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Peggy Lee Garden Mystery #5
A Corpse for Yew
Includes gardening tips!
No rain means profits are wilting at The Potting Shed, so Peggy Lee joins her mother on a "bone harvest" expedition for the local historical society. But she stumbles upon a perplexing mystery-how a fellow volunteer became a corpse with curiously red lips.
No rain means profits are wilting at The Potting Shed, so Peggy Lee joins her mother on a "bone harvest" expedition for the local historical society. But she stumbles upon a perplexing mystery-how a fellow volunteer became a corpse with curiously red lips.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Lavene
78 books646 followersaka Elyssa Henry and Joye Ames, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 24, 2019
Two and a half stars really, but I'm finding it hard to put my finger on why I wasn't happy.
A couple of things:
- Do yew berries really look like raspberries?
- If you are worried about your shop not making money, do you take a whole lot of people to a cafe as your treat?
- Surely Sam's amazing drought- proofing device for catching rain on the roof, saving it and pumping it on your garden is just a rain water tank with a pump? Don't you have those in America? Over here in Australia they have been around forever, and many houses have them. We have two, and we use them for the garden and they are also connected to our toilet for flushing - and I live in the capital city. They are certainly not rare or new!
I was also puzzled when it started raining and they all ran for shelter and seemed annoyed rather than happy it was raining and hoping it would be enough to wet the ground, and wondering whether the drought had broken. You'd think gardeners would be happy it was finally raining?
A couple of things:
- Do yew berries really look like raspberries?
- If you are worried about your shop not making money, do you take a whole lot of people to a cafe as your treat?
- Surely Sam's amazing drought- proofing device for catching rain on the roof, saving it and pumping it on your garden is just a rain water tank with a pump? Don't you have those in America? Over here in Australia they have been around forever, and many houses have them. We have two, and we use them for the garden and they are also connected to our toilet for flushing - and I live in the capital city. They are certainly not rare or new!
I was also puzzled when it started raining and they all ran for shelter and seemed annoyed rather than happy it was raining and hoping it would be enough to wet the ground, and wondering whether the drought had broken. You'd think gardeners would be happy it was finally raining?
June 5, 2010
I expected to like this a lot more than I did. Unfortunately, I found several of the characters rather annoying and unbelievable as was the crime itself. I also didn't like the idea of a grown woman, a widow and mom, being afraid to tell her parents that she's been seeing the local vet. She acted more like a teenager than a 50-something professional woman. Peggy's relationship with her overbearing mom was also grating and there's way too much repetition about certain aspects of the crime. It's like the writer thought the reader might forget the main points from chapter to chapter.
So, overall this was barely 2 stars.
So, overall this was barely 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2019
Peggy's mother has forced her to join a local historical society. A drought has caused one of the region's lakes to dry out and they are digging up bones from a cemetery that was covered over 100 years ago so they can be re-buried in another cemetery. Then the body of one of their members turns up in the mud. It appears she has eaten yew berries, but it is unclear whether it was accidental or murder.
I didn't really enjoy the book because I found all of the characters to be too one dimensional. Peggy gets angry at the drop of a hat. Mai, the assistant coroner, is high strung. Lilla, is bossy. They just weren't very well-rounded.
And one of the weird things that Peggy said early on was yew berries look like blackberries or raspberries, but they don't. They are round, red and smooth. She is a PhD in botany. Small details like that grate on my nerves.
I didn't really find the mystery or the romance very compelling.
I didn't really enjoy the book because I found all of the characters to be too one dimensional. Peggy gets angry at the drop of a hat. Mai, the assistant coroner, is high strung. Lilla, is bossy. They just weren't very well-rounded.
And one of the weird things that Peggy said early on was yew berries look like blackberries or raspberries, but they don't. They are round, red and smooth. She is a PhD in botany. Small details like that grate on my nerves.
I didn't really find the mystery or the romance very compelling.
October 7, 2022
Mediocre writing, despite the botanical interest. Sure, the mystery had several possible culprits, though the correct one was easily guessed, factoring in the southern mentality. I don't believe in spoilers, so no details from me on where the plot foundered, but the character development felt so thin, I was surprised to find it was a 5th in a series. Blessedly, the authors did not spend too much time with the rehashing of old tales, & I had guessed it was only #3. I am going to have to be more selective with what I borrow from the Tiny Libraries when I need. snack.
July 22, 2023
My first read in the Cozy Murder Mystery genre I believe? The murder mystery here did not seem fully developed, so I was not as engaged in the story. The characters, including Peggy the main character, felt forgettable and I didn't particularly care for anyone. I don't know, it was a fine book. I mean despite not being the best written mystery I was able to finish it without too much difficulty, but that is probably because I was really wanting to read something in this genre. It was fine.
May 31, 2017
Peggy shop is struggling. She finally made some big decisions.
April 2, 2018
I just couldn't get enthused about this series. I love the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade books, and the retired witches series makes me laugh out loud, but Peggy Lee is kind of boring.
September 5, 2022
The 5th book in the Peggy Lee Garden mystery series. Peggy is a botanist turned amateur sleuth. Fun and entertaining cozy mystery. Good for fans of cozies and plants.
October 2, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was a good story. Definitely kept me guessing until the very end.
October 14, 2009
A Corpse for Yew - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
As you read the excerpt below, picture a group of elderly ladies, all members of the Shamrock Historical Society due to their ancestors and proud of it. Picture these ladies standing in the middle of a cow pasture as they search for a grave that has been long forgotten. And now listen as they reminisce about another outing that took them in search of a grave from the past.
"It doesn't really matter," Geneva said. We're within our legal rights to visit the grave since Mrs.. Waynewright is a direct descendant. MCWhirter can't keep us away."
Dorothy grimaced. "Remember that time we had to sneak into that abandoned cemetery out by Salisbury? Those terrible dogs! I'm not sure what w would've done if Mr. Hawkins hadn't been with us. He took that bite like a man."
"After that, the dogs seemed fine with us being there." Annabelle shrugged.
"But poor Mr. Hawkins had to have rabies shots. He was such a gentleman about it."
Peggy is the owner of a garden shop called the Potting Shed located in Center City, Charlotte. She's also a part-time forensic botanist for the Charlotte Police Department. When her mother, Lilla, talks her into joining the Shamrock Historical Society and their quest to rescue bones that have been buried under Lake Whitley for years, she didn't expect to discover the body of one of the Society's own members, Lois Mullis, who also turns out to be the Aunt of the Police Chief. Was it accidental or murder? The Chief believes it was an accident. The members of the Shamrock Historical Society believe it was murder and they put their faith in Peggy to prove them right and to find the killer.
A Corpse for Yew is a book of humor and mystery, as well as a book that spiked my interest in plants. Joyce and Jim Lavene provide a description of the plants as they are introduced into each chapter, giving you a little history of the plant's origin and it's uses. As they introduced each member of the Shamrock Historical Society, I found myself picturing each lady perfectly. When I put the mental pictures of these ladies together to form the full group, I could see their every move as they persuaded Peggy to help them find the killer of their friend. And with my living in Charlotte, NC, I knew almost every location visited by Peggy and her group of ladies.
A Corpse for You is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in some time. It became a real mystery as I tried to decide who would want to harm the late Mrs. Mullis. But with it's humor, it was a very relaxing book to read.
As you read the excerpt below, picture a group of elderly ladies, all members of the Shamrock Historical Society due to their ancestors and proud of it. Picture these ladies standing in the middle of a cow pasture as they search for a grave that has been long forgotten. And now listen as they reminisce about another outing that took them in search of a grave from the past.
"It doesn't really matter," Geneva said. We're within our legal rights to visit the grave since Mrs.. Waynewright is a direct descendant. MCWhirter can't keep us away."
Dorothy grimaced. "Remember that time we had to sneak into that abandoned cemetery out by Salisbury? Those terrible dogs! I'm not sure what w would've done if Mr. Hawkins hadn't been with us. He took that bite like a man."
"After that, the dogs seemed fine with us being there." Annabelle shrugged.
"But poor Mr. Hawkins had to have rabies shots. He was such a gentleman about it."
Peggy is the owner of a garden shop called the Potting Shed located in Center City, Charlotte. She's also a part-time forensic botanist for the Charlotte Police Department. When her mother, Lilla, talks her into joining the Shamrock Historical Society and their quest to rescue bones that have been buried under Lake Whitley for years, she didn't expect to discover the body of one of the Society's own members, Lois Mullis, who also turns out to be the Aunt of the Police Chief. Was it accidental or murder? The Chief believes it was an accident. The members of the Shamrock Historical Society believe it was murder and they put their faith in Peggy to prove them right and to find the killer.
A Corpse for Yew is a book of humor and mystery, as well as a book that spiked my interest in plants. Joyce and Jim Lavene provide a description of the plants as they are introduced into each chapter, giving you a little history of the plant's origin and it's uses. As they introduced each member of the Shamrock Historical Society, I found myself picturing each lady perfectly. When I put the mental pictures of these ladies together to form the full group, I could see their every move as they persuaded Peggy to help them find the killer of their friend. And with my living in Charlotte, NC, I knew almost every location visited by Peggy and her group of ladies.
A Corpse for You is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in some time. It became a real mystery as I tried to decide who would want to harm the late Mrs. Mullis. But with it's humor, it was a very relaxing book to read.
August 1, 2011
This book was about a local historical society and a group of members that are also descendents of the first 'families.' The ladies and one gent, are cleaning up a village cemetery that was flooded to make a lake over a century ago. Amongst the disturbed graves floats one of their members which brings Dr. Margaret Lee to investigate as she is also a member with her mother.
Inside this murder mystery is also a charming romance building up to a climax between Dr. Peggy Lee and Dr. Steve, the local veterinarian. Is it time to announce to the world or?
I love this series because of the botany information, mixed in with the forensic information, mixed in with the southern location and romance. It is a perfectly blended book.
I will not reveal the ending, however, I will say, human nature being what it is, I really wasn't shocked, but was saddened.
A good book to read.
Inside this murder mystery is also a charming romance building up to a climax between Dr. Peggy Lee and Dr. Steve, the local veterinarian. Is it time to announce to the world or?
I love this series because of the botany information, mixed in with the forensic information, mixed in with the southern location and romance. It is a perfectly blended book.
I will not reveal the ending, however, I will say, human nature being what it is, I really wasn't shocked, but was saddened.
A good book to read.
August 12, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
October 18, 2015
I really like these cozy mysteries. Dr Peggy Lee, is now employed by the Charlotte Police Department as a forensic botanist. She also owns and operated The Potting Shed. Business at The Potting Shed is waning a bit due to a severe drought in the area. The drought has caused nearby Lake Whitney to nearly dry up. The Shamrock Historical Society has used this unusual turn of events to their advantage, to research and dig up artifacts from the dry lake.
Unfortunately, they find a body with bright red lips. Even worse, she is one of their own, founding member Lois Mullis. Did she have a heart attack and fall into the mud, did someone kill her by feeding her poisonous berries? No one seems to have answers, but there are plenty of accusations.
Unfortunately, they find a body with bright red lips. Even worse, she is one of their own, founding member Lois Mullis. Did she have a heart attack and fall into the mud, did someone kill her by feeding her poisonous berries? No one seems to have answers, but there are plenty of accusations.
February 16, 2010
Peggy Lee's Charlotte garden shop is quiet due to the local drought. Unfortunately, that means Peggy has time to help her mother, recently moved, and the historical society she's joined, look for artifacts in a cemetery beneath a currently dried up lake. What the ladies find is the dead body of one of their members, unfortunately the police chief's aunt. Widowed Peggy, whose husband was, and whose son is, a police officer, is reluctant to believe the worst of the chief, but he does inherit. In addition to poking around in a mystery, Peggy is also being urged by her significant other to explain their relationship to her family.
August 16, 2012
#5 in the Garden Mystery series. The final entry by the prolific writing team of Joyce and Jim Lavene is not quite up to the preceding entries. Botany professor and owner of a garden center, amateur detective Peggy Lee manages to get involved in mysteries and somehow manage to use botanical lore to help solve them.
A Garden Mystery - No rain means profits are wilting at The Potting Shed, so Peggy Lee joins her mother on a "bone harvest" expedition for the local historical society. But she stumbles upon a perplexing mystery how a fellow volunteer became a corpse with curiously red lips.
A Garden Mystery - No rain means profits are wilting at The Potting Shed, so Peggy Lee joins her mother on a "bone harvest" expedition for the local historical society. But she stumbles upon a perplexing mystery how a fellow volunteer became a corpse with curiously red lips.
July 4, 2013
# 5 in the Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series. I borrowed the book from my friend Brenda. I have tried to find the other books in the series, but our library doesn't have them. Peggy owns the Potting Shed and is a part-time forensic botanist. She is a widow or 3 years, now in love with Steve, the local Vet. Part of the story includes the murder and also the romance.
I hope I can locate the other books in the series.
I hope I can locate the other books in the series.
June 23, 2012
I loved this series of books and following Peggy Lee in her solving the murders from her Potting Shed.
I thought, the mystery Nightflyer, would have made a surprise appearance at the end, though...quite disappointed.
I thought, the mystery Nightflyer, would have made a surprise appearance at the end, though...quite disappointed.
March 16, 2015
The historical society is digging out and labeling bones from the cemetery that is a dried up lake due to the drought. What they do not expect to find is one of their members.
A good mystery with romance building up between Peggy and Steve.
A good mystery with romance building up between Peggy and Steve.
June 16, 2009
Once again I enjoyed one of their mysteries. Just another way to get back into the reading groove.
September 7, 2012
love it
May 10, 2013
I like the gardening tips and the dog.
November 21, 2013
Sloooooooooooooooooooooooow plot and not very interesting.
March 26, 2016
light read -- Historical society woman killed in swamp by 80 year old member of same society. Peggy's parents have moved to town and she agrees to marry Steve.
July 20, 2016
A Corpse For Yew was a very good book to read. Joyce and Jim Lavene are one of the best Authors to read. You feel your self being put into the mystery too. A great way to read a Mystery.
January 10, 2017
Did not figure it out until almost the end. Nice people
August 25, 2015
Could not put the book down!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews