Showing results for "Gardening Mystery" in All Categories

With their deadly plants, razor-sharp shears, shady corners, and ready-made burial sites, gardens make an ideal scene for the perfect murder. But the outsize influence that gardens and gardening have had on the mystery genre has been underappreciated. Now, Marta McDowell, a writer and gardener with a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the genre, illuminates the many ways in which our greatest mystery writers, from Edgar Allen Poe to authors on today’s bestseller lists, have found inspiration in the sinister side of gardens.

The tulip craze of 17th century Holland has a dark side! Cornelius van Baerle, a wealthy but naive tulip grower, finds himself entangled in the deadly politics of his time, and he must decide where his true love lies.

When she lands her first gardening job at a beautiful country house, Poppy is delighted to earn some much-needed money. But she barely sets foot in the flower bed before the meddling neighbour drops dead in front of her - murdered by a lethal poison. Before she knows it, Poppy is busy weeding out suspects, helped by mad scientist Bertie and his feisty terrier, Einstein, plus a whole host of nosy villagers…not to mention maverick crime author Nick Forrest.

Anyone growing up in Lobelia Falls is taught to learn the elegant, ancient, and occasionally deadly art of shooting with a bow and arrow. Practicing the craft, freelance secretary Dittany Henbit is strolling through the woods with her bow at her side when she meets a surveyor making surveys where he shouldn't. Dittany is giving him what-for when an arrow goes whizzing above her head. It is sharp enough to kill, and was not fired by accident, but Dittany wasn't the target.

When Jenson Thorbisher-Freep announces an amateur theatrical contest, the women in the Grub-and-Stake gardening club race to join in. They enlist Osbert Monk as their playwright - not only is he married to their club leader Dittany Monk, but he's famous the world over as Lex Laramie, best-selling novelist of Westerns. Taking the legend of Dangerous Dan McGrew as his inspiration, Osbert delivers a rough draft faster than the Pony Express. Now all the Grub-and-Stakers have to do is cast it.

When word gets out that Dittany Monk, the sleuthing gardener of Lobelia Falls, is expecting twins, every knitter in town races to Miss Jane Fuzzywuzzy's Yarnery to begin work on a complete wardrobe of hats, booties, and tiny sweaters. One customer, however, has even more urgent business: the man with the gunshot wounds in his back.

A Grisly Murder, a Desperate Ghost, and a 100-year-old Secret? Buying the rundown Vineyard on Spell's Bay is Verity's Do-Over. It just needs a little TLC. And maybe a bulldozer. It's here in the Magic-Filled town of Veil Falls that she will find out she's something more than Over-the-Hill and Broke... According to Honor, her handsome next-door neighbor and resident Vine Warlock, she has a certain gift. Only a Wine Witch isn't all she is. When the Naked Ghost on the Chair in her Bedroom starts asking questions, she's certain she's ready for the Not so Funny Farm...and determined to get rid ...

After Architrave's will reveals that he bequeathed his ramshackle old house to the Grub-and-Stakers, with instructions for it to be turned into a museum, Dittany resigns herself to weeks of cleaning out the mansion and sorting through donated town "artifacts". The task turns interesting, however, the minute bodies start falling from the sky. The new curator is airing out the house's attic when he takes his tumble off the roof.

Organic gardner and television host Louise Eldridge is filling in the low spots of her garden with grass collected from the neighborhood. Organic gardner and television host Louise Eldridge is filling in the low spots of her garden with grass collected from the neighborhood. When body parts start turning up in the mulch, Louise begins an investigation.

What does the Mission Lighthouse in Veil Falls have hanging around? And who is the Fresh specter putting the moves on Verity at the Supermarket? Honor Mason’s Annual Snowshoe, Shuffle, and Flight Wine Event has the customers all a titter with delight…and maybe a glass of his best Moscato… As the less than delighted hostess for her neighbor’s event, Verity is learning a thing or two about the wine business and speaking in front of an overly enthusiastic crowd. But the last stop on the tour at the Mission Light House comes with a view…and he’s swinging from the upper gallery… It...

Poor Meg Langslow. She's blessed in so many ways. Michael, her boyfriend, is a handsome, delightful heartthrob who adores her. She's a successful blacksmith, known for her artistic wrought-iron creations. But somehow Meg's road to contentment is more rutted and filled with potholes than seems fair.

Television host and organic gardener Louise Eldridge welcomes old friend Jay McCormick to Washington, D.C. When McCormick is found face down in a fish pond, Louise uncovers a plot that includes Washington's power brokers.

Autopsies and Bubble Baths should be Sacred... That’s one fact Verity is sure of! After the body of a young woman washes ashore in Spell’s Bay, and the victim’s ghost arrives just in time for her own dissection, Verity will be forced to reassess her opinion. When the same mischievous ghost interrupts her favorite Honeysuckle-Rose Bubble bath and dips a ghostly toe, Verity is forced to take desperate measures. Add in the imposter at Martina's Culinary School that has everybody astir, and Verity, accompanied by her not-so-loyal feline familiar, Lois, set out on a hair-raising adventure ...

On location at a picturesque New England Inn, PBS garden host Louise Eldridge finds a case of stolen plant research - and murder.

When Clara Whitlock's grandfather dies, she returns home to find that his death was less than natural. A brand new series starter from debut author, Emily Parks.In 1870's London, being a divorced is a scandalous thing for a society woman, but that’s exactly what Clara Whitlock is—after her husband leaves her. When she receives a telegram that John Whitlock, her grandfather, is ill, she immediately travels home with her reputation in tatters, only to find out that her beloved Poppa has already died. But…rumors swirl in her small circle that he may not have died from natural causes. ...

Was it just an untimely Accident? Or was it Murder? When Honor Mason’s sister, Martina, arrives; a despairing widow, with five rambunctious kids in tow, and haunted shadows in her eyes… Verity and Honor wonder. Are they coming home to stay…or running for their lives? And then they find the first body… Just a taste of what’s to come. A brand-new Paranormal Cozy to keep you up at night. Burgandy Blunder will hit the shelves this November.

Tessa’s Garden is a four novella series collection that covers spring, summer, fall and winter. Looking for a fun and lighthearted romance that will keep you turning the pages? "Tessa's Garden" is the sweet suspense romance for you! Tessa's tendency to jump to conclusions often leads her into trouble, and her investigation into her employer's practices is no exception. Despite her best intentions, Tessa finds herself in over her head as she and Samson gather secret information and try to uncover the truth about the business, an organic produce company. As the higher ups become suspicious,...

Organic gardener and television host Louise Eldridge has a nasty confrontation with the former television host she replaced. And when the woman is found poisoned, Louise becomes suspect number one.

A friendly competition to grow the best organic garden is underway. The prize is tempting . . . a ribbon, a photo and article in the newspaper, AND some all-you-can eat favorites from Ned’s Diner! Esmeralda, Annie, Oliver, and Rosamond are among the competitors. Just a few days before contest judging, some of Rosamond’s tomatoes go missing and Nate and Sludge are called to investigate. Who is eager for tomatoes, and why? Nate and Sludge are on the case, and what they find surprises all, but makes perfect sense!

October brings a message from Beyond The Grave... Halloween is fast approaching in the quiet Los Angeles County city of Vista Beach, home of computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Rory Anderson. While her painting chapter prepares to open its annual boutique house, Rory receives an unexpected email from Beyond The Grave, a company that automatically sends out messages when someone dies. “I think I have a stalker,” the message reads. “If you’re reading this I’m either missing or dead. My life may depend on what you do. Please find out what happened to me.” Haunted by ...