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Gunpowder Green
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Plot Summary of Gunpowder Green
"

Berkley, Mar 2002, 5.99, 256 pp.
ISBN: 0425184056

    Though Charleston's Indigo Tea Shop normally never caters a party, proprietor Theodosia Browning makes an exception for the annual Isles of Palm Yacht Race. She and her crack staff of two even make a new tea, GUNPOWDER GREEN, for the “Tea by the Sea” event. The gala is going quite well though Theodosia observes an argument between upper crust Oliver Dixon and Fred Cantrell. Not long afterward, Oliver fires the finishing line gun, but it misfires exploding in his face leaving him dead.

    Everyone including police detective Burt Tidwell believes an unfortunate accident has occurred. That is everyone except Theodosia who feels someone pulled off a clever homicide by disguising it as one of those misfortunate events that happen in life. Unable to leave it alone, Theodosia begins making inquiries that places her in danger.

    The latest Indigo Tea Shop mystery, GUNPOWDER GREEN, is an engaging cozy that sub-genre fans will want to read along with a spot of their favorite beverage, preferably green tea. The story line engages the audience from the start though why the heroine insists murder occurred against the overwhelming evidence seems inane on Theodosia's part. Fans will enjoy the antics of Theodosia and her employees as they put their personal spin on the perils and delights of tea flavored boiling water. Laura Childs provides the right combination between tidbits on tea and an amateur sleuth cozy that will send readers seeking a cup of DEATH BY DARJEELING, the series previous novel.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

"Theodosia Browning gets caught up in another odd murder in the historical section of Charleston, SC where she owns a quaint tea shop. With her co-workers assisting her in figuring out the murder, she alienates other town members casting more suspicion as to who the murderer actually is."
Cindy Lee, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Gunpowder Green
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 45%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - very upbeat
How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60% - 70%
Kind of investigator - amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot? - food/cooking
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - small businessman
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How much violence does he/she use? - a little - just the right amount
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - small businessman - business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some - an average amount
Motive of antagonist - power
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
City? Yes
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Style
Part of a series? Yes
Person - mostly 1st - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment - moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths? - 1
Unusual forms of death - perforation--bullets
Unusual form of death? Yes
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to Gunpowder Green
The Chocolate Cat Caper by JoAnna Carl
Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs
The Perils of Paella by Nancy Fairbanks
Photo Finished by Laura Childs


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Laura Childs Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Harriet Klausner  

SCHOLARS:
David Loftus  Abby White  


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