Death in a Budapest Butterfly: A Hungarian Tea House Mystery by Julia Buckley

I first saw this mystery at my library, and decided to buy a copy for myself. I was intrigued by the Hungarian tea house and wasn't quite sure what to expect in this cozy mystery. What I found was a mystery that actually gave me a few hours of time away from  checking the news and staring at my phone. 

This is the first in a new series, and I can't wait to read more about Hana Keller and her extended family. Hana's mother owns Maggie's Tea House in Riverwood, a suburb of Chicago. Hana's family is Hungarian, and her grandmother is especially gifted at reading tea leaves for guests. Most people think she's just using it as a parlor trick, but she's actually quite gifted, as is Hana's mother (who ignores her gift), and Hana, too. Getting ready for a ladies tea, Hana is overcome with dread and reluctant to enter the tea house. And she's correct, as later on one of the women is found dead in the bathroom-by Hana. Someone poisoned her tea, but who could it be in a room full of senior citizen women? 

Enter Erik Wolf, local detective. He's handsome and professional, and sparks fly between Erik and Hana. Her family's tea house is in danger of closing, thanks to the murder that happened there-can Erik and Hana figure out who poisoned Ava Novak and why?

I loved Hana's family--her grandparents, her parents, and her brother. Close knit, supportive, and wow--the food! My stomach was growling the whole time. I would love to try some traditional Hungarian food. I'm all about noodles! 

The mystery itself was interesting, and wove Hungarian mythology into the mix. It was more of an unfolding rather than an aha! kind of a mystery, but I liked that. Lots of tradition, resentment, old histories, and love turned to hate made this murder mystery pretty darn solid. I always enjoy a cozy mystery that has a little magic involved, too. 

I'd add this one to your TBR list is you like cozy mysteries. The second in the series is due out at the end of June, 2020 in the U.S.:

If you love mysteries full of good food, strong family connections, cats, tea and an unfolding romance this is perfect for you. It was perfect for me. 

Rating: 4/6 for a delightful start to a new mystery series set in suburban Chicago. Recipes are also included so you too can try out some Hungarian dishes. 

Available in paperback, a Kindle ebook, and audio. 

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Death in a Budapest Butterfly: A Hungarian Tea House Mystery by Julia Buckley

City Girl, Country Vet by Cathy Woodman

Sometimes I just want to read something fun. Something so far away from my reality that I think, gee, it would be nice to be living in that novel.  Especially if it's British.

City Girl, Country Vet by Cathy Woodman is a delightful, entertaining read that will relax you and put a smile on your face.  It's full of puppies, cats, and the odd-ball small village British eccentrics that I love to read about.  There's also a romance, but not a heavy petting, lots-of-sex kind of romance.  But the point is made, and it's refreshing.  Not all romances hit the ground running.  

Maz Harwood is leaving her London job as a vet after her boss/boyfriend decides to get back together with his ex-wife in Maz's bed.  Her friend Emma has started her own vet practice called The Otter House in her hometown of Talyton St. George.  It's your typical rural English village, and Emma is leaving her practice for a 6 month sabbatical around the world.  Maz has agreed to take over the practice for six months to give her friend a much needed break.  

Her beginning as the temporary vet is rocky.  There's the supremely nasty and crabby Dr. Fox-Gifford, who runs the other vet place in town--The Talyton Manor Vets.  He's so thoroughly mean that he will go to great lengths to put Emma out of business.  A total pain in the arse.

But he has a gorgeous son--another vet.  His name is Alex.  Their meeting is a bit stiff at first, but they soon feel a growing attraction that can't be denied--although there is certainly plenty in their way.  As Maz struggles to keep Emma's business open and running, she's learning to live in a small town, be accepted by the community, and seriously thinking she made a bad choice leaving London.  And she's still uncertain whether she can trust Alex.

I haven't read any books where the main female character is a vet, and this was a highlight of the novel.  The inner workings of a daily vet clinic, the skills needed to take care of so many small animals, and the struggle between the "old fashioned" mindset of animal care vs. the modern techniques were all an added bonus to the story.  I liked Maz, the cast of characters who surround her in the vet practice, and her struggle to find a comfortable place in a town that is testing her every day.  

I so enjoyed this novel!  And--it was on my 25 book list for the Read off the Bookshelves Challenge 2013!  I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves British chick-lit, a light read, and anyone who needs to brighten their week with a fun novel.  

Rating:  7/10.  Fun, quick read with endearing characters and an interesting look at a small town vet practice.  Add a dash of romance and puppies, and you've got a weekend read that will put a smile on your face.  

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City Girl, Country Vet by Cathy Woodman