Granny Undercover

Secret Agent Granny #2

by Harper Lin

A hilarious new mystery series from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Harper Lin

Retired CIA agent Barbara Gold decides to take up gardening to pass the time in Cheerville, a quaint New England town. Before she can pay for her peat moss and a copy of Gardening for Numbskulls at the garden shop, she overhears two ladies gossiping about the death of Cheerville’s best gardener.

Based on her extensive secret agent training, Barbara quickly concludes Archibald didn’t die in a freak accident via hedge clippers, but was murdered. The local police are no help, ruling the death a suicide. To solve this case, Barbara must go undercover on her own—with a 9mm pistol, of course.

From taking Seniors Yoga to infiltrating an underground gambling club, Barbara must use her best asset—her guise as a sweet seventy-year-old granny—to find the murderer, while not letting her babysitting duties to her thirteen-year-old grandson, Martin, and attention from a new love interest distract her.

Read the hysterical 2nd novella (30,000 words) in the Secret Agent Granny mystery series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Humor, Fiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2017

About the author

Harper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!

When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family. 


Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR

www.harperlin.com

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granny Undercover
by Harper Lin
This is the second book of the series, and I found it to be cute and clever. Love the main character who is a retired CIA operative, but she sure doesn't seem to be ready for retirement. Fun read.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granny is on the case again. Going undercover to discover a killer with a gambling addiction

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and quick, easy read. I'll definitely continue the series

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might need to create a new category just for granny books. These novels are fun--they're short, they have just enough actual mystery (not too obvious, not too farfetched) and honestly, Granny is a badass. I love her attentiveness to her kitten and grandson, how she lives like a mild-mannered widow while still doing things like keeping her thumb in law enforcement. Plausible? Nah, but who cares? These are fun reads.

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I am really enjoying this series! Barbara, a retired CIA agent is living in Cheerville to be closer to her family. While out gardening shopping, Barbara overhears gossip about a suicide that doesn't sound like a suicide to her at all and so starts a zany and fun investigation. Fun, Fast-paced story!

[FangirlNation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granny Undercover by Harper Lin, Barbara Gold, retired CIA agent, goes to the garden store to get material for the garden she intends to plant for her new kitten. There, she hears talk about the president of the topiary society, who died after getting almost decapitated with his hedge clippers. Considering that this sounds suspicious, Barbara goes to the garden where the death occurred and looks for evidence. It soon becomes apparent to her that this was no accident or suicide, but rather a murder. Thus, Barbara has found herself another case to investigate and keep herself interested.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[Angie Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Barbara perhaps you should mind your own business. That however would not be a entertaining as this retired CIA agent solving murders just because. Betty White would have been a fabulous Barbara.

[brenda janowiecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this spunky grandma and the adventures she has while remaining her front of just being another resident. Being able to find even the smallest clues, it is a great read following her thought process and she puts everything together. I love this series.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy mystery about a 70 year old retired CIA agent who has settled in a quiet town near her son’s family. Only the police chief knows her past life. And that’s because she keeps trying to solve murder mysteries that the bumbling chief of police cannot.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this, but not as much as the first book.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not quite as good as the first book (my opinion only), I am still enjoying this fun mystery series. Nice, short audiobooks that you can get through very quickly.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about retired spies! Especially when others don't know that the person had been a spy. Barbara Gold is a grandmother who has retired to a town where her only son lives and has a good relationship with her only grandson. She finds herself in situations (well like a murder) and is unable not to analyze and deduce things from the crime scene. Naturally she fears the police won't solve the crime and it is up to her to figure out "who done it" instead.

Its a good mystery with some tricky clues, as well as a couple surprising twists. An enjoyable read. However, I can't help wishing Barbara would show a few more spy tactics. It seems like she spends too much time bringing attention to her age and natural slowing down of her body. (Believe me I get that! It is true!) I keep hoping she will have some nifty trick or even a way to use a common item to get more information...something to kick it up a notch. I'd like to hope that old spies still have their ways and their good minds. Even so, I am glad I read this and would recommend it as a clean and entertaining cozy mystery for all.

[Linda Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. Harper Lin is an amazing author and storyteller. The Secret Agent Granny mysteries has everything I like. There is the heroine, Barbara Gold, a 70 year old widowed senior citizen, her son, daughter in law, grandson along with Dandelion her cat. And now there is a possible new love interest? I love how Harper writes about a quiet small town where everyday life turns out to be anything but quiet and peaceful. Our heroine is an ex-secret service agent more used to international intrigue than small town events . In this one there is a seemingly normal looking store front that is actually a front for a gambling club. An avid topiary gardener is found dead by decapitation. The death is deemed suicide or accidental but Barbara doesn’t believe it is either. And now the mystery begins. There is a great cast of characters, a mysterious death and a chance for our heroine to figure out how everything is connected and solve the murder. There is also humor and fun along the way. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

For one thing, let me thank Harper for giving me an ARC to enjoy. My honest review is what you get. I have read every one of Harper's books. This series is my favorite....it's about a butt kicking ex CIA granny, Barbara Gold, only no knows she ex cia. Barbara is looking for ways to bond with her son and his family (esp her teenaged grandson), she's exploring new hobbies and local clubs in her new hometown. In this novella she discovers gardening. The hedge clippers that gardeners use will play a big part in the death of a local man, and the death will at first be ruled a suicide. Here is where it gets spicy, Barbara stumbles upon this death and her training leads her to realize it wasn't a suicide. From here Barbara gets into all kinds of trouble and will need some of that CIA training to save the day.

This is a quick read, a funny read (I chuckled out loud a couple of times) and very entertaining. I recommend any of Harper's books, but this series is by far my fave (followed by the Pink Cupcake).

Thank you Harper!!!

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun, I don't know where to start. Secret Agent Granny, Book 2, featuring the fearless, take no prisoners ex-CIA agent Barbara Gold, is just as funny, action-packed and heartwarming as the first. I absolutely love this series and can't wait to see what happens in "sleepy" little Cheerville next. I'm actually hoping Granny brings her grandson in on her secret, because he's a wonderful character that just needs to know how cool his Grandma really is. If you want a series that will bring a smile to your face and a bright step to your day, start reading this wonderful series by Harper Lin.

**I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series. Especially how it follows like a movie. Barbara is a retired secret agent who is now widowed and has moved to a small town to be closer to her son and his family. Just when she thinks that small town life will be boring, her secret agent skills come in handy in solving murders that keep occurring there. Of course, she is now experiencing the same aches and pains that we all get as we age and that makes for some hilarious moments. I can easily picture Helen Mirren or Goldie Hawn or Jane Seymour as Barbara. There is class, humor, mystery and a cute little kitten and it is all very relatable. I love that Dandelion is a tortoise shell kitten. I just couldn't put the book down. I really hope this series goes on and on. It is so much fun.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Gold is a 70 year old retired undercover CIA agent. She moved to Cheerville to be closer to her son and his family. Barbara is trying her hand at gardening. She doesn't know much about gardening and she over hears some women talking about Archibald Heaney's suicide. He was the
champ of topiary in Cheerville. Why would he kill himself. Barbara investigates his case and finds out his credit cards were maxed out, but why? She teams up with Octavian, someone she met at Yoga for Seniors, and he takes her to a betting place, which is illegal in their state and the surrounding states. As Barbara figures out who killed Archibald and why, the danger increases. Will she be able to come out of this case unscaved? Read the book to find out. I received ARC of this book.

[Tena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series by Harper Lin. Mystery, fun and murder will keep you turning the pages. Barbara Gold is a retired CIA agent who has moved to a small neighborhood to live close to her son, daughter in law and grandson. While trying to fit in with the retirement life, new friends and catch her grandsons interest she still gets bored. She is trying her had at gardening when a murder happens. Instantly, all of her training kicks in and it is time to investigate. Looking forward to her next adventure. I was given an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Artist_carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired CIA agent Barbara Gold takes up gardening to pass the time, however before she can purchase her gardening items she overhears two people talking about an accident, which she knows is not an accident but murder, she pieces the murder together anonymously as she has to also care for her grandson. I loved this I so cant wait for the next I this series.
A advanced review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun series. I enjoy that the main character is an older woman, but is still smart, capable and takes no crap from anyone.

As a former CIA agent Barbara Gold has skills. The fact that she's now retired and living in Cheerville means one would think she'd have little cause to use those skills. One would be mistaken, and the shenanigans that Barbara gets up to make for a light, easy-reading and entertaining read.

[Mariko Tsubaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping to relieve the boredom of retirement, ex-CIA agent decides to start gardening. Her garden gets pushed to the back burner as she investigates the murder of a local prize winning gardener.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope Granny's grandson, Martin, received a big role in the next book.
I received an ARC from the author for purposes of an unbiased review.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandma Barbara is back again involving herself in a murder. She wonders who killed the gardener.
I found this book to be rather slow until almost the end.
Even though Barbara complains about being old, she still vets the job done.
I voluntarily agreed to review this book. My review is my own honest opinion.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granny is one tough "older" lady. She may be retired but that doesn't stop her from fighting crime. I actually liked this one better than book 1 in this series. Can she figure out who done it without getting in over her head? Lots of angst among the senior citizens. Quite humorous.

[Mary Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another amusing quick-read mystery. For all Barbara's bravado, she's aware of her limitations due to her age, and that's what causes me to smile while reading this series. Thanks Harper Lin for the ARC and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Lynne Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so loved this book ! The main character was so fun and quirky . Being in the specialties undercover surveillance before she retired you might not put this down . The storyline made want to keep reading till the murder was caught.

[Teri Pre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first. There's an error in logic here. Most people, when holding a drink, hold it in their non-dominant hand. "Granny" is assuming that people are holding their drinks in their dominant hand. Hopefully, the next one will be more logical.

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read. I love Barbara and enjoyed following the clues as the story progressed. A definite must-read!

[Debbie Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't read book 1 which might have been helpful. Entertaining