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Nevermore Gardens Cozy #1
Murder in the Apothecary Garden
The plants remember. The raven knows. And the garden has kept silent for twenty years...
I came to Los Angeles to disappear into someone else’s overgrown estate. I needed four walls, a roof, and enough work to keep my mind off my missing husband.
Instead, I find an apothecary garden thick with twenty years of wild growth, a raven leaving gifts on my doorstep, and plants that seem to know when I’m frightened.
The estate smells like lemon verbena after rain. Its paths are half-swallowed by weeds, and an old woman in a rusted trailer beyond the fence reads palms and speaks entirely in riddles—riddles that always turn out to be right.
I’m supposed to be here to survey the grounds, not to find out what was buried in the garden. But the garden has been waiting for someone willing to listen.
Someone else is waiting too. Waiting for me to get too close to a secret they’re willing to kill to protect.
Step inside Murder in the Apothecary Garden, a cozy mystery filled with light magical realism, an uncanny raven, and a garden that remembers more than it should.
I came to Los Angeles to disappear into someone else’s overgrown estate. I needed four walls, a roof, and enough work to keep my mind off my missing husband.
Instead, I find an apothecary garden thick with twenty years of wild growth, a raven leaving gifts on my doorstep, and plants that seem to know when I’m frightened.
The estate smells like lemon verbena after rain. Its paths are half-swallowed by weeds, and an old woman in a rusted trailer beyond the fence reads palms and speaks entirely in riddles—riddles that always turn out to be right.
I’m supposed to be here to survey the grounds, not to find out what was buried in the garden. But the garden has been waiting for someone willing to listen.
Someone else is waiting too. Waiting for me to get too close to a secret they’re willing to kill to protect.
Step inside Murder in the Apothecary Garden, a cozy mystery filled with light magical realism, an uncanny raven, and a garden that remembers more than it should.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2026
About the author
Karen Sue Walker
30 books148 followersKaren Sue Walker is a lover of cozy mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Joanne Fluke. When not working or writing, she spends time with her very talented daughter and ever so fun granddaughter.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 28, 2026
Garden for healing a broken heart
Pleasant cozy mystery. Laurel, at a loss after the disappearance of her husband, gratefully accepts a temporary home on the grounds of an estate. Her assignment is to assess a garden neglected for twenty years, since the abrupt departure of the gardener who’d originally planned it out. She learns a lot about plants as she researches what she finds growing there, plus she happens upon the skeletal remains of the missing gardener. In addition to her growing affinity with plants and the denizens of the garden, Laurel searches the gardener’s notebooks for clues to his murder. Nice found family, with Laurel making a place for herself with the people in the small community surrounding the manor. A quick read with many interesting facts about native American plants.
Pleasant cozy mystery. Laurel, at a loss after the disappearance of her husband, gratefully accepts a temporary home on the grounds of an estate. Her assignment is to assess a garden neglected for twenty years, since the abrupt departure of the gardener who’d originally planned it out. She learns a lot about plants as she researches what she finds growing there, plus she happens upon the skeletal remains of the missing gardener. In addition to her growing affinity with plants and the denizens of the garden, Laurel searches the gardener’s notebooks for clues to his murder. Nice found family, with Laurel making a place for herself with the people in the small community surrounding the manor. A quick read with many interesting facts about native American plants.
August 21, 2026
Laurel Elloway is given the opportunity to live in a cottage belonging to a retired professor, Dr. Moss. The cottage is in a neglected estate but there is a clean bedroom and a pile of items that need to either be stored or discarded. All Laura really needs is four walls, a roof, and enough work to keep her mind off of her missing husband. She would have to do some deep cleaning but for now Laurel’s needs are being met. She will be working in overgrown gardens that had been lovingly created by a man who disappeared 20 years ago. She finds a lovely but wildly overgrown and abandoned apothecary garden. While looking through the garden Dr Moss’s dog digs up the remains of a body. Laurel was only here to survey the gardens and offer a plan for restoring them, not find a skeleton. Wondering what she has gotten herself into, Laurel continues to work the gardens while wondering whose body she discovered. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 22, 2026
Wonderful Book!
Story of Laurel whose husband is missing and who has lost everything. Her husband's friend finds her a place to live with a non-paying job.
While struggling with her grief, she begins to study a very large and overgrown garden. The previous caretaker disappeared twenty years prior but left a stack of notebooks.
These notebooks were journals of sorts detailing what he was doing in the garden and why as well as giving information in spurts about himself.
As Laurel began working in the garden, she begins to experience some changes in herself.
A remarkably easy to read but with many twists and turns. Several secrets come to light and several mysteries are solved.
Looking--eagerly--to the next book.
Story of Laurel whose husband is missing and who has lost everything. Her husband's friend finds her a place to live with a non-paying job.
While struggling with her grief, she begins to study a very large and overgrown garden. The previous caretaker disappeared twenty years prior but left a stack of notebooks.
These notebooks were journals of sorts detailing what he was doing in the garden and why as well as giving information in spurts about himself.
As Laurel began working in the garden, she begins to experience some changes in herself.
A remarkably easy to read but with many twists and turns. Several secrets come to light and several mysteries are solved.
Looking--eagerly--to the next book.
September 25, 2026
I really liked this series starter and its key characters too. Laurel was a good main character with a mystery of her own before she even got mixed up in the cold case she stumbled onto. Actually her new friend Walt’s dog was the one who found a body that’d been buried a while.
After some threats, a wild escape and facing off with a killer, it’s a wonder Laurel didn’t just give up. But I never pegged her as the type to do that. Her personal mystery got an answer, but I’m not sure she’s happy with that answer so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next. I’ve already borrowed the next book.
After some threats, a wild escape and facing off with a killer, it’s a wonder Laurel didn’t just give up. But I never pegged her as the type to do that. Her personal mystery got an answer, but I’m not sure she’s happy with that answer so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next. I’ve already borrowed the next book.
August 24, 2026
What a wonderful surprise!
This book was such a wonderful surprise. Sometimes, a book isn’t done justice by its cover. The cover on this one was a little too cutesy, and lead me to expect something else. It was the title that caught my eye and made me curious. I found, not only a well told story, but one that also captures the mystery that a garden, and its inhabitants provide. Provide, if you listen. Answer, if you speak to them. Gardeners will understand and love this story. So will anyone who loves a good mystery with good characters.
This book was such a wonderful surprise. Sometimes, a book isn’t done justice by its cover. The cover on this one was a little too cutesy, and lead me to expect something else. It was the title that caught my eye and made me curious. I found, not only a well told story, but one that also captures the mystery that a garden, and its inhabitants provide. Provide, if you listen. Answer, if you speak to them. Gardeners will understand and love this story. So will anyone who loves a good mystery with good characters.
October 5, 2026
Fascinating book!
A cozy mystery, but not like anything I’ve read before. It is a bit mystical, but not in-your-face. I’ll read the next book in the series and see if I like it as well.
A cozy mystery, but not like anything I’ve read before. It is a bit mystical, but not in-your-face. I’ll read the next book in the series and see if I like it as well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A great cold case murder to solve. Laurel's husband has been missing for several months. She's lost her home and income as a result. Her husband's best friend, Kyle, has been helping her find a place to stay. Laurel ends up staying in the caretakers cottage in exchange for looking at the extensive gardens and making a plan to restore them. Many strange things happen as she gets used to staying in the remote area. Are the plants and animals befriending her, does she have an acute affinity with them. Will she find out what happened to Ben, her missing husband. Lots of intrigue to keep you reading and questioning.
August 23, 2026
I've read the bulk of Karen Sue Walker's work, and this one, while still a mystery with elements of the supernatural, felt different (in a good way). To me it was as if I were relaxing with my feet up in the shade during a pleasantly warm summer day with a cool breeze and a nice cup (or glass) of tea. The writing is more descriptive and evocative of place and presence while the new characters we're introduced to have room to grow and develop. I really enjoyed the premise of the book and the storyline was captivating.
I can't wait for book two!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
I can't wait for book two!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
August 22, 2026
What a great start to a new series!
I love everything by this author, so it is no surprise that this new series delivers all the feels. A cast of quirky (and sometimes dangerous!) characters, a raven delivering shiny things, and a garden with its own ideas. The main character has fallen onto hard times after the disappearance of her husband and agrees to put together a plan on how to fix the years of neglect of a garden after the previous landscaper left. She gets to stay in the cottage behind the main house and start putting her life back together. Some secrets don't always stay buried, and danger lurks for the unwary.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I love everything by this author, so it is no surprise that this new series delivers all the feels. A cast of quirky (and sometimes dangerous!) characters, a raven delivering shiny things, and a garden with its own ideas. The main character has fallen onto hard times after the disappearance of her husband and agrees to put together a plan on how to fix the years of neglect of a garden after the previous landscaper left. She gets to stay in the cottage behind the main house and start putting her life back together. Some secrets don't always stay buried, and danger lurks for the unwary.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
August 23, 2026
What a great start to a new Cozy Mystery series. Laurel finds herself with no place to live and few belongings when her husband disappears. With the help of her husband's friend, he finds her a place to live and help out/work at an old professors home. Her job is to survey and map out the overgrown gardens. She makes new friends and solves a decade old mystery of what happened to the old groundskeeper. Loved this book. Will keep you guessing "Who Done It:. Can't wait for the next installment.
August 21, 2026
A great cold case murder to solve. Laurel's husband has been missing for several months. She's lost her home and income as a result. Her husband's best friend, Kyle, has been helping her find a place to stay. Laurel ends up staying in the caretakers cottage in exchange for looking at the extensive gardens and making a plan to restore them. Many strange things happen as she gets used to staying in the remote area. Are the plants and animals befriending her, does she have an acute affinity with them. Will she find out what happened to Ben, her missing husband. Lots of intrigue to keep you reading and questioning.
August 26, 2026
Garden lovers will like this murder mystery. It reminded me at times of The Secret Garden which was one of my favorite childhood books. Who do you trust in this tangled, jungle of a garden?
August 21, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and am so glad I did. A first in a new series that is filled with quirky, likeable characters, a location described so well that I felt like I was actually there and a mystery that kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end, I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. If you haven’t already read any of Karen’s books, what are you waiting for?
August 9, 2026
When Laurel’s husband, Ben, suddenly goes missing and she is faced with the loss of their home and financial hardships, Ben’s best friend, Kyle, finds a temporary solution. His old professor, Dr. Moss, needs someone to help with the once beautiful but now overgrown gardens of his estate. The offer comes with a cottage and Laurel has always had a way with plants. Settling into her new home, Laurel discovers the journals of the previous gardener, Lonnie Coulter, who left abruptly and never returned. She explores the many paths as she assesses the garden and learns about the many interesting plants that Lonnie used to make the estate beautiful and unique. As she grows closer to the professor and the other local residents, she is drawn into a story of unrequited love, jealousy and possible murder. Someone is watching her and determined to stop Laurel’s quest. Will she find the truth before it’s too late?
The quirky characters add so much to this story. There is a young herbalist who befriends Laurel and introduces her to special teas. The professor shares his secret library with her and she meets a father and son who might have some clues to the disappearance of Lonnie. I particularly enjoyed a clever Raven who brought Laurel some helpful gifts and a squirrel who pointed her in the right direction when she was lost in the vast grounds. This is a new series for the author and I’m already a fan. I eagerly anticipate another visit with these new characters, the mysteries and the beautiful gardens as they are restored.
The quirky characters add so much to this story. There is a young herbalist who befriends Laurel and introduces her to special teas. The professor shares his secret library with her and she meets a father and son who might have some clues to the disappearance of Lonnie. I particularly enjoyed a clever Raven who brought Laurel some helpful gifts and a squirrel who pointed her in the right direction when she was lost in the vast grounds. This is a new series for the author and I’m already a fan. I eagerly anticipate another visit with these new characters, the mysteries and the beautiful gardens as they are restored.
August 14, 2026
This is a new series for the author, a great beginning! The characters are complete people. I liked the interaction & obviously, the mystery! Laurel is trying to get her life together while making sense of a magical (for her) but overgrown garden. Ben disappeared months ago and she's dealing with all those emotions - the loss, disbelief, some anger and the love, but she's not being whiny! She quickly grows close to Walt, the owner of her cottage and the garden, and his family. Walt gives out a special vibe and I love his little sayings! Jack and his son Sage help Laurel feel better about herself. Thistle is so knowledgeable & a good friend & fun - just what Laurel needs! Mavis is a hoot, but also "interesting"!
I learned a lot about different flowers and herbs! And in this book, their magic! This wouldn't be a Karen Sue Walker book if it didn't include an animal as a character. This time it's a Westie named Boswell. Can't forget Jet and his gifts to Laurel!
I received this book from the author and this is a freely written review of my own.
I learned a lot about different flowers and herbs! And in this book, their magic! This wouldn't be a Karen Sue Walker book if it didn't include an animal as a character. This time it's a Westie named Boswell. Can't forget Jet and his gifts to Laurel!
I received this book from the author and this is a freely written review of my own.
August 19, 2026
Laurel is very much in tune with nature, so much so she can sense how the plants feel and what they need and they in turn seem to know how she feels and what she needs. She was often embarrassed by it, rather than consider it a blessing and a gift but when she had to start a new life, in a new job amongst new people, it helped her settle in, in more ways than one.
A promising start to a new series, interesting and exciting. Looking forward to reading more about Laurel and her new home
A promising start to a new series, interesting and exciting. Looking forward to reading more about Laurel and her new home
August 21, 2026
Great start to a new series. Good location and engaging characters. The super keeps you guessing
August 4, 2026
An intriguing first in a series featuring a MC who somewhat reluctantly finds herself in a new environment where she begins to question the actions and motivation of those around her, both new acquaintances and old friends.
The MC’s journey is highlighted with a trace of magical realism as she (literally) uncovers a murder and teases out the mystery of who, why and how.
I look forward to the next book as she navigates both her past and future.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
The MC’s journey is highlighted with a trace of magical realism as she (literally) uncovers a murder and teases out the mystery of who, why and how.
I look forward to the next book as she navigates both her past and future.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews