Second Bloom: A Holly and Ivy Mystery

A Holly & Ivy Mystery #1

by Sally Handley

A BLOOMING GOOD MYSTERY!"Fans of Hallmark Channel romance series will find much to enjoy in the Holly and Ivy series...would make a great addition to that TV line-up." - Daisy Pettles, author of the Shady Hoosier Detective Agency Series."a clever, original mystery that kept me guessing right up to the final pages. Hope Holly and Ivy get up to more mischief. They make a great pair of detectives! Loved the book - couldn't put it down." Cathleen O'Connor, author of High Heels on the Hamster Wheel and Embracing Your Authentic Self"...a good old-fashioned who-done-it, with a few fresh quirky twists.." Goodreads Reviewer, Marti Healy, author of The Secret Child.Holly Donnelly, an adjunct English professor, and her younger sister, Ivy Donnelly, a recently widowed, retired nurse are reluctantly drawn into the investigation of an elderly neighbor’s murder when Juan Alvarez, Holly’s trusted gardener, is accused of the crime. Holly fears police detective, Nick Manelli, assumes Juan is guilty and won’t conduct a proper investigation, while Ivy feels the “hunky” Manelli is not only a good cop, but also a possible romantic match for her sister. Can the clues the sisters unearth from neighborhood gossip about the victim’s family, a politically connected neighbor and a powerful real estate developer help save an innocent man, or will the gardening duo dig up more than they bargain for?

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2017

About the author

Sally Handley is author of the Holly & Ivy cozy mystery series and the stand-alone suspense novel, Stop the Threat. She also writes a series on the Kindle Vella platform entitled The Adventures of Trixie, written from her faithful companion’s point of view. A member of Sisters in Crime and Past President of the Upstate SC Chapter, Sally hosts a monthly on-line Mystery Book Club and a Meet the Authors Series on her YouTube Channel, @sallyhandley1430.

For more information:

• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sally-H... @sallyhandley1430.
• Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
• YouTube Channel, @sallyhandley1430
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sally.handley1/
• Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhand...

Reviews

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly and Ivy Donnelly are two sisters that people most often think are twins. They aren't but the misunderstanding of this causes smiles and angst as the tale progresses.

Ivy flies in to spend Holly's two-week school vacation. Holly is a teacher. What Ivy finds out is this is not going to be the calm, gardening, eating favorite foods, and catching up holiday. Nope, this one is going to lead to danger and romance.

Holly's close neighbor is murdered. Why would someone want to kill a frail woman in her nineties? When the gardener, Holly introduced is arrested for the crime, it is time to see what the sisters can do.

The Detective in charge seems to be just trying to close the case. Then we are introduced to some very busy and lazy court-appointed lawyers.

This book got better as you get deeper in the story. It is a first novel and the story was a bit slow at the onset, however, the author picked up the flow and I was treated to some very creative action scenes. The dialog was good. I'm looking forward to reading the next book as I fully expect the author will surprise me!

[Marti Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Bloom by Sally Handley is aptly described on the cover as a “cozy mystery.” This is a good old-fashioned who-done-it, with a few fresh quirky twists – all revolving around gardening and the natural world and the bond between two adult sisters. It was great fun to be able to relate to these grown-up women – who still tap into their childhood-selves for laughter and loyalty. And, even without having a greenthumb myself, I found the plant-base -assists that help the humans bring the guilty to justice delightful. I look forward to hearing more from Holly and Ivy.

[Tim Suddeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing story with two middle age sisters as the focus. It all starts when a friend is arrested for murder. Holly is a lady who's not about to turn her back on a friend. This gets her into several close calls. A fun read that will keep you up later than you planned.

[M.E. Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable introduction to a series about two sisters who happen upon the murder of one sister's friend. Despite the interference of the chief detective and the police department, the sisters identify clues and follow up on these, ultimately solving the case. There is mystery, romance and humor.

[lindA oRRs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

First time reading this author. It kept me waiting for the next shoe to drop as well as laughing at these two sisters. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants a light mystery with a good laugh.
Linda Orrs