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  Tea Is For Terror

  A Claire Gulliver Mystery

  Gayle Wigglesworth - New author in the style of A. Christie

  November 14, 2004

  by Diana L. Driver “Book Lover” (Houston, Texas)

  TEA is for TERROR is the best cozy mystery I’ve read since Agatha Christie passed away. Plus, Gayle Wigglesworth plays fair with the clues. The puzzle is laid out in plain sight, but Mrs. Wigglesworth’s skilled writing and storytelling leads the reader in other directions. The ending is fast-paced, exciting, logical and completely satisfying. Anyone who loves Agatha Christie will adore TEA is for TERROR by Gayle Wigglesworth. Already I’m looking forwards to Mrs. Wigglesworth’s next novel. Please, Mrs. Wigglesworth - keep them coming!

  A great read

  November 22, 2010

  by grammi-cc

  I just finished reading this book again. I have read it a few times over the years and have enjoyed it every time. The characters are delightful. It makes me feel like I have been on a tour of the English countryside. And made some great new friends. Love it.

  A very entertaining mystery!

  April 10, 2010

  by D. Lockwood (Kerrville, TX)

  This is a very enjoyable read. The mystery is good and well written. The location is an extra plus, and while locations are described, it is not done in such detail that the story suffers. If you want a nice cozy mystery, try this one! I’ve now purchased the remaining books in the series.

  Claire Gulliver is a charming sleuth

  April 20, 2006

  by Marilyn Meredith, Author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series(Springville, CA)

  I just finished Gayle Wigglesworth’s “Washington Weirdos” and realized I’d read “Tea for Terror” at an earlier time. What I like best about the heroine Claire Gulliver is that she is a likeable and quite ordinary person who reacts to her inner voice. Ms. Wigglesworth does a great job of letting us see all the places Claire visits and the people around her. This is really a fun read.

  Books by Gayle Wigglesworth

  GAYLE’S LEGACY,

  Recipes, Hints and Stories Culled from a Lifelong Relationship with Food

  THE CLAIRE GULLIVER MYSTERIES

  Tea Is For Terror

  Washington Weirdos

  Intrigue In Italics

  Cruisin’ For A Bruisin’

  Malice In Mexico

  A POTTERY MYSTERY

  Mud to Ashes

  Tea Is For Terror

  A Claire Gulliver Mystery

  by

  GAYLE WIGGLESWORTH

  Copyright © 2004 by Gayle Wigglesworth

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from Gayle Wigglesworth, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2004094719

  ISBN: 978-0-9825519-1-2

  Gayle Wigglesworth, publisher

  Email: [email protected]

  Web site: www.gaylewigglesworth.com

  Acknowledgements

  This book would not have been possible without the support of my husband, David, who shares my travels, who believes in me and has always encouraged me. And I would like to thank my daughters, Janet and Danielle who were fearless editors.

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to all those people who have a dream and refuse to give it up. The fact that you are reading this book demonstrates that dreams do come true.

  Contents

  An Armchair Traveler’s Adventure

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Epilogue

  AN ARMCHAIR

  TRAVELER’S ADVENTURE

  Sponsored by:

  Travel Books Publishing Co. and

  Gulliver's Travel Book Store

  Lucy Springer, popular travel writer and experienced traveler, is taking a limited group of inexperienced travelers with her on the itinerary designed for her newest book An Armchair Traveler's Adventure. Lucy calls this tour an Untour, because while the itinerary, transportation, lodging and some activities are planned, tour members are allowed and even encouraged to make their own choices of what to see and do rather than blindly following a guide’s umbrella held aloft.

  This is a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the expert on an intimate tour of England and Wales. Sign up now, spaces are limited.

  Please – novice world travelers only.

  The Untour is designed for the novice traveler who is not ready to travel the world by themselves.

  Organized and led by Lucy Springer, Author of:

  Summers in Cornwall, 1988,

  Daffodils in the Cotswolds, 1991

  Elegance of England, 1994

  British Bed and Breakfast Bargains, 1998

  An Armchair Traveler's Adventure, to be announced

  ITINERARY

  Day 1 Friday

  2:00 Leave San Francisco on non-stop flight to Heathrow Airport.

  Day 2 Saturday

  10:00 Arrive London, Coach Tour of City before transfer to Whitlock Hotel.

  Free afternoon and evening

  Options:

  Shopping, Harrod's,

  Fortnum and Mason's for tea,

  Bond Street.

  Buckingham Palace.

  Tower of London.

  British Museum.

  Pub Crawling.

  Tea Dance at the Dorchester.

  Day 3 Sunday

  7-10 Breakfast served.

  Free morning

  Options:

  Church services – list provided.

  London Walks – four options available.

  Hyde Park.

  12:30 Meet in Little Venice – barge ride through canal to Camden Locks. Explore Camden Market on your own and return to hotel via Tube.

  7:00 Coach to Drury Lane, Theatre Royal.

  10:00 After Theatre dinner.

  Day 4 Monday

  6:30-8 Breakfast served.

  8:00 Luggage pick up.

  8:30 Coach leaves promptly for Stonehenge and Avebury.

  3:00 Hilliary Hall, Castle Combe.

  Free afternoon

  Options:

  Tea in Conservatory.

  Swimming, tennis or golf at hotel.

  Explore Castle Combe, the most picturesque of the Cotswold Villages.

  Strolls in the neighboring countryside.

  8:00 Elizabethan Banquet exclusively staged for Untour by Hilliary Hall.

  Day 5 Tuesday

  6-8 Breakfast served.

  8:30 Coach leaves for Bath promptly.

  Morning in Bath, explore on your own.

  2:00 Coach returns to Hilliary Hall promptly.

  Free afternoon and evening

  Options:

  Tea in Conservatory.

  Swimming, tennis or golf at hotel.

  Explore Castle Combe, the most picturesque of the Cots
wold Villages.

  Coach to Dodington House and gardens. Gardens designed by Capability Brown.

  Walk through the Cotswolds – visit attractive Biddlestone and dine at the King George Pub. Call for hotel car to return.

  Day 6 Wednesday

  6-8 Breakfast served.

  8:00 Luggage pick up.

  8:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  11:00 Hay-on-Wye, village famous for used books, market day in this village. Lunch, browse, shop on your own.

  2:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  4:30 Arrive LLandyn Wells, Hotel Victoria.

  8:00 Prince Albert Hall Variety Show.

  Day 7 Thursday

  7-8 Breakfast served.

  8:00 Luggage pick up.

  8:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  9:30 Powis Castle.

  11:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  Lunch stop at Inn in Snowdonia.

  3:00 Gwynedd Hall, Conwy.

  Free afternoon and evening

  Options:

  Walk the ancient wall surrounding Conwy.

  Visit the ruins of Conwy Castle.

  Explore the walled town.

  Excellent opportunity to visit the Laundromat.

  Day 8 Friday

  7-9 Breakfast served.

  9:00 Luggage pick up.

  9:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  Coach tour and lunch in Liverpool.

  2:00 Arrive Blackpool Guest Cottage, Blackpool.

  Free afternoon and evening

  Options:

  Beach swimming and sunning.

  Explore the Boardwalk.

  Walking tours of city gardens.

  Aquarium.

  Butterfly farm.

  Dance Festival at Promenade ballroom.

  Day 9 Saturday

  7-9 Breakfast served.

  Free morning

  Options:

  Beach swimming and sunning.

  Explore the Boardwalk.

  Walking tours of city gardens.

  Aquarium.

  Butterfly farm.

  Dance Festival at Promenade ballroom.

  11:30 Luggage pick up.

  1:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  2:30 Arrive Hopsvale Farms, Slaidburn.

  Free afternoon and evening

  Options:

  Country walks – 3 described in attached list.

  Explore nearby Slaidburn.

  Join in the gathering and moving the sheep to the next pasture.

  Swimming and tennis.

  Mrs. Sinclair, farm chef, will conduct a cooking demonstration of English Country Classics.

  Dinner is available at the farm or in the pub in Slaidburn.

  Day 10 Sunday

  6-9 Breakfast served.

  7:00 Church service in village. See attached list.

  8:00 Luggage pick up.

  9:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  10:30 Haworth, home of the Bronte's.

  1:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  Box lunch on coach.

  2:00 Bolton Abbey.

  3:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  4:30 Minster View Hotel, York

  Free evening

  Options:

  National Steam Museum.

  Explore York – walking tours attached.

  York Minister.

  Explore the Shambles.

  Visit the Viking Museum.

  Day 11 Monday

  7-9 Breakfast served

  Free day in York

  Options:

  National Steam Museum.

  Monday is Market Day.

  Explore York – walking tours attached.

  York Minister.

  Explore the Shambles.

  Visit the Viking Museum.

  Day 12 Tuesday

  7-9 Breakfast served.

  9:00 Luggage pick up.

  9:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  11:00 Kelham Island, Sheffield.

  2:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  4:00 Arrive Black Swan Inn.

  Free evening

  Options:

  Swimming and tennis.

  Walks through local area – 2 itineraries attached.

  Explore the local village Pub.

  Day 13 Wednesday

  6-9 Breakfast served.

  9:00 Coach leaves promptly.

  10:00 Chatsworth House and Gardens.

  2:30 Coach leaves for tour of Peak District.

  5:00 Black Swan Inn.

  Free evening

  Options:

  Swimming and tennis.

  Walks through local area – 2 itineraries attached.

  Explore the local village Pub.

  Pack for return trip.

  Day 14 Thursday

  5:30-6 Breakfast served.

  5:30 Luggage pick up.

  6:30 Coach leaves promptly.

  10:30 Arrive Heathrow Airport/Check In.

  1:00 Flight leaves for San Francisco.

  7:00pm Arrive SFO.

  INCLUDED

  All Transportation and Transfers.

  All breakfasts.

  Entrance fees or tickets to all scheduled events.

  Dinners and lunches as indicated on itinerary.

  All hotel accommodations.

  Handy Tour Tote bag.

  Autographed copy of Lucy Springer's book, An Armchair Traveler's Adventure, when published.

  Contact your Travel Agent for Date and costs.

  Act now, limited spaces available.

  CHAPTER

  ONE

  “He’s sending me to Club Med.”

  Claire watched the pasty face pale even further as he nervously resumed chewing on his ragged cuticle. She felt her resolve slipping.

  “We’re leaving Saturday you know,” she said gently.

  That didn’t seem to daunt him.

  She tried, “We’ll be gone fourteen days.”

  He just looked pathetically hopeful.

  “Well,” she sighed, “I can’t promise you anything but I’ll try. Look, why don’t you browse through the books while I see what I can do.”

  She headed for her office tucked in the back of the store, eyes automatically checking every detail as she passed. The tall shelves along all the perimeter walls were clearly labeled and colorfully filled. The low back-to-back shelves, set strategically in the middle of the floor, invited browsing. Here and there sat benches and wooden chairs just like the public libraries had when she was a kid. She passed the alcove and noted it was neat, inviting the serious trip planners to spread out their selections on the tables for a closer look. And its scattering of old sofas and overstuffed chairs allowed a comfortable place for customers to carefully peruse books they were considering for purchase.

  She couldn’t help her proud smile. And why not, she thought. Gulliver’s Book Shop, slightly worn, comfortably attractive, was her contribution to the community.

  “Sucker,” Mrs. B whispered as Claire passed.

  Claire agreed. They were leaving Saturday. Everyone had paid six weeks ago. They had already had two orientation meetings to prepare for this adventure. So why was she even thinking of adding another person to the group?

  Because somehow, instead of just being pathetic, Arnie White was appealing. And she understood why he would rather go with Lucy Springer than spend two weeks at a posh Club Med. Since the travel agent had apparently hinted to him that if he talked to Claire or Lucy they might let him join them even at this late date, he had been pounding on the door of the bookshop before she even opened.

  She punched in Lucy’s number first but only got her answering machine. She knew when Lucy was writing she just let the machine answer, so Claire reluctantly left a message. Obviously, Lucy wasn’t going to give her an easy out by making the decision on this one. Next the travel agent, who could hardly hide her glee at the prospect of another commission, but she eagerly confirmed she could obtain another seat on their flight, albeit at a higher price.