Poison Garden: The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 22

DCI Ryan Mysteries #22

by L.J. Ross

The clock is ticking…

For Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, the stakes have never been higher. Most of the world thinks he’s dead, killed by an assasin's rifle in his own home. But another man took the bullet intended for him, and now Ryan’s living on borrowed time. As long as he stays ‘dead’, in the sanctuary of his parents’ home in Devon, there’s a chance to find the people behind the deadly killing network. It’s only a matter of time before his secret’s uncovered, and nowhere will be safe.

Back in Northumberland, Ryan’s team are called in to investigate the mysterious death of a man in Alnwick, who collapsed yards from the walls of its Mediaeval castle. When a second person is rushed to hospital with the same symptoms, her life hangs in the balance unless they can discover the toxic substance that’s killing her. For DCs Lowerson and Reed, there’s only one place to look for inspiration—the Poison Garden…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Murder Mystery, Whodunit

Audible Audio

First published September 5, 2024

About the author

LJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, a further eighteen of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.

Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category.

In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.

If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:

https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This action-packed crime mystery is the 22nd volume of the "DCI Ryan" series, but it this book along with its predecessor "Death Rocks" (2 STARS see review) has the same pattern as done by the author with "The Shrine" and "Cuthbert's Way", and that's why I've given this book (3 STARS) the same rating as before with those other books, and so if only the author would have made into one complete novel it would have been a magnificent 5 STARS rating!

At the start of the book you'll find a quote made by Marcus Aurelius.

Storytelling is excellent, all characters come vividly to life in this tale about the continuation to get to the beginning of this killers list and the need to find the starting members and the reason why, but this book also contains the poisoning cases of two other people that need investigating.

One part is the investigation of two murder victims due to poisoning and these ingredients can be found in the "Poison Garden", but these poisonings will still eventually make a link to poisonings that started to happen in 2007 and thus the start of the killers list.

The second part is the situation around DCI Ryan and his family while hiding in Devon, after his father was killed, and so this book is part two of the rescue of DCI Ryan and the final confrontation with and revelation of his lethal assailant in the end.

What is to follow is a completion, which starts in "Death Rocks" and ends here, of the case of the killers list and all the lives it took, and all this is done with great police work from Northumbria CID in particular, to end this episode in Ryan's life in a very engrossing and satisfying manner.

Very much recommended, I only hope that the author in future will again succeed in producing one complete book with case(s) solved, because the series can remain wonderful by doing so and that's why I like to call this second-half episode: "A Successful Completed Poisonous Fight"!

[Andy Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too Disney

Having thoroughly enjoyed the initial books in this series, the characters are increasingly becoming absurd parodies. Ryan and Anna are the uber perfect couple, attractive, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, moral etc. The rest of the team's characters are also progressing this way. Whilst the actual story is interesting and we'll crafted, the characters give that sickly sweet aura of a Disney princess movie. I'm All for escapism, but, quite frankly, I was rooting for Grayson at the end.
Let's see a little dose of reality please.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in the DCI Ryan series.
After the ending of the last book I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next in this one.
I’ll be careful of spoilers but I can say this is a great crime thriller and the humour from Frank gets better and better!
I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this book as I was hoping for something else, but will see what happens in the next book…
I highly recommend this series if you’ve not yet started it.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the previous book, although a continuation. Decent plot, return of favourite characters.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never gets dull!

This series is still my favorite after all these years. So very glad LJ Ross is in better health and able to continue on.

[Alan Cotterell]

Review to follow

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.
Thin, unoriginal plot and notable lack of character development here, just regurgitating the same old clichés. However, what was even more off-putting was that increasingly, I’m noticing a tendency in this series, to clumsily insert ‘topic of the moment’, and to spell it out in excruciating simplicity, as if lifted from an undergrad sociology lecture. The resulting narrative is clunky and disjointed and even worse when embedded in the dialogue.
I hope Belsay will be better, but I think Ryan may have run his course for me.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic as always!!!

[o rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love L. J.’s books..enjoyed this one as it continued from the last one’s killers. But too short for me. I prefer longer stories. Hope her next one is a bit longer!

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read as always!! LJ Ross never fails to deliver!!

[Keith Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing worse than poison to spoil your day

The plot carried on from book 21, the storyline really started to twist and turn in various strands, totally enjoyed how the characters have and are growing into their own episodes within the day to day structure that is the plot, Charlie is feisty but has Some soft spots, Jack poor lad is just not lucky in love, but I did enjoy the way he is being given more maturity when in the interview room, good to recognize his own worth, all the characters are believable and that's what brings them to life for this reader anyway, roll on 23

[Mrs Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting read.

I have only recently discovered the DCI Ryan books and was hooked from book 1. I have read them all ( except 11 which I felt was an excuse to earn more) one after the other. I love the engrossing mysteries. That’s a given. What I love most are the characters who are so well portrayed, with intriguing on-going stories and a depth and complexity that makes them very believable. It was therefore a shocking moment near the end of book 21! The enjoyment of book 22, however, made it worthwhile. I can’t wait for the next book .

[Margaret Wakeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read.

[Karen Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, the stakes have never been higher. Most of the world thinks he’s dead, killed by an assassin's rifle in his own home. But another man took the bullet intended for him, and now Ryan’s living on borrowed time. As long as he stays ‘dead’, in the sanctuary of his parents’ home in Devon, there’s a chance to find the people behind the deadly killing network.
Back in Northumberland, Ryan’s team are investigating the mysterious death of a man who collapsed near the walls of Alnwick castle. When a second person is rushed to hospital with the same symptoms, her life hangs in the balance unless they can discover the toxic substance that’s killing her. For DCs Lowerson and Reed, there’s only one place to look for inspiration—the Poison Garden…

Another cracking read from LJ Ross. This story continues on from her previous book with Ryan hiding out until his killer and their network of murders can be found. It's an intriguing plot based loosely on the 'Strangers on the Train' story where two total strangers commit murder for each other by placing an ad in a magazine. Good police procedure and the usual banter from DS Phillips and DI McKenzie. And is there a budding romance between Lowerson and Reed? I did guess who the original killer was but the assassin was a total surprise. Great story.

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too much personal boring dialogue between main characters. Could only get half way through this book because the plot just kept getting lost because of all the wishy washy personal stuff. Keep to the interesting mystery stuff foremost.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, well, well. If you want a book that is full of mystery, threat and chemistry (of both the scientific and romantic kind) then look no further. Poison Garden delivers on all fronts and is, as any fan of the series can attest, another absolute belter of a novel. If there is one warning I would give, it is that to enjoy this book the most you need to have read its predecessor at the very least, but the whole of the series would be your best bet. There are old rivalries at play here, and things from the teams past have a real bearing on everything that comes to pass in this book. That and there would be more than the odd spoiler for cases past if you try and pick up in the midst of this particular misadventure.

Now, for the very reason I would advise you read Death Rocks first, it is very hard to actually review this book without risking the odd spoiler, (unless you've read the blurb of course ...) but I shall try my best. There was a pretty cataclysmic event at the end of Death Rocks which has significant impact upon the course the story takes. But this is not the sole focus of the investigations undertaken. The team is faced with a pair of poisonings, two initially random seeming events which are soon linked and which take Jack Lowerson and series newbie, Charlie Reed, to Alnwick Garden's 'Poison Garden' to try and help them understand the potential origins of the poisons and whether or not it might have been possible for the perpetrator to have taken their samples from the garden itself. Now in a series that is as known for its banter as its crime, it leads to a moment or two of chuckles, much needed in such a perplexing set of circumstances. Having visited the gardens myself on a couple of occasions it certainly made me smile.

There is another element of this book which is carefully woven into the main story. This is a particularly harrowing case from several years earlier, which will have an emotional impact for many, readers included, and acts as a kind of foreshadowing of what is yet to come. We are led through the tragedy that follows and the heart breaking way if affects those who are left to deal with its aftermath. How these scenes were to direct the action in the present day may appear obvious to some to begin with but, as ever, nothing is quite as straightforward in DCI Ryan's world, and how the story plays out may well surprise you. The story is packed with mystery and misdirection, and I found that whilst it kind of led where I expected, the why was perhaps easier to deduce than the who.

For me, the camaraderie and humour in these books are part of what makes the series so addictive, and has me returning to it again and again. There is plenty of banter amongst the team, and a wonderful balance between this light humour and the darker elements of the crimes themselves. Death by poison is no laughing matter after all, and the opening scene is really quite dark by series standards. But LJ Ross takes such care in creating lovable characters in her investigative team that is is impossible not to be totally invested in their fates, and in the outcome of their investigations, no matter how irksome or, potentially, unlikable some of the other characters or victims might be. all of our old faithfuls are here, but the author is not above pointing the finger of suspicion their way when the time comes, making you question, just a little, whether I knew them all as well as I thought. And I am really starting to like Reed and the spark that has quickly developed between her and Lowerson, although it is safe to say that the ending to this book has the potential to set the cat amongst the pigeons. Not a cliffhanger as such, but still...

If you love the series you are going to tear through this one. I think perhaps one of my favourites and heartily recommended.

[Miriam Morgans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poison Garden
By LJ Ross
Book 22 of 24 in the DCI Ryan series

Book Description
The clock is ticking…

For Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, the stakes have never been higher. Most of the world thinks he’s dead, killed by an assasin's rifle in his own home. But another man took the bullet intended for him, and now Ryan’s living on borrowed time. As long as he stays ‘dead’, in the sanctuary of his parents’ home in Devon, there’s a chance to find the people behind the deadly killing network. It’s only a matter of time before his secret’s uncovered, and nowhere will be safe.

Back in Northumberland, Ryan’s team are called in to investigate the mysterious death of a man in Alnwick, who collapsed yards from the walls of its Mediaeval castle. When a second person is rushed to hospital with the same symptoms, her life hangs in the balance unless they can discover the toxic substance that’s killing her. For DCs Lowerson and Reed, there’s only one place to look for inspiration—the Poison Garden…

My thoughts
This was a gripping listen, intense, faced paced and brilliant. I could really see the storytelling playing out in my mind, a slightly different feel to this book as Ryan wasnt the detective at the forefront of the investigation but he had to protect himself and his family which was his main priority. Love Ryan and Annas chemistry and loyalty they have for one another.
Scary to think about an organisation that plans and conducts murder.
Good job Ryans team was on the case.

Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read from me!🤓

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its hard to believe that Poison Garden is book 22 in the DCI Ryan series and for those of us who were left a bit in shock at the ending of Death Rocks then this book has a lot of questions to answer and hopefully the team will be able to pull together and resolve a case that has had a huge impact on them both professionally and personally.
Whilst Frank and Denise are busy working on the aftermath of the previous case, Jack Lowerson and new team member Charlie Reed are pushed to the forefront dealing with two very mysterious deaths. Initially the only connection between them appears to be the method in which they were killed, and it leads them to Alnwick’s Poison Garden to do some investigation into where/how the poison could be obtained. From the start Lowerson is a bit twitchy about being so close to so many poisonous plants so the fact that he passes out within minutes of entering the garden causes some hilarity between the group. The case is certainly causing them problems but at the same time somehow brings their partnership closer together and after the last few years of heartache it is nice to see Lowerson getting back to how he once was and finding some enjoyment in life.
Frank and Denise are in for a few surprises as they become part of a huge investigation that requires the resources of multiple teams and ends up far bigger than they initially suspected. With Ryan’s family under threat, you can bet they give up until they catch the masterminds behind the whole scheme. Throughout this storyline there are glimpses into past events that are the forerunner for present day events and whilst you can’t actually condone what people have done you would have to have a heart of stone to not have some understanding for why they did what they did.
As with every DCI Ryan book you can expect some surprises and some returning faces that may yet upset the new team dynamic but that’s what we have all come to love about this series. They say they are family and that is what they feel like to me too. Although this is billed as the DCI Ryan series, LJ Ross has developed a great team of characters that all have a time to shine and show their particular talents. I can’t wait to see how they handle the latest development or see what case they get mixed up in next.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off very fast paced ,following on from the previous novel . It then got a bit bogged down in procedure and the secondary plot but the last third was really fast paced again. Again I enjoyed the relationships between the team members, and the development of the characters.

[Kathryn McCarrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never truly been a fan of a detective novel but I genuinely enjoyed this much to my surprise! A little predictable in parts and cliché however this is something that is ok to like, unsure if I will revisit the DCI Ryan mystery series but sorely tempted.

[BRENDA MCCARDIE]

As good as ever.

What can you say LJ Ross has done it again. Can't wait for the next one. Hope don't have to wait to long.

[Andy Umpleby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan and team at their best.

A book once started, difficult to put down!
With a lot of different lines to follow and digest, I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

[Samantha Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

First experience of Ryan mysteries .. and of an audio book … but enjoyed it !

[Lucy Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one !

[Gail Radka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed, only reason not 5 stars is i find some of personal interactions between the couples very cheesy!!! Love the investigative side

[H Svinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good latest installment

[Ray O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wooowwww!!!
Lauren you have got to get reading.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good background read, but the story felt thin at times. It was longer at least this time so allowed a little more character development.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in this excellent series

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to have the latest instalment in the DCI Ryan series and it didn’t disappoint. Even though you knew what was going to happen how to stop it was enough to build up the tension. The other more minor characters really came to the fore in this book and you become invested in their story. I look forward to the next instalment!