Lavender Lies Bleeding

A Spice Shop Mystery #9

by Leslie Budewitz

At Seattle Spice Shop, owner Pepper Reece has whipped up the perfect blend of food, friends, and flavor. But the sweet smell of success can be hazardous . . .

Spring is in full bloom in Pike Place Market, where Pepper is celebrating lavender’s culinary uses and planning a festival she hopes will become an annual event. When her friend Lavender Liz offers to share tips for promoting the much-loved—and occasionally maligned—herb, Pepper makes a trek to the charming town of Salmon Falls. But someone has badly damaged Liz’s greenhouse, throwing a wrench in the feisty grower’s plans for expansion. Suspicions quickly focus on an employee who’s taken to the hills, though Liz herself is not convinced.

Then Liz is found dead among her precious plants, stabbed by a pruning knife. In Salmon Falls, there’s one in every pocket.

Pepper digs in, untangling the tensions between Liz and a local restaurateur with eyes on a picturesque but neglected farm, a jealous ex-boyfriend determined to profit from Liz’s success, and a local growers’ cooperative. She’s also hot on the scent of a trail of her own, sniffing out the history of her sweet dog, Arf.

As Pepper’s questions threaten to unearth secrets others desperately want to keep buried, danger creeps closer to her and those she loves. Can Pepper root out the killer, before someone nips her in the bud?

Includes delicious recipes!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2025

About the author

*Also publishes as Alicia Beckman*

Leslie Budewitz is the three-time Agatha Award winner and bestselling author of the Food Lovers’ Village and Spice Shop mysteries, continuing with the 9th installment, LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING (July 2025). Her historical short mystery collection, ALL GOD'S SPARROWS AND OTHER STORIES: A STAGECOACH MARY FIELDS COLLECTION (September 2024), featuring a remarkable figure from Montana history, is a finalist in the 2025 High Plains International Book Awards. She also writes standalone moody suspense as Alicia Beckman.

–

What a delight to return to the Spice Shop, a fictional shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a place I fell in love ages ago as a college freshman. I made it my mission to eat my way through the place, and since it’s constantly changing, I’ll never be done!

In LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING, Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece is shocked when vandals destroy the greenhouse at her friend Liz Giacometti’s lavender farm. But then Liz is killed, and Pepper digs in to solve the crimes. As her questions threaten to unearth secrets others desperately want to keep buried, danger creeps closer to her and those she loves. Can Pepper root out the killer, before someone nips her in the bud?

Writing about Seattle and its surroundings never gets old. Plus it's an excuse to keep up with places I love, and to make regular research trips. And by research, you know I mean eat!

ALL GOD’S SPARROWS AND OTHER STORIES imagines the life and heart of Mary Fields (1832-1914), a real-life woman born into slavery who spent her last 30 years in Montana, where she found freedom and community, and her own place in the West, bringing solace and justice to those in need. The collection brings together three stories originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and a new novella, “A Bitter Wind,” set in 1897 and 1914, in which Mary helps a young picture bride solve the mystery of her fiancé’s death, his homesteading neighbors’ bitterness, and her own future. The title story won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story; others were finalists for awards from the Short Mystery Fiction Society and the Western Writers of America. The collection is a finalist for the 2025 High Plains International Book Awards.

I’m also the author of the Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana. DEATH A DENTE, first in the series, won the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First novel. My guide for writers, BOOKS, CROOKS & COUNSELORS: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law & Courtroom Procedure, drawing on my long career as a lawyer, won the 2011 Agatha for Best Nonfiction.

I’m a past president of Sisters in Crime and former regional and national board member of Mystery Writers of America. I love to cook, eat, hike, travel, garden, and paint—not necessarily in that order. My husband and I live in northwest Montana.

For regular updates, please visit my website, http://www.LeslieBudewitz.com, and click on the newsletter tab to sign up for emails crammed with book news, peeks inside the writing life, and more, along with two free short stories.

Readers are my favorite people. Drop me a line at Leslie at LeslieBudewitz.com. Join me at my website, LeslieBudewitz.com, or on Facebook at Leslie Budewitz & Alicia Beckman.

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read in a favorite series. This adventure finds Pepper spending time in Salmon Falls, a charming small town just out of the city. Using the experience of her lavender supplier and some successful retailers, she is planning a Lavender Festival in the Market, similar to the one they produce in Salmon Falls. Unfortunately, when she shows up for a meeting with her supplier Liz, she discovers that her greenhouse has been smashed. Who would bring this kind of destruction to this mover and shaker in town? This proves to be just the start of our saga as later Liz is found murdered on her farm. While Pepper is busy trying to start her own Festival at the Market, deal with all the changes going on in the lives of her staff, and trying to understand the changes that Nate is contemplating in his life, she still feels she owes Liz some closure. I found this story a little sad. It is a great mystery as usual. We get to spend time with all of Pepper 's family, friends, and co-workers. We even get to learn a little of Arf's backstory. There is a lot to love, but this one will haunt me for a little while.

[Jennifer Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extra half-star for my bias for this book.

In full transparency: I won a copy of this book by winning a contest from the author - my dog and I named the doggy daycare that Arf goes to in this installment of the series. She ran a contest on Facebook and since the spice shop is at Pike Place Market, we called it Bark Place by the Market. So if you look at page 127, Arf is playing with my dog, Polo. On pages 200 and 201 Pepper and Arf are walking with Polo and Raine. And we're both mentioned on page 250 in the acknowledgments.

However, I love this series, and I love the characters. I'm ready to board a plane to fly to Seattle (with Polo, obviously) to go shopping at The Spice Shop! I'm also loving the lavender lattes from Starbucks this season, so this is such a perfect convergence. Liz's death hit me hard, because we need more community organizers like her and I love the little town of Salmon Falls!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Spice Shop Mystery!

[Deborah Brill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy!

Wonderful writer, very evocative. You feel like you are there. It's like the best travel book, wrapped around an entertaining cozy mystery, the best of both worlds.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this latest addition to the series. Pepper finds herself in Salmon Falls investigating the death of her lavender supplier. Loved the setting outside the market with enough scenes still in the market. Always a joy to visit the Pacific Northwest through these books. Cannot wait for the next adventure for Pepper and her crew of friends and co-workers and Alf!

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING by Leslie Budewitz is the amazing story of Pepper Reece, owner of Seattle Spice Shop, as she ties to balance work, planning and organizing the Salmon Falls Lavender Festival and tries to solve the big question of who murdered her friend Lavender Liz.

While planning the festival, Pepper goes to see Lavender Liz, friend and area expert lavender grower, for advice and suggestions. Arriving she finds Liz’s greenhouse destroyed. It seems to have the police zeroing in on a young man that’s been Liz’s helper, much to the dismay of both Pepper and Liz. Before leaving, Liz gives Pepper a bowl of her prized lavender, telling her that it’s “special”. Later, at meet up to discuss the festival, she surprises Pepper by asking her “As an investigator. If anything happens to me, promise me you’ll look into it.” When Liz is later found murdered, can she fulfill her friends wishes?

Pepper has a full plate as she tries to balance both work and the festival planning plus find answers to who killed Liz and why while not becoming the next victim. Can Pepper get the other businesses hyped up about the lavender festival? Will the risk to hold the festival turn out to be the much-needed boost for not only her shop, but to the others as well? Will Pepper be working alongside Sheriff Joe Aguilar or work on her own when they differ on opinions of whodunit? Will nosing around put Pepper and her mom in danger? Does it mean she’s getting close to the answers?

LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING is an exceptional cozy mystery that has you feeling as if you are right there alongside Pepper, through her thought process and exploring the path clues lead her on. The books description – “perfect blend of food” (delicious foods mentioned in the story and the recipes for them at the end of the book), “friends” (the close-knit group at and through work), “and flavor” (delicious ways to us lavender in common food items to delightfully change the end result). “But the sweet smell of success can be hazardous . .” (Pepper definitely encounters danger) – captures it in a nutshell. Leslie Budewitz gives us an exciting story expertly woven with mystery, intrigue and an unpredictable reveal. Her descriptive writing has one feeling like a local resident and Pepper’s friend. There’s friendship, history facts and tips on lavender, patience in finding the truth and not jumping to conclusions, willingness to dig for the answers even if it puts one in the crosshairs of danger, and even mixed with a bit of sweet romance. It all adds up to LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING getting my FIVE STARS! I highly recommend it to everyone.

While LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING is the 9th book in the A Spice Shop Mystery series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone book.

I receive a copy of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#LavenderLiesBleeding #SpiceShopMystery #cozymystery

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy all my meetups with Pepper Reece at her charming Seattle Spice Shop. The books are set in the iconic Pike Place Market, and Pepper is very much an active part of the market community. Many of the books have taken place in and around the Market, but in this one, Pepper ventures out to a nearby lavender farm. She’s planning a lavender festival at the market and thinking of ways to get as many vendors as possible involved in her venture.

To this end, she’s gone out to the farm of a friend, Liz, who has a lavender farm in Salmon Falls. While the real Salmon Falls is now an historical (and abandoned) landmark, the Salmon Falls in the book is a lively place. When Pepper arrives, though, Liz’s greenhouse has been trashed and the police are on the hunt for the boyfriend of Abby, Liz’s assistant, as the possible culprit for the vandalism. Abby is sure he’s innocent.

While Pepper is more than disturbed and does what she can to help her friend, she ventures into town to make connections with local lavender suppliers in support of her festival. When Liz is later found murdered in her greenhouse, however, things begin to take an even more sinister turn. The players in the drama are mostly in Salmon Falls, but there are tendrils that tie into Pepper’s life, and, mourning Liz, she’s inevitably drawn into trying to solve the murder.

Meanwhile, Pepper’s personal life is going well, as she and her boyfriend seem to be edging closer to commitment. The other main character in this book is Arf, her Airedale, a dog she’d adopted after his homeless owner had left the state to be with family. Arf is a real gentleman and an excellent dog character, who realistically needs walks and food. He’s often at the Spice Shop along with Pepper and is well known and liked in the market.

What I truly enjoy about these books is the richly detailed Seattle setting and Pepper herself, who is good humored but quirky enough to be an interesting human being. She ties the books together. If I wasn’t as taken with the mystery part of this novel in this outing, I am still smitten with Pepper and her spice shop. Oh, and just about every culinary use for lavender is covered here – you’ll probably have a craving when you finish the book.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING is the ninth book in the Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz. This delicious cozy mystery hits all the right marks with a whip-smart plot, delectable settings split between Seattle’s Pike Place Market and the lavender growing region of Salmon Falls, and delightful characters you’d love to spend time with if they actually existed. Protagonist Pepper Reece, owner of the Seattle Spice Shop, is planning a lavender festival. I love how the author weaves in history, fun factoids, and practical tips for this time-revered flowering herb… did you know that lavender is a part of the mint family?! And then there are the settings. Each is unique, and each has their charms to draw the reader in. The author’s strong descriptive skills bring the areas and the characters to life so you feel like you’re right there, experiencing it all, right alongside Pepper.

As Pepper plans the lavender festival, she heads to Salmon Falls to talk to Lavender Liz, the area’s expert lavender grower and promoter. Except it seems like someone is very unhappy with Liz and has vandalized her greenhouse, destroying her cherished crop. There’s not much time between Pepper’s visits with Liz, when she stumbles upon Liz’s body, killed with a pruning knife. As Pepper digs into who might have killed her friend, she finds out there is a missing employee who had just argued with Liz, an ex-boyfriend very unhappy with her, and others in town who might have had reasons to want her out of the picture. Ms. Budewitz writes a complex, twisty story that will keep seasoned armchair detectives puzzling over the whodunit. With an edge-of-your-seat reveal, an adorable faithful companion by Pepper’s side, the pieces fell into place with a highly satisfying conclusion. I can’t wait for the next book because some big changes are coming—all good!—for Pepper and her friends.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. So much so, that it's on the pre-order list. The premise, the setting, the characters, how the Pepper, the main character gets involved in the investigation..all are perfectly done.
There is a lot going on in this one with the suspicious death, vandalism, relationships. A lot varying relationships. I think that was my favorite aspect.
And the recipes! There are a lot of recipes at the end of this book. I like how they are written with Pepper's tips at the top, followed by the ingredients and the instructions. I'm going to try some of them.
I like watching how Pepper balances her life, her shop, the investigation. In some books I've read, it can feel unreal, but the author has a way of making it work and feel doable. As doable as it can be for a fictional character. I do wonder how many do this on a regular 'real life' basis. I know I'd put my foot in it quickly so I leave my sleuthing to figuring out whodunnit in the books.
I'd love to visit Seattle, the spice shop, the town of Salmon Falls. I like small towns who are trying to keep moving forward and stay alive. It's definitely the people who make it happen, but also people who want to shut it down. That's some of what is going on in this book. I like the dynamics.
I can absolutely recommend this book, series and author.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The books always make me want to go to Seattle again and spend more time exploring the city and the area.
Someone dies in almost every mystery novel - most of the time you haven’t gotten to know the well before they die. In this book, we really get to know Liz and the type of person she is, which makes it really hard when she is killed. As is often the case in this author’s books, real life challenges are front and center. It isn’t done in a preachy way, but quietly , as part of the plot.
As always after one of the Spice Shop Mysteries, I am craving food with the featured spice. Thankfully the author also always provides recipes to make that a reality.
I really enjoy all of the characters in the book and eagerly await each new chapter in their lives. I really loved the background for Arf that we learned in this book.
I definitely recommend this series to my friends and family.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavender Lies Bleeding by Leslie Budewitz is the 9th book in the Spice Shop Mystery Series.
This can definitely be read as a stand-alone mystery as well!

I absolutely Pepper Reece and her Seattle Spice Shop. I really love the setting of Pike Place Market.
I do love that in this book the setting is at a local lavender farm. Pepper is researching for the lavender festival she hopes to have at her market.

When Pepper's friend Liz, who owns one of the lavender farms is found murdered, Pepper investigates.

I absolutely love the characters in this book, including Arf, Pepper's rescue dog.
The budding romance between Pepper and her boyfriend is moving along at a nice pace.

The mystery was so well written. And the lavender and all the many uses, I loved this. I love when I can read a book and learn something.

Another fantastic book in one of my favorite series.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

n Pike Place market Spring is in full swing and Pepper is preparing to launch a festival of everything lavender. When the lavender farm she deals with is vandalized and shortly after the owner is found dead Pepper goes into investigation mode. So many motives and so many suspects. What was so special about this particular farm? Even it it puts her in harms way pepper is determined to get to the bottom of it. I love the setting of Pike Place Market and the surrounding neighborhood and the wonderful characters. There are also some delicious recipes included.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly really enjoy the books in this series but unfortunately this one did not work for me. Too much running around, not as interesting and did not keep my interest. I actually live in the Seattle area and can relate to some of the places the author uses. The recipes were nice as usual. Hoping the next book is better.