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 I’m always so happy to head back to Elderwick, the North Yorkshire village setting for Rachael Gray’s cosy mystery series.

Psychologist Laurel Nightingale moved to the village in the first book, A Little Bird Told Me, and we got to meet the residents in the community at the same time as she did. We only get to know as much as Laurel knows, and uncover things as she does. This allows each new book in the series to peel back more layers as we to get to know the village a little better together.

In the third instalment, the Elderwick Hall estate has been sold to a charity to provide breaks and support for disadvantaged children and teens. As part of their development, an archaeological survey is arranged before a farm shop can be built on the grounds.

There’s some excitement when bones are uncovered at the site, which turns to dismay, shock and horror when the remains turn out to not be as old as expected. Unearthing the remains brings the fear that long buried village secrets will be forced out into the open, and the danger may still be present in Elderwick.

As is the wont in small village communities, the rumour mill soon kicks into overdrive, and even Laurel’s closest friends don’t escape suspicion. How well does she really know her newfound confidantes?

A Storm in a Teacup is compelling mystery that makes us question what we think we know about the characters we know and love. It’s a brilliant addition to an outstanding series; one of the best cosy series out there.

The only frustrating part is that Elderwick isn’t real and I can’t go there for cake. Dammit. 

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Rachael Gray is fast establishing herself as one of the finest crime novelists working today. I love this third visit to Elderwick. The sleepy North Yorkshire village is acquiring a body count to rival its southern counterparts in 'Midsomer Murders'.

Laurel, Maggie, and Albert are on top form, and indeed the whole village is involved in a complex and compelling plot with secrets and lies stretching back decades. Ben and Perry have a challenging time trying to keep superiors happy whilst the villagers conduct their own investigations. There's a hint of romance; lots of clever wordplay; some even cleverer literary quotes; and a bit of fun with Aroon.

Once again the mystery has several layers and its unravelling involves several surprising twists and turns.

An irresistibly satisfying, smart, stylish and seductive read. 

This series gets better and better.

In this book, an archeological dig uncovers a human body, which raises concern in the village, and when another body is soon after, despite being warned off, Laurel starts to investigate with Maggie and Albert. But the police investigation comes very close to home for some other residents..and even Albert becomes a suspect.

I love the relationships between Laurel, Maggie, Albert and the other residents in the village, and telling the story in alternative chapters from their perspective brings a lot to the book.
The plot moves along at a really good pace, and the different strands intertwine nicely.

I think this could work as a stand alone, but possibly works best if you've read the previous 2...plus you'll then have 3 great books to read! 

 It isn’t unusual for human bones to be discovered during archaeological excavations, in this case, on the site of a proposed new farm shop, at Elderwick Hall, in whose grounds the discovery was made. The hall has had a long and troubled history, so finding an unknown burial wasn’t a huge surprise. However, once all of the remains had been uncovered, the questions followed, whose remains were they, how long had they been there and what was the cause of death?

Although being there when the discovery was made, Laurel tried to avoid being drawn into the inquiry. She had decided to steer clear of detective work but eventually, reluctantly, to help her friends, she succumbed to the inevitable and started with the help of Maggie and Albert, to investigate the murder.

Laurel’s fractious relationship with D.I. Coral; doesn’t help the situation, particularly, as Laurel was at the site when the remains were discovered. The story is multilayered with a glorious cast of characters, including Albert’s stroppy cockerel, Aroon, it is set in the delightfully painted East Yorkshire village of Elderwick. Who wouldn’t want to buy cakes from the Plump Tart, enjoy tea and cakes at the Pleasant Pheasant or sink a pint at the Snooty Fox?

I thoroughly enjoyed, A Storm in a Teacup, which is the third in the Elderwick Mysteries series. I read it quickly; wanting to find out how it ended, more please, Rachael.

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