The Garden Club Murder
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?
Series: A Tish Tarragon Mystery – Book 2
Author: Amy Patricia Meade
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/Garden
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Page Count: 208
Rating: 
The Garden Club Murder is the latest addition to the cozy series “A Tish Tarragon Mystery” published by Severn House http://www.severnhouse.com/. This is a wonderful cozy book filled with delightful characters, beautiful descriptions of gardens anyone would want to spend time in, and a surprise ending readers will not see coming.
Tish is an unusual hero in a cozy book. She is a reluctant sleuth, or so she tries to make everyone, including herself, believe. But the truth is, Tish can’t help getting involved when there is a murder to solve. Working alongside her friend, Jules, Tish finds more problems than solutions at times but also laughter and smiles. Jules is a great character who will have readers clapping in happiness and frowning at the same time.
The murder of Sloane Shackleford is not a surprise. From the very beginning of the book, readers know who the victim will be. Even though the culprit must be found, no one will mourn the loss of Sloane. He is a villain through and through. However, the killer will come as a surprise, and the twist ending will leave readers emotionally distraught. The conclusion brought tears to my eyes, and that isn’t easy to accomplish in a cozy book.
I enjoyed The Garden Club Murder immensely and highly recommend it to readers everywhere. It has everything readers want in a cozy book, fantastic characters, delightful settings, and twist and turns that will keep you guessing to the very last page. This book and series keep getting better and will entertain readers for years to come.
Readers who enjoy The Garden Club Murder may also enjoy Edith Maxwell’s https://edithmaxwell.com/ cozy book series “A Local Foods Mystery” https://www.thecozyreview.com/mulch-ado-about-murder/ or perhaps Isis Crawford’s https://isiscrawford.com/ series “A Bernie and Libby Culinary Mystery “ https://www.thecozyreview.com/catered-costume-party/.
About the Author:
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Amy Patricia Meade is the author of the critically acclaimed Marjorie McClelland Mystery series, Don’t Die Under the Apple Tree: A Rosie the Riveter Mystery, and the new Tish Tarragon culinary mystery series.
Currently residing in the southwest of England, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, reading, cooking, gardening, and exploring her new home.
Amy is a member of Sisters in Crime and The Crime Writer’s Association.
Contact Amy – author@amypatriciameade.com
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