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Peggy Lee Garden Mystery #4
Perfect Poison
Deadly duckweed!
When drowned bodies start surfacing with an unusual plant caught in one of the victimsÂ' hair, forensic botanist and detectiveÂ's widow Peggy Lee is on the case.
When drowned bodies start surfacing with an unusual plant caught in one of the victimsÂ' hair, forensic botanist and detectiveÂ's widow Peggy Lee is on the case.
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 6, 2008
12 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Lavene
78 books646 followersaka Elyssa Henry and Joye Ames, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 14, 2015
Peggy Lee is attending the funeral reception for the former Mayor of Baden, NC when two men arrive and announce a diver inspecting the dam is not responding to calls.
This puts Peggy Lee right in the middle of a crime scene.
There is another body found back in Charlotte and this has two counties trying to solve murders with similarities and Peggy Lee using her knowledge of plants.
This was a great read for a rainy day.
This puts Peggy Lee right in the middle of a crime scene.
There is another body found back in Charlotte and this has two counties trying to solve murders with similarities and Peggy Lee using her knowledge of plants.
This was a great read for a rainy day.
January 25, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It is the second one I've read by this author and the first one in this series. I especially liked the main character who was older. The combination of her garden shop, plant experimentation, and her knowledge of poisonous plants was interesting. The book held my interest because there was a lot going on.
May 23, 2017
Lots of plot twist and turns. Peggy prevails in the end.
February 21, 2019
This was a good book and I love the characters Maggie and Nightflyer.
January 18, 2021
The 4th book in the Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series. Peggy is a botanist turned amateur sleuth. Fun and entertaining cozy mystery. Good for fans of cozies and plants.
July 8, 2016
Took me a while to get into the main character's head, but that's probably because this is #4 in the series and I haven't read any others yet. The "yet" will tell you something...
Dr Peggy Lee, a renowned botanist in Charlotte and the surrounding area, owns the Potting Shed and also has a side gig as a forensic contractor with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, using her botanical knowledge on cases that specifically call for it. Evidently there's quite a call for it! This is her first real case in her new position, but she jumps in with gusto. Almost fortuitously, the Potting Shed has to shut down due to water damage, so she finds herself with a pile of free time. She takes that opportunity to redo the Shed to bolster her presence in the community there, in the face of the conglomerate garden center across the road. She has come to terms with their presence and decides they don't have to compete to survive. I'd be interested to see how her grand reopening turns out in the next book. As for the main plot, two bodies are found, seemingly drowned in separate areas, but both bodies have a distinct botanical link, which she must sort out...and quickly, as her friend (the contract diver on the case) is arrested and charged with their murders since there was a personal relationship.
I liked this premise a little better than some cozies because the main character is actually paid by the PD, not just playing amateur detective. Granted, she does a bit of that, too, when she's off the case, but still...semi-sanctioned. Glad I gave it a chance. I'd read more of this series in the future, but I'm not staying up nights wondering what will happen next. I wonder what role Nightflyer has played throughout the series, as he didn't really seem to have a role here except to jeopardize Lee's relationship w/Steve. Maybe that's his function--to cement their relationship by showing her what she'd be missing? Seemed superfluous.
In addition, the Lavene team inserted botanical info on miscellaneous plants at the head of each chapter. Interesting background, even for someone not that into botany.
Dr Peggy Lee, a renowned botanist in Charlotte and the surrounding area, owns the Potting Shed and also has a side gig as a forensic contractor with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, using her botanical knowledge on cases that specifically call for it. Evidently there's quite a call for it! This is her first real case in her new position, but she jumps in with gusto. Almost fortuitously, the Potting Shed has to shut down due to water damage, so she finds herself with a pile of free time. She takes that opportunity to redo the Shed to bolster her presence in the community there, in the face of the conglomerate garden center across the road. She has come to terms with their presence and decides they don't have to compete to survive. I'd be interested to see how her grand reopening turns out in the next book. As for the main plot, two bodies are found, seemingly drowned in separate areas, but both bodies have a distinct botanical link, which she must sort out...and quickly, as her friend (the contract diver on the case) is arrested and charged with their murders since there was a personal relationship.
I liked this premise a little better than some cozies because the main character is actually paid by the PD, not just playing amateur detective. Granted, she does a bit of that, too, when she's off the case, but still...semi-sanctioned. Glad I gave it a chance. I'd read more of this series in the future, but I'm not staying up nights wondering what will happen next. I wonder what role Nightflyer has played throughout the series, as he didn't really seem to have a role here except to jeopardize Lee's relationship w/Steve. Maybe that's his function--to cement their relationship by showing her what she'd be missing? Seemed superfluous.
In addition, the Lavene team inserted botanical info on miscellaneous plants at the head of each chapter. Interesting background, even for someone not that into botany.
November 11, 2025
I really enjoy these. Dr Peggy Lee, a well-known botanist, (no relation to the singer) has become a contract forensic botanist with the police department. Her relationship with Dr Steve Newsome, the vet, has gotten stronger. she is still a little embarrassed that she is older. Steve is getting tired of making up excuses when her son keeps catching him there late in the evening or early in the morning. Peggy's life is getting really complicated between the job with the police, her store and lectures. She is at the funeral of a former mayor when word comes there is a problem at the dam. A diver inspecting it has apparently run into trouble. An old friend, Ruth, who has done this before has her scuba equipment with her because she has been working with some students earlier.
Peggy assists her with the initial check of the body. Duckweed is discovered on the body. And it should not be there because it doesn't grow in the lake. A day later, Peggy is called to a body in a swimming pool and again discovers duckweed, which definitely does not grow in swimming pools. So, the deaths are connected in some way, but how? It gets more complicated even when she learns Ruth had had an affair with the diver. But the diver and the dead woman don't seem to have a connection except for the duckweed and aconite in their systems. As usual Peggy cannot let these questions go unanswered and falls out with the Sheriff's office as well as the local police.
Peggy assists her with the initial check of the body. Duckweed is discovered on the body. And it should not be there because it doesn't grow in the lake. A day later, Peggy is called to a body in a swimming pool and again discovers duckweed, which definitely does not grow in swimming pools. So, the deaths are connected in some way, but how? It gets more complicated even when she learns Ruth had had an affair with the diver. But the diver and the dead woman don't seem to have a connection except for the duckweed and aconite in their systems. As usual Peggy cannot let these questions go unanswered and falls out with the Sheriff's office as well as the local police.
September 28, 2015
Peggy Lee's life has changed a little. She has given up her teaching job at and is devoting her energy to making The Potting Shed prosper. And she has been offered a part-time position with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a forensic botanist. Things were going along well, then Smith & Hawken open a storefront in the busy Charlotte Center City and became a competitor to The Potting Shed.
As she is attending a funeral and the required reception afterward she runs into and old friend, Professor Ruth Sargent, a forensic diver at UNCC. It is there in nearby Badin, NC that she is drawn into an investigation of a drowning at the dam of United Metals.
In typical Peggy Lee fashion, her curiosity and sense of duty and what's right, leads her into a clash of personalities and good-old boy types. I am enjoying this series of cozy mysteries. Each chapter begins with a kind of plant and a short botanical description. In this case, all the plants are water plants or other native North Carolina plants found near water. Muskgrass, Trout Lily, Pumpkin, and Trillium are just a few. The books always end with gardening hints too.
I am looking forward to reading the next one, A Corpse for Yew.
As she is attending a funeral and the required reception afterward she runs into and old friend, Professor Ruth Sargent, a forensic diver at UNCC. It is there in nearby Badin, NC that she is drawn into an investigation of a drowning at the dam of United Metals.
In typical Peggy Lee fashion, her curiosity and sense of duty and what's right, leads her into a clash of personalities and good-old boy types. I am enjoying this series of cozy mysteries. Each chapter begins with a kind of plant and a short botanical description. In this case, all the plants are water plants or other native North Carolina plants found near water. Muskgrass, Trout Lily, Pumpkin, and Trillium are just a few. The books always end with gardening hints too.
I am looking forward to reading the next one, A Corpse for Yew.
June 22, 2011
Botanist, Dr. Margaret Lee, Peggy to us friends, and I am a friend, is put in the midst of a crime scene while attending the funeral reception for the former Mayor of Baden, NC.
A diver has drowned and Peggy, in her contract position of forensic botanist with the Charlotte police department, is asked to aid in the 'in situ' examination of the body. This opens the story to a situation between counties and dueling medical examiners.
Then there is another body with some of the distinguishing marks from the first case and we are off to a murder chase.
The Lavene's write with a professionalism that has me eating up the plant data at the beginning of each chapter, I feel like I know Peggy well. I care about her store, employee-friends, family, and friends. Sometimes I cheer and sometimes I grow so frustrated that I want to give Dr. Harold a piece of my own mind.
This was a perfect crime and truly took me by surprise with the conclusion. I know I hope this series goes on forever.
The Perfect Poison is the Perfect Crime.
A diver has drowned and Peggy, in her contract position of forensic botanist with the Charlotte police department, is asked to aid in the 'in situ' examination of the body. This opens the story to a situation between counties and dueling medical examiners.
Then there is another body with some of the distinguishing marks from the first case and we are off to a murder chase.
The Lavene's write with a professionalism that has me eating up the plant data at the beginning of each chapter, I feel like I know Peggy well. I care about her store, employee-friends, family, and friends. Sometimes I cheer and sometimes I grow so frustrated that I want to give Dr. Harold a piece of my own mind.
This was a perfect crime and truly took me by surprise with the conclusion. I know I hope this series goes on forever.
The Perfect Poison is the Perfect Crime.
August 16, 2012
#4 in the Garden Mystery series. Botanist Peggy Lee (no relation) unearths an appropriately horticultural clue in this above average mystery.
A Garden Mystery - Botanist, Dr. Margaret Lee, is a part-time forensic botanist and owner of the Potting Shed in downtown Charlotte. While attending a funeral in nearby Badin, Peggy gets bad news: A diver performing routine work on the local dam is found dead. Days later, a woman's body is recovered from the swimming pool of a Charlotte home. When the bodies surface, so do the clues--including a plant wound into the woman's hair. The police call forensic botanist Peggy Lee to the scene. What do these two deaths have in common? And how did duckweed end up in a pool?
A Garden Mystery - Botanist, Dr. Margaret Lee, is a part-time forensic botanist and owner of the Potting Shed in downtown Charlotte. While attending a funeral in nearby Badin, Peggy gets bad news: A diver performing routine work on the local dam is found dead. Days later, a woman's body is recovered from the swimming pool of a Charlotte home. When the bodies surface, so do the clues--including a plant wound into the woman's hair. The police call forensic botanist Peggy Lee to the scene. What do these two deaths have in common? And how did duckweed end up in a pool?
August 11, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
June 9, 2014
I absolutely loved this book! I was lucky enough to win a copy in a contest that Joyce and Jim Lavene had on Facebook and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I have read their other series and have always enjoyed them but, this was my first Peggy Lee book. Now I want to go back and read the books before this one and I plan to make sure and read the ones that follow it as well. Peggy's home sounds like such a lovely, cozy place and her shop sounds like somewhere I would go for my plant and garden supplies. Can't wait to continue reading about Peggy's adventures as a Forensic Botanist as well as running The Potting Shed! :)
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August 19, 2010Pretty good - I got irritated about a third of the way through and peeked to find out who did it. I never do that! Then I was surprised by the answer, or at least it didn't line up with the predictable ending I thought it had, so I kept reading. I think now I'll go back and read this series from the start.
December 16, 2008
I've been reading this series and in general I like the characters and the mysteries. This one had a bit too much distraction with the dating interests of her son--not something I care about. Peggy makes a good detective, although she's no Mrs. Pollifax.
August 26, 2013
# 4 in the Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series. All the regulars help solve the mystery/murder along with help from some new friends too. The Potting Shed gets a whole new look too.
I have already read # 5 in the series so now will have to see if there are more!
I have already read # 5 in the series so now will have to see if there are more!
March 5, 2009
this was a really good book for me but not exactly what i was expecting. it just pulled me in
September 7, 2012
great book
August 25, 2015
What doesn't sink, floats! Sorry that was corny, another great book by the Lavene Duo! Great addition to the series!
July 22, 2013
A little convoluted but a decent read.
November 17, 2013
Kind of complicated plot. don't like that Nightflyer guy. I think he's useless. Shakespeare should have a bigger part in the book. He seemed to calm down awfully fast and we didn't hear why.
March 26, 2016
good garden read. 2 people killed by aconite -- each supposedly drowned, killed by spurned lover Ruth
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews