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Potting Shed Mystery #2
The Red Book of Primrose House
In Marty Wingate’s charming new Potting Shed Mystery, Texas transplant Pru Parke’s restoration of a historic landscape in England is uprooted by an ax murderer.
Pru Parke has her dream job: head gardener at an eighteenth-century manor house in Sussex. The landscape for Primrose House was laid out in 1806 by renowned designer Humphry Repton in one of his meticulously illustrated Red Books, and the new owners want Pru to restore the estate to its former glory—quickly, as they’re planning to showcase it in less than a year at a summer party.
But life gets in the way of the best laid plans: When not being happily distracted by the romantic attentions of the handsome Inspector Christopher Pearse, Pru is digging into the mystery of her own British roots. Still, she manages to make considerable progress on the vast grounds—until vandals wreak havoc on each of her projects. Then, to her horror, one of her workers is found murdered among the yews. The police have a suspect, but Pru is certain they’re wrong. Once again, Pru finds herself entangled in a thicket of evil intentions—and her, without a hatchet.
Pru Parke has her dream job: head gardener at an eighteenth-century manor house in Sussex. The landscape for Primrose House was laid out in 1806 by renowned designer Humphry Repton in one of his meticulously illustrated Red Books, and the new owners want Pru to restore the estate to its former glory—quickly, as they’re planning to showcase it in less than a year at a summer party.
But life gets in the way of the best laid plans: When not being happily distracted by the romantic attentions of the handsome Inspector Christopher Pearse, Pru is digging into the mystery of her own British roots. Still, she manages to make considerable progress on the vast grounds—until vandals wreak havoc on each of her projects. Then, to her horror, one of her workers is found murdered among the yews. The police have a suspect, but Pru is certain they’re wrong. Once again, Pru finds herself entangled in a thicket of evil intentions—and her, without a hatchet.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2014
611 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Marty Wingate
32 books698 followersUSA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes The First Edition Library series (Berkley) set in Bath, England, about the curator of a collection of books from the Golden Age of Mystery. Book one, The Bodies in the Library, concerns murder among an Agatha Christie fan-fiction writing group, and in book two, Murder Is a Must (October 2020), an exhibition manager is found dead at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Marty also writes historical fiction: Glamour Girls (Alcove Press, January 2021) follows Spitfire pilot Rosalie Wright through both the physical and emotional dangers of the Second World War. Marty writes two further mystery series: the Potting Shed books (Alibi) feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and the Birds of a Feather series (Alibi) follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk village.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
October 21, 2014
This, the second book in the “Potting Shed Mystery” series, lives up to the promise of the first.
It was a delight to be reunited with Pru and to follow her career, her search for her family, and her blossoming romance with Christopher.
Pru is now in charge of restoring the gardens at Primrose House, a job that had been promised to another of the characters. This is the first source of tension in the novel.
The humour in this book comes from the more and more outlandish plans Pru’s employer comes up with for an empty circular bed at the front of the house…..tasteless is too mild a word for some of them.
The scene thus set we are introduced to a motley crew of secondary characters – including the victim. There are red herrings galore, an impressive list of suspects, a less than impressive policeman in charge of the investigation, and this time I didn’t guess whodunnit!
The plot moves along at a crisp pace as Pru blunders around in her usual manner and, of course, puts herself at risk.
The romance between Pru and Christopher is very well written. It has a gentle pace as befits mature adults but there is still a spark of passion.
The sub-plot of Pru’s search for her family and the answers to her questions is where the real drama of the book lies. In lesser hands this could have been melodramatic but the author handles the emotions and reactions beautifully.
As a non-gardener I was fascinated to learn of the work of Humphry Repton and his distinctive use of Red Books to illustrate his designs – yes, I was inspired to do some research!
All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to book three.
I was gifted an ARC of the book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was a delight to be reunited with Pru and to follow her career, her search for her family, and her blossoming romance with Christopher.
Pru is now in charge of restoring the gardens at Primrose House, a job that had been promised to another of the characters. This is the first source of tension in the novel.
The humour in this book comes from the more and more outlandish plans Pru’s employer comes up with for an empty circular bed at the front of the house…..tasteless is too mild a word for some of them.
The scene thus set we are introduced to a motley crew of secondary characters – including the victim. There are red herrings galore, an impressive list of suspects, a less than impressive policeman in charge of the investigation, and this time I didn’t guess whodunnit!
The plot moves along at a crisp pace as Pru blunders around in her usual manner and, of course, puts herself at risk.
The romance between Pru and Christopher is very well written. It has a gentle pace as befits mature adults but there is still a spark of passion.
The sub-plot of Pru’s search for her family and the answers to her questions is where the real drama of the book lies. In lesser hands this could have been melodramatic but the author handles the emotions and reactions beautifully.
As a non-gardener I was fascinated to learn of the work of Humphry Repton and his distinctive use of Red Books to illustrate his designs – yes, I was inspired to do some research!
All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to book three.
I was gifted an ARC of the book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2014
This was an entertaining, cozy mystery. Pru Parke is an England and has landed a dream job. She is restoring the gardens at an eighteenth-century manor house. If only someone wasn't trying to sabotage her work by acts of vandalism and, if only, her employer would quit sending her emails filled with her latest "good ideas."
Pru is busy working on restoring the gardens on a very short timeline. She is also trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with Inspector Christopher Pearse who is also massively busy in London. When vandalism turns to murder, Pru begins investigating to clear her employees and winds up putting herself in danger.
I had figured out the murderer early on but it was still entertaining to watch Pru investigate. The story was filled with interesting characters. Even the most minor, like the nosy neighbor, were well-rounded people.
I enjoyed watching Pru try to juggle her work responsibilities with her growing romance with Christopher. I also enjoyed seeing her work out her relationship with her newly-discovered family. I think what I liked best was the the romance was between two fifty-somethings who had lives and histories that had to be balanced.
Fans of cozy mysteries and gardeners (I don't know a dandelion from a petunia myself) will enjoy this story.
Pru is busy working on restoring the gardens on a very short timeline. She is also trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with Inspector Christopher Pearse who is also massively busy in London. When vandalism turns to murder, Pru begins investigating to clear her employees and winds up putting herself in danger.
I had figured out the murderer early on but it was still entertaining to watch Pru investigate. The story was filled with interesting characters. Even the most minor, like the nosy neighbor, were well-rounded people.
I enjoyed watching Pru try to juggle her work responsibilities with her growing romance with Christopher. I also enjoyed seeing her work out her relationship with her newly-discovered family. I think what I liked best was the the romance was between two fifty-somethings who had lives and histories that had to be balanced.
Fans of cozy mysteries and gardeners (I don't know a dandelion from a petunia myself) will enjoy this story.
October 13, 2014
This second book in The Potting Shed Mystery series was even better than the first, THE GARDEN PLOT, for me. That book relied a little too heavily on unlikely coincidences on the streets of London for me to find it wholly credible. This book, however, has moved Pru Parke as Head Gardner to Primrose House near the village of Bells Yew Green not far from Royal Tunbridge Wells. This rural setting is very much more believable regarding both the gardening aspect and the cast of characters encountered by Pru. Her job is to restore the landscape of Primrose House back to the concepts spelled out by Humphrey Repton in his Red Book – a type of sales presentation on paper for the owners of the manor in 1806. Davina and Bryan Templeton have bought Primrose House and want Pru to have the garden ready for a well-publicized opening in July. Pru and her crew will have their hands full if they hope to be ready by that date, so a murder on the property can’t help but be a source of concern on many different levels. Naturally, with her inquisitive nature, Pru finds herself investigating the murder right along with the police.
A small knowledge of gardening and plants will certainly enhance your enjoyment of this series of books, but the author has been careful to keep that portion of the books to a minimum (or maybe just confined to more widely known plants) so anyone who enjoys mystery novels will feel right at home with this lead character. Pru is furthering her relationship with Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse from London and has no problems making friends with people in the countryside around Primrose House with her openness and her willingness to work hard. The fact that she is American doesn’t seem to be used as a focal point in this novel as much as in the first, but her childhood spent in Texas does have a large impact on a discovery she makes in England. This book had a nice blend of likeable characters and a mystery that was interesting, even if not difficult to solve.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
A small knowledge of gardening and plants will certainly enhance your enjoyment of this series of books, but the author has been careful to keep that portion of the books to a minimum (or maybe just confined to more widely known plants) so anyone who enjoys mystery novels will feel right at home with this lead character. Pru is furthering her relationship with Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse from London and has no problems making friends with people in the countryside around Primrose House with her openness and her willingness to work hard. The fact that she is American doesn’t seem to be used as a focal point in this novel as much as in the first, but her childhood spent in Texas does have a large impact on a discovery she makes in England. This book had a nice blend of likeable characters and a mystery that was interesting, even if not difficult to solve.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 20, 2021
I love this series. We have a Texas gardener, an English garden, romance, friendship, and mystery! Personally, I couldn't ask for anything more. Pru, the gardener and amateur sleuth, is from Dallas, but she has some English roots. She's a loveable character, as are her friends -- several of whom are suspected of murder. Every time I thought I was sure of the killer, the author planted another tiny seed of doubt or had me looking in another direction.
Pru has the dream job for many a serious gardener. She's Head Gardener on an English estate, hired to rebuild a derelict, historical garden. She lives in a refurbished cottage on the estate. Wonderful as it is -- and ahhh, the garden theme is lovely and true -- things are not so idyllic as they seem. The tension builds throughout the story, broken only by wonderful friendships and a little romance.
That brings me full circle. I must say that Erin Bennet does a great job narrating. She manages a gentle -- not overdone -- Texas accent for Pru, a variety of accents for the Brits, and she does a great job with male voices as well as female.
The Red Book of Primrose House kept me guessing, inspired my senses, and warmed my heart. Five stars!
Pru has the dream job for many a serious gardener. She's Head Gardener on an English estate, hired to rebuild a derelict, historical garden. She lives in a refurbished cottage on the estate. Wonderful as it is -- and ahhh, the garden theme is lovely and true -- things are not so idyllic as they seem. The tension builds throughout the story, broken only by wonderful friendships and a little romance.
That brings me full circle. I must say that Erin Bennet does a great job narrating. She manages a gentle -- not overdone -- Texas accent for Pru, a variety of accents for the Brits, and she does a great job with male voices as well as female.
The Red Book of Primrose House kept me guessing, inspired my senses, and warmed my heart. Five stars!
January 30, 2015
This is the second book of the series and it is great fun to catch up with Pru Parke, gardener extradinaire, who has now left London for her new job trying to restore the gardens of an English estate. As if the job was not enormous enough, she has to deal with an employer who communicates her wild ideas through a series of notes, the local workers who look upon her not only as an outsider but, horrors, an American to boot. Her romance with the police officer, Chrisopher Pearse, who rescued her in her first outing is moving along at a fast pace, that is if they could spend time together as they both juggle demanding jobs and long distance. If that was not emotional enough, Pru discovers a long hidden secret and family that she never knew. Pru has her hands full with all the challenges coming at her.
To add to the mayhem, one of her workers is brutally murdered in the gardens and Pru is compelled to try to solve the murder to protect the innocent. Clearly this is not going to make the murderer happy and a series of crimes are committed until the utlimate showdown between Pru and the murderer.. It is quite a thrilling ride as the story climbs to a crescendo. While it was not a big surprise when the villain is revealed, the person who comes to her rescue is a big and pleasant surprise.
Pru is a likeable and capable character. All the characters in the book are interesting and there is good pacing to the story. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one and look forward to spending time with Pru again in future adventures.
To add to the mayhem, one of her workers is brutally murdered in the gardens and Pru is compelled to try to solve the murder to protect the innocent. Clearly this is not going to make the murderer happy and a series of crimes are committed until the utlimate showdown between Pru and the murderer.. It is quite a thrilling ride as the story climbs to a crescendo. While it was not a big surprise when the villain is revealed, the person who comes to her rescue is a big and pleasant surprise.
Pru is a likeable and capable character. All the characters in the book are interesting and there is good pacing to the story. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one and look forward to spending time with Pru again in future adventures.
September 23, 2014
Even better than book one. We travel with Pru to Primrose house to restore the ancient gardens and soon figure out that someone isn't happy to have her digging in the garden. Christopher visiting on weekends helps with the clues she's gathering but is called away to help with a case further away ,so no weekend visits. Pru is growing as a character and as a couple, the two are perfect. Between searching for relatives, solving the vandalism in the garden and finding a murderer Pru is busy. Enjoy and be on the lookout for #3.
January 16, 2016
I received a free kindle copy of The Red Book of Primrose House: A Potting Shed Mystery (Potting Shed Mystery series 2) by Marty Wingate, published by Random House from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I liked the main character Pru (short for Prunella) who is a transplanted Texan. Her mother had lived in London & loved it there. This is the second of the Potting Shed Mystery series but it can stand alone. There are few references that hint at what transpired in the first of the series but not enough to detract from the reading pleasure of this book. The romance between Pru and Christopher, the CID Inspector is budding. They are attempting to live with a long distance relationship, & celebrate the weekends they can spend together.
She's a very matter of fact woman. Here's an example: "She fell into bed about six & willed every single thought to leave her mind. With nothing left in there, she slept."
She accepted the job as Head Gardener at Primrose House & has one of the rare Red Books written & illustrated by the renowned designer Humphry Repton who had laid out the landscape in 1806. Davina and Bryan Templeton hired Pru to restore gardens to their former glory. The plan is to have the first showing in six months & plants take time. There's comic relief in the sometimes cryptic notes that Davina leaves for Pru in planning the oval area in the front of the garden.
There are some interesting characters in this book. The only con I found was that Jamie Tanner is too volatile without much background history letting you know what brought him to that.
I gave this fast, fun cozy mystery five stars. Even if you're not a gardener, you can enjoy it.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Red-Book-Primro...
I liked the main character Pru (short for Prunella) who is a transplanted Texan. Her mother had lived in London & loved it there. This is the second of the Potting Shed Mystery series but it can stand alone. There are few references that hint at what transpired in the first of the series but not enough to detract from the reading pleasure of this book. The romance between Pru and Christopher, the CID Inspector is budding. They are attempting to live with a long distance relationship, & celebrate the weekends they can spend together.
She's a very matter of fact woman. Here's an example: "She fell into bed about six & willed every single thought to leave her mind. With nothing left in there, she slept."
She accepted the job as Head Gardener at Primrose House & has one of the rare Red Books written & illustrated by the renowned designer Humphry Repton who had laid out the landscape in 1806. Davina and Bryan Templeton hired Pru to restore gardens to their former glory. The plan is to have the first showing in six months & plants take time. There's comic relief in the sometimes cryptic notes that Davina leaves for Pru in planning the oval area in the front of the garden.
There are some interesting characters in this book. The only con I found was that Jamie Tanner is too volatile without much background history letting you know what brought him to that.
I gave this fast, fun cozy mystery five stars. Even if you're not a gardener, you can enjoy it.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Red-Book-Primro...
May 21, 2016
Pru begins her new job at the Primrose House and is set with the gargantuan task of returning the gardens of a manor house back to the original landscaped designed by Humphrey Repton. As she begins work, she is beset by vandalism, and then the murder of one of her staff, the elderly Ned. Of course, Pru dives in to solve the murder, while trying to make her long-lost brother like her and mooning over her fellow, Christopher (because calling him her boyfriend is hysterically funny or something.)
This is the second book of the Pottery Shed series and while it was pretty much just as good as the first, there were a few tiny things that niggled at me. For one, it annoys me that Pru, while saying she's "not a police officer" and will "stay out of it" seems to go out of her way to keep information from everyone. What little information she does divulge, it's it's usually not to the right people. Oh, you have knowledge of someone's alibi? Just tell your boyfriend and not the cops who are investigating. Nah, it's cool. They don't need all the info.
The other niggling thing is all the mooning. Every other page was a mopey sigh how much Christopher and Pru were missing each other. Just a tiny bit too heavy on the romance, I think. I mean, it can be excused as a way to keep Christopher pertinent in the story but bleah....
The plot was really good, I enjoyed it. While the first book had a culprit who wasn't a part of the story, in this one it was more figuring out how they did it, rather than who did it. I also loved the letters from Pru's employer with more and more outlandish requests. It was just the kind of comedy relief that was needed to break up the book.
Overall, a great read and I'm really enjoying sinking into these stories.
This is the second book of the Pottery Shed series and while it was pretty much just as good as the first, there were a few tiny things that niggled at me. For one, it annoys me that Pru, while saying she's "not a police officer" and will "stay out of it" seems to go out of her way to keep information from everyone. What little information she does divulge, it's it's usually not to the right people. Oh, you have knowledge of someone's alibi? Just tell your boyfriend and not the cops who are investigating. Nah, it's cool. They don't need all the info.
The other niggling thing is all the mooning. Every other page was a mopey sigh how much Christopher and Pru were missing each other. Just a tiny bit too heavy on the romance, I think. I mean, it can be excused as a way to keep Christopher pertinent in the story but bleah....
The plot was really good, I enjoyed it. While the first book had a culprit who wasn't a part of the story, in this one it was more figuring out how they did it, rather than who did it. I also loved the letters from Pru's employer with more and more outlandish requests. It was just the kind of comedy relief that was needed to break up the book.
Overall, a great read and I'm really enjoying sinking into these stories.
October 6, 2014
Following on the heels of The Garden Plot, Marty Wingate's second mystery starring Pru Parke, Texas transplant and gardener extraordinaire, is another delight. Pru has found her dream job restoring the landscape of Primrose House. The grounds were originally planned by the legendary Humphry Repton in 1806. While Pru is lucky enough to have Repton's illustrated "red book" of his original plans she is hampered by a strict schedule, limited staff and owners who are entirely too full of great ideas. Thus, she and the charming London Met Inspector, Christopher Pearse, are limited to long phone calls and flying weekend visits.
Someone seems to be trying to sabotage her work. After several incidences of vandalism one of Pru's workers is found murdered- with an ax from the equipment shed. Things are not as they seem at Primrose House and Pru needs to find out who is responsible before another death occurs and the project ruined. Along the way, Pru meets a number of eccentric and/or shady characters and discovers truths about her own family that she never suspected. With Christopher's support she manages to solve the mystery and survive the plots of a very disturbed perpetrator.
The Red Book of Primrose House is chock full of mystery, atmosphere and garden lore with a very satisfying romance. I highly recommend The Potting Shed mysteries for readers of cozy mysteries. Thanks to Alibi and netgalley.com for an advance digital copy.
RATING- 4.5 Stars
Someone seems to be trying to sabotage her work. After several incidences of vandalism one of Pru's workers is found murdered- with an ax from the equipment shed. Things are not as they seem at Primrose House and Pru needs to find out who is responsible before another death occurs and the project ruined. Along the way, Pru meets a number of eccentric and/or shady characters and discovers truths about her own family that she never suspected. With Christopher's support she manages to solve the mystery and survive the plots of a very disturbed perpetrator.
The Red Book of Primrose House is chock full of mystery, atmosphere and garden lore with a very satisfying romance. I highly recommend The Potting Shed mysteries for readers of cozy mysteries. Thanks to Alibi and netgalley.com for an advance digital copy.
RATING- 4.5 Stars
August 21, 2014
Pru Parke returns in this sequel to The Garden Plot! Readers can expect more gorgeous gardens, more suspicious characters, and more murder, murder with garden tools!
Pru is now head gardener on a large British estate. She is living hours from London and from the charming, DCI Pearse. Pru commands an oddball group of gardeners, a group that has a limited amount of time to transform the neglected gardens into their former glory. When a murdered man is discovered on the estate, Pru decides to solve the case.
This book is not a romance but it is a mystery with heavy romantic overtones (almost sickeningly sweet)—and I devoured it. The romance between DCI Pearse and Pru develops throughout the story without overwhelming it.
Pru, like all heroines in this genre, finds herself in sticky situations but I like how Pru is quick thinking and able to save herself. This book also had interesting revelations about Pru’s former family life in Texas, revelations that only served to enrich the character.
If you liked The Garden Plot, Wingate will not disappoint with this sequel. I will happily read a third or fourth addition to this series. A perfect cozy for a lazy Sunday.
This review copy was provided my NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pru is now head gardener on a large British estate. She is living hours from London and from the charming, DCI Pearse. Pru commands an oddball group of gardeners, a group that has a limited amount of time to transform the neglected gardens into their former glory. When a murdered man is discovered on the estate, Pru decides to solve the case.
This book is not a romance but it is a mystery with heavy romantic overtones (almost sickeningly sweet)—and I devoured it. The romance between DCI Pearse and Pru develops throughout the story without overwhelming it.
Pru, like all heroines in this genre, finds herself in sticky situations but I like how Pru is quick thinking and able to save herself. This book also had interesting revelations about Pru’s former family life in Texas, revelations that only served to enrich the character.
If you liked The Garden Plot, Wingate will not disappoint with this sequel. I will happily read a third or fourth addition to this series. A perfect cozy for a lazy Sunday.
This review copy was provided my NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 11, 2015
This read is ideal for gardeners and wishful thinking gardeners as it focuses on restoring an English country home's grounds. The Red Book is the garden design layout left by the original designer, and an American lady called Pru is busy as she takes charge of the amiable staff and tries to return to the plans. She's a hard worker who pitches in with all the dirty work and makes room for a lad with special needs to help.
Local publicity and tensions combine until vandalism is noticed on the grounds. As matters continue Pru becomes convinced that someone is out to do serious damage - then an elderly gardener is found gorily killed. Pru has struck up a relationship with a Detective Inspector who apparently helped to extricate her from a previous misadventure. He comes across as a really decent man with a longstanding divorce and well-adjusted young adult offspring. Pru falls back on him for aid when the local police question her; she also has to wonder how well she knows all these friendly local village people.
This is a fun cosy mystery with a lively atmosphere, aided by the new owners of Primrose House constantly thinking up new ghastly ideas for the gardens. Enjoy.
Local publicity and tensions combine until vandalism is noticed on the grounds. As matters continue Pru becomes convinced that someone is out to do serious damage - then an elderly gardener is found gorily killed. Pru has struck up a relationship with a Detective Inspector who apparently helped to extricate her from a previous misadventure. He comes across as a really decent man with a longstanding divorce and well-adjusted young adult offspring. Pru falls back on him for aid when the local police question her; she also has to wonder how well she knows all these friendly local village people.
This is a fun cosy mystery with a lively atmosphere, aided by the new owners of Primrose House constantly thinking up new ghastly ideas for the gardens. Enjoy.
February 23, 2016
A good installment to this cozy mystery series. I still like Pru even if her seeming inability to have a plan for when things go pear shaped due to her nosiness, irritates me. I liked the growth of her relationship with Christopher & also the revelations she found on her continues quest for her English roots. I'm not sure why she displays not only no interest in her American father's line but seems almost apologetic over it but still, it was nice to see her explore her mother's family ties in her chosen heartland. The characters were fairly well done except for the actual murderer. That was pretty thin but alas it doesn't matter since they're our baddie. I thought Pru's employers, Davina & her husband (he was so absent a character that I didn't commit his name to memory) were interesting and understood how Pru's was both frustrated with them but also found them ultimately endearing. I very much enjoy this series though I'm not Pru's peer (I don't know why but I always picture Pru & Christopher as younger than they are in the books) or know a thing about gardening. I look forward to the next in the series.
September 23, 2014
This was my first book by this author, and I liked the characters, the setting and the storyline. I didn't figure out whodunnit until just before the reveal, but that's not unusual, so I'm not going to hold that against the author or the book :)
However, I would really have appreciated knowing that this is book #2 in a series *before I started reading it. As a die-hard "read a series in order" reader, I would not have requested an ARC of this book had I known there was a book before this one. Goodreads does not even indicate that it is part of a series at all, let alone that it's book #2.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
However, I would really have appreciated knowing that this is book #2 in a series *before I started reading it. As a die-hard "read a series in order" reader, I would not have requested an ARC of this book had I known there was a book before this one. Goodreads does not even indicate that it is part of a series at all, let alone that it's book #2.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2015
Sissy: The Red Book refers to actual landscaping plans done by Humphry Repton, who is a real historical figure. This made the whole story, along with the English setting (you know how I love my English settings) more interesting to me. Overall, a very entertaining read.
Bubby: The Red Book of Primrose House actually made me want to go plant something. That's an accomplishment! Can't wait for book.
Read our full review of The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate.
September 7, 2014
I totally enjoyed this cozy British mystery featuring Texas transplant Pru Parke. Garden sabotage, a vicious murder, a bit of genealogy drama, and a touch of romance, too. Nice change of pace from the darker, grittier mysteries I've been reading lately. Pru is fairly level-headed, and I want to spend more time with her! I was very happy that there was no love triangle, as it seems the past 10 books I've read have featured one. (More mystery, less romantic angst, please!) I'll be looking for the other books featuring Pru--at least, I hope there are other books!
September 9, 2014
A "cozy" mystery, and a lovely read. Gardening, the English countryside, a slightly kooky estate owner, and a gardener import from Texas--how can it be bad? Throw in veiled comments about who really owns the estate, bad things happening around the grounds, someone else wanting the job she has taken, an inspector boyfriend in London, and a murder; that's when things get interesting!
August 31, 2014
Enjoyable book with lots of twists and turns, maintaining interest to the end. I like a book where not only is there a good story but it is also possible to learn something about a subject of which you know nothing. In this case garden design. Excellent
July 26, 2019
I have to admit, I am nowhere near gardener status. I had an urban garden once and I kept most of the plants alive, but just this week my poor potted herb garden wilted away in the heat and sadly I will have to start again next year. Nonetheless, I absolutely loved reading about all the plants, gardening facts and descriptions in this book. The author did a great job of creating the atmosphere and getting in my head this massage estate garden project from the fine details of planning each plant, to the huge scale of it all together.
Pru is such a great character, she is tough when she needs to be (like investigating a murder and organizer her workers), but also so vulnerable at times. She came to England with hopes to be a head gardener, but also to find the family she is sure must reside somewhere in this country across the pond. Her longing for more familial connections was very poignant and I could completely understand her emotions.
So much is going on in this book, between the garden renovation, the mysterious vandalism, the murder (that happens pretty far into the book), Pru's love life, and digging into her family's past. At some points it almost seemed too much, a lot to absorb all at once, but also helped you get into Pru's busy mindset. I was not at all surprised by the murder (I guessed it as soon as the character was introduced thanks to the forward chapter), and was surprised that it took Pru so long to be onto this person. But I enjoyed her investigating and even more her romance with Christopher.
I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing more of Pru and Christopher!
Pru is such a great character, she is tough when she needs to be (like investigating a murder and organizer her workers), but also so vulnerable at times. She came to England with hopes to be a head gardener, but also to find the family she is sure must reside somewhere in this country across the pond. Her longing for more familial connections was very poignant and I could completely understand her emotions.
So much is going on in this book, between the garden renovation, the mysterious vandalism, the murder (that happens pretty far into the book), Pru's love life, and digging into her family's past. At some points it almost seemed too much, a lot to absorb all at once, but also helped you get into Pru's busy mindset. I was not at all surprised by the murder (I guessed it as soon as the character was introduced thanks to the forward chapter), and was surprised that it took Pru so long to be onto this person. But I enjoyed her investigating and even more her romance with Christopher.
I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing more of Pru and Christopher!
August 6, 2018
This cozy mystery series is very good! (I am listening to the audio versions and the reader deserves 10 Stars!!!) I like that this cozy series is not taking place in a small town or village, with the same cast of characters in each book. Of course the main character, Pru, discovers a murder victim and works to figure out “who dunnit”, DCI Christopher Pearce is still a main character, and the main supporting characters are in attendance, but we are not limited to hearing about all the same cast with a couple of outsiders coming along, one of whom is *probably* going to end up being the murderer, even though one of the main resident character/friends looks guilty. Also, as I wondered during the first book of the series, does the Love interest always have to be the police detective investigating the same murder as the protagonist? In this book Pru’s “boyfriend” is not the investigating detective always telling her to keep her nose out of his investigation, he is just supporting, giving advice, and cautioning her to stay safe as he works in London and Pru’s job is at Primrose Cottage, an hour away and not in his jurisdiction. These differences from the other cozy mysteries I have enjoyed makes it a little different in a really good way! I plan to keep on catching up with this series!
June 4, 2018
I've been on a run of painful books, and thought a nice murder mystery would sort out my woes. Wrong! This was awful too. I knew who the killer was the minute we're introduced to the person. Never trust someone who does something nice for you when they have no cause to, also allowing them access to places they shouldn't be sniffing around - in murder mysteries, I mean. But that's not the problem. I have no problem being spoiled, as long as the rest of the story is entertaining. But with Red Book, the book halted every time Pru mentioned her lover Christopher. Oh please Pru. You're old enough to call him what he is. The audiobook narrator, Erin Bennett, was serviceable most of the time, but used a horrible breathy voice for Pru whenever Christopher was involved, and it put me off the whole thing even more than it normally would have. There's also the fact that Christopher has no personality, no matter how much I was told he did. Gah. I wanted to throw things at the two of them. It's a pity, because I liked the gardening details.
May 20, 2018
The Red Book of Primrose House is the second in the A Potting Shed Mystery series. I really liked the first in the series. In this book, Pru has taken on a new garden restoration project that is plagued by vandalism and finally a murder, on top of that Pru is dealing with issues in her personal life, looking for missing links to her family’s past and working on her love life with Christopher. There are just a few red herrings here, but in general the mystery was straight forward. I feel this book emphasized more the development of Pru and Christopher’s story than the mystery, but I still enjoyed it and will definitely continue to read the series.
May 7, 2024
Favorite quote--"The past was waiting in the wings, eager to lay claim to her mind." Increasingly true as we get older.
September 20, 2024
Love the character and the plot line. I enjoy Pru.
November 20, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
In this followup to the delightful The Garden Plot American gardener Pru Parke is once again on the trail of a murderer while handling the restoration of a traditional English garden. While her garden labors end in success, just as in the first book, she also turns up a series of corpses, and sticks her amateur investigative nose into solving the crimes.
But this time, while she is still the bane of the local police department’s existence, her new lover is in the soup right along with her. In the first book, Pru falls in love with London CID Inspector Christopher Pearse. At Primrose House, out in the countryside, Christopher also finds himself on the outside of the case. As much as he wants to protect Pru, the local CID wants him to keep his nose out of their business. Especially since Inspector Tatt and Christopher have butted heads before.
Just as in The Garden Plot, this is really Pru’s case. The police, including Christopher, can either help or hinder her, but they can’t stop her from getting to the bottom of what becomes a series of crimes, including murder.
Interspersed with the increasing crime wave in the village is Pru’s restoration work on the garden at Primrose House. She’s following a plan laid down by master gardener Humphry Repton in the 18th century, when the house was new. (Repton really existed, and left his famous “Red Books” at the gardens he designed all over England)
Pru starts out her task believing that she’s found her dream job, only to have it turn into one nightmare after another. Her work is vandalized, one of her assistants is murdered, and two of the others are framed for his death. The local police are desperate to find the killer, and grasp at straws left by the unseen perpetrator to put others in the frame and waste their resources, while Pru tries to keep them on track, and Christopher tries to keep her from walking straight into danger.
But of course she does anyway, and only discovers “who done it” by nearly being done herself!.
Escape Rating B+: This story has three plot threads, and they all come together at the end for a very satisfying, if somewhat hair-raising, conclusion.
I say hair-raising because Pru does put herself in jeopardy on a fairly regular basis, and in the denouement of this story, her tendency to leap before she looks is nearly deadly. Again.
But about those three stories. One is the relatively straightforward tale of Pru’s task to restore or refurbish the Primrose House garden to a state that, while not following Repton’s Red Book religiously, will at least keep to the spirit of the famous gardener’s original plan. This effort is compromised both by the unfortunate tendency of Pru’s assistants to either get jailed or killed, as well as the vandal who continues to destroy her work in progress. Amid these serious difficulties, Pru is also bedeviled by her slightly flakey employer’s succesion of grandiose and absurd suggestions for the garden.
Pru is also in the middle of a crime wave (this seems normal for her).It’s not just that someone is vandalizing the garden (and it’s fairly obvious who) but one of her assistants is murdered, in the garden, and the local police are looking for a too easy solution. Pru’s search for the real killer turns up motives aplenty, as well as a nasty case of domestic violence that has been covered up. But of course Pru keeps digging.
The most interesting part of the story is Pru’s personal quest. She came to England to see if her late mother left any family behind. The all-too-real skeleton in her family closet turns around everything that Pru every believed about herself and her family. Coming to terms with her new reality is a major distraction.
And through it all, her relationship with Christopher keeps going two steps forward and one step back.The issues of a mature couple who already have established lives when they meet seriously complicates the future of their relationship. Navigating those occasionally muddy waters keeps this part of the story interesting.
I enjoyed The Red Book of Primrose House as much, or maybe more, for the way it developed and dealt with the relationships involved as for the murder mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing what trouble Pru gets into next.
In this followup to the delightful The Garden Plot American gardener Pru Parke is once again on the trail of a murderer while handling the restoration of a traditional English garden. While her garden labors end in success, just as in the first book, she also turns up a series of corpses, and sticks her amateur investigative nose into solving the crimes.
But this time, while she is still the bane of the local police department’s existence, her new lover is in the soup right along with her. In the first book, Pru falls in love with London CID Inspector Christopher Pearse. At Primrose House, out in the countryside, Christopher also finds himself on the outside of the case. As much as he wants to protect Pru, the local CID wants him to keep his nose out of their business. Especially since Inspector Tatt and Christopher have butted heads before.
Just as in The Garden Plot, this is really Pru’s case. The police, including Christopher, can either help or hinder her, but they can’t stop her from getting to the bottom of what becomes a series of crimes, including murder.
Interspersed with the increasing crime wave in the village is Pru’s restoration work on the garden at Primrose House. She’s following a plan laid down by master gardener Humphry Repton in the 18th century, when the house was new. (Repton really existed, and left his famous “Red Books” at the gardens he designed all over England)
Pru starts out her task believing that she’s found her dream job, only to have it turn into one nightmare after another. Her work is vandalized, one of her assistants is murdered, and two of the others are framed for his death. The local police are desperate to find the killer, and grasp at straws left by the unseen perpetrator to put others in the frame and waste their resources, while Pru tries to keep them on track, and Christopher tries to keep her from walking straight into danger.
But of course she does anyway, and only discovers “who done it” by nearly being done herself!.
Escape Rating B+: This story has three plot threads, and they all come together at the end for a very satisfying, if somewhat hair-raising, conclusion.
I say hair-raising because Pru does put herself in jeopardy on a fairly regular basis, and in the denouement of this story, her tendency to leap before she looks is nearly deadly. Again.
But about those three stories. One is the relatively straightforward tale of Pru’s task to restore or refurbish the Primrose House garden to a state that, while not following Repton’s Red Book religiously, will at least keep to the spirit of the famous gardener’s original plan. This effort is compromised both by the unfortunate tendency of Pru’s assistants to either get jailed or killed, as well as the vandal who continues to destroy her work in progress. Amid these serious difficulties, Pru is also bedeviled by her slightly flakey employer’s succesion of grandiose and absurd suggestions for the garden.
Pru is also in the middle of a crime wave (this seems normal for her).It’s not just that someone is vandalizing the garden (and it’s fairly obvious who) but one of her assistants is murdered, in the garden, and the local police are looking for a too easy solution. Pru’s search for the real killer turns up motives aplenty, as well as a nasty case of domestic violence that has been covered up. But of course Pru keeps digging.
The most interesting part of the story is Pru’s personal quest. She came to England to see if her late mother left any family behind. The all-too-real skeleton in her family closet turns around everything that Pru every believed about herself and her family. Coming to terms with her new reality is a major distraction.
And through it all, her relationship with Christopher keeps going two steps forward and one step back.The issues of a mature couple who already have established lives when they meet seriously complicates the future of their relationship. Navigating those occasionally muddy waters keeps this part of the story interesting.
I enjoyed The Red Book of Primrose House as much, or maybe more, for the way it developed and dealt with the relationships involved as for the murder mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing what trouble Pru gets into next.
November 21, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
The Red Book of Primrose House is a thoroughly enjoyable novel by Marty Wingate, the second in her series entitled Potting Shed Mysteries. I did read the first one,,The Garden Plot, and feel that one can read this without reading the first one. You won’t want to miss, however, the exciting mystery and interesting characters while learning more about the richness of British history.
Pru (short for Prunella) Parke found the position of her dreams as head gardener at the historic Primrose House property about an hour outside of London. She has several months to restore the gardens as close to the original plans as possible per the Red Book as prepared by the historic landscape architect, Humphry Repton. It was fascinating to learn that Repton really was a landscape designer in 18th century England, and his detailed drawings and notes for each garden were prepared and given to the owner of the respective property in his Red Books. Pru and the current residents of Primrose House would add personal, contemporary touches to the gardens that would not detract from the original intent.
Pru was born and raised in Texas. Her mother was from England and relocated to America after meeting her future husband, Pru’s father. Pru was unaware of any family on her mother’s side of the family, but she hoped to find if there was anybody who might remember her mother’s family. Her search during her precious few free hours bring a surprise that is one of the very last things she could have anticipated!
Her life affords little time for romance, yet romance blooms in the form of Inspector Christopher Pearse, met in the course of a previous investigation. His occasional presence as they find occasional weekends for him to visit becomes a lifeline – literally.
As she hired and worked with assistants and local vendors, challenges occurred that ranged from vandalism to the gardens and landscape materials to the current residents’ sudden change of ideas to incorporate into the design. The vandalism suddenly changes course when a vicious murder occurs in the garden. Frustrated with the local investigators, Pru keeps eyes and ears open, especially when someone is arrested in whose innocence she believes. And as she continues to work on completing the garden on time and help free the wrong suspect, she learns, too late, about another red book – this one deadly.
This well-written, extremely well-plotted mystery is a fascinating novel. I particularly enjoyed learning that elements of the story have historic roots (no pun intended) and how landscape architects could pass on “as-builts” long before the days of computers, design software, and plotters. The characters are three-dimensional, several of whom seem to have hidden motives as Pru attempts to resolve the vandalism, then the murder. I did not anticipate the actual murderer or the one responsible for the vandalism, having considered, then disposed of, those solutions. If I could have done anything differently, I might have have the murder occur earlier with less vandalism to built the suspense a bit more quickly. It might have been enjoyable to see a sketch, or several sketches, that laid out the overall garden plan to be able to picture, for example, where the terrace is, where the walls are, where the focal point that the current residents continued to toss out ideas for are since these are part of everyday activity. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed the novel; it satisfies the enjoyment of a cozy mystery as well as an interest in elements of history and more than a hint of romance.
I highly recommend this novel to adults of any age who enjoyed The Garden Plot, those who appreciate British-style mysteries, unexpected plot twists, and engaging characters.
*OBS would like to thanks the author and TLC Book Tours for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
The Red Book of Primrose House is a thoroughly enjoyable novel by Marty Wingate, the second in her series entitled Potting Shed Mysteries. I did read the first one,,The Garden Plot, and feel that one can read this without reading the first one. You won’t want to miss, however, the exciting mystery and interesting characters while learning more about the richness of British history.
Pru (short for Prunella) Parke found the position of her dreams as head gardener at the historic Primrose House property about an hour outside of London. She has several months to restore the gardens as close to the original plans as possible per the Red Book as prepared by the historic landscape architect, Humphry Repton. It was fascinating to learn that Repton really was a landscape designer in 18th century England, and his detailed drawings and notes for each garden were prepared and given to the owner of the respective property in his Red Books. Pru and the current residents of Primrose House would add personal, contemporary touches to the gardens that would not detract from the original intent.
Pru was born and raised in Texas. Her mother was from England and relocated to America after meeting her future husband, Pru’s father. Pru was unaware of any family on her mother’s side of the family, but she hoped to find if there was anybody who might remember her mother’s family. Her search during her precious few free hours bring a surprise that is one of the very last things she could have anticipated!
Her life affords little time for romance, yet romance blooms in the form of Inspector Christopher Pearse, met in the course of a previous investigation. His occasional presence as they find occasional weekends for him to visit becomes a lifeline – literally.
As she hired and worked with assistants and local vendors, challenges occurred that ranged from vandalism to the gardens and landscape materials to the current residents’ sudden change of ideas to incorporate into the design. The vandalism suddenly changes course when a vicious murder occurs in the garden. Frustrated with the local investigators, Pru keeps eyes and ears open, especially when someone is arrested in whose innocence she believes. And as she continues to work on completing the garden on time and help free the wrong suspect, she learns, too late, about another red book – this one deadly.
This well-written, extremely well-plotted mystery is a fascinating novel. I particularly enjoyed learning that elements of the story have historic roots (no pun intended) and how landscape architects could pass on “as-builts” long before the days of computers, design software, and plotters. The characters are three-dimensional, several of whom seem to have hidden motives as Pru attempts to resolve the vandalism, then the murder. I did not anticipate the actual murderer or the one responsible for the vandalism, having considered, then disposed of, those solutions. If I could have done anything differently, I might have have the murder occur earlier with less vandalism to built the suspense a bit more quickly. It might have been enjoyable to see a sketch, or several sketches, that laid out the overall garden plan to be able to picture, for example, where the terrace is, where the walls are, where the focal point that the current residents continued to toss out ideas for are since these are part of everyday activity. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed the novel; it satisfies the enjoyment of a cozy mystery as well as an interest in elements of history and more than a hint of romance.
I highly recommend this novel to adults of any age who enjoyed The Garden Plot, those who appreciate British-style mysteries, unexpected plot twists, and engaging characters.
*OBS would like to thanks the author and TLC Book Tours for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
March 23, 2015
Title: The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate
Publisher: Random House/alibi. pp
Genre: cosy, mystery, English historical mystery,
3.5/4 Stars ****
Author:
Marty Wingate is the author of The Potting Shed mysteries: The Garden Plot, The Red Book of Primrose House, and Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Her new mystery series, Birds of a Feather: The Rhyme of the Magpie will be published June 2, 2015.
Marty writes about gardening in the PNW and travel (she also gives European garden tours). She can be heard on A Dry Rain (adryrain.net), a free podcast available on iTunes. Wingate is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, as well as the Royal Horticultural Society and the Garden Writers Association.
Story line: The Potting Shed Mysteries take place in England, where Pru Parke has transplanted herself to find herself and become a head gardener. In the first book, Pru (short for Prunella, a lovely garden weed in my yard) of course finds a body in her odd job but is introduced to DCI Christopher Pearse. There is a charming developing romantic relationship as both characters are in their 50s. In the second book on Primrose house, they have a long distance relationship as she has found her dream job at an 18th century Manor house in Sussex, near the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. She is to restore the 1806 garden design by Humphrey Repton, for opening day in 6 months time. Some comic moments occur with ghastly gardening ideas from the owner (emails, postits) who want to add personal contemporary ideas to complement the original plan. But then another body mars the landscape after vandals seriously delay the project. Murder and mayhem don't help deadlines either. There is a side plot involving locating her mother's family.
Pru is a curious and interesting protagonist. Her relationship with Christopher is also a plus. These books are the definition of cosy: fast easy reads, delightful secondary characters, solvable mystery and fun. There is a nice blend of history, gardening and romance. I would have loved a garden design and plant details.
You will want spring to come soon with all the gardening. I would be tempted to wait for the third book and read them all in a row as a summer beach read. I was glad I had read them in order.
Read on:
If you like Rosemary and Thyme or Agatha Christie
Quotes:
Pru wouldn't be surprised if Davinia seized on a fairy garden or a collection of gnomes next.
Her longing for some family relation in England has led her to dream up all sorts of connections.
He shook it firmly, with a good gardener's grip...it's always easy gardener to gardener...
...and wondered if there was a point to showering at all these days, as she seemed to be in dirt more than out of it.
You can never have too many cups of tea...it's an especially fine conversation lubricant.
It was just one cup of tea and a generous slice of bakewell tart, but it was a restorative visit.
She reminded herself to check back in about fifty years to see how it was doing.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley
Publisher: Random House/alibi. pp
Genre: cosy, mystery, English historical mystery,
3.5/4 Stars ****
Author:
Marty Wingate is the author of The Potting Shed mysteries: The Garden Plot, The Red Book of Primrose House, and Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Her new mystery series, Birds of a Feather: The Rhyme of the Magpie will be published June 2, 2015.
Marty writes about gardening in the PNW and travel (she also gives European garden tours). She can be heard on A Dry Rain (adryrain.net), a free podcast available on iTunes. Wingate is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, as well as the Royal Horticultural Society and the Garden Writers Association.
Story line: The Potting Shed Mysteries take place in England, where Pru Parke has transplanted herself to find herself and become a head gardener. In the first book, Pru (short for Prunella, a lovely garden weed in my yard) of course finds a body in her odd job but is introduced to DCI Christopher Pearse. There is a charming developing romantic relationship as both characters are in their 50s. In the second book on Primrose house, they have a long distance relationship as she has found her dream job at an 18th century Manor house in Sussex, near the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. She is to restore the 1806 garden design by Humphrey Repton, for opening day in 6 months time. Some comic moments occur with ghastly gardening ideas from the owner (emails, postits) who want to add personal contemporary ideas to complement the original plan. But then another body mars the landscape after vandals seriously delay the project. Murder and mayhem don't help deadlines either. There is a side plot involving locating her mother's family.
Pru is a curious and interesting protagonist. Her relationship with Christopher is also a plus. These books are the definition of cosy: fast easy reads, delightful secondary characters, solvable mystery and fun. There is a nice blend of history, gardening and romance. I would have loved a garden design and plant details.
You will want spring to come soon with all the gardening. I would be tempted to wait for the third book and read them all in a row as a summer beach read. I was glad I had read them in order.
Read on:
If you like Rosemary and Thyme or Agatha Christie
Quotes:
Pru wouldn't be surprised if Davinia seized on a fairy garden or a collection of gnomes next.
Her longing for some family relation in England has led her to dream up all sorts of connections.
He shook it firmly, with a good gardener's grip...it's always easy gardener to gardener...
...and wondered if there was a point to showering at all these days, as she seemed to be in dirt more than out of it.
You can never have too many cups of tea...it's an especially fine conversation lubricant.
It was just one cup of tea and a generous slice of bakewell tart, but it was a restorative visit.
She reminded herself to check back in about fifty years to see how it was doing.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley
October 7, 2014
Pru Parke is a transplanted Texan. She has moved to Great Britain to seek out her heritage - the English half of her upbringing, her mother's relatives. Since this is the second book in the series, she has moved along: She has decided to remain there, having fallen in love with CID Inspector Christopher Pearse.
In this book, she has been hired by a couple who are restoring the grounds of their newly purchased home, and Pru has the great fortune to be able to do so because she has the Red Book of Humphry Repton, a famous gardener/illustrator/etc. in England.
Shortly after beginning the job, she realizes there is dissent among her workers: Robbie, the mentally challenged son of the cook, brothers Liam and Fergal, and Ned, an elderly gentleman who knows much about the area and seems a little resentful of Pru. She attributes this to the fact that she is a newcomer, but things become muddled not soon after.
When a local reporter begins to write a blog about the progress on the gardens, accidents follow. Every time Hugo, the reporter, writes an article, something befalls the garden; for example, he writes about the primroses and the next day the flats are discovered all overturned. For awhile it appears that it is merely acts of vandalism - until the day Pru discovers a body in the garden.
Adding to this is the fact that Pru is still searching for her relatives - and may have found some - and that she and Christopher only have weekends together since he must work in London during the week. While their relationship is still fairly new, and they are fighting for time together, he can't help but worry about her, knowing still that she must progress with the work, since her employers have told her they expect the garden to be ready for "Open Day."
This is a very good book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure, since the first pages started out slow. However, I've learned over time never to make snap judgments, and I wasn't disappointed this time out. Pru is likable, and she doesn't take unnecessary chances, as do a lot of amateur sleuths. She uses caution, and doesn't go off 'into dark places' by herself. She does question people in order to find the murderer, but her heart is in the right place. When she knows someone is accused that isn't guilty, she is careful in her questioning, never combative or downright stupid.
When we finally learn who the murderer is - and we have plenty of clues along the way - it doesn't matter that we may have guessed it long before she did. What does matter is the fact that it was an enjoyable ride in the journey. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but this in no way influenced my decision.
In this book, she has been hired by a couple who are restoring the grounds of their newly purchased home, and Pru has the great fortune to be able to do so because she has the Red Book of Humphry Repton, a famous gardener/illustrator/etc. in England.
Shortly after beginning the job, she realizes there is dissent among her workers: Robbie, the mentally challenged son of the cook, brothers Liam and Fergal, and Ned, an elderly gentleman who knows much about the area and seems a little resentful of Pru. She attributes this to the fact that she is a newcomer, but things become muddled not soon after.
When a local reporter begins to write a blog about the progress on the gardens, accidents follow. Every time Hugo, the reporter, writes an article, something befalls the garden; for example, he writes about the primroses and the next day the flats are discovered all overturned. For awhile it appears that it is merely acts of vandalism - until the day Pru discovers a body in the garden.
Adding to this is the fact that Pru is still searching for her relatives - and may have found some - and that she and Christopher only have weekends together since he must work in London during the week. While their relationship is still fairly new, and they are fighting for time together, he can't help but worry about her, knowing still that she must progress with the work, since her employers have told her they expect the garden to be ready for "Open Day."
This is a very good book. In the beginning, I wasn't sure, since the first pages started out slow. However, I've learned over time never to make snap judgments, and I wasn't disappointed this time out. Pru is likable, and she doesn't take unnecessary chances, as do a lot of amateur sleuths. She uses caution, and doesn't go off 'into dark places' by herself. She does question people in order to find the murderer, but her heart is in the right place. When she knows someone is accused that isn't guilty, she is careful in her questioning, never combative or downright stupid.
When we finally learn who the murderer is - and we have plenty of clues along the way - it doesn't matter that we may have guessed it long before she did. What does matter is the fact that it was an enjoyable ride in the journey. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but this in no way influenced my decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2014
“The Red Book of Primrose House” is the second in the Potting Shed Mystery series. In this follow up to “The Garden Plot”, Pru Parke, who has relocated from Texas to England, has landed an ideal job. She has been hired as the head gardener at a historic home in Sussex. The plans for the garden were originally conceived by famous designer Humphry Repton, who left detailed illustrations in one of his famous “Red Books”. Now it’s up to Pru to restore the garden according to the original plans, all in time for a summer party planned by the home’s owners. This doesn’t give Pru much time, especially when the owners keep changing their minds about the landscaping. Pru is trying to balance her work, research on her family tree, and spending time with her new boyfriend, the kind and charming Inspector Christopher Pearse. Her plans really go awry when a dead body is found on the grounds and Pru is convinced the police have the wrong suspect.
This is cute, cozy series with interesting characters. There is a bit of humor throughout the story, especially in the notes Pru’s employer leaves her, which are full of ridiculous, last minute ideas and changes to the garden that would make the already rushed schedule impossible. I enjoy the premise of the series and the English setting. I appreciate the research done on the Humphry Repton and the clever way that information is worked into the story. However, there are times when the historical data slows the pace of the mystery instead of enhancing the story.
The murder mystery is interesting and Pru is a clever amateur sleuth. The sometimes slow pacing of the book is saved by the fantastic main characters. Pru is great on her own, but is even better when spending time with her boyfriend Christopher. They make a wonderful couple and readers who read the romantic ending of the prior book will continue to root for this couple in the sequel. I also enjoyed the subplot with the surprising results of Pru’s search for English relatives. I also enjoy the scenes with Pru and her new gardening crew. I wish parts of the story would have moved along a little faster, but overall I enjoyed the book and would read further installments if the series continues. Fans of Sheila Connolly or Dorothy St. James will enjoy this cozy gardening mystery.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Alibi/Random House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is cute, cozy series with interesting characters. There is a bit of humor throughout the story, especially in the notes Pru’s employer leaves her, which are full of ridiculous, last minute ideas and changes to the garden that would make the already rushed schedule impossible. I enjoy the premise of the series and the English setting. I appreciate the research done on the Humphry Repton and the clever way that information is worked into the story. However, there are times when the historical data slows the pace of the mystery instead of enhancing the story.
The murder mystery is interesting and Pru is a clever amateur sleuth. The sometimes slow pacing of the book is saved by the fantastic main characters. Pru is great on her own, but is even better when spending time with her boyfriend Christopher. They make a wonderful couple and readers who read the romantic ending of the prior book will continue to root for this couple in the sequel. I also enjoyed the subplot with the surprising results of Pru’s search for English relatives. I also enjoy the scenes with Pru and her new gardening crew. I wish parts of the story would have moved along a little faster, but overall I enjoyed the book and would read further installments if the series continues. Fans of Sheila Connolly or Dorothy St. James will enjoy this cozy gardening mystery.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Alibi/Random House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2014
The Red Book of Primrose House is the second book in the Potting Shed Mystery series by Marty Wingate.
Pru Parke is from Texas but has always wanted to live and work in England because this is where her mother was from. As a child she grew up listening to her mother's stories of England. She has now become the head gardener at Primrose House. She has been hired to
restore the gardens to their original glory of 1806 when it was designed by Humphrey Repton. Luckily she has been loaned his "Red Book" which shows his design plans so that she can recapture that glory.
Pru is easy going but a hard worker and has become well liked by her crew as they work together to complete this restoration in a very short amount of time. Unfortunately, she is hours away from London and her new love interest, DCI Christopher Pearse. Because of her
tight schedule to get the garden completed and his case load, Pru and Christopher only get weekends and nightly long telephone chats. It was enjoyable to watch how their relationship continues to develop even over a long distance.
The story also includes some interesting details regarding Pru's English family that in the first book she is hoping to find. In this book, she does find those family members and that adds to Pru's character development. The reader also gets to meet Christopher's son, Graham. Being in their 50's, Pru and Christopher have pasts and lives before they meet so these new characters helped to add more depth to both Pru and Christopher.
The supporting characters in this story were well developed and definitely helped in moving this mystery plot along. Marty Wingate did a great job of introducing each character and filling in all the details that I needed to understand who they were and their roles in
this story.
It was an entertaining cozy mystery and I was pretty sure that I knew "who had done it" long before the reveal. That being said, I did enjoy reading how Pru investigated the murder and put it all together. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in
this series.
I received an ARC from Alibi Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pru Parke is from Texas but has always wanted to live and work in England because this is where her mother was from. As a child she grew up listening to her mother's stories of England. She has now become the head gardener at Primrose House. She has been hired to
restore the gardens to their original glory of 1806 when it was designed by Humphrey Repton. Luckily she has been loaned his "Red Book" which shows his design plans so that she can recapture that glory.
Pru is easy going but a hard worker and has become well liked by her crew as they work together to complete this restoration in a very short amount of time. Unfortunately, she is hours away from London and her new love interest, DCI Christopher Pearse. Because of her
tight schedule to get the garden completed and his case load, Pru and Christopher only get weekends and nightly long telephone chats. It was enjoyable to watch how their relationship continues to develop even over a long distance.
The story also includes some interesting details regarding Pru's English family that in the first book she is hoping to find. In this book, she does find those family members and that adds to Pru's character development. The reader also gets to meet Christopher's son, Graham. Being in their 50's, Pru and Christopher have pasts and lives before they meet so these new characters helped to add more depth to both Pru and Christopher.
The supporting characters in this story were well developed and definitely helped in moving this mystery plot along. Marty Wingate did a great job of introducing each character and filling in all the details that I needed to understand who they were and their roles in
this story.
It was an entertaining cozy mystery and I was pretty sure that I knew "who had done it" long before the reveal. That being said, I did enjoy reading how Pru investigated the murder and put it all together. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in
this series.
I received an ARC from Alibi Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2014
When we last left Pru, she had just been hired on as head gardener at Primrose House. It was a position she'd dreamed about for ages. And not only that, it allowed her to stay in England and it was close enough that she and her new love interest could still manage a relationship.
Pru couldn't be more excited about her new position as head gardener of Primrose House. The current state of the gardens is... well... pretty awful, but Pru is bolstered by the discovery of Humphrey Repton's original Red Book for the estate. The book, something Repton was known for, outlined all of the man's plans for the grounds and will allow Pru to bring them back to their original and historic state, with a little twist. A local journalist plans to chronicle the restoration through a series of blogs, but with each new installment something on the estate is vandalized. At first it's small - the primroses, specially ordered for Primrose House, are demolished in what could have been a rabbit spree. When an old shed catches on fire and then the yews are mangled, everyone agrees it's something much more sinister than hungry bunnies.
Then one of Pru's staff is found murdered. Though the authorities are certain the killer is in hand, Pru knows they couldn't be more wrong.
As with the first installment, The Garden Plot, Wingate once again brings readers a quirky cozy packed with fun characters, gardening history, and suspense. It's a blend that I quite enjoy - especially the gardening history (I'd wondered where the title came from and was pleased that it was explained early on in the book - it's the kind of interesting factoid that sends me searching for more info!).
I thought this one had a bit of a rough start, though, with a few minor hiccups in the narrative. Nothing major, just that the writing didn't seem quite as smooth in transitioning us from London to Primrose House and the early days of Pru's relationship.
All in all, though, this is a series that I find I'm really looking forward to continuing.
Pru couldn't be more excited about her new position as head gardener of Primrose House. The current state of the gardens is... well... pretty awful, but Pru is bolstered by the discovery of Humphrey Repton's original Red Book for the estate. The book, something Repton was known for, outlined all of the man's plans for the grounds and will allow Pru to bring them back to their original and historic state, with a little twist. A local journalist plans to chronicle the restoration through a series of blogs, but with each new installment something on the estate is vandalized. At first it's small - the primroses, specially ordered for Primrose House, are demolished in what could have been a rabbit spree. When an old shed catches on fire and then the yews are mangled, everyone agrees it's something much more sinister than hungry bunnies.
Then one of Pru's staff is found murdered. Though the authorities are certain the killer is in hand, Pru knows they couldn't be more wrong.
As with the first installment, The Garden Plot, Wingate once again brings readers a quirky cozy packed with fun characters, gardening history, and suspense. It's a blend that I quite enjoy - especially the gardening history (I'd wondered where the title came from and was pleased that it was explained early on in the book - it's the kind of interesting factoid that sends me searching for more info!).
I thought this one had a bit of a rough start, though, with a few minor hiccups in the narrative. Nothing major, just that the writing didn't seem quite as smooth in transitioning us from London to Primrose House and the early days of Pru's relationship.
All in all, though, this is a series that I find I'm really looking forward to continuing.
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