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Joe Court #5
The Woman Who Wore Roses
Detective Mary Joe Court returns in the fifth thrilling mystery in New York Times’ bestselling author Chris Culver’s Joe Court series.
Someone shot the victim in her chest five times at point-blank range and left her to die in a cheap motel. Her purse has no ID, cell phone, or car keys, and her room is registered to Benjamin Franklin. She’s no drifter, though. She has two thousand dollars cash in her wallet, a ten-thousand dollar watch in her purse, and a six-thousand dollar dress on a hanger on the bathroom door.
Detective Mary Joe Court catches the case and identifies the woman as the estranged spouse of a wealthy investment advisor from St. Louis. The victim had been trying to create a new life for herself with someone she loved. Now, that will never happen.
But some seemingly innocent victims are anything but innocent. Sometimes, they’re downright dangerous.
The woman with the beautiful, rose-patterned dress carried her secrets to her grave. To find her killer, Joe has to unearth them…or risk being buried alongside her.
The Woman who wore Roses is the fifth mystery in New York Times’ bestselling author Chris Culver’s gripping Joe Court series. If you like James Patterson, David Baldacci, or Karin Slaughter, you’ll love this series.
- GenresMystery
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2019
1147 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Chris Culver
38 books234 followersChris Culver is the New York Times bestselling author of the Ash Rashid series of mysteries. After graduate school, Chris taught courses in ethics and comparative religion at a small liberal arts university in southern Arkansas. While there and when he really should have been grading exams, he wrote The Abbey, which spent sixteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller's list and introduced the world to Detective Ash Rashid.
Chris has been a storyteller since he was a kid, but he decided to write crime fiction after picking up a dog-eared, coffee-stained paperback copy of Mickey Spillane's I, the Jury in a library book sale. Many years later, his wife, despite considerable effort, still can't stop him from bringing more orphan books home. The two of them, along with a labrador retriever named Roy, reside near St. Louis where Chris is hard at work on his next novel.
Chris has been a storyteller since he was a kid, but he decided to write crime fiction after picking up a dog-eared, coffee-stained paperback copy of Mickey Spillane's I, the Jury in a library book sale. Many years later, his wife, despite considerable effort, still can't stop him from bringing more orphan books home. The two of them, along with a labrador retriever named Roy, reside near St. Louis where Chris is hard at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 5, 2020
Finishing book #5 in the series only strengthens my desire to read them all. Chris Culver has a knack for murder and the heart of a damaged female detective. It works!!! This far into the series I can see that our heroine, Joe Court, is starting to let people in and heal from her traumatic past. I've already put the next book in the series on my Kindle. I'll feel lost when I finish them all.
March 28, 2023
I’ve loved the series so far, but this one did not seem to capture my interest nearly as much as the previous books had... that and the writing in this one was... not great. I’m not a grammar nazi or a book snob by any means (I would never have the guts to write a book myself) but was this proof read? Was there an editor?
First off, I nearly stopped the book and didn’t pick it back up when Benjamin Franklin was referred to as a “dead president”.
Benjamin Franklin was never President.
Then there was Kevin and Kevius. It was confusing to keep track of who was who (even though they’re not main characters). I think one of them was even called Kev at one point which adds to the confusion.
Then Joe was talking to Jason Zuckerburg on the phone, but it says “Mark Zuckerburg”. Like the Facebook guy.
Luckily, I was almost finished with the book; or that with the Ben Franklin thing would’ve probably made me DNF the book.
I will probably continue the series, but I hope the writing gets better.
First off, I nearly stopped the book and didn’t pick it back up when Benjamin Franklin was referred to as a “dead president”.
Benjamin Franklin was never President.
Then there was Kevin and Kevius. It was confusing to keep track of who was who (even though they’re not main characters). I think one of them was even called Kev at one point which adds to the confusion.
Then Joe was talking to Jason Zuckerburg on the phone, but it says “Mark Zuckerburg”. Like the Facebook guy.
Luckily, I was almost finished with the book; or that with the Ben Franklin thing would’ve probably made me DNF the book.
I will probably continue the series, but I hope the writing gets better.
October 21, 2019
I have read all of Chris Culver's Ash Rashid novels. And this is my third Joe Court book. I like a story with multiple crimes but not when they become so convoluted it is hard to keep up with storylines. This is well-written with different storylines to be solved without going HUH, what just happened and where did this come from? There is murder, drugs and another plot that is actually not solved because it appears there will be another book. I really do like the way Mr. Culver writes and he did not fail in this book. Kept me interested from start to finish.
April 6, 2022
Joe Court is a must read series. But please Chris Culver, enough with the tilting of the head. It’s not needed.
July 3, 2025
great Thiller
Chris Culver’s The Woman Who Wore Roses is a gripping, emotionally rich, and elegantly paced mystery that proves once again why he’s a master of character-driven crime fiction. This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a whydunit and a deep exploration of grief, resilience, and redemption.
The novel centers on Detective Mary Joe Court, a protagonist as layered as she is compelling. Haunted by a tragic past and navigating the complexities of loss, Mary it Joe as she likes to be called , is tasked with solving the murder of a woman found in a hotel room, a case that quickly becomes more personal than professional. Culver’s portrayal of Joe’s emotional journey is raw and honest, weaving perfectly with the tension and twists of the investigation.
Culver’s writing shines with clarity and heart. He balances tight plotting with literary nuance, never sacrificing character development for pace. The setting is atmospheric, the dialogue authentic, and the mystery keeps you guessing without relying on clichés. What sets this book apart is its emotional core—this isn’t just about catching a killer; it’s about understanding the stories we carry and the secrets we bury.
Fans of thoughtful crime fiction, particularly those who appreciate authors like Tana French or Michael Connelly, will find The Woman Who Wore Roses a rewarding read. It’s suspenseful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful. Chris Culver has crafted more than a mystery—he’s told a story about humanity, justice, and the fragile beauty of healing.
Chris Culver’s The Woman Who Wore Roses is a gripping, emotionally rich, and elegantly paced mystery that proves once again why he’s a master of character-driven crime fiction. This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a whydunit and a deep exploration of grief, resilience, and redemption.
The novel centers on Detective Mary Joe Court, a protagonist as layered as she is compelling. Haunted by a tragic past and navigating the complexities of loss, Mary it Joe as she likes to be called , is tasked with solving the murder of a woman found in a hotel room, a case that quickly becomes more personal than professional. Culver’s portrayal of Joe’s emotional journey is raw and honest, weaving perfectly with the tension and twists of the investigation.
Culver’s writing shines with clarity and heart. He balances tight plotting with literary nuance, never sacrificing character development for pace. The setting is atmospheric, the dialogue authentic, and the mystery keeps you guessing without relying on clichés. What sets this book apart is its emotional core—this isn’t just about catching a killer; it’s about understanding the stories we carry and the secrets we bury.
Fans of thoughtful crime fiction, particularly those who appreciate authors like Tana French or Michael Connelly, will find The Woman Who Wore Roses a rewarding read. It’s suspenseful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful. Chris Culver has crafted more than a mystery—he’s told a story about humanity, justice, and the fragile beauty of healing.
December 9, 2022
Epic storytelling
The world building in this series is amazing, but the brass ring so to speak, is the character development. When the series started, I absolutely was blown away with Joe Court, a young detective that had overcome so much strife and adversity to work her way through the ranks in her chosen Sheriff's department. Five books in and I am in awe of the growth of this character, at the beginning she was stunted socially and emotionally, think female lead of Bones tv series, and now she is coming out of her self imposed protective shell and is emerging as an improved version of herself and I can't stop reading. The attention to detail she exhibits in her cases have put others off but now they are seeing behind her security walls to the real her and these stories are taking a whole new range of depth to them.
No topic is off limits, and the crimes are no holds barred as well, these are such extremely well written stories, I can guarantee that I will be reading them multiple times.
The world building in this series is amazing, but the brass ring so to speak, is the character development. When the series started, I absolutely was blown away with Joe Court, a young detective that had overcome so much strife and adversity to work her way through the ranks in her chosen Sheriff's department. Five books in and I am in awe of the growth of this character, at the beginning she was stunted socially and emotionally, think female lead of Bones tv series, and now she is coming out of her self imposed protective shell and is emerging as an improved version of herself and I can't stop reading. The attention to detail she exhibits in her cases have put others off but now they are seeing behind her security walls to the real her and these stories are taking a whole new range of depth to them.
No topic is off limits, and the crimes are no holds barred as well, these are such extremely well written stories, I can guarantee that I will be reading them multiple times.
August 15, 2020
Addictive
I just finished book 5 of the Joe Court series, and am about to download the next one. I'm very thankful that Chris has made these books available on Kindle Unlimited, so I can follow the series without having to buy each book. I'm enjoying Joe, and her journey. She's not perfect, but tries her best. I like reading about strong women, who while not perfect, strive to be their best, even when having to bite their tongue to keep from exploding in anger. I have no idea how realistic this is in terms of real police work, nor do I care. I'm enjoying the series so far.
I just finished book 5 of the Joe Court series, and am about to download the next one. I'm very thankful that Chris has made these books available on Kindle Unlimited, so I can follow the series without having to buy each book. I'm enjoying Joe, and her journey. She's not perfect, but tries her best. I like reading about strong women, who while not perfect, strive to be their best, even when having to bite their tongue to keep from exploding in anger. I have no idea how realistic this is in terms of real police work, nor do I care. I'm enjoying the series so far.
April 15, 2024
Fifth of the Mary Joe Court police procedurals, we are again in the small town of St Augustine, MO just outside of St. Louis, The Woman Who Wore Roses takes place in both the big city and the small one, involving the police from several jurisdictions, and then we have off-duty cops from Chicago dying in our little town. Not a good start to this tale, but Joe and company will solve it before too long. We see very little of the Sheriff, which is a good thing. Joe's new partner is also Trouble but she can handle it. This is an excellent series, one I'm looking forward to continuing.
REVIEWED on April 15, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble and BookBub.
REVIEWED on April 15, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble and BookBub.
September 14, 2020
Ben Franklin
I loved the book and I’ve been reading them in order. However at the beginning when someone had checked into the Wayfair they had checked in as Ben Franklin. Joe asked if dead presidents always checked in. Ben Franklin was never a president. He was an ambassador to France however. You proof reader missed that. Good story line. Loved the action.
I loved the book and I’ve been reading them in order. However at the beginning when someone had checked into the Wayfair they had checked in as Ben Franklin. Joe asked if dead presidents always checked in. Ben Franklin was never a president. He was an ambassador to France however. You proof reader missed that. Good story line. Loved the action.
March 31, 2021
Just ok
As I have been reading this series I have been writing reviews and been giving five stars. This one did not make the fifth star. A good read with the twists I have come to expect but a few areas just did not work as well as they could, no I’m not going to say and like the others this ended with a twist leading to the next book.
As I have been reading this series I have been writing reviews and been giving five stars. This one did not make the fifth star. A good read with the twists I have come to expect but a few areas just did not work as well as they could, no I’m not going to say and like the others this ended with a twist leading to the next book.
January 9, 2023
Twists and turns never end
This book was GREAT! The hits just keep.coming! When you think you know where the story is going it turns you around to a complete 180. I can't wait to see wht happens next.
This book was GREAT! The hits just keep.coming! When you think you know where the story is going it turns you around to a complete 180. I can't wait to see wht happens next.
September 21, 2025
This an awesome series . Each book will grab you from the beginning. Pull you deep into Joe Court's world. The books will have you enthralled from the very beginning until the end. They are a must read.
March 29, 2020
Good
a great read about he one young woman who's a deputy sheriff in a small community out side of mus.
a great read about he one young woman who's a deputy sheriff in a small community out side of mus.
June 16, 2020
A very good book
This was a good story I thoroughly enjoyed it. Joe Court is definitely a strong woman at work. Highly recommend.
This was a good story I thoroughly enjoyed it. Joe Court is definitely a strong woman at work. Highly recommend.
July 15, 2020
A good fast pace.
Can't stop reading this series,keeps me entertained ,with twists and turns,I don't see coming.And each one a different slant,with some tricky crimes going on.
Can't stop reading this series,keeps me entertained ,with twists and turns,I don't see coming.And each one a different slant,with some tricky crimes going on.
October 11, 2020
Best Yet.
Complications, complications. Joe is working multiple homicides. Drugs, drugs and drugs. Dirty cops, clueless teenagers all make for a great read.
Complications, complications. Joe is working multiple homicides. Drugs, drugs and drugs. Dirty cops, clueless teenagers all make for a great read.
December 4, 2020
The series has not gone flat like so many due after a few books. This one gets better and better!
January 7, 2021
Lady cop
Good plot keeps you interested. Not as gory as some. Joe has a down to earth feel about her and is well liked by her co-workers. Enjoyed.
Good plot keeps you interested. Not as gory as some. Joe has a down to earth feel about her and is well liked by her co-workers. Enjoyed.
February 2, 2021
Wow!
Amazing book! The bodies just keep piling up like cord wood 😊 I loved the adventures. Lots of action and drama. Keep them coming!
Amazing book! The bodies just keep piling up like cord wood 😊 I loved the adventures. Lots of action and drama. Keep them coming!
May 8, 2021
Love this series!
February 6, 2022
Multiple story lines, unanswered questions, and a teaser for the next book.
July 8, 2022
another great Joe Court book
Didn’t figure this one out until the very end. Excellent read. On to book #6 now. Don’t miss out on this great book!
Didn’t figure this one out until the very end. Excellent read. On to book #6 now. Don’t miss out on this great book!
November 18, 2023
A convoluted tale. Detective Joe Court gets involved in several murder cases. There are many twists that kept me at the edge of my chair until late in the night. Great story.
April 26, 2024
The Woman who Wore Roses!
A great story from Chris Culver. Defective Joe Court finds herself knee deep in two murder investigations. Great Story with a great ending!!
A great story from Chris Culver. Defective Joe Court finds herself knee deep in two murder investigations. Great Story with a great ending!!
Read
June 12, 2024Oh my! You barely start these books and you are hooked!! I ordered the rest of the series!!!!
July 12, 2024
Murder suspense and maham
A lot going on in this book. I had to write down characters to keep up. I really like Jo and her story.
A lot going on in this book. I had to write down characters to keep up. I really like Jo and her story.
September 12, 2024
Wow I cannot read this series fast enough!
February 24, 2025
Loved it. Jo is warming up a bit. Now on to 6! Great writing by Chris! Love these books!
April 25, 2025
Might the best in the series so far! I'd read more but $
June 30, 2025
Another good book by Chris Culver
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews