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April Showers Bring Dead Flowers
If you love animals, THIS book is for YOU!
Ant, the irresistible Chihuahua, is more than a main character.
Read how he steals the show, just as he steals your heart!
And what about the PURRFECT PURRSIAN PUSSYCAT, Pansy?
Once Pansy sets eyes on William, she doesn’t let go . . . literally!
Laugh as you read how William has to go through the days doing everything while holding a cat in one arm.
There’s something growing in the garden . . . and it’s not a flower. A mystery is growing in the garden!
Greenhouse expert and horticulture Professor Heather Moore gets a new lease on life when she inherits her grandparents’ estate in New England. But the garden she loved as a child has seen better days. Determined to restore her grandfather’s garden to its former beauty, she’s accompanied by Ant, her charming chihuahua, and Pansy, her grandfather's cat.
But wait, what? Heather suddenly digs up an even bigger challenge when she finds some human remains in an old potting shed. As she discovers clues and follows the evidence, a few suspects cross her mind, but ultimately they point to one wily and clever killer. Suddenly in danger herself, can Heather solve this puzzling mystery, restore her family’s legacy, and bring about justice?
Meanwhile, her chance meeting with fellow flower enthusiast, Lars Oslo, turns her world upside down as she falls in love with that handsome and kind man. Their dates are off the charts romantic, & Heather feels like she won the lottery as their relationship progresses. Read how her fresh clean romance bursts into bloom in an unforgettable way.
Ant, the irresistible Chihuahua, is more than a main character.
Read how he steals the show, just as he steals your heart!
And what about the PURRFECT PURRSIAN PUSSYCAT, Pansy?
Once Pansy sets eyes on William, she doesn’t let go . . . literally!
Laugh as you read how William has to go through the days doing everything while holding a cat in one arm.
There’s something growing in the garden . . . and it’s not a flower. A mystery is growing in the garden!
Greenhouse expert and horticulture Professor Heather Moore gets a new lease on life when she inherits her grandparents’ estate in New England. But the garden she loved as a child has seen better days. Determined to restore her grandfather’s garden to its former beauty, she’s accompanied by Ant, her charming chihuahua, and Pansy, her grandfather's cat.
But wait, what? Heather suddenly digs up an even bigger challenge when she finds some human remains in an old potting shed. As she discovers clues and follows the evidence, a few suspects cross her mind, but ultimately they point to one wily and clever killer. Suddenly in danger herself, can Heather solve this puzzling mystery, restore her family’s legacy, and bring about justice?
Meanwhile, her chance meeting with fellow flower enthusiast, Lars Oslo, turns her world upside down as she falls in love with that handsome and kind man. Their dates are off the charts romantic, & Heather feels like she won the lottery as their relationship progresses. Read how her fresh clean romance bursts into bloom in an unforgettable way.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2022
294 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 22, 2022
If you want to be patronized, here's the novel for you! Lockheart will tell you what the largest instrument in the world is, will describe a fiddlehead fern to a botanical expert, will define dry ice, and on and on. Meanwhile, she'll present a character who has no personality, who apparently has no supervisory or managerial abilities, who is afraid to look for clues to solve a mystery, and who thinks the super-entitled guy is special because he hands her a flower. Heather figures to buy her university president's approval, she idolizes her employees because they did well in school, and she refuses to see the actual human who is her nephew.
I can't see a single thing in this novel to commend it. Not one.
I can't see a single thing in this novel to commend it. Not one.
September 14, 2023
Good story!
This was a good old fashioned cozy mystery!
Heather started a new job at Shelledny College!
She was to be manager of the
This was a good old fashioned cozy mystery!
Heather started a new job at Shelledny College!
She was to be manager of the
May 24, 2022
Wonderfully Crafted!
Totally adored this first in a series! (I certainly hope it will become a series). Such descriptions of natures beauty and food so vivid I could taste it. Character development was spot on, including multiple pets that play an intricate part in the story. Loved 'Ant'. Highly Recommend this namesake book to all.
Totally adored this first in a series! (I certainly hope it will become a series). Such descriptions of natures beauty and food so vivid I could taste it. Character development was spot on, including multiple pets that play an intricate part in the story. Loved 'Ant'. Highly Recommend this namesake book to all.
April 12, 2023
Really enjoyed this book so much, I have a friend who introuduce me to cozy mysteries recently. This is the first one, that I have had a hard time putting the book down. It kept me wanting to read and read. The characters are wonderful especially the little animals in this story. I learned about plants and food cusine as well. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series. I have already downloaded it to my kindle.
November 27, 2022
So this book had terrible writing. In one part a character that wasn't with them appeared randomly and then was back home asking where they went. I couldn't decide if the nephew was 15 or 25. The main character was pretty dumb for an intelligent woman. I don't know who is reading this for it to have a four star rating.
June 1, 2022
Honestly, pretty dull read.
December 5, 2022
This book is a very easy read with a fast pace and some easy to like characters. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing from the beginning to the end. Even with the clues spread out, I didn’t guess the “who done it” until the end when everything was revealed. The situations the main character got herself involved in while trying to solve this mystery were entertaining and at some points I wanted to skip through so there was no second hand embarrassment.
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers by Krista Lockheart follows the character Heather Moore, the new director of horticultural at a local college. She came back to her hometown after her grandfather gifted his estate to her in his will. While coming up with new ideas to fix up the garden, she discovers something interesting in the shed that leads this character on a mystery to solve an almost impossible crime.
The plot was consistent and congruent throughout the story, even though there were tiny proof editing issues with some of the storyline that had me scratching my head a bit, I was able to jump back into the story without it effecting my overall feelings about the book.
I could definitely tell there was a lot of detail and research put into the book as Heather was around a lot of plants and some of the things they discussed in the book, I had to look up myself because I didn’t know what they were talking about. With the side research I did, I realized that the book was consistent with horticulture and the author didn’t just bullshit her way through the story, she took the time to learn about her subject and did a splendid job with putting it into her story.
There was a small romance in the book that wasn’t over the top but really cute and charming. There weren’t any whips and chains or vulgarity in it but it was very wholesome and warm and put a little bit more interest into the story without overshadowing the actual storyline.
The characters were all well rounded and easy to like and there were a few scenes that made me chuckle out loud to picture some of the situations the characters were put into. I only wish there were a few more scenes with the characters to really immerse myself into their lives and want to know more and want more from them in the future. I got a small tease but I wanted the WHOLE thing!
If you want a cute story with interesting characters, a quick read that doesn’t involve a lot of thinking, and for it to warm your cold heart during the winter, this is the book for you. If you like more layers to your mystery, you get a bit of that in the story but it isn’t as multidimensional as some other mystery books I have read. It’s simple, easy, and a good distraction from the current world affairs.
Overall, I recommend to anyone who needs an escape.
Cover score: 8.7/10
Book Score: 8/10
Original review @ https://scribblesworth.wordpress.com/... by The Book Trollop
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers by Krista Lockheart follows the character Heather Moore, the new director of horticultural at a local college. She came back to her hometown after her grandfather gifted his estate to her in his will. While coming up with new ideas to fix up the garden, she discovers something interesting in the shed that leads this character on a mystery to solve an almost impossible crime.
The plot was consistent and congruent throughout the story, even though there were tiny proof editing issues with some of the storyline that had me scratching my head a bit, I was able to jump back into the story without it effecting my overall feelings about the book.
I could definitely tell there was a lot of detail and research put into the book as Heather was around a lot of plants and some of the things they discussed in the book, I had to look up myself because I didn’t know what they were talking about. With the side research I did, I realized that the book was consistent with horticulture and the author didn’t just bullshit her way through the story, she took the time to learn about her subject and did a splendid job with putting it into her story.
There was a small romance in the book that wasn’t over the top but really cute and charming. There weren’t any whips and chains or vulgarity in it but it was very wholesome and warm and put a little bit more interest into the story without overshadowing the actual storyline.
The characters were all well rounded and easy to like and there were a few scenes that made me chuckle out loud to picture some of the situations the characters were put into. I only wish there were a few more scenes with the characters to really immerse myself into their lives and want to know more and want more from them in the future. I got a small tease but I wanted the WHOLE thing!
If you want a cute story with interesting characters, a quick read that doesn’t involve a lot of thinking, and for it to warm your cold heart during the winter, this is the book for you. If you like more layers to your mystery, you get a bit of that in the story but it isn’t as multidimensional as some other mystery books I have read. It’s simple, easy, and a good distraction from the current world affairs.
Overall, I recommend to anyone who needs an escape.
Cover score: 8.7/10
Book Score: 8/10
Original review @ https://scribblesworth.wordpress.com/... by The Book Trollop
October 31, 2022
The Review
This was such a delightful read. The author did an incredible job of capturing the lightheartedness of the cozy mystery and the spine-chilling danger that comes with any murder mystery read. The atmospheric story really brings readers into the world the author has built effortlessly, and the juxtaposition of the raw beauty and inspiration that nature brings and the author’s passion for horticulture with the horrors of the murder case brings Heather into an entirely new world she never asked to be in was highly creative.
The thing that stood out to me was the depth of emotions and character development that the author poured into this narrative. The first few pages set up the dynamic shift in Heather’s life when she meets Lars, and the romance that sparks between them is palpable. The humor and love that the protagonist brings to her relationship with her pets as well as a great character trait to explore in this story, providing a great balance to the author’s clash with the killer in this story.
The Verdict
Harrowing, thoughtful, and engaging, author Krista Lockheart’s “April Showers Bring Dead Flowers” is a great first entry into the Murder on the Vine series and a beautiful cozy murder mystery read. The dive into horticulture and the world of planet preservation and study was a unique character direction that highlighted a community many don’t understand, and the rich dynamics at play in both the character’s relationships and the narrative overall will have readers invested with each twist and turn that comes their way.
This was such a delightful read. The author did an incredible job of capturing the lightheartedness of the cozy mystery and the spine-chilling danger that comes with any murder mystery read. The atmospheric story really brings readers into the world the author has built effortlessly, and the juxtaposition of the raw beauty and inspiration that nature brings and the author’s passion for horticulture with the horrors of the murder case brings Heather into an entirely new world she never asked to be in was highly creative.
The thing that stood out to me was the depth of emotions and character development that the author poured into this narrative. The first few pages set up the dynamic shift in Heather’s life when she meets Lars, and the romance that sparks between them is palpable. The humor and love that the protagonist brings to her relationship with her pets as well as a great character trait to explore in this story, providing a great balance to the author’s clash with the killer in this story.
The Verdict
Harrowing, thoughtful, and engaging, author Krista Lockheart’s “April Showers Bring Dead Flowers” is a great first entry into the Murder on the Vine series and a beautiful cozy murder mystery read. The dive into horticulture and the world of planet preservation and study was a unique character direction that highlighted a community many don’t understand, and the rich dynamics at play in both the character’s relationships and the narrative overall will have readers invested with each twist and turn that comes their way.
October 2, 2022
Newly appointed Director and Professor Heather Moore moves back home after she inherits her grandparents’ estate in New England. But the garden on the estate was in disarray and needed care. Wanting to revival her grandfather’s garden to its former beauty, she sets off determination to repair it. Heather goes looking for gardening tools but she finds some human remains in her old potting shed. She sets out to figure out what happened to this person. As she discovers clues and follows the evidence, a few suspects cross her mind, but ultimately they point to one wily and clever killer.
After reading this book I can reflect that it is well written. Great care was taken into the story detail of the horticultural aspects into this book. The characters are fully developed and happily alive in the storyline. I particularly love that the Author, Krista Lockheart, has no use for vulgar or sexual undertones as well as no foul or crude language. Very wholesome family friendly storyline.
My favorite part of the book is her chance meeting with Lars Oslo, turning her world upside down as she falls in love with this handsome and kind man. Their encounters are super romantic, Heather feels like she is the luckiest woman to have this new man in her life.
The part that I would critique would be the better development of the villain in the story. It could use a bit more explanation and elaboration. Overall enjoying the book, I look forward to read the second book, Ever Thorn Has Its Rose.
After reading this book I can reflect that it is well written. Great care was taken into the story detail of the horticultural aspects into this book. The characters are fully developed and happily alive in the storyline. I particularly love that the Author, Krista Lockheart, has no use for vulgar or sexual undertones as well as no foul or crude language. Very wholesome family friendly storyline.
My favorite part of the book is her chance meeting with Lars Oslo, turning her world upside down as she falls in love with this handsome and kind man. Their encounters are super romantic, Heather feels like she is the luckiest woman to have this new man in her life.
The part that I would critique would be the better development of the villain in the story. It could use a bit more explanation and elaboration. Overall enjoying the book, I look forward to read the second book, Ever Thorn Has Its Rose.
June 13, 2022
This is the second cozy mystery centered around Shellesby College. I'm beginning to think this Ivy League school has more murder and mayhem than most. This time, Heather, the new director of the famed greenhouses at Shellesby, discovers that the family home she moved into has more than just skeletons in the closet. There's a dead body in the garden shed. There's plenty of suspects in this case, and Heather, with the help of her friends and intrepid chihuahua, Ant, is ready and willing to figure out whodunit.
Heather is very sweet, and maybe a little flighty. But she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it, leading to a bit of a romance with a fellow botany expert, Lars Oslo. This read was light, easy, and entertaining. The descriptions of the greenhouses makes the reader feel like they're actually at Shellesby. I especially love the butterfly house. In true Krista Lockheart fashion, the foods described throughout the book made my stomach growl and had me looking to book reservations at Pancake Paradise and Earth, Sea, and Sky.
Overall, this was a cute, cozy read with plenty of sweetness.
Heather is very sweet, and maybe a little flighty. But she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it, leading to a bit of a romance with a fellow botany expert, Lars Oslo. This read was light, easy, and entertaining. The descriptions of the greenhouses makes the reader feel like they're actually at Shellesby. I especially love the butterfly house. In true Krista Lockheart fashion, the foods described throughout the book made my stomach growl and had me looking to book reservations at Pancake Paradise and Earth, Sea, and Sky.
Overall, this was a cute, cozy read with plenty of sweetness.
June 2, 2022
Enjoyable Mystery With Bubbly Humor
April Showers was a lovely jaunt into the botanical world, filled with fun facts, delectably descriptive culinary experiences, lively human and animal characters, and a body in a shed begging for answers. The author deftly lures the reader along with fun dialogue and a variety of suspects as well as fascinating clues such as chocolate cosmos, which are apparently a real thing. Who knew? I certainly wouldn’t have, if I hadn’t read this entertaining book! It’s one you certainly shouldn’t miss.
April Showers was a lovely jaunt into the botanical world, filled with fun facts, delectably descriptive culinary experiences, lively human and animal characters, and a body in a shed begging for answers. The author deftly lures the reader along with fun dialogue and a variety of suspects as well as fascinating clues such as chocolate cosmos, which are apparently a real thing. Who knew? I certainly wouldn’t have, if I hadn’t read this entertaining book! It’s one you certainly shouldn’t miss.
June 22, 2022
Krista Lockheart has done a great job in April Showers Bring Dead Flowers. The first in a series brings Heather the amateur sleuth solving the mystery of who killed Mary.
There are enough twists and turns that the ending is surprising and just the sort of cozy mystery I enjoy reading. The characters are well developed, I quite enjoyed the romance between Heather and Lars, and especially the butterfly room.
Looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend this author and this series!
There are enough twists and turns that the ending is surprising and just the sort of cozy mystery I enjoy reading. The characters are well developed, I quite enjoyed the romance between Heather and Lars, and especially the butterfly room.
Looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend this author and this series!
September 10, 2022
Charlie seeks a new life and returns to the town where she had lived with her aunt Evie. Little did she know she would find a corpse at the beach. Both she and her aunt began to wonder if the deaths of elderly people at the Home, weren't natural deaths and maybe there was a connection with the person found on the beach. Curtis, the handsome town policeman, is on her side while she courageously investigates.
A nice cozy mystery. Could I pat myself on the back for having guessed the killer's name?
A nice cozy mystery. Could I pat myself on the back for having guessed the killer's name?
October 26, 2022
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers by Krista Lockheart is exactly what any Hallmark fan would enjoy! I loved this cozy, suspenseful, yet clean read. The main character finds a dead body upon fixing up her home garden. From there, the book is action-packed. Krista Lockheart's writing reminds me of some of my all-time favorite cozy mystery writers such as Agatha Frost and Angie Fox. It was heartfelt and engaging from the start. This is the type of story one can read and forget about the real world outside. Overall, this who-dunnit type of tale was well-crafted.
November 10, 2022
Heather and her dog, Ant, have just moved into her late grandfather’s estate. In the garden shed she notices a bad smell & then finds a dead body. She’s just about to start a new high powered job & is in a bit of a fix when she has to move out. Luckily she is able to stay with a couple of friends who are happy to have both Ant the the cat who came with the house, Pansy. In a bit of a shambles at a flower market, Heather meets Lars. Things go along well, a deep friendship starts. Job sounds fun in places & a bit of illegal snooping helps the police find the killer!
November 12, 2022
A delightfully well written cozey mystery with mayhem and murder with an array of vibrant, colorful and quirky characters that will draw you in wanting to get to know them better while the mystery entices you further with its intrigue and multiple suspects but it's the plot that truly carries you through with its fast paced drama engaging humor and perhaps a budding romance between horticulturist. Acquire " April Showers Bring Dead Flowers " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have.😀 Kat
January 16, 2023
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers
Omg this read was so good I fell in love with just about all the characters here Heather, Lars, Holly, William, Ant the dog, Pansy the cat and Sweet pea the dog and there's no foul language . and I would recommend this book to anyone . Well I'm off to read book two of this series Every Thorn has its Rose so thank you to the author Krista Lockhart
Omg this read was so good I fell in love with just about all the characters here Heather, Lars, Holly, William, Ant the dog, Pansy the cat and Sweet pea the dog and there's no foul language . and I would recommend this book to anyone . Well I'm off to read book two of this series Every Thorn has its Rose so thank you to the author Krista Lockhart
February 27, 2023
Meet Heather and Stay A While
Come meet Heather and try to solve a murder while you’re at it. Heather has accepted a job at a well known college as the Professor of Botony and moved into her grandfathers house after his death only to discover everything is not as it should be. Along the way you will meet Heathers friends, workmates and what little family she has left all while trying to solve a mystery in murder.
Come meet Heather and try to solve a murder while you’re at it. Heather has accepted a job at a well known college as the Professor of Botony and moved into her grandfathers house after his death only to discover everything is not as it should be. Along the way you will meet Heathers friends, workmates and what little family she has left all while trying to solve a mystery in murder.
April 18, 2024
Great murder cozy!!!
I absolutely loved this book! It had love, family dynamics, friendship, animals plot twists, and MURDER. I like how the story kept a nice pace to it. It didn't lag or get boring. It kept your attention throughout the entire story. I loved the descriptions she gave in certain areas of the story as well cause it made you feel right there. I can't wait to go on to the next book she has and see how the next novel is. Definitely give this book a read!!
I absolutely loved this book! It had love, family dynamics, friendship, animals plot twists, and MURDER. I like how the story kept a nice pace to it. It didn't lag or get boring. It kept your attention throughout the entire story. I loved the descriptions she gave in certain areas of the story as well cause it made you feel right there. I can't wait to go on to the next book she has and see how the next novel is. Definitely give this book a read!!
August 13, 2022
Krista Lockheart has written a delightful cozy mystery that readers will love. April Showers Bring Dead Flowers has wonderful characters, humor, sleuthing a murder, and sweet pea, Pansy and especially Ant, animals that make you laugh. After reading this book I wanted to read more of this series. I loved this book and rated it 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 24, 2022
An easy to read and enjoy cozy. However, there is a major error in my Kindle version: In part two of chapter 7 - Heather takes Holly to her shed but she has not told William the reason. Nevertheless, Lockheart has included William in the dialogue while the girls are exploring the shed.
Overall it is light fare. The author needs a good proof-reader.
Overall it is light fare. The author needs a good proof-reader.
February 21, 2023
Original story
The story was cute, very original and a quick read. There were a few instances where I didn't feel the decisions Heather made were reasonable especially considering her intelligence. As a series starter, it was entertaining and I would read a second novel to see what develops with the main characters.
The story was cute, very original and a quick read. There were a few instances where I didn't feel the decisions Heather made were reasonable especially considering her intelligence. As a series starter, it was entertaining and I would read a second novel to see what develops with the main characters.
May 20, 2023
Cute characters with a lot of romance in this story. The pet chihuahua was very protective and impressive when he attacked anyone who seemed to threaten Heather. I've heard of botany departments at colleges but horticulture is something new to mean. Short and easy to read mystery. I don't usually guess the murderer but I did this time.
June 14, 2023
Best read in awhile
Cozy mysteries often get a bad rap but for all their complaints over it not having anything of value I offer then this book to read this book. No it will not change the world but it just might revive the belief that joy amongst adversity is what makes it all worthwhile. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy an easy read that will leave you smiling.
Cozy mysteries often get a bad rap but for all their complaints over it not having anything of value I offer then this book to read this book. No it will not change the world but it just might revive the belief that joy amongst adversity is what makes it all worthwhile. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy an easy read that will leave you smiling.
August 16, 2022
Murder, flowers and romance
A little bit of everything rolled into a good story. A murder leads to a flower market and an encounter with a man and A trip to a restaurant for pancakes.
A little bit of everything rolled into a good story. A murder leads to a flower market and an encounter with a man and A trip to a restaurant for pancakes.
March 14, 2023
Really enjoyed it!
I can usually figure out who done it early on but this on had me waffling back and forth for quite a while. I enjoyed the group of friends Heather and Lars have developed. Looking forward to the next one!
I can usually figure out who done it early on but this on had me waffling back and forth for quite a while. I enjoyed the group of friends Heather and Lars have developed. Looking forward to the next one!
April 14, 2023
Fun cozy mystery
This was a fun read, I'd give it a 4 to 4.5 stars. I was annoyed at some of the dialogue but I did enjoy the book and it had some great laughs. Looking forward to he rest of the series and to see what happens with Lars and Heather.
This was a fun read, I'd give it a 4 to 4.5 stars. I was annoyed at some of the dialogue but I did enjoy the book and it had some great laughs. Looking forward to he rest of the series and to see what happens with Lars and Heather.
May 18, 2024
Started out interesting but then just dragged as the romance was not exciting and the stubbornness of Heather to neither inform police nor really dig into finding her own answers was boring. Slow read
November 1, 2024
Great book!
What a fun book this is! It is full of mystery and suspense, humor and romance! It was a very enjoyable experience. I definitely recommend both this book and this author!
What a fun book this is! It is full of mystery and suspense, humor and romance! It was a very enjoyable experience. I definitely recommend both this book and this author!
June 6, 2022
Ant, a dog lover.
Thought it would be more about flowers, with a murder in the mix. It turned out to be so more about the regional produce and science.
Thought it would be more about flowers, with a murder in the mix. It turned out to be so more about the regional produce and science.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews