Review: Death in a Budapest Butterfly

Title: Death in a Budapest Butterfly

Series: A Hungarian Tea House Mystery #1

Author: Julia Buckley

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: Hana Keller and her family run Maggie's Tea House, an establishment heavily influenced by the family's Hungarian heritage and specializing in a European-style traditional tea service. But one of the shop's largest draws is Hana's eccentric grandmother, Juliana, renowned for her ability to read the future in the leaves at the bottom of customers' cups. Lately, however, her readings have become alarmingly ominous and seemingly related to old Hungarian legends... When a guest is poisoned at a tea event, Juliana’s dire predictions appear to have come true. Things are brought to a boil when Hana’s beloved Anna Weatherley butterfly teacup becomes the center of the murder investigation as it carried the poisoned tea. The cup is claimed as evidence by a handsome police detective, and the pretty Tea House is suddenly endangered. Hana and her family must catch the killer to save their business and bring the beautiful Budapest Butterfly back home where it belongs.

My Review: I thought this book was a great start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the setting and the Hungarian traditions and customs added a really unique touch to this book. The story started off quickly, the murder happening at the beginning and flowed nicely from there. There is a hint of the paranormal in this book as well, and I felt like that added another dimension to the story. I enjoyed the characters of the mother and grandmother quite a bit but I found the detective to be a little bit flat for me. I am hoping that he will be a bit more dimensional as the series going on. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

*I received this book from Berkley Publishing in exchange for an honest review*