"Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance" by Victoria Tait: Review/Giveaway

 Review by Sarah Erwin

 Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of this book and a link to purchase it.

Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance is book two in Victoria Tait’s Waterwheel Cafe cozy mystery series, although this can easily be read as a standalone title.

Part-time police sergeant Keya Varma has a lot on her plate between her police work and her efforts to open a neighborhood cafe. As much as she’d love to sit for hours planning her menus, Keya can’t ignore Zivah’s (her sister) plea for help–it’s just days before Zivah’s wedding and the venue informs them that it is double booked and Zivah is out of a space.

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Image Source Kanga Press

Because Keya is so good with people, Zivah asks her to visit with the other bride to see if she would be willing to move her wedding. Keya agrees and travels to Coln Akeman to meet with bride Natasha Nkosi, a beautiful young model from London. While Natasha can’t move what is clearly the wedding of the year, Keya enjoys meeting Natasha and also feels slightly concerned about an aura of sadness that seems to surround Natasha. Keya introduces Natasha to her sister, and enjoying each other’s company, the three agree to get together the next day. When Keya and Zivah return, however, they are concerned to find the front door of Natasha’s cottage open and no sign of Natasha herself. Keya quickly finds herself in the middle of a missing person’s case.

There is much to enjoy in this mystery. Keya is a strong and likable character who struggles with insecurities just like the rest of us. She cares deeply and her care made me feel deeply about the story. The descriptions of the settings had me feeling like I was traveling the backroads of England with Keya. While this is labeled a cozy mystery, and there are many cozy elements, it also reads a bit like a cozy police procedural which I found unique and refreshing. I look forward to reading more about Keya and her adventures both as a police sergeant and as a cafe owner and operator.

To enter to win a copy of Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance (winner's choice of ebook or print), simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "deadly,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 7, 2023. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

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Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.