Reviews for Tea is for Terror

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Gayle Wigglesworth left the world of art, where she began her education, to move to San Francisco. She instead chose banking as a career and excelled at it, rising to Senior Vice President. She had a family and ended up moving to Houston, where she and her husband presently live. She and her husband travel and read extensively. TEA IS FOR TERROR placed second in the Mayhaven Annual Award for Fiction in 2002.

Claire Gulliver is an erstwhile librarian who took the plunge out of a careful life when her uncle left her his shabby bookstore. She revitalized the store and made it a haven for travelers. Claire is still bothered by nightmares from a series of odd events that brought out a flair for detective work, and her father's police mates watch over her. Claire is about to take her first trip abroad, but ends up as the guide when her friend Lucy Springer, an established travel writer and guide, mysteriously falls on a broken step and can't make the trip to England and Wales. Little does Claire realize that the seeming accident is just the beginning of a malicious design on her travel group:

"'But it's Arnie. He's with us. I mean he's a member of our tour. I'm in charge. I have to do something.' She knew she wasn't quite coherent but the policeman apparently understood and he led her over to two men standing to the side, one talking on a mobile phone directing the rescue efforts on the roof. It was apparent from his conversation that there was no hope of Arnie having survived the fall."

Wigglesworth combines lots of interesting elements to put her mark on TEA IS FOR TERROR. She is knowledgeable about the interesting parts of England and Wales and carries on a travelogue for the reader, even as the plot unfolds. Claire is a somewhat shy heroine who enjoys wandering by herself, and she finds a keeper and friend in Jack, who is himself interesting and full of surprises. The plot moves right along, with one disaster after another testing Claire's resolve. Even as the ending of the book draws near, Wigglesworth plays her cards close to her vest, not wanting the reader to guess at the conclusion. Her denouement is well crafted, and she cunningly leaves a few threads hanging for her next story. An excellent first effort!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

http://www.midwestbookreview.com

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5/20/05

Hey Gayle!  Was at your dinner table at Malice Domestic (tall, blond highlights, loves travel/mystery, works at CIGNA).  Well I just finished Tea is for Terror, and I gotta tell you, it was GREAT.  It's got it all:  book store, cats, travel, mystery, great amateur sleuth.  I just LOVED it, and can't wait until the Washington book comes out.  Hope you had a safe journey home, and it was a real pleasure talking with you.  Hope we can keep in touch.  Write if you get a chance.

Your friend, Marge

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12/6/04

Well I just finished your mystery. Loved it and can't wait for the next one.   I am so impressed. You made it enticing from the beginning so I wanted to know what happens next.  Then, when I got close to the end I had to stay up past my bedtime to finish.  The character development was excellent and the description of the tour sites make me want to go on the same untour.  How did come up with such wonderful words to describe things? 

I can't tell you how many books I have read where I don't care what happens to the characters or the book doesn't grab me even after several chapters.   I think you deserve to be on the best seller lists.  I am so proud of you.  I am going to buy several more books for Christmas presents. 

Congratulations!

Penny

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Dear Gayle,

TEA is for TERROR is the best cozy I've read since Agatha Christie died. I absolutely loved it. I love Agatha Christe - I have every one of her books and for years I've been trying to find a writer who is comparable. Finally, you showed up! (Actually, you're better than she was because you're a better writer - and you play fair with the clues!)

You did an exceptional job. Lots of characters, wonderful descriptions, very good vocabulary. I was glad that Guiness got away - is he going to be Claire's nemesis?

I can't wait until your next release, WASHINGTON WEIRDOS. Also, I'm sending TEA is for TERROR to my mom for Christmas, so I want to get together with you sometime and get a signed copy.

I am now one of your biggest fans. And, I'm looking forward to having a collection of Claire Guliver books on my bookshelf.

Oh, I REALLY like the packaging, too. I think the dustjacket over the softcover is terrific.

Thank you for sticking with your dream.

A Fan