Read time: 3 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 336 pages
⏱ 5 hours read time
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Expected Publication: April 21, 2026
Read as an ARC received from NetGalley
Book Blurb:
Culinary journalist Naomi Sinclair returns to her home island of St. Thomas expecting sunshine, family time, and passion fruit juice, not a murder that stirs up her entire community. But trouble simmers fast: petty theft, neighborhood tensions, and a cold-blooded killing that forces Naomi into the role of amateur sleuth. With her deep knowledge of food, her close-knit circle of friends, and her charming crush Mateo, Naomi navigates island secrets while caring for her ailing father. Lush landscapes, tempting recipes, and the vibrant rhythm of Caribbean life shape this warm, flavorful mystery that fans of Carrie Doyle and Joanne Fluke will savor.
Let’s Talk Murder:
You know that feeling when a book’s atmosphere is so vivid you start tasting the salty air? That’s exactly what happened to me with The Bush Tea Murder. Ashley-Ruth Bernier writes the Caribbean the way only someone who loves it can, with rhythm, affection, and that familiar ease of community.
What stood out most for me was how authentically Caribbean the storytelling felt, from its language to its lush sensory moments. The dialogue flows like island music, and the relationships between characters are heartfelt and real. While the mystery itself unfolds at a gentle pace, it’s the worldbuilding that keeps you hooked. I loved the subtle dance between Naomi’s stateside ambitions and her love for her island roots, that tension gives this cozy more depth than most in the genre.
Naomi Sinclair is such a standout protagonist as confident but human, smart but not omniscient, and carrying the kind of real-world emotional weight that grounds a cozy mystery. Her relationship with her father added a beautiful warmth without overwhelming the mystery; her community connections added texture; and her subtle chemistry with Mateo? Just the lift the story needed. The plot flows beautifully too in a steady, flavorful, and engaging way, with a mystery that unfurls like slow-simmered stew rather than a frantic sprint.
I can already tell this story will be even more alive in audiobook form. You can practically hear the rhythm and warmth of the speech, and I can’t wait to immerse myself again when it releases in April 2026. Ashley-Ruth Bernier has brewed the perfect blend of character, culture, and cozy intrigue here.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re craving sunshine, spice, and a touch of mystery, The Bush Tea Murder is the cup of comfort you need. Add Naomi Spills the Bush Tea to your TBR today; your future vacation-self will thank you.
For Caribbean theme lovers,
I’ve got you covered:
- Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes
Miriam, a Cuban American food anthropologist, relocates to Miami and juggles preschool politics, cultural expectations, and a suspicious death at a local event. The series leans into vibrant Latinx culture, food, and family while keeping the tone firmly cozy.
This is a great pick if you want that “sun-soaked, culturally specific, funny but heartfelt” feeling you got from the Caribbean setting and relationships in The Bush Tea Murder. - A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie
A classic island-set mystery where atmosphere and community secrets drive the plot. Perfect if you loved the sun-soaked setting and small-circle suspects in The Bush Tea Murder. - The Island Sisters by Micki Berthelot Morency
Captures island life, close-knit relationships, and emotional depth, echoing the warmth and cultural authenticity that make The Bush Tea Murder so immersive. - A Scone of Contention by Lucy Burdette
A lighter, food-forward cozy mystery with charm and small-town intrigue, ideal if you enjoyed the comforting rhythms and puzzle-solving pace of this read. - Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
A Filipino American culinary cozy where Lila Macapagal returns home to help save her Tita Rosie’s restaurant, only to be suspected of murdering a food critic ex-boyfriend who dies mid-meal. It’s packed with recipes, family drama, and foodie details that make the community feel as vivid as the mystery.
If you loved Naomi’s ties to home and culture, Lila’s blend of comfort food, chaos, and complicated family expectations will hit the same sweet spot.
Spill the Bush Tea. What do you think?
Would you travel for a mystery? Or better yet, have you ever read a book so atmospheric that you felt transported? Drop your Caribbean daydreams (or any cozy mystery favorites) in the comments!
Book Links:
Consider purchasing your favorite books from local stores using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal
Indiebookstore.ca
Bookshop.org
Goodreads
Follow Ashley-Ruth Bernier on her author page for more on her books
Check out more books from Crooked Lane Books
🎄 Psst… Don’t Miss Our Christmas Cozy Giveaway!
I’m hosting a special Holiday Free Book + Giveaway sponsored by cozy mystery author Jodie Morgan, and it’s happening between December 13 to December 23, 2025!
Every visitor can claim a FREE copy of Gifts of Goodwill, and you can also enter to win a free copy of Recipe for Revenge, a culinary cozy mystery delivered to winners on Christmas Eve.
(Freebie + giveaway entry available exclusively on the giveaway blog page.)
Discover more from Views She Writes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Looking interesting
It definitely is. Do try it out
Ok
Welcome 🤗
This really shines as a sense-of-place review. I love how you focus on the atmosphere and community here, especially the way culture and relationships seem to carry as much weight as the mystery itself. That “slow-simmered stew” comparison is such a great way to frame the pacing.
Thank you. I love cozies that has atmosphere in it. If it’s culture focused, even better because then i get to learn about a new culture too
Sounds like a nice book I’d like to read to immerse myself in Caribbean culture on my next cruise.