Murder in a Country Garden: A Completely Addictive English Cozy Murder Mystery

A Melissa Craig Mystery, Book 12

By: Betty Rowlands

Narrated by: Joan Walker

A perfect country garden is full of flowers and gently buzzing bees.... But the man lying dead beneath the trees can no longer see the beautiful scene.

Melissa Craig is thrilled that summer has arrived. She has decided to give up her career as an amateur sleuth and enjoy a quiet life in her beautiful cottage. The only digging in Melissa’s life now happens in her garden.

However, when a keen beekeeper is found dead, covered in multiple stings, her new resolve is tested. As she gets to know the family of the dead man, she realizes he was no saint. Could someone have possibly wanted him dead? Could this be a very clever murder?

As Melissa starts to probe the victim’s friends and acquaintances, another member of the family is also stung to death. Who could have turned the bees against their keeper? And when will they strike again?

With the residents of Upper Benbury now fearful to open their windows to the summer air and the police treating the deaths as accidental, Melissa must solve this case herself. To find the killer with the sharpest sting, she may have to delve deep into the hive....

If you can’t get enough of mysteries by Agatha Christie, P. D. James, or Faith Martin, you will love this irresistible mystery novel.

This book was previously published as Sweet Venom.

©2004, 2019 Betty Rowlands (P)2019 Bookouture

great but????????

Why was the wedding not included in the story. The wedding was not even talked about. At least the honey moon was mentioned.

Love This Series

I have enjoyed every book I have read in this series. Betty Rowlands creates entertaining characters and intriguing plots. I love how the characters are growing and changing. I also like the relationship between Melissa and Joe. They are a fun couple who work well together and really know each other. I look forward to seeing them in future books.

Ugh, again I feel as if strong Mel Craig makes another poor choice regarding “mates.”

I have read everyone of Betty Rowlands novels, as available on audible. The one conclusion I’ve come to, is that all of her female heroines makes repeated poor choices as male companions/fiancé/husband. It’s really disappointing. Every male counterpart is nauseatingly domineering. Of course she still does much of what she wants, but not really why would you choose to date, and further marry a domineering character like this?
I’m not sure I can in good conscience. recommend these books to my 17-year-old granddaughter. I want her to read and learn of good examples regarding who she should choose as a permanent partner. It’s become glaringlyobvious that Miss Rowlands does not believe that to be the case for her characters.

New Hubby

The book has a different flow now that Joe is in the equation. His “telling” what she can and cannot do despite her going ahead took some of the charm of Melissa’s independence.
She did not put up with it with Insp Harris and I don’t think she should with Joe.

3

I liked the mystery at the heart of the book but I lost interest a few times as the tears flowed and a character here and there lost it.
Melissa soldiers on while her new
husband keeps saying, "I had a feeling you shouldn't get involved with...." Grab some tissues and
a big cup of coffee and settle in
for an average boom wrapped around a n pretty darn good murder