A priceless shipwreck treasure has vanished and everyone’s a suspect! Join us for an afternoon of intrigue as you follow the clues, interrogate the evidence, and try to unmask the culprit.
Mystery, mayhem, and a cuppa tea! Join us for the Key West Library’s Third Annual Mystery Tea, featuring an original whodunnit written by Key West’s own Elise Hart Kipness, a USA Today bestselling mystery writer, and debut author Robert Kipness.
This interactive afternoon of intrigue invites you to play detective as the mystery unfolds. Watch the suspects, listen for clues, and put your sleuthing skills to the test. Along the way, enjoy delicious baked treats, a cup of tea, plenty of laughter, and more than a few unexpected twists.
Will you uncover the culprit before the final reveal?
When: Sunday, February 28, 2027, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Where: Key West Public Library, 700 Fleming Street, Key Wes
Presented by: The Friends of the Key West Library and the Key West Library.
Tickets: Admission is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning January 1, 2027.
Don’t miss out! The Mystery Tea has sold out in each of its first two years. To make sure you hear when tickets become available, join the Friends or sign up for our mailing list.
Whodunnit? That’s for you to figure out!
About the Authors
Elise Hart Kipness is a USA Today bestselling author, former national television reporter, and creator of the acclaimed Kate Green thriller series, which has been optioned for television by Universal Television and Mary J. Blige’s Blue Butterfly Productions.
Her novels have earned recognition from Men’s Journal, Woman’s Day, and Scripps News, and she has been featured in People, Newsday, and on CBS Mornings Plus. Before turning to fiction, Elise covered major news stories for WNBC-TV, News 12 Long Island, and the Associated Press, as well as major sporting events for FOX Sports. She serves on the board of the Friends of the Key West Library and is a cofounder of the Connecticut chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Robert Kipness is a former attorney turned author who now calls Key West home. A licensed boat captain and enthusiastic lover of the outdoors, Robert traded the law office for the open water of the Keys and draws inspiration from the colorful characters, music, natural beauty, and unmistakable spirit of island life.
His love of adventure and storytelling informs his writing, while life away from the page revolves around his wife, Elise, their two sons, and two lively Labradoodles.
2026 Murder Mystery Tea
The 2026 sold-out Murder Mystery Tea was a huge success!
The Key Lime Murder: A deliciously deadly mystery by Lucy Burdette, performed at the Key West Library
The suspects were grilled and the perpetrator identified and brought to justice. Plus there were goodies galore! The tea was co-sponsored by the Friends of the Key West Library, the Key West Woman’s Club, and the Key West Library. Thanks to all! Stay tuned for 2027.
2025 Murder Mystery Tea
The Friends of the Key West Library hosted an afternoon of witness statements and forensic reports at our sold out mystery tea on February 1. The play, Bannocks and Blood, was written specially for libraries by Friends honored Gala guest, the mystery writer Ann Cleeves. Bannocks and Blood is based on Ann Cleeves’s novel Cold Earth, which was part of her 30th book celebration.
An inert “body” (death by sewing scissors) greeted the more than 100 visitors who poured into the library for the event. The stellar ensemble cast of suspects was played by Betty Darst, Elena Devers, Elise Hart Kipness, and Jordan Upchurch, with Roberta Isleib moderating. The venue was a community tea in Shetland, Scotland, for which an (actual) array of suitable refreshments was served at intermission. Audience members — many dressed for the occasion — voted on whodunnit in the hope of winning a copy of Raven Black, the first book from Ann’s Shetland series. The afternoon ended with a startling “arrest” by Deputy McNalley of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
Ann Cleeves closed the afternoon with praise for libraries. “I am so lucky to have been supported by so many passionate librarians and booksellers in my 30 years as an author,” she said, “writing this murder mystery script is my small way of saying thank you!