Weapon in the Watermelon

Lovely Lethal Gardens Rewind #4

by Dale Mayer

When a young couple is attacked while prepping for a catering job, it seems like the family is dealing with a long-running curse—one that ends in murder. … Doreen can’t stop meddling, so, when she finds out that that the young woman’s mother is an unsolved murder case, Doreen has her cold case to work her way into Mack’s current investigation.

But, like all her cases, nothing is quite to simple. While Mack is dealing with the death of the dead chef, Doreen is working behind the scenes to sort out all the different family factions. Meanwhile she must also sort out a gift for Nan’s birthday. Somehow Doreen manages to mix the two together.

Now if only things would go smoothly from here on in—but of course not they don’t. With the animals involved, the chaos is even wilder.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2025

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young couple is attacked while preparing for a catering job, whispers of a family curse resurface—one that seems to end in murder. Doreen, unable to resist meddling, discovers that the young woman’s mother was herself the victim of an unsolved murder, giving her the perfect cold case to dig into while Mack handles the official investigation. As Mack works through the suspicious death of a chef, Doreen juggles family drama, tangled loyalties, and the challenge of finding the right birthday gift for Nan. True to form, she manages to intertwine both mysteries and celebrations. But with the animals adding their own brand of chaos, nothing goes smoothly, and the case spirals into the kind of wild, unpredictable adventure only Doreen could create.

I loved this mystery story which was more than just quirky sleuthing; was was layered with themes of family, chaos, and the tension between order and unpredictability. I always love Doreen's persistence, intuition, and her refusal to let mysteries remain unsolved, even when it complicates official investigations. The so-called “curse” and the unsolved murder of the young woman’s mother highlighted how unresolved trauma and secrets can ripple through generations. I also loved how the recurring presence of the animals add humour and unpredictability, symbolizing how life resists control. They embodied that even the best-laid plans—whether in investigations or family gatherings—can be upended by forces beyond human management. I loved how the story was not just about solving crimes, but about navigating the messy intersections of family, community, and curiosity. This story was full of lots of complex feelings and emotions.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am hooked on this series. Doreen and her completely convoluted way of solving cases, Nan and her senior friends, the animals, and Mack's infinite patience made for another entertaining listen.

I am looking forward to Mack and Doreen's venture to Vancouver.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All new meaning to "Family is Complicated". Mack has an active case and Doreen and her team (human and pets) have a cold case. The lines start blurring and intersecting as they ask questions and push for answers. Another page turner by Dale Mayer. Another story for all ages.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry for this incredible series and Doreen, her menagerie, her Nan and her fiancé Corporal Mack Moreau are all back and hard at work to follow clues, find suspects, uncover secrets and solve the case. As always great fun.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition.

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of cosy mystery that makes you want to curl up in front of a roaring fire and black out the reality of the world outside.
Doreen Montgomery had been the trophy wife of a wealthy, controlling and cheating husband, Doreen had escaped her gilded cage and was now living in Kelowna, in a house gifted to her by her beloved nan, and was happily engaged to Corporal Mack Moreau of the Kelowna PD.
Doreen has very few domestic skills, but was she does have is a talent as an armature sleuth and much as he hates to admit it, Mack acknowledges the fact that Doreen has in fact helped them solve quite a few cases.
Doreen is only allowed to pit her wits on cold cases, but somehow, long suffering but devoted Mack has to admit that his current hot murder case, in a convoluted and unimaginable way, is entwined with a cold case that happened in another state ten years ago, a case that was never solved.......that was all Doreen needed, and with the help of her nan and her team of elderly nursing home residents who called themselves "Doreen's Deputies" Doreen set off with a will.
Two murders had been committed in a Kelowna restaurant, Doreen didn't believe in coincidences and as another family member was also murdered ten years ago Doreen has now got something that she can get her teeth into, she begins battering her keyboard and interviewing with her unique style.
There are many suspects with dodgy alibi's, all have a motive for murder but who was the one yielding the knife ?
As with all these delightful stories, Nan rubs her hands with glee, Mack worries as tries to rein Doreen in, and Doreen charges head first into danger with her trusty basset hound, Mugs, her beloved cat, Goliath and her chatty parrot, Thaddeus. Another great, tongue in cheek story from Dale Mayer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weapon in the Watermelon by Dale Mayer
Lovely Lethal Gardens Rewind Book Four
Doreen is starting to feel closed in at home. It’s cooler outside these days. When Mack gets a call while visiting her, she knows he’ll keep it to himself. She can work on all the cold cases she wants, but not current cases. Yet, she gets lucky now and then, and there’s a cold case connected to the current case. And this is one of those times.
When she gets a request to help prove one of the suspects in Mack’s murders is innocent, she finds out that there was another murder in this family ten years ago. A cold case from Alberta. So, she’s on the case. Unfortunately, Doreen only seems to hit roadblocks on this one, as the bodies pile up.
I always enjoy visiting with Mack and Doreen, Mugs, Goliath, and Thaddeus…and of course, Doreen’s Deputies down at Rosemoor.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...

[Dawn Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weapon in the Watermelon

Wow! Dale has kept us on our toes with this mystery. Doreen was given another cold case by the actual killer - who would have thunk. Mack was given two murders and it was actually very close to Doreen's cold case. The shocker at the end was a pretty big shocker. The epilogue was a tad bit confusing in the beginning since Doreen had brought her Nan's birthday gift home but it says that Mack went to the artist to get Doreen's gift. Anyway, I am glad Nan loved her gift and that leads us to the next book! FANTASTIC job Dale! I would highly recommend this book!

[Rachael Bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough of this series

As usual another bit of fantastic writing by this author. I thought the original A-B was good but this series just seems to get better and better. There's Doreen, a self proclaimed detective who brings the end to cold cases, or new ones, her animals, Goliath, mugs and Thadeus, who all have a roll to play in her life as well as her unofficial job, Mack the ever suffering, but happy for it, boyfriend and nan, whose laugh a minute dialogue either on the phone or face to face has be chuckling through out. It has it all. Plus we get the danger, angst and the occasional dead body all rolled into a genius book from cover to cover.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy read to enjoy and put your feet up, with a fabulous mystery and a great twist at the end. Doreen and Mack are at it again, new cases for Mack and cold cases for Doreen; yes the twain shall meet. I was a little disappointed there was no reaction from the birthday party for Nan and her reaction to the gift. Not sure if maybe I was missing a page or two, but am definitely looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #WeapinintheWatermelon #LovelyLethalGardensRewind #DaleMayer #ValleyPublishing #Booksprout

[Meg Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen is at it again and taking on multiple mysteries once more. She is so great trying this detective work and seems to thrive on the excitement of solving a crime. I can see why Mack wants to slow her from the danger but hug her for her determination and success. Her pets, loyal as always, add to her story as well as often protect her from the consequences of her active investigations. Charming, intriguing, and fun to read! Can't wait for her next adventure which seems to be touching on her past..

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Weapon in the Watermelon . It's a Sensational cozy mystery . Doreen and her animal team are at it again solving cold cases and fresh cases that tie all together . Mack continues to worry because Doreen always finds herself in danger . Thankfully her pet family always comes to her rescue . This story was full of intrigue and suspense and it's amusing too . I love all these stories one of my all time favorite series . Looking forward to many more . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convoluted twisty tale with mayhem from the fabulous animals and a current case that crosses over with a cold case, giving Doreen an opening to help solve both. It appears she is struggling but is she? I solved it fast. Love that things are definitely moving forward for the couple as well, I think this next hurdle will maybe have her making at least a few decissions for their future. Quirky, realistic, intriguing and mysterious but fabulous reading.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen and her menagerie are at it again. A murder has happened, is it linked to a previous murder in this family a decade ago?
While Doreen is allowed to look at the previous event she can't help but overlap and help Mack with clues to try and solve the lot.
There were a lot of layers in this mystery and I loved watching Doreen's brain at work.
Along with the animals you know it will end in chaos.
I loved every moment.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen and gang don't seem to know what down time is. Starting a new old case that ends up being tied to a fresh case, shows us just how far they have come. Getting ready to set a date see them stepping into Doreen old life and their eyes are open. Fresh horrors await Doreen but with Mack at her side, Doreen knows how far she has come and can take on alot more than she could years ago. A well told story that keeps you wanting more.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen doesn't always go seeking cold cases some just come to her and there is a reason for that and I must say I do get delighted that more of her cases intertwine with Macks. There is some danger along with frustrations from Mack which I get, but he should also know by now and I enjoyed trying to connect the dots!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It had twists all the way through. We meet such wonderful characters. Doreen continues to amaze me. I love seeing relationships flourish. As we all know, family is messy. I would recommend this to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how, but this series keeps getting better with each book. So much I want to say but they could be spoilers so I will just say.....you have to read it!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbiebooknerdyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great mystery. So many suspects, and a real case of too many cooks in the kitchen. Loved reading this, and was absolutely caught off guard at the end.

[Lisa Seely · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAH!!!! Love this series. I've enjoyed every single book so far and already pre-ordered the next book

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, it is so much fun and I get to go to Kelowna this summer for my niece's wedding so exited to go and explore.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother great story!

this one wasn’t as exciting as the ones prior to this story! However, it was just as good. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Tina Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot error at the end

It doesn't spoil the story but it doesn't make any sense and this has occurred in the last few books. Very disappointing in an otherwise fun story

[Crystal L Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Doreen and her quirky crew of animals and seniors work through the twists and turns of a family murders. Very suspenseful.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

So much fun and entertaining. I have enjoyed every book in the LLG series and Rewind. It's predictable Doreen will figure it out but not who it is

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful well-written crazy story in the Lovely Lethal Gardens Rewind series, Doreen is once again stepping on Mack's toes with her cold case crossing paths with his active case. Good Story. Great characters.