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Garden Girls #20

Court of Corruption

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After a local judge, accused of corruption, is found dead the day before his trial begins, Gloria and the “Garden Girls” are forced to begin their own investigation in order to save one of their own. “If you like clean cozy mysteries that keep you guessing until the end, you’ll love the Garden Girls Mysteries!” “Court of Corruption” is Book 20 in the Garden Girls Cozy Mysteries Series. BONUS - RECIPE INCLUDED! -------------------------------------- The Garden Girls are gearing up for a trip to sunny Florida. There’s only one small problem…Lucy has jury duty. Fearing she won’t be able to make the trip, she faces the unfortunate fact that her friends might be vacationing without her. The day before her jury duty begins, the defendant, a local judge accused of corruption, is found dead in front of his home. The good news is that Lucy is “off the hook.” The bad news is the judge was the father-in-law of Gloria’s niece. Convinced that the authorities are determined to arrest her or another family member, Gloria’s niece asks her to investigate. The evidence quickly points to one of the family members as the killer and Gloria can’t help but wonder if her niece isn’t somehow involved. Will Gloria and the Garden Girls crack the case and track down the killer before their upcoming Florida vacation…or is one of their own guilty of murder? Scroll up and click the Buy or Read Now button to begin reading this fun-filled mystery series today!

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2018

751 people are currently reading
103 people want to read

About the author

Hope Callaghan

188 books768 followers
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★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★

Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.

She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.

Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.

When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

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5 stars
562 (72%)
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161 (20%)
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46 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Denota.
153 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2018
Another homerun story from Hope Callahan.

I love this group of ladies. They are community, family, friend and church centered. Their detective skills are getting better with each book. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have.
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
May 11, 2018
Court of Corruption is the twentieth book in in Hope Callaghan’s Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series and is a great addition to this awesome series. I love Ms. Callaghan’s writing style; there’s always a strong message of the value of friendship and family, all while incorporating intriguing mysteries and a touch of romance without the inclusion of any gratuitous sex, graphic violence, or adult language. The writing flows smoothly and the characters are well developed, three dimensional, and affable. There are twists and turns, with red herrings thrown in, to hold the reader’s interest. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries.

Gloria Kennedy, the Garden Girls (with the exception of Andrea, who’s expecting her first child), and their friend, Eleanor, are excited about their upcoming trip to Florida. The group agreed to let Ruth plan their trip, and she’s keeping the details a secret, but after receiving a copy of her “recommended packing list,” are having second thoughts. Lucy received a jury summons and was assigned to the corruption case against Judge Barry Judd, and is worried she’ll miss the trip. Once the girls return from Florida, Gloria’s husband, Paul, Dot’s husband, Ray, and Rose’s husband, Johnnie, are traveling to a remote fishing village in the Upper Peninsula. When Judge Judd is murdered the day before his trial begins, the jurors are summoned to the courthouse to submit handwriting samples because it’s believed a juror was threatening the Judge. When Detective Jack Green, the lead investigator, learns that Gloria is related to Judge Judd’s daughter-in-law, he’s unwilling to share any information with Paul. Renee, who's married to Troy Judd, is the daughter of Gloria’s first husbands’ brother and is one of Detective Green’s suspects in her father-in-law’s murder. Renee and Troy live in Grand Rapids but are temporarily staying with Troy’s parents, Barry and Darla. Renee knows Gloria has a knack for investigating and asks her to help find out who the murderer is. Paul doesn’t want Gloria involved in this high profile murder and fears she may be putting herself and her friends in a dangerous situation, but it isn’t in her nature to let someone be wrongly accused, let alone imprisoned.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Sheila .
6 reviews
May 22, 2018
Review

Love the writing style. Easy to follow. I like the continuation of the characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
3 reviews
February 15, 2023
Garden Girls Cozy Mysteries Are Great!

I enjoy this series because I am a Christian, and the main character is a Christian also. The author doesn't shy away from having the characters quote scripture and go to church. It's also fun to read, and not filled with a lot of violence and gore. It still has its scary moments and suspense though! I ofter wonder how the characters are going to get out of whatever predicament they've gotten themselves into, then somehow the author pulls them through! I love the dialog between this close group of friends! They get frustrated with each other, but always remain friends! The author, Hope Callaghan is my kind of mystery author! I plan on reading all her books!!!
Profile Image for EmbGram.
217 reviews
May 13, 2018
Didn't see this one coming

Often I can figure out who the perp is in whodunits, but I didn't see this one coming. Gloria and the rest of the Garden Girls get involved with this case because Lucy is called for jury duty on a case involving Gloria's Bruce's father-in-law.

The Girls get into some sticky situations in their efforts to solve the case, but fortunately no one was injured in the telling of the tale. 😜 It was a fun read, with a great-sounding recipe included at the end.
Profile Image for Valerie Hartup.
116 reviews2 followers
May 16, 2018
Great mystery

I love the Garden Girls and this book is one of the best. It’s the 20th book in the series. Congrats to author Hope Callaghan for keeping Gloria and the girls sleuthing this long. In this book Lucy is called to be a juror for a trial on a former judge. The judge is killed the day before the trial. Gloria’s niece is the daughter in law to the judge and has asked Gloria for help. Can Gloria and gang solve this murder in time for them to take their girls trip to Florida?
6 reviews
January 7, 2019
Another great murder mystery

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Hope Callaghan. As with her other murder mysteries this is an easy read with some room left for who done it at the end. Each murder is different from the other books and not redundant or boring! I enjoy seeing the families grow and be part of the overall story. Yet, you can read one without being lost and feeling you need to read something to get caught up. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a clean, christian murder mystery.
12 reviews
July 24, 2022
Best reading to escape my own house work!

I really enjoyed this series, living in Michigan for 57 yrs before moving to AZ for retirement, I could totally understand weather conditions described in them. The "girls" are a hoot.
I would recommend this entire series for easy reading for anyone.
I have read the entire Hope Callaghan Cruise books and this Garden Girls series. Made me laugh, cry and just enjoy a good book, especially when I could pick it up, read some, put it down, and still remember where I was before putting it down.
Profile Image for Loretta.
386 reviews
May 31, 2018
Gloria Kennedy and some of the Garden Girls are preparing to go on a vacation when Lucy is called for jury duty but the trial is called off because the defendant Judge Judd was murdered. His daughter in law is a niece to Gloria so she gets involved much to her husband Paul's warning her not to get involved, let the police handle it. Of course Gloria and some of the Garden Girls start investigating and getting into trouble!
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
May 12, 2018
Another Exciting Mystery

Gloria and the Garden Girls are to get her again to solve a mystery.
I loved the well crafted storyline and enjoyed reading about the characters.
A couple of new characters were introduced that I hope will be part of the group.
This book is recommended for those that love Christian cozy mysteries.
Profile Image for Dawn Trainer.
123 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2018
ANOTHER AMAZING COZY MYSTERY FROM HOPE CALLAGHAN!

I have been delighted with her Mysteries, all of them! I was so sad to learn that I had finished all of the ones that were available and yet and short month of read two new ones that have recently become available. I just find her writing amazing and really enjoy her stories with their quirky characters!
Profile Image for MARIA BUEZO.
10 reviews
July 8, 2018
Great series!

I've been glued to this series for the last twenty books, I love it! Can't wait for the next book! Gloria and her friends are the best characters! It's nice to read something involving persons in my age group! The mysteries hold your interest and keep you turning the pages!
Profile Image for Judy Roberts.
88 reviews
September 25, 2018
Kept me wondering!

This, another episode of the Garden Girls getting into scary situations was another winner. I am in the midst of reading the entire series and felt this book had a different pace to it. It also lets the reader in on the planning for Florida trip they are about to embark on soon. Great series,keeps you thinking!
Profile Image for Kimberly Burgstahler.
12 reviews
February 10, 2021
A Surprise Vacation

The usual sleuthing and getting into trouble. The girls decide it’s time for another trip. Ruth ends up being the one to plan the vacation in Florida, but she is keeping all the details a secret. Talk about a cliff hanger! You have to read the next book to find out what happens.
Profile Image for Richard Cowart.
606 reviews
December 4, 2025
Outstanding reading

Gloria and the garden club are planning a vacation to Florida when Judy gets called for jury duty. The day before the trial the defendant is murdered and the club is called to help because Gloria's niece is married to the son. Great reading with interesting twists.
1,063 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2018
Great read

I can't wait to see what they get into in the next book of this great cozy by Hope Callaghan you'll laugh cry and turn the page till you get to the end if you love a great cozy with characters you will love then this one is a must read
Profile Image for Candy Daoust.
61 reviews5 followers
May 16, 2018
Another good, clean “who-done-it” mystery by Hope. Enjoy the antics of this group of sleuths as they solve mysteries. They keep you guessing until the end! I cannot get enough of this author’s writing. I hit the jackpot when I discovered her!
97 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2018
Gloria and her posse are planning a girls vacation but a murder is messing with a family member and their trip. It was a good book with lots of caring and friendship. Gloria's sleuthing skills save the day but it was written almost as an understood event without much fanfare.
88 reviews
May 28, 2018
Great 👍 Read

I couldn't put this down. Hope consistently cranks out cozy mysteries that keep you guessing until the end while thoroughly entertaining you at the same time. Try this or any of her books for light but enjoyable reading any time.
Profile Image for Veronica Knack.
148 reviews
June 2, 2018
Gloria and the girls do it again!

Gloria the the Garden Girls find themselves in the middle of another mystery in Belhaven. Amazing how much trouble happens there! Enjoyed the several red herrings before the true culprit took shape. Bring on the next book in the series!
167 reviews
September 26, 2018
Who said seniors don't make good sleuths? Well, they've never met Gloria and company. She and her super sleuths help unravel a murder case involving the court system. Great Christian cozy mystery. Don't miss it!
Profile Image for Dorothy   Peterson.
91 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2020
Garden Girls Cozy Mystery

This was as good as the others. It had a few twists I didn’t see coming. You have to keep reading because you want to know what is going to happen next. It was a real surprise at the end. I hope everyone likes this one as much as I did.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
105 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2021
Why is it that Eleanor is so awesome?

I love these quick mysteries that are just fun and harmless. Great for cold evening Cuddled under blankets. And Eleanor...can I just say that I want to meet an Eleanor? Just
A fun character that adds to the mix.
958 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2021
Lucy gets jury duty

The girls get ready for the Florida vacation and Lucy gets jury duty, the defendant is a judge. A winter storm hits, the judge is dead, he's Gloria's niece's father-in-law. Ruth's spymobile is damaged and she's mad. Good intriguing story.
25 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2022
Garden girls solve it again!

This book as the other garden girls was entertaining with several laugh out loud moments. Hope Callaghan writes her books with real characters that are real and believable.
Profile Image for Amary Chapman.
1,665 reviews28 followers
May 11, 2018
The Garden Girls Triumph again

Gloria and the gang investigate and solve the murder of a local judge on the eve of his corruption trial as they prepare for their upcoming vacation.
516 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2018
Good book.

I always enjoy this series of books. It is interesting to see what Gloria and her friends are up too. Good clean fun mysteries to read.
Profile Image for Thomas Havens.
644 reviews2 followers
May 21, 2018
Court of corruption

This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of clean, contemporary, mystery novels.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2018
Love it

Gloria is great in this story. I enjoyed reading this story. It is funny and the girls have such a great friendship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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