Devil's Trumpet

Gardening Mystery #1

by Mary Freeman

Landscaper Rachel O'Connor turns sleuth when her latest client, Henry Bassinger, owner of the once popular Columbia River Inn, turns up dead at the bottom of a nearby cliff and sets out to uncover the killer before she herself falls victim to a series of bizarre "accidents." Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

260 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

See also Mary Rosenblum

Reviews

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written cozy mystery is the first in a series of four novels featuring landscape designer Rachel O'Connor. It has been awhile since I've read a 'cozy' mystery and this one was a delight.

Rachel and her Guatemalan laborer Julio have a job restoring the grounds of an old hotel on the banks of the Columbia River in the scenic Willamette Valley, Oregon. The problem is that the owner, Henry Bassinger, hasn't paid her in awhile and has been acting increasingly strange. Surely he is too young for Alzheimers? When he suffers from a fatal fall, the duo have to leave the job, but Rachel is determined to find out the circumstances of her client's death.

Rachel has a big new job on - designing the huge yard of a doctor. She and her assistant Julio are hard at work when she remembers that she has to pick her mother up from the train. The doctor offers to go in her stead so that she can complete her work doing up his yard for his granddaughter's wedding.  When he returns the two seem awfully chummy... the next thing you know, Rachel's mother and Rachel's client, the good doctor are engaged to be married!

Rachel is still reeling from what she thinks is her mother's rash decision when she meets up with her own first love that she hasn't seen since high school. Jeff Price is back in town and is a new member of the town's police force.  He is looking into the death of Henry Bassinger.  Much to Jeff's disapproval, Rachel continues her own investigations, much to her own peril...

"Devil's trumpet" was a very enjoyable 'cozy' mystery.  With vivid description and engaging characters, it was humorous and well-plotted without being 'cutesy'.  Rachel's opinionated cat, Peter, added to the allure of this book for me.

The plot explores various family dynamics as well as touching on the subjects of landscape design and jazz music. Not deep by any means, this light mystery was a joy to read. I have already purchased the second in the series "Deadly nightshade", and plan to read it just as soon as my review commitments allow.

[Jazz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up because of my interest in gardening in addition to mysteries. The protagonist owns a small landscaping business in Oregon, so the setting seemed ideal. It was an adequate mystery, and the writing was above average for a cozy, but I really wanted to like it more than I did. Ultimately, the landscaping details seemed to slow down the story more than the gardening descriptions interested me. It appears other readers enjoyed this more than I did, so my opinion may be an outlier. People who regularly read cozies will probably find it above average for the genre.

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not usually a fan of these “theme” mysteries (think “haunted bookshop mysteries” or knitting club mysteries”) but I do like gardens and gardening, so when I saw a few of these “gardening mysteries” I grabbed them anyway. There is always the danger that such books fall into the dreaded “cozy” category, and while there is certainly a portion of romance here, it’s intelligently treated and does not detract from the plot. And said plot is well presented, and the resolution is quite good, with the unmasking of the murderer nicely withheld until the end.
Landscaper Rachel O’Connor is trying to build her small business, and a job refurbishing the grounds of the once popular Columbia River Inn is a great step forward for her. It is thus a huge blow when the owner of the property falls to his death from a gazebo perched on the edge of a cliff above the river, and it’s likely that it was more than an accident. One of Rachel’s employees comes under suspicion and is in danger of being arrested. Rachel is sure that’s not right, and she sets out to find out who is truly culpable, thus exhonorating young Julio Peron.
Good plot, lots of ancillary story development, and some interesting gardening points, and likeable characters; a solid 3 and I’ll read more.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this mystery and the writer. This is a story about a young women starting on her own with a landscaping business of her own. On her lastest client's job Rachel notices little changes in him. Racheal is starting to worry about his health. One day his body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Now she is worry is death was a murder. Rachel is now looking into who could have done it. This is a really quick read and keeps you wanting to keep turning the pages till the end. I can't wait to read the others in this series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel has the landscaping business in the town of Blossom. When her client Henry starts acting irational, she worries about his health. He has started on the recreating the once promnent inn in Blossom and she worries it is to much for him. But when he is found a the bottom of a cliff by hs gazabo, Rachel thinks he was murdered. He new his way around the gazabo, as he spent much of his time out there.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this in a box of my Mom's old books. Surprised I liked it so well. Interesting characters, interesting location. I really liked the dilapidated old hotel. I hope it's restoration shows up in the other books of the series.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Devil's Trumpet - Rachel O'Connor Mystery 1
Author: Rachel Rosenblum
Published: 4-22-2016 Originally Published: 6-30-2015 Under the name Mary Freeman
Publisher: Endeavor Press
Pages: 220
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Gardening & Landscape Design; Amateur Sleuths; Flowers
ISBN: 9781532885129
ASIN: B010QX169E
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars



.
Welcome to Blossom, Oregon. Take a moment to stop by Rain Country Landscaping and meet the owner, Rachel O'Connor. She could probably use the distraction since she recently found the body of her latest client, Henry Bassinger at the bottom of nearby cliffs. She believes it was murder and not an accident and cannot stop herself from looking into his death herself. Something that is driving her old high school sweetheart, Detective Jeff Price. The suspect list continues to grow...A nephew, a son, Rachel's employee. Danger to Rachel grows until she begins to wonder if the killer has decided to stop her snooping by making her his next victim.



You will feel that you truly are in Blossom, walking the streets, admiring the beauty of the town and meeting and getting to know the people that live there. Mary Rosenblum's descriptive style of writing draws you into the story. Smell the flowers, as you follow the scattered clues as you join Rachel in looking for a killer among the people you are growing to enjoy visiting. Ms. Rosenblum's characters are very well developed, especially for the first novel of a new series. She has a thought out plot and a story that goes smoothly from scene to scene. Once you read Devil's Trumpet you will soon be looking for the other books in this series so that you do not have to leave Blossom any time soon. A wonderful read I enjoyed greatly. My rating is 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.





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[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book while on vacation because the cover was pretty and I finished the book I brought with me. The setting was nice because I am obsessed with the Pacific NW but otherwise the whole thing fell kind of flat for me. The mystery was a bit derivative but it was a quick read. Overall okay.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here, we are introduced to Rachel O'Connor, owner of Rain County Landscaping in the fictitious town of Blossom, Oregon. When Rachel's newest client, Henry Bassinger, is found dead at the bottom of a nearby ravine, the murder suspects multiply quickly - starting with Rachel's employee, who was the last to see Bassinger alive. This was, of course, the first installment of what is currently a four book series, and my first introduction to this author. I thought "Devil's Trumpet" was an engaging tale, a light, entertaining cozy, and I will certainly look for the next O'Connor mystery, entitled "Deadly Nightshade".

[Jackie Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Endeavour Press for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
This is the first book in a 4-book series and I'll certainly be reading the rest.
The descriptions of the area were wonderful. I felt as if I could step outside and I'd be there.
I enjoyed learning about Rachel and her landscaping business even though I'm hopeless at gardening and can kill the hardiest of plants!
It's got enough twists and turns to hold your attention from the start and well-developed characters.
If you enjoy cosy mysteries then this is definitely a book for you.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and remember enjoying it, so I picked it up again used to have a re-read.

Overall, it's a good story with a solid plot. I thought the solution seemed obvious, but that could memories of the first read. The characters lack a bit of spark, but they are pretty likeable and each one is unique - I didn't mix up any of the characters in my head like I do in some mysteries. The setting in Oregon is picturesque and the writer made it easy for me to 'be there' as I read.

I can't say I loved it - but I enjoyed it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the first story about horticultural architect Rachel. It introduces all the characters but since I read the sequel first the development was out of order and seemed thin compared to the sequel.
Freeman has good contrast between the generations and the cultural values of each. This context is what makes these a bit better than typical mysteries.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

very engaging mystery with interesting characters and a good setting - the town of Blossom is almost a character itself. I had not read Rosenblum previously but I'll look for her in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You'll like this if you enjoy a quick read with enough twists to keep you guessing. I read this on a train and it was a perfect plot driven book for the ride.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and entertaining. Relatable characters. I was provided an ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I am happy to be introduced to this author. I look forward to reading more of her work. Loved the mention of Warren Zevon, as he is missed. Going to pay phones was a step back in time, but then Jeff's cell phone rang late in the book.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel O'Connor is a landscape designer in little Blossom located in the Columbia River Gorge...a stand-in for Hood River or another little town near by. These "gardening mysteries" are fun and easy reading for anyone who enjoys the cozies.

[Johan D. Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read

Enjoyable who-done-it set in a fictitious Oregon town that I wish I could actually visit. But beware of the carb cravings created by references to the treats served at the local bakery!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books. Landscape designer living in Oregon, constantly getting mixed up with some sort of murder mystery, and gets cinnamon buns and coffee on her way to work every morning.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her other book that I read mostly because I figured out the murderer very early on. Still enjoyable though and good writing style.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the story has a deal of twists and turns that keep you guessing and the murder was one of many. suspects.

[Rachel Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was wonderfully written. I especially liked the main character.

[Carolann Hiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns

Complicated characters. Lots of intrigue. No real surprises. Good clues and a couple of unexpected character flaws. Secrets make enemies want retribution.

[H. Weisel]

I like gardening so i enjoyed this book.