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Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries #18
Murder Among the Orchids: A 1920s Historical Mystery
A murder in the conservatory…
New York 1927
Penelope and Cousin Cordelia are thrilled to attend the opening night gala of the International Orchid Exhibition held at the conservatory of the Botanical Gardens.
Among the exhibitors is Cordelia’s childhood friend, Tallulah Halcombe, alongside some of the most notable orchid hunters and collectors in the world. Beneath the beauty of the exotic flowers, however, lies a ruthless world fueled by obsession, ambition, and greed.
The underlying tension of the exhibition comes to a head when wealthy orchid collector Lionel Ashcroft unveils his new discovery before a captivated crowd…only to collapse dead moments later.
When the cause of his death seems directly tied to Tallulah, Penelope is drawn into a deadly investigation filled with deception and conspiracy. As old secrets and new scandals begin to surface, Penelope must uncover which of them finally blossomed into murder.
New York 1927
Penelope and Cousin Cordelia are thrilled to attend the opening night gala of the International Orchid Exhibition held at the conservatory of the Botanical Gardens.
Among the exhibitors is Cordelia’s childhood friend, Tallulah Halcombe, alongside some of the most notable orchid hunters and collectors in the world. Beneath the beauty of the exotic flowers, however, lies a ruthless world fueled by obsession, ambition, and greed.
The underlying tension of the exhibition comes to a head when wealthy orchid collector Lionel Ashcroft unveils his new discovery before a captivated crowd…only to collapse dead moments later.
When the cause of his death seems directly tied to Tallulah, Penelope is drawn into a deadly investigation filled with deception and conspiracy. As old secrets and new scandals begin to surface, Penelope must uncover which of them finally blossomed into murder.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
About the author
Colette Clark
24 books114 followersColette Clark lives in New York and has always enjoyed learning more about the history of her amazing city. She decided to combine that curiosity and love of learning with her addiction to reading and watching mysteries. Her first series, Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries is the result of those passions. When she’s not writing she can be found doing Sudoku puzzles, drawing, eating tacos, visiting museums dedicated to unusual/weird/wacky things, and, of course, reading mysteries by other great authors.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 1, 2026
Beautiful and deadly
Firstly i just like to start with I love this series and I’m so glad that Pen is still having adventures even after her marriage and the birth of little Poppy.
Second how sneaky the vital clue is. It was in plain sight from the start but we all overlooked it until Jane lovely, clever wonderful Jane figured it out. When I read that simple observation everything clicked and I was like omg I can’t believe I missed it. This was absolutely a fabulous and fun read. I could feel Pen’s frustration as she tries to make heads or tails of all the information. Tilly was a hoot. I can’t believe she and cousin Cordelia were/are bffs. I mean talk about opposite personalities lol. Loved the setting. I’ve been to the Botanical Garden I had no idea it had such a long history. I could ramble on and on but I’ll just say shortly this is a very fun read and a great addition to Pen’s adventures!
Firstly i just like to start with I love this series and I’m so glad that Pen is still having adventures even after her marriage and the birth of little Poppy.
Second how sneaky the vital clue is. It was in plain sight from the start but we all overlooked it until Jane lovely, clever wonderful Jane figured it out. When I read that simple observation everything clicked and I was like omg I can’t believe I missed it. This was absolutely a fabulous and fun read. I could feel Pen’s frustration as she tries to make heads or tails of all the information. Tilly was a hoot. I can’t believe she and cousin Cordelia were/are bffs. I mean talk about opposite personalities lol. Loved the setting. I’ve been to the Botanical Garden I had no idea it had such a long history. I could ramble on and on but I’ll just say shortly this is a very fun read and a great addition to Pen’s adventures!
July 5, 2026
Pen Saves the Day as Usual
Pen goes to an orchid show where, surprise, surprise someone is murdered. Of course a connection is accused and Pen and Jane are off to the races finding the real culprit. The atmosphere and information about orchid collectors made it fun read.
Pen goes to an orchid show where, surprise, surprise someone is murdered. Of course a connection is accused and Pen and Jane are off to the races finding the real culprit. The atmosphere and information about orchid collectors made it fun read.
June 25, 2026
Another intriguing mystery with Pen and co. So many possible murderers, so many motives, so many secrets! And when a second murder happens, things began to unravel.
Fun read, as always
Fun read, as always
July 5, 2026
Penelope Banks 18
Another good read from this excellent author. I enjoyed it as I have all of the works from the author. All ages.
Another good read from this excellent author. I enjoyed it as I have all of the works from the author. All ages.
July 13, 2026
Deadly flower show
Who knew how murderous collecting orchids could become for collectors! Financial ruin comes to some in pursuit of rare specimens.
Who knew how murderous collecting orchids could become for collectors! Financial ruin comes to some in pursuit of rare specimens.
July 22, 2026
Awesome!
I loved the story! Pen & Jane should reopen their investigative business again! I do have to say that I miss Benny & Lulu though.
I loved the story! Pen & Jane should reopen their investigative business again! I do have to say that I miss Benny & Lulu though.
August 31, 2026
Mundane
I found this book to be extremely Simplistic. The characters were very Overdone and Stylized. The storyline For the mystery Was Obvious And Simplistic. and
I found this book to be extremely Simplistic. The characters were very Overdone and Stylized. The storyline For the mystery Was Obvious And Simplistic. and
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews