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Live Green or Die Trying
Social consciousness meets Southern Gothic in this ferociously funny mystery about green living, mayhem, and murder in a southern town.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, a depressed woman decides to plant a garden. An idealistic young man assists her. When their environmental helpfulness extends beyond the backyard, all hell breaks loose. Spurred by talk radio and a nosey neighbor, the city gets turned on its head, and residents take it to the streets. Throw in missing canisters from a nuclear power plant and an untimely murder, and the stage is set for a social explosion of epic proportions.
Like a slow boil, this profoundly irreverent story pits green vision against the status quo; Right-wing against Left-wing; and fundamentalists against pagans–all beneath the shadow of the Sunsphere, Knoxville’s relic of a World’s Fair that moved on.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, a depressed woman decides to plant a garden. An idealistic young man assists her. When their environmental helpfulness extends beyond the backyard, all hell breaks loose. Spurred by talk radio and a nosey neighbor, the city gets turned on its head, and residents take it to the streets. Throw in missing canisters from a nuclear power plant and an untimely murder, and the stage is set for a social explosion of epic proportions.
Like a slow boil, this profoundly irreverent story pits green vision against the status quo; Right-wing against Left-wing; and fundamentalists against pagans–all beneath the shadow of the Sunsphere, Knoxville’s relic of a World’s Fair that moved on.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2014
62 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Loveday
2 books6 followersYvonne Loveday was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She broke out and ran around the country for a decade, but eventually came back. She got a degree in journalism and wrote for local newspapers before settling into public relations for a good, long time. She broke out of that, too.
Her love of all things green began as a youngster when her grandmother let her borrow Organic Gardening and Farming magazines. Together they read regional authors. Granny often said the good old days weren’t that good. Yvonne never really believed her. She also said Yvonne should be a writer. Yvonne is just now thinking that might be a possibility.
She is currently working on her third Urban Farm Mystery. When Yvonne isn’t writing, she’s obsessively knitting, watching cult TV, or reading. She lives with her son, grandson, a dachshund named Magoo, and three black cats. She really can’t explain her obsession with the Sunsphere, Knoxville’s relic of a World’s Fair that moved on.
Her love of all things green began as a youngster when her grandmother let her borrow Organic Gardening and Farming magazines. Together they read regional authors. Granny often said the good old days weren’t that good. Yvonne never really believed her. She also said Yvonne should be a writer. Yvonne is just now thinking that might be a possibility.
She is currently working on her third Urban Farm Mystery. When Yvonne isn’t writing, she’s obsessively knitting, watching cult TV, or reading. She lives with her son, grandson, a dachshund named Magoo, and three black cats. She really can’t explain her obsession with the Sunsphere, Knoxville’s relic of a World’s Fair that moved on.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 17, 2014
"Green" living vs progressive corporations. Radical, religious conservatives vs free-living & loving pagans and Wiccans. A mysterious transport of canisters from a government site and blackmail. And murder All in a quiet, southern community: Knoxville, TN.
What's not to like about this book? I really enjoyed the lighthearted but not silly view of this story of two people trying to better their community as a whole and the corporate figureheads and radicals of the right who are trying to stop them.
Looking forward to see what Yvonne has up her sleeve next.
What's not to like about this book? I really enjoyed the lighthearted but not silly view of this story of two people trying to better their community as a whole and the corporate figureheads and radicals of the right who are trying to stop them.
Looking forward to see what Yvonne has up her sleeve next.
July 15, 2014
Emma's emerging from a fog, along comes Free Bird, and he's just what the doctor ordered. Yvonne Loveday's debut mystery novel has something for everyone and it's all good. If you're a perpetual seeker of cozy mysteries you'll love Live Green or Die Trying. If you happen to reside in the Knoxville area you'll be ecstatic. From tree huggers to money huggers, this intelligent and cleverly written book will make you laugh out loud at times as you navigate through the twists and turns with Emma and Free. Throw in some politics, religion and murder underneath the Sunsphere and what more could you ask for? The South lends itself to a perfect mystery setting but the appeal here is universal. It could just as easily take place in Portland, Austin or Hartford. Like most really good cozy mysteries, The quirky cast of characters will strike a chord. Many of us are suckers for all-things-gardening so that makes this book well-nigh perfect. My favorite feature is the online blog with fantastic tips and hilarious comments. And my tip for Ms Loveday? Don't keep us waiting too long for the second mystery in this series. I for one can't wait to see what happens next for Emma, Free, and friends!
July 16, 2014
With a wonderful "green" message, Live Green or Die Trying is an entertaining and quick read. The diverse and yet true to life mix of characters, written in such a witty and engaging fashion that you could easily believe them to be your friends, neighbours or co-workers, will have you laughing and crying along with them as the mystery unfolds.
The central message that sustainability is a choice that we can all make, carries through the ups & downs and twists & turns of the plot and makes for a very interesting and informative story. The first things I wanted to do after finishing reading was sign up to the (unfortunately only fictional) blog and run out and plant a new garden.
Fantastic and inspiring first book Ms Loveday, Very enjoyable and one I am sure to re read, I LOVED it from start to finish. Already looking forward to the next book in the series as Emma and Free's greening adventures continue.
July 23, 2014
This was just what I needed!
I've been looking for some fun summer reading and I've just had the hardest time finding anything that keeps my interest and makes me want to read the entire thing.
And then I read this, and now I wish I could inhale the whole series!
It's fun and light and entertaining with appropriate amounts of serious and informative and of course, the murder part of it. It's one of those special-interest mysteries that focuses on one hobby or aspect of life (in this instance, being "green") without leaving you shaking your head at the horrible puns or feeling completely lost because you don't understand the terminology.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
I've been looking for some fun summer reading and I've just had the hardest time finding anything that keeps my interest and makes me want to read the entire thing.
And then I read this, and now I wish I could inhale the whole series!
It's fun and light and entertaining with appropriate amounts of serious and informative and of course, the murder part of it. It's one of those special-interest mysteries that focuses on one hobby or aspect of life (in this instance, being "green") without leaving you shaking your head at the horrible puns or feeling completely lost because you don't understand the terminology.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
November 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The main reason I got the book is because I share a Ravelry group and am friends on Facebook with the author.
Yvonne did a wonderful job with this, her first book. The charters were well rounded and fully believable. I will have to trust that she described the city well as I haven't been to Knoxville myself. I loved the interaction between the different communities as well as the descriptions of the greening of the communities.
I am looking forward to the next book she is writing.
Yvonne did a wonderful job with this, her first book. The charters were well rounded and fully believable. I will have to trust that she described the city well as I haven't been to Knoxville myself. I loved the interaction between the different communities as well as the descriptions of the greening of the communities.
I am looking forward to the next book she is writing.
May 21, 2015
This is a witty book about the green movement shown form all sides. The author (gently) pokes fun at everyone and adds a dash of mystery. This is a well-written, intelligent novel that will keep you reading to find out what is going to happen next.
November 2, 2014
mystery, green living. and the sunsphere! love the Simpsons wigsphere joke! great job, Vonnie!! can't wait for the next!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews