A new cozy mystery series from USA Today best-selling author Dale Mayer. Follow gardener and amateur sleuth Doreen Montgomery - and her amusing and mostly lovable cat, dog, and parrot - as they catch murderers and solve crimes in lovely Kelowna, British Columbia.
Riches to rags. Everything is under control, until it isn’t. And Doreen’s in the middle of it!
The four boxes of files Doreen inherited from journalist Bridgeman Solomon have already helped her solve one crime, and Doreen hopes they’ll continue to assist her as she sticks her nose into future cases. But, when she stumbles over a pair of pink satin handcuffs in her standoffish neighbor Richard de Genaro’s heather patch, it’s hard to believe that those reporter’s files could have anything useful to offer regarding that.
Doreen takes a look though, and soon she’s headed down a merry trail of prostitution, embezzlement, and, of course, murder. But the minute the files suggest a connection to Doreen’s specialty, a cold case, her beau and partner in crime, Corporal Mack Moreau, starts breathing down her neck.
With her trusty animals leading the way, Doreen sets out to find the connection between the reputable banker who died in an unsolved hit-and-run and the prostitute who owned the pink satin handcuffs. As Doreen puts it all together, even she is surprised at the outcome of her latest investigation.
Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).
She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!
To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.
Psychic Vision Series Tuesday's Child Hide'n Go Seek Maddy's Floor Garden of Sorrow Knock, Knock... Rare Find Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014
By Death Series Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free Touched by Death - Part 2 Touched by Death - Full book Haunted by Death Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014
Second Chances...at Love Series Second Chances - Part 1 Second Chances - Part 2 Second Chances - Full book
Why, why, WHY would you write a book featuring a trans character if you will consistently misgender them, use incorrect pronouns, and drop his deadname in every other sentence?? Even his so-called best friend used the wrong pronouns. The characters aren't woke just because they use multiple sets of pronouns and then say, "sorry, I don't know how to be politically correct." FIGURE IT OUT. And then other characters dismissing it, saying, "he wouldn't mind" like hello I'm sure he in fact certainly WOULD mind. This felt like the author's lazy attempt at having more diversity in her books.
I love this series and have been binge-reading them like crazy, but this one was sooo difficult to get through. Not only was I incredibly uncomfortable at the blatant ignorance of all characters (and thus, the author) but it just wasn't good writing. We're 8 books in - you should know the names of the characters you're writing about. Maisie suddenly became Mitzie, Doreen has apparently just "forgotten" the names of all of her neighbours... girl, in the first book you went around the cul-de-sac with a notebook taking down people's names. What about the couple next door that you found creepy? Or the sweet single mother?
This being said, I'm still going to read the next 5 books, and any that come afterwards. But Ms Mayer, if you read this, please do some research on the lgbtq+ community so that you understand how to respectfully write about queer characters. Also PLEASE make Doreen and Mack kiss already, I've been waiting 8 books.
I dinged this one a couple of stars for insensitivity (?) or maybe just a lack of LGBTQ beta readers. One of the primary characters (who we never meet in person) is transgender. Although the author is not unkind and even alludes to how wrong the disavowing mother is, felt uncomfortable with the story. The only glaring thing I can point to is the female protagonist discussing the trans character and saying he would be ok with whichever pronouns another person is comfortable with calling him. SAY WHAT!!! Appropriate pronouns are important to everyone, trans or not. I have a close family member who is trans which may make me more sensitive, but still. I will continue the series as it is a diverting "read" to listen to in the car.
The first couple of books in this series were fun, but they are all starting to be the same. In the beginning, Doreen was a pleasing character. She has now morphed into her own heroine and seemingly hired herself into law enforcement as an expert. She seems to have no respect for boundaries and appears to take advantage of others with a smug attitude of entitlement. A once loveable character is turning into an unpleasant person. Mack and the animals and Nan are the reasons I continue to read this series, but I don't know how much longer I will. At this point, mildly entertaining and light reading.
Handcuffs in the Heather is part of the Lovely Lethal Garden Series. Once again we find Doreen in the middle of a cold case investigation. Usually I don't like reading the amateur sleuth genre, but what makes this book different are the characters. Doreen is an ex-trophy wife, who has never lived alone, can't cook, work or take care of the house. Then there's the animals that Doreen inherited the cat Goliath, the dog Mugs, and the parrot Thaddeus who seems to know the appropriate comments for the occasion. Then there is Mack, the police officer friend that helps her out. There is definitely chemistry between Mack and Doreen and Mack spends a lot of time at her house. I am waiting for them to move things to the next level. Once Doreen feels that she knows who the suspect is she goes and confronts them. When the suspect goes on the attack, her menagerie holds off the suspect until Mack is able to come to the rescue. If your looking for a steamy romance this isn't the book for you, but if your looking for a story with characters you will love, this book is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After her last case Doreen wants to make amends to Richard, her neighbor, and what better way than by doing something she loves gardening. The surprise is on her and Richard when she uncovers a set of handcuffs that are more suited for play than work.
Her discovery sends her and her menagerie on an investigation and she isn’t about to be deterred by anyone, let alone Mac, until the truth is uncovered.
The characters are great, the investigations fun and I can’t wait to see where Doreen’s next adventure leads us.
Doreen, Doreen, will you ever stay out of trouble? This time a pair of satin lined handcuffs found in her neighbors Heather Patch leads Doreen straight into trouble. Between finding how many women are buried on Simon’s property, learning to cook, cleaning up her garden and going through the files bequeathed to her, it’s a miracle Mack and Doreen have time to sleep. It’s fun seeing the relationship between Mack and the animals, and even though Doreen is clueless for now, her relationship with Mack
This series and characters are well developed and reading is beginning to feel like visiting old friends. Doreen and her pets can't seem to keep from stumbling into mysteries. I'm enjoying the friendship between Doreen and Mack and the slow, natural progression. I have to say Nan is my favorite. Readers get a fast paced and twisty mystery with a good dose of humor. I'm looking forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series is utterly delightful, it might me a murder mystery / cold case but it isn't to deep, some lovely light hearted moments with Doreen and her animals as well as the banter with Mack make this not only a bit different but a really enjoyable read. I love sitting down and just getting lost in the mayhem and mischief that they get caught up in, I do feel a bit sorry for the police because quite honestly she is making them all look stupid with her solve rate of all these old cases that have just been sitting in the station gathering dust. I love how her mind works, it can be a little quirky or scatterbrain but in the end the logic wins out every time. The animals make me smile as I picture them all going for a walk or an outing in the car, even invading various flower beds to find the clues that set them all onto the next case. Nan is also such a great character, loving and supportive of her granddaughter but also quite wiley with her betting schemes and the sheltered housing. With another case investigated I cant wait for the next one. It is refreshing to get something unique and such a great mix of humour, suspense and even some action.
Doreen Montgomery had been married to a very wealthy man and when she divorced him for his infidelity she was unprepared for the life as a single women. She moved into a house gifted to her by her grandmother along with Thaddeus the parrot, Goliath the cat and Mugs the dog. Doreen had no skills apart from her love of gardening, she couldn't even cook........enter Corporal Mack Moreau of the Kelowna police department who took it upon himself to teach her. Quite soon Doreen began to build up a reputation as an amateur sleuth much to the amusement and sometimes irritation of Mack and the police department, she did however manage to uncover clues that helped to solve quite a few cold cases. When Doreen came across a pair of pink silk handcuffs in her grumpy neighbours garden no one could have imagined that it would lead to the uncovering of murder, prostitution, transgender and embezzlement. This is the eighth book in the Lovely Lethal Garden series and although they are all standalone I would suggest that you read them in order to get the most enjoyment. They are all quite tongue in cheek with serious undertones, Doreen is a bit dippy and trundles along in her own sweet way despite treading on toes (especially Mack's) along the way. The menagerie are quite amusing and follow Doreen everywhere earning her a few not very complimentary nicknames. There is a very slow burning romance between Doreen and Mack which is very sweet. There is no hot sex or hard action, this is a lovely gentle book despite covering serious issues and I really enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gardener and sometime sleuth Doreen Montgomery (plus her cat, dog, and parrot) are resting after the closure of her previous case and having looked at the 4 boxes of files she inherited from journalist Bridgeman Solomon have begun thinking how they might help her in the future with even more cold cases. So, when she stumbles over a pair of pink satin handcuffs in her standoffish neighbour Richard de Genaro’s heather patch, she wonders if those reporter’s files could have anything useful to offer regarding that. She starts to look into it and is headed down a merry trail of prostitution, embezzlement, and, of course, murder. But the minute the files suggest a connection to Doreen’s speciality, a cold case, her beau and partner in crime, Corporal Mack Moreau, starts breathing down her neck. However, she is not in the habit of listening to Mack about that after all, it has always worked out fine before. With her trusty animals leading the way, Doreen sets out to find the connection between the reputable banker who died in an unsolved hit-and-run and the prostitute who owned the pink satin handcuffs. As Doreen puts it all together, even she is surprised at the outcome of her latest investigation.
This is a delightful addition to the series which step by step follows Doreen through her investigation into the murky world of prostitution and which also delves into the areas of love and betrayal. Well written and easy to both read and understand it will keep you hooked as you get drawn into the story. This can be read even if you have not read the series before and contains no sexual content,
Doreen has been able to find several missing persons since her arrival in Kelowna. This one, however, is unlike any of the others. So much is going on here. Her cranky neighbor, Richard, has agreed to let Doreen do some yardwork for him in exchange for the large quantity of dirt she had "borrowed" during the Guns in the Gardenias case. Her intent was to show appreciation when she asked whether she could look to see the reason why one of his hydrangea bushes looked a little small. Imagine her and Richard’s surprise when her eye caught sight of something in the nearby blooming heather. You guessed it, handcuffs! BUT, these were not ordinary handcuffs…more the recreational type, pink satin similar to the ones sex workers use, but covered with the filth that can only come from years in the dirt. A prostitute in Richard’s yard? Are the handcuffs the key to unlocking another one or two old open cases? The title of this review is another key. Armed with the box of files she inherited from Nan’s old journalist friend, Doreen has a plethora of resources to support her extracurricular volunteer work. And now, so do you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A lovely outing. Even though there is murder, prostitution, this is truly an enjoyable cozy mystery which also brings some light on the homeless. To me when a cozy mystery still has tidbits of real issues in the world it is due some kudos. Doreen is still looking for closure on the last case, after all they found bodies when she stumbles onto this one. She also makes some real headway on her own garden and plans are starting to become a reality. Mac (the police detective ) tosses out an innuendo here and there that made me laugh and Doreen blush. We see Nan (her grandma) and of course her pets, Goliath (cat) Mugs (the dog) and Thadeus (the bird) as they are part of Doreen's life. I smiled when Doreen thought how nice it was waking up to her pets instead of her ex. Speaking of the ex Macs brother (who we still havent met) sent some info Doreen's way. I couldn't get passed her saying Handcuffs in the Hydrangeas and then that's what she finds in the Heather. Except for that I loved this book, I enjoy watching her grow, learning to cook (thanks to Mac) and her compassion for people. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions, all unsolicited and recommend this as a put up your feet, grab your drink of choice and see if you figure out the culprit.
Doreen is at it again wrapped up in another cold case when she discovers pink satin handcuffs in her stuffy neighbor's garden. She, with her 3 mischievous pets, start on another adventure. She now has the files to help which were left to her by a journalist friend of her grandmother Nan. Nan lives in a retirement home which is also full of information as the residents have memories of the area. This plus Corporal Mack Moreau her friend who not only is helping Doreen learn to cook but also does some helping in the mystery when he is able. He also is busy trying to slow down her treading into dangerous territory reminding her often that she is not a detective. Doreen wound up going to Kelowna, British Columbia after a bitter divorce from a rich man who wound up managing to take everything in a devious way. Doreen, now without any money, went to her grandmother's home to recover and help out. This is a delightful cozy mystery series. Perfect to relax and enjoy Doreen's precious pets, her investigations into cold cases, her relationship with Mack, her interest in gardens and finding her way in a new life.
I really love this series, it seems no matter how hard she tries Doreen ends up in the middle of something police related.
As we watch the wrap-up of the previous book, Doreen stumbles across a pair of pink satin-covered handcuffs in her neighbor's Heather plants. Now Mack and Doreen had a good chuckle over that, at least until the next day.
A grumpy Mack shows up early in the morning and proceeds to make coffee while she finishes getting ready for the day. He also cooks up breakfast for her when he discovers she only had some cheese and crackers before bed.
That's not all that's found in her neighbor's garden either and you know of course Doreen will be neck deep in this.
Mack isn't happy about that but we also see their relationship growing in this one. I swear he's planning on moving in the way he helps her plan changes to her backyard.
I love her Nan and the way there's a betting pool on almost everything. Let me not forget Thaddeus, Goliath and Mugs, these guys are the absolute best! Always with her and always protective of her.
Plenty of fun, laughter, suspense and so much more!
I really can't wait for the next book in this series.
Cette fois-ci, c’est dans le jardin de son voisin assez grincheux Richard, que Doreen fait une découverte. En effet, elle trouve des menottes dans de la bruyère. Mais ce ne sont pas des menottes ordinaires, car elles sont recouvertes de satin rose. Celle-ci la conduit à un réseau de prostitution, et la disparition d’une personne dix ans plutôt.
Huitième enquête vraiment captivante, tout comme Doreen, je voulais savoir ce qui était arrivé à la personne disparue. Bon, j’avoue que j’étais partie sur une autre résolution, qui aurait pu être plausible, mais ce n’était pas ça. Du coup, j’ai bien été surprise par le dénouement.
Je suis toujours de plus en plus à fond dans cette série, car c’est vraiment rare que j’enchaine les tomes d’une série les uns après les autres, mais cette série est totalement addictive. Il faut dire que j’aime énormément l’univers, Doreen est attachante. Ses animaux sont vraiment adorables. Et je veux aussi savoir comment va évoluer la relation entre elle et Mack.
This is the eight in the Lovely Garden series. I listened to the book via Hoopla.
This picks up immediately after the close of the last book. Doreen would like to get along with her neighbor, Richard. She offers to do some gardening and moves some heather within his garden. He has two types but prefers one over the other. Doreen takes the one he doesn’t prefer to her garden and spreads the rest in his garden so it looks heathier and more even. During the process, she finds a pair of pink covered handcuffs. This sends her down a rabbit hole that leads to investigating transgender issues. I applaud the author for tackling the topic except I didn’t feel it wasn’t done in a gentle way. I found it insensitive.
Other than that, I normally enjoy this series and the story was a poignant one.
There has been no resolution to the hope chest mentioned in book 7. Maybe that will come in a future book.
I have been reading the Lovely Lethal Gardens from the very first book. The series is an old fashioned who done it series for all ages. Handcuffs in the Heather is a standalone book but is even better when read within the series. This is a book about solving a cold case involving a prostitute with issues, the vulnerability of people on the streets, and the nibbles that keep appearing to solve the cold case. Doreen and her legion of investigators/protectors (Mugs the bass hound, Goliath the Maine coon cat, and Thaddeus the parrot) are a force to be recognized. This is a fun and warm book, rich in detail, and one that will keep you guessing until the end. I found myself thinking . . . what about? wait, what about ? could it be ? Wow!. Another wonderful page turner in The Lovely Lethal Gardens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Lovely Lethal Gardens series was my favorite series of Dale Mayer, aside from her Psychic series. Both series are totally different, and it amaze me considering they have the same author.
Doreen was a delightful character. I didn’t really like her the first time around as she’s too shallow, IMHO. But she grew, and grew on me as well. True to character, she’s still a bit of a scatterbrain, but she had more strength and essence. I liked how her mind worked, unusual but always logical. With ‘help’ from her new man and ragtag animals, she managed to solve cold cases with her unique way.
Despite murders, the story was lighthearted. Something you’d love to read to release the stress.
I was provided a complimentary copy by the author / publisher, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
Handcuffs in the Heather by Dale Mayer Lethal Gardens Series Book Eight Doreen is getting more well-known by the day in this town she's lived in for such a short time. Known as the bone lady...after finding bones and bodies. Which she prefers over the crazy animal lady...as she goes everywhere with Mugs, her basset hound—Goliath, the Maine coon cat that came along with her Nan's house—and Thaddeus, the African Grey, also her Nan's previous pet.
Add Nan, who runs the local betting ring in the retirement home she now lives in. Mack, her detective friend that she keeps busy...along with all the local law-enforcement...as she accidentally continues to fall into cold cases...and manages to solve them. Never a dull moment in this wonderful cozy mystery series. https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Doreen keeps solving cold cases but always seems to put herself in danger driving her friend Corp.Mack Moreau crazy.As she solves cold cases the paperwork Mack an his fellow officers have a ton of paperwork.Theres suspense,mystery,danger and Doreen and her dog Mugs,her cat Goliath and her African grey Thaddeus always finding bodies or clues leading to solving cases.There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see whats next by this multi talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another wonderful entry in this simply super series. Once again suspense, danger, mystery and secrets are drawn to amateur sleuth (and pro trouble magnate!), Doreen. The story is very engaging, well written and captures and holds your interest easily. This cozy mystery makes sure things don't get too intense or dark by adding liberal splashes of humor, a heavy dollop of zaniness and some sweetness from a slowly developing romance. Along with Doreen, all of the old friends make their return as well. So you can expect plenty of laughs from Nan (who's a real character!), Mugs, Goliath and Thaddeus (Doreen's devoted, furry and feathered assistants) and of course, the long-suffering Corporal Mack Moreau. So enjoyable! This is my independent, impartial review.
The cozy books only get better. Not only are the mysteries all cold cases, but they are also very different. Mack is always after Doreen to stay out of police business and naturally, she falls right into each and every one by accident. Each one is generally about a social issue that plagues all countries and does need addressing. Dale does it masterfully and with empathy. This one I got to see my last name as a district and a street. It was cool. Not that I think it was intentional but I loved it. Thanks, Ms. Dale. If you want an easy read with some drama and murder mixed in, you cannot go wrong with one of Dale's Cozy Mystery Books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed reading Handcuffs In The Heather . This is book eight in The Lovely Lethal Garden series . Doreen and her unique family of pets are at it again . Finding evidence in cold cases and helping Corporal Mack Moreau and his fellow officers solve them . This story is just as intriguing and entertaining as the others in the series . The growing relationship between Doreen and Mack is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery . I cannot forget Doreen's Nan , she is always amusing . I love reading this series . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen is back, trying to take a rest she decides to work on her garden and askes her neighbor for a bit of his plants which is the start of another cold case. Mack is busy trying to close these cases but keeps getting dragged into more. First a ring, than a handbag has questions being asked. From the homeless mate to the very movers and shakers of the town no stone is left unturned. With the introduction of 6 more bodies Mack seems to be getting busier and busier. Doreen is planning a new deck in her yard but will get ever get the time to complete it? A nice pace story keeps you turning the pages. Go Doreen go......
The more books that I read in this series, the more that I enjoy them. Doreen's discovery of pink satin handcuffs in her neighbor Richard's garden sets Doreen on another cold case. Meanwhile, Mack is helping her with case information, more cooking lessons and planning a larger deck for her yard. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I love this series. I admire Doreen's energy in her gardening and her curiosity in looking at cold cases. I also enjoy watch Doreen's and Mack's relationship slowly grow. This is such an intriguing series.
Doreen really doesn't try to make more work for Mack but she just seems to attract attention and evidence like a magpie and what magpie would love some shiny cuffs! I know Mack seems to get irked at the cases Doreen comes across as they do tend to get dangerous but she is doing so much good with solving them. . There were some good twists in Manny's mystery, a now extremely upset neighbor, along with some laughs, cooking lessons, a difficult time working out who the bad guy is and answers that bring sadness but comfort.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
DALE MAYER (LOVELY LETHAL GARDEN) HIGHLY RECMMEND THIS SERIES TO ANYONE. hER CHARACTERS ARE JUST GREAT AND STAY WITH YU. BUT I FELL IN LOVE WITH GOLIATH, MUGS AND THADDEUS. THEY ARE HER ANIMALS AND KEEP THE STORY GOING AND A LOT OF FUN. WHEN SHE GETS IN TROUBLE THE ANIMALS HELP HER OUT. HER GRAND MOTHER LIVES IN A NURSING HOME AND SHE IS SOMETHING ELSE, SHE WILL TAKES BETS ON SOME OF THE THINGS HER GRAND DAUGHTER GETS MIXED UP IN. SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS AND HAVE READ ALL OF HER OTHER BOOKS. I HAVE RATED ALL OF HER WITH A FIVE STAR RATING, AND BELIEVE ME I DON'T DO THAT UNLESS THEIR BOOK IS VERY, VERY GOOD.
WOW! Another FANTASTIC story! This story was a little slow but it was still interesting. I love the three animals. Doreen is definitely into these cold cases. This one was about a transgender who disappeared ten years ago. This case was a fast moving case. I thought Doreen was already divorced but I am happy that Mack's brother is looking into getting Doreen what is owed her. This story was funny in parts yet the ending was sad. I love that the animals always come to her rescue. I am glad that closure was given to people and the bad guy was caught. FANTASTIC job Dale! I would highly recommend this book! Can't wait for the next book!