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’m not even a cozy mystery fan and yet I’m addicted to this series. It must be the animals, they are the stars of the show.
Doreen has finally cleaned out her house, what mischief can she get up to next. There’s always a cold case coming to life.
Something is up with her neighbour, what is he up to? Will Doreen be fighting for her life yet again. Seems like she needs to turn her home into a fortress to stay safe.
Loved this book and can’t wait for the H story.
This is the 7th book of the series and I have enjoyed each of them. They are wonderfully unrealistic and a lot of fun the read. Each builds a slowly progressing romance that is entertaining and each book is part of a larger plot. This is an enjoyable read – but should be read in order.
Gun in the Gardenias by Dale Mayer
Lovely Lethal Gardens Series Book Seven
Doreen is still recovering from when her Penny, who she thought was a friend, had tried to kill her. Since then, she’d solved a cold case. Now, it was time to get her own house in order. As if, she doesn’t ask for trouble or to cause her friend with the police force so much work…it just seems to find her.
And, if Doreen can give people peace of mind by closing a mysteries of cold cases…she’ll do it. And Nan, Doreen’s grandmother, is loving it as she sets up betting pools at the retirement home according to what Doreen may be working on.
Not forget her Bassett hound, Mugs, and Goliath, the Maine coon cat, and finally her African grey parrot, Thaddeus, who seemed to help and protect Doreen along the way.
Great series!
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/09/dale-mayer-book-list.html
Dooren can’t help it when a mystery needs to be solved even though it is straight after solving one and Mack seems to finally be getting that …. as in he isn’t constantly telling her to leave it alone its just periodically now lol There are some good twists, laughs and good dash of mystery including the stuff Doreen finds under the stairs!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen and company returned with another mystery to solve. I like the progression of Doreen’s growth as a person. The animals will always take the spotlight but you can’t go wrong with a mystery, a light romance and some great animals. Great addition to the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series is so much fun to read and relaxing. The interaction with the animals is endearing and sometimes hysterically hilarious. Doreen has stumbled upon another cold case and while looking at it, she finds connections to 3 other cold case files in the past. Mack is adorable trying to rein Doreen in from getting to involved in her cases and protecting her when the guilty people want to harm Doreen.I am also on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
This is a wonderful addition to the Lovely Lethal Gardens series, it’s well-written with a fast paced storyline. The characters are incredibly likable, Doreen is starting to get back on her feet and Mack is a strong character that is truly a good friend to Doreen, their relationship is at a slow progress but wonderful to watch. Highly entertaining story.
So Doreen and Mack finally admitted that they like being friends YAY! I don’t think they’ve figured out they are kind of dating. This episode there is a gun found in the neighbors Gardenias, and luckily the Police are hanging around Doreen’s house again! Doreen remembers who she saw run out of her yard, and that gives them the leads they need. A long with her Nan and the Rest home folks another case is solved. I enjoy these little mysteries a whole lot!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3043238584
Still smarting from the headwound she suffered in Book 5, Doreen now faces false rumors that she fabricated the allegations against her former new friend Penny Jordan. With the support of her good friend Corporal Mack , along with her 2-legged, 4-legged, and winged family members and an unexpected diversion from her neighbor’s finding a gun in his gardenias, Doreen is able to resolve completely several open questions from the cases in Books 5 and 6, as well as some new, now-related cold cases. Never a dull moment, even on the days when she is determined to rest so she can finish cleaning out her old house now that the valuable antique pieces have gone to the auction house. A good mix of excitement, danger, and exhausting housework in this, Book 7 of the Lovely Lethal Gardens series. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved every minute of this awesome whodunit with Doreen Montgomery and her lovable cat, dog and parrot catching murderers and solving crimes in Kelowna, BC. I enjoy her dynamic with the characters especially her grandmother and police detective Corporal Mack Morneau. Ms. Mayer never disappoints whatsoever and I can hardly wait for the next book in this charming and endearing series. I received an advance reader copy of this book from Booksprout and am leaving my review.
I just love this cozy mystery with all the animals. Every new book I look forward to all their antics. I also enjoy the “are they or aren’t they” matter of Doreen’s and Mack’s relationship. I’m so hoping one of these books soon he gives her a greater big heart-stopping kiss
Gardener and sometime sleuth Doreen Montgomery (plus her cat, dog, and parrot) need to tie-up some loose ends from her previous case (especially Steve Albright – who seems to be a fixer for a local biker gang). Her one consolation is that he no longer has a gun as he dropped him into her neighbour’s Gardenias although when she finds a connection to three arson cases from years ago she is warned off by Corporal Mack Moreau who is concerned for her safety. However, she is not in the habit of listening to Mack about that after all, it has always worked out fine before.
I loved this story which has the usual levels of drama, danger, intrigue and excitement. This answered a number of questions I had outstanding at the end of the previous book and so it was nice to be able to close that one off totally (as well as close a few more cold cases too). Well written and easy to understand you do not need to have read the previous books in the series and understood this book. I can’t wait to find out when Doreen gets up to next.
I was kindly provided this book as an ARC; in exchange for my honest review. This is book 7 of 7. in the Lovely Lethal Gardens series.
This book series is quite different from anything else Ms. Dale has written before. But, quite excellent.
The series continues to remind me of Janet Evanovich’s fun/silly Stephanie Plum mysteries. Doreen seems to inadvertently get into similar “adventures” as Stephanie Plum, and in lieu of a crazy, potty-mouthed, ex-prostitute, side-kick; Doreen has an crazy African Grey parrot. (Seriously).. The book while dealing with some morbid events, is light-hearted and comical in parts, but no hot-steamy love scenes, violence, or profanity. As always, Ms. Dale writes an entertaining and fast read.
Series begins with Doreen Montgomery, a divorced 35 year-old woman who’s on her own for the first time. After losing everything but her dog (Mugs) an adorable Basset Hound moves into her grandma “Nan’s” home. Where she ends up the new caretaker/owner of some interesting pets.
As before, I recommend this book, if you want a fun-light-hearted, but easy read book. If you are accustomed to some of Ms. Dale’s steamier work and that’s your preference; then you may not enjoy. It does help a bit to read the series in order, just to understand the characters better. The fun and crazy adventures of Doreen and her pets are suitable for younger readers 14+ in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book just as much as I loved all the other books in the series. The interaction between the main characters is just so awesome and it keeps you interested in the book. Love the interaction of the three animals in the book and how they each have their own personalities. The story-line is one where you are always wondering what type of trouble the main character will get into and how she will handle the case she gets herself involved in. The way the book is written keeps you guessing and also keeps you engrossed in the book. I always have trouble when I read this series as I do not want to put the book down and real life seems to always want to interrupt. Once again, the author has written a winner and I look forward to the next book in the series! Love, love, love these characters and these books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really adore Doreen and her adorable critters, always love it when they’re in action, and this book totally not disappoint, although kinda predictable, but with all the fun and the joy Doreen and those quirky critters bring, I still love this book, especially the relationship between Mack and Doreen, they’re just so sweet and cute together.
This book has a good cold case story, great chemistry between characters, loveable fur babies, cool actions, yup love this book a lot.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery read, this book is it.
This is a book for all ages. This is a standalone book, filled with old fashion charm and whimsical characters, many of whom we have met in the previous books. Mystery, suspense and a touch of romance as Doreen and her friends of fur and feather work to solve another cold case. I love the way Dale Mayer wraps flirty with friendship for Doreen and Mac, pure love between Doreen and her grandmother, and absolute love and loyalty between Doreen and her dog Mugs, Maine coon cat Goliath, and parrot Thaddeus. Cold cases just seem to land in her way, Doreen finds herself as she navigates her new life. Note: each book just keeps getting better than the previous book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen is fresh off one case at straight into solving more cold cases. The Bone Lady is cleaning her house out and making it her own and finding cases to solve along the way. This book picks up right where the last one left off. Penny is in custody and Steve is mad as fire and out for revenge. Doreen is glad the last case is helping to bring a child home that has been missing for many years too. Mack is enjoying getting to know Doreen although he is worried about her safety too. Nan and the animals are always that little bit of extra flare that make you smile while reading the books. It’s an excellent read and probably my favorite series of Ms. Mayer’s. I volunteered to read this book through Booksprout.
So Corporal Mack Moreau worries about Doreen who can’t seem to stay away from cold cases while her cuddly animals stay close to protect her. Thaddeus can peck, Mugs can bite and Goliath’s claws are sharp as can be. Doreen can garden, clean house in beyond record time, is learning to cook with Mack’s help but uses a skillet for other things, and can’t help successfully playing detective. I’m secretly wondering how big this town is as it seems full of criminals, or rather, it was full of them till Doreen arrived. I really enjoyed this perfect cozy mystery with it’s endearing characters.
I am truly loving this series, the antics of Doreen’s pets, Goliath, Mugs and Thaddeus are so much fun even as they demonstrate their loyalty to her. Her grandmother, Nan is a pip, she’s the reason Doreen has a home and all these interesting issues.
At the end of the last book as things are wrapping up, one of Doreen’s neighbors gives Detective Mack a gun he found in his gardenias.
In this one Doreen has finally gotten rid of much clutter that her Nan had collected over the years. She now wants to do a thorough cleaning before considering decorating to her liking. Of course nothing is simple and she merely finds more things to go through and organize.
Doreen has learned to do a lot, like pay the bills related to owning a home. Selling off of things and finding cash in pockets and pinned in clothing, plus working in Mack’s mother’s garden, has made this possible. She’s also learned a bit about cooking thanks to lessons from Mack.
Mack gets so frustrated with her, she seems to find trouble even as she solves cold cases. He thinks he finally has convinced her to take some time to heal and rest when her neighbor hands him a gun.
That gun is just another added frustration for Mack as Doreen just leaves him on her porch.
This case intertwines with the last one and there is much suspense as we see Penny’s friend Steve running into Doreen more than just occasionally.
Plenty of discoveries lead to clues and of course plenty of antics from the pets as Doreen tries to find a sense of normalcy. There are also more hints of a possible romance blooming, but the time definitely isn’t right.
This series is delightful and I perk up every time there’s a new addition. I can’t wait for the next one!