The Ladies of Garrison Gardens

Miss Margarets #2

by Louise Shaffer

Charles Valley’s legendary dowagers, the three Miss Margarets, have lost one of their Peggy Garrison, who married into a huge fortune but was constantly overshadowed by the legacy her husband’s first wife, the great Myrtis Garrison. When Peggy’s will is read, the news of who will take over the Garrison fortune shakes the town to its core. To everyone’s shock, Peggy has left all of the Garrison holdings–the world-famous botanical gardens, the massive resort, and the lovely Garrison “Cottage,” where FDR once visited–to the town’s down-and-out wild child, Laurel Selene McCready.

Laurel was like a daughter to Miss Peggy, but the last thing she wants to do is step into Miss Peggy’s shoes as the wealthiest, most powerful person in town, especially since the Garrison fortune never bought Peggy any happiness. On top of that, when Laurel reluctantly explores her hew home, the storied Garrison Cottage, she discovers that mysteries abound when it comes to the great Miss Myrtis. What clues are hidden in an old suitcase containing a child’s dress and sheet music dating back to the Southern Vaudeville circuit? Who is the elderly woman outside Atlanta who has been keeping track of the Garrison estate’s every development via the Charles Valley Gazette? And how will Laurel avoid the fate of her two predecessors whose secrets have far greater implications than Laurel could ever have imagined? Culminating in an unforgettable sleight of hand, proving that behind every great fortune there is a great crime, The Ladies of Garrison Gardens is as page-turning and irresistible as its predecessor.

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Friendship, Womens Fiction

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Louise is a believer in there’s always a second chance. An actress since she was fifteen, she found herself unemployed when she was in her mid-forties. The reason was…well, she was in her mid-forties. Not a good thing if you’re an actress – aging and eating are taboo. Louise has done both. Also, she was pretty clear about the fact that she was never going to have “knee surgery.” That’s what happens when an actress of a certain age drops out of sight for six weeks and her publicist announces that she’s having an old knee injury repaired. Then the actress emerges with her eyebrows hiked up kind of high on her forehead and all those nasty little lines around her mouth seem to have vanished… oh yeah, and her knee is working fine too.

The un-surgically enhanced Louise spent two years auditioning for commercials touting high fiber cereals and denture glue, she figured there had to be something better, and she decided to try writing scripts for soap operas. Writing had actually been her first love when she was a kid. She worked as a soap writer off and on—mostly off – for the next few years. The trouble was, she got fired a lot. Because what she wanted to do was tell her own stories. Finally she fought off the devil voices – those voices inside your head that tell you you’re an idiot for dumping a paying job to follow a dream—and wrote The Three Miss Margarets. It found a home at Random House and was published. It was followed by The Ladies of Garrison Gardens, and Family Acts

Louise's latest novel, Serendipity, takes Louise back to her home in the northeast.

Today a very happy Louise lives in the lower Hudson Valley with her husband of twenty eight years, her eight cats and two rescue dogs ; the regal Joshua, and Charlie. Who is not regal. Just ask the neighbors.

Reviews

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book was just as good as the first one, very well written with characters you can't help but love. I do not know how the author knows so much about the South because it says on her website that she's from NY but she has gotten it down very well and I love it. I also read that she used to write for a Soap Opera and that's probably why she understands people so well. Hope she will write another sequel to this story. I do love it!

[Charlotte Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sequel to "The Three Miss Margarets".
So southern and the characters were wonderful. This was more of a back story to the first book in the series so if you want to read this book, please read the first one and it will make more sense.
A story of finding your strengths and taking the chances to find it.
Very good follow up story.

[Stefanieq Banner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved loved loved the writing, plot and characters of this book; but the ending was abrupt and flat. Are you kidding me?! A couple hundred pages of stellar development, and THAT'S the best ending you could write?

[Gohnar23 (hiatus but still reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful read with the perspectives of many different characters being intertwined into one interconnected really THAT JUST. MADE. SENSE. It was pretty cute and a wholesome story kinda, with the presence of a lil bit of bullying i guess and scenes that very much shows suspense of the hidden history that needs to be put out.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read. It's book two in a series, but I was able to understand it well without having read the first one. There is a mysterious element involved, as well as a twist on a coming-of-age story. I plan to read the others in the series.

I like fiction that you can enjoy as a story, but also get at least a nugget of truth from. This one reminded me that when we meet someone or hear of actions of someone, that those details are mere slivers of who that person is. Even seeming obvious characteristics are not necessarily what they seem.

[Christine Wacko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing. Terrible end.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was no where near what I thought it was when I started it, I expected a romance plus a girl with gumption who changed her town. I got a little of that.

The story is actually the story of Iva Claire. Truly, that made it even better in my mind. It was complicated and twisted. Every now that then I would be so shocked I would say "Oh my" out loud.
I felt sorry for her and every bit of what went on in her life. Truly the girl rarely caught a break.

I was disappointed that in the end Laurel doesn't get to learn the truth, but even so Laurel found the strength that Tassie was hoping she would find.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Roanoke Times said, "A high level of suspense... Drop by this charming Southern town. No doubt you'll be invited to join the three Miss Margarets on the veranda and sip sweet tea, lemonade, or even Gentleman Jack... and enjoy the promise of a good read." I say, this is my kind of book. A little potential love story could be blooming, enough humor to keep me interested and enough suspense to keep me trying to figure something out the entire way through the book. I loved how everything was all tied up neatly. I truly want to see Laurel kick some butt with her new enterprise.

[Sandy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! It was mesmerizing! Some of the characters from The Three Miss Margaret's were included, but it was not exactly a prequel or a sequel. It was a more engrossing book! She certainly writes intriguing stories and her characterizations are great. If you like family sagas, don't miss this one.

[Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Miss Margarets are my kind of people so I hopped onboard for Book 2. The trip was great- good story with intriguing storylines from all directions which started to converge toward the end of the ride. What happened?? After investing time, thought etc in these characters we’re abandoned and let down for a blah ending - if one can call it an ending.
But...I’d still recommend it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved this book. The suspense lasted to the very last page and I think another book is needed to finish the story. I want to know what Laurel and Perry will accomplish! I didn’t read first book in this series, The Three Miss Margarets, but I found this book stands alone and I highly recommend it.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and captivating. Great twists and turns, and not predictable. I was dying to find out the end!

[Ruth York · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more around 3.5, but I rounded up. Because I liked it enough for that. First off, I have not read the first book. I didn't know there was a first book until I saw on Goodreads. I was able to follow along ok. But I am thinking of getting the first one so I can read that too. Part mystery, party coming-of-age-ish, part "Girl, pull up your big girl panties and get it done!" with a sprinkling of romance. (A very small sprinkle.) It felt a bit disjointed, but it all came together. Which was nice. I did want to shake the main character, Laurel, and yell at her to get her head together and show that POS what for. As others have mentioned, the ending was a bit abrupt. If there was a third book, I'd overlook it, in hopes to have more to come to finish wrapping it all up. There was a bit of a lack of climax to the ending. Other than that, I enjoyed this. The writing it very nice.

[Carol Bohmbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ida Claire Rain starts work at 5 as part of her Mama's Vaudeville act. Later they're joined by Tassie, a year older than Ida Claire and with a gift for comedy that improves the singing act. We follow their years of struggle to survive on poor wages and the mysterious checks that arrive twice a year.

There are lots of mysteries in this tale and plenty of suspense as we follow the lives of the girls to the luxurious Garrison Gardens in Georgia. I found myself really caring about all the women in this book and eager to find out what happened next. I admit to being a little disappointed at the end but it's probably more realistic than what I'd wish.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would suggest reading the Three Miss Margarets before reading this book otherwise you'll be missing things. One of the miss Margarets died and left Laurel a surprise in her will that Laurel is uncomfortable with to say the least. Laurel finds a suitcase hidden in a window seat which leads to the back story of how it got there. We learn things through the eyes of an aged woman under care of nurses as she thinks back to when she was young. It involves vaudeville performers with an inside look at that life. It all ties together but the ride to get to the end is very fun and interesting.

[Susan Straley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read The Ladies of Garrison Gardens. I normally read at night, so I prefer something light. This book fit the bill, with interesting characters, a mystery, a couple of likeable heroines, and unpredictable turns. The problem was, I lost some sleep reading into the night, unwilling to put the book down.

[Carolyn R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Our Book Club read the Three Miss Margaret’s and I decided to read the second book of this series. I am so happy I did. So many secrets almost revealed, taken to the grave. It makes one wonder how many secrets have been taken to the grave and would life be different?

[Rachel Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy typos Batman!! Did no one proof-read this?? “Had became”? I have never seen so many grammatical and spelling mistakes. And while the plot was interesting, there were pieces in every chapter that needed polishing. Must have been rushed by the publishers.

[yo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting quick read.

[Sans Washington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very glad I read The Three Miss Margarets first. Not quite as good as it...but close. Again, the ending felt a bit abrupt.

[Hallie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel did not disappoint....what was disappointing was finishing the book and not being able to read more about Lil' Bit, Maggie or what Laurel decided to do.

[Cara Arver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the book until the ending. It peters out and left me frustrated.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting book. However the secrets with jumping back and forth became a little confusing. I would have liked to have seen a little butt kicking at the end.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book Three Miss Margarets and thoroughly enjoyed continuing with the characters and getting some back story on the Ladies of Garrison Gardens.

[Mauri Baumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book. In fact, I liked the series (which consisted of both books). They were not just Southern book stories....they had more meat, story, and plot to them. Worth reading.

[Dawn-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book until the ending… thought that it was going to tie the main character to the past.

[Sue Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are not able to totally suspend disbelief, you won't care for this book. Likable enough characters, but absurd plot.

[Lynnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed in the way the booked came to an abrupt end.

[Kathie Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but the ending disappointed me. I will definitely read The Three Miss Margarets to get the backstory.