Murder At The Maplewood Garden Tour: A Maplewood Cozy Mystery

Ivy Sinclair #4

by Erin Macy

A Blooming Festival, Bitter Rivalries, and One Very Dead Judge
When Maplewood’s annual Garden Tour begins, Ivy Sinclair expects gossip and rivalry. Not murder.
A former Chicago journalist turned small-town columnist, Ivy still studies how Maplewood works. She notices what others miss. She asks questions people avoid. Myra Penn, the Garden Tour’s head judge, was found dead in a greenhouse. Ivy refuses to believe it was an accident.
Her loyal beagle, Watson, stays close. Her neighbor Alice offers tea, cookies, and steady advice. Ivy begins to dig.
A club president fighting to save her reputation had plenty to lose. A nervous gardener hiding forged records had reason to panic. Both crossed the victim. Neither tells the whole truth.
Anonymous threats appear. Poison follows. Ivy knows the killer is near.

If she doesn’t uncover the truth before the final judging, the Garden Tour won’t be the only thing that ends in disaster.

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2026

Reviews

[Ashley Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read that really kept me engaged and guessing up until the end! As the story goes on, the characters evolved in lessons learned and truths discovered. I enjoyed the bond Ivy, a dutiful reporter, had with her trusty beagle companion, Watson. I will be adding other Maplewood mysteries to my TBR!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At The Maplewood Garden Tour is a truly superb instalment in this highly enjoyable cosy mystery series. At its heart is the charming protagonist, Ivy, a local newspaper columnist whose sharp wit is matched only by the keen sense of smell and intuition of her clever, sleuthing canine companion, Watson. Their relationship forms the anchor of a narrative filled with small-town charm and escalating suspense.

The quaint town of Maplewood is buzzing with excitement, preparing for its annual Garden Festival—a highlight of the social calendar. However, the festive atmosphere is quickly overshadowed when several peculiar and valuable items begin to mysteriously vanish. Ivy, ever the inquisitive reporter and driven by a strong sense of community, decides to use her investigative skills to delve into the baffling string of thefts. She initially views it as a quirky community challenge, a light bit of local intrigue to write about.

The narrative takes a decidedly darker turn when Ivy and Watson are enjoying a routine walk through one of the town's stunning, manicured gardens. They stumble upon a discovery that shatters Maplewood's tranquillity: a dead body. This shocking event transforms a simple investigation into a complex murder case, escalating the stakes dramatically. The events are now spiralling with an increasing number of twists and turns, forcing Ivy and Watson to move beyond minor thefts and confront a genuine killer lurking in their midst.

Fortunately, Ivy is not alone in her perilous search for clues. She receives invaluable support from her close-knit circle of friends: the practical and loyal Alice, and the insightful Riley. Furthermore, she gains cautious but necessary assistance from Officer Jacobson, who, despite some initial scepticism, respects Ivy's knack for uncovering details the police might overlook. Together, they form an unconventional team, piecing together the fragmented secrets of Maplewood. The central question remains: can they uncover the deep-seated secrets and ultimately expose the truth behind the murder before the killer strikes again?

This book is an excellent story and a worthy continuation of a series that is a sheer pleasure to read. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with Ivy and Watson and cannot recommend this engaging, well-plotted cosy mystery highly enough. It's the perfect blend of mystery, charm, and canine companionship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Ivy Sinclair ,I do declare another mystery is in the air. Watson your canny Beagle can do no wrong as he’s always in the throng amid the best of clues as investigating a case ensues…

Now then here a shell like whisper in your ear, Myra Penn was just here and now she’s gone ,not to another place of judging but she has got peopling nudging ,gossiping too no doubt . Talking about who did her in as she can’t have collapsed for nought . Some garden visitors are getting rather overwrought and then-some because ,well murder is a bit gruesome .

Poison pens start happening to friends too . Adding to the mix. With this murder mystery they’re in a bit of a fix. What with the Garden Tour’s head judge gone ,found dead in a greenhouse. It’s thought best to carry on …This was no accident ,Ivy has found which is

What a carry on and no mistake . Ivy best get sleuthing sharpish and not refraining . She’s at least had formal training for such an event . She’s in her element truth be known ,she’s quite a popular choice renown .

Chicago Town journalist to Small town friendly vibe. There’s lot to uncover and imbibe upon . She has a good feeling about this one. Knew it was on the horizon which is no longer shrprising. With the township split into categorising like an whodunnit pile . For Ivy ,even her neighbour Alice is making an effort to smile at the rubble that spells trouble for those who have unearthed a heap of trouble to boot . Must stay on high alert and on her guard in readiness of anything happening untoward .

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Ivy Sinclair Cozy Mystery by Erin Macy. It follows Ivy, a former journalist, and her dog Watson.
"The Garden Bloom-off has a way of waking the whole town at once " is how Erin describes what is about to happen ,but it also opens the readers eyes and ears as a murder occurs and Ivy is thrust into the forefront of the murder mystery in her hometown.
The story keeps you on the edge wondering who,why, and how it all happened under everyones nose and during a Garden Show where everything and everyone is being judged.
Erins states that "Pain, left unattended, can twist into something unrecognizable, how silence can feel like complicity, how righteousness can masquerade as justice if you let it." Who can possibly be doing this? Everyone has a reason to,but also an alibi. Ivy is too curious for her own good and could possibly be hurt for sticking her nose into things that don't concern her.
Through Ivys determination, the pieces all come together with an ending you couldn't have thought could be possible.
As an avid reader, I'll be reading the previous books and waiting for book six.
I read an advanced release copy of this book and are sharing my review

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is time for the Blooming Festival in Maplewood, but things are mysteriously being destroyed, like roses or disappearing like a garden gnome. But when the head judge, Myra Penn is murdered our protagonist, Ivy and her, intelligent, clue finding loyal beagle, Watson are on the case especially since the first call by law enforcement was that it was an accident. Ivy's neighbor, Alice is there with information and advice. When Ivy gets and Watson finds more clues, she starts getting threats. Can she solve a murder while still facing danger or will the murderer make good on the threats. This is a really good, fast paced mystery book that keeps you entertained until the very end. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are still my own.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maplewood is no doubt a charming village but I'm not sure I would want to live there! People keep getting murdered! Granted they are often disagreeable old women who have annoyed most of the people in town but still it's a bit disconcerting. The Garden Tour is being disrupted. The woman in charge is found dead. There are so many suspects and poison notes being left all over! Thankfully retired big city crime reporter Ivy is on the case along with her faithful beagle Watson. Quite a wild ride with many suspects. Enjoyed.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great Cozy Murder Mystery in which small town reporter Ivy Sinclair and her loyal dog Watson are determined to solve. This time it’s during the Bloom-off festival and Garden Tour when things go missing and others destroyed then the head judge is found murdered. As they start investigating into who had motive Ivy starts receiving threatening notes now they must solve this murder before the threats become true. This is a great who-dunnit that will keep you guessing and entertained!
Cherie

[John S. Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in The Maplewood Garden Tour

Murder In The Maplewood Garden Tour: A Maplewood Cozy Mystery (The Ivy Sinclair Cozy Mystery Series Book 4)

Amazon review.

Renphear

5 out of 5 stars

Murder in The Maplewood Garden Tour

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026

Format: Kindle

An amazing, fast-paced whodunit. The reader is kept guessing whodunit the guilty person is until the end. Very creative writing.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy Sinclair gets involved in the garden event when things start missing. A garden gnome, roses destroyed, a basket of apples missing. Then the worse happens when Myra, the head judge, is found murdered. This is where things get really crazy, it seems like there are several people sending false leads to muddy the water. Ivy is threatened over and over until the very last clue. Good story!
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Emily Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - Ivy and Watson are on the case again! The story revolves around the Bloom Off festival and the murder of Myra Penn, the competition's head judge. There are at least several possible suspects and that kept me guessing - mostly going back and forth between two of the townspeople. Watson eagerly helps Ivy on her quest to find out the truth. I enjoyed following the clues. Another solid cozy by Erin Macy.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent written story about a small town. Ivy and her beagle Watson with the help from her neighbor Alice were able to piece together what really happened. There is lots of action and suspense for anyone who enjoy reading a great mystery. I would recommend this author and this series to anyone who likes to figure out the mystery before the end of the story. You could read this book as a stand alone if you have not got any of her other books but I would recommend that you pick up of her series and enjoy reading them.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc review but that hasn’t changed my opinion of the book. I really liked the plot and the diverse cast of characters and how they all interact with each other and also how their relationships all relate to one another. I enjoy a good who done it story and this is another one of those. I totally didn’t guess who was responsible. Great cozy mystery on a cold winter day.

[Brigitte Lansaw-Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and smooth cozy mystery. The author develops the characters throughout the story adding bits and pieces. The characters develop as the evidence is revealed. It is a mystery that keeps you reading, changing who you thought was guilty several times. As the reporter, Ivy, discovers evidence you begin to see the complexity of each character and how they pertain to the mystery.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

These pontificate rather more than is seemly. But they're short audios and it's an E author and it turns out my love is for sale.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Sinclair and Watson need to solve a murder that looks like an accident at the Maplewood Garden Tour. Myra Penn, the tour's head judge has been around the garden tour for many years and has made some enemies. Ivy and Watsom must figure out who out of a wide variety of suspects could have done it. The investigation has threats and great suspense involved. It is an easy read that gives you a page turner. The characters are a great mixture of all walks of life. This is an advanced reviewer copy that I am leaving a review for voluntarily.