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.
Ice Pick in the Ivy (Lovely Lethal Gardens Book 9)
By Dale Mayer
Doreen is always at it. This time she has quite the mystery with three missing persons to find and trying to help the Burns sisters get back what is rightfully theirs. The hijinks, hilarity and drama are there and of course Doreen gets her cases solved and continues to win the town folks and the cops over. I just adore this series. I volunteered to read this book via Booksprout.
A new adventure is awaiting but that is not how it happens. Doreen is hoping from for a few days out to recover from her last case and Mack a chancre to catch up on work. A nice time to plan changes around the house and to reflect on ones past.
Doreen is out back working on her plans as she is bored, her fury family with her when Thaddeus wonders off by himself only to return with a little bit of metal.
Doreen visit with her Nan and together they work to find out more about the metal tag. A fast ride to the end which just goes to show Mack that Doreen does not need to go to find cases as they are now coming to her.
Another great story.
I just finished this absolutely delightful story and I am still smiling . Doreen, Mac and the animals are all great characters who really make these stories work. Two mysteries and I could only figure out one! Can’t wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen is on the way to investigating a new case. Her parrot, Thaddeus, starts this one off by bringing 2 small pieces of metal to Doreen. She and her animal menagerie simply follow the clues from metal to icepick to neighbors to heart attacks. While she doesn’t know the connection yet, she is feeling more connected to her town of Kelowna. Unsure how the other residents regard her, she is always careful to treat people fairly. While investigating, Doreen has her grandmother Nan and RCMP Corporal Mack Moreau to watch after her. I love watching the relationships develop in this series, although sometimes I want to scream at the book for Doreen to open her eyes about Mack or for Mack say something to Doreen already, sheesh. Doreen and her Nan are delightful. This book will truly delight puzzlers, as they figure out the clues with Doreen.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this series, it’s full of twists and turns and includes some really fun moments. The animals are a complete joy to read about and their antics make me chuckle. I do hope Mack and Doreen soon move on a little bit in their relationship, a kiss after a hug at least just to get the sparks going. I do enjoy the friendship and banter they have already but just know that it could be way more. Doreen also needs to get the meeting with the lawyer over with to complete that healing process from her failed marriage. Although some heavy subjects are covered in this book it still contains the cosy, quirky style that makes it read and comfortable reading, it’s something to dive into when you want something that has depth but is also a bit lighter than most murder/mystery books. It’s ideal for a weekend away story that you can pick up and put down without losing any intensity or the plot, and it is so different from most of Dale Mayers series. The animals keep it fun and interesting while still being protective of their human counterpart. Loved it.
What a hilarious read!
I love this series so much hahaha. Doreen, Mack, and all her critters make me smile.
Fast paced, witty, and the usual mayhem all because of a couple of makers stamps and an ice pick.
I would love to have Doreen as a neighbour.. I’d never need to leave home for entertainment.
A fun read that will have you guessing what the ice pick is all about.
The book can be read as a stand alone, but honestly.. if you don’t read all of the books in the series, you’re missing out.
I love the story lines, and all the characters in them.
Based in Kelowna, British Columbia. gardener and sometime sleuth Doreen Montgomery (plus her cat, dog, and parrot) have been enjoying a few well-earned days of peace and quiet after the closure of her previous case. When Thaddeus, her independently-minded African grey parrot, digs up two rectangular metal pieces from the path along the creek, Doreen is sent down another rabbit hole of the past: connecting the dots from a long-defunct tool repair company and a young girl who disappeared at the same time. Corporal Mack Moreau doesn’t think these events are connected. He doesn’t believe the spate of recent deaths is suspiciously tied in either. Mack wants Doreen to focus on the materials and the cost analysis to replace her backyard deck and to leave the detecting to him. But how can she, when she knows so much more is going on than Mack believes? With heart attacks, unfair wills, and a missing ice pick Doreen knows they are all related – she just needs to understand how.
I loved this story which was like reading a murder mystery where just like Doreen we were reading and trying to solve the clues as she did. There were many twists and turns in the story and once again Doreen seems to have no sense of danger or self-preservation as she is willing to find the truth almost at any cost – it’s a wonder she doesn’t make Mack ill with worry sometimes! Well written clear and easy to understand, this is definitely a murder mystery with many layers for us all to solve.
I really loved reading Ice Pick In The Ivy .
This is book nine in the Lovely Lethal Gardens series . The story is well written and while it has murder and mayhem it is really a delightful story . I read the entire story in a night . I could not put it down . Doreen and her pet family continue to solve cold cases . Mack and Doreen continue to spend time together and grow closer . This story finds Thaddeus discovering a metal nameplate in the Ivy on the other side of the creek . Of course Doreen finds herself knee deep in a new case with the help of Nan and Mack and her animals . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doreen again stumbles into a new case! This time with the help of her sweet bird! She and Mack, her police buddy, are pulled into another murder, which turns into two cold cases. I really enjoyed this one, especially as the towns people are beginning to appreciate her efforts in solving these cases. I also feel she evolves, as does her relationship with Mack. They are friends who are on their way to being a couple. Lots of clues and twists and turns as Doreen solves her cases.. The animals again help her along the way and take down the bad guy!! I highly recommend this series as it is a clean read and lots of fun!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.