It’s been a hot, dry spring in Westbury, Massachusetts. As organic farmer Cam Flaherty waits for much-needed rain, storm clouds of mystery begin to gather . . . May has been anything but merry for Cam so far. Her parents have arrived unexpectedly and her crops are in danger. But all of that’s nothing compared to the grim murder of her neighbor, Nicole Kingsbury, the once proud owner of the … proud owner of the town’s new hydroponic greenhouse—just after Cam’s mother publicly protested Nicole’s use of chemicals to feed her crops. Showers may be scarce this spring, but suspects keep sprouting up. Lucky for Cam, her father turns out to have a knack for sleuthing—not to mention dealing with chickens. He and Cam will have to clear Mrs. Flaherty’s name quick before the killer strikes again . . .
Praise for the Local Foods Mysteries
“Maxwell’s feisty heroine and the interesting background detail on the realities of organic farming blend to deliver a clever, twisting mystery.”
—Booklist
“A most enjoyable look at organic farming.”
—Kirkus Reviews
more
This new addition to the local food mystery series does not disappoint. The author has again written a story that has a realistic setting with believable, interesting, likeable characters. The descriptions of the setting make you feel like you’re really there with the characters. Left me anxiously awaiting the next installment.
Fascinating story.
Who killed the hydroponic grower and why?
What is the significance of the broken rosary?
What’s with Cam’s mother?
When can Cam and her honey get together again?
Good reading.
Cam Flaherty is helping new hydroponics farmer, Nicole, by starting a few plants for her. She’s dropping off a few of those plants when she finds Nicole dead in her greenhouse. The police question those protesting Nicole’s hydroponic methods, including Cam’s visiting mother, Deb. Deb is clearly hiding something from the police. Will it get her arrested for murder?
I hadn’t realized how much I had come to love these characters until I was visiting them again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed getting to catch up on their lives. We’ve gotten to see a lot of growth in Cam over the course of the series, and watching her interact with her parents provides an opportunity for more. And the mystery? It starts quickly and moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of secrets and suspects before we reach the climax.
Mulch Ado About Murder is another great book by Edith Maxwell. The adventures of Cameron Flaherty continue in this fifth and final book in the Local Food Mysteries. The writer does not disappoint and keeps your interest peaked on solving the murders while adding the complexity of a strained parental relationship, a romantic interest that’s has to be on hold due to job conflict of interest and secrets kept for many years.
Much Ado About Murder can definitely be read as a stand-alone book. After you read one of the books though, you will be like me hooked and want to read them all! Highly recommend the series and the set would make an excellent present for your cozy mystery sleuth for the coming holidays.
Murder, mystery, mayhem with an
engaging plot, plenty of twists and turns
are the ingredients for their story that
you will definitely want to read!!!!!
We are going to visit Attic Hill Organic Farm.
It is located in Westbury, Massachusetts. The
farm is owned and run by Cam Flaherty. Cam
lives there with her Norwegian Forest cat,
Preston and a henhouse full of egg laying
chickens. She has a group of local volunteers
who help her with gardening chores in turn
for vegetables, herbs, eggs…anything she
grows.
Her parents are visiting her which is a very
unusual occurrence. Cam was never close
to them as they were traveling Professors.
Will Cam and her parents be able to begin
relating to each other sincerely?
Cam is delivering several flats of basil &
lettuce to Seacoast Fresh. This is a new
hydroponic organic greenhouse. When she
arrives, there is an anti-hydroponic protest
in front of the greenhouse. One of the
protesters is her mother. Why is she there??
Upon entering, Cam calls out to let the owner
know she is there with her delivery. No one
answers….This is very unusual. Cam goes to
leave her flats when she discovers a body….
a dead body. It is the owner dead clutching
a rosary. What happened? Was the death a
natural one or something else?
The variety of characters are well defined,
very creatively described, vivid, colorful
with a few quirky ones. Some will bring
a smile to the reader’s face, some will make
the reader cringe but the myriad of
character types rounds out the puzzling plot.
There is an interesting trail of clues, lies
and secrets uncovered. Plenty of suspense
with many unexpected twists that rounds
out the story.
A well written cozy murder mystery.
This is book # 5 in the Local Food Market
series. It can be read as a stand alone as the
writer weaves the past and present
characters together effortlessly.
I volunteered to read the Advanced Reader
Copy. Thanks to the author and publisher
via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the
opportunity. My opinion is my own.