What do you think?
Rate this book
A Greenhouse Mystery #6
Sowing Malice
When lawyer-turned-farmer Megan Sawyer witnesses a seemingly innocent scene between three strangers, she learns they're headed to the von Tressler memorial--the talk of scenic Winsome, Pennsylvania. The von Tressler family has more money than manners. The newcomers recently bought coveted hilltop property to build their oversized Greek Revival, tempting away local contractors and snubbing the locals. Soon one of those three strangers goes missing and another is murdered, her body found at Washington Acres--Megan's family farm. The local police turn to Megan, as she was one of the last people to have seen them both. With her family's safety at stake, Megan must pick her way through the von Tresslers' sordid family secrets and colorful personalities. She discovers that the malice that's befallen Winsome has roots in the past, and she'll need to dig deep to weed truth from lies and innocence from guilt, or the body count will grow even higher. - - - - - - - - - - - - - SOWING MALICE by Wendy Tyson A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you'll probably like them all.
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
372 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
23 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Tyson
24 books383 followersWendy Tyson is an author, lawyer, and former therapist whose background has inspired her thrillers and mysteries. As Liv Andersson, she writes thrillers, including Little Red House. As Wendy Tyson, she is the author of several mystery series, including the Amazon bestselling Greenhouse Mystery Series. Wendy’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals and crime anthologies, and she has written for The Big Thrill and The Thrill Begins, International Thriller Writers’ online magazines. Wendy is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. She and her husband live in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont with their sons and three dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 15, 2020
When the von Tresslers moved to town, they didn’t make the residents of Winsome, Pennsylvania, very happy. They’ve mostly kept to themselves except when they were pushing to do things their way. Now, David von Tressler has died, and most of the mourners are from out of town. That includes three women that Megan Sawyer runs into at the local nursery. Shortly after Megan meets them, one of the women disappears. Then a body turns up at Megan’s farm. What is going on?
I was thrilled to see another entry in this great series, and I wasn’t disappointed. The mystery is strong. It starts quickly and there are plenty of twists and turns before we reach the end. The characters continue to be wonderful. We got updates on the series regulars and the new characters were well developed. There’s nothing here that spoils previous books in the series, so you could jump in here, but to fully appreciate the character growth, I do recommend reading the series in order. This series is more of a traditional mystery than a lighter cozy, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I was thrilled to see another entry in this great series, and I wasn’t disappointed. The mystery is strong. It starts quickly and there are plenty of twists and turns before we reach the end. The characters continue to be wonderful. We got updates on the series regulars and the new characters were well developed. There’s nothing here that spoils previous books in the series, so you could jump in here, but to fully appreciate the character growth, I do recommend reading the series in order. This series is more of a traditional mystery than a lighter cozy, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 23, 2020
Sowing Malice earns 5/5 Café Treats...Engaging Entertainment!
Wendy Tyson’s sixth Greenhouse Mystery book has been added to an already delightful and favorite series. Her new mystery, riddled with disappearances and a dead body, was twisty with many surprises and characters to weed through. Family dynamics. Sibling connections. Inheritance claims. Secrets. Selfishness. The von Tresslers are not normal members of the small Pennsylvanian community of Winsome. With their wealth and attitude they keep themselves separated and shun invitations to join in, participate, or patronize local businesses along with poaching all the contractors in the area to build their mansion no matter to what projects those contractors had already committed. Even with the sudden death of patriarch David von Tressler, his memorial would be not be attended by many from town, at least with an invite. Megan, picking up supplies in Merry’s garden shop, sadly witnesses the uncontrolled emotional outburst from Claire von Tressler, whose connection to the family is unknown. But then there’s a report of a missing person, a second missing person, and a dead body found on her farm’s property. Megan wanted to have a successful farmers’ market, Fourth of July events, and time with friends and family, but quickly adds a murder investigation to her “To Do” list.
Wendy’s writing style is one to keep readers engaged and entertained. In this series, she uses a third-person narrative, not my favorite, but done very well. Her expressive description creates a small town, a farm, and delightful characters along with adding emotion and suspense to the drama. The dialogue does well to illustrate tone from everyday busy to threatening and personalities from caring to aloof, friendly to suspicious, and quirky to manipulative. In my experience, although the mystery needs to be well developed, it’s the characters that need to be realistic in their manner and their reaction; Wendy does well with this, too. I enjoy Megan’s “courage” to broaden the family farm experience and the café, and expand Washington Acres, as well as, navigate a romantic relationship with her post-widow status. But, her amateur investigation does not circumvent official channels, her informal interrogations are smooth, and her critical thinking narrows the suspect list well. Absolutely loved it...page 1 to the “Wow!” end!
No bonus included which is a disappointment with a marvelous menu at the café and such expertise on gardening, fruits and veggies, and crafting among her characters. In several of the other books she included a recipe and gardening tip, so don’t forget to check them out, too.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Henery Press thru EdelweissPlus. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Wendy Tyson’s sixth Greenhouse Mystery book has been added to an already delightful and favorite series. Her new mystery, riddled with disappearances and a dead body, was twisty with many surprises and characters to weed through. Family dynamics. Sibling connections. Inheritance claims. Secrets. Selfishness. The von Tresslers are not normal members of the small Pennsylvanian community of Winsome. With their wealth and attitude they keep themselves separated and shun invitations to join in, participate, or patronize local businesses along with poaching all the contractors in the area to build their mansion no matter to what projects those contractors had already committed. Even with the sudden death of patriarch David von Tressler, his memorial would be not be attended by many from town, at least with an invite. Megan, picking up supplies in Merry’s garden shop, sadly witnesses the uncontrolled emotional outburst from Claire von Tressler, whose connection to the family is unknown. But then there’s a report of a missing person, a second missing person, and a dead body found on her farm’s property. Megan wanted to have a successful farmers’ market, Fourth of July events, and time with friends and family, but quickly adds a murder investigation to her “To Do” list.
Wendy’s writing style is one to keep readers engaged and entertained. In this series, she uses a third-person narrative, not my favorite, but done very well. Her expressive description creates a small town, a farm, and delightful characters along with adding emotion and suspense to the drama. The dialogue does well to illustrate tone from everyday busy to threatening and personalities from caring to aloof, friendly to suspicious, and quirky to manipulative. In my experience, although the mystery needs to be well developed, it’s the characters that need to be realistic in their manner and their reaction; Wendy does well with this, too. I enjoy Megan’s “courage” to broaden the family farm experience and the café, and expand Washington Acres, as well as, navigate a romantic relationship with her post-widow status. But, her amateur investigation does not circumvent official channels, her informal interrogations are smooth, and her critical thinking narrows the suspect list well. Absolutely loved it...page 1 to the “Wow!” end!
No bonus included which is a disappointment with a marvelous menu at the café and such expertise on gardening, fruits and veggies, and crafting among her characters. In several of the other books she included a recipe and gardening tip, so don’t forget to check them out, too.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Henery Press thru EdelweissPlus. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
December 18, 2020
Megan Sawyer is an ex-attorney who left her practice and moved to Winsome, Pennsylvania, to help her grandmother run her family's farm, Washington Acres. She's since then expanded her organic business and is renovating the home next door to become an inn for her farm.
While purchasing potting soil for her grandmother Bibi, she overhears a conversation between three women, one of them crying uncontrollably. It appears they're going to the funeral of David von Tressler, who built a monstrous home nearby; since he and his wife pretty much kept away from the locals, Megan has no plans to attend. But when the women get a flat tire and she's asked to take the youngest of the three, Claire, who was also the crying one, to the funeral, she agrees. After dropping her off at the door, Megan thinks that will be the last of it.
But when Claire never arrived at the funeral, Megan is accused of having something to do with her disappearance. Then, when another sister is murdered and found at the home she's renovating, Megan's right in the middle of a murder investigation. Now, to clear her name, she needs to find the missing woman and find answers as to why the murdered one was left at her farm. But in doing so, Megan might just be the next victim...
I have read the previous books in this series, and have never been disappointed in any of them. This one is no less intriguing than the others. Megan, who is just trying to make a life for herself and Bibi, is finding it harder to do when they're interrupted with a murder victim being found next door. The situation escalates when Megan learns that there's something else afoot, and it also has to do with her, although she has no idea what. Knowing this, it neither arms nor comforts her as she tries to put the pieces together.
There's also the fact that Megan is struggling with her feelings for Denver and being worried about her aging grandmother's health. While she's struggling with these two things as well, she needs to put them aside while she tries to figure out the problems with the death of the woman and the von Tresslers, who are giving no help at all.
Megan, while being warned to stay out of the investigation, knows she can't do that, so starts asking questions on her own. I love the fact that she doesn't go about accusing people of murder, instead gathering information, sharing those facts with police chief Bobby King, and trying to make sense of everything.
What ensues is a convoluted tale of murder, greed, lies, and revenge. It is done masterfully, with Ms. Tyson taking each thread and pulling them slowly together to reveal the tightly woven end result that gives us an ending no one could have seen coming. Finding the killer was both unanticipated and captivating in the fact that it was surprising in itself. While I had my suspicions, I was gratified to see that I was at least partly right.
It also gives us something to look forward to in the next book (which wouldn't have mattered to me anyway since this is one of my favorite series and I have no intention of deserting it), and the fact that this book was so riveting is testament to the fact that Ms. Tyson is one of the most talented writers out there. I eagerly await the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and Edelweiss but this in no way influenced my review.
While purchasing potting soil for her grandmother Bibi, she overhears a conversation between three women, one of them crying uncontrollably. It appears they're going to the funeral of David von Tressler, who built a monstrous home nearby; since he and his wife pretty much kept away from the locals, Megan has no plans to attend. But when the women get a flat tire and she's asked to take the youngest of the three, Claire, who was also the crying one, to the funeral, she agrees. After dropping her off at the door, Megan thinks that will be the last of it.
But when Claire never arrived at the funeral, Megan is accused of having something to do with her disappearance. Then, when another sister is murdered and found at the home she's renovating, Megan's right in the middle of a murder investigation. Now, to clear her name, she needs to find the missing woman and find answers as to why the murdered one was left at her farm. But in doing so, Megan might just be the next victim...
I have read the previous books in this series, and have never been disappointed in any of them. This one is no less intriguing than the others. Megan, who is just trying to make a life for herself and Bibi, is finding it harder to do when they're interrupted with a murder victim being found next door. The situation escalates when Megan learns that there's something else afoot, and it also has to do with her, although she has no idea what. Knowing this, it neither arms nor comforts her as she tries to put the pieces together.
There's also the fact that Megan is struggling with her feelings for Denver and being worried about her aging grandmother's health. While she's struggling with these two things as well, she needs to put them aside while she tries to figure out the problems with the death of the woman and the von Tresslers, who are giving no help at all.
Megan, while being warned to stay out of the investigation, knows she can't do that, so starts asking questions on her own. I love the fact that she doesn't go about accusing people of murder, instead gathering information, sharing those facts with police chief Bobby King, and trying to make sense of everything.
What ensues is a convoluted tale of murder, greed, lies, and revenge. It is done masterfully, with Ms. Tyson taking each thread and pulling them slowly together to reveal the tightly woven end result that gives us an ending no one could have seen coming. Finding the killer was both unanticipated and captivating in the fact that it was surprising in itself. While I had my suspicions, I was gratified to see that I was at least partly right.
It also gives us something to look forward to in the next book (which wouldn't have mattered to me anyway since this is one of my favorite series and I have no intention of deserting it), and the fact that this book was so riveting is testament to the fact that Ms. Tyson is one of the most talented writers out there. I eagerly await the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and Edelweiss but this in no way influenced my review.
February 26, 2022
Megan Sawyer gives a ride to a stranger to get to a memorial for her step-son.
The next day, the sheriff is asking about the young woman as she never made it into the home.
One of the guests for the memorial is missing, one is dead, and the other is distraught as both ladies were her sister. Now she wants answers, and Megan's name keeps popping up.
A multi-million dollar company is at stake, It's was between the oldest son (now deceased), and his much younger mother-in-law. Now his wife is set to take over.
In other news, Megan's grandmother is showing signs of getting older, and her boyfriend is no longer happy with the current status of their relationship.
It looks like Megan has a LOT of things to work out.
I will be very sorry if this is the last of this series.
The next day, the sheriff is asking about the young woman as she never made it into the home.
One of the guests for the memorial is missing, one is dead, and the other is distraught as both ladies were her sister. Now she wants answers, and Megan's name keeps popping up.
A multi-million dollar company is at stake, It's was between the oldest son (now deceased), and his much younger mother-in-law. Now his wife is set to take over.
In other news, Megan's grandmother is showing signs of getting older, and her boyfriend is no longer happy with the current status of their relationship.
It looks like Megan has a LOT of things to work out.
I will be very sorry if this is the last of this series.
June 23, 2020
Book 6 continues the growth of Washington Acres Farm, Cafe and Marshall House teaching center. Megan Sawyer and her grandmother Bonnie Birch, aka Bibi, are forced to face changes once the mystery of a body dropped on their farm is cleared up.
There are a lot of characters in this series but they are not overwhelming. Characters are interesting people and compliment the Megan & Bibi.
It was nice to catch up with their lives.
I volunteered to read an ARC from Henery Press through Edelweiss.
Release date July 14, 2020
There are a lot of characters in this series but they are not overwhelming. Characters are interesting people and compliment the Megan & Bibi.
It was nice to catch up with their lives.
I volunteered to read an ARC from Henery Press through Edelweiss.
Release date July 14, 2020
April 11, 2022
I will start by saying this is one of my favorite series. I like seeing the characters grow as well as seeing the progress of the farm and all of its activities. I like that Megan, main character, doesn't rush into things as she builds her business. I like that not everything comes easily, she and her team have to work hard for everything to be successful.
This series is more amateur sleuth than cozy, more suspenseful and grim with some light touches instead of how cozies can be light with some grim. It's a rather intricate plot with plenty going on to keep the pages turning quickly and staying up later than I should since this was mostly my bedtime reading, except for one delightful hour getting a pedicure and had uninterrupted reading to finish the book.
I like the slow flow of the romance Megan has with the town vet. Both are busy in their respective work but make time for each other. He wants more, she hesitates for her reasons.
Also key to my enjoyment was the need for Megan to become involved in the investigation. Everything going on has impacted her life and farm, family and friends. She needs to get to the bottom of it. She has a good rapport with the police force in town so that helps.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
This series is more amateur sleuth than cozy, more suspenseful and grim with some light touches instead of how cozies can be light with some grim. It's a rather intricate plot with plenty going on to keep the pages turning quickly and staying up later than I should since this was mostly my bedtime reading, except for one delightful hour getting a pedicure and had uninterrupted reading to finish the book.
I like the slow flow of the romance Megan has with the town vet. Both are busy in their respective work but make time for each other. He wants more, she hesitates for her reasons.
Also key to my enjoyment was the need for Megan to become involved in the investigation. Everything going on has impacted her life and farm, family and friends. She needs to get to the bottom of it. She has a good rapport with the police force in town so that helps.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
June 1, 2021
I am overwhelmed at the plot complexity in Wendy Tyson’s Sowing Malice. When a rich man dies in Winsome, Pennsylvania, a storm of activities is released including a murder, distraught widows and lovers, planted evidence, semi-abandoned houses, and inheritance issues. More importantly, a murder victim is transferred to Megan’s property where it can’t be missed and attention is diverted to Megan Sawyer. Megan, the widow of a soldier she loved deeply, lives in Winsome with Bibi, her grandmother. She owns and manages an organic farm that supplies her café and other restaurants with fresh organic produce. In this book in the series, she is also finishing renovations on a house on adjoining land she purchased. Her goal is to convert it and a barn into an inn, education facility, and event center. Her Scottish boyfriend, the local veterinarian, continues to play a role as he supports her and patiently waits for her to be ready for a deeper commitment.
All of this story background is the vehicle for delivering a plot with more legitimate suspects than you would think possible. Megan has to work hard to discern the motivations of the various characters and determine who is lying and why. Family relationships keep the focus on tangled connections; extra effort is needed to sort out what occurred when and who benefits from it.
It will come as no surprise to Wendy Tyson fans that she achieves success with this cozy mystery as she racks up yet another page turner. As the book concludes, there are also several surprises in the personal arena that will leave the reader smiling with satisfaction.
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
All of this story background is the vehicle for delivering a plot with more legitimate suspects than you would think possible. Megan has to work hard to discern the motivations of the various characters and determine who is lying and why. Family relationships keep the focus on tangled connections; extra effort is needed to sort out what occurred when and who benefits from it.
It will come as no surprise to Wendy Tyson fans that she achieves success with this cozy mystery as she racks up yet another page turner. As the book concludes, there are also several surprises in the personal arena that will leave the reader smiling with satisfaction.
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2020
As a back story, Megan Sawyer is now running her family’s organic farm, Washington Acres, after walking away from her legal career following the death of her husband. With her grandmother Bibi and dependable employees, she has turned the farm, and the café in town, around. With the opening of Marshall house in sight, Megan will be able to see her dreams come to fruition. That is until a good deed results in a missing woman and a dead body found on her property.
The anti-social Von Tressler’s don’t belong in this part of the state, and no one is sure why they decided to build their home in Winsome, Pennsylvania. Now with the patriarch dead, and a curious amount of bed-hopping going on, Detective King, with the help of Megan, needs to figure out what is going on within the mahogany halls of the Von Tressler corporation and to understand why Megan was drawn into the middle of it.
For the longest time, I was confusing the father and the son, then the wives, then the partners. Not sure how it all clicked into place with the shenanigans going on, but Wendy Tyson did manage to tie it all up before the Fourth of July festivities and the grand opening of the Marshall house, without letting on to the final surprise she had in store for her reader.
The anti-social Von Tressler’s don’t belong in this part of the state, and no one is sure why they decided to build their home in Winsome, Pennsylvania. Now with the patriarch dead, and a curious amount of bed-hopping going on, Detective King, with the help of Megan, needs to figure out what is going on within the mahogany halls of the Von Tressler corporation and to understand why Megan was drawn into the middle of it.
For the longest time, I was confusing the father and the son, then the wives, then the partners. Not sure how it all clicked into place with the shenanigans going on, but Wendy Tyson did manage to tie it all up before the Fourth of July festivities and the grand opening of the Marshall house, without letting on to the final surprise she had in store for her reader.
July 12, 2020
I really love this series and this is another great addition. Megan as usual has her hand full, the farm, cafe, expansion projects and concern for Bibi's health, but unfortunately a kind act puts her right in the middle of one family's drama, and then murder! As we have come to expect this is an excellent mystery with lots of suspects and red herrings but to me the strength of this series is always the excellent characters and their development.
November 23, 2020
I sat down and read this entire book in one afternoon; that's how much I enjoyed it. I don't want to give anything away, but I can't help but wonder if this book is the end of the line for this series? When you read it, you'll understand why I say this. I hope not; I've really enjoyed getting to know Megan, Denver, Bibi and the other characters in this series. I've even enjoyed reading about the animals!! Great series!!
February 19, 2021
Winsome in Winsome
I enjoy my visits with Megan, Bibi, Denver, Bobby, and the rest of the cast of Wendy Tyson's Greenhouse Mysteries. But there is something about SOWING MALICE that felt a little off, off enough that I almost deducted a star from my usual five-star ratings for the series. Perhaps it was feeling that Megan was seemingly clueless for a good chunk of the book. Or maybe I'm just cranky. Lol
I enjoy my visits with Megan, Bibi, Denver, Bobby, and the rest of the cast of Wendy Tyson's Greenhouse Mysteries. But there is something about SOWING MALICE that felt a little off, off enough that I almost deducted a star from my usual five-star ratings for the series. Perhaps it was feeling that Megan was seemingly clueless for a good chunk of the book. Or maybe I'm just cranky. Lol
July 31, 2020
This is the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I loved it.
The cast of characters is fleshed out and likable, the setting lovely and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The cast of characters is fleshed out and likable, the setting lovely and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 3, 2022
An enjoyable mystery that I didn't figure out early about a community I've enjoyed since the first book in the series. Much worked out in a rather satisfying way, but some odd symptoms sprinkled throughout were never addressed and now I'm very curious for the next book. It seems to me that somebody is either pregnant or has a brain tumor. (Hope it's the former.)
October 25, 2020
A family full of Malice
I am enjoying reading this series. The characters are real. Having grown up in the Philadelphia area, I am familiar with the area described in the books. A fun read.
I am enjoying reading this series. The characters are real. Having grown up in the Philadelphia area, I am familiar with the area described in the books. A fun read.
October 25, 2021
Good read. I enjoy this series but was getting a little tired of the way Megan pushed Denver away all too often but by the end of the book... The mystery had so many twists and turns it kept me off kilter. I did not figure it out until the plot was revealed.
May 8, 2025
As sad as I am that this series seems to be over, the time spent with the main characters has been wonderful. This story does not disappoint either, with so many red herrings, twists and turns throughout.
September 7, 2020
Wendy Tyson is a great mystery writer. I literally couldn’t put this sixth book in the Greenhouse Mystery series down. I highly recommend it to all as a great escape read.
May 25, 2025
Love this series! Want more!!
January 17, 2022
Multiple typographical errors and a few vague passages interrupt the narrative giving this installment of the Greenhouse Mysteries series a "rush job" feeling. Interesting story, but the writing is not as precise as the first four books. Cover design continues to please.
October 25, 2020
Sowing Malice is book 6 in the Greenhouse Mystery Series. It took me a little while to remember all the characters and the settings in the series since I hadn’t read the series for 10 months. But once I got started I couldn’t put it down. I also was surprised by the culprit which I loved. My one complaint is that sometimes Megan is a little short with people but that might change going forward. I definitely will read more in the series. If you are looking for a cozy mystery series with a farming and yummy fold, check out this series. I would definitely start with book 1. #sowingmalice #greenhousemysteries #cozymystery #cozymysteryreaders #murdermystery #booksofig #booksofinstagram #reading #readingchallenge #readingchallenge2020 #aliciareads
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews