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A Garden Squad Mystery #4
Wreathing Havoc
There’s nothing like autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, but beneath the season’s sun-dappled foliage, Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad must investigate a shadowy murder mystery after a theater owner’s sudden death sows as much drama behind the scenes as on any stage...
Lilly Jayne typically spends the harvest season baking festive pies and crafting colorful wreaths to enter in the library’s annual fundraising contest. But this year, autumn opens on a somber note when beloved local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly. His memorial sets the scene for a mini reunion of The Goosebush Players’ best and brightest alumni, including Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan...until someone plucks Jeremy from the spotlight, permanently.
Now, as dedicated theater volunteer, Scooter McGee, falls under suspicion, Lilly and her Garden Squad must spring into action. They quickly discover a cornucopia of potential suspects in Jeremy’s murder. Was it an embittered ex...or a jilted lover? A rival thespian...or an overly ambitious artist? Lilly rakes through the piles of clues, but if she doesn’t uncover the real killer soon, more than autumn leaves will be dropping in Goosebush...
Lilly Jayne typically spends the harvest season baking festive pies and crafting colorful wreaths to enter in the library’s annual fundraising contest. But this year, autumn opens on a somber note when beloved local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly. His memorial sets the scene for a mini reunion of The Goosebush Players’ best and brightest alumni, including Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan...until someone plucks Jeremy from the spotlight, permanently.
Now, as dedicated theater volunteer, Scooter McGee, falls under suspicion, Lilly and her Garden Squad must spring into action. They quickly discover a cornucopia of potential suspects in Jeremy’s murder. Was it an embittered ex...or a jilted lover? A rival thespian...or an overly ambitious artist? Lilly rakes through the piles of clues, but if she doesn’t uncover the real killer soon, more than autumn leaves will be dropping in Goosebush...
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
22 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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September 29, 2021
Thanksgiving week has opened on a somber note since it starts with the funeral for Leon Tompkin, the owner of the local theater. Lilly Jayne and the rest of the Garden Squad aren’t the only ones in town mourning his passing, and it even brings some of the people who used to work with Leon at the theater back to town. When one of the visitors is murdered, Lilly can’t help but wonder if Leon’s death was from natural causes. If it wasn’t, are the two deaths connected?
Thanksgiving isn’t usually a setting for fall themed cozy mysteries, but I enjoyed seeing this book starting with November’s holiday, although we do get a few early Christmas activities as the book goes along. The mystery takes a little while to set down roots before it starts to fully grow, but once it does, we wind up with a wonderful mystery. I love how everything came together. Lilly and the rest of her friends in the Garden Squad are as delightful as always, and the new characters are equally likeable, making it hard for me to pick out the killer. Late autumn isn’t the best time for gardening, but we still get a bit of that and a few gardening tips over the course of the book. This is an entry that fans of the series will be thankful for.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Thanksgiving isn’t usually a setting for fall themed cozy mysteries, but I enjoyed seeing this book starting with November’s holiday, although we do get a few early Christmas activities as the book goes along. The mystery takes a little while to set down roots before it starts to fully grow, but once it does, we wind up with a wonderful mystery. I love how everything came together. Lilly and the rest of her friends in the Garden Squad are as delightful as always, and the new characters are equally likeable, making it hard for me to pick out the killer. Late autumn isn’t the best time for gardening, but we still get a bit of that and a few gardening tips over the course of the book. This is an entry that fans of the series will be thankful for.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 30, 2021
After reading the first three books in this series, I was looking forward to visiting with Lilly Jayne and friends in Goosebush, once again. It is autumn and the town of Goosebush is gearing up for Harvest season. There is a damper on the celebrations as Leon Tompkin, the local theater owner has died. Many of the Goosebush Theatre alumni attend his memorial service, but not all of them leave. Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan, is murdered. Scooter McGee, a local resident and theatre volunteer is the prime suspect in his death so Lilly and the Garden Squad begin their own investigation.
I enjoy the setting of this series and the variety of characters we meet as well as the regulars. It seems there is always some sort of event or fundraising going on and this book has a library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes. I even googled it thinking I would make my own for Christmas and have come up with some ideas, but I digress. There wasn't much gardening in this one, but that was based on the time of year in this Massachusetts town. Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is great at delegating and uses the strengths of her friends to uncover information. She is a scion of the town and everyone seems to realize her talents as a peacemaker as well as a worker bee. The mystery was well developed and had plenty of suspects. I liked that it delved into the theater world and the tangled relationships among a group of actors and friends. The mystery was a bit complex and kept me guessing. I did figure out the culprit before the reveal, but I was still invested in the story. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, and community which I love in cozy mysteries. I will continue to follow this series and spend time in Goosebush with The Garden Squad. Once again, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Laural Merlington. I am becoming used to her voice and those that she gives to the various characters. She reads with expression and emotion and added to my enjoyment of this story.
I enjoy the setting of this series and the variety of characters we meet as well as the regulars. It seems there is always some sort of event or fundraising going on and this book has a library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes. I even googled it thinking I would make my own for Christmas and have come up with some ideas, but I digress. There wasn't much gardening in this one, but that was based on the time of year in this Massachusetts town. Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is great at delegating and uses the strengths of her friends to uncover information. She is a scion of the town and everyone seems to realize her talents as a peacemaker as well as a worker bee. The mystery was well developed and had plenty of suspects. I liked that it delved into the theater world and the tangled relationships among a group of actors and friends. The mystery was a bit complex and kept me guessing. I did figure out the culprit before the reveal, but I was still invested in the story. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, and community which I love in cozy mysteries. I will continue to follow this series and spend time in Goosebush with The Garden Squad. Once again, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Laural Merlington. I am becoming used to her voice and those that she gives to the various characters. She reads with expression and emotion and added to my enjoyment of this story.
October 28, 2021
I love visiting with Lilly and the rest of the Garden Squad. They definitely make the series more enjoyable. This particular story, however, seemed to drag on. The murder doesn’t happen until almost halfway through the story, leaving us with so much to just build the scene in the theatre, which I thought might have been a little too much. The mystery itself was pretty solid but I couldn’t get into this story – there were so many new people to keep track of, it got a little confusing at times. I will continue with the series but hope for more of their gardening fun.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Local theater owner and dear friend of Lilly Jayne, Leon Tompkin, has passed away. He had been sick but his passing was quicker than imagined. A memorial at the theater brings together the alumni of The Goosebush Players, including Jeremy Nolan and Annabelle Keys who both went on to become Hollywood stars.
The theater had been planning several readings of A Christmas Carol and has decided to still do so only with Nolan and Keys taking part. But there will be no encore performance for Jeremy Nolan. He is killed at a reception following the event. Theater volunteer Scooter McGee becomes the police's prime suspect but Lilly Jayne knows he didn't do it. She gathers together The Garden Squad and they start to dig through the suspects and the clues. Will they be able to plant the killer behind bars? or will one of them be picked (off) by the killer when they get too close?
____
All my favorite characters are back busy solving mysteries and planning their Thanksgiving feasts. Lily Jayne is an amazing woman with a huge heart and pride in all things Goosebush that is unmatched although some come close. A new character joins the group. Minh Vann, the new librarian has the skills the Historical Society needs and she loves the research and making the information accessible. She is very enthusiastic and talkative but Delia is happy to have her on board and Roddy enjoys working with her. She is on a quest of her own that brings a new element to the series. I really enjoy how realistic all of Ms. Henry's characters are and how they continue to grow and evolve.
There are a lot of things happening within these pages and Lilly Jayne seems to be involved in everything. Baking pies for the holidays, a wreath contest at the library, a garden sculpture contest at the park, some things in her gardens and greenhouse, and several coincidences that are uncovered while trying to solve the mysteries of the theater. The author blends it all together with such detail. Well-plotted and written the story flows perfectly making it very hard to put down. I had to force myself to do that when I looked up and saw it was 1 in the morning, then quickly picked it up after work the next day to finish.
The mystery takes several twists with a variety of suspects with probable motives. With Chief Sebastian "Bash" Haywood removed from the high-profile case he was able to work with Lilly Jayne and the squad. The future of the theater due to Leon's death takes the story in an interesting direction and brings to light other deaths connected to the place. All the members of The Garden Squad have their strengths so solving the case was a real group effort but one clue really sets Lilly Jayne on the trail of the truth. I was totally captivated by each twist and turn so much so I had an inkling of what was going to happen but was still surprised as everything was spelled out and all was revealed.
The only thing I missed was that because of the time of year, there were no secret midnight garden emergencies rectified by The Garden Squad but they truly did have their hands full with other important things.
Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful addition to the Garden Squad Mystery series. This series really focuses on friendships that get stronger with each book and each case solved. The core characters are so appealing making it very easy to get involved in their lives. A complex mystery that tests me is another thing that draws me in and the one in this book certainly did that. Another Perfect Escape from Julia Henry. I highly recommend this book and series to all cozy readers, especially those with a green thumb.
Local theater owner and dear friend of Lilly Jayne, Leon Tompkin, has passed away. He had been sick but his passing was quicker than imagined. A memorial at the theater brings together the alumni of The Goosebush Players, including Jeremy Nolan and Annabelle Keys who both went on to become Hollywood stars.
The theater had been planning several readings of A Christmas Carol and has decided to still do so only with Nolan and Keys taking part. But there will be no encore performance for Jeremy Nolan. He is killed at a reception following the event. Theater volunteer Scooter McGee becomes the police's prime suspect but Lilly Jayne knows he didn't do it. She gathers together The Garden Squad and they start to dig through the suspects and the clues. Will they be able to plant the killer behind bars? or will one of them be picked (off) by the killer when they get too close?
____
All my favorite characters are back busy solving mysteries and planning their Thanksgiving feasts. Lily Jayne is an amazing woman with a huge heart and pride in all things Goosebush that is unmatched although some come close. A new character joins the group. Minh Vann, the new librarian has the skills the Historical Society needs and she loves the research and making the information accessible. She is very enthusiastic and talkative but Delia is happy to have her on board and Roddy enjoys working with her. She is on a quest of her own that brings a new element to the series. I really enjoy how realistic all of Ms. Henry's characters are and how they continue to grow and evolve.
There are a lot of things happening within these pages and Lilly Jayne seems to be involved in everything. Baking pies for the holidays, a wreath contest at the library, a garden sculpture contest at the park, some things in her gardens and greenhouse, and several coincidences that are uncovered while trying to solve the mysteries of the theater. The author blends it all together with such detail. Well-plotted and written the story flows perfectly making it very hard to put down. I had to force myself to do that when I looked up and saw it was 1 in the morning, then quickly picked it up after work the next day to finish.
The mystery takes several twists with a variety of suspects with probable motives. With Chief Sebastian "Bash" Haywood removed from the high-profile case he was able to work with Lilly Jayne and the squad. The future of the theater due to Leon's death takes the story in an interesting direction and brings to light other deaths connected to the place. All the members of The Garden Squad have their strengths so solving the case was a real group effort but one clue really sets Lilly Jayne on the trail of the truth. I was totally captivated by each twist and turn so much so I had an inkling of what was going to happen but was still surprised as everything was spelled out and all was revealed.
The only thing I missed was that because of the time of year, there were no secret midnight garden emergencies rectified by The Garden Squad but they truly did have their hands full with other important things.
Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful addition to the Garden Squad Mystery series. This series really focuses on friendships that get stronger with each book and each case solved. The core characters are so appealing making it very easy to get involved in their lives. A complex mystery that tests me is another thing that draws me in and the one in this book certainly did that. Another Perfect Escape from Julia Henry. I highly recommend this book and series to all cozy readers, especially those with a green thumb.
September 27, 2021
"I haven't seen the parking lot this full since the Goosebush Players did The Full Monty", Ernie Johnson said.
This is the fourth book in the Garden Squad series. I enjoy my visits to Goosebush, Massachusetts with Lilly and the gang. It's Thanksgiving and the town is mourning the loss of Leon, the local theater owner. Former Goosebush players come to town to present a reading of A Christmas Carol in his memory. The death of a Hollywood star brings to light things about Leon's death and leads to the suspicion of one of Lilly's friends. Lilly and the gang jump in to clear her name.
I like the setting of this series and the variety of characters. It feels like coming home when you open the book. The library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes intrigued me and now I must look into it a bit more. The townspeople seen like friends the more I read of this series.
Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is also a peacemaker which everyone in town seems to realize. The mystery is well done and kept me guessing.
Of course, I love Luna! I imagine her looking like my own kitty with the same name. She certainly acts the same when it comes to begging for food.
I missed the Garden Squad's "flash gardening" but realize that late Fall in Massachusetts is not a time for planting.
This is a fun series that I enjoy more with each book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the fourth book in the Garden Squad series. I enjoy my visits to Goosebush, Massachusetts with Lilly and the gang. It's Thanksgiving and the town is mourning the loss of Leon, the local theater owner. Former Goosebush players come to town to present a reading of A Christmas Carol in his memory. The death of a Hollywood star brings to light things about Leon's death and leads to the suspicion of one of Lilly's friends. Lilly and the gang jump in to clear her name.
I like the setting of this series and the variety of characters. It feels like coming home when you open the book. The library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes intrigued me and now I must look into it a bit more. The townspeople seen like friends the more I read of this series.
Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is also a peacemaker which everyone in town seems to realize. The mystery is well done and kept me guessing.
Of course, I love Luna! I imagine her looking like my own kitty with the same name. She certainly acts the same when it comes to begging for food.
I missed the Garden Squad's "flash gardening" but realize that late Fall in Massachusetts is not a time for planting.
This is a fun series that I enjoy more with each book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 20, 2021
Wreathing Havoc is the 4th book in the Garden Squad Mysteries written by Julia Henry.
I loved this fabulous cozy mystery! Set in autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, sixty-odd-year-old Lilly Jayne is the main character of the story and I adore the author's masterful writing. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery and friendships and many of the characters are great individuals. Lilly and her squad are making wreaths for the library fundraiser and get caught up in the community theatre world in this scintillating instalment. The author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With no shortage of suspects, there was a veritable gamut of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. A superb read, with a strong plot and characters and rich in drama, this novel is very highly recommended and well-worth five stars. I will be watching out for the next book as well as diving into this author's back catalogue.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I loved this fabulous cozy mystery! Set in autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, sixty-odd-year-old Lilly Jayne is the main character of the story and I adore the author's masterful writing. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery and friendships and many of the characters are great individuals. Lilly and her squad are making wreaths for the library fundraiser and get caught up in the community theatre world in this scintillating instalment. The author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With no shortage of suspects, there was a veritable gamut of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. A superb read, with a strong plot and characters and rich in drama, this novel is very highly recommended and well-worth five stars. I will be watching out for the next book as well as diving into this author's back catalogue.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 28, 2021
3 1/2 stars. A warm, cozy mystery with good friends that is a perfect match for the fall turning into winter season that is depicted in the story. This is part of a series but the first that I have read and I didn’t feel that I was missing anything by starting with this book. It is easy enough to remember the characters and their relationships to each other. While this series focuses on gardening, there isn’t that much in this particular book because of the fall time period. Instead, the theater takes front and center stage. Henry does a good job in portraying the fascinating and potentially tension filled world of drama, actors, money providers, directors and all the supporting cast that makes a production possible.
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships to each other. It felt like visiting with friends. I also enjoyed the mystery which was more complex than you find in some cozy series. I guessed who the culprit was but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, particularly because it had more substance and surprises I didn’t expect. I will definitely read more of this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships to each other. It felt like visiting with friends. I also enjoyed the mystery which was more complex than you find in some cozy series. I guessed who the culprit was but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, particularly because it had more substance and surprises I didn’t expect. I will definitely read more of this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 18, 2022
Wreathing Havoc is the fourth entry in Julia Henry's Garden Squad mystery series. I previously read and enjoyed the first three. In this one Leon Tompkins, a member of The Goosebush Players, dies unexpectedly. Then former Goosebush Player and Hollywood star Jeremy Nolan also drops dead. Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad must work to find the killer.
Wreathing Havoc is my least favorite of the series. That's not to say I didn't like it or it's not good. I still love the recurring characters especially the Garden Squad. Reading the book feels like welcoming old friends.
One of the problems I had is that there are too many new characters introduced. It was hard to keep them straight and while the main characters clearly cared about them I did not. It might be because they were all part of a theater group and it was hard for me to connect with that. It's not my favorite thing to read about. Also since the mystery was focused on the theater and its members there was less involvement from other regular characters.
There was an overall darker tone to this one. There was also very little gardening talk this time around. Usually something else not necessarily having to do with the murder is also happening, leading to a true sense of community but not this time.
I still love this well written series with its diverse characters and look forward to the next one.
Wreathing Havoc is my least favorite of the series. That's not to say I didn't like it or it's not good. I still love the recurring characters especially the Garden Squad. Reading the book feels like welcoming old friends.
One of the problems I had is that there are too many new characters introduced. It was hard to keep them straight and while the main characters clearly cared about them I did not. It might be because they were all part of a theater group and it was hard for me to connect with that. It's not my favorite thing to read about. Also since the mystery was focused on the theater and its members there was less involvement from other regular characters.
There was an overall darker tone to this one. There was also very little gardening talk this time around. Usually something else not necessarily having to do with the murder is also happening, leading to a true sense of community but not this time.
I still love this well written series with its diverse characters and look forward to the next one.
June 19, 2021
It's Fall and Lily Jayne and the Garden Squad are busily working on wreaths for a library fundraiser. However, when a a theater owner suddenly dies and a celebrity, who came home to star in a production is murdered, death takes a chilling turn as one of Lily's friends may be a murderer!
These books are a joy to read - from the character of Lily who is tough but kind, a mystery you can't put down, the diverse personalities of the Garden Squad and the lovely descriptions of Goosebush, Massachusetts! The characters are relatable and feel like old friends. This mystery was maybe my favorite because it delved into the theater world and the tangled relationships among a group of actors and friends.
I am ready for another Goosebush mystery!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
These books are a joy to read - from the character of Lily who is tough but kind, a mystery you can't put down, the diverse personalities of the Garden Squad and the lovely descriptions of Goosebush, Massachusetts! The characters are relatable and feel like old friends. This mystery was maybe my favorite because it delved into the theater world and the tangled relationships among a group of actors and friends.
I am ready for another Goosebush mystery!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 24, 2021
The Garden Squad, Thanksgiving, Wreath contests and Theater, murder at the Theater. All of a sudden things don't add up when a friend's death is not what it seems and a famous actor that comes back for the funeral finds some disturbing memories. Is the history of the theater one of murder? It will take the whole group working together to figure it out!
September 29, 2021
Wreathing Havoc is the fourth book in The Gardening Squad series by Julia Henry.
Lilly and Delia are busy preparing for Thanksgiving, and the Garden Squad will be coming over for the pot-luck dinner. But this year’s Thanksgiving will have a somber atmosphere, as their dear friend and patron of Goosebush Theatre, Leon, recently passed away. Leon had medical issues, but his death came as a complete surprise. At first, it was death by natural causes, but Lilly convinced the police chief that it had to be murder.
For decades there have been arguments between the Goosebrush Players and the Goosebrush Theatre. And with Leon’s death, the views seem to have intensified. Present and past members of both groups have organized a tribute and will be performing a reading of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. Most of the local members are happy to have two members from the past who have gone on to have careers in California, Jeremy Nolan, and ex-wife Annabelle Keys. At the end of a reading, the actors and audience gathered in the lobby for refreshments. Jeremy picks up one of his favorite cupcakes and, after eating it, becomes very sick and soon dies.
Lilly and the Garden Squad will soon begin to investigate his death. The investigation will prove to be a little tricky as the state police are called in, and they aren’t willing to share any information.
It’s always enjoyable to visit Goosebrush and its delightful and interesting residents. The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
Helpful gardening tips are also included in the book.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Lilly and Delia are busy preparing for Thanksgiving, and the Garden Squad will be coming over for the pot-luck dinner. But this year’s Thanksgiving will have a somber atmosphere, as their dear friend and patron of Goosebush Theatre, Leon, recently passed away. Leon had medical issues, but his death came as a complete surprise. At first, it was death by natural causes, but Lilly convinced the police chief that it had to be murder.
For decades there have been arguments between the Goosebrush Players and the Goosebrush Theatre. And with Leon’s death, the views seem to have intensified. Present and past members of both groups have organized a tribute and will be performing a reading of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. Most of the local members are happy to have two members from the past who have gone on to have careers in California, Jeremy Nolan, and ex-wife Annabelle Keys. At the end of a reading, the actors and audience gathered in the lobby for refreshments. Jeremy picks up one of his favorite cupcakes and, after eating it, becomes very sick and soon dies.
Lilly and the Garden Squad will soon begin to investigate his death. The investigation will prove to be a little tricky as the state police are called in, and they aren’t willing to share any information.
It’s always enjoyable to visit Goosebrush and its delightful and interesting residents. The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
Helpful gardening tips are also included in the book.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 13, 2022
WREATHING HAVOC by Julia Henry is the fourth book in the A Garden Squad Mystery series. It’s the well-crafted cozy mystery centered round Lilly Jayne as she, her friends, and The Garden Squad try to investigate suspicious deaths – both past and present.
Lilly’s dear friend, Leon Tompkin, was sick – very sick, but when he died sudden from unrelated causes, her natural instincts to find out why kicked in. Seems that Chief of Police Sebastian “Bash” Haywood was having the same misgivings of events as he was already investigating to see if some kind of ill deed might have taken place.
While mourning Leon’s death, they felt the best way to honor him was for the show to go on. The reading of the Christmas Carol was set to precede according to plan. Leon’s memorial service brought back two former and now famous members of The Goosebush Players - Jeremy “Jerry” Nolan and Annabelle Keys. After the service and during a reunion evening of sorts, both Jerry and Annabelle agreed to be part of the upcoming reading. With some major headliners, it was necessary to change the shows location to the Stanley Theater in order to sell more tickets and in turn make more funds for the theater. After a very successful first night reading and just as the reception was starting to kick off, Jerry took a bit of a mini-cupcake and dropped dead. While initially thought as a heart attack, seems someone had laced his cupcake with poison.
Two deaths had taken place within a very short time frame in the sleepy town of Goosebush, MA. However, due to the nature of this latest death Captain Flavia, described by Bash as long on experience and short on charm, and Trooper Harris were assigned the case. Ready to wrap up the case, he’s set his sights on Scooter McGree as his prime and only suspect leaving Lilly no options but to see if The Garden Squad can figure out what really took place. There’s one think Lilly can’t abide with and that’s an injustice being done. Since Bash had been taken completely off the case, he felt free in a non-official capacity to help them.
Meanwhile normal life goes on like Thanksgiving with friends and practice for the reading – both of which are hosted by Lilly. They need to find more help for all the work needed at the historical society especially with all the boxes of donations coming in. New to town, Minh seems to be a godsend for that job. It may be a win-win situation because Minh is searching for her birth father who she believes lives in the area. There’s also the preparation for the wreath contest at the library, and the garden sculpture contest at Alden Par – both of which has most of the preparations taking place at Lilly’s. Although at times it can get hectic and hard to find a quiet spot, Lilly wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves her friends, love helping her community any way she can and enjoys having those she loves around. She opens Windward, her home, to friends, events, those in need of a place to stay and even making room for another cat after finding Leon’s cat still living in its owners home unattended.
It’s not long before people’s memories, old photographs and articles, and strange coincidences - like six murders at the theater in its history, start to add up that to possible connection between several events through the years. With bitter ex’s, jealousy, financial improprieties, missing legal documents, the need for advancement, and job insecurity as just some of the back drops for the past, can they weave together the pieces to figure out whodunit and why? Or will the events just go down as coincidences and criminal or criminals getting away with dirty deeds? Not if Lilly has any say about it!
WEAVING HAVOC is a fabulous cozy mystery that will have you falling in love with Goosebush and the people that live there. We all hope for a Lilly in our lives. She’s sharp, generous with her money and time, witty and if determination will make it so nothing is going to get in her way. The rest of the cast plays off her and each adds their own distinct personalities adding depth to the story. Julia Henry has you feeling like you are one of The Garden Squad and keeps you turning pages as you try to figure out whodunit. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing – only to be proven wrong. I, for one, was stuck trying to figure it out until the big reveal, which is the way I love it. Although part of a series, WAVING HAVOC can definitely be read as a standalone. Highly recommend for some FIVE STAR reading!
Lilly’s dear friend, Leon Tompkin, was sick – very sick, but when he died sudden from unrelated causes, her natural instincts to find out why kicked in. Seems that Chief of Police Sebastian “Bash” Haywood was having the same misgivings of events as he was already investigating to see if some kind of ill deed might have taken place.
While mourning Leon’s death, they felt the best way to honor him was for the show to go on. The reading of the Christmas Carol was set to precede according to plan. Leon’s memorial service brought back two former and now famous members of The Goosebush Players - Jeremy “Jerry” Nolan and Annabelle Keys. After the service and during a reunion evening of sorts, both Jerry and Annabelle agreed to be part of the upcoming reading. With some major headliners, it was necessary to change the shows location to the Stanley Theater in order to sell more tickets and in turn make more funds for the theater. After a very successful first night reading and just as the reception was starting to kick off, Jerry took a bit of a mini-cupcake and dropped dead. While initially thought as a heart attack, seems someone had laced his cupcake with poison.
Two deaths had taken place within a very short time frame in the sleepy town of Goosebush, MA. However, due to the nature of this latest death Captain Flavia, described by Bash as long on experience and short on charm, and Trooper Harris were assigned the case. Ready to wrap up the case, he’s set his sights on Scooter McGree as his prime and only suspect leaving Lilly no options but to see if The Garden Squad can figure out what really took place. There’s one think Lilly can’t abide with and that’s an injustice being done. Since Bash had been taken completely off the case, he felt free in a non-official capacity to help them.
Meanwhile normal life goes on like Thanksgiving with friends and practice for the reading – both of which are hosted by Lilly. They need to find more help for all the work needed at the historical society especially with all the boxes of donations coming in. New to town, Minh seems to be a godsend for that job. It may be a win-win situation because Minh is searching for her birth father who she believes lives in the area. There’s also the preparation for the wreath contest at the library, and the garden sculpture contest at Alden Par – both of which has most of the preparations taking place at Lilly’s. Although at times it can get hectic and hard to find a quiet spot, Lilly wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves her friends, love helping her community any way she can and enjoys having those she loves around. She opens Windward, her home, to friends, events, those in need of a place to stay and even making room for another cat after finding Leon’s cat still living in its owners home unattended.
It’s not long before people’s memories, old photographs and articles, and strange coincidences - like six murders at the theater in its history, start to add up that to possible connection between several events through the years. With bitter ex’s, jealousy, financial improprieties, missing legal documents, the need for advancement, and job insecurity as just some of the back drops for the past, can they weave together the pieces to figure out whodunit and why? Or will the events just go down as coincidences and criminal or criminals getting away with dirty deeds? Not if Lilly has any say about it!
WEAVING HAVOC is a fabulous cozy mystery that will have you falling in love with Goosebush and the people that live there. We all hope for a Lilly in our lives. She’s sharp, generous with her money and time, witty and if determination will make it so nothing is going to get in her way. The rest of the cast plays off her and each adds their own distinct personalities adding depth to the story. Julia Henry has you feeling like you are one of The Garden Squad and keeps you turning pages as you try to figure out whodunit. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing – only to be proven wrong. I, for one, was stuck trying to figure it out until the big reveal, which is the way I love it. Although part of a series, WAVING HAVOC can definitely be read as a standalone. Highly recommend for some FIVE STAR reading!
September 13, 2021
This is the 4th installment of the Garden Squad Mystery series by cozy author Julia Henry. I adore this series and was pleased to received this next in series for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinions are my own. I appreciate that the author is featuring seniors as smart, savvy and capable where most cozy series do not feature seniors at all. Each charcter is done to perfection and readers appreciate the author featuring seniors in this series.
It is Thanksgiving time and the Garden Club members are making wreaths for the library fund raising. A friend of their was recently murdered and they are all grieving. He was a local theater actor and a popular addition to the town theater missed by all. When another murder occurs connected to the same theater Lilly and her crew are investigating along with the local police to solve their friends murder and find the true suspect. Clues and red herrings abound and soon Lilly and friends are on the right path of the killer or killers.
This was a fun addition to the series and a well crafted mystery to conclusion. I love the supporting charcters and gardening theme of this series. Very well done to the author. I look forward to the next in series.
It is Thanksgiving time and the Garden Club members are making wreaths for the library fund raising. A friend of their was recently murdered and they are all grieving. He was a local theater actor and a popular addition to the town theater missed by all. When another murder occurs connected to the same theater Lilly and her crew are investigating along with the local police to solve their friends murder and find the true suspect. Clues and red herrings abound and soon Lilly and friends are on the right path of the killer or killers.
This was a fun addition to the series and a well crafted mystery to conclusion. I love the supporting charcters and gardening theme of this series. Very well done to the author. I look forward to the next in series.
June 11, 2021
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Lilly Jayne typically spends the harvest season baking festive pies and crafting colorful wreaths to enter in the library's annual fundraising contest. But this year, autumn opens on a somber note when beloved local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly. His memorial sets the scene for a mini reunion of The Goosebush Players' best and brightest alumni, including Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan...until someone plucks Jeremy from the spotlight, permanently. When dedicated theater volunteer Scooter McGee falls under suspicion, Lilly and the Garden Squad must spring into action. They quickly discover a cornucopia of potential suspects in Jeremy's murder. Was it an embittered ex...or a jilted lover? A rival thespian...or an overly ambitious artist? Lilly rakes through the piles of clues, but if she doesn't uncover the real killer soon, more than autumn leaves will be dropping in Goosebush...
There was a lot of moving parts with Wreathing Havoc, which to me made it all the more interesting. The theater production - the wreaths - the garden sculptures - the treacherous waters of people who have a long history together - the changing and deepening dynamics of the Garden Squad themselves. I loved how Julia Henry tied everything together. Henry weaves a tight narrative and an engrossing mystery, one where you may think you know the culprit, or why they did what they did, but you truly have no idea what Henry will do next. It makes for such a lovely mystery and reading experience.
Something that I have said before about this series and no doubt will say again is that every time I read a Garden Squad mystery, I feel like I am returning to a group of dear friends. I truly like all of the characters, and am invested in their health, well-being, and happiness. I love their bond, I love how supportive and kind and generous they are with one another, and I love how they are understanding of each other’s flaws and still care for each other regardless. They take care of each other, and to my mind are truly the definition of a found family. These are the kinds of relationships we as readers should all wish for and work toward.
As always, I cannot wait until the Garden Squad’s next adventure to see where it takes them.
Wreathing Havoc will be released on September 28, 2021.
Lilly Jayne typically spends the harvest season baking festive pies and crafting colorful wreaths to enter in the library's annual fundraising contest. But this year, autumn opens on a somber note when beloved local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly. His memorial sets the scene for a mini reunion of The Goosebush Players' best and brightest alumni, including Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan...until someone plucks Jeremy from the spotlight, permanently. When dedicated theater volunteer Scooter McGee falls under suspicion, Lilly and the Garden Squad must spring into action. They quickly discover a cornucopia of potential suspects in Jeremy's murder. Was it an embittered ex...or a jilted lover? A rival thespian...or an overly ambitious artist? Lilly rakes through the piles of clues, but if she doesn't uncover the real killer soon, more than autumn leaves will be dropping in Goosebush...
There was a lot of moving parts with Wreathing Havoc, which to me made it all the more interesting. The theater production - the wreaths - the garden sculptures - the treacherous waters of people who have a long history together - the changing and deepening dynamics of the Garden Squad themselves. I loved how Julia Henry tied everything together. Henry weaves a tight narrative and an engrossing mystery, one where you may think you know the culprit, or why they did what they did, but you truly have no idea what Henry will do next. It makes for such a lovely mystery and reading experience.
Something that I have said before about this series and no doubt will say again is that every time I read a Garden Squad mystery, I feel like I am returning to a group of dear friends. I truly like all of the characters, and am invested in their health, well-being, and happiness. I love their bond, I love how supportive and kind and generous they are with one another, and I love how they are understanding of each other’s flaws and still care for each other regardless. They take care of each other, and to my mind are truly the definition of a found family. These are the kinds of relationships we as readers should all wish for and work toward.
As always, I cannot wait until the Garden Squad’s next adventure to see where it takes them.
Wreathing Havoc will be released on September 28, 2021.
April 28, 2021
Lilly Jayne and the garden squad are at it again in this fantastic addition to this series penned by Julia Henry.
As Lilly prepares for the Thanksgiving holiday, her joy ends fast when a dear friend dies, leaving everyone saddened and confused. Tempers run wild when everyone has their own idea that they should be included on the decisions regarding the theater that they all love.
This is an incredibly exciting story and I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend this series to any cozy mystery fan.
#WreathingHavoc #NetGalley
As Lilly prepares for the Thanksgiving holiday, her joy ends fast when a dear friend dies, leaving everyone saddened and confused. Tempers run wild when everyone has their own idea that they should be included on the decisions regarding the theater that they all love.
This is an incredibly exciting story and I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend this series to any cozy mystery fan.
#WreathingHavoc #NetGalley
May 7, 2021
Julia Henry wrote another gripping, heartwarming and entertaining story and I thoroughly enjoyed it turning pages as fast as I could.
There's plenty to love in this book: great characters like Lily and the Garden Squad, new characters and a complex mystery, full of twists and turns. The solution came as a surprise and be ready for a lot of surprises.
I missed a bit the guerrilla gardening part but I loved this story.
Can't wait to read the next novel, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
There's plenty to love in this book: great characters like Lily and the Garden Squad, new characters and a complex mystery, full of twists and turns. The solution came as a surprise and be ready for a lot of surprises.
I missed a bit the guerrilla gardening part but I loved this story.
Can't wait to read the next novel, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 28, 2021
I started out loving this series, but this book dragged a little for me. I think it was a little too intense on the theater aspect, which just made it difficult for me to wrap my head around. After a slow start, it did pick up and I did enjoy reading it. Overall it was still a great read and I highly recommend.
October 11, 2021
Another well-written, thoughtful mystery! It is fun join the Garden Squad's exciting lives as they solve crimes!
April 28, 2021
It is Thanksgiving and the Garden Club members are grieving the death of a friend, Leon, connected to the local theater. His death does not seem suspicious at first, but then a visiting movie celebrity is murdered. Events from the past at the theater may be the reason for current threats to the residents. Lilly and her friends are pulled into the investigation when they start thinking Leon's death may not have been natural. The older characters in this series acknowledge the wear and tear on their bodies and take an occasional nap, but their minds are sharp and they try to help the younger chief of police when they can. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read in the Garden Squad series, but I plan to go back and read the previous books. While a rather long book, there were lots of things going on that kept my attention. There were a lot of characters and I would have to stop at times to think about who was the current focus. And though a lot of characters, they were well developed and I developed strong feelings about them. The murder mystery was handled well and I loved how I didn’t figure it until the end. I enjoyed seeing the relationships between characters as well as new ones developing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
July 8, 2021
I loved the idea of holiday wreaths with a literary twist. The characters are entertaining and have great chemistry within their "squad." The mystery is fun and engaging, with well-placed red herrings to keep the reader in suspense of whodunit. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
September 19, 2021
“Wreathing Havoc” Earns 5/5 Curtain Calls…Clever and Engaging Fun!
Today is a sad day for many of Goosebush, Massachusetts. Leon Tompkin had been a key figure in the theater community. Although he came to theater late in life, he fell into it well, showing talent, and loved every minute: Goosebush was home and the theater community was family. Leon didn’t publicize the fact that he actually owned the Stanley theater since he inherited it from his father-in-law, and due to serious concerns about his failing health, he was making sure the future he wanted for the theater would be realized. His death, deemed a heart attack came before final steps could be made; paperwork, wills, and contracts along with meetings and announcements he planned were all in question. Lilly learns there was coffee in Leon’s system and the police are stumped as to who, where, and how he got it. The situation becomes more complicated, entangling Lilly, when another suspicious death occurs, a struggle for control of the theater ensues, and questions about other deaths related to the theater over the decades are raised. Lilly wonders if there are connections.
Curtain Up! Light the Lights! Julia Henry has “got nothing to hit but the heights” with fourth book in her Garden Squad Mystery series. Holiday gatherings, festive events, and readings of “A Christmas Carol” create quite a buzz, but the “palace intrigue” among the theater folk may interfere with all the holiday cheer. Leon’s death becomes suspicion making everyone’s movements, connections, and motives items of interest to Lilly and her squad, and when another death occurs to complicate the drama, it became clear…I wasn’t putting this book down! There are a lot of characters that could be overwhelming for a first-time reader of Henry’s series, like me, but there was a core group on which one can focus making it easier. There was a delightful mix of generations to interest all ages of cozy fans, but I personally enjoyed Lilly Jayne as an intelligent, strong, witty woman of a mature age. Henry’s writing style is well-rounded with vivid descriptions for the various settings, the holiday projects, the food, and the people along with dialogue to illustrate the emotions and varied personalities, and the well-developed plot, steady stream of clues, motives, and suspects, and not until the final chapters, a conclusion that made me “gasp,” defines this book as a real page-turner experience. Delightful. Intriguing. Well-worth my time. Although I was curious about adding cold vodka to pie dough, Julia Henry adds a dozen Gardening Tips as a special bonus for experts and amateur gardeners alike.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Today is a sad day for many of Goosebush, Massachusetts. Leon Tompkin had been a key figure in the theater community. Although he came to theater late in life, he fell into it well, showing talent, and loved every minute: Goosebush was home and the theater community was family. Leon didn’t publicize the fact that he actually owned the Stanley theater since he inherited it from his father-in-law, and due to serious concerns about his failing health, he was making sure the future he wanted for the theater would be realized. His death, deemed a heart attack came before final steps could be made; paperwork, wills, and contracts along with meetings and announcements he planned were all in question. Lilly learns there was coffee in Leon’s system and the police are stumped as to who, where, and how he got it. The situation becomes more complicated, entangling Lilly, when another suspicious death occurs, a struggle for control of the theater ensues, and questions about other deaths related to the theater over the decades are raised. Lilly wonders if there are connections.
Curtain Up! Light the Lights! Julia Henry has “got nothing to hit but the heights” with fourth book in her Garden Squad Mystery series. Holiday gatherings, festive events, and readings of “A Christmas Carol” create quite a buzz, but the “palace intrigue” among the theater folk may interfere with all the holiday cheer. Leon’s death becomes suspicion making everyone’s movements, connections, and motives items of interest to Lilly and her squad, and when another death occurs to complicate the drama, it became clear…I wasn’t putting this book down! There are a lot of characters that could be overwhelming for a first-time reader of Henry’s series, like me, but there was a core group on which one can focus making it easier. There was a delightful mix of generations to interest all ages of cozy fans, but I personally enjoyed Lilly Jayne as an intelligent, strong, witty woman of a mature age. Henry’s writing style is well-rounded with vivid descriptions for the various settings, the holiday projects, the food, and the people along with dialogue to illustrate the emotions and varied personalities, and the well-developed plot, steady stream of clues, motives, and suspects, and not until the final chapters, a conclusion that made me “gasp,” defines this book as a real page-turner experience. Delightful. Intriguing. Well-worth my time. Although I was curious about adding cold vodka to pie dough, Julia Henry adds a dozen Gardening Tips as a special bonus for experts and amateur gardeners alike.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
September 16, 2021
This was not a great read for me unfortunately. I love this series and the characters and again [much like the previous book] was excited to revisit them in this new book. The problem lies in that, while I know this is an ARC and all that [I know that is is uncorrected, but one expects spelling errors or grammatical errors, not a complete miss in the editing department], there was so little editing done to this story, that I spent a good chunk of the book editing it myself [which I do not enjoy and takes away from the whole flow of the book]. There were major issues with continuity and while the previous book was lacking in the fleshing out of characters and stilted conversation, this one was just full of superfluous conversation and and overabundance of unneeded detail.
That said, there WAS quite a bit of this book I really liked. First, I still love the characters and their love for their town and for each other. I love how they strive to pick people up and support them [even the ones they don't really like] and how they try and work WITH the police to solve the crimes. I love the town itself and its love of tradition and family and keeping the small-town vibe alive. I wish more small towns were like that [coming from someone who lives in a "dead" town]. I also loved that I didn't know the killer and was also surprised by a second reveal, though that one was slowly done through the whole book. The author leads you down one path only to show you how wrong you were to travel that with her. ;-)
So it was a mixed bag read for me. I love these characters enough to keep reading and can only hope we get back to the caliber of books the first two in this series were.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Henry, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, there WAS quite a bit of this book I really liked. First, I still love the characters and their love for their town and for each other. I love how they strive to pick people up and support them [even the ones they don't really like] and how they try and work WITH the police to solve the crimes. I love the town itself and its love of tradition and family and keeping the small-town vibe alive. I wish more small towns were like that [coming from someone who lives in a "dead" town]. I also loved that I didn't know the killer and was also surprised by a second reveal, though that one was slowly done through the whole book. The author leads you down one path only to show you how wrong you were to travel that with her. ;-)
So it was a mixed bag read for me. I love these characters enough to keep reading and can only hope we get back to the caliber of books the first two in this series were.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Henry, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
Lilly Jayne and the rest of the residents of Goosebush, Massachusetts are mourning the sudden death of theater owner Leon Tompkin and are having a memorial in his honor. The memorial quickly becomes a sellout, especially because some Hollywood stars agree to appear at the memorial. When one of those stars is murdered at the memorial, the police are quick to arrest a local resident for the murder. Lilly, however, isn’t convinced that the police have the right person, so she and the rest of the Garden Squad set out to find the real killer.
“Wreathing Havoc” is the very nicely done fourth book in Julia Henry’s Garden Squad cozy mystery series. Although I am far from a gardener, I am loving this series more and more with each book. I really love the fact that most of the main characters, outside of Delia, are older – it’s a nice change from the twenty and thirty year olds that so often appear as main characters in cozy mysteries. Lilly as a character has grown on me as a character as the books progress – she’s a good friend, loyal to her town, generous behind the scenes, but not afraid to speak her mind – I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side! The rest of the characters are as equally well done as Lilly – especially the members of the Garden Squad. The theater aspects were well done although I did get confused at times as to the different theaters and who was in charge of what. Still, I wish I could see some of the plays they put on! The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects and twists and turns and some real excitement towards the end as the killer is revealed. Well done by Henry!
“Wreathing Havoc” is a nicely done cozy mystery.
“Wreathing Havoc” is the very nicely done fourth book in Julia Henry’s Garden Squad cozy mystery series. Although I am far from a gardener, I am loving this series more and more with each book. I really love the fact that most of the main characters, outside of Delia, are older – it’s a nice change from the twenty and thirty year olds that so often appear as main characters in cozy mysteries. Lilly as a character has grown on me as a character as the books progress – she’s a good friend, loyal to her town, generous behind the scenes, but not afraid to speak her mind – I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side! The rest of the characters are as equally well done as Lilly – especially the members of the Garden Squad. The theater aspects were well done although I did get confused at times as to the different theaters and who was in charge of what. Still, I wish I could see some of the plays they put on! The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects and twists and turns and some real excitement towards the end as the killer is revealed. Well done by Henry!
“Wreathing Havoc” is a nicely done cozy mystery.
July 4, 2024
I am so glad that I read/listened to the audio version of this book that I had started a while ago. This book is #4 in the Garden Squad mystery series, and I found it so warm and cozy to be able to catch up with Lilly and the gang.
I felt especially delighted by the setting in the Fall, with Thanksgiving and all the cooking and descriptions of all the regulars interacting with each other and with all the new characters.
I wish I had as much energy as the protagonists and her accomplices...they are all so clever, and they work so hard at making things happen in Goosebush, MA. They surely know what to do when someone is murdered, and they do find out whodunnit, and whydunit! I suspected who the killer was, but thought it was too obvious...I was right all along, even though I did not know the reason for the crime.
I love the narrator, Laural Merlington, who has a special voice that creates extra coziness, and has a gift of changing voices to fit the characters. I am following her also, so I can listen to other books she narrates.
This is a delightful series, and I wish there were more books in it...but Ms. Henry has revealed and reconfirmed that the fifth installment, THE PLOT THICKETS was the last ONE. Fortunately, I have it, and will listen to it right after I post this review.
I highly recommend this series to all mystery lovers, especially the audio versions.
I felt especially delighted by the setting in the Fall, with Thanksgiving and all the cooking and descriptions of all the regulars interacting with each other and with all the new characters.
I wish I had as much energy as the protagonists and her accomplices...they are all so clever, and they work so hard at making things happen in Goosebush, MA. They surely know what to do when someone is murdered, and they do find out whodunnit, and whydunit! I suspected who the killer was, but thought it was too obvious...I was right all along, even though I did not know the reason for the crime.
I love the narrator, Laural Merlington, who has a special voice that creates extra coziness, and has a gift of changing voices to fit the characters. I am following her also, so I can listen to other books she narrates.
This is a delightful series, and I wish there were more books in it...but Ms. Henry has revealed and reconfirmed that the fifth installment, THE PLOT THICKETS was the last ONE. Fortunately, I have it, and will listen to it right after I post this review.
I highly recommend this series to all mystery lovers, especially the audio versions.
September 24, 2021
This is the perfect mystery to get you into the Fall season. Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad are working on seasonal wreaths to raise money for the local library. Thoughts turn to festivities in the months to come but nobody was ready for a sudden death by murder to mar their plans. The townsfolk of Goosebush, Massachusetts are used to spending happy times in the former hardware store turned community theater but not as a venue for the memorial service for Leon. After the death of his wife he found his new passion - on stage and he was a natural, something his late wife, Betsy would not have approved. It isn't long before a second death occurs and Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad and the local police are investigating. Could one of their friends be the killer?
There is so much to like about this charming small town cozy series. The best thing, in my opinion, is the main cast of characters - the Garden Squad - are senior citizens and their personalities are well developed leading the reader to have a connection to each one. The mystery is well crafted, leading the reader down some blind alleys populated by the required red herrings. If you are new to this series, no problem as each works fine as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
There is so much to like about this charming small town cozy series. The best thing, in my opinion, is the main cast of characters - the Garden Squad - are senior citizens and their personalities are well developed leading the reader to have a connection to each one. The mystery is well crafted, leading the reader down some blind alleys populated by the required red herrings. If you are new to this series, no problem as each works fine as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 29, 2021
Wreathing Havoc is the fourth installment in the A Garden Squad Mystery series set in Goosebush, MA and featuring Lilly Jayne and her friends. It's late Fall in Goosebush and the community is mourning the loss of theater owner Leon Tompkin. Prior to his death Leon had arranged for past members of the community theater group, the Goosebush Players to perform a reading of Dickens' Christmas Carol.
As the saying goes, the show must go on - that is until one of the players winds up dead. Jeremy Nolan is now a Hollywood movie star so with the increasing paparazzi presence in town, the pressure is on Chief Sebastian "Bash" Haywood to catch a killer and he's going to need all the help he can get from Lilly and her friends. The problem is that there was just too much going on behind the scenes of the theater and now there are too many suspects.
A fun addition to the series, the regular cast of characters continues to bond and welcomes newcomers, both human and feline, into their group. The author does a great job blending Senior Citizens with younger members of the community.
I received an advanced copy of Wreathing Havoc from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
As the saying goes, the show must go on - that is until one of the players winds up dead. Jeremy Nolan is now a Hollywood movie star so with the increasing paparazzi presence in town, the pressure is on Chief Sebastian "Bash" Haywood to catch a killer and he's going to need all the help he can get from Lilly and her friends. The problem is that there was just too much going on behind the scenes of the theater and now there are too many suspects.
A fun addition to the series, the regular cast of characters continues to bond and welcomes newcomers, both human and feline, into their group. The author does a great job blending Senior Citizens with younger members of the community.
I received an advanced copy of Wreathing Havoc from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
July 21, 2021
Wreathing Havoc by Julia Henry is an excellent cozy mystery that is the fourth installment of the wonderful A Garden Squad Mystery series. I loved this one just as much as every book before it.
It was so wonderful to visit the picturesque town of Goosebush, MA again. The vast array of interesting, endearing, quirky, and entertaining characters/inhabitants never leaves us short in reference to material and antics.
The Garden Squad is at it again, beautifying, improving, and simplifying one dilemma after another. At times it is horticulture, at other times it is solving a murder/mystery. This book is no exception. I loved visiting with Lilly, Tamara, Delia, Ernie, Roddy, and the gang again. I really enjoyed following along while they are thrown into another suspense-filled, intriguing, and beguiling murder mystery and weed through all of the culprits. I was surprised by the ending and enjoyed spending time again with this heartwarming set of friends. Can't wait for the next book.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
It was so wonderful to visit the picturesque town of Goosebush, MA again. The vast array of interesting, endearing, quirky, and entertaining characters/inhabitants never leaves us short in reference to material and antics.
The Garden Squad is at it again, beautifying, improving, and simplifying one dilemma after another. At times it is horticulture, at other times it is solving a murder/mystery. This book is no exception. I loved visiting with Lilly, Tamara, Delia, Ernie, Roddy, and the gang again. I really enjoyed following along while they are thrown into another suspense-filled, intriguing, and beguiling murder mystery and weed through all of the culprits. I was surprised by the ending and enjoyed spending time again with this heartwarming set of friends. Can't wait for the next book.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
September 30, 2021
This is the 4th installment in the Garden Squad mystery series. Lilly Jayne and her friends Delia, Tamara, Roddy and Ernie are mourning their friend Leon who recently died of a heart attack and was the owner of the Stanley theater. Leon’s son Fred asks Lilly to help with his estate and his desires for updating the Stanley. The owner of the theater troupe Goosebush players Delores is making all sorts of claims that Leon left her loads of money and Lilly is just planning on doing what her friend wanted and needs to find his most recent wishes as he has been changing his mind over the last several weeks. Lilly is shocked when Bash (Chief of Police) asks Lilly if she thinks Leon’s death could be suspicious. Next when one of the famous actors who is in town and was a friend of Leon’s dies of poisoning then Lilly is convinced that Leon’s death was not a simple heart attack. I love Lilly and all of her friends and how they stick together and are always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and to the betterment of the town of Goosebush. This was a good mystery that kept me engaged the entire time and I love how Lilly is the heartbeat of this town. Looking forward to the next installment.
April 29, 2021
The local theater company has lost their benefactor and head of their board. With former members in town that made it big in town for the funeral, they decide to join a special presentation the man was planning before his death. But the lead actor is poisoned after the public performance and everyone seems to have a claim to the theater he owned.
With Lily and the gang, they seem to find a few things that don’t sit right with them and suspect the first death may have been a murder as well. Now the Garden Squad is sleuthing and trying to find the killer and put the town at ease. Hopefully the Garden Squad isn’t buried as a result of their efforts, but to reap, you must first sow and they’re willing to get their hands dirty in the name of justice.
I really enjoy this series. Smart characters and a strong protagonist that I want to be when I grow up…yeah, it’s that good! Every town has their challenges, but Goosebush has the Garden Squad to help make it a better place all around. I have yet to be disappointed in one of these entries and look forward to many more to come.
With Lily and the gang, they seem to find a few things that don’t sit right with them and suspect the first death may have been a murder as well. Now the Garden Squad is sleuthing and trying to find the killer and put the town at ease. Hopefully the Garden Squad isn’t buried as a result of their efforts, but to reap, you must first sow and they’re willing to get their hands dirty in the name of justice.
I really enjoy this series. Smart characters and a strong protagonist that I want to be when I grow up…yeah, it’s that good! Every town has their challenges, but Goosebush has the Garden Squad to help make it a better place all around. I have yet to be disappointed in one of these entries and look forward to many more to come.
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