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A Garden Squad Mystery #5
The Plot Thickets
Ever the quintessential New England town,
Goosebush, Massachusetts, truly shines in springtime, but when an underhanded undertaker digs herself an early grave, only Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad can unearth the cryptic killer . . .
With spring's arrival in Goosebush, Lilly and the Beautification Committee turn their eyes to new projects. A cleanup of the historic Goosebush Cemetery may be in order, after Lilly and Delia find the plots there sorely neglected and inexplicably rearranged. Lilly soon discovers that Whitney Dunne-Bradford snapped up custodianship of the graveyard once she inherited Bradford Funeral Homes. But before Lilly can get to the bottom of the tombstone tampering, she stumbles upon Whitney's body at the Jayne family mausoleum . . .
Though at first it appears Whitney died by suicide, Lilly has doubts, and apparently, so does Chief of Police Bash Haywood, who quickly opens a murder investigation. Plenty of folks in town had bones to pick with Whitney, including her stepdaughter, Sasha, and funeral home employee, Dewey Marsh--all three recently charged with illegal business practices. But when the homicide inquiry suddenly targets an old friend, Lilly and the Garden Squad must rally to exhume the truth before the real killer buries it forever . . .
With spring's arrival in Goosebush, Lilly and the Beautification Committee turn their eyes to new projects. A cleanup of the historic Goosebush Cemetery may be in order, after Lilly and Delia find the plots there sorely neglected and inexplicably rearranged. Lilly soon discovers that Whitney Dunne-Bradford snapped up custodianship of the graveyard once she inherited Bradford Funeral Homes. But before Lilly can get to the bottom of the tombstone tampering, she stumbles upon Whitney's body at the Jayne family mausoleum . . .
Though at first it appears Whitney died by suicide, Lilly has doubts, and apparently, so does Chief of Police Bash Haywood, who quickly opens a murder investigation. Plenty of folks in town had bones to pick with Whitney, including her stepdaughter, Sasha, and funeral home employee, Dewey Marsh--all three recently charged with illegal business practices. But when the homicide inquiry suddenly targets an old friend, Lilly and the Garden Squad must rally to exhume the truth before the real killer buries it forever . . .
362 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 25, 2022
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October 21, 2022
Book five in this series and I have not read the earlier books. It was still easy to understand the relationships between the various characters and to enjoy the story.
The Plot Thickets is set in the small New England town of Goosebush. The story begins when Lilly Jayne and the Beautification Committee are looking to see what work will need to be done to restore the cemetery. Lilly's father used to do tours of the historical cemetery and her family has a mausoleum there, so she has always known it well. Now though she finds her memories of the graves and today's reality are different. Lilly and her friends in the Garden Squad start to investigate and when the Funeral Director is murdered the police are called in too.
I enjoyed the characters and the setting, and I learned a lot about burials! For keen gardeners there are plenty of tips about what to plant and where. The mystery is good and there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader busy. There is even a comforting romance between two of the main characters which I assume has been building in the earlier books. Altogether, a well written and entertaining cosy mystery.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
The Plot Thickets is set in the small New England town of Goosebush. The story begins when Lilly Jayne and the Beautification Committee are looking to see what work will need to be done to restore the cemetery. Lilly's father used to do tours of the historical cemetery and her family has a mausoleum there, so she has always known it well. Now though she finds her memories of the graves and today's reality are different. Lilly and her friends in the Garden Squad start to investigate and when the Funeral Director is murdered the police are called in too.
I enjoyed the characters and the setting, and I learned a lot about burials! For keen gardeners there are plenty of tips about what to plant and where. The mystery is good and there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader busy. There is even a comforting romance between two of the main characters which I assume has been building in the earlier books. Altogether, a well written and entertaining cosy mystery.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
November 14, 2022
EXCERPT: 'I haven't been here in years,' Lily said, getting out of the car with her new routine of gently unfolding herself, moving her hips and arching her back. She didn't mind getting older. Most of the time. But the slight aches and pains that came along with the extra years - those she could live without. 'I used to come here a lot when I was young.'
She was waiting for Delia to close her door before she hit the lock door button on her fob. Her final stretch done, she hit the button, but the door still wouldn't lock. She looked over at Delia, who was staring at her, her door ajar.
'What's the matter, Delia?'
'What do you mean, you used to love coming here when you were young?' Delia said. 'Sometimes you freak me out, you know that? This is a cemetery, Lily. Who hangs out at a cemetery?'
ABOUT 'THE PLOT THICKETS': Ever the quintessential New England town, Goosebush, Massachusetts, truly shines in springtime, but when an underhanded undertaker digs herself an early grave, only Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad can unearth the cryptic killer . . .
With spring's arrival in Goosebush, Lilly and the Beautification Committee turn their eyes to new projects. A cleanup of the historic Goosebush Cemetery may be in order, after Lilly and Delia find the plots there sorely neglected and inexplicably rearranged. Lilly soon discovers that Whitney Dunne-Bradford snapped up custodianship of the graveyard once she inherited Bradford Funeral Homes. But before Lilly can get to the bottom of the tombstone tampering, she stumbles upon Whitney's body at the Jayne family mausoleum . . .
Though at first it appears Whitney died by suicide, Lilly has doubts, and apparently, so does Chief of Police Bash Haywood, who quickly opens a murder investigation. Plenty of folks in town had bones to pick with Whitney, including her stepdaughter, Sasha, and funeral home employee, Dewey Marsh--all three recently charged with illegal business practices. But when the homicide inquiry suddenly targets an old friend, Lilly and the Garden Squad must rally to exhume the truth before the real killer buries it forever . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I loved this story and it's characters despite not having read any of the previous books in this series.
Goosebush, New England - I love the name of the town. I love the description. I love the sense of friendship and companionship that Lilly and her friends have. I loved the way they all muck in and support one another, both emotionally and practically. I loved all the gardening talk and work. And I adored that they were trying to beautify the old cemetery - there's definitely food for thought there, as the old cemetery in our town definitely needs some TLC.
Much of the mystery centres around the Goosebush cemetery, and what better place for it? Lilly's family has a mausoleum, and a marble seat (the bastard seat - a story on its own) outside, positioned to take in the view. It's as she and Delia are planning what needs to be done that Lilly notices that somethings about the graves surrounding the mausoleum are not as she remembers them, and then that the bastard seat has been moved, which kicks her curiosity into gear. And then the deaths begin . . .
I do like Lilly. She's kind, generous and empathetic, BUT when she's nervous or ill at ease, she tends to become quite sarcastic. She does great sarcastic. She has opened her home to Delia, a student who came to help her husband Alan when he was dying and who has stayed on, and to Ernie, owner of the local hardware store whose husband has died and who is currently between houses. He bakes when he is stressed, and I swear I could smell his bread as I read. Roddy, Lilly's new neighbour, makes up the last member of the core group.
There are several romances developing in The Plot Thickets, but they are realistic and don't dominate the storyline.
I would have loved a plan of Lilly's house - it absolutely fascinated me.
I really enjoyed The Plot Thickets. I was entertained, bamboozled, and educated. I will be reading more of this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#ThePlotThickets #NetGalley
I: @jhauthors @kensingtonbooks
T: @JHauthors @KensingtonBooks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #friendship
#murdermystery #romance #smalltownfiction
THE AUTHOR: Julia Henry lives in Massachusetts, where she sets her mystery series. As Julianne Holmes she writes the Clock Shop Mystery Series, and as J.A. Hennrikus she writes theatre.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Plot Thickets by Julia Henry for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She was waiting for Delia to close her door before she hit the lock door button on her fob. Her final stretch done, she hit the button, but the door still wouldn't lock. She looked over at Delia, who was staring at her, her door ajar.
'What's the matter, Delia?'
'What do you mean, you used to love coming here when you were young?' Delia said. 'Sometimes you freak me out, you know that? This is a cemetery, Lily. Who hangs out at a cemetery?'
ABOUT 'THE PLOT THICKETS': Ever the quintessential New England town, Goosebush, Massachusetts, truly shines in springtime, but when an underhanded undertaker digs herself an early grave, only Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad can unearth the cryptic killer . . .
With spring's arrival in Goosebush, Lilly and the Beautification Committee turn their eyes to new projects. A cleanup of the historic Goosebush Cemetery may be in order, after Lilly and Delia find the plots there sorely neglected and inexplicably rearranged. Lilly soon discovers that Whitney Dunne-Bradford snapped up custodianship of the graveyard once she inherited Bradford Funeral Homes. But before Lilly can get to the bottom of the tombstone tampering, she stumbles upon Whitney's body at the Jayne family mausoleum . . .
Though at first it appears Whitney died by suicide, Lilly has doubts, and apparently, so does Chief of Police Bash Haywood, who quickly opens a murder investigation. Plenty of folks in town had bones to pick with Whitney, including her stepdaughter, Sasha, and funeral home employee, Dewey Marsh--all three recently charged with illegal business practices. But when the homicide inquiry suddenly targets an old friend, Lilly and the Garden Squad must rally to exhume the truth before the real killer buries it forever . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I loved this story and it's characters despite not having read any of the previous books in this series.
Goosebush, New England - I love the name of the town. I love the description. I love the sense of friendship and companionship that Lilly and her friends have. I loved the way they all muck in and support one another, both emotionally and practically. I loved all the gardening talk and work. And I adored that they were trying to beautify the old cemetery - there's definitely food for thought there, as the old cemetery in our town definitely needs some TLC.
Much of the mystery centres around the Goosebush cemetery, and what better place for it? Lilly's family has a mausoleum, and a marble seat (the bastard seat - a story on its own) outside, positioned to take in the view. It's as she and Delia are planning what needs to be done that Lilly notices that somethings about the graves surrounding the mausoleum are not as she remembers them, and then that the bastard seat has been moved, which kicks her curiosity into gear. And then the deaths begin . . .
I do like Lilly. She's kind, generous and empathetic, BUT when she's nervous or ill at ease, she tends to become quite sarcastic. She does great sarcastic. She has opened her home to Delia, a student who came to help her husband Alan when he was dying and who has stayed on, and to Ernie, owner of the local hardware store whose husband has died and who is currently between houses. He bakes when he is stressed, and I swear I could smell his bread as I read. Roddy, Lilly's new neighbour, makes up the last member of the core group.
There are several romances developing in The Plot Thickets, but they are realistic and don't dominate the storyline.
I would have loved a plan of Lilly's house - it absolutely fascinated me.
I really enjoyed The Plot Thickets. I was entertained, bamboozled, and educated. I will be reading more of this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#ThePlotThickets #NetGalley
I: @jhauthors @kensingtonbooks
T: @JHauthors @KensingtonBooks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #friendship
#murdermystery #romance #smalltownfiction
THE AUTHOR: Julia Henry lives in Massachusetts, where she sets her mystery series. As Julianne Holmes she writes the Clock Shop Mystery Series, and as J.A. Hennrikus she writes theatre.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Plot Thickets by Julia Henry for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 26, 2022
I really enjoyed The Plot Thickets. It is the fifth in the series. Lilly Jayne is the main character. She lives in the town of Goosebush along with her garden squad friends. The supporting characters add much to the story. She lives in her family home named Windward. She lives with her housemates, Delia Greenway who was her husband, 'Alan's assistant who came to live there when her husband was sick. She stayed on when he died to help Lilly work through her grief. Ernie Johnson is her friend who moved in after selling his house until he finds another place to buy. They are all part of the Garden Squad along with neighbor Roddy Lyden and her best friend and her husband, Tamara and Warwick O'Connor. Helen Garrett is her other neighbor and is 96 years old.
She and her group are having dinner at her friend's Stan Freeland's restaurant. Stan's father who is drunk leaves the restaurant and dies of a heart attack. He is buried in the cemetery. It has been rumored that Stan killed his father to get rid of him, The police running a routine tests on Buzz to find out about his death. Stan is brought in for questioning. Sebastian (Bash_ Haywood is the chief of police.
The cemetery is now run by Whitney Dunne=Bradford who is the widow of Sam Bradford She now runs her husband's business, Bradford Funeral Home along with his daughter, Sasha Bradford.
Lilly is part of the beautification committee, an informal group who takes on gardening projects. She is asked by Portia, the head of the committee to check out an area in the cemetery for a garden project. Lilly and Delia go to check out the area. Lilly's father use to do cemetery tours when she was young so she knows the layout of the cemetery well. Her family mausoleum is in the old section. While visiting it she notices that the bench which was a little away from the building is now against it.. Lilly finds this and the fact that the names seem different confusing. Stan asks her to check out where his father is buried but they can't find his grave. While talking to Ernie about everything she and Delia decide that they need to do more research.
This is where the story takes off and takes the reader on an adventure of intrigue. There is so much going on that it is hard to explain. I will leave this adventure to the reader. The ending is great with Ernie buying Helen's house next door, Jackie, Helen's cousin moves into the carriage house, Bash and Delia are working on the case and Lilly and Roddie are going on an actual date.
I plan to read the other books in this series as I loved the characters. I look forward to what comes next in the Garden Squad Mysteries,
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this ARC.
She and her group are having dinner at her friend's Stan Freeland's restaurant. Stan's father who is drunk leaves the restaurant and dies of a heart attack. He is buried in the cemetery. It has been rumored that Stan killed his father to get rid of him, The police running a routine tests on Buzz to find out about his death. Stan is brought in for questioning. Sebastian (Bash_ Haywood is the chief of police.
The cemetery is now run by Whitney Dunne=Bradford who is the widow of Sam Bradford She now runs her husband's business, Bradford Funeral Home along with his daughter, Sasha Bradford.
Lilly is part of the beautification committee, an informal group who takes on gardening projects. She is asked by Portia, the head of the committee to check out an area in the cemetery for a garden project. Lilly and Delia go to check out the area. Lilly's father use to do cemetery tours when she was young so she knows the layout of the cemetery well. Her family mausoleum is in the old section. While visiting it she notices that the bench which was a little away from the building is now against it.. Lilly finds this and the fact that the names seem different confusing. Stan asks her to check out where his father is buried but they can't find his grave. While talking to Ernie about everything she and Delia decide that they need to do more research.
This is where the story takes off and takes the reader on an adventure of intrigue. There is so much going on that it is hard to explain. I will leave this adventure to the reader. The ending is great with Ernie buying Helen's house next door, Jackie, Helen's cousin moves into the carriage house, Bash and Delia are working on the case and Lilly and Roddie are going on an actual date.
I plan to read the other books in this series as I loved the characters. I look forward to what comes next in the Garden Squad Mysteries,
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this ARC.
October 26, 2022
Lilly Jayne has received a suggestion that the Garden Squad look at the historic cemetery because some of the areas have been neglected. When Lilly and Delia head out there one afternoon, they find more problems than they were expecting. Yes, some areas desperately need to be weeded and tended to in other ways. But Lilly also finds more graves than she is expecting to see in the middle of historic family plots. While she isn’t completely sure if she can trust her memory or not, she begins to investigate. When a fresh body turns up above ground near the Jayne family’s crypt, Lilly starts digging deeper. Can she find what happened?
I always love getting to spend time with the Garden Squad. Their friendships are fantastic, and I love the town of Goosebush. The rest of the characters are strong as well. Unfortunately, I felt the pacing was off in this book, especially in the first half. This isn’t anything new for this series, but it felt worse than usual here. There is a good mystery, it just needed a little pruning, and once the action picked up, I was kept guessing until the end. As always, there are some garden tips at the end of the novel. I enjoyed visiting my friends again, and fans will as well, even if the plot could have been stronger.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I always love getting to spend time with the Garden Squad. Their friendships are fantastic, and I love the town of Goosebush. The rest of the characters are strong as well. Unfortunately, I felt the pacing was off in this book, especially in the first half. This isn’t anything new for this series, but it felt worse than usual here. There is a good mystery, it just needed a little pruning, and once the action picked up, I was kept guessing until the end. As always, there are some garden tips at the end of the novel. I enjoyed visiting my friends again, and fans will as well, even if the plot could have been stronger.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 16, 2022
The Plot Thickets by Julia Henry is the 5th A Garden Squad Mystery. We return to Goosebush, Massachusetts where Lilly Jayne resides in her family home, Windward. I like Lilly Jayne who is a smart, kind woman in her 60s who loves to garden. There are beautiful gardens surrounding Windward. She has a great group of friends who comprise the Garden Squad. They secretly tackle gardening projects around town. The multidimensional cast of secondary characters includes Delia, Ernie, Roddy, Tamara, and Warwick. I love the descriptions of Windward. This is a home that I would love to reside in. Stan’s father, Buzz causes a scene at a local restaurant where Lilly and her friends are dining. Stan and Buzz soon depart. Stan rushes back inside a couple of minutes later calling for assistance. Buzz has collapsed and is soon pronounced dead. Lilly and Delia are checking out a project in the cemetery a few days later for the Beautification Committee. Lilly notices some oddities among the gravestones including the moving of the Jayne bench near the family mausoleum. Stan asks them to check out where his father is buried. Delia and Lilly are unable to find the grave. The ladies decide that some research is in order. It is a multifaceted mystery which I enjoyed. While I anticipated the resolution, I had a good time following Lilly Jayne and her friends as they dug into the case. I appreciated the good wrap up at the end. The ending of the book will leave fans of the series smiling. There is a lot going on in The Plot Thickets. This is a story that is engaging and interesting. The Plot Thickets can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you have missed a book or two (like me). The Plot Thickets is a good cozy to read in October with the cemetery theme. There are some gardening tips at the end which includes a list of plants that are good pollinators (which is just what I needed). The Plot Thickets is a graveyard smash with plant pruning, a displaced bench, a dead dad, a witchy Whitney, puzzling plots, a house hunt, and a bad back.
January 11, 2023
⭐⭐⭐ -- Pretty cover on this one!
So this one was okay. I enjoyed the setting. The mystery kept me guessing. The characters were likable. Really my main issue with it was it was SO slow and drawn out. The murder doesn't even take place until 50% into the book. The first half is just a bunch of boring conversations about back pain, memory loss, and boyfriend issues. 🤷🏻♀️ I feel like it could have done with a good edit...
**ARC Via NetGalley**
So this one was okay. I enjoyed the setting. The mystery kept me guessing. The characters were likable. Really my main issue with it was it was SO slow and drawn out. The murder doesn't even take place until 50% into the book. The first half is just a bunch of boring conversations about back pain, memory loss, and boyfriend issues. 🤷🏻♀️ I feel like it could have done with a good edit...
**ARC Via NetGalley**
July 11, 2022
Publication October 25, 2022
"I'm home." Seriously, that sense of being home was what immediately struck me as I read. I've loved this series from book one and it just seems to get better with each new book. I enjoyed that rather then simply give a recounting of past events in the characters' lives, author Julia Henry ties each in to what is going on in their current lives, whether an ongoing concern or catching us up on the bird sanctuary project or Alden Park development, all vital to past events in their lives. That makes the story come alive and, quite frankly, makes it all seem all the more real. I mean, dang it, why can't I buzz over and ask Lilly for gardening advice. She (and the rest) genuinely seem like people you know or want to know. Thus, the sense of home I get when making a virtual visit to Lilly, her friends, and their lovely home in Goosebush, MA.
Perhaps it's that feeling of simply visiting ol' friends that kept me from realizing until about chapter 15 that although a great deal was going on, there hadn't been a murder yet. Given that I'm a sucker for character centered books with dose of history, that's probably not surprising. Visiting the cemetery with Lilly seemed like a natural thing to do and recalling my ol' home town cemetery with it's intriguing histories and grave sites, it seemed natural that a long-time resident like Lilly, whose family was so much a part of the town's history, would notice that something wasn't right. What is going on?
Lilly's sense that something is askew quickly ties in with some other reports, including when one friend's visiting relative reports an unknown body in what should be an empty family plot. Cemetery plot maps? What is going on? Even the seemingly unrelated work on a park designed by Lilly's dear friend Roddy seems to be somehow connected. Is the funeral home involved? The cemetery's recent caretaker was, uh, retired recently, but rumors of plots suddenly being available where none should be, for a high cost, mind you, and Lilly's discovery inside her family vault are worrisome. Even more so is what is found outside, the body of funeral home owner Whitney Dunne-Bradford sprawled against the lovely carved bench outside the vault. Heck, in this town, even that bench has an intriguing history but I'll leave that for readers to discover on their own.
I honestly don't want to give away too much of the plot aside from the fact that there are multiple suspects who'd wish Whitney dead but there is so much more. Like, hey, did you know they use salt urns for sea burial? Or, yikes, that many tombs don't have inside door-handles to detour grave robbery? Wouldn't you hate to not know that and close that door securely behind you? And, what the heck does all this have to do with the sudden death of Stan's father, Buzz? Did Stan decide to rid himself of the burden his money-hungry father had become? Why was Stan angry with Whitney? What happened to the good top soil ordered for Alden Park? Why are they wondering if it went to the cemetery? Will Lilly's house guest ever find the perfect home of his own? How sweet is it that Lilly unthinkingly shares a sandwich with friend and neighbor Roddy? They are both such lovely, caring people that it's a delight to watch their connection as it evolves.
Bottom line, you don't have to be a gardener to love this series, I've been known far more as a black thumb than a green one, but if you love multi-dimensional and aged characters who work and come together smoothly, you will love this book. If you're seriously into gardening, so much the better. You will love the gardening tips at the end and even pick up a few tricks from Lilly and the group.
Thank you, thank you, thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to hang out with Lilly and her friends. Love the community and how they all come together for the common good.
"I'm home." Seriously, that sense of being home was what immediately struck me as I read. I've loved this series from book one and it just seems to get better with each new book. I enjoyed that rather then simply give a recounting of past events in the characters' lives, author Julia Henry ties each in to what is going on in their current lives, whether an ongoing concern or catching us up on the bird sanctuary project or Alden Park development, all vital to past events in their lives. That makes the story come alive and, quite frankly, makes it all seem all the more real. I mean, dang it, why can't I buzz over and ask Lilly for gardening advice. She (and the rest) genuinely seem like people you know or want to know. Thus, the sense of home I get when making a virtual visit to Lilly, her friends, and their lovely home in Goosebush, MA.
Perhaps it's that feeling of simply visiting ol' friends that kept me from realizing until about chapter 15 that although a great deal was going on, there hadn't been a murder yet. Given that I'm a sucker for character centered books with dose of history, that's probably not surprising. Visiting the cemetery with Lilly seemed like a natural thing to do and recalling my ol' home town cemetery with it's intriguing histories and grave sites, it seemed natural that a long-time resident like Lilly, whose family was so much a part of the town's history, would notice that something wasn't right. What is going on?
Lilly's sense that something is askew quickly ties in with some other reports, including when one friend's visiting relative reports an unknown body in what should be an empty family plot. Cemetery plot maps? What is going on? Even the seemingly unrelated work on a park designed by Lilly's dear friend Roddy seems to be somehow connected. Is the funeral home involved? The cemetery's recent caretaker was, uh, retired recently, but rumors of plots suddenly being available where none should be, for a high cost, mind you, and Lilly's discovery inside her family vault are worrisome. Even more so is what is found outside, the body of funeral home owner Whitney Dunne-Bradford sprawled against the lovely carved bench outside the vault. Heck, in this town, even that bench has an intriguing history but I'll leave that for readers to discover on their own.
I honestly don't want to give away too much of the plot aside from the fact that there are multiple suspects who'd wish Whitney dead but there is so much more. Like, hey, did you know they use salt urns for sea burial? Or, yikes, that many tombs don't have inside door-handles to detour grave robbery? Wouldn't you hate to not know that and close that door securely behind you? And, what the heck does all this have to do with the sudden death of Stan's father, Buzz? Did Stan decide to rid himself of the burden his money-hungry father had become? Why was Stan angry with Whitney? What happened to the good top soil ordered for Alden Park? Why are they wondering if it went to the cemetery? Will Lilly's house guest ever find the perfect home of his own? How sweet is it that Lilly unthinkingly shares a sandwich with friend and neighbor Roddy? They are both such lovely, caring people that it's a delight to watch their connection as it evolves.
Bottom line, you don't have to be a gardener to love this series, I've been known far more as a black thumb than a green one, but if you love multi-dimensional and aged characters who work and come together smoothly, you will love this book. If you're seriously into gardening, so much the better. You will love the gardening tips at the end and even pick up a few tricks from Lilly and the group.
Thank you, thank you, thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to hang out with Lilly and her friends. Love the community and how they all come together for the common good.
July 21, 2022
The residents of Goosebush, Massachusetts are enjoying Spring and the beautiful change it brings. However, their relatives who are resting in the historical Goosebush Cemetery, are not R.I.P! When the director of the Bradford Funeral Homes is murdered, Lily Jayne and the Garden Squad are on the case!
Lily Jayne and her friends are some of my favorite cozy characters. Diversity is always a part of the series and plain old common sense rules. This mystery finds the squad trying to figure out why plots are being moved or worse, why bodies are moved. There were so many red herrings and twists and I loved every one!
While there is romance, it doesn't overshadow the mystery. I'd like to say more on the romances, but no spoilers!
Take a Spring break and visit Goosebush and the wonderful community that Julia Henry has created!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Lily Jayne and her friends are some of my favorite cozy characters. Diversity is always a part of the series and plain old common sense rules. This mystery finds the squad trying to figure out why plots are being moved or worse, why bodies are moved. There were so many red herrings and twists and I loved every one!
While there is romance, it doesn't overshadow the mystery. I'd like to say more on the romances, but no spoilers!
Take a Spring break and visit Goosebush and the wonderful community that Julia Henry has created!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 29, 2022
The Plot Thickets is the 5th book in the Garden Squad Mysteries written by Julia Henry.
I loved this fabulous cozy mystery! Set in springtime 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. The Plot Thickets is a wonderful blend of mystery and friendships and many of the characters are great individuals. Lilly has been working on Helen Garrett's garden and she and her squad are checking out the requirements for the tidying up of the cemetery, a new project the beautification committee, a group set up by Lilly, is working on. Lilly had a fall back in January when she injured her back and wrist and has been taking things a bit easier but now she's almost back in form. Some of the hard work is undertaken by high school sports team volunteers and girl scout groups. The cemetery is run by Whitney Dunne-Bradford, the widow of Sam Bradford after she inherited his business - the Bradford Funeral Home. Lilly's father used to be involved with tours of the historic cemetery and her family has a mausoleum there. Lilly notices some irregularities such as a commemorative bench in the Jayne family name out of place. Then Whitney is found murdered...
In this scintillating instalment the author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With multiple suspects, there was a veritable gamut of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most 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 springtime 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. The Plot Thickets is a wonderful blend of mystery and friendships and many of the characters are great individuals. Lilly has been working on Helen Garrett's garden and she and her squad are checking out the requirements for the tidying up of the cemetery, a new project the beautification committee, a group set up by Lilly, is working on. Lilly had a fall back in January when she injured her back and wrist and has been taking things a bit easier but now she's almost back in form. Some of the hard work is undertaken by high school sports team volunteers and girl scout groups. The cemetery is run by Whitney Dunne-Bradford, the widow of Sam Bradford after she inherited his business - the Bradford Funeral Home. Lilly's father used to be involved with tours of the historic cemetery and her family has a mausoleum there. Lilly notices some irregularities such as a commemorative bench in the Jayne family name out of place. Then Whitney is found murdered...
In this scintillating instalment the author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With multiple suspects, there was a veritable gamut of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most 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.
October 17, 2022
Lilly Jayne and the garden squad are look into beautifying the area of the older graves in the cemetery while Lilly’s family mausoleum is located. Lilly starts to notice that something seems off around her family’s area of the graveyard. As she tries to figure out what has changed she stumbles over a dead body in her father’s resting spot that is no one from her family.
This is a great cozy mystery and series. Lilly is an older protagonist, she is intelligent and has a lot of life experiences that helps her and her square solve mysteries. The mystery is entertaining and full of surprises that keeps you guessing who the murder is. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
This is a great cozy mystery and series. Lilly is an older protagonist, she is intelligent and has a lot of life experiences that helps her and her square solve mysteries. The mystery is entertaining and full of surprises that keeps you guessing who the murder is. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
June 7, 2022
The garden squad is back in this new book by Julia Henry.
Working to beautify their small New England town, the garden squad find themselves wrapped up in another murder investigation.
I enjoy this series and find myself getting caught up in the lives of these colorful characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#ThePlotThickets #NetGalley
Working to beautify their small New England town, the garden squad find themselves wrapped up in another murder investigation.
I enjoy this series and find myself getting caught up in the lives of these colorful characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#ThePlotThickets #NetGalley
December 16, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
We are back in Goosebush, Massachusetts, as the Beautification Committee is planning its Springtime projects. Lilly and Delia find things neglected at the historic Goosebush Cemetery. They also notice irregularities with many of the plots and that a bench has been moved by the Jayne family mausoleum. With a little research, Lilly finds out that Whitney Dunne-Bradford had taken over the custodianship of the cemetery when she inherited the Bradford Funeral Homes. Lilly is anxious to talk to Whitney about her concerns but before they can meet, Lilly trips over Whitney's body at the family crypt.
Even though it appears Whitney has taken her own life both Lily and Chief of Police Bash Haywood believe she was murdered. There has been trouble with the family's funeral business and things have been tense between Whitney, her stepdaughter Sasha, and employee Dewey March but would it drive one of them to murder? Sadly, a friend is also on the suspect list so Lily and the Garden Squad shift into high gear to prove their friend's innocence. They immediately start digging up the truth and plotting a path toward the real guilty party before the killer gets away scot-free and their friend ends up in jail.
______
The characters in this series are so much fun. Lilly Jayne continues to pull her garden squad together to do gardening projects and investigate murders. In this installment, the Squad is worried about their friend Stan, who lost his father suddenly and is a suspect in Whitney Dunne-Bradford's death. He has been acting strange for weeks and has shut his girlfriend Delia out completely. His friends all care about him and will do anything they can to help. The friendships that have been built over the course of this series are very strong and continue to grow in this story. One relationship is starting to move beyond just friendship and I enjoyed the way the author has penned this blooming romance.
Lilly and her friends are very active in the community and their pride unique small town shines every time they take a walk around the wheel at the center of Goosebush to shop, dine, or run errands. They have been working hard on renovating a park, making sure it meets as many of the town's needs as possible. Ms. Henry's detailed descriptions of the town, the park, the shops, the Star, Lilly's home and gardens along with the homes and yards and views of her friends paint such great visuals. It is so easy to imagine yourself walking around town to each and every place right along with its residents. I was very intrigued by the historic cemetery. We have a similar cemetery in my hometown, but without all the shenanigans.
Ms. Henry plotted out a very interesting mystery with twists, turns, and curious entanglements. I always have a great time following all the clues with the Garden Squad. They all come up with their own theories and work to see what pans out. Delia really has the head for research and never fails to find pertinent information to move the investigation forward. They do keep Chief of Police Bash Haywood apprised of their findings for the most part. He knows he can trust their information. I had a theory of my own that had some of the right elements but they didn't all come together until everything was spelled out in the story.
The Plot Thickets was a very entertaining read. These characters never fail to draw me into their lives and keep me captivated until the mysteries are all solved at the end. Sadly, this book was released in October 2022 and appears to be the final book in the series. I will have to use my imagination to finish out the characters' stories but I know in my heart that Ms. Henry would want them to live happily ever and enjoying their beautiful gardens.
We are back in Goosebush, Massachusetts, as the Beautification Committee is planning its Springtime projects. Lilly and Delia find things neglected at the historic Goosebush Cemetery. They also notice irregularities with many of the plots and that a bench has been moved by the Jayne family mausoleum. With a little research, Lilly finds out that Whitney Dunne-Bradford had taken over the custodianship of the cemetery when she inherited the Bradford Funeral Homes. Lilly is anxious to talk to Whitney about her concerns but before they can meet, Lilly trips over Whitney's body at the family crypt.
Even though it appears Whitney has taken her own life both Lily and Chief of Police Bash Haywood believe she was murdered. There has been trouble with the family's funeral business and things have been tense between Whitney, her stepdaughter Sasha, and employee Dewey March but would it drive one of them to murder? Sadly, a friend is also on the suspect list so Lily and the Garden Squad shift into high gear to prove their friend's innocence. They immediately start digging up the truth and plotting a path toward the real guilty party before the killer gets away scot-free and their friend ends up in jail.
______
The characters in this series are so much fun. Lilly Jayne continues to pull her garden squad together to do gardening projects and investigate murders. In this installment, the Squad is worried about their friend Stan, who lost his father suddenly and is a suspect in Whitney Dunne-Bradford's death. He has been acting strange for weeks and has shut his girlfriend Delia out completely. His friends all care about him and will do anything they can to help. The friendships that have been built over the course of this series are very strong and continue to grow in this story. One relationship is starting to move beyond just friendship and I enjoyed the way the author has penned this blooming romance.
Lilly and her friends are very active in the community and their pride unique small town shines every time they take a walk around the wheel at the center of Goosebush to shop, dine, or run errands. They have been working hard on renovating a park, making sure it meets as many of the town's needs as possible. Ms. Henry's detailed descriptions of the town, the park, the shops, the Star, Lilly's home and gardens along with the homes and yards and views of her friends paint such great visuals. It is so easy to imagine yourself walking around town to each and every place right along with its residents. I was very intrigued by the historic cemetery. We have a similar cemetery in my hometown, but without all the shenanigans.
Ms. Henry plotted out a very interesting mystery with twists, turns, and curious entanglements. I always have a great time following all the clues with the Garden Squad. They all come up with their own theories and work to see what pans out. Delia really has the head for research and never fails to find pertinent information to move the investigation forward. They do keep Chief of Police Bash Haywood apprised of their findings for the most part. He knows he can trust their information. I had a theory of my own that had some of the right elements but they didn't all come together until everything was spelled out in the story.
The Plot Thickets was a very entertaining read. These characters never fail to draw me into their lives and keep me captivated until the mysteries are all solved at the end. Sadly, this book was released in October 2022 and appears to be the final book in the series. I will have to use my imagination to finish out the characters' stories but I know in my heart that Ms. Henry would want them to live happily ever and enjoying their beautiful gardens.
November 29, 2022
This series gets better and better. I enjoy all the characters and their quirks.
In the fifth book, Lilly is recovering from a back injury she sustained over the winter and finds herself needing to depend on her friends a little more than usual. On a day she feels better she goes to an old family friend who is in her last days and plants a flat of flowers. This opens the door to the local cemetery and the changes happening. Unfortunately, when the family friend passes a whole world of corruption is opened at the cemetery. It is up to Lilly and friends to figure out what is going on before one of them is entombed forever.
I loved the subtle hints to romance throughout the book. I’m very excited for the next book to see how things progress.
I didn’t guess the who or the why. There was a very tangled web and I think I’m still untangling.
I imagine you can read the series in any order but as always in my opinion series are best in order.
In the fifth book, Lilly is recovering from a back injury she sustained over the winter and finds herself needing to depend on her friends a little more than usual. On a day she feels better she goes to an old family friend who is in her last days and plants a flat of flowers. This opens the door to the local cemetery and the changes happening. Unfortunately, when the family friend passes a whole world of corruption is opened at the cemetery. It is up to Lilly and friends to figure out what is going on before one of them is entombed forever.
I loved the subtle hints to romance throughout the book. I’m very excited for the next book to see how things progress.
I didn’t guess the who or the why. There was a very tangled web and I think I’m still untangling.
I imagine you can read the series in any order but as always in my opinion series are best in order.
June 20, 2022
Small town politics
The garden squad must find out what is going on at Alden Park. Lily and Roddy find even more problems that need investigating, and then Buzz dies under suspicious circumstances. More bodies and vandalism at the cemetery has the whole squad working full out with the sheriff to solve the mystery as the bodies add up.
I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it to any cozy lover.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
The garden squad must find out what is going on at Alden Park. Lily and Roddy find even more problems that need investigating, and then Buzz dies under suspicious circumstances. More bodies and vandalism at the cemetery has the whole squad working full out with the sheriff to solve the mystery as the bodies add up.
I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it to any cozy lover.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
June 7, 2022
The garden squad is back in this new book by Julia Henry. Working to beautify their small New England town, the garden squad find themselves wrapped up in another murder investigation. I enjoy this series and find myself getting caught up in the lives of these colorful characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book. #ThePlotThickets #NetGalley
November 7, 2022
I really like Lily and her friends in the Garden Squad but this mystery was slow and difficult to get into. I found the cemetery aspect fascinating and learned so much. The writing in this one was a chore to get through. There were so many passages where “said” is repeated constantly; answered, replied, stated, anything else would have been welcome but the continual use of the same word took me out of the story and got annoying. I know it seems petty but if the author couldn’t be bothered to try, then why should I? It made it difficult for me to stay involved in the story and I don’t think I’ll continue with the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review
June 14, 2022
The Plot Thickets by Julia Henry is a wonderful cozy mystery that is the third book in the amazing A Garden Squad Mystery series. I just love this series!
This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries series, and I am so glad that I found this gem and that Ms. Henry is able to gift us continuing installments. It just keeps getting better and better with each book.
I just love the location of the quaint, quintessential New England town of Goosebush, Massachusetts. Its designs, its structures, the eclectic mix of in house residents, its storied histories…it all really adds to the overall enjoyment level to my experience.
Lilly Jayne is such a great main character. In her 60s, comfortable with who she is, smart, independent, but yet imperfect. I love Delia as well. Just like extended family. I also love it when they work together on literally any task. I also enjoy the full array of the characters that are residents and secondary to the main. They all round out each book nicely.
I also loved the murder/mystery component. Graveyards, shady dealings, multiple culprits…Lilly being roped into the investigation…what is not to love?!
Oh and I loooooooved the ending!
I can’t wait until the next book comes out. What a gem!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books 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 on 10/25/22.
This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries series, and I am so glad that I found this gem and that Ms. Henry is able to gift us continuing installments. It just keeps getting better and better with each book.
I just love the location of the quaint, quintessential New England town of Goosebush, Massachusetts. Its designs, its structures, the eclectic mix of in house residents, its storied histories…it all really adds to the overall enjoyment level to my experience.
Lilly Jayne is such a great main character. In her 60s, comfortable with who she is, smart, independent, but yet imperfect. I love Delia as well. Just like extended family. I also love it when they work together on literally any task. I also enjoy the full array of the characters that are residents and secondary to the main. They all round out each book nicely.
I also loved the murder/mystery component. Graveyards, shady dealings, multiple culprits…Lilly being roped into the investigation…what is not to love?!
Oh and I loooooooved the ending!
I can’t wait until the next book comes out. What a gem!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books 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 on 10/25/22.
October 23, 2022
This series is, for me, like a letter from friends, a feeling of belonging to a community. Lilly and her friends are the Garden Squad and work on beautifying their town of Goosebush, Massachusetts. Now that Spring has arrived there is much to do and Lilly starts with Helen, now at the century mark in her life. Planting and pruning in her front yard to give her something to enjoy from her front window. That is a feeling that runs through the whole series, people caring for their friends and neighbors any way they can. The slower pace fits and the crime isn't revealed until almost halfway.
There is some funny business going on with the town's funeral home. When Sam Bradford dies it was a shock to many that his second wife, Whitney, takes over the funeral home rather than his daughter, Sasha. She also gets control of the cemetery as caretaker. Lilly notices that there is something strange going on with burial plots and the grounds. Then Whitney is found dead behind Lilly's family mausoleum and a burial plots goes missing. Now Lilly and the Garden Squad have more to do in the cemetery than giving it a Spring sprucing up. One of their group, Stan, becomes the prime suspect and that means Lily has some investigating to do to clear him. Turns out things were shady at the funeral home and the list of suspects is long.
This series can be read in any order and each mystery is well developed with enough red herring and detours to keep the reader guessing to the last page. I'm already looking forward to the next mystery for Lilly and the Garden squad to solve.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
There is some funny business going on with the town's funeral home. When Sam Bradford dies it was a shock to many that his second wife, Whitney, takes over the funeral home rather than his daughter, Sasha. She also gets control of the cemetery as caretaker. Lilly notices that there is something strange going on with burial plots and the grounds. Then Whitney is found dead behind Lilly's family mausoleum and a burial plots goes missing. Now Lilly and the Garden Squad have more to do in the cemetery than giving it a Spring sprucing up. One of their group, Stan, becomes the prime suspect and that means Lily has some investigating to do to clear him. Turns out things were shady at the funeral home and the list of suspects is long.
This series can be read in any order and each mystery is well developed with enough red herring and detours to keep the reader guessing to the last page. I'm already looking forward to the next mystery for Lilly and the Garden squad to solve.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2022
This is the fifth release in the charming "Garden Squad Mystery" series by cozy author Julia Henry. I enjoy this fun series because the author features savvy smart active seniors as her primary charcters. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.
It is a beautful spring in Goosebush Mass and the garden squad Lily and Della have a new project of cleaning up the local cemetary and doing some landscaping. They are distressed to find graves disturbed and damaged. The new caretaker of the cemetary is the owner of the local funeral home and found dead. Lilly and Della believe it was murder not a accidential death. Soon they are on the right track of multiple suspects as the victim was disliked by many. As the clues add up so do the red herrings and this sleuth took so many turns I was engaged to read it to the pleasing conclusion. A fun mystery and a enjoyable return to the garden squad.
It is a beautful spring in Goosebush Mass and the garden squad Lily and Della have a new project of cleaning up the local cemetary and doing some landscaping. They are distressed to find graves disturbed and damaged. The new caretaker of the cemetary is the owner of the local funeral home and found dead. Lilly and Della believe it was murder not a accidential death. Soon they are on the right track of multiple suspects as the victim was disliked by many. As the clues add up so do the red herrings and this sleuth took so many turns I was engaged to read it to the pleasing conclusion. A fun mystery and a enjoyable return to the garden squad.
June 17, 2022
Lilly Jayne and the rest of the Garden Squad are involved in a mystery revolving around the local historic cemetery in Goosebush, Massachusetts. Portia asks the group to take care of a neglected area of the cemetery as a project and Lilly and Delia visit the cemetery to see where and what needs to be done. This cemetery is also where Lilly's family mausoleum is situated, and Lilly notices a heavy bench has been moved. She also notices other inconsistencies in the grave's layout and later an old friend's expected gravesite disappears. There is definitely something shady going on at the Bradford Funeral Home and then a murder takes place. This is book 5 in the series and it is best to start with book 1. The characters have developed over the series and are of various ages and diverse backgrounds and the gardening theme is fun. Plus, the selfish people taking advantage of other people's grief get their comeuppance, which is satisfying. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2022
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Kensington Books, for letting me read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
“Lilly, I suspect we opened yet another can of worms”
This book was really such a fun story to read !!!
An innovative and contemporary Miss Murple with her charm and wit, able to solve mysteries not even the police is able to uncover …
I really enjoyed the slight romantic undertone too !!!!
Honestly this one was an entertaining story and I really liked each and every character mentioned !!!!!
So glad I had the chance to read it !!!
“Looking guilty might be enough to get him into more trouble than he could handle”
“Lilly, I suspect we opened yet another can of worms”
This book was really such a fun story to read !!!
An innovative and contemporary Miss Murple with her charm and wit, able to solve mysteries not even the police is able to uncover …
I really enjoyed the slight romantic undertone too !!!!
Honestly this one was an entertaining story and I really liked each and every character mentioned !!!!!
So glad I had the chance to read it !!!
“Looking guilty might be enough to get him into more trouble than he could handle”
July 31, 2022
The Garden Squad is a group of friends who have lived in their small town (mostly forever) and have known each other for enough decades that many are retired.
The plot revolves around weird goings on at the town cemetery (a concept I am completely unfamiliar with). There are interconnected side plots as well to make you root for the nasty one to be murdered. Let the sleuthing begin! Despite it being in series, I think that there is enough series history included that it can easily stand alone. It's a good fun read full of twists, red herrings, and some really delightful characters, and I loved it!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
The plot revolves around weird goings on at the town cemetery (a concept I am completely unfamiliar with). There are interconnected side plots as well to make you root for the nasty one to be murdered. Let the sleuthing begin! Despite it being in series, I think that there is enough series history included that it can easily stand alone. It's a good fun read full of twists, red herrings, and some really delightful characters, and I loved it!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 29, 2022
Is someone tampering with graves in the old cemetery or is Lilly Jayne's memory making her forget where graves are? Before long, Lilly and the Garden Squad discover there is chicanery going on in the Bradford Funeral Homes business, especially with Sam dead and his second wife Whitney Dunne-Bradford running the show. The newest addition to this New England garden series, the characters are so well drawn, you feel as if you know them personally.
July 18, 2022
Visiting with Lilly Jayne and her gardening pals in Goosebush is like going home. I Love this series. I adore the characters and the small town feeling-it brings me back to my youth growing up in a tiny town on the South Shore. Plots aplenty populate this story and they are all interwoven with care. Ms. Henry weaves these intricate plot lines together seamlessly and without confusion. Aside from a couple of corpses the Garden Squad Mysteries are an absolute delight!
November 5, 2022
In reading Julia Henry's THE PLOT THICKETS, I sort of broke one of my book reading rules.
That is, I didn't start at the beginning of a series. This is the 5th book in the series and yes, I hadn't gotten around to reading the previous four novels in the Garden Squad mystery series.
BUT...that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the book without knowing everything that came before.
And I did enjoy it a lot.
Lilly Jayne is once again on the hunt for a murder in Goosebush, Massachusetts. While out and about doing any number of gardening tasks around the small town, she discovers that things have been moved around her family mausoleum in the historical graveyard where its located. At first, she doesn't trust her own memories but as she and her fellow Garden Squad companions look into it, things just don't add up.
And it seems to be centered on the local funeral home and the woman in charge of the business. As Lilly discovers, there's some shady dealings going on. But before the alarm can be raised, the woman in question is found murdered near Lilly's mausoleum.
However, as more and more information becomes known about what the victim was doing, the list of possible suspects grows ever larger. When a friend of Lilly's, the restaurant owner Stan, is questioned and considered the prime suspect, she and her friends begin looking into the murder full force in order to clear his name. But as they dig deeper, someone has it out for Lilly and she'll have to use all her wits to stay alive, much less clear her friend's name.
As I said, I missed out on the first four books in this series. But I got the chance to read an advance copy of THE PLOT THICKETS and I did quite enjoy it. The story is packed with enough detail that readers just picking up the book will quickly find themselves understanding the dynamics of the cast of characters without feeling lost in the weeds.
As for the plot, I did like how small-town politics and the way business is done pretty much enabled the murder victim to do her own dirty deeds with nary a voice raised in opposition. Well, until someone killed her, of course.
I enjoyed the cast of characters even though I was just getting to know them. Their personality quirks, their flaws and the way they work as a team to dig up information to help figure out just "whodunnit".
If there was one thing that gave me pause it would be that it did take quite a while for the body to drop? It may just be me, but I kind of like to see the body hit the metaphorical floor a little earlier in the book than it did here.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things this is likely just my own little nitpick.
That said, I found THE PLOT THICKETS to have a great story that kept my interest with each passing chapter on its way to a satisfying reveal of the killer.
Upon publication of the actual book, the author let it be known that this would be the FINAL book in the series so I won't get to go on any future adventures with Lilly and the Garden Squad. But since I did like this book so much, I can go about getting the previous four novels and find myself digging into those mysteries as way to compensate.
That is, I didn't start at the beginning of a series. This is the 5th book in the series and yes, I hadn't gotten around to reading the previous four novels in the Garden Squad mystery series.
BUT...that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the book without knowing everything that came before.
And I did enjoy it a lot.
Lilly Jayne is once again on the hunt for a murder in Goosebush, Massachusetts. While out and about doing any number of gardening tasks around the small town, she discovers that things have been moved around her family mausoleum in the historical graveyard where its located. At first, she doesn't trust her own memories but as she and her fellow Garden Squad companions look into it, things just don't add up.
And it seems to be centered on the local funeral home and the woman in charge of the business. As Lilly discovers, there's some shady dealings going on. But before the alarm can be raised, the woman in question is found murdered near Lilly's mausoleum.
However, as more and more information becomes known about what the victim was doing, the list of possible suspects grows ever larger. When a friend of Lilly's, the restaurant owner Stan, is questioned and considered the prime suspect, she and her friends begin looking into the murder full force in order to clear his name. But as they dig deeper, someone has it out for Lilly and she'll have to use all her wits to stay alive, much less clear her friend's name.
As I said, I missed out on the first four books in this series. But I got the chance to read an advance copy of THE PLOT THICKETS and I did quite enjoy it. The story is packed with enough detail that readers just picking up the book will quickly find themselves understanding the dynamics of the cast of characters without feeling lost in the weeds.
As for the plot, I did like how small-town politics and the way business is done pretty much enabled the murder victim to do her own dirty deeds with nary a voice raised in opposition. Well, until someone killed her, of course.
I enjoyed the cast of characters even though I was just getting to know them. Their personality quirks, their flaws and the way they work as a team to dig up information to help figure out just "whodunnit".
If there was one thing that gave me pause it would be that it did take quite a while for the body to drop? It may just be me, but I kind of like to see the body hit the metaphorical floor a little earlier in the book than it did here.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things this is likely just my own little nitpick.
That said, I found THE PLOT THICKETS to have a great story that kept my interest with each passing chapter on its way to a satisfying reveal of the killer.
Upon publication of the actual book, the author let it be known that this would be the FINAL book in the series so I won't get to go on any future adventures with Lilly and the Garden Squad. But since I did like this book so much, I can go about getting the previous four novels and find myself digging into those mysteries as way to compensate.
October 30, 2022
Ohhhh I love when a series that has had an off-book gets back on track and delivers and excellent story. This was like getting a warm hug from old friends and I was so happy to have that comfort back.
This was an interesting story that I have not really read in a mystery before [that I remember anyway LOL] that involved the typical tropes of a mystery; greed, deception, bitterness, and then add grave robbing, weird cemetery shenanigans and ultimately murder and you have a really excellent mystery and some serious food for thought [like making sure all your final plans and such are 100% in order]. Plus you get to hang out with some of the coolest people currently solving crime in the cozy world. Lily and Co. are loving, caring, generous people who love where they live and are willing to do what they can to ease the burdens of those around them that have less, are struggling or just need a good friend and some plants/flowers. I love how they work together to get stuff done and how they are so content to hang out at Lily's to eat and tear apart the cases they are involved in and just be with each other. It is so refreshing. I wish more people could learn from how this fictional group of friends treats each other.
I never saw the killer coming until almost the end, and only because of something someone said so it was mostly a surprise and the why just left me shaking my head. I also like that nothing is tidy in these books, just like real life and sometimes not everything is wrapped up; I have a feeling that should there be another book, these will be situations from this book that will carry over. And I will be the first one in line to read all about it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Henry, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
** Typically, I despise this narrator with a passion, but for some strange reason, she works well for these books and I was so grateful that there ended up being an audiobook since I was so freaking behind and that I took a chance on a narrator I typically dislike. **
This was an interesting story that I have not really read in a mystery before [that I remember anyway LOL] that involved the typical tropes of a mystery; greed, deception, bitterness, and then add grave robbing, weird cemetery shenanigans and ultimately murder and you have a really excellent mystery and some serious food for thought [like making sure all your final plans and such are 100% in order]. Plus you get to hang out with some of the coolest people currently solving crime in the cozy world. Lily and Co. are loving, caring, generous people who love where they live and are willing to do what they can to ease the burdens of those around them that have less, are struggling or just need a good friend and some plants/flowers. I love how they work together to get stuff done and how they are so content to hang out at Lily's to eat and tear apart the cases they are involved in and just be with each other. It is so refreshing. I wish more people could learn from how this fictional group of friends treats each other.
I never saw the killer coming until almost the end, and only because of something someone said so it was mostly a surprise and the why just left me shaking my head. I also like that nothing is tidy in these books, just like real life and sometimes not everything is wrapped up; I have a feeling that should there be another book, these will be situations from this book that will carry over. And I will be the first one in line to read all about it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Henry, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
** Typically, I despise this narrator with a passion, but for some strange reason, she works well for these books and I was so grateful that there ended up being an audiobook since I was so freaking behind and that I took a chance on a narrator I typically dislike. **
October 27, 2022
The Plot Thickets is the fifth book in the A GardenSquad Mystery series by Julia Henry.
It’s spring in Goosebush, Mass., and time for The Garden Squad to find their next beautification project. Lilly and Delia are heading for the cemetery where Lilly’s family has a burial plot to see if it might need some sprucing up. The cemetery certainly needs some weeding and flowers to improve its appearance. Lilly notices that there seem to be some differences from the last time she was here. Lilly used to go with her father when he would conduct tours of the cemetery, so she is very familiar with where families were buried. Also, a heavy stone bench from the side of the plot to behind the family’s mausoleum. On a later visit, Lilly finds the door to the mausoleum unlocked, and when she enters, she sees several urns on the floor and a body in one of the vaults, none of who are members of her family.
The police will begin an investigation of the Bradford Funeral Home, which manages the cemetery’s operation. Sam Bradford started the funeral home and, upon his passing, was left to his wife, Whitney-Dunne Bradford. Sam’s daughter, Sasha, also works for the funeral home. A couple of days later, Lilly visits the cemetery and finds the body of Whitney behind her family’s mausoleum with a gun in her hand. It would appear to be a suicide, but they decide to treat it as a suspicious death. Soon, Stan, The Star cafe/bookstore owner, will become the prime suspect. Stan had been seen recently in a heated argument with Whitney. The Garden Squad will need to organize and get busy to clear Stan’s name by finding the killer.
A subplot deals with Delia and Stan’s budding romance. Since Stan’s estranged father returned to Goosebush, Stan has been reserved and challenging to communicate with. The Garden Squad is eager to provide support for Delia. She doesn’t believe Stan is guilty of murder and hopes they can restore their romance to what it once was.
It was enjoyable to visit the engaging community of Goosebush once again. The story is well-written and plotted. Most of the regular characters are back again; they are well-developed and believable.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
It’s spring in Goosebush, Mass., and time for The Garden Squad to find their next beautification project. Lilly and Delia are heading for the cemetery where Lilly’s family has a burial plot to see if it might need some sprucing up. The cemetery certainly needs some weeding and flowers to improve its appearance. Lilly notices that there seem to be some differences from the last time she was here. Lilly used to go with her father when he would conduct tours of the cemetery, so she is very familiar with where families were buried. Also, a heavy stone bench from the side of the plot to behind the family’s mausoleum. On a later visit, Lilly finds the door to the mausoleum unlocked, and when she enters, she sees several urns on the floor and a body in one of the vaults, none of who are members of her family.
The police will begin an investigation of the Bradford Funeral Home, which manages the cemetery’s operation. Sam Bradford started the funeral home and, upon his passing, was left to his wife, Whitney-Dunne Bradford. Sam’s daughter, Sasha, also works for the funeral home. A couple of days later, Lilly visits the cemetery and finds the body of Whitney behind her family’s mausoleum with a gun in her hand. It would appear to be a suicide, but they decide to treat it as a suspicious death. Soon, Stan, The Star cafe/bookstore owner, will become the prime suspect. Stan had been seen recently in a heated argument with Whitney. The Garden Squad will need to organize and get busy to clear Stan’s name by finding the killer.
A subplot deals with Delia and Stan’s budding romance. Since Stan’s estranged father returned to Goosebush, Stan has been reserved and challenging to communicate with. The Garden Squad is eager to provide support for Delia. She doesn’t believe Stan is guilty of murder and hopes they can restore their romance to what it once was.
It was enjoyable to visit the engaging community of Goosebush once again. The story is well-written and plotted. Most of the regular characters are back again; they are well-developed and believable.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 18, 2022
Julia Henry brings back her Garden Squad Mysteries in its fifth installment, The Plot Thickets. This series has followed the journey of its protagonist Lilly Jayne as she gradually re-enters the social circles of her town after having lost her husband to cancer. In this installment, the reader is treated to the activities of the Garden Squad as they approach the first anniversary of its inception. At the core of this story is Lilly's concern that her memory may be starting to fail as she visits the local cemetery and discovers that there discrepancies between what is present and what she remembers from past visits. After a couple of deaths in town, it is discovered that unauthorized changes have in fact been made within the cemetery by the funeral home that is in charge of the management. As the bodies start to pile up, Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad start digging to uncover the culprit(s).
Although there is a core group of characters who have populated the series from the beginning, the author has done an excellent job of developing supplemental characters to interact with the core group within each book. By creating multi-generational characters, the author gives her readers the opportunity to see beyond age, gender and racial differences to envision an interwoven fabric of a small town. As this story develops, the intricacies brought forward within the twists and turns of the plot give a variety of suspects and motives which lead to a complete and total surprise during the final revelation.
Although the author brings this book to a possible final conclusion, I truly hope that she continues to allow these characters to grow and flourish in future installments as I believe that they have many more stories to tell.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Although there is a core group of characters who have populated the series from the beginning, the author has done an excellent job of developing supplemental characters to interact with the core group within each book. By creating multi-generational characters, the author gives her readers the opportunity to see beyond age, gender and racial differences to envision an interwoven fabric of a small town. As this story develops, the intricacies brought forward within the twists and turns of the plot give a variety of suspects and motives which lead to a complete and total surprise during the final revelation.
Although the author brings this book to a possible final conclusion, I truly hope that she continues to allow these characters to grow and flourish in future installments as I believe that they have many more stories to tell.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2024
I liked this book but I felt that the plot was too "busy". I am a gardener myself but several times in this book I felt like the gardening details made the story cumbersome and slower to read. The mystery with the cemetery, however, was fascinating. I sometimes work for a funeral home and I know about graves and cemetery plots, so I was doubly interested in the nefarious doings of the people who 'double-sold' plots and spaces. The ending was a bit of a surprise, so that was good.
October 24, 2022
4.5* upped to 5
The Garden Squad Mysteries are a favorite of mine and always enjoyed each instalment. This one is not one of my favorite as I found it quite slow paced.
I was happy to catch up with the Garden Squad, I thoroughly enjoyed the gardening discussions and the place.
But I found it quite slow and it took me a lot of time to read it insted of the usual "read in one setting".
That said the mystery is solid and kept me guessing, I was surprised by the twists and the solution. There's a lot going on in the life of the characters and I can't wait to read th next story.
I recommend it if you already read other books in this series.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
The Garden Squad Mysteries are a favorite of mine and always enjoyed each instalment. This one is not one of my favorite as I found it quite slow paced.
I was happy to catch up with the Garden Squad, I thoroughly enjoyed the gardening discussions and the place.
But I found it quite slow and it took me a lot of time to read it insted of the usual "read in one setting".
That said the mystery is solid and kept me guessing, I was surprised by the twists and the solution. There's a lot going on in the life of the characters and I can't wait to read th next story.
I recommend it if you already read other books in this series.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
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