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 quiets. … Crime is circling. … And cold cases never cease … in picturesque Kelowna, Doreen Montgomery still can’t keep her notoriety to a minimum or her nose out of other people’s business. Now those suffering from the loss of a loved one seek her out, wanting her help. While the last thing Doreen wants is to have the media discover she’s involved in another cold case, she is already hooked on the details …
But even more is going on. News has gotten out that Nan’s old house is brimming over with valuable antiques, antiques Nan collected and left for Doreen, and the seedier elements of their lovely town are circling like vultures. With her animals in full assistant mode, Doreen must investigate the cold case, right the wrongs of the past, and keep her home safe, all while evading the media—and Corporal Mack Moreau.
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Excellent, enjoyable, and very well written. I enjoy this author’s work and particularly love their diversity and ability to attack each story with a unique angle and terrific characters.
I’m having such fun reading this series, though I wish the antiques were all gone as it’s stressing me out.
Doreen once again finds herself in the middle of a cold case. Can she solve this one?
The hilarious antics of her pets make this a very entertaining story. There is something going on with Nan but I’m sure we’ll get back to her in the next book.
The relationship with Mack and Doreen is still in the friendship stage, a touch of flirting. Hopefully they will get together down the track.
Michael Jackson sang “Easy as A-B-C.” In Book 4 of Dale Mayer’s Lovely Lethal Gardens series, Doreen has to figure out what to do when it comes to “D” in a mystery that dates back a couple of decades. Johnny Jordan, age 20, was seen sitting on a swing in the garden of his brother’s home, and then a few minutes later when his sister-in-law Penny looks back, Johnny has disappeared and has not been heard from since. His brother and anyone else who might have any idea of his whereabouts has since died. Penny seeks out Doreen (a/k/a “the bone lady”) for help after recently finding a dagger in the dirt under the swing where she had last seen young Johnny. The police concluded from lack of evidence that Johnny had just left town to seek his fortune elsewhere, and Doreen investigates this very-cold-case mystery to assist Penny in finding out where or whether Johnny is living. Fascinating study of the case. Seriously, Mack should just get Doreen hired to work with the police officially. Just sayin’…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love how crazy Nan and Doreen are in these books. They make me laugh, and when Mack is added into the mix it is even better. You never know what is going to happen on the next page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I believe that Daggers in the Dahlias is one of the best books in this series so far. The personalities of the main characters have gradually evolved in the previous books. I loved seeing Doreen, the protagonist, grow self-confident, courageously building her new life. She is now a vivid, captivating character. A smart, witty and loving individual, a very independent thinker, not afraid to make unconventional choices.
While investigating another cold case, she gets tangled in a myriad of twisted situations, tackling each one with a sharp inquisitive spirit and a delectable ingenuity.
As usual, Doreen is flanked by her team of animals, always effective helpers in her investigations, and by her grandmother, who while seeming a little sadder and feeling a little older in this episode, is still keeping the best of her spirit.
Doreen’s relationship with Mack, the local detective, is less than obvious. Coming from a disastrous marriage, she is reluctant to embark in another liaison, when she enjoys their friendship. Mack has given up on being upset about Doreen meddling in his police work and seems happy to be left in the friend zone, enjoying her company and giving her cooking lessons.
They are surrounded by a cast of new, vivid characters, that give depth to the story making it more interesting and entertaining with their antics.
Finally, Daggers in the Dahlias is a fresh, sweet and captivating book that is a pleasure to read, with a vivid and diverse cast of characters that the reader will remember with a smile.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own.
This fun whodunit had me completely immersed in all that was happening from the first page to the end with a great cast of characters and a good cold case mystery that had interesting twists and turns. I really like Doreen Montgomery, who has become known as the “bone lady”, her family of pets, and her dynamic with her Nan and Corporal Mack Moreau. If you enjoy well-written cozies, Dagger in the Dahlias, book four in the Lovely Lethal Garden series is a must-read. I received an advance reader copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Fantastic continuation of the series.
Doreen is getting quite a reputation for solving cold cases. Can she (and her trusty sidekicks) solve this latest mystery??? Read and find out!
Mystery is just around the corner…
After a prolonged time of being subjected to her ex-husbands control… this lady is growing her wings and learning to fly. Life is starting to settle down. She is growing in her confidence and strength. Yet… mystery continues to find and intrigue her curious mind. This time mystery arrives in the form of a mysterious letter, a missing person, an unsolved disappearance, with loads of twists and turns to keep you guessing to the conclusion of Daggers In the Dahlia’s – Lovely Lethal Gardens Bk 4.
Oh boy does she find more than she could ever imagine.
And did you think her darling menagerie of animals could be still for a moment. Not likely… they help her seek out all sorts of secrets that are waiting to be found and solved. I’m sure she is still testing the patience of a certain Corporal, though sparks are flying… both are still hesitant to pursue more, even though Doreen’s grandmother is all for pushing this couple together. There is still so much to discover… patience is needed with Mack and Doreen.
Dale Mayer continues to weave humour and seriousness with this series. A wonderful cast of quirky characters that make you smile and laugh out loud. Amid the fun, quirky banter, and hilarity readers are still provided cases that leave you heartbroken, solving a mystery or two at the same time. Such a delightful series. Each book is a wonderful, page-turning escape to brighten your day, Doreen style. I highly recommend this new series. If you love a cosy, mysteries and humour this book delivers…Where will Doreen take us next? Time will tell…
I was kindly provided this book as an ARC; in exchange for my honest review. If you’re a loyal reader of this authors books; I feel I must warn you that this book (the fourth in her new series) is VERY different from anything else she’s written before.
Some may find it to be a little “young,” but as with most of Ms. Dale’s work, it is well written and a fast, easy read.
Doreen Montgomery moves to Kelowna (BC) to live in her Grandma Nan’s home after a nasty split from her husband of 14 years.
Her her first week in her new home she “discovered “ a few dead bodies (with the assistance of her new family; her Basset Hound Mugs, her Grandmas pets a cat named Goliath and a vocal African Grey Parrot named Thaddeus).
Doreen has somehow gotten involved in several murder cases in the time she’s lived in Kelowna, BC. Much mayhem and adventure ensues for Doreen, Mac, and Doreen’s pets. The birds vocabulary is hysterical and Grandma Nan is a hoot.
This is an entertaining and somewhat silly story. The ending was quasi expected, but entertaining all the same.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen is trying to get everything in order after her move into her Nan’s house. She’s protecting her antiques and embracing her animals. Then Doreen is approached to help solve another cold case. She try’s to downplay how much she’ll be able to accomplish, but is secretly already planning her next steps. Doreen and her animals keep searching until she thinks she’s solved the case but she runs into trouble before she can verify it or tell anyone. Will she be able to escape the trouble or will she suffer the consequences of snooping where she’s not wanted?
Doreen and the pets have stumbled on to another mystery and it is wonderful. I can’t get enough! Doreen is smart enough to figure out the mystery and yet quirky enough to stumble onto the answers. The sweet animal side kicks are funny and still round out the characters. What’s next for Doreen, Mack and the gang I can’t wait to see.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another entertaining read in this series. Doreen finds herselve knee deep in yet another case in this cozy mystery. Along for the ride are Mack, the long suffering Police Corporal (and potential love interest?), Thaddeus, Goliath and Mugs (Her scene stealing pet assistants) and Nan, (her make you laugh out loud Grandmother). A funny and delightful who-done-it that will keep you guessing and smiling page after page.
I just love how the relationship between Doreen and Mack is building and the banter they have. Doreen really has a mystery on her hands with Johnny’s disappearance 29 years ago and you are kept jumping from potential suspect to potential suspect as clues are slowly uncovered either by Doreen or who trio of side kicks. This is a great read that has you laughing and guessing at what will happen next and can not wait to see what the next book brings for Doreen and all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Why Doreen of course. Now she has people putting cold cases in her mail box as if she needs anymore to do. Nor is she thrilled with her nickname the Bone Lady. Things just seem to happen to her. Of course Mack isn’t to thrilled to learn she is being asked to looking to cold cases either. He always gets roped into helping her or getting her out of harms way. Dagger in the Dahlias is another cold case with surprising twists.
I do not give spoilers. I just love these cozy mysteries. I know you will also.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Doreen has a real knack for cold cases. She’s come to be known as the bone lady in Kelowna and families of the long forgotten are starting to seek her out. She’s constantly in mishaps with her sleuthing and trying to get rid of antiques. Mack is really warming up to her and his little innuendos are great. I love Nan and the animals. Each story gets better and better and has me excited for where the next one will take Doreen and her misfit group. I volunteered to read this on Booksprout.
Received an advance copy through Booksprout.
This is a good, fun, less gruesome mystery series. I am really enjoying each of the books in this series.
This is a witty funny mystery with adorable characters.Doreen Montgomery ,her crazy animals Muffs the dog,Goliath the cat and Thaddeous the parrot that you never know what will come out of his mouth.As Doreen is busy with the appraiser from the auction house someone drops a letter to her.It’s a request that she find out what happened to Johnny Jordan her brother in law.The case is twenty nine years old since Johnny disappeared without a trace..She really doesn’t know if she can help but she loves a good mystery. So she can’t stop thinking about the mystery and she needs to talk to Penny.After thinking that she doesn’t know if she can help but her and her family of pets love a good mystery also her witty Ban will keep you laughing.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see what’s next by this multi talented author.
As with other cosy mysteries, quite some quirky and funny moments were happening throughout the book. The mystery was real, yet the feeling was relax. Unlike hard core suspense/thriller/mystery books, which we spend most of our time reading at the edge of our seat, cosy mysteries could be read while lounging and sipping your coffee.
In this fourth book, Doreen had grown up quite some. The impression of air-head ex-trophy-wife fading gradually and I so much preferred the improve version. And this definitely add more joyfulness to my reading experience. In this book, she came to a cold case that she could not just ignore. Despite obstacles she had to face, she kept going. One of her best traits, tenacity, showed up loud and clear here.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through Booksprout, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
This was a good story with interesting characters. I read this book without having read the first three books in the series and I definitely think it would have been better if I had read the others first. The characters in this book were interesting enough for me to add the first three in the series to my to be read list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dagger in the Dahlias by Dale Mayer
Lovely Lethal Gardens Series Book Four
Doreen Montgomery has just managed to get through solving a cold case. She’s not been at her new home, her Nan’s home, very long, and yet, she has either found dead bodies or found items sending her toward other mysteries. She’s still trying to clean out her new home, get some valuable antiques out before they get ruined…or stolen…and she needs to learn how to cook and take care of herself.
When she gets a request to look into a cold case…how can she say no? After all, if she can help someone find closure in their life, she’ll do it. No matter how much she has to bother the handsome detective she’s befriended. Great stories, especially with her animal menagerie…Mugs the basset hound, Goliath the Maine coon cat, and Thaddeus the talkative African Grey.
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