Synopsis

Literary caterer Letitia ‘Tish’ Tarragon is preparing her English Secret Garden-themed luncheon for Coleton Creek’s annual garden club awards, but when she is taken on a tour of some of the top contenders with the garden club’s president, Jim Ainsley, Tish is surprised at how seriously the residents take the awards – and how desperate they are to win. Wealthy, retired businessman Sloane Shackleford has won the coveted best garden category five years in a row, but he and his Bichon Frise, Biscuit, are universally despised. When Sloane’s bludgeoned body is discovered in his pristine garden, Tish soon learns that he was disliked for reasons that go beyond his green fingers. Have the hotly contested awards brought out a competitive and murderous streak in one of the residents?

Review

I just love this series from the literary cafe and its dishes, to the characters, and the mystery that is never quite what it seems.

I enjoyed so many things about this book/series.  Tish is a reluctant sleuth.  She can’t help it if people just open up to her and she knows what questions to ask.  At least she shares all of the information with Sheriff Reade so that he can do his job and catch the criminals.  The banter between Tish and Jules (Julian) is witty and had me chuckling throughout the book…especially when Jules is talking about moving into a retirement center with an older woman!  Granted he would be renting a room, but the whole situation is comical.  There is the dog of the deceased, Biscuit, who appears to be quite charming despite the rumors about some of Biscuits deeds around the community.

The mystery is well written and I was surprised at some of the twists and turns before the conclusion of the story.  Who thought gardening could be murder, but once you learn more about the deceased you won’t be surprised at his death.  I felt bad for some of the characters as their stories were revealed but I think it made them stronger in the end.

Tish does have a love interest, but I think there is someone else that could be interested in her as well.  I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

Overall we give this 5 paws up!

About the Author

Author of the critically acclaimed Marjorie McClelland Mysteries and the Stella and Nick VT Mystery Series, Amy Patricia Meade is a native of Long Island, NY where she cut her teeth on classic films and books featuring Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown.

After stints as an Operations Manager for a document imaging company and a freelance technical writer, Amy left the bright lights of New York City and headed north to pursue her creative writing career amidst the idyllic beauty of Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Now residing in Bristol, England Amy spends her time writing mysteries with a humorous or historical bent. When not writing – which is rare these days – Amy enjoys traveling, testing out new recipes, classic films, and exploring her new home.

Amy is a member of Sisters in Crime and The Crime Writers Association.

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