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A Blossom Valley Mystery #3
Green Living Can Be Deadly
Thinking green comes with the territory at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom Valley, CA. But could a festival be taking things too far, especially when it leads to a fresh case of murder?
When Dana Lewis organizes her Green Living Festival, complete with free range fauna and tempting delicacies of tofu and tempeh, she hopes to inspire Blossom Valley into reducing their carbon footprint. But for some participants, saving the planet should have come second to saving their skin, like green energy guru Wendy Stevens, just found dead in her Invisible Prints booth. Now Dana needs to work fast to stop a killer from turning her big event into the next great environmental disaster. . .
Praise for Going Organic Can Kill You
"A sprightly mix of humor and homicide, featuring an engaging heroine and a fast-paced plot that zips along to an exciting climax. 100% organic fun!" --Laura Levine
"A fun, light read." -- Library Journal
When Dana Lewis organizes her Green Living Festival, complete with free range fauna and tempting delicacies of tofu and tempeh, she hopes to inspire Blossom Valley into reducing their carbon footprint. But for some participants, saving the planet should have come second to saving their skin, like green energy guru Wendy Stevens, just found dead in her Invisible Prints booth. Now Dana needs to work fast to stop a killer from turning her big event into the next great environmental disaster. . .
Praise for Going Organic Can Kill You
"A sprightly mix of humor and homicide, featuring an engaging heroine and a fast-paced plot that zips along to an exciting climax. 100% organic fun!" --Laura Levine
"A fun, light read." -- Library Journal
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
18 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Staci McLaughlin
7 books86 followersStaci McLaughlin was a technical writer in Silicon Valley for eight years before becoming a freelance writer. She is currently a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of the LadyKillers, a group of thirteen writers who alternate posting daily blogs at www.theladykillers.typepad.com, as well as blogging on her own web site.
Her first book, Going Organic Can Kill You, was released July, 2012, by Kensington. The second book in the series, All Natural Murder, was released February 5, 2013.
Her first book, Going Organic Can Kill You, was released July, 2012, by Kensington. The second book in the series, All Natural Murder, was released February 5, 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 23, 2015
Originally, I was going to give this book 5 stars but decided to give it 4 instead. The reason was because towards the end of the book, when you're trying to figure out who the killer was, it just kept going and going in circles. It took me by surprise, though, to find out who it really was. I did enjoy reading it and there were a lot of interesting characters, each with their own special personality. I had a few chuckles and generally, I was entertained pretty much through the whole book. Thank you.
September 19, 2016
3rd in the series....I binged read books 1-3 in two days. Held my attention with the different cozy setting and the humor.
January 8, 2017
It irritates me that the owner refers to her business as a bed and breakfast, yet they serve 3 meals a day.
Read
July 6, 2019Further adventures in randomly reading cozy mysteries, this time more or less rewarding. I enjoyed the voice, the pacing, and the characters (who were funny; side characters sometimes got the best lines). The mystery was also sufficiently complicated and well explicated; I thought the lines of it, the protagonist's investigation, were very clear and easy to follow without it adding up to something tediously superficial. The protagonist isn't really into the whole clean living / green living thing personally, which I wasn't expecting from the conceit of the series, but her snideness/ignorance/distaste was relatively infrequent. (Present, but infrequent.) I also enjoyed the passages about feeding and caring for the ducks and the pigs at the farm, because that's the kind of extra content I really like in cozies: gentle everyday stuff (I mean, everyday for other people; I don't come across ducks or pigs daily myself).
September 22, 2018
I just picked Green Living Can Be Deadly up at a bookstore on a whim and I stayed up later than planned reading each night all week. I enjoyed the main character's voice and her relationships with others in the story. If felt very authentic and yet not "gritty." It was also very visual and had a lot of current technology references so I could easily imagine this really happening. Well done!
December 30, 2017
This was another cute mystery in Blossom Valley. Dana is working at a festival when the person in the booth next to her is killed. Dana's sleuthing skills are always entertaining.
July 3, 2018
Excellent!!! Definitely read more of these!
August 4, 2021
Loved it
November 18, 2025
Very light reading.
February 6, 2017
Liked the plot but the main character I didn't like, so it spoilt the story a bit for me
March 12, 2017
The mystery part's pretty good for a cozy. Not to mention that I love the setting. Wish I were the owner of that spa:) Maybe some day.
February 17, 2014
This book was a great cozy mystery to curl up with during the ice, sleet and snow storms that shut down my part of the world this past couple of weeks. Just the name "A Blossom Valley Mystery" was enough to promise that better weather days were somewhere in the future.
Dana Lewis, the protagonist, was the organizer of the Green Living Festival in Blossom Valley where all the action begins, when one of the exhibitors is murdered in the tent right next to the one Dana is running for the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa.
Dana's family and her boyfriend – newspaperman Jason – know this is like a red flag waving in front of curious, snoopy, inquisitive Dana, who indeed takes on the job of trying to get to the bottom of what it's all about –- in spite of being warned by one and all to stay out of it. While Dana is sleuthing, Staci McLaughlin, the author, introduces the reader to a colorful array of characters both in Dana's private life and at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa where she is the publicity/media manager. Every day Dana dutifully blogs about the wonders of the lodgings, cuisine, and the benefits of the spa and she posts helpful green living tips in spite of the murderous events occurring in the valley –- more than I would have been able to focus on!
In addition, the members of her family –- mother and hyper-active, ditsy sister –- and her acquaintances from around the valley add colorful notes to the action of the story. The cast of characters who occupy the farm are carefully drawn with a humorous, sensitive eye. Dana's relation to the others at the farm is caring and supportive –- even if Dana sneaks away occasionally for an “un-natural” fast-food burger and fried apple pie. She also includes the other farm fauna in her daily life –- I think you'll enjoy getting acquainted with Wilbur, the pig, as much as I did. (He's even got a front and center spot on the front cover! A fine perceptive fellow.)
Don't make the mistake of thinking this mystery is a laid back country ramble; it is a fast paced, lively who-dunnit. No time is wasted on irrelevent filler material. You won't want to put it down and will soon have the idea that the next page will be full of new surprises. The author doesn't dissappoint.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and believe other cozy mystery readers will as well. The author offers a sensitive picture of those involved in the green living movement, while still reserving the right to poke a little fun here and there at the excesses to which we humans are so often victim. I think you will also enjoy the easy and healthy tips at the end of the book – included from Dana's daily blog from the farm.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads and I am new to Staci McLaughlin's writing. This is a happy discovery for me and I am looking forward to reading her other books soon.
Dana Lewis, the protagonist, was the organizer of the Green Living Festival in Blossom Valley where all the action begins, when one of the exhibitors is murdered in the tent right next to the one Dana is running for the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa.
Dana's family and her boyfriend – newspaperman Jason – know this is like a red flag waving in front of curious, snoopy, inquisitive Dana, who indeed takes on the job of trying to get to the bottom of what it's all about –- in spite of being warned by one and all to stay out of it. While Dana is sleuthing, Staci McLaughlin, the author, introduces the reader to a colorful array of characters both in Dana's private life and at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa where she is the publicity/media manager. Every day Dana dutifully blogs about the wonders of the lodgings, cuisine, and the benefits of the spa and she posts helpful green living tips in spite of the murderous events occurring in the valley –- more than I would have been able to focus on!
In addition, the members of her family –- mother and hyper-active, ditsy sister –- and her acquaintances from around the valley add colorful notes to the action of the story. The cast of characters who occupy the farm are carefully drawn with a humorous, sensitive eye. Dana's relation to the others at the farm is caring and supportive –- even if Dana sneaks away occasionally for an “un-natural” fast-food burger and fried apple pie. She also includes the other farm fauna in her daily life –- I think you'll enjoy getting acquainted with Wilbur, the pig, as much as I did. (He's even got a front and center spot on the front cover! A fine perceptive fellow.)
Don't make the mistake of thinking this mystery is a laid back country ramble; it is a fast paced, lively who-dunnit. No time is wasted on irrelevent filler material. You won't want to put it down and will soon have the idea that the next page will be full of new surprises. The author doesn't dissappoint.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and believe other cozy mystery readers will as well. The author offers a sensitive picture of those involved in the green living movement, while still reserving the right to poke a little fun here and there at the excesses to which we humans are so often victim. I think you will also enjoy the easy and healthy tips at the end of the book – included from Dana's daily blog from the farm.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads and I am new to Staci McLaughlin's writing. This is a happy discovery for me and I am looking forward to reading her other books soon.
February 11, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/gr...
Brought to You by OBS reviewer Mary
Dana meets her long-ago high school best friend, Wendy Stevens, who now runs a successful green energy company, Invisible Prints, at the opening of the environmental festival she helped organize to promote the Blossom Valley organic farm and spa. Shortly after their reunion, Dana’s friend Kimmie runs screaming from Wendy’s tent after finding Wendy’s dead body. Kimmie, as usual, manages to make it all about her. It was rather laughable how she talked Dana into investigating while doing very little herself except to demand daily status reports. Dana convinces herself she needs to investigate because Wendy was her best friend and uses this as her entre to pester all and sundry.
I found myself looking forward to Detective Palmer’s appearances. He managed to insert sarcastic wit, while often pretending not to pay any attention to Dana’s Nancy Drew antics. Unlike some cozy law enforcement officials, he wasn’t totally arrogant and obnoxious. She, differing from some amateur sleuths, did inform Palmer of the information she uncovered, mostly reported her whereabouts, and continually ignored Det. Palmer’s, her mother’s, and her boyfriend Joe’s admonitions to stay out of the investigation. And, true to cozy formula, she left herself open to the murderer finding her alone and vulnerable. They never learn.
Several suspicious characters were thrown in the mix with very creditable motives for murdering Wendy, including a brother, a husband, and several unhappy investors. Dana plodding manages to find alibis for most of them but, as usual, overlooks some crucial clues. Although I guessed the perpetrator early on, one of the other characters had me wondering for awhile if I could be wrong.
Back at the farm/spa, the manager, Gordon, appears to have had a personality makeover making Dana highly anxious. Zinnia, the spa cook, is still concocting outlandish dishes that no one wants to eat. Who would put up with things like cod liver oil dressing and weed salad in the real world? I do like her occasional New Age spoutings as she brings calm to the otherwise hectic goings on.
In her personal life, Dana’s boyfriend throws her for a loop by asking her to meet his parents. Their relationship seems to be moving along. Meanwhile, her mother continues to recover from the death of her husband and spends more time with her boyfriend and her sister is as ditzy and boy crazy as ever.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book as I felt it was a little meatier than the first in the series. This is a good indication that the characters and mysteries are developing. Those who want a little bit of escapism, likeable characters, and a light mystery will certainly not go astray by taking time to read this one.
Brought to You by OBS reviewer Mary
Dana meets her long-ago high school best friend, Wendy Stevens, who now runs a successful green energy company, Invisible Prints, at the opening of the environmental festival she helped organize to promote the Blossom Valley organic farm and spa. Shortly after their reunion, Dana’s friend Kimmie runs screaming from Wendy’s tent after finding Wendy’s dead body. Kimmie, as usual, manages to make it all about her. It was rather laughable how she talked Dana into investigating while doing very little herself except to demand daily status reports. Dana convinces herself she needs to investigate because Wendy was her best friend and uses this as her entre to pester all and sundry.
I found myself looking forward to Detective Palmer’s appearances. He managed to insert sarcastic wit, while often pretending not to pay any attention to Dana’s Nancy Drew antics. Unlike some cozy law enforcement officials, he wasn’t totally arrogant and obnoxious. She, differing from some amateur sleuths, did inform Palmer of the information she uncovered, mostly reported her whereabouts, and continually ignored Det. Palmer’s, her mother’s, and her boyfriend Joe’s admonitions to stay out of the investigation. And, true to cozy formula, she left herself open to the murderer finding her alone and vulnerable. They never learn.
Several suspicious characters were thrown in the mix with very creditable motives for murdering Wendy, including a brother, a husband, and several unhappy investors. Dana plodding manages to find alibis for most of them but, as usual, overlooks some crucial clues. Although I guessed the perpetrator early on, one of the other characters had me wondering for awhile if I could be wrong.
Back at the farm/spa, the manager, Gordon, appears to have had a personality makeover making Dana highly anxious. Zinnia, the spa cook, is still concocting outlandish dishes that no one wants to eat. Who would put up with things like cod liver oil dressing and weed salad in the real world? I do like her occasional New Age spoutings as she brings calm to the otherwise hectic goings on.
In her personal life, Dana’s boyfriend throws her for a loop by asking her to meet his parents. Their relationship seems to be moving along. Meanwhile, her mother continues to recover from the death of her husband and spends more time with her boyfriend and her sister is as ditzy and boy crazy as ever.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book as I felt it was a little meatier than the first in the series. This is a good indication that the characters and mysteries are developing. Those who want a little bit of escapism, likeable characters, and a light mystery will certainly not go astray by taking time to read this one.
November 18, 2014
GREEN LIVING CAN BE DEADLY (A Blossom Valley Mystery)
By: Staci McLaughlin
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There are two previous books in this series, however, it is not necessary to read the books in order. Each book is a stand-alone novel, however, they have some of the same characters and have the same setting.
Dana Lewis has organized a 'Green Living Festival' and has high hopes of attracting more business to the Organic Farm and Spa where she works.
At the festival she runs into an old friend from childhood, named Wendy, who runs a company that specializes in helping people to reduce their carbon footprints.
That same day, her childhood friends is murdered.
Despite promising her family, the police and her boyfriend that she won't get involved, Dana is determined to find out who killed Wendy and why.
This book is well written and there are plenty of suspects. I enjoyed trying to guess who the murderer was.
I love the descriptions of some of the crazy concoctions the chef at the resort comes up with and even found myself cringing a few times. I can't imagine having to eat that food. It actually made me feel sorry for the guests who have the choice to either starve or eat what is offered.
With the ever increasing popularity of the 'Green movement' this book was released at the perfect time. People seem to be thinking Green when buying cars, clothing and even groceries, so why not books?
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars rating.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog at amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
By: Staci McLaughlin
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There are two previous books in this series, however, it is not necessary to read the books in order. Each book is a stand-alone novel, however, they have some of the same characters and have the same setting.
Dana Lewis has organized a 'Green Living Festival' and has high hopes of attracting more business to the Organic Farm and Spa where she works.
At the festival she runs into an old friend from childhood, named Wendy, who runs a company that specializes in helping people to reduce their carbon footprints.
That same day, her childhood friends is murdered.
Despite promising her family, the police and her boyfriend that she won't get involved, Dana is determined to find out who killed Wendy and why.
This book is well written and there are plenty of suspects. I enjoyed trying to guess who the murderer was.
I love the descriptions of some of the crazy concoctions the chef at the resort comes up with and even found myself cringing a few times. I can't imagine having to eat that food. It actually made me feel sorry for the guests who have the choice to either starve or eat what is offered.
With the ever increasing popularity of the 'Green movement' this book was released at the perfect time. People seem to be thinking Green when buying cars, clothing and even groceries, so why not books?
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars rating.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog at amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
May 7, 2014
I received the wonderful, mystery novel full of action, suspense, romance, and humor in the highly recommended story Green Living Can Be Deadly by Stacy McLaughlin free from Goodreads.
Dana Lewis is putting out her supplies for the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa at the Green Living Festival. Right next to her booth is found the dead body of Wendy Hartford, someone Dana was friends with in school and Dana wants to find out who killed Wendy. Right before Wendy's body is discovered, Marvin is accusing her of stealing money from him. When Wendy's mom passed away, Wendy's brother, Nick did not receive any of the inheritance. Wendy's husband, Preston, was not happy in his marriage and wanted children. Dana's boyfriend, James, is the lead newsreporter on the case. Wendy's coworker, Helen, was planning on leaving the company and another employee, Drew, was in a relationship with Nick, Wendy's brother.
Read the highly recommended suspenseful, action packed, humorous, romantic, well-written story with engaging characters Green Living Can Be Deadly by Stacy McLaughlin.
Dana Lewis is putting out her supplies for the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa at the Green Living Festival. Right next to her booth is found the dead body of Wendy Hartford, someone Dana was friends with in school and Dana wants to find out who killed Wendy. Right before Wendy's body is discovered, Marvin is accusing her of stealing money from him. When Wendy's mom passed away, Wendy's brother, Nick did not receive any of the inheritance. Wendy's husband, Preston, was not happy in his marriage and wanted children. Dana's boyfriend, James, is the lead newsreporter on the case. Wendy's coworker, Helen, was planning on leaving the company and another employee, Drew, was in a relationship with Nick, Wendy's brother.
Read the highly recommended suspenseful, action packed, humorous, romantic, well-written story with engaging characters Green Living Can Be Deadly by Stacy McLaughlin.
February 9, 2014
Life in Blossom Valley is never boring for Dana Lewis. Although her job as marketing director at the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa often includes performing such mundane tasks as feeding the animals, serving dinner to the guests and cleaning the rooms, there's never a dull moment. In "Green Living Can Be Deadly," Dana is manning the spa's booth at a local festival when Wendy Stevens, a woman who was a good friend of Dana's in high school, is murdered in the tent next to hers. Never one to let a murder go unsolved, or to leave the investigation to the police, Dana is highly motivated to solve her friend's murder and bring the killer to justice.
I highly recommend "Green Living Can Be Deadly."
I highly recommend "Green Living Can Be Deadly."
May 30, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 31, 2014
Cozy up with a hot cup of tea as once you pick up this gem you won't put it down until you have finished the entire book. Murder and more murders as Dana tries to find out the who and whys? A little romance also is brewing and the whole book is light hearted and fun. We see Dana's sister a bit of a fun loving boy chasing shop-a-holic which will give you a few giggles as well as the fun of trying to figure out who the murderer is. A great read. Loved it and Highly recommend this to all. This is part of the A Blossom Valley Mystery Stories. These are so much fun you are going to get addicted to all of these!
March 26, 2014
Dana has gotten comfortable in this installment of the Blossom Valley Mysteries. She’s on top of her job from marketing to pig mucking, her manager’s actually being civil, and she’s developed a warm, teasing friendship with the organic cook if not actually eating her offerings. Even her love life is going well, despite her boyfriend springing his parents on her. Too bad her good friend from grade school turns up with her throat slit! A fun read with entertaining characters in a classic who-dun-it.
February 3, 2014
I received this book from the goodreads first reads program. I truly enjoyed every minute of reading this book. I usually figure out a mystery half way through, but I was unable to do that this time. I felt like I really got to know the characters and enjoyed their interplay. I also laughed out loud a few times which won me some weird looks from my husband. A great read.
April 12, 2016
A very good book with a good flow for an easy read. I enjoyed meeting Dana the main character but would have enjoyed more interaction with Jason, her boyfriend and the Detective in the story is just not interesting.
The author did a great job of keeping the reader guessing for the killer and I was surprised. There are a lot of red herrings to this mystery to keep the reader entertained.
The author did a great job of keeping the reader guessing for the killer and I was surprised. There are a lot of red herrings to this mystery to keep the reader entertained.
August 8, 2014
I liked the book. I did, for some reason, find it a little hard to get into. But, I eventually did and enjoyed the rest of it. I like the recipes in the back. Can't wait to try them
April 17, 2014
Wonderful quick read, better than the first in the series. I didn't get the second one read yet, no I will have to purchase it. Lovely little cozy mystery.
May 27, 2014
fun Cozy mystery with realistic, likable main character, little romance drama but nothing major, good healthy eating tips and recipies
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April 7, 2016
Great mystery
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews