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Evie Parker Mystery #12
Murder at the Garden Party
Long buried secrets come back to create havoc in a small villageLady Woodridge and Tom Winchester offer the new Lady Evans their support during her first foray into local society. To their surprise, Evie’s reputation as a lady detective has preceded her and she is engaged to solve the mystery of a theft.Finding the culprit is easy enough and while, at first, the theft is dismissed as a callous act, it seems the person responsible might be involved in a more serious crime.When a woman is found dead, Evie’s attention turns to the people who have the most to lose. It looks like more than one of them is keeping a secret and revealing it could unravel their lives.Meanwhile, back at Halton House…1920s England. Light-hearted historical cozy mystery
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2021
About the author
Sonia Parin
125 books203 followersI write Cozy Mysteries: humorous historical (1920s), contemporary and paranormal.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2021
A bed of murdered roses..
.. is an odd crime to be investigating but when Evie and Tom visit the new Lady Evans, Caro has finally married her Detective, to help her settle into her position as a member of the gentry. The first event they attend is Mrs Higgins garden party. The hostess takes great pride in her self named roses and is utterly distraught to find the petals have been removed from every single bloom.
When the following morning a suspicious death is later reported in the local newspaper and the victims, Mrs Reid, sisters grave has those very same roses among her floral tribute questions are raised about the two ladies connections but Mrs Higgins denies all knowledge of the deceased lady.
With Lord Evans away on a case, Caro is determined to assist whomever is sent to solve the case but there's lots to unpick.. the "bright, young things" lurking around the hamlet creating mischief, the suspicious behaviour of Lord Melville, and with "Mamma", Henry's mother, chasing Tom to pose for a nude portrait and plenty more besides the derring trio will have their hands full.
What of Henrietta and Toodles? Well the newly promoted Millicent has her own case of suspicious behaviour to look into and ropes in the ladies to investigate her own little adventure. Is she overstepping the boundary of her new position or has she hit the nail on the head and averted a potential disaster?
It's a joy to read with Millicent settling into the role she's long coveted but with deference to Caro's particular way of doing things and so anxious to get it right. While Caro is anything but settled now she's a Lady and suffering her own anxieties and worries that somehow she's going to get everything wrong!
Their two stories mirror and blend so well Sonia Parin really did something very skillful for what is a humourous cozy mystery, to while away an afternoon, taking it to another level.
.. is an odd crime to be investigating but when Evie and Tom visit the new Lady Evans, Caro has finally married her Detective, to help her settle into her position as a member of the gentry. The first event they attend is Mrs Higgins garden party. The hostess takes great pride in her self named roses and is utterly distraught to find the petals have been removed from every single bloom.
When the following morning a suspicious death is later reported in the local newspaper and the victims, Mrs Reid, sisters grave has those very same roses among her floral tribute questions are raised about the two ladies connections but Mrs Higgins denies all knowledge of the deceased lady.
With Lord Evans away on a case, Caro is determined to assist whomever is sent to solve the case but there's lots to unpick.. the "bright, young things" lurking around the hamlet creating mischief, the suspicious behaviour of Lord Melville, and with "Mamma", Henry's mother, chasing Tom to pose for a nude portrait and plenty more besides the derring trio will have their hands full.
What of Henrietta and Toodles? Well the newly promoted Millicent has her own case of suspicious behaviour to look into and ropes in the ladies to investigate her own little adventure. Is she overstepping the boundary of her new position or has she hit the nail on the head and averted a potential disaster?
It's a joy to read with Millicent settling into the role she's long coveted but with deference to Caro's particular way of doing things and so anxious to get it right. While Caro is anything but settled now she's a Lady and suffering her own anxieties and worries that somehow she's going to get everything wrong!
Their two stories mirror and blend so well Sonia Parin really did something very skillful for what is a humourous cozy mystery, to while away an afternoon, taking it to another level.
September 22, 2021
Evie and Tom go to meet Caro (Now Lady Evans).
Caro is still very hesitant in her new role and also cowed by her very formidable mother-in-law, who it seems is very pleased with her sons choice in a wife.
While there, the trio goes to a garden party given a Mrs. Higgins, who has won awards for her roses named after her.
Upon arrival the party is in full swing including a peers daughter and her friends who are doing everything possible to disrupt the garden party.
While the party is going on, Mrs. Higgins discovers that someone has destroyed her prize roses.
When Evie agrees to look into the destruction, they also become involved in a death that happened in town.
Pro's:
This was a fun story with developed characters and a good bit of humor.
Con's:
I found myself being disappointed and even a bit dismayed in some of the actions that Tom took in a situation that he was involved in.
I always considered him to be a strong character that didn't mind voicing his opinions and making up his mind on things and sticking to them. It appears that he is actually a bit of a wimp and has a decent sized insecurity about himself in certain situations.
Caro is still very hesitant in her new role and also cowed by her very formidable mother-in-law, who it seems is very pleased with her sons choice in a wife.
While there, the trio goes to a garden party given a Mrs. Higgins, who has won awards for her roses named after her.
Upon arrival the party is in full swing including a peers daughter and her friends who are doing everything possible to disrupt the garden party.
While the party is going on, Mrs. Higgins discovers that someone has destroyed her prize roses.
When Evie agrees to look into the destruction, they also become involved in a death that happened in town.
Pro's:
This was a fun story with developed characters and a good bit of humor.
Con's:
I found myself being disappointed and even a bit dismayed in some of the actions that Tom took in a situation that he was involved in.
I always considered him to be a strong character that didn't mind voicing his opinions and making up his mind on things and sticking to them. It appears that he is actually a bit of a wimp and has a decent sized insecurity about himself in certain situations.
October 1, 2021
Another fabulous story!
Evie and Tom set out to visit Caro, the new Lady Evans, in this story. They come across a small mystery regarding a theft and tumble into a murder mystery that goes back 25 years! Along the way they have to deal with some mischievous bright young things, an aggressive chauffer, and a disastrous garden party. And all is not well at Halton house, for there is a mystery to solve there too!
Another delightful romp in the English countryside with your favorite Lady and company!
Evie and Tom set out to visit Caro, the new Lady Evans, in this story. They come across a small mystery regarding a theft and tumble into a murder mystery that goes back 25 years! Along the way they have to deal with some mischievous bright young things, an aggressive chauffer, and a disastrous garden party. And all is not well at Halton house, for there is a mystery to solve there too!
Another delightful romp in the English countryside with your favorite Lady and company!
September 12, 2021
Very Entertaining!
Evie and Tom visit Caro, now married to her detective, and living on his estate. For a quiet village, A lot happens. Death, vandalism, and vandalism are a few! Meanwhile, back at Halton Park, the dowager, Toodles, and Millicent, the new ladies maid for Evie, have their own investigation! Great characters, entertaining dialogue, and fast moving story provide a delightful reading experience!
Evie and Tom visit Caro, now married to her detective, and living on his estate. For a quiet village, A lot happens. Death, vandalism, and vandalism are a few! Meanwhile, back at Halton Park, the dowager, Toodles, and Millicent, the new ladies maid for Evie, have their own investigation! Great characters, entertaining dialogue, and fast moving story provide a delightful reading experience!
October 10, 2021
Roses and mayhem
Sonia writes another great story set in the 1920's. Evie and Tom visit Lady Caro who was once her lady's maid, now married to her policeman who is also a Lord. Mysterious happenings at a garden party with roses and the Bright young things. Someone dies, but with a mystery attached to them of passed deeds and Evie, Tom and Carl once again work out the reasons all the while Tom is trying to not sit for a nude portrait by Carl's Mother in law Louisa....
Sonia writes another great story set in the 1920's. Evie and Tom visit Lady Caro who was once her lady's maid, now married to her policeman who is also a Lord. Mysterious happenings at a garden party with roses and the Bright young things. Someone dies, but with a mystery attached to them of passed deeds and Evie, Tom and Carl once again work out the reasons all the while Tom is trying to not sit for a nude portrait by Carl's Mother in law Louisa....
October 22, 2021
Well plotted
A murder mystery without a murder, quaint. But when will authors learn British police, despite some Tv dramas, do not carry guns ever! Nor do British gentlemen go around with hidden guns we never have the right to bear arms as the Americans do which explains why more shootings occur in America.
A murder mystery without a murder, quaint. But when will authors learn British police, despite some Tv dramas, do not carry guns ever! Nor do British gentlemen go around with hidden guns we never have the right to bear arms as the Americans do which explains why more shootings occur in America.
November 4, 2021
Not the best story in this series as no murder and all a bit wishy-washy.
A few Bright Young Things thrown in to mix things up as red herrings do and add in a bit of a rucus then you have this weak storyline as the result.
Very weak, slow and plotless means this book is very put-downable.
Very disappointing.
A few Bright Young Things thrown in to mix things up as red herrings do and add in a bit of a rucus then you have this weak storyline as the result.
Very weak, slow and plotless means this book is very put-downable.
Very disappointing.
April 22, 2022
Too silly for words!
After reading all prior books in this series, I found myself unable to get any further than the 'theft ' of the rose petals. It just became too frivolous. Perhaps it was meant to be this way, but it was too irritating to read on through. Perhaps the next in the series will return me to the work I've been enjoying so much.
After reading all prior books in this series, I found myself unable to get any further than the 'theft ' of the rose petals. It just became too frivolous. Perhaps it was meant to be this way, but it was too irritating to read on through. Perhaps the next in the series will return me to the work I've been enjoying so much.
October 8, 2022
I was disappointed
I read a lot. One thing that really irritates me is when an author changes a character’s name in a series. In this case Mrs Reid became Mrs Read quite a number of times and once again became Mrs Reid. It wasn’t a plot device it was simply inconsistency.
I read a lot. One thing that really irritates me is when an author changes a character’s name in a series. In this case Mrs Reid became Mrs Read quite a number of times and once again became Mrs Reid. It wasn’t a plot device it was simply inconsistency.
September 11, 2023
Murder at the Garden Party 📕book 12
Humorous cozy mystery with banter,distraction,sassy dry sarcasm,secrets, and a bar room brawl and other surprises.😉💃🏻❣️🙀🤨😄 Good ending including at Evie’s country house 🕵️♀️
Humorous cozy mystery with banter,distraction,sassy dry sarcasm,secrets, and a bar room brawl and other surprises.😉💃🏻❣️🙀🤨😄 Good ending including at Evie’s country house 🕵️♀️
February 10, 2025
Evie Parker decides to help ease her former maid into society by visiting her new home. Caro has become Lady Caroline Evans and Evie want to be sure she's comfortable in her new role. Of course they stumble across a murder and an undercurrent of scandal among the gentry.
December 31, 2021
2 1/2 stars.
February 12, 2022
I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. I'm on the last one, Murder in the Stars, and I am so sad. Please continue this series!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews