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Port Danby #10
Sunflowers and Sabotage
Lacey "Pink" Pinkerton is in the middle of a bustling summer in Port Danby. Les and Elsie, her neighboring shop owners are up to their usual sibling rivalry antics. Lola's parents make a rare stop in town, causing a rift between Lacey's best friend, Lola, and her shop assistant, Ryder. In the midst of it all, Lacey is starkly reminded that her boyfriend, Detective James Briggs, has a dangerous job.
And of course, summer in Port Danby wouldn't be complete without a murder.
When a human handler in the Chesterton Dog Show, a very popular and prestigious event, winds up dead, Lacey and her wondrous nose must track down a killer . . . without her usual handsome partner.
Book 10 of the Port Danby Cozy Mystery series.
Other books in the series:
1. Marigolds and Murder
2. Carnations and Chaos
3. Mistletoe and Mayhem
4. Roses and Revenge
5. Tulips and Trouble
6. Dahlias and Death
7. Peonies and Poison
8. Hyacinths and Homicide
9. Crocuses and Crime
10. Sunflower and Sabotage
11. TBA
Full-length novel. Series is best read in order.
When a human handler in the Chesterton Dog Show, a very popular and prestigious event, winds up dead, Lacey and her wondrous nose must track down a killer . . . without her usual handsome partner.
Book 10 of the Port Danby Cozy Mystery series.
Other books in the series:
1. Marigolds and Murder
2. Carnations and Chaos
3. Mistletoe and Mayhem
4. Roses and Revenge
5. Tulips and Trouble
6. Dahlias and Death
7. Peonies and Poison
8. Hyacinths and Homicide
9. Crocuses and Crime
10. Sunflower and Sabotage
11. TBA
Full-length novel. Series is best read in order.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2019
133 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 19, 2019
London Lovett does it again with "Sunflowers and Sabotage." This time our favorite florist, Lacey Pinkerton is working alone on a murder investigation when her boyfriend, James Briggs is injured in the line of duty. Oh my, what's a girl to do?
Lacey has been approached by the head of Chesterton dog show to provide Sunflowers for the event. While delivering the flowers she witnesses drama among the participants galore. It seems dog shows bring out the worst in people's manners and behaviors since everyon wants to win. The front running dog is sabotaged when someone slips peanut butter in his mouth. Of course he loses because he is focused on the food rather than following the instructions of his owner. Everyone believes they know who the guilty party is but Lacey isn't so sure. Then, when one of the participants is killed, Lacey inserts herself into the investigation.
Meanwhile, Briggs is working on an drug bust. Unfortunately for him while apprehending the suspects he is injured. Of course, Port Danby wouldn't be the same without the drama of some of our favorite characters. Lola's parents are coming to town and she is stressing out about seeing her mother. Ryder is stressed as well because he is going to meet her parents. Our favorite bird, Kingston is up to his usually tricks trying to coerce as many treats as he can out of the locals. Then there are the siblings, Elsie and Les. Elsie is on a new kick to lower Les' cholestral and he isn't too happy with her choices for him to eat. Has anyone ever heard of compromise? Apparently not Elsie.
There is so much fun and laughter in this new installment not to mention the mystery and intrigue of the murder that occurs. One of my favorite aspects of this series as well is how Ms. Lovett slowly unveils tidbits of information regarding the historic Hawksworth mansion murder. Each installments gets us closer and closer to finding out about the truth of the old house and its' residents. One thing for sure, this series just gets better and better and I for one cannot wait to read what is going to happen next!
Lacey has been approached by the head of Chesterton dog show to provide Sunflowers for the event. While delivering the flowers she witnesses drama among the participants galore. It seems dog shows bring out the worst in people's manners and behaviors since everyon wants to win. The front running dog is sabotaged when someone slips peanut butter in his mouth. Of course he loses because he is focused on the food rather than following the instructions of his owner. Everyone believes they know who the guilty party is but Lacey isn't so sure. Then, when one of the participants is killed, Lacey inserts herself into the investigation.
Meanwhile, Briggs is working on an drug bust. Unfortunately for him while apprehending the suspects he is injured. Of course, Port Danby wouldn't be the same without the drama of some of our favorite characters. Lola's parents are coming to town and she is stressing out about seeing her mother. Ryder is stressed as well because he is going to meet her parents. Our favorite bird, Kingston is up to his usually tricks trying to coerce as many treats as he can out of the locals. Then there are the siblings, Elsie and Les. Elsie is on a new kick to lower Les' cholestral and he isn't too happy with her choices for him to eat. Has anyone ever heard of compromise? Apparently not Elsie.
There is so much fun and laughter in this new installment not to mention the mystery and intrigue of the murder that occurs. One of my favorite aspects of this series as well is how Ms. Lovett slowly unveils tidbits of information regarding the historic Hawksworth mansion murder. Each installments gets us closer and closer to finding out about the truth of the old house and its' residents. One thing for sure, this series just gets better and better and I for one cannot wait to read what is going to happen next!
June 17, 2019
I love this latest Port Danby mystery. I always look forward to these books. In this one Lacey "Pink" has a lot of things in her life going on as usual!
The Chesterton Annual Dog Show is on, and Lacey has been hired to the create the flower arrangements.
The evening before the event, Det. Briggs and Lacey are having an evening picnic at the beach, where Briggs is served one of Elsie's vegetable sandwiches. While tasty, Elsie has put Les, her brother on a strict healthy diet and the siblings are arguing again. As for Bear, Brigg's dog, it is not realistic for them to think he will stay off the blanket! After getting in the surf and he sees they are eating, he runs back up and shakes water and sand everywhere!
Lola's parents have made an unexpected visit to town (which has her in a tizzy), which is bad news for Lacey's employee Ryder! He has never met her parents before, and she is on a spiral which only Kingston, Lacey's crow in the flower shop can deal with because he is fascinated by Lola!
While Briggs is on another case, Lacey is at the dog show. and there is a murder! When she hears the screams she runs over to help not realizing someone is dead, and runs into a woman who is asking for help, but it's too late.
Lacey pokes around for clues before the police get there, however once they do it is not Briggs who gets there, but he does show up a bit later. They agree to meet later.
Briggs gets hurt at another case he has been working on, and Lacey runs to the hospital, thinking the worst! She had been told by his secretary from the station he is there.
Its life as usual in Port Danby, but this time it is up to pink and her nose to solve this case!
I gave this book 5 stars, and I can't wait for the next one. This is the 10th book in this series and they are all original and well written, and perfect to spend time reading anytime!
The Chesterton Annual Dog Show is on, and Lacey has been hired to the create the flower arrangements.
The evening before the event, Det. Briggs and Lacey are having an evening picnic at the beach, where Briggs is served one of Elsie's vegetable sandwiches. While tasty, Elsie has put Les, her brother on a strict healthy diet and the siblings are arguing again. As for Bear, Brigg's dog, it is not realistic for them to think he will stay off the blanket! After getting in the surf and he sees they are eating, he runs back up and shakes water and sand everywhere!
Lola's parents have made an unexpected visit to town (which has her in a tizzy), which is bad news for Lacey's employee Ryder! He has never met her parents before, and she is on a spiral which only Kingston, Lacey's crow in the flower shop can deal with because he is fascinated by Lola!
While Briggs is on another case, Lacey is at the dog show. and there is a murder! When she hears the screams she runs over to help not realizing someone is dead, and runs into a woman who is asking for help, but it's too late.
Lacey pokes around for clues before the police get there, however once they do it is not Briggs who gets there, but he does show up a bit later. They agree to meet later.
Briggs gets hurt at another case he has been working on, and Lacey runs to the hospital, thinking the worst! She had been told by his secretary from the station he is there.
Its life as usual in Port Danby, but this time it is up to pink and her nose to solve this case!
I gave this book 5 stars, and I can't wait for the next one. This is the 10th book in this series and they are all original and well written, and perfect to spend time reading anytime!
August 26, 2024
3.75 stars
Sunflowers and Sabotage is the 10th book in the Port Danby series by London Lovett. This is a summer time cozy mystery that centers around a dog show in the town of Chesterton. Lacey is there with her bakery extraordinaire friend, Elsie, to help her sell her dog treats to show-goers.
The dog show really heats up when the anticipated favorite loses because someone has slipped the pooch a tasty peanut butter treat prior to walking on stage. The dog is obviously unable to focus and the prize goes to another contestant’s dog. There are loud declarations of cheating and shouted threats made by the loser’s owner, and when the winner’s owner is found dead a few hours later, the culprit seems obvious. Lacey’s handsome boyfriend and local detective, James Briggs, has been injured on the job, a scare to everyone, especially Lacey. So while he is recuperating, Lacey investigates this crime on her own.
There are side plots, ongoing relationship dynamics, and of course, our beloved animal friends. This is a fast, fun, summery read which takes us to the beach and a nearby, local small town. The mystery is intriguing and the characters are as fun and enchanting as ever!
Sunflowers and Sabotage is the 10th book in the Port Danby series by London Lovett. This is a summer time cozy mystery that centers around a dog show in the town of Chesterton. Lacey is there with her bakery extraordinaire friend, Elsie, to help her sell her dog treats to show-goers.
The dog show really heats up when the anticipated favorite loses because someone has slipped the pooch a tasty peanut butter treat prior to walking on stage. The dog is obviously unable to focus and the prize goes to another contestant’s dog. There are loud declarations of cheating and shouted threats made by the loser’s owner, and when the winner’s owner is found dead a few hours later, the culprit seems obvious. Lacey’s handsome boyfriend and local detective, James Briggs, has been injured on the job, a scare to everyone, especially Lacey. So while he is recuperating, Lacey investigates this crime on her own.
There are side plots, ongoing relationship dynamics, and of course, our beloved animal friends. This is a fast, fun, summery read which takes us to the beach and a nearby, local small town. The mystery is intriguing and the characters are as fun and enchanting as ever!
July 14, 2020
First of Les has high blood pressure and Elsie to counteract this goes on a vegan kick which leads to a vegan recipe, may we say that mom is a vegan and is always on the hunt for a vegan recipe excited the day light out of mom.
Secondly Lola's parents come into town, which drives Lola into a frenzy. Poor Ryder is also worried, because Lola's parents, who have been traveling this whole series, they like to travel, have never met him and he thinks they may not like him. (We don't consider this a spoiler, but Lola's parents end up loving Ryder and we learn that Lola truly loves her parents and is sad to see them leave at the end of the book.)
Thirdly James get attacked in a raid and Lacey get called to the hospital. James is okay, but out of commission, and Lacey is truly on her own. (When we mean out of commission we don't just mean that he is stopped from working, we mean he is put on some pain pills that make him sleep and a little mentally out of it so Lacey has no one to even bounce her ideas off of.)
Fourthly a woman is murdered at a dog show and Lacy has to solve the case with at James and end up keep one step ahead of the Police from the neighboring town.
Seriously these are so good, you have to try one.
Secondly Lola's parents come into town, which drives Lola into a frenzy. Poor Ryder is also worried, because Lola's parents, who have been traveling this whole series, they like to travel, have never met him and he thinks they may not like him. (We don't consider this a spoiler, but Lola's parents end up loving Ryder and we learn that Lola truly loves her parents and is sad to see them leave at the end of the book.)
Thirdly James get attacked in a raid and Lacey get called to the hospital. James is okay, but out of commission, and Lacey is truly on her own. (When we mean out of commission we don't just mean that he is stopped from working, we mean he is put on some pain pills that make him sleep and a little mentally out of it so Lacey has no one to even bounce her ideas off of.)
Fourthly a woman is murdered at a dog show and Lacy has to solve the case with at James and end up keep one step ahead of the Police from the neighboring town.
Seriously these are so good, you have to try one.
August 15, 2020
Lacey (Pink to her friends) and James, along with Ryder, Lola, Elsie, Les, and of course Kingston the Crow, Nevermore the Cat and Bear the Dog, are back in Port Danby! With another murder to solve, Pink is thrown into the competitive world of Dog Shows.
With Elsie needing help running a stall at a local Dog Show, Pink helps and whilst they're discovers the murder of one of the dog owners. As usual, Pinks nose is called into a action once again to find clues to to the killer. With James on another case, it's up to Pink to find the clues to help the Chesterton Police Force, and they know all about her nose!
Pink is thrown into panic though when she's told about a problem on James's case, is he safe?
Another good read in the cozy mystery series set in Port Danby, and with the ongoing, years old Hawksworth Manor murders a feature running through all the books, there's never a dull moment in the small seaside town. I really enjoy reading these books, best read in order but each a standalone story.
With Elsie needing help running a stall at a local Dog Show, Pink helps and whilst they're discovers the murder of one of the dog owners. As usual, Pinks nose is called into a action once again to find clues to to the killer. With James on another case, it's up to Pink to find the clues to help the Chesterton Police Force, and they know all about her nose!
Pink is thrown into panic though when she's told about a problem on James's case, is he safe?
Another good read in the cozy mystery series set in Port Danby, and with the ongoing, years old Hawksworth Manor murders a feature running through all the books, there's never a dull moment in the small seaside town. I really enjoy reading these books, best read in order but each a standalone story.
March 20, 2021
Lacey's mostly on her own for this investigation when her hunky hunny-bunny gets injured in the line of duty. No lie, Briggs is kinda adorable when he's all wooly-headed and drugged up. Which isn't the point of this book, but STILL!
Anywho. Lacey's trying to piece together the clues to figure out who did it. As you might expect, there are more than a couple suspects and more than a few reasons as to why peeps want the dead person dead. Briggs is effectively sidelined due to his injury, but he does manage to ferret out a few informational nuggets to help Lacey along.
Dogs dogs dogs, a family visit that causes a wee bit of a rift between Lola and Ryder, loopy Briggs, and Lacey on the hunt for a killer. All in a days' work, amirite?!?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Anywho. Lacey's trying to piece together the clues to figure out who did it. As you might expect, there are more than a couple suspects and more than a few reasons as to why peeps want the dead person dead. Briggs is effectively sidelined due to his injury, but he does manage to ferret out a few informational nuggets to help Lacey along.
Dogs dogs dogs, a family visit that causes a wee bit of a rift between Lola and Ryder, loopy Briggs, and Lacey on the hunt for a killer. All in a days' work, amirite?!?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 7, 2022
So I enjoyed this book and it was a good 5 stars going in, but one thing I like about the Port Danby books, most of the time, is that the cops aren't bumbling. In this one, they were bumbling. I get it and it does make since in the story that Lacey would have some of the information.
Spoilers heavy spoilers
Yes, I know Briggs is the hero and should be the best detective, but it would have been more interesting if Burke the junior detective would have had a couple of clues that Lacey had.
Not all of them, maybe just the one about Avery dating Melody's ex-fiance It could easily be dismissed at first. She did find the body so can be easily ove
It's not like they didn't look at the Crampons as other possible suspects. I think they would have been better if Burke had a little more information.
Spoilers heavy spoilers
Yes, I know Briggs is the hero and should be the best detective, but it would have been more interesting if Burke the junior detective would have had a couple of clues that Lacey had.
Not all of them, maybe just the one about Avery dating Melody's ex-fiance It could easily be dismissed at first. She did find the body so can be easily ove
It's not like they didn't look at the Crampons as other possible suspects. I think they would have been better if Burke had a little more information.
June 22, 2019
I'm always happy to read a Port Danby book. When Briggs is injured in the line of duty Pink investigates a murder at the dog show. With a cast of quirky characters, this series always entertains. I received an ARC of this book and I'm voluntarily providing my honest review.
August 7, 2019
Great
Loved the latest edition to port danny cozy mysteries! The characters are so real and you feel like you know them. Set Briggs gets hurt and has to sit out on this case so lacey LinkedIn goes to work.It's the show dog world with twists and turns/ don't miss it!
Loved the latest edition to port danny cozy mysteries! The characters are so real and you feel like you know them. Set Briggs gets hurt and has to sit out on this case so lacey LinkedIn goes to work.It's the show dog world with twists and turns/ don't miss it!
June 18, 2020
What more can I say. Each book I read keeps getting better and better. I love how the relationship between Lacey and James is developing. The secondary plot between Rydey and Lola is a plus. And having dogs, for me makes it even better. Awesome Series!
March 29, 2024
I needed a lightweight break after the excitement of my last book. This was fun but only just fine. I’d figured out most of the plot well before the protagonist and some of it felt silly. But it was the break I needed.
June 10, 2019
Excellent. Pink has done it again. And poor Briggs gets injured on another case. I love this series.
June 29, 2019
Port Danby cozy mysteries is a favorite of mine!
July 4, 2019
Enjoyable
Fun read with likAble characters. I like how the heroine isn't perfect, her beauty isn't emphasized, but her friendships are.
Fun read with likAble characters. I like how the heroine isn't perfect, her beauty isn't emphasized, but her friendships are.
July 14, 2019
Great book
This book is a great afternoon read. It will keep the reader thinking and draw you in to the story! Love this series!
This book is a great afternoon read. It will keep the reader thinking and draw you in to the story! Love this series!
August 10, 2019
I love this series. The characters and their interwoven relationships are as interesting as the murders being solved
Read
February 28, 2020Great reading
This author really know how to give the reader a good time. She has kept my interest from begin to end
This author really know how to give the reader a good time. She has kept my interest from begin to end
June 8, 2020
Very interesting setting in this one :)
September 8, 2020
I love this series, it just gets better and better with each book. Love the characters and their personalities, it is like reading about old friends!
January 23, 2021
Like all tge Port Danby books, Pink is a fun character and fun to watch her relationships develop with at hunky police chief.
January 23, 2021
Another fun quick read in this cozy series.
February 26, 2021
Interesting mystery, but a rather bland and boring story.
January 3, 2022
I enjoyed this story. Glad the author has gone back to the formula used in first few books.
September 11, 2019
I had to sit with this one for a day to collect my thoughts and score it fairly. The book is a 3.5 star for me and I was walffaling on on bumping it up to a 4.
This is the last book that's out in the Port Danby series and it felt like a review book.
I'll break it down so mild spoilers.
It's summer again, and thought I'm glad she is spacing the murders out, it was a little jarring since the last book took place in January.
So there's Dog Show in the next town over. Elsie sells dog biscuits and Lucy helps and if course it ends with a murder.
Briggs isn't on the murder because he's working a drug ring case so obviously Lucy stays on the case. She's stumbling around a bit more, but she doesn't just happen upon clues she does have a strategy. The thin that lost most of the points was the officer on the case didn't find out about half of the stuff Lucy did.
I understood it in the last book because Officer Chinmoore is discribed as bumbling.
I'm going to read the next one when it comes out. I hope it's soon.
This is the last book that's out in the Port Danby series and it felt like a review book.
I'll break it down so mild spoilers.
It's summer again, and thought I'm glad she is spacing the murders out, it was a little jarring since the last book took place in January.
So there's Dog Show in the next town over. Elsie sells dog biscuits and Lucy helps and if course it ends with a murder.
Briggs isn't on the murder because he's working a drug ring case so obviously Lucy stays on the case. She's stumbling around a bit more, but she doesn't just happen upon clues she does have a strategy. The thin that lost most of the points was the officer on the case didn't find out about half of the stuff Lucy did.
I understood it in the last book because Officer Chinmoore is discribed as bumbling.
I'm going to read the next one when it comes out. I hope it's soon.
May 11, 2022
Lacey continues her flower shop work, making arrangements for a dog show. Then she's dragooned into helping Elsie sell her dog cookies at the show. At the end of the show, for Best in Show, the top contestant is sabotaged and the next favorite who has been trying to win for years is named Best in Show. Then the winner is discovered murdered after the show - definitely murdered. So Lacey tries to find out what is going on and why. Briggs is not in on this case, he has been injured during a drug bust and is out on leave and painkillers, so is unable to back her up.
January 7, 2020
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews