Murder in the Garden

Silver Pines Mysteries #2

by Lyla Blue

Spring has sprung, and so has Silver Pines' latest scandal.

Spring in Silver Pines means bunting on Main Street, garden plots in full bloom, and just enough small-town chaos to keep things interesting. Clare Garner’s juggling custom furniture orders at The Mill and doing her best to referee the rising tension between her high school sweetheart, Jackson, and her recently re-rooted college ex, Blake.

But when a local green thumb turns up toes-up in the community garden, Clare finds herself knee-deep in a mystery that’s more tangled than last year’s Christmas lights. With her love life sideways and a mystery sprouting like weeds, Clare’s got to find the truth—before someone else gets pruned from the picture.

Between nosy neighbors, whispered rivalries, and a killer hiding in plain sight, Clare will need more than sandpaper and sass to keep things from falling apart. In Silver Pines, the flowers aren’t the only things ready to bloom—so are the secrets.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

Lyla Blue writes charming, character-driven cozy mysteries filled with small-town secrets, clever twists, and just the right touch of romance. ❤️ She blends heart, humor, and a hint of mischief into stories where friendships matter, communities thrive, and justice always finds its way home.

Her fictional towns are full of colorful locals, unexpected connections, and enough red herrings to keep readers guessing until the final page.

When she’s not writing, Lyla can be found road-tripping through the Blue Ridge Mountains, sipping endless cups of coffee or tea ☕ and daydreaming about cozy inns she might renovate someday—minus the dead bodies, of course.

Reviews

[Janelle]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fresh, twisty, small-town delight!

Spring might be blooming in Silver Pines, but nothing is as sweet as it looks—and this book proves it in the best possible way. Clare Garner returns as the heart, humor, and accidental chaos magnet of this charming mystery series, and I adored every minute of her juggling act. Between custom furniture orders, old feelings resurfacing, and the world’s most awkward love-triangle energy simmering beneath the surface, Clare is already busy enough… until a beloved local gardener shows up toes-up in the community beds.

What follows is a wonderfully tangled, quick-paced whodunit full of nosy neighbors, buried secrets, and that perfect small-town gossip flair that makes Silver Pines feel so real you can smell the fresh-cut grass. The mystery is clever, the stakes are sharp, and the romantic tension adds just the right amount of spice without overshadowing the plot.

If you love cozy mysteries with personality, humor, and a heroine who refuses to let life—or murder—knock her down, this latest Silver Pines installment is an absolute must-read. Spring has definitely sprung… and so have the secrets. 🌸🔎

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A breezy, twisty springtime delight! Eleanor Caudill brings Clare’s wit, warmth, and exasperation to life, while Sebastian York adds delicious tension as the two men complicating her world. Between blooming gardens, brewing drama, and a body in the compost, Silver Pines delivers charm, humor, and just enough danger to keep you hooked. A perfect small-town mystery with irresistible narration and springtime vibes.

[Mayra]

Murder In The Garden by Lyla Blue
Performed by Eleanore Caudill and Sebastian York

Murder in the Garden is a quick, engaging listen packed with suspense and just the right amount of intrigue. Lyla Blue sets the scene beautifully, pulling you straight into this small-town whodunnit and keeping the wheels turning from the start. Even though I haven’t listened to the first book in the series, she provides enough background that I never felt lost—jumping in at book two was surprisingly seamless. It was a refreshing change of pace from the dark romance streak I’ve been on, and the mystery kept me guessing all the way through.

The voice acting truly elevated the experience. This was my first time listening to Eleanore Caudill, and she delivered a fantastic performance—her character work was lively, engaging, and held my attention the entire time. Sebastian York, as always, brought authenticity and warmth to his roles, pairing perfectly with Eleanore’s energy.

I’d give the story a solid 4/5 and the voice acting a 5/5.

Overall, I really enjoyed this audiobook and found it hard to stop listening

[Pam]

Great book with a very puzzling murder mystery. The characters are well done and interesting. Went to get the next book and it comes out in 5 days!

Amazon synopsis:
Spring in Silver Pines means bunting on Main Street, garden plots in full bloom, and just enough small-town chaos to keep things interesting. Clare Garner’s juggling custom furniture orders at The Mill and doing her best to referee the rising tension between her high school sweetheart, Jackson, and her recently re-rooted college ex, Blake.

But when a local green thumb turns up toes-up in the community garden, Clare finds herself knee-deep in a mystery that’s more tangled than last year’s Christmas lights. With her love life sideways and a mystery sprouting like weeds, Clare’s got to find the truth—before someone else gets pruned from the picture.

Between nosy neighbors, whispered rivalries, and a killer hiding in plain sight, Clare will need more than sandpaper and sass to keep things from falling apart. In Silver Pines, the flowers aren’t the only things ready to bloom—so are the secrets.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows]

I have such a soft spot for Hallmark style mysteries and this hit the brief! I have read these out of order and although they are standalone there are spoilers for book one including the reveal of the murderer but apart from that, its pretty self contained. Clare is Jessica Fletcher (the icon) coded and Eleanor Caudill's performance was tenacious but also sweet. We're love triangle adjacent (this is all about the tension and its very chaste) but I'm not sure if I'm a Jackson or a Blake fan yet. I'm a Sebastian York girl though and he's great as always. The mystery itself is the focus and its pretty solid. The small town vibes are strong with interesting supporting characters; the girls trip was good fun and I 100% would not want to be added to Story's list!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[Wendy]

This is book #2 of the Silver Pines Mysteries series and it is as entertaining as the first book. It picks up with Clare Garner’s furniture building business flourishing, but her love life is complicated. She is torn between her high school ex-boyfriend Jackson and her college ex-boyfriend Blake. And if that isn’t difficult enough, she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery when she stumbles upon a body in the community garden. The author does a wonderful job appealing to the reader’s senses with her detailed descriptions. She creates a story that has drama, suspense, humor and a touch of romance. I can honestly say that I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal. I also like how she included some important background information so the reader would still be up to speed even if they had not read the first book. I highly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read Book 3.

*This book was gifted to me and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Lauryn Young]

Murder in the Garden is book 2 in the Silver Pines Mysteries series, and a fun step back into the world of Clare, who seems to have a penchant for finding bodies around town. Lyla's writing is the perfect blend of small-town charm, fast-paced suspense, nosy locals, and a dash of love triangle romance.

Clare is just beginning to feel back to herself after the latest dose of whodunit hijinks, when another resident of Silver Pines is found dead amongst a pile of gardening supplies. Ruling out suspects one by one keeps the reader guessing, and the story intriguing. Nobody is free from suspicion, including Clare herself and her two love interests, Blake and Jackson.

Another great performance from Eleanor Caudill and Sebastian York, these books are a quick and easy listen. Their performances add a layer of vibrancy and believability to the story, which makes it that much more enjoyable.

[Kate - BookyGal]

Welcome back to Silver Pines where flowers are popping up, just like the dead bodies! Lyla Blue has another win on her hands with Book 2 in the series. I do think listening (or eyeballing) book 1 will give you a richer read of book 2, but it definitely stands alone as well. The readers are really getting acquainted with all the members of the small town of Silver Pines, as well Clare's possible love interests. I'm not sure if I am leaning more towards Blake or Jackson at this point, but time will tell in this cozy mystery. Lyla kept me guessing to the very end!

The narration, 5 stars, straight fire. Eleanor Caudill is a DELIGHT. And auditory treasure that I can't get enough of. Sebastian just really seems to be enjoying himself in these books. There's a special zing to his narration in these books. Cozy mystery fans, please dive into this series. Thank you to Blue Nose for the chance to listen and review!

[Kirsten]

Audiobook Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Murder in the Garden by Lyla Blue is a delightful cozy mystery that perfectly blends small-town charm, light romance, and an intriguing whodunit. Performed in duet narration by Eleanor Caudill and Sebastian York. The story follows Clare Garner as she’s pulled into another Silver Pines scandal when a body turns up in the community garden.

Between running her furniture gallery and juggling her complicated feelings for both her high-school sweetheart and her college ex, Clare’s life is as messy as the murder she’s trying to solve. The narration brings the warmth and humor of the characters to life, making it an easy listen that feels like curling up with a cup of tea and good gossip.

Perfect for fans of lighthearted mysteries with a dash of romance and a touch of small-town drama.

[Jodi]

This is book two in the Silver Pines Mysteries series. The story continues with Clare, Jackson, Blake and the other towns people. Clare, Jackson, and Blake are still intertwined and it seems Clare has to sort out her feelings. While they are still making custom furniture and decorating condo space, Clare stumbles upon another mystery. The cozy feels remain in this story as well, while Clare picks up in clues along the way. The story flows easily between emotions, plot and the curious feeling of wanting to know who did it.

Audiobook - Eleanor Caudill and Sebastian York did another amazing job with all of the chapters. It was easy to keep up with the different characters and they did great bringing out the emotions throughout the story.

[Anita]

Clare's business is booming at The Mill. Jackson is helping her with some of the work, but he has also decided to rejoin the police force. Her ex Blake has also been very helpful, donating over stock furniture to a project of hers.
It's spring in Silver Pines and it's time for blooms contest. When a gardener is found dead the contest is in jeopardy while they try to figure out what happened. As Clare follows the clues she realizes something else is going on that has nothing to do with flowers.
Loved the story and really enjoy visiting the town of Silver Pines.

[good girls read]

𝙼𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛, 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝!
ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɪʟᴠᴇʀ ᴘɪɴᴇꜱ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ. ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴅᴜᴇᴛ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ ꜱᴇʙᴀꜱᴛɪᴀɴ ʏᴏʀᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇʟᴇaɴᴏʀ ᴄʟᴀᴜᴅɪʟʟ ᴡʜᴏ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ɴᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ɪᴛ, ꜱʜᴇ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴀ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇᴀʀ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴋᴇᴘᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴜᴇꜱꜱɪɴɢ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ᴡᴀɪᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ.

Thank you to Lyla Blue and Blue Nose audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cherie]

It is spring in Silver Pines and Clare is being kept busy with both her booming business at The Mill and her involvement in the Blooms Contest. Unfortunately, she then discovers the body of a gardener, and she begins to investigate the murder.

I enjoyed revisiting Silver Pines and spending time with Clare and the secondary characters. The story was interesting, and the mystery was good. I didn't guess the killer right away which is always a plus. The narrators also did a good job pulling me into the story and keeping my interest.

[Nicole Wheelbarger]

4.5 -I really am enjoying this cozy murder mystery series. We are back with Clare and this time she stumbles onto an odd murder in a greenhouse. We are still in between Jackson & Blake as our MMC love interest and there is a bit of a cliff hanger ending for this one!

I feel like this is a modern day Jessica Fletcher, she has no business finding these murders and investigating but Clare just seems popping up 😂.


I listened to the audio for this one - Sebastian York & Eleanor Caudill were both great! Highly recommend the audio!

[Tam Sesto]

The narrators were excellent, they know how to bring the story alive. The characters were well written and the plot was intriguing. I know the author has her own ideas about Clare’s dating life, but the chemistry between her and Pate has me wishing the author would investigate that. And always a good sign to a mystery, when you can’t figure out who the guilty party is.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Jennie]

This was another great read in the Silver Pines series. I found the mystery clever and engaging, and I didn't guess the killer before it was revealed. I loved the cozy setting and all the small town characters. The continued romantic tension between Clare and her two love interests made for a fast-paced romp that I finished in about a day. The audiobook narrators do a 5 star job. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

[Lotty Victoria]

I love how engaging the audio of this book was!
The narrators Eleanore Caudill and Sebastian York performed the audio so well!

This is the second book in the series but there was enough background in this book that I never felt confused about what happened in book 1.

I loved the overall mystery and detective feel this book provided along with the small town element. The world building was so beautifully done and I can’t wait to go back and read more of Lyla’s work!

[Ashley]

Lyla Blue delivers another charming installment in the Silver Pines Mysteries.

Clare Garner once again finds herself caught between personal entanglements and a puzzling murder in the community garden. The small‑town setting is vivid, the mystery well‑paced, and the blend of humor, suspense, and light romance makes for an engaging read. A solid continuation of the series that keeps readers guessing until the end.

[Jocelyne]

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮ Audiobook Review! ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮
This is the second book in the Silver Pines Mysteries series, a small-town cozy mystery. I loved to follow Clare, Jackson and Blake in this new cozy mystery. Their relationship is complex, and intriguing. Eleanor Caudill and Sebastian York did a great job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to more in the series. #BlueNoseAudio

[Amanda Reads Cozies]

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The dual narration adds so much to the story—having both a male and female narrator for the respective characters makes the whole experience feel more vivid and engaging. The storyline is great, and the charming small-town setting pulls you right in. Overall, it’s a fun, well-told mystery that’s easy to get lost in.

[Samantha]

Murder in the Garden was the perfect mix of a cozy hometown murder mystery. I enjoyed how Lyla Blue wrote clues into each chapter that built on the storyline and ended with readers learning who committed the murder. The narration was fantastic and added to the overall story. A definite must read if you love true crime and small town vibes.

[hannah]

I received the audio for this and what a lovely little cosy read is was i dont normally read mystery/thriller but i really enjoyed this read definitely recommend kept me guessing and question absolutely loved it

[Nikki Roberts]

I was excited to get into this small town of Silver Pines again with Clare, Jackson, Blake and her dog Lucy. There is always something happening in this small town especially when it comes to a mystery of a killer in the garden. This story always has you thinking who is the killer is or who is behind on what is happening. Clare really gets herself involved even when she shouldn’t be and should be leaving it to the police. I missed Blake more in this one, but I have a feeling he will be more involved in the rest of the series.

I really enjoyed this audiobook with Sean Masters and Eleanor Caudill!

Thank you Lyla and Blue Noise Audio for the ALC!

[Liz’s Library]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ALC Review 🎧

I need to thank Blue Nose Audio and Lyla Blue for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. Narrated by Eleanore Caudill & Sebastian York.

I just finished the audiobook of Murder in the Garden by Lyla Blue, and it delivered exactly what I wanted: a fun, twisty escape into Silver Pines where the gardens bloom, the gossip spreads fast, and apparently… murder also likes to sprout in the spring. 🌸🔎

The narrator really brings Clare Garner to life. Her humor, her stress, and that chef’s kiss awkwardness of being stuck between a high school sweetheart and a freshly returned ex. The love-triangle tension!!! Messy in the most entertaining way. The mystery!!! Light, engaging, and perfect for listening while cleaning, commuting, or pretending to garden lol.

If you’re into small-town secrets, garden gossip, and a heroine who’s equal parts determined and delightfully overwhelmed, this audiobook is a great pick for spring reading (or listening!). 🌿🎧

[Courtney]

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and it was a great thing to have in the background. Love the lightness of the series and will definitely look forward to the series in the future!

[Melinda]

This story was good. I like the characters. I DESPISE triangles. I'm out.

[Christina]

Murder in the Garden was such a great follow up to book one! The author’s writing is fantastic, and the story pulled me in from the very first chapter. 🌿

The narration by Eleanor Caudill and Sebastian York was amazing once again they bring so much charm, humor, and mystery to the series. 🎧

If you love small town cozy mysteries with great characters and just the right amount of intrigue, this is a must listen!

[Skater]

Gardening Contest can be Murder

This is such a lovely series. It’s well written, well crafted and filled with the atmosphere of the mountains and artists of the Carolina’s. This time Clara is drawn into a murder when she finds the dead body of a local gardener. With her friends, her dog and her two suiters by her side, she off to figure out who killed her friends.