable first book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries. If you like deliciously endearing characters, intriguing whodunits, and hilarious British humor—not to mention cats with big personalities!—then you'll love the first book in H.Y. Hanna's best-selling culinary cozy mystery series.

©2016 H.Y. Hanna (P)2023 H.Y. Hanna

Nice start to a new series

This was a nice start to a new series. The characters were well developed and believable. Pearl Hewitt brought the characters to life.

Great cozy mystery set in Oxford

If I were to do a study abroad, my top choices would be the colleges at Oxford, so A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna, set just outside Oxford, gives a little tour of this academic paradise. Gemma Rose has returned after eight years climbing the corporate ladder in Australia when she sells up everything and returns home to Oxford to open up a tea shop with the best pastries in the area. An American shows up for tea and lives true to the American boorish reputation, holding against Gemma and her shop the fact that the cook’s cat, Muesli, showed up in the dining room, a violation of heath laws. Gemma sees him have an altercation with a man at the local bar too. The next morning, Gemma shows up at her cafe, only to find the American, a medical researcher named Brad Washington, dead, with a scone stuffed into his mouth.

Discovering that the murder has kept clients away from the cafe, Gemma decides she must investigate for het own financial good, and this brings her together with the first and only real love of her life, now Detective Inspector Devlin O’Connor. She explores the world of academic Oxford, connecting with a fun team of four old women and some old friends until she finds the killer.

This book is a delightful book with a fun setting in the world of academia. I enjoyed the investigation along with the fun characters. Gemma’s mother is so anxious ti get her daughter married off that she keeps setting her up with dates, usually disastrous. And I really enjoyed exploring the world of Oxford through Gemma’s eyes.

Pearl Hewitt seems an ideal narrator for cozy mysteries. Her gentle voice delights and keeps the book from getting too intense. I really appreciate the job she does with this book.

I picked up A Scone to Die For on a whim and am very glad I did. I got a fun mystery which also satisfied my academic love. But even those people who don’t care anything about the world of studies and college will still connect to this enjoyable book. I give it five stars.

Absolutely Love It!

What did you love best about A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1?

There are so many things that I like, that it's hard to narrow it down to just one. I love the descriptions, the fun and quirky characters, and the laugh out loud moments. Definitely one of my favourite cozy mystery series!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love The Old Biddies and their interactions and antics! I also really enjoy the relationship between Gemma and her mother, it's very realistic and I'm sure many people can relate!

What does Pearl Hewitt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed Pearl Hewitt's voice and interpretation of how to read the story. Love her accent, and her ability to change it up as different characters are speaking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was! I read the book as well and was drawn into the story and just had to know what happened next! I just didn't want to stop listening (though I did have to listen in more than one sitting) It is a book that I will listen to again and again :) I enjoy revisiting my favourite characters, it's like visiting old friends

Any additional comments?

I can not wait for the next installment! I did read the book before listening to the audiobook, and enjoyed both it, and the audiobook immensely! If you are looking for a great cozy mystery, look no further you will not be disappointed. A Scone To Die For has all the things an amazing cozy does :) Check it out!

I'd like to thank the author for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and truthful review.

What a treat! Excellent narration!

I purchased this book on a whim based upon a recommendation from a reader that I follow. What fun! Of the characters, I especially enjoyed the non- tech savvy mother's repeated iPad issues which required her daughter's assistance. Oh my, that will probably be me in 10 years. In advance, sorry son :-). The mother reminded me of Bridget Jones mother. Such a hoot! I laughed out loud numerous times. This is the type of book that is enjoyable light reading that is easy to follow while you are doing other activities.

I enjoyed this book

I did not really enjoy the matter, but thought she did a good enough job. I also wish that more than one book in each category of these books could be made available for people with vision issues for less than your prices are

An Oxford Cozy

A Scone To Die For is an enjoyable cozy mystery set in Oxford and a nearby Cotswold village tea room. This first novel in the series lets the reader get to know the quirky and slightly complex cast of characters.I look forward to the next four books in series coming to audible.

Love this series!

Where does A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

“I was given a free copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.” I have purchased all the books in this series for my Kindle and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them so I was excited to have the opportunity to try the Audible format. I loved the way the book was truly brought to life in the Audible format. I loved the narrator's ability to take on all the different personas in the book. The spoken word truly enhanced the story. In other audio books I listen to, often my mind wanders and I have to rewind at times. Not so with this book!

Afternoon Tea and Kitties, two of my favourites things, so I was sold when Amazon listed this book as a suggestion. I have found HY Hanna is great at building her characters and it was nice to revisit book 1 in this, the first series of hers that I had read. The locations are interesting, I've never been to Oxford but feel like I am beginning to know it. I love the kitty Muesli and how she weaves her way into Gemma's heart.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The old biddies are a fave, I love their spunk.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for Book 3 to be available in the Audible format, and the rest of the series to :)

Ignore the cover and listen!

Loved the twists and real non-exaggerated emotions and relationships that make you roll your eyes during some light hearted murder mysteries. Performance was excellent and I have already purchased book 2&3 to listen to next. I listened to this book my whole day off today and enjoyed the fun easy listen!

A little underwhelmed

I did not find this book terribly enjoyable. am new to the cozy mystery genre and my first real books were T.E. Kinsey as that set the bar pretty high. the characters in this were not particularly quirky or funny not the descriptions of the place or for really enough to take new away in any real pleasure way. I just kinda odd slogged through. wish I liked it better not see who to check out next door that cozy experience that transports.

Wonderful new cozy series

Would you consider the audio edition of A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1 to be better than the print version?

I think both the print and audio version are very good. There's no reason not to enjoy both!I love to read print books but it's nice sometimes to listen to a good cozy when you're busy doing something else.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Scone To Die For Oxford Tearoom Cozy Mysteries, Book 1?

I thought the closet scene with the old buddies was quite funny. Of course at the beginning when Gemma was trying to catch Muesli in the tea room was hilarious. Anyone who is a cat owner will feel her pain.

What about Pearl Hewitt’s performance did you like?

She was excellent reading Gemma. I thought she captured her spirit and character very well which really brought the character to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely. I only turned it off the first day because I just had to. I stayed up late to finish it all the next day.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this audio. I can't wait to curl up with my own cup of tea & listen to Tea With Milk and Murder.