A new cozy mystery series from USA Today best-selling author Dale Mayer. Follow gardener and amateur sleuth Doreen Montgomery—and her amusing and mostly lovable cat, dog, and parrot—as they catch murderers and solve crimes in lovely Kelowna, British Columbia. Riches to rags. … Chaos to more chaos. … Fire destroys evidence. … Or at least most of it! Flush with success from solving a … success from solving a decade-old kidnapping case, Doreen can’t wait to find out what’s next in her one-woman crusade to clean up Kelowna’s cold crimes. But, before she can unearth another old case to sink her teeth into, she must tie up some loose ends from the last one.
Steve Albright, fixer for the local biker gang, has made it clear that he blames Doreen for sending his friend Penny Jordan to prison. Steve even suggests that Doreen might have set up Penny Jordan. While Doreen wouldn’t do that, she’s afraid that other people might believe Steve. He’s a popular figure in town and has a lot of friends, many of whom Doreen doesn’t want to get any closer to than she must.
At least Steve doesn’t have his gun anymore, having dropped that in Doreen’s neighbor’s gardenia bed while she chased him from her yard. Which makes Doreen think that maybe it’s safe to dig into Steve’s past. Until she uncovers a connection to three arson cases from years ago and is warned off by Corporal Mack Moreau.
But Doreen’s never listened to Mack before, and it has all worked out thus far, so it’s not like she has to listen to him now. Right?
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I have read a few cosy mysteries but none have ever come close to Dale’s books. I love this series so much. The funny relationship between Doreen and Mack has me giggling sometimes. They like each other even though Doreen has the habit of getting into trouble or rather trouble finds Doreen. Her nan is so hilarious and I love Thaddeus the parrot, Mugs the dog and not forgetting Goliath the cat. So a gun was found, Steve issued some threats, acts of arson were found, a deathbed confession was recorded and a person who should be dead is not dead but wants someone else dead. Read it and it won’t be so confusing lol. A great read with some laughs thrown in and a blossoming relationship that may or may not go far. Can’t wait for book 8.
Gosh I love Doreen and her animals, it’s like she just can’t help herself from fathoming out all the why’s and where’s of whatever clues that almost liturally get thrown at her. Even when she’s threatened or has a near miss she’s scared but not put off, she just tries to make sure the animals and the house are as safe as possible, adjusting precautions as she can. The mystery in this was fairly intriguing and got a bit mixed with Penny’s case a bit, plus juggling all the other bits and pieces so she was kept very busy. I am waiting for what I’m sure will be an explosive kiss between her and Mack when it eventually happens, they make a great couple. The animals as always add the light relief and the fierce protection of Doreen, the love between the 4 and the deep bond just keeps growing. Nan is kind and thoughtful she has spent years tucking things away and making sure Doreen would have a future when she needed it most, she reminds me a lot of my nan in many ways which makes this series such a joy to read. So glad I had today off so I could really dig in and spend it reading this fabulous story, now I want the next one.
Fun cozy mystery….Doreen is torn between finalizing the organization of her home and delving into historical crime records compiled by a dying journalist. Like every book in this series, Doreen does a little of both. I received a free copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. The growth of Doreen in this series makes this more than a cozy mystery series. It’s interesting to see Doreen delve into everything whether it is gardening, cleaning out the old stuff from her inherited home, and researching cold cases. No everyone likes Doreen’s crime research, but there is always someone looking for her help. Doreen also doesn’t always realize that her suspicions put her into danger. I really enjoy this series and look forward to the next one.
OMG this book was so good! I laughed a lot while reading this one. This whole series is hilarious, and each book becomes my new favourite.
Doreen is hot on the trail of Steve, who is a friend of Penny. Steve could be a dangerous adversary though.. how far will he go to help Penny.
Doreen and her family of animals work together to figure out the mystery involving the gun in the gardenias. Loved my read, and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book hahahaaha.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another incredibly enjoyable entry in this terrfic series. I am a true romance fan but I think it is impossible not the fall under the spell of Doreen and the rest of these lovable characters as each new mystery unfolds. The storyline will quickly capture your attention and have you trying hard to solve the case before Doreen can. In my opinion, what really makes this series so special is the cast of characters. From the sometimes too clever for her own good, trouble magnet that is Doreen, to the long suffering and much put upon Corporal Mack, to Doreen’s outrageous, hilarious (and quite scene stealing) grandma, Nan, to Doreen’s passel of loyal furred and feathered sidekicks (Goliath the cat, Muggs the dog and Thaddeus the parrot), these characters are genuine, likable and so very funny. If you are new to this series, you can feel free to jump in at any time as each book can be read as a standalone. However do keep in mind that character growth and relationships are evolving over the course of the series. A really fun read!
Absolutely Fantastic .
I love this series .
I enjoyed this story .Gun In The Gardenias . It is just as good if not better than the others in the series .
Doreen and her family of animals continue to solve cold cases and Mack continues trying to convince her not to because it is just to dangerous .
Thank goodness Doreens animals always come to her rescue . I love Doreens quirkiness and absolutely love her pets . Nan continues to entertain . The mystery continues will Mack and Doreen step out of the friend zone and will Doreen run out of cold cases . This is a well written and wonderful cozy mystery . It is full of unique characters . I highly recommend taking the time to read this story . I think it is fabulous
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
(4.5) I want to live next door to “Bone Lady” and her fur babies. I want to see Mack up close and personal and go lay a few bets with Nan. I feel like I know Doreen and I want to know her better. I have a few things she could certainly investigate for me 🙂 This is another enjoyable read one that takes you out of your day to day as you go along for a fun ride as Doreen delves into more mysteries and cold cases. She has really grown since Arsenic in the Azaleas. I like her thinking things through, going the extra mile for loved ones and her growing friendship with Mack. I wanted to give this a 5 but I just couldn’t understand how Steven got a way with so much when he seems to be a real clutz, and fool. It just nagged at me. Gun in the Gardenias made me smile, gave me family, a mystery and warmth. It truly embodies “cozy mystery” Thank you Dale, Booksprout and Valley Publishing for the arc. I freely volunteer my opinion. All thoughts are my own and were unsolicited.
Doreen is back and is ready for a break from cold cases. She wants to finish cleaning and organizing her home but Doreen being Doreen that doesn’t quite work out that way.
Mack keepings hoping that Doreen will settle on solving the old boxes she has found and stay out of cild cases for a while. Mack also knows thats not happening .
Doreen is very happy as she completes her home while trying hard to stay out of things but events brings her in. Her name as Bone Lady comes into play showing the town people want her help but also doesn’t want the bad side of things. With an attack on her home, an interesting update of her relationship with her neighbor shows Doreen is winning in making friends(even if its baby steps).
Mugs,Goliath are back running around and protecting their lady along with Thaddeus who is now showing off his new vocabulary. The strengthening of relationships showcasing some everyday things while Doreen is trying to move forward and learning everyday things.
The characters in this series (especially the pets) have stolen my heart and I just cannot wait until a new book comes out! Doreen was a rich girl who was married to a cheating scumbag richer guy. He finds someone new and divorced Doreen leaving her with nothing.
Doreen didn’t know anything about how to support herself, feed herself or almost nothing about real life. Luckily her Nan had left her her home when she moved into assisted living. I have watched Doreen begin believing in herself and learning she has things to contribute to the community.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.