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Pumpkin Patch Mystery #1
Give 'em Pumpkin to Talk About
First in a New Series
Richmond attorney Sarah Tucker returns to sell her family’s abandoned farm in Misty River, Virginia despite unanswered questions about her grandparents’ disappearance sixteen years earlier. Sarah was only twelve when she went to visit and found her grandparents had vanished. No amount of searching has brought answers.
Now Sarah is faced with other issues when a man is killed who claimed to have information about what happened to her grandparents. She learns of a Confederate chest of gold that is said to be buried on the property, and treasure hunters who are willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Were her grandparents murdered for the gold? Sarah can’t sell the land and go back to her life until she has answers. But the cost of the answers may be her life.
Includes farm-fresh recipes!
Richmond attorney Sarah Tucker returns to sell her family’s abandoned farm in Misty River, Virginia despite unanswered questions about her grandparents’ disappearance sixteen years earlier. Sarah was only twelve when she went to visit and found her grandparents had vanished. No amount of searching has brought answers.
Now Sarah is faced with other issues when a man is killed who claimed to have information about what happened to her grandparents. She learns of a Confederate chest of gold that is said to be buried on the property, and treasure hunters who are willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Were her grandparents murdered for the gold? Sarah can’t sell the land and go back to her life until she has answers. But the cost of the answers may be her life.
Includes farm-fresh recipes!
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2015
16 people are currently reading
615 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 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 9, 2015
I get very excited each time authors Joyce and Jim Lavene have a new book out. But a whole new series? Yes please! I dived into GIVE ‘EM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT (don’t you love that title) with great enthusiasm and it continued to grow with each page.
There is a mystery within the mystery of this story. One that deals with protagonist Sarah Tucker’s missing grandparents. It’s going to be fun to learn more about that storyline in future installments. As for the main mystery in this book, it was done perfectly. It was very intense trying to figure out who the killer was. Something I never learned until the reveal, because I didn’t have a clue. It was brilliant!
These skilled writers have done it again. They’ve penned a book that had me completely transfixed. Their style of writing feels as though it was so effortless to them. (I bet they would say different). It just flows across the pages.
Fans of the Lavene’s Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries will be thrilled by a fun cross over. And the Missing Pieces series got a nod as well.
Brava and Bravo Joyce and Jim Lavene. You have another hit on your hands!
Readers will also want to check out the back of the book for Pumpkin Word Lure, Types of Pumpkins. And delicious pumpkin recipes!
There is a mystery within the mystery of this story. One that deals with protagonist Sarah Tucker’s missing grandparents. It’s going to be fun to learn more about that storyline in future installments. As for the main mystery in this book, it was done perfectly. It was very intense trying to figure out who the killer was. Something I never learned until the reveal, because I didn’t have a clue. It was brilliant!
These skilled writers have done it again. They’ve penned a book that had me completely transfixed. Their style of writing feels as though it was so effortless to them. (I bet they would say different). It just flows across the pages.
Fans of the Lavene’s Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries will be thrilled by a fun cross over. And the Missing Pieces series got a nod as well.
Brava and Bravo Joyce and Jim Lavene. You have another hit on your hands!
Readers will also want to check out the back of the book for Pumpkin Word Lure, Types of Pumpkins. And delicious pumpkin recipes!
September 2, 2017
Pumpkins Everywhere
The Lavenes have an another hit with this fast moving cozy featuring a pumpkin patch. I like the way Peggy Lee and other characters from her series were added to the story. Sarah Tucker is in Misty Rivers to sell the family farm that has been in her family for over 100 years. A stranger keeps popping up and scaring while she remembers her summer vacations. Her Grandparents disappear one night with no trace ever found with them. She was 12 years at the time. Obstacles keep coming delaying the sale of the property. One is shooting ending with a murder. Sarah needs to find answers about who doesn't wants the farm sold. I recommend this book.
The Lavenes have an another hit with this fast moving cozy featuring a pumpkin patch. I like the way Peggy Lee and other characters from her series were added to the story. Sarah Tucker is in Misty Rivers to sell the family farm that has been in her family for over 100 years. A stranger keeps popping up and scaring while she remembers her summer vacations. Her Grandparents disappear one night with no trace ever found with them. She was 12 years at the time. Obstacles keep coming delaying the sale of the property. One is shooting ending with a murder. Sarah needs to find answers about who doesn't wants the farm sold. I recommend this book.
December 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this second book by Jim and Joyce Lavene. Their mysteries are cozies, but they feel like so much more. The plots are so structured, the characters are complex that they seem to exceed the requirements of a cozy.
The book is set in a small community where everybody knows everybody else's business. (Yet, like all the others, they never seem to know when someone in their midst is thinking murder. Tsk, tsk.) Like any good cozy, the characters are quirky. The setting bucolic.
But the Lavenes add so much more to the standard cozy. The plot in this one is fast moving and very nicely structured. Very sad that no more books in this series were written.
The book is set in a small community where everybody knows everybody else's business. (Yet, like all the others, they never seem to know when someone in their midst is thinking murder. Tsk, tsk.) Like any good cozy, the characters are quirky. The setting bucolic.
But the Lavenes add so much more to the standard cozy. The plot in this one is fast moving and very nicely structured. Very sad that no more books in this series were written.
September 6, 2018
A good one from the late Lavenes, set in rural Virginia in the different setting of a pumpkin farm. Unfortunately, it appears that this potential series was not able to be continued. I'm on a quest to eventually read everything (or most everything) that this prolific author duo has written and am glad I ran into this one.
August 8, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This series is off to an AWESOME start!
Imagine your grandparents just disappearing, clothes in the closets, food on the table, poof they are just gone. An investigation at the time turned up no leads and their property just sat there. Now Sarah Tucker has come back to ready the place for sale. She hadn’t been there for 16 years. She sees someone has been taking some care of the property. A friend from her past. She finds after reconnecting with him and others she really needs answers before she can sell the place and walk away. She has too many wonderful memories that have come rushing back. She is all set to meet with a man that may help her but he is killed before they have a chance to talk. In her quest to find answers elsewhere she learns a treasure may be buried on the property and that opens the door to many possibilities that may not only help her find out about her grandparents but also why the man who wanted to help her was killed.
I was swallowed up by this story from the very first page. Misty River is one of those small towns that young folks tend to leave as soon as they are able but those that stay or never leave realize the joy a small town can bring. A town where everyone knows your name and all your business but is there to help you in times of need or celebrate the times that are happy. A town where everyone gathers to raise a barn, a neighbor helps you mow your lawn, or an old friend helps you solve a mystery or two.
We meet Sarah Tucker, a very strong woman, that starts out with one objective that soon twists as she caught up in all the happenings of Misty River and trying to solve the murder.
Joyce and Jim have created some spectacular supporting characters. Jack who has been basically squatting on her grandparents farm, her friend Kathy, who was her best friend back all those years ago when she visited her grandparents, Mr. Pope and his family that live on the place next door, and Sheriff Morgan, who seems to see the best in everyone, even though someone has to be a murderer. Everyone remembers Sarah grandparents and how Sarah always came to visit. They also remember the pumpkin patch that thanks to Jack is still producing pumpkins. There is even a cameo of a couple characters for one of the Lavene’s other series, Dr. Peggy Lee and her husband, Steve Newsome, formerly of the FBI.
The Lavenes has penned a fantastic mystery with so many twists and turns you will nor be able to put this book down until you reach the last word. Al I can say is I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment because I want it right now!
This series is off to an AWESOME start!
Imagine your grandparents just disappearing, clothes in the closets, food on the table, poof they are just gone. An investigation at the time turned up no leads and their property just sat there. Now Sarah Tucker has come back to ready the place for sale. She hadn’t been there for 16 years. She sees someone has been taking some care of the property. A friend from her past. She finds after reconnecting with him and others she really needs answers before she can sell the place and walk away. She has too many wonderful memories that have come rushing back. She is all set to meet with a man that may help her but he is killed before they have a chance to talk. In her quest to find answers elsewhere she learns a treasure may be buried on the property and that opens the door to many possibilities that may not only help her find out about her grandparents but also why the man who wanted to help her was killed.
I was swallowed up by this story from the very first page. Misty River is one of those small towns that young folks tend to leave as soon as they are able but those that stay or never leave realize the joy a small town can bring. A town where everyone knows your name and all your business but is there to help you in times of need or celebrate the times that are happy. A town where everyone gathers to raise a barn, a neighbor helps you mow your lawn, or an old friend helps you solve a mystery or two.
We meet Sarah Tucker, a very strong woman, that starts out with one objective that soon twists as she caught up in all the happenings of Misty River and trying to solve the murder.
Joyce and Jim have created some spectacular supporting characters. Jack who has been basically squatting on her grandparents farm, her friend Kathy, who was her best friend back all those years ago when she visited her grandparents, Mr. Pope and his family that live on the place next door, and Sheriff Morgan, who seems to see the best in everyone, even though someone has to be a murderer. Everyone remembers Sarah grandparents and how Sarah always came to visit. They also remember the pumpkin patch that thanks to Jack is still producing pumpkins. There is even a cameo of a couple characters for one of the Lavene’s other series, Dr. Peggy Lee and her husband, Steve Newsome, formerly of the FBI.
The Lavenes has penned a fantastic mystery with so many twists and turns you will nor be able to put this book down until you reach the last word. Al I can say is I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment because I want it right now!
July 31, 2015
Review: GIVE THEM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT by Joyce and Jim Levene
I love this book! I was first intrigued by the title, and its reminder of Bonnie Raitt s wonderful song, (Let's Give Them) "Something to Talk About." Then came the opportunity to review for a tour, and what a great, lovable, fast-paced book it turned out to be. Well-tuned, with plenty of romance, mystery, suspense, history, legend--and some just plain ornery people. The book became a really fast read, because I couldn't bear to stop before finishing! So here's my high recommendation, for GIVE THEM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT," for the series, and for the fine co-authors!
I love this book! I was first intrigued by the title, and its reminder of Bonnie Raitt s wonderful song, (Let's Give Them) "Something to Talk About." Then came the opportunity to review for a tour, and what a great, lovable, fast-paced book it turned out to be. Well-tuned, with plenty of romance, mystery, suspense, history, legend--and some just plain ornery people. The book became a really fast read, because I couldn't bear to stop before finishing! So here's my high recommendation, for GIVE THEM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT," for the series, and for the fine co-authors!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2015
Sarah Tucker takes some time off from her job in Richmond, Virginia where she is a lawyer to help her family settle some unfinished business in Misty River. Sixteen years ago her grandparents vanished from their farm never to be seen again. Sarah’s family never did anything about their property, but now it’s time to sell it. Nobody else is interested in the farm so the best thing to do is get rid of it. Sarah is elected to do just that.
In the back of her mind, Sarah is still looking for an explanation as to where her grandparents went. When she gets a call from a man claiming to have information, she can’t help but be interested in what he has to say. Unfortunately, he’s murdered just when he’s about to tell her everything. One thing she does learn is that there may be gold buried on the land and many people are more than a little interested in finding it.
To add to her confusion, Sarah runs into a childhood friend, Jack, who had been asked to watch over the farm by her grandfather. Jack takes his promise very seriously. Sarah wonders if he took it seriously enough to commit murder.
How exciting…another new series by Joyce and Jim Lavene! Two of my favorite cozy mystery authors. I love starting series from the beginning and they never disappoint me.
Sarah Tucker is a strong, likeable character right from the start. All of the characters are well rounded and interesting. The mystery kept me intrigued to the very end. Even after I finished the book, I continued to wonder about Sarah’s grandparents. I practically devoured this book as I do all of the Lavene’s books. I’m looking forward to reading more of this captivating series.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
In the back of her mind, Sarah is still looking for an explanation as to where her grandparents went. When she gets a call from a man claiming to have information, she can’t help but be interested in what he has to say. Unfortunately, he’s murdered just when he’s about to tell her everything. One thing she does learn is that there may be gold buried on the land and many people are more than a little interested in finding it.
To add to her confusion, Sarah runs into a childhood friend, Jack, who had been asked to watch over the farm by her grandfather. Jack takes his promise very seriously. Sarah wonders if he took it seriously enough to commit murder.
How exciting…another new series by Joyce and Jim Lavene! Two of my favorite cozy mystery authors. I love starting series from the beginning and they never disappoint me.
Sarah Tucker is a strong, likeable character right from the start. All of the characters are well rounded and interesting. The mystery kept me intrigued to the very end. Even after I finished the book, I continued to wonder about Sarah’s grandparents. I practically devoured this book as I do all of the Lavene’s books. I’m looking forward to reading more of this captivating series.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 27, 2015
Can you really go home again?
What if you grew up a city girl but "home" is really your grandparents farm?
Recently divorced lawyer, Sarah Tucker, is given the family responsibility to sell her grandparents' farm. Sixteen years prior, when Sarah was only twelve, both grandparents mysteriously disappeared. She expects to show up, sign some papers with a real estate agent and head back to her familiar, successful city life.
When does life ever go according to plan?
This first in a new series includes history lessons, rumors of buried gold and the inevitable treasure hunters searching for it, romance, murder, and Jack, a respected homeless man from Sarah's past who pops up again and again. The characters are as wonderful as we've come to expect from the Lavenes. I was delighted to read a crossover visit from Peggy and Steve (Peggy Lee Garden mysteries) and a nod to the Missing pieces mysteries by the same authors, both series I recommend.
The story unfolds at a quick pace with complication after complication delaying the sale of the farm. The mystery of her grandparents disappearance adds an extra emotional layer to the story. The delay also has an effect on Sarah's relationship with her mother, who claimed she hated growing up on the farm.
I can not wait to continue reading this series.
I did receive this book as part of a blog tour but the enjoyment and opinions were 100% my own.
What if you grew up a city girl but "home" is really your grandparents farm?
Recently divorced lawyer, Sarah Tucker, is given the family responsibility to sell her grandparents' farm. Sixteen years prior, when Sarah was only twelve, both grandparents mysteriously disappeared. She expects to show up, sign some papers with a real estate agent and head back to her familiar, successful city life.
When does life ever go according to plan?
This first in a new series includes history lessons, rumors of buried gold and the inevitable treasure hunters searching for it, romance, murder, and Jack, a respected homeless man from Sarah's past who pops up again and again. The characters are as wonderful as we've come to expect from the Lavenes. I was delighted to read a crossover visit from Peggy and Steve (Peggy Lee Garden mysteries) and a nod to the Missing pieces mysteries by the same authors, both series I recommend.
The story unfolds at a quick pace with complication after complication delaying the sale of the farm. The mystery of her grandparents disappearance adds an extra emotional layer to the story. The delay also has an effect on Sarah's relationship with her mother, who claimed she hated growing up on the farm.
I can not wait to continue reading this series.
I did receive this book as part of a blog tour but the enjoyment and opinions were 100% my own.
Read
August 2, 2015Mysteries abound in the first book in this new cozy series from the prolific writing team of Joyce & Jim Lavene. I am often astonished by how many unique and interesting stories these two produce, and Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is no exception.
The story takes readers to Misty River, Virginia, where Sarah Tucker has returned to her grandparents' farm after many years away. It's been a long time coming, and her family wants Sarah to arrange for the sale of the farm. Right from the start, Sarah encounters a man living on the property; a man who has a knack for popping up mysteriously out of the blue when she least expects him (and never, it seems, when she needs him!). The stranger seems to know Sarah and is very much opposed to her selling the farm. But, since the day her grandparents mysteriously disappeared, Sarah hasn't had much love for the place she had such fond childhood memories of.
From meeting Jack (the aforementioned stranger) to encountering a buyer who is very eager to buy, Sarah's emotions run amok and color the business deal that was supposed to only take a weekend to settle. Why is Jack living on the land? Who killed the newspaper reporter who wanted to meet with Sarah and give her information about her grandparents' disappearance? And is there really a hidden treasure?
I found myself getting a little lost in all of the mysterious connections, but the story was an intriguing one regardless. Seems like a strong start to a promising new cozy series.
The story takes readers to Misty River, Virginia, where Sarah Tucker has returned to her grandparents' farm after many years away. It's been a long time coming, and her family wants Sarah to arrange for the sale of the farm. Right from the start, Sarah encounters a man living on the property; a man who has a knack for popping up mysteriously out of the blue when she least expects him (and never, it seems, when she needs him!). The stranger seems to know Sarah and is very much opposed to her selling the farm. But, since the day her grandparents mysteriously disappeared, Sarah hasn't had much love for the place she had such fond childhood memories of.
From meeting Jack (the aforementioned stranger) to encountering a buyer who is very eager to buy, Sarah's emotions run amok and color the business deal that was supposed to only take a weekend to settle. Why is Jack living on the land? Who killed the newspaper reporter who wanted to meet with Sarah and give her information about her grandparents' disappearance? And is there really a hidden treasure?
I found myself getting a little lost in all of the mysterious connections, but the story was an intriguing one regardless. Seems like a strong start to a promising new cozy series.
July 23, 2015
Sarah Tucker has to return to her grandparent's farm in order to sell the place. Your grandparents disappeared when she was 12, never to be seen again. Unfortunately for Sarah, one problem after another crops up and the sale looks like it may not happen. But, is this such a bad thing? Sure, she loves her life in Richmond but, there are some fond memories of her childhood spent in the pumpkin patch. And more fond memories of Jack, the current "caretaker" and squatter on the land. What happened to her grandparents all those years ago? Where are they? And why was the journalist who wanted to talk to her about them killed in the living room of the old house?
Such a great start to this new series by Joyce and Jim Lavene! I was sucked in from when I first started reading it. Plus I love when they have special guests from their other series in the books and this one was a really neat surprise hehe! Can't wait to read the next in the series! Joyce and Jim have another hit on their hands!
Such a great start to this new series by Joyce and Jim Lavene! I was sucked in from when I first started reading it. Plus I love when they have special guests from their other series in the books and this one was a really neat surprise hehe! Can't wait to read the next in the series! Joyce and Jim have another hit on their hands!
September 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, this is the first in the Pumpkin Patch mysteries. I really liked the main character Sarah, and Jack was fun too. I look forward to seeing what the next adventure will be!!
July 28, 2015
Give Um Pumpkin to Talk About is the first book the Pumpkin Patch Mystery series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. Having been raised on a farm, this story was a poignant reminder of my childhood; neighbors helping neighbors, abandoned farms after the founding family members passed on and surviving family members had no interest in farming, barn raising parties, haunted houses in the fall and fabulous food! Even though times have changed and our family farm is long gone, we still visit pumpkin farms each fall to select the perfect pumpkins for carving and baking. The striking difference is my family farming experiences did not have a fascinating plot complete with numerous twists and turns, or cleverly designed investigations into the mysteries and regional happenings, both current or past.
This series is set in Misty River, VA where the Misty River Pumpkin Patch is located. A Richmond attorney, Sarah Tucker, returns to her grandparent’s farm to begin the process of selling the farm on behalf of her parents. Sarah’s grandparents, Tommy and Bess Denning, disappeared when she was 12 and they haven’t been seen by anyone since then. Shortly after arriving at the homestead, Sarah meets Jack Collins, a “squatter”, who had been taken in by Sarah’s grandparents. Jack had returned to the area, “at their request” soon after their disappearance, and stayed on the farm living in the barn. Jack has the uncanny ability to sneak up on people and has strong ideas against Sarah’s family’s desire to sell the farm. Although there at her Mother’s request, Sarah quickly learns that her uber organized Mother has failed to obtain the documents necessary to proceed with the sale. That glitch is just a fraction of the problems Sarah will encounter. As an attorney, the list of concerns and questions Sarah defines gets progressively longer. What happened to her grandparents all those years ago? Where are they? And why was the journalist who wanted to talk to her about them killed in the living room of the old house? Is there Confederate gold buried on the family farm? Are violent treasure hunters trying to unearth its location and obstruct the land sale? Why was the potential land buyer murdered? Did Jack kill him to prevent the sale? When a reporter, also, dies did his death have anything to do with the disappearance of her grandparents? Will Sarah finally sell the farm and leave Mystic River forever? Will Jack convince her to stay and restore the family farm?
The characters are well-developed. Sarah welcomed a visit from and assistance from Peggy Lee and her husband, Steve, an FBI agent from the Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries. Other characters made reference to the mermaids from the Missing Pieces Mystery series. This story is filled with intrigue, a hint of romance, and numerous subplots that lend to the growth of another impressive series for Joyce and Jim Lavene. I’m anxious to learn how Sarah reconciles her past and what decisions will be made relative to her future. This book caught and maintained my interest from the first chapter through the last sentence! Once you start reading this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Included in the book are fun facts about pumpkins and a variety of farm fresh recipes. I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the authors in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
This series is set in Misty River, VA where the Misty River Pumpkin Patch is located. A Richmond attorney, Sarah Tucker, returns to her grandparent’s farm to begin the process of selling the farm on behalf of her parents. Sarah’s grandparents, Tommy and Bess Denning, disappeared when she was 12 and they haven’t been seen by anyone since then. Shortly after arriving at the homestead, Sarah meets Jack Collins, a “squatter”, who had been taken in by Sarah’s grandparents. Jack had returned to the area, “at their request” soon after their disappearance, and stayed on the farm living in the barn. Jack has the uncanny ability to sneak up on people and has strong ideas against Sarah’s family’s desire to sell the farm. Although there at her Mother’s request, Sarah quickly learns that her uber organized Mother has failed to obtain the documents necessary to proceed with the sale. That glitch is just a fraction of the problems Sarah will encounter. As an attorney, the list of concerns and questions Sarah defines gets progressively longer. What happened to her grandparents all those years ago? Where are they? And why was the journalist who wanted to talk to her about them killed in the living room of the old house? Is there Confederate gold buried on the family farm? Are violent treasure hunters trying to unearth its location and obstruct the land sale? Why was the potential land buyer murdered? Did Jack kill him to prevent the sale? When a reporter, also, dies did his death have anything to do with the disappearance of her grandparents? Will Sarah finally sell the farm and leave Mystic River forever? Will Jack convince her to stay and restore the family farm?
The characters are well-developed. Sarah welcomed a visit from and assistance from Peggy Lee and her husband, Steve, an FBI agent from the Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries. Other characters made reference to the mermaids from the Missing Pieces Mystery series. This story is filled with intrigue, a hint of romance, and numerous subplots that lend to the growth of another impressive series for Joyce and Jim Lavene. I’m anxious to learn how Sarah reconciles her past and what decisions will be made relative to her future. This book caught and maintained my interest from the first chapter through the last sentence! Once you start reading this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Included in the book are fun facts about pumpkins and a variety of farm fresh recipes. I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the authors in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
August 5, 2015
When my husband's paternal grandmother passed a couple of years ago, there was talk of what to do with the house. It wasn't in the best of shape, as she was over 90 and the two of her remaining sons who felt honor-bound to look after her were well into their 60s, one with a heart condition and asthma, and the other (my FIL) with a right leg amputated just above the knee, and every one of them in wheelchairs.
But it was on land that had been in the family for generations, at least since an ancestor came down from West Virginia (to Kentucky) under...'cloudy'...circumstances. So it was important to my husband to keep it in the family if at all possible. And we were blessed to be able to buy it and this is where we are living now.
I never claimed to be economical with words. ;)
So, part of me doesn't understand Sarah Tucker. She's coming back to a small town where her maternal grandparents lived to sell their house, which had stood vacant since their disappearance some years ago. Nothing. No bodies. No 'love ya but we're running off to Tahiti' note. Nada. But I would think that it would have to be something pretty awful to not have emotional ties to the house.
But then, that's how Sarah arrives in town. She just wanted to sell the place and was acting on her family's behalf. But then, the grandparents' place is not run down. You see, Jack has been living there and taking care of the place. But he stayed in the barn because he didn't feel right staying in the house. Even though the older couple had employed him. Even though it had been years and years since their disappearance.
I'd say, "Ladies, line up for this guy, because he's a keeper!" I mean, where do you find loyalty like that any more? *sigh* Alas, alack, I fear Jack is taken. Not that Sarah would admit it, of course. She thought he was scruffy, not a good fit for a city gal like her. She wanted to sell the farm, and he wanted her to move in (to the house, not the barn - this is a cozy mystery, but not THAT cozy). Sorry, I'll behave.
It was heart-warming watching Sarah change over the course of the book. When she got there, she was all business and citified and get-as-much-but-give-as-little-as-I-can. Slowly, she learned that sometimes you do for other people, regardless of what you get out of it...just because it's the right thing to do. Not because you get an immediate reward. Not just because karma will reward you at some point in the future.
I was also intrigued by the 'Civil War gold' angle. Jack had been chasing treasure hunters off the property for years. And then there are the people who are not just greedy, but feel they have a right to the gold for some reason - and that's all I'm going to say about that. ;)
We actually had some pumpkins in our garden this year, but the neighbors who mowed the adjoining field for hay might have accidentally rode over those few plants, or the fast-growing grasses might have choked them out. I don't know. But I would LOVE to see a pumpkin patch like I imagine there to be on the family farm in Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About - the kind where you have to have a pickup truck to haul off more than one or two at a time.
Give 'Em Pumpkin is a superb beginning to a new series. It's cozy mystery; and it's written by the Lavenes. What else could it be but great?
But it was on land that had been in the family for generations, at least since an ancestor came down from West Virginia (to Kentucky) under...'cloudy'...circumstances. So it was important to my husband to keep it in the family if at all possible. And we were blessed to be able to buy it and this is where we are living now.
I never claimed to be economical with words. ;)
So, part of me doesn't understand Sarah Tucker. She's coming back to a small town where her maternal grandparents lived to sell their house, which had stood vacant since their disappearance some years ago. Nothing. No bodies. No 'love ya but we're running off to Tahiti' note. Nada. But I would think that it would have to be something pretty awful to not have emotional ties to the house.
But then, that's how Sarah arrives in town. She just wanted to sell the place and was acting on her family's behalf. But then, the grandparents' place is not run down. You see, Jack has been living there and taking care of the place. But he stayed in the barn because he didn't feel right staying in the house. Even though the older couple had employed him. Even though it had been years and years since their disappearance.
I'd say, "Ladies, line up for this guy, because he's a keeper!" I mean, where do you find loyalty like that any more? *sigh* Alas, alack, I fear Jack is taken. Not that Sarah would admit it, of course. She thought he was scruffy, not a good fit for a city gal like her. She wanted to sell the farm, and he wanted her to move in (to the house, not the barn - this is a cozy mystery, but not THAT cozy). Sorry, I'll behave.
It was heart-warming watching Sarah change over the course of the book. When she got there, she was all business and citified and get-as-much-but-give-as-little-as-I-can. Slowly, she learned that sometimes you do for other people, regardless of what you get out of it...just because it's the right thing to do. Not because you get an immediate reward. Not just because karma will reward you at some point in the future.
I was also intrigued by the 'Civil War gold' angle. Jack had been chasing treasure hunters off the property for years. And then there are the people who are not just greedy, but feel they have a right to the gold for some reason - and that's all I'm going to say about that. ;)
We actually had some pumpkins in our garden this year, but the neighbors who mowed the adjoining field for hay might have accidentally rode over those few plants, or the fast-growing grasses might have choked them out. I don't know. But I would LOVE to see a pumpkin patch like I imagine there to be on the family farm in Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About - the kind where you have to have a pickup truck to haul off more than one or two at a time.
Give 'Em Pumpkin is a superb beginning to a new series. It's cozy mystery; and it's written by the Lavenes. What else could it be but great?
August 7, 2015
I was so excited to read this book. I’ve read many books by these authors and have always started each series somewhere besides the beginning. This is the first time I’ve started one at the beginning! Now I don’t have to go backwards to go forward.
I’m beginning to suspect Joyce and Jim Lavene have special powers. How else can they write so many books so fast and make me fall in love with their characters so easily?
I loved Sarah Tucker. She’s a successful lawyer working for a senator. Rising up the ladder quickly. When her mother decides it’s time to sell her grandparents abandoned farm, Sarah takes time off to seal the deal.
Off she goes to Misty River, Virginia, and right into her childhood memories. Sarah loved her grandparents and cherished every minute she spent on their farm. From swimming naked in the river, to watching the pumpkins grow huge, she knew every inch of those acres.
Her analytical mind says seal the deal when a buyer offers a huge amount of money for the farm. Her whimsical mind says don’t do it. You love this place. It could be brought back to it’s former glory.
And what about her grandparents. They vanished without a trace many years ago, food still on the table, no signs of violence. If she sells the farm, she might never know what happened to them.
And where will Jack go. Her former childhood playmate, the boy who gave her her first kiss, lives on the farm. He’s been there for years, a squatter you could say, protecting the place and keeping it from falling to ruin.
Digging into the old investigation stirs up a hornets nest. Sarah and Jack arrange a meeting with a man who says he has a lead on her grandparents. Once they reach the farm, bullets fly and they find the man dead.
Sarah, along with Jack and many of the town folk, better dig faster for clues if they don’t want more bodies piling up.
Speaking of digging. There’s also the mystery of the buried Confederate gold somewhere on the farm. The plot thickens.
This is the type of writing that keeps me reading for hours, reading from beginning to end. Pausing to laugh. Diving back in. Wanting to know what happens. Not wanting it to end.
The romance is sweet and funny. Sarah is attracted to Jack in spite of herself. He loves to keep her off balance. These two are made for each and I crossed my fingers for a happy ever after.
The mystery is a good one. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it totally caught me by surprise.
The characters were wonderful. So many of them, yet it was easy to remember who was who.
The community is close. Everybody pitches in to help each other. And a bear can’t poop in the woods without someone knowing about it. You know those kind of towns.
The writing. How to describe it. These two authors have a way of keeping me engrossed even when they’re writing about something as mundane as walking from the farmhouse to the barn. No wasted word, just the right ones to show you the scene.
I loved every word. Can’t wait for more. And knowing how fast these two write, it probably won’t be a long wait.
I received this book for my honest review.
I’m beginning to suspect Joyce and Jim Lavene have special powers. How else can they write so many books so fast and make me fall in love with their characters so easily?
I loved Sarah Tucker. She’s a successful lawyer working for a senator. Rising up the ladder quickly. When her mother decides it’s time to sell her grandparents abandoned farm, Sarah takes time off to seal the deal.
Off she goes to Misty River, Virginia, and right into her childhood memories. Sarah loved her grandparents and cherished every minute she spent on their farm. From swimming naked in the river, to watching the pumpkins grow huge, she knew every inch of those acres.
Her analytical mind says seal the deal when a buyer offers a huge amount of money for the farm. Her whimsical mind says don’t do it. You love this place. It could be brought back to it’s former glory.
And what about her grandparents. They vanished without a trace many years ago, food still on the table, no signs of violence. If she sells the farm, she might never know what happened to them.
And where will Jack go. Her former childhood playmate, the boy who gave her her first kiss, lives on the farm. He’s been there for years, a squatter you could say, protecting the place and keeping it from falling to ruin.
Digging into the old investigation stirs up a hornets nest. Sarah and Jack arrange a meeting with a man who says he has a lead on her grandparents. Once they reach the farm, bullets fly and they find the man dead.
Sarah, along with Jack and many of the town folk, better dig faster for clues if they don’t want more bodies piling up.
Speaking of digging. There’s also the mystery of the buried Confederate gold somewhere on the farm. The plot thickens.
This is the type of writing that keeps me reading for hours, reading from beginning to end. Pausing to laugh. Diving back in. Wanting to know what happens. Not wanting it to end.
The romance is sweet and funny. Sarah is attracted to Jack in spite of herself. He loves to keep her off balance. These two are made for each and I crossed my fingers for a happy ever after.
The mystery is a good one. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it totally caught me by surprise.
The characters were wonderful. So many of them, yet it was easy to remember who was who.
The community is close. Everybody pitches in to help each other. And a bear can’t poop in the woods without someone knowing about it. You know those kind of towns.
The writing. How to describe it. These two authors have a way of keeping me engrossed even when they’re writing about something as mundane as walking from the farmhouse to the barn. No wasted word, just the right ones to show you the scene.
I loved every word. Can’t wait for more. And knowing how fast these two write, it probably won’t be a long wait.
I received this book for my honest review.
July 24, 2015
Sarah returns to Mystic River to handle the sale of her grandparents' farm property...property that has been abandoned for sixteen years ever since the night Tommy and Bess Tucker mysteriously disappeared. While visiting the property with her friend, she is startled by a bearded stranger, Jack, who not only remembers her but has been staying on the property and helping with the upkeep. Returning to her hotel, she receives a call from George Burris, a former reporter from the local newspaper, wanting to meet with her and discuss further details of her grandparents' disappearance.but when she goes to meet him, she is stopped by Jack and before they can enter the house they hear a shot and then find the dead body of George. Does his death have anything to do with the disappearance? As Sarah tries to move forward with the property sale, she finds herself becoming nostalgic, remembering pleasant times on the farm and reconnecting with former childhood friends, one of which was Jack. Will she finally sell the farm and leave Mystic River forever or will Jack convince her to stay and redevelop the farm? When another murder occurs on the farm, this decision could mean life or death for Sarah. This is the first book in a new series and I really enjoyed it. I recently looked up my own grandparents last address and was pleased when a street view popped up. This brought back many pleasant memories even though I had not been there for 30 years, so when I started reading this book, I could appreciate the main character's nostalgia. I liked the characters and enjoyed the cameo visit of Peggy Lee and her husband, Steve, as well as the reference to mermaids from the latest Duck book. I look forward to the next book in this series. Disclosure: I was provided with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2015
Perfect First in A New Series
I've been a fan of this writing team for quite a while. I was anxious to read this and was not disappointed.
Sarah remembers visiting her grandparents farm and has found memories of her childhood, especially the pumpkin patch.
The story takes a tragic turn when her grandparents disappear. No word or trace of them for sixteen years. The food was on the table and the coffee pot was still warm, but her grandparents were nowhere to be found.
As the years passed, no one in the family bothered with the farm, no one but Jack, who as a child Sarah's grandparents rescued from an abusive life.
It's up to Sarah to meet with the realtor and sign the papers to sell the family farm.
Returning to the farm brings back memories and has Sarah questioning the disappearance of her grandparents. Even though Sarah has been gone for a long time, she remembers the wonderful times she spent on the farm, making the decision to sell hard.
Strange deaths are happening and the finger points to Jack, even though everyone seems to love him. Sarah remembers sharing a kiss with him in her youth and refuses to believe that the man who has kept his word to keep the farm safe would be behind these strange murders.
Rumors about missing gold being buried on the farm has everyone out digging and Jack is known for running them off. Could it be Jack is trying to keep the gold for himself? Maybe he isn't the nice guy everyone thinks he is.
This is definitely a 5 star book and I look forward to reading more.
I've been a fan of this writing team for quite a while. I was anxious to read this and was not disappointed.
Sarah remembers visiting her grandparents farm and has found memories of her childhood, especially the pumpkin patch.
The story takes a tragic turn when her grandparents disappear. No word or trace of them for sixteen years. The food was on the table and the coffee pot was still warm, but her grandparents were nowhere to be found.
As the years passed, no one in the family bothered with the farm, no one but Jack, who as a child Sarah's grandparents rescued from an abusive life.
It's up to Sarah to meet with the realtor and sign the papers to sell the family farm.
Returning to the farm brings back memories and has Sarah questioning the disappearance of her grandparents. Even though Sarah has been gone for a long time, she remembers the wonderful times she spent on the farm, making the decision to sell hard.
Strange deaths are happening and the finger points to Jack, even though everyone seems to love him. Sarah remembers sharing a kiss with him in her youth and refuses to believe that the man who has kept his word to keep the farm safe would be behind these strange murders.
Rumors about missing gold being buried on the farm has everyone out digging and Jack is known for running them off. Could it be Jack is trying to keep the gold for himself? Maybe he isn't the nice guy everyone thinks he is.
This is definitely a 5 star book and I look forward to reading more.
July 23, 2015
This is a terrific new series from authors Joyce and Jim Lavene in the Pumpkin Patch Mysteries. Sarah Tucker, an attorney from Richmond, VA, has come to her family's abandoned farm to sell it. The farm belonged to Sarah's grandparerents who disappeared under mysterious circumstances while Sarah was a young girl. Someone claiming to have information regarding the disappearance of Sarah's grandparents, asks for a clandestine meeting out at the farm. As Sarah is walking up to the door, shots ring out, killing the caller. Sarah discovers Confederate gold is supposedly buried on the family farm and treasure hunters have been trying to unearth its location. Several snags are keeping Sarah in town longer than she hoped. As she seeks answers to what happened to her grandparents, Sarah may pay the price for those answers with her life. Included in the book are fun facts about pumpkins and farm fresh recipes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story quickly drew my attention and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Joyce and Jim Lavene are masterful storytellers, they know how to tell a story. There are plenty of twists and surprises in store, I was kept guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story quickly drew my attention and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Joyce and Jim Lavene are masterful storytellers, they know how to tell a story. There are plenty of twists and surprises in store, I was kept guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2015
Another new series from the Lavenes, and it looks to be another success. There are mentions of people and events from two other series they write, as well as appearances by characters from the Peggy Lee series, which makes this new series feel even more comfortable.
There are two mysteries in this book--what happened to Sarah's grandparents sixteen years ago, and who killed the man who had offered her information on their disappearance? Do either of those events have anything to do with the gold reportedly buried on the farm, or is there something else at work here? And readers will also be drawn into Sarah's quandary about whether to sell the farm or to stay and bring the pumpkin patch back to what it used to be in her childhood. Will Jack, her first crush, who has been watching over the farm, influence her decision one way or the other?
The story is a quick easy read, with complications at every turn. The new characters are well-developed, yet leave you anxious to learn more about them in future books.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
There are two mysteries in this book--what happened to Sarah's grandparents sixteen years ago, and who killed the man who had offered her information on their disappearance? Do either of those events have anything to do with the gold reportedly buried on the farm, or is there something else at work here? And readers will also be drawn into Sarah's quandary about whether to sell the farm or to stay and bring the pumpkin patch back to what it used to be in her childhood. Will Jack, her first crush, who has been watching over the farm, influence her decision one way or the other?
The story is a quick easy read, with complications at every turn. The new characters are well-developed, yet leave you anxious to learn more about them in future books.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
July 24, 2015
Sarah Tucker thinks her trip to Misty River to sell her grandparents farm will be as simple as signing with the realtor. As she explore the farm, Sarah questions wither the police did a through search for her grandparents 16 years ago. Soon one person who might have some answers for her is murdered at the farm. Now she really wants to know all she can about the mysterious Jack Collins and the legend of gold buried at the farm.
I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series. Joyce and Jim Lavene pulled me into the story from the start. The characters were well written and believable. I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen next. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series. Joyce and Jim Lavene pulled me into the story from the start. The characters were well written and believable. I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen next. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
August 3, 2015
This is the first book in a new series Pumpkin Patch Mysteries by Joyce and Jim Lavene and it is fantastic!!
Sarah Tucker returns to Misty River to sell her grandparents farm. This should be easy, but one problem after the other occurs. Including murder as well as Sarah trying to deal with the past and make decisions about her future.
Sarah would also like to know what happened to her grandparents as they just disappeared.
I totally enjoyed this book!! I am looking forward to more in this wonderfully written series!!
I received an advanced readers copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah Tucker returns to Misty River to sell her grandparents farm. This should be easy, but one problem after the other occurs. Including murder as well as Sarah trying to deal with the past and make decisions about her future.
Sarah would also like to know what happened to her grandparents as they just disappeared.
I totally enjoyed this book!! I am looking forward to more in this wonderfully written series!!
I received an advanced readers copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2015
Another treat from the Lavenes. A brand new series with (mostly) new friends and neighbors. Sarah was the girl next door, who spent time with her beloved grandparents. Jack was the boy who was befriended by her grandparents and was Sarah's first crush. A sweet story of youth long gone, of life and death. Hoping to sell the family farm, Sarah instead finds herself renewing old friendships and gets involved in long forgotten mysteries and missing loved ones and rediscovering her feelings for Jack.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the authors in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
FTC Full Disclosure - A copy of this book was sent to me by the authors in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
July 23, 2015
This is a new series for the prolific Lavenes. As usual the dynamic duo has another hit on their hands. It is an intriguing story with the hint of romance. I was able to connect with main character Sarah Tucker as she tries to reconcile her past & make decisions regarding her future. I loved the way mysterious, "homeless" Jack kept popping up to complicate her life. The plot was multilayered & kept me guessing until the end as to who the actual murderer was & motivation. Looking forward to next book in the series to see where Sarah goes from here!
August 11, 2015
Joyce and Jim Lavene have once again developed a wonderful introduction to a new series. For those who have been lucky enough to have been able to spend time with their grandparent's at their home this will bring back memories they may have. I found the background provided help me to learn a lot about Sarah Tucker's early years and her time spent with her grandparents on their farm. As to the character that was the guilty party, it may come to a surprise to those who read it, but I was aware of it prior to the final chapters. I'm looking forward to reading future books in this series.
July 24, 2015
I enjoyed reading "Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About", the first book in the new Pumpkin Patch Mystery series. I like Sarah and Jack and am looking forward to getting to know more about them and their past. I really enjoyed this book because it kept me guessing and I liked how Jack was a bit mysterious himself, there was the mystery of the murderer, the gold, and the grandparents. Can't wait to read the next book and see how Sarah, Jack, and the farm are doing.
October 19, 2021
This book seemed to have trouble deciding if it was a romance novel or mystery novel. It started out interesing, an attorney returns to sell her family's farm. Her grandparents had ran the farm selling pumpkins, one year at the start of the season, she and her parents arrived to find her grandparents gone. Table set, food on the plates, no sign of foul play, they were just gone never to be found again. The book went downhill from there.
September 27, 2015
Synopsis:
First in a New Series
Richmond attorney Sarah Tucker returns to sell her family’s abandoned farm in Misty River, Virginia despite unanswered questions about her grandparents’ disappearance sixteen years earlier. Sarah was only twelve when she went to visit and found her grandparents had vanished. No amount of searching has brought answers.
Now Sarah is faced with other issues when a man is killed who claimed to have information about what happened to her grandparents. She learns of a Confederate chest of gold that is said to be buried on the property, and treasure hunters who are willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Were her grandparents murdered for the gold? Sarah can’t sell the land and go back to her life until she has answers. But the cost of the answers may be her life.
Includes farm-fresh recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
This is the first book in a new series by authors Joyce and Jim Lavene. I thought it was a good read and I enjoyed reading it. There are some things I really enjoyed and some things that I did not enjoy as much.
The mystery is well crafted and well developed. There are many suspects and motives to consider, with some twists and turns thrown in to muddy the waters. I did not figure out who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end, although I did have the killer on my radar. I also like the fact that there is a mystery that has yet to be resolved. That mystery is what happened to Sarah’s grandparents sixteen years ago and if they are still alive. I imagine that those issues will be resolved in future books.
I also enjoyed the small town setting. Neighbors watch out for each other and help each other in times of need. But they also gossip and get into everyone’s business, even when it is not appreciated it. I thought Misty River, Virginia, would be a great place to visit.
I enjoyed the secondary characters and felt like they were people I would like to meet. But I did not bond well with the main characters. I thought that Sarah was too immature and naive, taking too many unnecessary chances with her safety. I know that I have to suspend reality at times when reading a cozy, but I thought some of her choices were just too foolish. And the way that Jack kept popping in and out started to drive me crazy. No explanation was given as to how or why he would seemingly disappear into thin air. In my opinion, neither character made me want to know them better. Other readers may have loved them both, but they just did not click with me. Maybe in the next book I will feel differently. I do enjoy the writing style of the authors and felt the book flowed smoothly.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery and I will definitely read the next one when it is published.
First in a New Series
Richmond attorney Sarah Tucker returns to sell her family’s abandoned farm in Misty River, Virginia despite unanswered questions about her grandparents’ disappearance sixteen years earlier. Sarah was only twelve when she went to visit and found her grandparents had vanished. No amount of searching has brought answers.
Now Sarah is faced with other issues when a man is killed who claimed to have information about what happened to her grandparents. She learns of a Confederate chest of gold that is said to be buried on the property, and treasure hunters who are willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Were her grandparents murdered for the gold? Sarah can’t sell the land and go back to her life until she has answers. But the cost of the answers may be her life.
Includes farm-fresh recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
This is the first book in a new series by authors Joyce and Jim Lavene. I thought it was a good read and I enjoyed reading it. There are some things I really enjoyed and some things that I did not enjoy as much.
The mystery is well crafted and well developed. There are many suspects and motives to consider, with some twists and turns thrown in to muddy the waters. I did not figure out who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end, although I did have the killer on my radar. I also like the fact that there is a mystery that has yet to be resolved. That mystery is what happened to Sarah’s grandparents sixteen years ago and if they are still alive. I imagine that those issues will be resolved in future books.
I also enjoyed the small town setting. Neighbors watch out for each other and help each other in times of need. But they also gossip and get into everyone’s business, even when it is not appreciated it. I thought Misty River, Virginia, would be a great place to visit.
I enjoyed the secondary characters and felt like they were people I would like to meet. But I did not bond well with the main characters. I thought that Sarah was too immature and naive, taking too many unnecessary chances with her safety. I know that I have to suspend reality at times when reading a cozy, but I thought some of her choices were just too foolish. And the way that Jack kept popping in and out started to drive me crazy. No explanation was given as to how or why he would seemingly disappear into thin air. In my opinion, neither character made me want to know them better. Other readers may have loved them both, but they just did not click with me. Maybe in the next book I will feel differently. I do enjoy the writing style of the authors and felt the book flowed smoothly.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery and I will definitely read the next one when it is published.
July 28, 2015
Sarah Tucker sets out for her grandparents’ farm and pumpkin patch with intentions to put it up for sale. Simple. But, she is unprepared for the nostalgia she experiences when she gets there and the unresolved feelings she has about her grandparents’ mysterious disappearance years ago. She finds the house and property in fairly good repair, thanks to the enigmatic squatter named Jack. Sarah’s grandparents helped him through his rough childhood, and he intends to keep his promise to watch over things until they return. Jack quickly makes it his goal to convince Sarah that she wants to stay. Sarah runs into some hiccups in her attempt to sell the farm, both paperwork oversights and a dead body. A retired journalist who claims to have information about her grandparents is gunned down before he can give her anything. Then the body count rises and Jack becomes the prime suspect, and Sarah is not sure what to do. Plus, there are rumors of buried treasure on the farm.
Give ‘em Pumpkin to Talk About is the first installment in a new series, and it is an entertaining introduction to Sarah, Jack, and the small Virginia town where Sarah’s grandparents disappeared without a trace. Though interesting, I actually thought the murder mystery was a little weak. I do, however, really want to know what happened to Sarah’s grandparents and will definitely read more of the series when books become available.
What really shines for me here is the wonderful array of characters that the Lavenes have created. Sarah and Jack are good foils to each other, and the locals are not caricatures or stereotypes but people I want to get to know. The rural setting combined with the salt of the earth folk make me want to pack my bags and move to the pumpkin patch. The slower way of life, honest work, and genuine people are immeasurably appealing. I look forward to my next visit.
Recommended to cozy fans.
Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
Give ‘em Pumpkin to Talk About is the first installment in a new series, and it is an entertaining introduction to Sarah, Jack, and the small Virginia town where Sarah’s grandparents disappeared without a trace. Though interesting, I actually thought the murder mystery was a little weak. I do, however, really want to know what happened to Sarah’s grandparents and will definitely read more of the series when books become available.
What really shines for me here is the wonderful array of characters that the Lavenes have created. Sarah and Jack are good foils to each other, and the locals are not caricatures or stereotypes but people I want to get to know. The rural setting combined with the salt of the earth folk make me want to pack my bags and move to the pumpkin patch. The slower way of life, honest work, and genuine people are immeasurably appealing. I look forward to my next visit.
Recommended to cozy fans.
Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
August 4, 2015
FTC Disclosure: I received an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ok, the simple truth is that I've never read a book by this wonderful writing team that I didn't like. So, whenever there is an opportunity to participate in a blog tour for one of their books I jump on it. I love it when they have a new series. Pumpkin Patch Mysteries is no exception. Up until now, The Renaissance Faire Mystery Series was my favorite of their series, but this new series just might move up to the top spot.
Give Em Something Pumpkin to Talk About is one of those wonderful stories that has a mystery within a mystery. When this is done well (and in this book it certainly is) this adds to the story without distracting from the current mystery. Ok, that was probably not the best constructed sentence. In this new book we meet Sarah, learn about the mystery of the disappearance of her grandparents, the mysterious Jack and of course the current mystery of who would kill to stop the sale of the farm. All these mysteries blend together to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and coming back for more.
One of the things I love about Joyce and Jim's books is that I always feel as though the characters are someone I could be friends with. Their communities are places I'd like to visit. No matter what is going on, they feel very real. I really like Sarah, though I have to admit that if she were indeed my friend, I would have grabbed her by the shoulders early on and shook her saying " You know you want to stay on the farm! Stop fighting it!"
This is a great read, with wonderful characters and a great plot. You'll want to read it all in one sitting. If you are looking for a great new mystery series then I highly recommend this one. I'm really looking forward to book two.
Ok, the simple truth is that I've never read a book by this wonderful writing team that I didn't like. So, whenever there is an opportunity to participate in a blog tour for one of their books I jump on it. I love it when they have a new series. Pumpkin Patch Mysteries is no exception. Up until now, The Renaissance Faire Mystery Series was my favorite of their series, but this new series just might move up to the top spot.
Give Em Something Pumpkin to Talk About is one of those wonderful stories that has a mystery within a mystery. When this is done well (and in this book it certainly is) this adds to the story without distracting from the current mystery. Ok, that was probably not the best constructed sentence. In this new book we meet Sarah, learn about the mystery of the disappearance of her grandparents, the mysterious Jack and of course the current mystery of who would kill to stop the sale of the farm. All these mysteries blend together to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and coming back for more.
One of the things I love about Joyce and Jim's books is that I always feel as though the characters are someone I could be friends with. Their communities are places I'd like to visit. No matter what is going on, they feel very real. I really like Sarah, though I have to admit that if she were indeed my friend, I would have grabbed her by the shoulders early on and shook her saying " You know you want to stay on the farm! Stop fighting it!"
This is a great read, with wonderful characters and a great plot. You'll want to read it all in one sitting. If you are looking for a great new mystery series then I highly recommend this one. I'm really looking forward to book two.
August 14, 2015
Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Joyce and Jim Lavene
The First Pumpkin Patch Mystery
Sarah Tucker has returned to Misty Falls, Virginia in order to sell her grandparents property; property that was once a thriving pumpkin farm and a place of joy. Now the property is an overgrown, dilapidated shell of its once vibrant self. Misty River Pumpkin Patch was abandoned by the family when Sarah's grandparents vanished without a trace. Returning to a place of wonderful memories, a place she hasn't been since she was 12, brings more questions than answers and Sarah decides to look into the old investigation and try to discover what really happened to her grandparents.
While Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is the first in the series, readers may recognize some of the characters. How is that possible? This book is a spin off from the Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series. Like any good spin off, Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is a solid book in its own right and is no way dependent on the series from which it evolved. In fact, you won't miss anything if you haven't read the Peggy Lee books. If you have, you'll see some familiar faces.
I enjoyed this "perhaps you can go home again" novel. They say you can't go home again, and perhaps you can't; at least not back to the way things were. That doesn't mean that you can't go back and make things different and even better! Old thoughts and dreams resurface as does the possibility to take a chance and do something new, all the while trying to solve more than one mystery. In addition to the great character dilemmas we are also faced with many a mystery. The original, the disappearance of Sarah's grandparents, the current murders, and the lost confederate gold! The Lavenes handle them all, masterfully weaving them together into a taut mystery!
Farm Fresh Recipes Included.
The First Pumpkin Patch Mystery
Sarah Tucker has returned to Misty Falls, Virginia in order to sell her grandparents property; property that was once a thriving pumpkin farm and a place of joy. Now the property is an overgrown, dilapidated shell of its once vibrant self. Misty River Pumpkin Patch was abandoned by the family when Sarah's grandparents vanished without a trace. Returning to a place of wonderful memories, a place she hasn't been since she was 12, brings more questions than answers and Sarah decides to look into the old investigation and try to discover what really happened to her grandparents.
While Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is the first in the series, readers may recognize some of the characters. How is that possible? This book is a spin off from the Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series. Like any good spin off, Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is a solid book in its own right and is no way dependent on the series from which it evolved. In fact, you won't miss anything if you haven't read the Peggy Lee books. If you have, you'll see some familiar faces.
I enjoyed this "perhaps you can go home again" novel. They say you can't go home again, and perhaps you can't; at least not back to the way things were. That doesn't mean that you can't go back and make things different and even better! Old thoughts and dreams resurface as does the possibility to take a chance and do something new, all the while trying to solve more than one mystery. In addition to the great character dilemmas we are also faced with many a mystery. The original, the disappearance of Sarah's grandparents, the current murders, and the lost confederate gold! The Lavenes handle them all, masterfully weaving them together into a taut mystery!
Farm Fresh Recipes Included.
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