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The Garden Girls: Golden Years #1
Double Date Disaster
A Cozy Christian Mystery and Suspense Novel
Garden Girls - The Golden Years is the brand new spin-off series of the Garden Girls Mystery series.
The last few years have been a roller coaster of life changing events for “Garden Girl” Margaret Hansen - the death of her husband, the shocking discovery of what led to his death, and a big move designed to give her a fresh start.
Believing she may be depressed, her well-intentioned friends set her up on a blind date without her knowledge. After some persuading, she decides to go, but only to “help her friend, Eleanor.”
The date goes surprisingly well until disaster strikes after one of the men falls ill and is rushed to the hospital. They soon discover he’d been poisoned and Eleanor is the chief suspect – having both motive and opportunity.
The Garden Girls and friends jump in to investigate and discover more than one person with motive. Can they figure out who is behind the poisoning before their friend is arrested and ends up spending her golden years in prison?
Garden Girls - The Golden Years is the brand new spin-off series of the Garden Girls Mystery series.
The last few years have been a roller coaster of life changing events for “Garden Girl” Margaret Hansen - the death of her husband, the shocking discovery of what led to his death, and a big move designed to give her a fresh start.
Believing she may be depressed, her well-intentioned friends set her up on a blind date without her knowledge. After some persuading, she decides to go, but only to “help her friend, Eleanor.”
The date goes surprisingly well until disaster strikes after one of the men falls ill and is rushed to the hospital. They soon discover he’d been poisoned and Eleanor is the chief suspect – having both motive and opportunity.
The Garden Girls and friends jump in to investigate and discover more than one person with motive. Can they figure out who is behind the poisoning before their friend is arrested and ends up spending her golden years in prison?
- GenresCozy MysteryFiction
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2020
797 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Hope Callaghan
181 books756 followersClick the FOLLOW button to be notified of Hope Callaghan's new book releases!
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★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★
Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.
She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.
Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.
When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.
Get New Releases, Giveaways, and FREE & Discounted Books at: https://hopecallaghan.com/newsletter
OR Text the word BOOKS to 33222
★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★
Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.
She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.
Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.
When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 29, 2020
Fun
This was a fun story. Being in this age group myself I am able to relate. Thank you for this new series
This was a fun story. Being in this age group myself I am able to relate. Thank you for this new series
April 4, 2025
A fun loving cozy mystery.
April 28, 2021
Excellent cozy!
This was an awesome cozy Christian mystery full of fun and excitement. It was a page turner ask finished it in one day.. I love a day with the garden girls!
This was an awesome cozy Christian mystery full of fun and excitement. It was a page turner ask finished it in one day.. I love a day with the garden girls!
April 11, 2022
I admit I felt as though I was missing a lot of backstory when reading the 5 books of this series. There was a lot of reference to past mysteries amongst the ladies…the Garden Girls. Well, rather than figure out what was going on, I just continued reading the next and the next book. It was only now that I realized these five books are the Golden Garden Girls - the same ladies, but years after the original Garden Girls series. There are 23 more books! I wish I’d read those 23 first and then the Golden years.
So, I’m going to start from the beginning with Gloria, Lucy, Dorothy ’Dot’, Margaret, and Ruth’s adventures in mystery. I’m sure those books will give me the missing pieces and I’ll know about the references made in the Golden years, such as how Andrea was accused of murdering her husband and how Margaret’s husband committed suicide due to a Ponzi scheme gone bad that caused the couple to lose everything and made Margaret rent out her home to Gloria’s high maintenance sister, Liz.
Yes, this Golden Garden Girl series can be read as a stand-alone series, but I’m sure it’ll sure help to understand better by beginning with the first book in the 23 book series called “Who Murdered Mr. Malone?: A Clean Small Town Cozy Mystery (Garden Girls Small Town Mysteries)”. Whew! Talk about a long book title!
So, if you’d like to understand past references of mysteries the ladies have solved, make sure to start with Who Murdered Mr. Malone?
So, I’m going to start from the beginning with Gloria, Lucy, Dorothy ’Dot’, Margaret, and Ruth’s adventures in mystery. I’m sure those books will give me the missing pieces and I’ll know about the references made in the Golden years, such as how Andrea was accused of murdering her husband and how Margaret’s husband committed suicide due to a Ponzi scheme gone bad that caused the couple to lose everything and made Margaret rent out her home to Gloria’s high maintenance sister, Liz.
Yes, this Golden Garden Girl series can be read as a stand-alone series, but I’m sure it’ll sure help to understand better by beginning with the first book in the 23 book series called “Who Murdered Mr. Malone?: A Clean Small Town Cozy Mystery (Garden Girls Small Town Mysteries)”. Whew! Talk about a long book title!
So, if you’d like to understand past references of mysteries the ladies have solved, make sure to start with Who Murdered Mr. Malone?
December 26, 2020
Double Date Disaster: A Cozy Christian Mystery
This was another wonderful story of friends, foes and the mysterious. If you like to read stories that are about friendship, trust and sometimes human error, this is the book for you. There is no bad language, as it isn’t necessary to convey a story line, nor any sexual innuendos, as for the same reason (my humble opinion). The characters portrayed are people like your own best friends and neighbors and the mystery of who done it will keep you guessing until the very end. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good storyline and a good who done it mystery.
This was another wonderful story of friends, foes and the mysterious. If you like to read stories that are about friendship, trust and sometimes human error, this is the book for you. There is no bad language, as it isn’t necessary to convey a story line, nor any sexual innuendos, as for the same reason (my humble opinion). The characters portrayed are people like your own best friends and neighbors and the mystery of who done it will keep you guessing until the very end. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good storyline and a good who done it mystery.
June 11, 2025
Margaret’s friends registered her on a dating website, then pretended to be her. They set up a date with a man named Stephen. A double date was set with Margaret and Stephen and with Margaret’s friend, Eleanor and the man she was dating, Douglas. The luncheon date took place on Stephen’s farm. Two tables were set up a distance apart for privacy. At some point, Douglas became ill. It was discovered he had been poisoned. Because Margaret was with him, she became a suspect. Margaret and her friends, the Garden Girls try to figure out who poisoned him and why.
Serious with some humorous content and likeable characters.
Serious with some humorous content and likeable characters.
February 12, 2023
Review of this book.
Absolutely captivating! This was very enjoyable. As always, the clues were subtle and the false clues (red herrings) were plentiful. I cannot find words to express how much I enjoy reading the cozy mystery series. I enjoy reading mysteries with some romance thrown in. What I do not enjoy are explicit sexual scenes, or graphic sexual scenes or language. I can enjoy reading these books, with hints of romance. You leave the romance to the imagination. You are a super talented writer. Please do not ever stop writing these books.
Absolutely captivating! This was very enjoyable. As always, the clues were subtle and the false clues (red herrings) were plentiful. I cannot find words to express how much I enjoy reading the cozy mystery series. I enjoy reading mysteries with some romance thrown in. What I do not enjoy are explicit sexual scenes, or graphic sexual scenes or language. I can enjoy reading these books, with hints of romance. You leave the romance to the imagination. You are a super talented writer. Please do not ever stop writing these books.
November 23, 2020
A delightful start to a new series. If you enjoyed the Garden Girls with its Michigan setting you will enjoy this new series with our delightful Garden Girls and senior sleuth Gloria and her friends Lucy, Dot, Ruth, Margaret and Andrea. This avid reader, retiree, and Michigander enjoys the antics of the Garden Girls. Never a dull moment. Relatable characters, twist and turn plot, and a believable resolution. A page turning mystery that kept me reading through the night.
November 27, 2020
Garden Girls, The Golden Years
This is the first in the spin off of The Garden Girls series. All of the characters we know and love are here. Two of the girls delve into the world of online dating. When things go horribly wrong the girls go into full detective mode to solve the "crime". This is like wrapping myself up in a comfy chair for a visit with old friends. Thank you Hope Callaghan for another great book!
This is the first in the spin off of The Garden Girls series. All of the characters we know and love are here. Two of the girls delve into the world of online dating. When things go horribly wrong the girls go into full detective mode to solve the "crime". This is like wrapping myself up in a comfy chair for a visit with old friends. Thank you Hope Callaghan for another great book!
July 11, 2021
Dating is dangerous
Liz and Eleanor sign Margaret up on an online dating app that Eleanor is on. They signed her up for a date for tomorrow, she has a double date with Eleanor. Eleanor accidentally maces. . her date and he ends up in ICU, poisoned. The girls have to figure out who poisoned Douglas. Funny but serious story and great characters.
Liz and Eleanor sign Margaret up on an online dating app that Eleanor is on. They signed her up for a date for tomorrow, she has a double date with Eleanor. Eleanor accidentally maces. . her date and he ends up in ICU, poisoned. The girls have to figure out who poisoned Douglas. Funny but serious story and great characters.
January 16, 2022
Eleanor's Date Disaster
When Eleanor goes on a double date, little does she know it will end with her date ending up in the hospital. She is suspected of poisoning him, even though neither of them ate any of the food. Gloria & the girls came to her rescue to find the killer who poisoned Margaret's date, and, after a long investigation, they finally solved the crime.
When Eleanor goes on a double date, little does she know it will end with her date ending up in the hospital. She is suspected of poisoning him, even though neither of them ate any of the food. Gloria & the girls came to her rescue to find the killer who poisoned Margaret's date, and, after a long investigation, they finally solved the crime.
February 4, 2023
Beautiful message about life long friends
I love the easy read and I am always trying to stay one step ahead of solving the murder!!! My only dislike is there are not more of her fun books to read!!! It's so refreshing to read a wonderful story with great messages!! I hope she keeps us the good reads!!!!!
I love the easy read and I am always trying to stay one step ahead of solving the murder!!! My only dislike is there are not more of her fun books to read!!! It's so refreshing to read a wonderful story with great messages!! I hope she keeps us the good reads!!!!!
May 25, 2025
I didn't realize there were other related books before this series, but I still enjoyed reading this and was able to follow it. I definitely think that reading the previous books in the related series would make this more enjoyable, but the author gave enough summary when required to help a new reader follow along. I would definitely read more of this series and books by this author.
November 24, 2020
I Loved This Book and the Beginning of a new Series
Wow!! I love the start of the new series and this book.
There was plenty of suspense,twists and turns.
I enjoyed the storyline and all the Garden Girls.
This book is highly recommended.
Wow!! I love the start of the new series and this book.
There was plenty of suspense,twists and turns.
I enjoyed the storyline and all the Garden Girls.
This book is highly recommended.
November 26, 2020
Gloria and the girls get better and better!
I so love this series. Gloria and gang are together again. This time Eleanor us in trouble. When a man she met online dies after her date, all fingers point to her!! Can Gloria figure out who done it before it’s too late??!
I so love this series. Gloria and gang are together again. This time Eleanor us in trouble. When a man she met online dies after her date, all fingers point to her!! Can Gloria figure out who done it before it’s too late??!
November 27, 2020
When Eleanor and Margaret double date, Eleanor's date ends up dead. In order to protect Eleanor the ladies start their own investigation. One that shows them the underbelly of on-line dating. Well written and interesting.
November 28, 2020
Mystery follows this group of Small town friends.
Well written, as the Golden girls enter another decade. Fun bookkeeping up with the latest of the Garden Girls. Senior dating at its best.
Well written, as the Golden girls enter another decade. Fun bookkeeping up with the latest of the Garden Girls. Senior dating at its best.
December 4, 2020
Another great series
Gloria and the girls are going great guns to solve the murder of Eleanors date from Senior Singles. She has argued with him and she is very scared after he collapses during their date.
Gloria and the girls are going great guns to solve the murder of Eleanors date from Senior Singles. She has argued with him and she is very scared after he collapses during their date.
Read
January 6, 2021I loved this because I met my huaband online. And Margaret was right to be cautious. There a lot of crazies out there but I found a jewel and we have been married for 6 years. I love all the character. They each have wonderful personalities! Thank you, Hope
January 13, 2021
Had fun reading this one
If you've read the rest of the Garden Girls series, this won't disappoint! Dating sites, mismatches, and murder! When one of the girls is a suspect in her dating site match's murder, they all get to sleuthing to find the real killer
If you've read the rest of the Garden Girls series, this won't disappoint! Dating sites, mismatches, and murder! When one of the girls is a suspect in her dating site match's murder, they all get to sleuthing to find the real killer
January 21, 2021
Heart-warming
Heart warming example of mature ladies who have been friends since they were young. Two sides of their lives is the longevity of friendship and the loneliness of aging without their spouse.
Heart warming example of mature ladies who have been friends since they were young. Two sides of their lives is the longevity of friendship and the loneliness of aging without their spouse.
February 4, 2021
Awesome mystery
I loved this clean mystery. I was familiar with the characters from reading previous books. I love this author; she keeps the story moving, where it’s hard to put it down.
I loved this clean mystery. I was familiar with the characters from reading previous books. I love this author; she keeps the story moving, where it’s hard to put it down.
February 17, 2021
A wonderful cozy mystery
Hope's books are wonderful, they are clean cozy mysteries. Well worth five stars and just the thing on a cold winter's eve. I can't wait to read the next book.
Hope's books are wonderful, they are clean cozy mysteries. Well worth five stars and just the thing on a cold winter's eve. I can't wait to read the next book.
February 19, 2021
If you loved the Garden Girls? Read On!
You are going to love the Golden Years! The girls carry on supporting each other with a few surprising trips. Just when you think all is settling down nice retirement, lol! They seem more adventurous, these are the friends you need.
You are going to love the Golden Years! The girls carry on supporting each other with a few surprising trips. Just when you think all is settling down nice retirement, lol! They seem more adventurous, these are the friends you need.
April 8, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much. The girls worked so hard to find Douglas's killer, was it Eleanor or not? Margaret found a new male friend, will it become more than just friends? There were so many questions in this book to be answered. I read it in one setting and am starting the next in the series.
June 25, 2021
Double Dating Turned Deadly
I chose this rating because, as usual, Hope Callaghan has turned out another good cozy mystery. Watching Gloria and her friends solve another case is always fun!
I chose this rating because, as usual, Hope Callaghan has turned out another good cozy mystery. Watching Gloria and her friends solve another case is always fun!
September 14, 2021
Great Book
This is a had to put down mystery novel. I am now inspired to go back and read the mystery series that preceded this new series. It' s fun meeting every character there especially Gloria.
This is a had to put down mystery novel. I am now inspired to go back and read the mystery series that preceded this new series. It' s fun meeting every character there especially Gloria.
November 26, 2021
Great story filled with mystery, intrigue and friendship!
I love the friendship these women share! This book it entertaining and filled with mystery. The reader doesn’t really know the guilty person until the end!
I love the friendship these women share! This book it entertaining and filled with mystery. The reader doesn’t really know the guilty person until the end!
July 21, 2023
Who killed Douglas Womack and why??? Lucy and Gloria will track down the stalker, won't they??? Remind me to NEVER sign up for one of those dating sites!!! I enjoyed this story andd recommended the book.
January 7, 2025
Fun read - kind of a cross between 'Charlie's Angels' and 'The Golden Girls'. Mature women dabble in Senior dating websites and get involved with a mystery to solve. Love the smart and beautiful 'Senior Sleuths'. Enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews