You don't need to know a bluebell from a bluebonnet to enjoy this thrilling cozy
The Bluebonnet Betrayal
A Potting Shed Mystery
By Marty Wingate
Random House - Alibi
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: 2 August 2016
Review
The Chelsea Garden Flower Show is akin to the olympics of gardening. Even non-gardeners are familiar with the annual event. Thus it is a pleasure to discover Marty Wingate's newest potting shed mystery is set amongst the dirt and the glamour. Texas comes to England in the form of an Austin garden club, whose leader Twyla has long hoped for an entry in the show. Pru is drawn in as liaison for the club. What she gets is far more work than she bargained for - managing dirt, rocks and egos. When Twyla is murdered not long after their brief meeting, Pru feels she has to investigate in order to lay her kindred spirit to rest.
Don't worry if you aren't into gardening. You don't have to know a bluebell from a bluebonnet to enjoy this cozy. Marty Wingate's original plots and well orchestrated twists keep her series fresh and entertaining. It was particularly fun to see Pru's husband working undercover with her on site. Also, Marty Wingate does an excellent job creating varied, memorable supporting characters- including Basil the wolfhound.
Perfectly Anglo with a dash of Texan, The Bluebonnet Betrayal is a terrific cozy and a welcome addition to Marty Wingate's Pottingshed Mystery Series.
5/5
I received a copy of The Bluebonnet Betrayal from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
Description
Pru's life in England is coming full circle. A Texas transplant, she's married to the love of her life, thriving in the plum gardening position she shares with her long-lost brother, and prepping a Chelsea Flower Show exhibit featuring the beloved bluebonnets of the Texas hill country. Technically, Twyla Woodford, the president of a gardening club in the Lone Star State, is in charge of the London event, but Pru seems to be the one getting her hands dirty. When they finally do meet, Pru senses a kindred spirit—until Twyla turns up dead.
Although Twyla's body was half buried under a wall in their display, Pru remains determined to mount a spectacular show. Twyla would have insisted. So Pru recruits her husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, to go undercover and do a bit of unofficial digging into Twyla's final hours. If Pru has anything to say about it, this killer is going to learn the hard way not to mess with Texas.
