Killer in the Kiwis

Lovely Lethal Gardens #11

by Dale Mayer

Riches to rags. ... Chaos again. ... Winning is important, ... at least for some!

Doreen is overwhelmed with joy when she sees all the volunteers who show up to help get her deck addition built. Most of the men are cops, friends of Corporal Mack Moreau’s, and are happy to help Mack’s special friend and the lady who has helped solve so many crimes for them with a spot of home renovation.

But before the deck improvement can be finished, duty calls, and the cops are called away on a case. Another gray-haired lady has dropped dead. Yet another heart attack victim is added to the long line of previous ones. And, of course, neither of these recently deceased women had a heart condition that would explain their sudden demise.

With her animals at her side, Doreen is determined to figure out what the ladies had in common, plus why and how kiwis keep popping up in this case. As she digs into the ladies’ lives, the things Doreen discover are shocking, … but not as shocking as the answer is to this riddle …

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Contemporary, Murder Mystery, Ebooks

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2020

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen is now challenging Mack and giving him a head start in his case 😂😂- This book continued the theme of humor, mystery, cold cases, and Doreen solving cases with her menagerie of animals. Doreen often laments that she has not been able to make friends, however, in the building of her deck, she realizes that she had more of a community than she realizes when so many people are willing to help her out. Doreen actually helps in the work on her deck which takes up a good portion of the book and also goes out to solve the mystery deaths of the three/four elderly old women Is there a serial killer of elderly women on the loose? Is there cheating in the Kiwi competition and how is it related to the women’s deaths? And where are all the missing husbands of the dead women???

[Silje · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an entertaining mystery. I would highly recommend reading the previous books as there is no presentation of characters, setting, or anything of importance and I'm guessing the story starts right off from where the last book ended.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen is one smart, loveable person and I enjoy this series. The relationship with her grandmother, Nan, her friendship that appears to ever so slowly be developing into more with Mack the Detective, the relationship with her animals. I like that her deck is finally done, and I wonder about her garden. When she sits on her deck and looks out I just feel her peace, her happiness. This one had grandmas dropping left and right and fear for her Nan drives her to investigate, or poke her nose in :) I admit this one had me stumped. OK most do, but this one I couldn't quite figure out how Doreen put it all together. Usually when I get to the end (where I am always surprised on the culprit) I understand her conclusion. I think that might be because I am so looking forward to Lifeless in the Lilies. Thank you Dale Mayer, Booksprout for the arc. I freely share my thoughts and opinions, unsolicited.

[Char Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another exciting cozy mystery by multi talented Dale Mayers. The story will pull you in the characters are captivating.We join Doreen an her pets Mugs,Goliath an Thaddeus the parrot as she starts investigating the grey haired ladies that supposedly died of heart attacks while out walking alone.Doreen friend Corporal Mack Moreau isn't happy because this isn't a cold case.There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I laughed at some of Doreen an her pets actions.This story will keep you guessing while parts will have you laughing but it's definitely entertaining an a great book to read.I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen and her house is a work in progress. Her skill -- solving cold cases. In the midst of rehabbing her backyard and deck with the help of Mack and friends, she stumbles on an active case with surprises. In the meantime a gentle romance continues and the animals continue to protect their mistress and make new friends. A fun, fun book with beloved characters from previous books. It is a standalone book of romance and mystery but is also so much more fun when read in a series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen and crew tackle another intriguing case in this installment. This time it is not so much a cold case. When little old ladies start dropping she's worried Nan may be next and so she can't help but get involved much to Mack's grumbling. She also finds that the group of guys Mack knows and works for are more than happy to help her with her deck. Doreen and her animals are always a delight much to the dismay of some in the community. She always solves her cases though. I volunteered to read this book via Booksprout.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After everything that Doreen has done to help the townspeople they have decided to help her by assisting in completing her deck until a new case causes a pause in the construction. The senior citizens in town are passing away from the same cause, however the circumstances appear to be far from natural.

Doreen isn’t about to just idly by and let the police investigate when she and her menagerie of pets can assist and their investigations are equal parts amusing and intriguing.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not know how but each book in this series keeps getting better. This one Doreen actually does work on a current case. I love how those she has helped return the favor. And the ending...oh wow!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla Eacret · Rating 5 out of 5]

thrilled

I am always thrilled to get a new Dale Mayer book. Between the the charming, funny and complex stories of the Lovely Lethal Gardens to the nail bitting mystery, sensual and mind expanding Psychic Vision, you know you are in for an absolutely thrilling read!

[M Darnoc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7

[Emily Hean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will always adore this series, even with the repetitive nature and frequent awkward sentence structures an grammatical choices. However, I have to say, reading the words "a gay affair!" made me laugh so hard... this author does not understand anything on the lgbtq+ spectrum and I don't know why she continues to add these storylines when she always makes a mess of them and ends up being more offensive than inclusive.

Yes, I'm still going to continue the series. I've preordered the next one.

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in the Lovely Lethal Garde series from Dale Mayer. Having lived a life of luxury before leaving her cheating husband, Doreen Montgomery had moved into a house given by her nan, it was a bit of a culture shock because Doreen had no domestic skills but she did have a friend in Corporal Mack Moreau of the Kelowna police department to help in her plight.
Since moving to Kelowns, Doreen had got herself a reputation as an armature detective and indeed had helped an indulgent Mack with quite a few cold cases. Mack however was not amused when slightly wacky Doreen insisted in getting involved in a current case....but Doreen was on a mission.
As the body count of grey haired old ladies, dying of suspicious heart attacks escalated, so did Doreen's determination (urged on by her nan) to solve the mysterious deaths, especially as one of the deceased was a friend of nans.
Who was targeting these old ladies ?
Nan was a grey haired old lady, was her life in danger ?
What was the significance of the kiwi fruits found on each body ?
Murders aside, the characters in these books are adorable and so diverse but they somehow gel. Mack the level headed policeman, Nan who knows everything about everyone, naïve Doreen who has Mack teaching her to cook (and I think there could be a slow burning romance), and half the police department building her a deck and not forgetting the highly intelligent but hilarious menagerie, Mugs the dog, Goliath the cat and Thaddeus the parrot.
A very entertaining book with plenty of laughs and suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the day arrives for sorting out the addition to Doreen's deck, she is overwhelmed with joy to see the many volunteers who have arrived - most of them are cops who are friends of Corporal Mack Moreau and are grateful for all her help solving cold cases for them. However, before the deck can be finished duty calls and they are called away on a case - another grey-haired lady has dropped dead of an apparent heart attack even though most of them do not have a pre-existing heart condition either. With the three animals at her side, Doreen is determined to figure out what the ladies had in common, plus there is the mystery of why each case involves a kiwi fruit. As she starts to dig into their lives, Doreen will discover some shocking things from the past but maybe the final answer is even more shocking.

This was a great story as we had the progress of the deck as well as the investigation into the mysterious deaths of the elderly ladies which in many ways was getting closer to Doreen and her precious Nan. I loved the way that this story was woven carefully into Doreen's world and how it can close to intruding into her own life. Well written and really enjoyable, I loved the way that the case and real-life were woven into a single story which seamlessly moved between the two. I'm just dying to find out what is going to happen in the next story which is sounding very close to home.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killers in the Kiwis
The Lovely Lethal Gardens is another alphabet mystery series. Although the books do n0t need to be read in order, this book is better if you have read the other books. Usually, Doreen finds something that leads her into solving a cold case. Her friend Mack of the RCMP is always warning her to stay out of his business, but she always ends up getting herself in trouble while solving the case. This book focused on her with the mystery as a side note. A big part of the book was how all of Mack’s friends helped to build Doreen a deck and patio. This book was also different because Mack worked with her to solve an active case. On another note, one of the background stories revolved around the fact that the lawyer for her divorce happened to be the woman her ex was having an affair with. Mack has a brother that is a lawyer, and he thinks that she has a case against her lawyer and may be due a better settlement. There were hints in this book, that something was going to happen on that front in the next book. I really love this series and I am not looking forward to getting to the end of the alphabet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, here is the deal, I really like this series. However, we know early on that there is death and kiwis are involved. In fact, we knew that at the end of book #10. We also know Doreen wants to redo her deck, and we also know that there is nothing going very quickly between Doreen and Mack. I'm going to blow it for you, but after 80% of reading this entry, you will know all about building a deck and how many friends Mack has that will come out and build a deck for the woman who keeps solving cold cases for them. And finally, more than 3/4 through the book, Doreen starts piecing things together and with minor input from Mack and law enforcement, Doreen solves the deaths of the women w/kiwis and even solves a couple of cold cases. PLEASE, I like the characters, the pets, and the promise of some deeper relationships, but this is book 11, and according to Nan, Doreen has only been there 4 months. I look forward to these releases, but there is so much more that can be accomplished in these books. We now know Doreen can cook an omelette and can probably boil up some pasta. Please let's move forward. I do not need to know how to garden or build a deck. Thank you for, hopefully, taking some criticism from a fan.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started laughing almost from the start of this book when Doreen challenges Mack to figure out his case in forty eight hours before she sticks her nose into it. Of course she's going to need a cold case to tie into it.

The deck becomes a project in this one and Doreen realizes she's got a lot of supporters, not only in Mack's co-workers and friends but also in others that would be supplying things for the deck.

It's her Nan who manages to get Doreen involved in Mack's current case. Mainly because the victim is her friend. Although conflicted Doreen and her pets find their way to where the guys are investigating.

Not quite as many pet antics in this one although they are most definitely present and accounted for. Mugs, Goliath, and Thaddeus are a lot of fun. I really loved when Doreen calls Mack to task when Thaddeus starts swearing a blue streak.

In spite of the mystery Doreen takes on, this book is full of laughter, tears, friends and that ever growing relationship with Mack.

I really can't wait for the next book in this series, the lead in left me speechless.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer in the Kiwis by Dale Mayer
Lovely Lethal Gardens Series Book Eleven
Doreen is excited as work is underway to build her a new deck. Meanwhile, after finishing the cold case she’d been working on... she’s curious about Mack’s ongoing case. Several older women had died. She didn’t believe it to be a coincidence...but being it’s not a cold case, Mack wants her to stay out of it.

Doreen, of course, can’t stay out of it when she finds out one of the victims is Nan’s friend and Nan asks her to find out more. Luckily, there seems to be a cold case in the mix to make it okay for Doreen to move ahead.

Unique cozy mystery series as Doreen, much to her friend Mack’s annoyance, being he’s also a local detective, solves cold cases along with her pets: a basset hound, Maine coon cat, and a very talkative and unique African Grey parrot.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted so much to give this 5 stars, but couldn't!

I absolutely fell in love with this series because of the animals and the murder mysteries. But this book was more about building a deck and patio for over half of the book. It became extremely boring that I had to skip a lot of it. So I skim read until all the home improvement was done. The other reason for my scoring was from the beginning what drew me to this series was the wonderful interaction with her animals, but the last 2 books have had very little of that delightful interaction. Thaddeus is my favorite and I was extremely disappointed 😞 that there was very little of him and his wonderful talking. I'm sincerely hoping this series will go back to the in depth investigations and interaction with the 3 delightful animals!!! I would absolutely hate to give up on this series especially after the teaser at the end!!!!

[Julia Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Boy up to the next level of Great! Doreen has solved her last case and seems to be drawn to a Serial Killer Truck Driver, but gets thrown off by the sudden increase in old ladies dropping dead. Since it's a current case that Mack is working on, it's kind of off limits or is it? In the mean time Mack has arraigned for his Police buddies and some of their buddies to come and work on Doreen's deck and Patio. She is so thrilled and amazed at how many and how fast they got it done, even if she had to buy beer and pizza, a small price to pay! When one of the old ladies died, she had a message for Doreen in her pocket. Mack tried to keep her out of it, but well it's Doreen! Their relationship seems to be moving a long, they are more couply, but not quite there yet. The ending though! Ya got to read this!

[Meg Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Doreen has been in this small town for a bit under 3 months and has been solving usually old mysteries ever since her arrival. She hasn't slowed down for a moment except to try and organize the house and yard her Nan has given her. Nan is in a retirement settlement and enjoying every minute of her new life and Doreen's adventures. Doreen has been dreaming about a new deck and in this book Mack and his friends work to help her with that dream. But then, true to form, Doreen set her sights on Mack's newest crime and since it evolves into maybe including old crimes she feels it's her place to investigate. Although Mack really appreciates her input, he is leery of the mayhem sometimes included in this help. Doreen's 3 amazing pets add to the chaos as well as the charm of this fun story. I was needing a cozy mystery and this just fit perfectly!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen has been longing to have a bigger deck on the back of her house but she knew she could not afford one. Mack, however, helped out by asking his fellow Mounted Police for any left over decking materials from when they built their decks. Before she knew what was happening, Doreen saw truck after truck stopping and dropping off piles of wood, nails, clamps, etc. Not many weeks later the cops showed up and began building her deck.

While all this was going, Mack was working on finding who was murdering elderly women. Doreen had never been involved in Mark's current cases but one of the women murdered was her Nan's friend.

This was.an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wohoooo yeah Doreen and her fur babies is back to solve a case and this time an active case with a mix of cold case, and if you a follower of this series, an active case means there'll be a lot of interaction with Mack and who can say no to Corporal Mack, I love when Doreen and Mack together, sparks everywhere. Then there's the action from Mugs, Goliath and Thaddeus, although not as much as I wanted it's still adorable. The deck thing though, I skipped that part a lot, love the good deed behind it, it's like the community thanks Doreen for all the cases she's solved, but the technical part is kinda unexciting for me, but the sneak peak...OMG...I'm super excited for that one, I want the next book like yesterday.
So overall I enjoyed it a lot considering I finished it in one sitting.

[Dawn Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer in the Kiwis

OMG! Another FANTASTIC story by Dale! Her Nan's friend from the nursing home is found dead after three other older ladies turn up dead. Of course Doreen is tasked, by her Nan, to solve the mystery of these older ladies dying. As Doreen follows the clues, she gets closer to the truth. In the meantime, she finally gets her new deck. Doreen finally figures out what happened and it shocks the entire town - Nan's friend was not so sweet after all. So in the end, there was a total of six bodies. At the very end, Doreen is attacked at the cemetery among puppies - how appropriate to send us into the next book! FANTASTIC job, as always, Dale! I would highly recommend this book! I can't wait for the next book!

[Herluck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dans le tome précédent, Doreen a eu connaissance de la mort bizarre de petites mamies à quelques jours d’intervalle. Une autre dame meurt alors qu’elle se rendait chez Doreen pour lui parler de quelque chose. Elle décide donc de mener sa petite enquête.

En parallèle, elle est prête à construire sa terrasse, mais elle n’aurait pas cru que tant de personnes seraient venues l’aider, car ils voulaient la remercie d’avoir résolu tant d’affaires depuis son arrivée.

Pour être honnête avec vous, je crois que cette enquête m’a moins passionné par rapport aux autres. J’avais quand même réussi à trouver quelques éléments, mais j’ai bien été surprise par le dénouement de l’enquête, je ne m’attendais pas du tout à ça.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like Dale, is trying to be inclusive, but has not a single queer person around her. Apparently the editors don’t know anyone either.

I don’t feel as though it’s trying to be hateful, it doesn’t feel that way, but it’s ignorant. ‘Cause the phrasing of things is just plain not it. I’d rather not be included in the narrative.

I enjoy the animals, cooking lessons, appraisals, grams, and even the home renovations. I’m kinda eh oh the love story build up, it’s a little too to just friends, and that would be fine, we need adult friendships. But I don’t think that’s the intention, and while there’s a murder in every book, which is WILD, I don’t think much time has supposed to have passed. Eleven books in though and I’d have liked to see some movement.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolutely Outstanding Cozy Mystery .This is one of my favorite series .
I loved reading this story . Doreen and her furry family are always knee deep in the cold cases of Kelowna . Building her new deck is not enough to keep her busy. Doreen is curious what kiwis and older women deaths have to do with each other . Detective Mack is busy himself with the new case and Doreens new deck and also keeping Doreen out of his case . Which is easier said than done . This story is humorous and entertaining even with the deaths .Such a well written story . I enjoyed reading and I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

I'm absolutely loving this cozy mystery series, Doreen is an incredibly likable character, I love her relationship with the animals and Nan, she has so much patience with her. Her relationship with Mack is deepening and even though she thoroughly exasperating, he is patient, kind and incredibly helpful.

With all the old ladies dying so quickly, Doreen is worried about Nan and really sticks her nose into police business, how she solves this one I honestly don't know.
Now that her deck is nearly complete and her new lawyer is on the way to see her, I can't wait for the next book.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

We started hearing about the deaths of the grey haired ladies in the previous book and now we get to finally learn more and I will say this totally had me stumped in regards to motive and killer and I absolutely loved not being able to work it out and boy when Doreen finally figures it out ...wow did not see that coming!! There were also plenty of smiles and laughter seeing the changes to Doreen' home and her being able to see that she isn't as much of an outsider as she originally thought as well as the fact she is coming out of her shell and starting to learn to live in the now and not the past!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love, love, love this series! Sweet laughs, mystery and oh so cute animals.It is so awesome to see everyone responding to Doreen and helping with her deck. You can tell she thinks everyone, especially the police, are done with her solving all the code cases. But in this book they get to show their appreciation. On top of this we get another mystery!! Little old ladies dropping dead, a mean relative as a suspect...Mack! and of course the animals. This book builds nicely, we learn more about Doreen in each book and the mysteries are wonderful. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I own all the books in this series. the stories timeline is unreasonable and unbelievable. there are a few threads that run through this series that never seem to make any progress and I bought what I thought was a cozy mystery, not a DIY. I do not want to know in great detail how to purchase materials for, plan out and build a deck and patio. BORING! I am sorry I bought the whole set. I enjoyed the first few books very much, but as they progressed and certain threads kept getting pushed off and the time frame on the solving of murders or missing persons was so patently ludicrous I just got fed up.