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Libby Sarjeant #5
Murder in Bloom: A Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery
Lesley Cookman's bestselling series featuring amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant is back for its fifth instalment.
Middle-aged artist-come-investigator Libby Sarjeant can't ever seem to have a quiet moment. Her son, Adam, has uncovered a body within Creekmarsh Place, where he is working as a gardener for TV personality Lewis Osbourne-Walker.
The police seem to think there is no connection with the current owner but Libby, naturally, can’t just leave it at that. With her psychic friend Fran’s mind on other things, Libby has to go it alone.
A murder in London inspires the police to dig deeper and Libby, determined to help her new friend Lewis, stirs up more trouble.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
34 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 1, 2012
My mother has recently given me a pile of books so I start this review with the disclaimer that this would not be my normal choice of books as 1. I am not over 60, and 2. I don't watch Rosemary and Thyme (which this is very similar to).
I like to be open minded in reviews so perhaps if I had read this series in order the characters, constant reference to past plots and the hint of clairvoyancy would have made more sense. Instead it just seemed like a blatant sales pitch to try to entice readers to go and buy the rest of the series, and a confusing mix of middle aged women in middle class Britain with the odd incidental male thrown in.
The style of writing is very off putting in a "he said, she said" manner which assumes the reader can not come to their own conclusions or use their imagination at all. Its a shame as I think the plot may have had potential in the hands of an author who could actually write beyond a Womens Weekly serial grading.
Harmless, unexciting, not my preferred style of writing. Will not be reading this author again. Have to give a 1 star as can not give any lower but it really is quite bad.
I like to be open minded in reviews so perhaps if I had read this series in order the characters, constant reference to past plots and the hint of clairvoyancy would have made more sense. Instead it just seemed like a blatant sales pitch to try to entice readers to go and buy the rest of the series, and a confusing mix of middle aged women in middle class Britain with the odd incidental male thrown in.
The style of writing is very off putting in a "he said, she said" manner which assumes the reader can not come to their own conclusions or use their imagination at all. Its a shame as I think the plot may have had potential in the hands of an author who could actually write beyond a Womens Weekly serial grading.
Harmless, unexciting, not my preferred style of writing. Will not be reading this author again. Have to give a 1 star as can not give any lower but it really is quite bad.
June 11, 2016
Lewis Osbourne-Walker - TV personality - has bought Creekmarsh Place and is in the process of renovating it. Libby Sarjeant's son, Adam is involved in bringing the garden back into order and manages to dig up a skeleton. Naturally Libby is curious and wants to know more.
Could the skeleton be the previous owner, who went missing about three years ago? Libby soon manages to stir up rather a lot of mud in the course of her unofficial investigation. Her friend, Fran, is occupied with her own concerns and is not available to exercise her psychic talents to try and work out what happened.
I found myself totally absorbed in this mystery with its many strands which are gradually woven together. I like the way the author deals with Libby's doubts about her relationship with Ben. She loves her independence but she loves Ben as well - it seems like an insoluble problem.
I am really enjoying this series and if you like crime stories with little on the page violence and hardly any bad language then it may be a series to try. You can read each book as a standalone novel or as part of a series.
Could the skeleton be the previous owner, who went missing about three years ago? Libby soon manages to stir up rather a lot of mud in the course of her unofficial investigation. Her friend, Fran, is occupied with her own concerns and is not available to exercise her psychic talents to try and work out what happened.
I found myself totally absorbed in this mystery with its many strands which are gradually woven together. I like the way the author deals with Libby's doubts about her relationship with Ben. She loves her independence but she loves Ben as well - it seems like an insoluble problem.
I am really enjoying this series and if you like crime stories with little on the page violence and hardly any bad language then it may be a series to try. You can read each book as a standalone novel or as part of a series.
January 31, 2016
I really enjoyed this one. It's been a while since I read one of the books in this series, but it really didn't take me long at all to get caught up in the reading again. I just adore this series, and it's British flavor. A more serious book than most of the cozies I normally read, but still a nice gentle story without too much violence, sex or other trash that isn't needed. A refreshing read after some of the things I find available today.
August 8, 2017
Another great story
I am totally into this series. I once again figured out the final mystery but enjoyed the "journey" getting there. I find the characters very interesting and well described by this author. Once again the historical aspects captured my attention. I am even getting a better sense of the setting as the series progresses. Looking forward to the next book.
I am totally into this series. I once again figured out the final mystery but enjoyed the "journey" getting there. I find the characters very interesting and well described by this author. Once again the historical aspects captured my attention. I am even getting a better sense of the setting as the series progresses. Looking forward to the next book.
August 15, 2017
I like this series for a quick, easy read, not-have-to-try-to-hard type of book. I usually guess the culprit- not hard! Sometimes I don't want the heavy to read murder/thriller so this book is great for a bit of light-hearted froth.
December 27, 2011
OK, reasonable cozy, but a bit ploddy
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June 6, 2014More mystery, less relationships
l always like the who done it part. l wasn't so into the other story lines. l found myself skimming to get to the mystery parts.
l always like the who done it part. l wasn't so into the other story lines. l found myself skimming to get to the mystery parts.
September 28, 2024
this whole series is very enjoyable for anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries featuring women of a certain age... Only four stars though as the editing could do with being a little tighter. Still a strong recommend.
May 15, 2023
Another enjoyable story featuring Libby Sargeant
March 2, 2017
A nice change of pace with this comfy murder mystery series, rather like TV's Rosemary and Thyme. Very enjoyable.
September 1, 2012
‘Murder In Bloom’ by Lesley Cookman
Published by Accent Press Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-90637-377-1
This is the third book in the series featuring actress/amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant, with a ‘J’. Libby is of mature years with three grown-up children, and has settled in a small village in Kent. Currently her student son Adam has moved in with her whilst he is helping with the renovation of the garden at Creekmarsh Place owned by television personality Lewis Osbourne.
When during the course of the renovations a skeleton is uncovered, Lewis calls on Libby, now a
minor celebrity owing to her previous sleuthing. And Libby calls on her friend Fran, who has physic powers. Fran is in the course of organising her wedding to Guy, but immediately rallies to the cause. When the police turn up they are less than pleased to find Libby in situ. Particularly
Superintendent Bertram otherwise known as, Big Bertha.
Lewis appears to have obtained the house in less than clear circumstances and the story abounds with devious dealings, hidden passages and secret rooms. But a second murder throws all their theories out the window and the reader is kept on their toes as they try to work out who did what to whom and above all why?
Throughout the mystery is the continuing saga of Libby’s relationship with Ben, a man she met when first she got involved with a murder at the Laurels nursing home. Both of mature years, their relationship is fraught with the pitfalls of a new relationship in later life. With the news of Fran and Guy’s impeding nuptials Ben becomes unsettled - which in turn unsettles Libby, who is not certain that she is ready to take the next step. The matter is handled delicately and with sensitivity and I found both the mystery and the personal relationship intriguing. Highly recommended.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
Published by Accent Press Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-90637-377-1
This is the third book in the series featuring actress/amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant, with a ‘J’. Libby is of mature years with three grown-up children, and has settled in a small village in Kent. Currently her student son Adam has moved in with her whilst he is helping with the renovation of the garden at Creekmarsh Place owned by television personality Lewis Osbourne.
When during the course of the renovations a skeleton is uncovered, Lewis calls on Libby, now a
minor celebrity owing to her previous sleuthing. And Libby calls on her friend Fran, who has physic powers. Fran is in the course of organising her wedding to Guy, but immediately rallies to the cause. When the police turn up they are less than pleased to find Libby in situ. Particularly
Superintendent Bertram otherwise known as, Big Bertha.
Lewis appears to have obtained the house in less than clear circumstances and the story abounds with devious dealings, hidden passages and secret rooms. But a second murder throws all their theories out the window and the reader is kept on their toes as they try to work out who did what to whom and above all why?
Throughout the mystery is the continuing saga of Libby’s relationship with Ben, a man she met when first she got involved with a murder at the Laurels nursing home. Both of mature years, their relationship is fraught with the pitfalls of a new relationship in later life. With the news of Fran and Guy’s impeding nuptials Ben becomes unsettled - which in turn unsettles Libby, who is not certain that she is ready to take the next step. The matter is handled delicately and with sensitivity and I found both the mystery and the personal relationship intriguing. Highly recommended.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
February 15, 2017
Started off ok then gradually got more and more laborious. A Miss Marple type book but nowhere near as good. I got so bored I flicked through the pages.Not very exciting at all.
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March 7, 2013When television personality Lewis Osbourne-Walker buys Creekmarsh Place, Libby Sarjeant's student son Adam is employed to help with the renovation of the garden. What he doesn't expect is to uncover a long-buried skeleton.Middle-aged actress come investigator Libby, naturally, wants to know more about it. But with her friend Fran's mind on other things, she has to go it alone.Floundering in the footsteps of the police enquiry, Libby manages to stir up more mud than Adam's rotovator.(less)
Book #5
Book #5
September 13, 2016
A cosy mystery featuring two middle aged women, one of whom is a psychic. A lot of characters feature in this book and I struggled to remember who was who though when I got to the end I realised that I need not have bothered as most of them were not relevant to the story! The story itself did not quite make sense either, An easy enough read but I doubt I will try any more of the author's books.
January 31, 2015
This just added to my appreciation of this authors imagination. Well constructed story with quick pace to keep reader interested. Turning into one of my favorite mystery series. Characters have quirks which add to story and landscape descriptions are not so verbose as to make dull.
January 3, 2011
When a buried skeleton is uncovered in the garden of a TV personality it's another case for amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant to get involved in. You really can't help liking her!
August 3, 2014
interesting read. kept you guessing.
February 22, 2015
Most action takes place in TV stars estate where main characters son has job. Expansion of characters only adds to outstanding mystery.
July 14, 2022
Listened to on Audible
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews