Garden Sweets: A Sweet’s Sweets Bakery Mystery

Samantha Sweet #19

by Connie Shelton

It’s spring, Easter is fast approaching, and Samantha Sweet has been so busy at the bakery that she hadn’t quite realized that a lot of the yards in Taos are looking a little ragged. It isn’t until she overhears the gossip in Sweet’s Sweets that she realizes the popular neighborhood gardener and handyman, Victor Martinez, has not come around to do his annual spring cleanup and no one has seen or been able to reach him in months.

Sam’s next step is to ask her sheriff husband to look into it. But after a quick check, Beau says there’s no missing persons report on file and, although calls to Victor don’t connect, there’s really no evidence that he didn’t simply move away without telling his customers.

Sam has an uneasy feeling about this and begins to ask around on her own. Rumors run rampant, as some people think Victor has moved away. Others believe he has met with a bad fate. As Sam starts to find clues, theories abound and a number of people can be considered suspects, including a business competitor and Victor’s conniving ex-wife.

The more questions she asks, the more convoluted the stories become, and Sam wonders if she’ll figure out this one at all.

Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know.

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Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous

“The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review

“LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review

“Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader

“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal

“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

Genres: Mystery

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2025

About the author

My love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.

I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.

In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.

Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery

Reviews

[Janet Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always great book.

[Jennifer Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I'd get so invested in the disappearance of a gardener/ handyman, but that's exactly what Connie Shelton is so great at! Her character development is excellent and there were times while reading that I actually felt worried about Victor and what could have possibly happened to him. And, as always, Samantha Sweet being a caring community member of Taos, was relentless in pursuing the truth about his disappearance. I was right there with her! Plus it always helps when I get absorbed into the deliciousness of all the baked goods described at Sweet's Sweets. Absolutely adore this series.

[Katie Storer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 stars

Connie Shelton manages another exciting mystery built around Samantha Sweet. Book 19. I noticed in the Author’s Note that the next book will center on the librarian as the main character, instead of Samantha. I look forward to reading that when it is released.

This ebook surprised me with several typos/grammatical problems. I’m not used to those problems in this series. But it did not spoil the story. It simply took me out of the story when I saw the errors.

The beloved characters in this series are always a delight to visit. I am so happy that they will probably make cameo appearance’s in the librarian’s series.

Recommend.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam has a lot of thinking on her mind.
The local gardener has not been seen for several months.
Sam is determined to find where he is.
Odd happenings.
More than expected that wished Victor to vanish.
He felt something was off and managed to create videos for Sam to sleuth out what was really going on.
Sam ponders, thinks to herself, talks to herself quite a bit in this read.
Not as good a read as the other Sweet books.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time Sam is looking for the missing handyman. A cozy mystery with a few twists and turns along the way. It sucks you right into the story with the wonderful characters and an intriguing storyline, what a page turner. A really amazing book to relax with.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet mystery

The Samantha Sweet”s cozy mystery series, set in Taos New Mexico is a entertaining series. The characters are relatable and the mysteries hold your interest. There is a touch of the paranormal that I’m anxious to learn more about. This isn’t the most complex mystery series but it’s fun.

[Amy Kentera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series by Connie Shelton. I have enjoyed almost
every book. Garden Sweets is her latest mystery. The story is well paced and definitely has some surprises. I didn’t give it 5 stars because it was repetitive at times. For fans of the series, it’s worth the read.

[Carol Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, excellent!
Being is the last one in this series that is out, I savored every page. I love the family bonds, the friendship, the mysteries, and not forgetting the wonderful sweets and goodies. I am never disappointed. I love the Samantha Sweets series!!

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garden Sweets: A Sweets Bakery cozy mystery book 19

Spring and the ?over local Gardner is missing. Dam puts on her thinking cap and gets tangled in a very intriguing mystery.

[Linda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a great read.

[Gail Mader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall well done

Loved how this ended. Found the first half somewhat slow and at times tedious. I still want to know what happened to Evan Richards. Why is Beau sheriff again?

[Mary Seifert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delectable story in a delightful series by Connie Shelton. Samantha Sweet does all her gifts, proud, baking, and magical.