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The Gardener Mysteries #4
Murder Bears Fruit
Able to cherry pick her gardening projects after all her recent success, Steph Williams arrives at a luxury hotel in the Yorkshire moors with her beloved dog Mouse. She has been tasked with bringing the outdated gardens into line with the hotel's sleek and glassy new guise, and can't wait to dig in.
But, before Steph can enjoy the fruits of her labour, she makes a shocking discovery in the hotel's a body, fanned by a beautiful evening dress, floating beneath the stars.
As she rushes into the scene, Steph realises this is no common-or-garden accident. When a surprising arrest is made, she will have to dig deep to ensure the police have the real killer. But Steph's missing ex-husband proves a thorn in her side, as turning up very much alive, and urgently needing her help.
Will Steph be able to find the murderer, and the missing rubies, and come up smelling of roses?
For fans of Richard Coles, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, and Fiona Leitch, this is a delightfully witty and gripping cosy crime novel where the stakes are high, the gardens are lush, and murder is always in season.
But, before Steph can enjoy the fruits of her labour, she makes a shocking discovery in the hotel's a body, fanned by a beautiful evening dress, floating beneath the stars.
As she rushes into the scene, Steph realises this is no common-or-garden accident. When a surprising arrest is made, she will have to dig deep to ensure the police have the real killer. But Steph's missing ex-husband proves a thorn in her side, as turning up very much alive, and urgently needing her help.
Will Steph be able to find the murderer, and the missing rubies, and come up smelling of roses?
For fans of Richard Coles, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, and Fiona Leitch, this is a delightfully witty and gripping cosy crime novel where the stakes are high, the gardens are lush, and murder is always in season.
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Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 20, 2025
Fourth in the Gardener Mysteries series. I have read the earlier books.
I find myself back in the company of Steph Williams and the delightful and very smart Mouse who is actually a very large dog. Steph is staying at a luxury hotel in Yorkshire while she updates its gardens. She soon comes across a body and sets herself the task of finding the murderer.
I always enjoy reading the books in this series. They are well written with good characters, are light and easy to read and in the case of this book in particular the mystery is intriguing and the reveal unexpected. And of course there is always the beautiful Mouse. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I find myself back in the company of Steph Williams and the delightful and very smart Mouse who is actually a very large dog. Steph is staying at a luxury hotel in Yorkshire while she updates its gardens. She soon comes across a body and sets herself the task of finding the murderer.
I always enjoy reading the books in this series. They are well written with good characters, are light and easy to read and in the case of this book in particular the mystery is intriguing and the reveal unexpected. And of course there is always the beautiful Mouse. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 24, 2025
#MurderBearsFruit #NetGalley is another great addition to this cozy mystery series. Steph and her dog Mouse are in a luxury hotel in the Yorkshire moors, where Steph has been hired to revamp their gardens.
Upon arrival, Steph meets a unique woman, an author of erotic romance, and her brazen personality intrigues Steph.
Vivian, the author, is a long term resident at The View, the hotel where Steph is working. Vivian invites Steph to dinner, and she meets the other residents, including Vivian's personal assistant Ruthie, and Vivian's "toy boy" Max.
It seems tempers flare often with these residents, and soon enough, Mouse alerts Steph to trouble, and she finds Vivian, dead, floating in the pool.
An immediate investigation begins, but the wrong person is arrested, and Steph is determined to find out the truth.
I was beyond shocked at the reveal, the author created an intense story, and all the characters were portrayed in such a clever way, that I was not able to guess the ending.
This is such a fun cozy mystery and I'm looking forward to reading more about this fantastic duo.
Upon arrival, Steph meets a unique woman, an author of erotic romance, and her brazen personality intrigues Steph.
Vivian, the author, is a long term resident at The View, the hotel where Steph is working. Vivian invites Steph to dinner, and she meets the other residents, including Vivian's personal assistant Ruthie, and Vivian's "toy boy" Max.
It seems tempers flare often with these residents, and soon enough, Mouse alerts Steph to trouble, and she finds Vivian, dead, floating in the pool.
An immediate investigation begins, but the wrong person is arrested, and Steph is determined to find out the truth.
I was beyond shocked at the reveal, the author created an intense story, and all the characters were portrayed in such a clever way, that I was not able to guess the ending.
This is such a fun cozy mystery and I'm looking forward to reading more about this fantastic duo.
December 12, 2025
teph is finally in the position to be able to pick and choose assignments, and her latest is at a luxury hotel in Yorkshire. The hotel owners have recently completed a major remodelling, and want the outdated, though still pretty, gardens to complement the new, modern design of the hotel.
Before she arrives at the hotel, she gets word about her elusive ex-husband. She and Carolyn, the man's current girlfriend, have been exchanging what little crumbs of information they have about Ben, but this is the first real news that points to Ben still being alive, though in hiding.
The hotel's manager is a lovely man, who takes to Mouse immediately (always a good sign), while the hotel's small group of long term residents immediately invite Steph to join them for their nightly dinners together.
The friendliest guest is Virginia, a highly successful romance writer, who is flamboyant, warm, funny, a little domineering of others, and has two men, one she's involved with, enraptured with her.
Steph discovers Virginia after one of the dinners, drowned in the hotel pool, and very quickly, the woman's shy assistant is arrested and charged with murder. Also, though the lead investigator, who is also Virginia's brother-in-law, knows of Steph's reputation helping police, he rejects her offer, and what seem to be obvious clues pointing away from the arrested assistant.
Of course Steph eventually figures things out, and we finally get some resolution of the Ben side plot in another entertaining instalment of this series.
Mouse gets to be adorable, and of assistance to Steph, when he's not watching tv, playing with Mr. Rabbit or with Virginia's dog.
Steph makes new friends, gets into danger, but also creates lovely gardens for the hotel, in addition to solving the murder. I really enjoy this cozy series, and hope there is more coming.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Embla Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Before she arrives at the hotel, she gets word about her elusive ex-husband. She and Carolyn, the man's current girlfriend, have been exchanging what little crumbs of information they have about Ben, but this is the first real news that points to Ben still being alive, though in hiding.
The hotel's manager is a lovely man, who takes to Mouse immediately (always a good sign), while the hotel's small group of long term residents immediately invite Steph to join them for their nightly dinners together.
The friendliest guest is Virginia, a highly successful romance writer, who is flamboyant, warm, funny, a little domineering of others, and has two men, one she's involved with, enraptured with her.
Steph discovers Virginia after one of the dinners, drowned in the hotel pool, and very quickly, the woman's shy assistant is arrested and charged with murder. Also, though the lead investigator, who is also Virginia's brother-in-law, knows of Steph's reputation helping police, he rejects her offer, and what seem to be obvious clues pointing away from the arrested assistant.
Of course Steph eventually figures things out, and we finally get some resolution of the Ben side plot in another entertaining instalment of this series.
Mouse gets to be adorable, and of assistance to Steph, when he's not watching tv, playing with Mr. Rabbit or with Virginia's dog.
Steph makes new friends, gets into danger, but also creates lovely gardens for the hotel, in addition to solving the murder. I really enjoy this cozy series, and hope there is more coming.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Embla Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
December 3, 2025
1. It was lovely to be back with Steph and Mouse and a new garden to create.
2. Speaking of gardening...I wish there had been more of that in this book; I found I really missed that aspect of it.
3. I guessed the killer *AND* the why v e r y early on [], and when the reveal happened [and how the reveal actually played out] and I was correct, the book went from a 5 star read to 3 stars as I was really disappointed [a disclaimer, I was also very tired so that probably added to my disappointment].
That said...
4. I realized that I could not, in good faith, give this book 3 stars [though I cannot give it the original 5 stars either], as I really enjoyed it overall. The side characters were interesting and engaging, the overall story [and ongoing stories] was very good, the descriptions of where Steph was working made me want to hop on a plane and go there myself [I am a huge sucker for stories that include the moors], and really, I just love Steph and Mouse so much, and have loved all the book, so 4 stars it is.
5. Ben. Are we FINALLY done with his nonsense?
6. The relationship Steph is growing with her birth mother; I have loved this storyline and seeing it progress has been such a joy. It has been handled really well and it really adds to the overall story.
7. The end was SO good.
Overall, this was a really good read and I am counting the days for the new release in May!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rosie Sandler, and Embla Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2. Speaking of gardening...I wish there had been more of that in this book; I found I really missed that aspect of it.
3. I guessed the killer *AND* the why v e r y early on [], and when the reveal happened [and how the reveal actually played out] and I was correct, the book went from a 5 star read to 3 stars as I was really disappointed [a disclaimer, I was also very tired so that probably added to my disappointment].
That said...
4. I realized that I could not, in good faith, give this book 3 stars [though I cannot give it the original 5 stars either], as I really enjoyed it overall. The side characters were interesting and engaging, the overall story [and ongoing stories] was very good, the descriptions of where Steph was working made me want to hop on a plane and go there myself [I am a huge sucker for stories that include the moors], and really, I just love Steph and Mouse so much, and have loved all the book, so 4 stars it is.
5. Ben. Are we FINALLY done with his nonsense?
6. The relationship Steph is growing with her birth mother; I have loved this storyline and seeing it progress has been such a joy. It has been handled really well and it really adds to the overall story.
7. The end was SO good.
Overall, this was a really good read and I am counting the days for the new release in May!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rosie Sandler, and Embla Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2025
Murder Bears Fruit by Rosie Sandler features a kind of different amateur sleuth, Steph, who designs upscale landscapes. Her newest client is The View, a remodeled hotel, full of glass, replacing the rock that had been the previous facade. At her first dinner she sat near a woman named Virginia Atkins who turns out to be a famous erotic romance author. Before another day has passed she has become part of a group of diners who have come together and also contains Ms Atkins, Ms Atkins’ assistant, and her much younger boyfriend (boy toy). They are an entertaining group and Steph enjoys them, revising her original opinion of Virginia Atkins.
Steph is a wonderful character, balancing this mystery, her job as a designer, and her concern with her ex-husband who is naive and appears to have gotten involved with a financial criminal currently in the news, as well as a long-distance romance. Her dog, Mouse, is her constant companion and a source of entertainment for the reader as well. Poor Miss Atkins was the victim and the whole thing turned into a convoluted mess, which Steph accidentally figured out. It was a rocky journey, full of personality and conundrums. A good read.
I was invited to read Murder Bears Fruit by Embla Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #RosieSandler #MurderBearsFruit.
Steph is a wonderful character, balancing this mystery, her job as a designer, and her concern with her ex-husband who is naive and appears to have gotten involved with a financial criminal currently in the news, as well as a long-distance romance. Her dog, Mouse, is her constant companion and a source of entertainment for the reader as well. Poor Miss Atkins was the victim and the whole thing turned into a convoluted mess, which Steph accidentally figured out. It was a rocky journey, full of personality and conundrums. A good read.
I was invited to read Murder Bears Fruit by Embla Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #RosieSandler #MurderBearsFruit.
November 27, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Embla Books and Rosie Sandler for this ARC.
Murder Bears Fruit is book 4 in The Gardener Mysteries.
It was a pleasure to revisit Mouse and Steph's narrative, particularly with the new setting in Yorkshire. The plot offered a compelling array of potential suspects and several unforeseen developments. However, I found this installment to be slightly less engaging than its predecessors.
Murder Bears Fruit is book 4 in The Gardener Mysteries.
It was a pleasure to revisit Mouse and Steph's narrative, particularly with the new setting in Yorkshire. The plot offered a compelling array of potential suspects and several unforeseen developments. However, I found this installment to be slightly less engaging than its predecessors.
November 10, 2025
I didn’t expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. At first, the story felt very straightforward. Easy to follow, chill pacing, simple setup. But once the mystery started unfolding, it got more interesting and twisty. Every time I thought I’d figured out who did it, I was wrong. 😂
Even though this is already the fourth book in the series, I didn’t feel lost. You can totally read it as a standalone, but now I kind of want to go back and start from book one just to understand the backstories better.
Steph is a character, for sure. 😅 She’s strong, curious, and confident but also a little too nosy sometimes. Still, that’s what makes her feel real. Mouse, on the other hand, is my favorite. He’s adorable and I honestly wish he had a bigger role in the end.
The mystery itself was fun to follow. It’s cozy, not too heavy, and exactly the kind of book you read when you just want something relaxing but still clever.
Overall, this book was a great cozy read. It had humor, heart, and just enough chaos to keep me curious until the last page.
Thank you Rosie Sandler and Embla Books for the ARC! 🩷
Even though this is already the fourth book in the series, I didn’t feel lost. You can totally read it as a standalone, but now I kind of want to go back and start from book one just to understand the backstories better.
Steph is a character, for sure. 😅 She’s strong, curious, and confident but also a little too nosy sometimes. Still, that’s what makes her feel real. Mouse, on the other hand, is my favorite. He’s adorable and I honestly wish he had a bigger role in the end.
The mystery itself was fun to follow. It’s cozy, not too heavy, and exactly the kind of book you read when you just want something relaxing but still clever.
Overall, this book was a great cozy read. It had humor, heart, and just enough chaos to keep me curious until the last page.
Thank you Rosie Sandler and Embla Books for the ARC! 🩷
December 7, 2025
"Murder Bears Fruit” the 4th instalment in The Gardener Mystery series by Rosie Sandler set across England. This time we are in the Yorkshire Moors. Before Steph can enjoy the fruits of her labour, she makes a shocking discovery in the hotel's pool: a body, fanned by a beautiful evening dress, floating beneath the stars. Will Steph be able to find the murderer, and the missing rubies, and come up smelling of roses?
I enjoyed this story. As I said previously. I really like the bond between Steph and Mouse it just felt real, we all want to think our four legged friends understand us and would protect us from harm.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 5!
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this story. As I said previously. I really like the bond between Steph and Mouse it just felt real, we all want to think our four legged friends understand us and would protect us from harm.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 5!
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 1, 2025
Fruit is the 4th book in The Gardener Mysteries by Rosie Sandler and it is a great addition to the series. It is a series but each book finds Steph Williams and her dog Mouse at a different work site with all new people except the.mention of her boyfriend Mike. In this installment, Steph and Mouse are in Yorkshire at The View hotel working on the gardens. There is a group who live there or have long-term stays including Virginia, Max, Ruthie, Tara, Catherine, Jim and Libby. Lor is the hotel manager and DCI Hugo Thorpe is Virginia's brother-in-law and is investigating the murder of one of the guests. Steph finds the body and doesn't think the person they arrested is the right culprit. Steph focuses on the long term guests who all have secrets. She gets in touch with a lawyer for the accused who appreciates Steph's help which provides a good way to lay out the.clues. There are lots of descriptions of the moors, trees and plants, so the story gets bogged down at times. Steph's ex husband Ben is on the run and is wanted for questioning in connection with a fraud case and needs Steph's help. When Steph and Mouse are out on walks they meet locals with dogs who help with information. There are some twists that keep the book interesting! This is an enjoyable cozy mystery. I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley and Embla Books and I voluntarily leave this review.
#MurderBearsFruit #TheGardenerMysteries #EmblaBooks #NetGalley
#MurderBearsFruit #TheGardenerMysteries #EmblaBooks #NetGalley
December 27, 2025
Steph and Mouse are back! After the events of Murder in Bloom, Steph has landed a gig updating the gardens at a super luxurious hotel. The hotel had recently been renovated - updating the facade with lots of glass to take advantage of the views of the Yorkshire moors - leaving the gardens looking dated. In addition to her fee, Steph has been invited to move into the hotel for the duration of the project; being onsite will make the project go smoother and be completed faster. Surprisingly, Mouse, her beloved dog has been allowed to join her at the first class hotel. There’s also several others that are long term residences of the hotel that she’s invited to join at meals, etc. Steph is just getting settled when she makes a horrifying discovery: one of the long time residences floating dead in the hotel’s pool.
I’ve read two books in the series and have adored them both. Mouse is such a wonderful character. I also like how Steph has a life beyond solving mysteries - dealing with the recent discovery of her birth mom and developing that relationship while still dealing with her ex-husband and his shenanigans. It’s fun, though, nothing too dark.
Highly recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
I’ve read two books in the series and have adored them both. Mouse is such a wonderful character. I also like how Steph has a life beyond solving mysteries - dealing with the recent discovery of her birth mom and developing that relationship while still dealing with her ex-husband and his shenanigans. It’s fun, though, nothing too dark.
Highly recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
November 20, 2025
Steph Williams' new challenge is at a luxury hotel in the Yorkshire moors that is being revamped. Of course her beloved dog Mouse is with her to entertain guests and help with the sleuthing. She finds the famous author dead in the hotel pool and is positive that the police have it all wrong and there are side issues to be dealt with. Convincing characters, clear world building, unusual twists and creative red herrings. I loved it!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Embla Books via NetGalley.
#MurderBearsFruit by @thiscolourfulrosie #GardenerMysteriesBk4 @emblabooks #NetGalley
#Britishcozycrime #amateursleuth #professionalgardener #sleuthingpetdog
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Embla Books via NetGalley.
#MurderBearsFruit by @thiscolourfulrosie #GardenerMysteriesBk4 @emblabooks #NetGalley
#Britishcozycrime #amateursleuth #professionalgardener #sleuthingpetdog
December 3, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I read the first book in the series and must now go back and read the middle two! I loved being back in the company of garden designer Steph and her dog Mouse. This time Steph is staying at a luxury hotel in the Yorkshire Moors. She meets fellow guests author Vivian, her toyboy lover Max and PA Ruthie and joins them and friends for dinner in the hotel. On night two Mouse alerts Steph to trouble and she goes up to the penthouse to find Vivian dead in the swimming pool. The Police seem to arrest the wrong person and Steph decides to uncover the truth. Great twist with the murderer. I did not guess. Fab cozy mystery.
November 10, 2025
Steph and Mouse are working a new job, updating the gardens at a hotel. After a resident of the hotel invites Steph to dinner, Steph finds the woman floating in the hotel pool…dead!
After the police make their arrest, Steph realizes they have the wrong person. can Steph and Mouse get the evidence the police will need to catch the real killer, or is this Steph’s final job?
A solid cosy mystery and Mouse is my absolute favorite! What a good boy! I love a good British cosy and this fits the bill!
After the police make their arrest, Steph realizes they have the wrong person. can Steph and Mouse get the evidence the police will need to catch the real killer, or is this Steph’s final job?
A solid cosy mystery and Mouse is my absolute favorite! What a good boy! I love a good British cosy and this fits the bill!
November 18, 2025
Steph and Mouse rock up to their new assignment in Yorkshire. Designing the gardens for a recently refurbished luxury hotel.
She meets the permanent residents and gets invited to dine with them.
When one of them is found dead and her assistant arrested, Steph's nose starts twitching as she knows there is more to it than at first glance.
Using her skills of deduction and talking to people, she slowly learns the truth and puts herself in grave danger.
She also finds out what has happened to her ex husband.
She meets the permanent residents and gets invited to dine with them.
When one of them is found dead and her assistant arrested, Steph's nose starts twitching as she knows there is more to it than at first glance.
Using her skills of deduction and talking to people, she slowly learns the truth and puts herself in grave danger.
She also finds out what has happened to her ex husband.
November 25, 2025
It was nice to be back with Steph and her side kick Mouse the dog who is the real star here for book 4 in the series. This time we are in a Hotel that has permanent residents which is a clever way of keeping character's around for the duration of the book. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing although I had figured it out before the end it was still a great read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 28, 2025
I enjoyed this well-paced cozy mystery, the 4th in the Gardener Mystery series. Each one is about upscale landscape designer Steph and her dog Mouse in a new location.
It helps to have read books 1-3 but isn’t required. There is one side plot to do with her ex-husband’s involvement in a Ponzi scheme and another involving her adoptive family & connecting with her birth mother.
It helps to have read books 1-3 but isn’t required. There is one side plot to do with her ex-husband’s involvement in a Ponzi scheme and another involving her adoptive family & connecting with her birth mother.
November 19, 2025
I’m a huge fan of the Gardener Mysteries from Rosie Sandler and have loved being back with Steph and Mouse in this new adventure. It’s another fun mystery and I really enjoyed the investigation. The setting of this 4th instalment is a clever one with permanent residents of a luxury hotel all linked somehow together with secrets and lies at the centre of their lives. Steph and Mouse become embroiled in the mystery again and together with the puzzle of Steph’s missing ex raising its head again, this is an entertaining read.
November 29, 2025
Not as engaging as the previous books.
December 20, 2025
Love the series still but didn't like the setting or story as much in this one
November 9, 2025
Murder Bears Fruit is part of the Gardener Mystery series. Steph is a landscape designer and is hired to update an upscale hotel’s garden. A few days after she arrives, she finds a body in the pool. A person is arrested but Steph has her doubts and starts to investigate on her own.
Another fun cozy mystery. Steph and Mouse are endearing characters. I really enjoy this series.
Another fun cozy mystery. Steph and Mouse are endearing characters. I really enjoy this series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews