Arsenic in the Azaleas

Dale Mayer

Jan 2019 · Lovely Lethal Gardens Book 1 · Valley Publishing Ltd.

About this ebook

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. … Controlling to chaos. … But murder … seriously?

After her ex-husband leaves her high and dry, former socialite Doreen Montgomery's chance at a new life comes in the form of her grandmother, Nan's, dilapidated old house in picturesque Kelowna … and the added job of caring for the animals Nan couldn’t take into assisted living with her: Thaddeus, the loquacious African gray parrot with a ripe vocabulary, and his buddy, Goliath, a monster-size cat with an equally monstrous attitude.

It’s the new start Doreen and her beloved basset hound, Mugs, desperately need. But, just as things start to look up for Doreen, Goliath the cat and Mugs the dog find a human finger in Nan’s overrun garden.

And not just a finger. Once the police start digging, the rest of the body turns up and turns out to be connected to an old unsolved crime.

With her grandmother as the prime suspect, Doreen soon finds herself stumbling over clues and getting on Corporal Mack Moreau’s last nerve, as she does her best to prove her beloved Nan innocent of murder.

cozy mystery; riches to rags; clean romance; animal mystery; cat and dog; mystery; Female sleuth; back yard mystery; Mystery; Animals; Parrots; Birds; Fun; amateur sleuths; mysteries with dogs; mysteries with Cats; Clean and wholesome;

Ratings and reviews

Well when I saw the title I though my daughter had downloaded a YA book onto my tablet but as soon as I spied the author, I rubbed my hands together and thought “well I am in for a good read here”. I was so not disappointed. First we have Doreen, who has moved to her Nan’s House after 14 years of marriage to be cast aside so her husband could get a younger model on his arm. Turns out it was her very own divorce lawyer. Next up we have Nan, funny with some very sassy quips and some even more question answers. Mack a describe at his wits end because of Doreen and three very funny animals. Mugs the dog, Thaddeus the parrot and Goliath the cat. When a finger turns up in the mouth of her dog and the police are called in what follows if a funny great read as the leading lady throws out quips and snark at the lead detective (Mack) and with the help, or is that hinderance, of her animals goes on an adventure although finding dead bodies might not be much of one. I loved this book from chapter 2, I would say chapter one but I still wasn’t sure it was a new book from my daughter. I loved the story, loved the characters even more and the animals just made is so much more. Was there arsenic in the Azaleas?, is Doreen the murderer all along? A book you must read. I am so looking forward to the next book and the continuing adventures of Doreen and her pets.

I will have to admit I was surprised at the idea of Dale Mayer writing Cozy Mysteries. I wasn't sure what to expect but apparently she can do just that! She managed to grab my interest and keep it throughout this tale of Doreen and her new life after divorce. Thaddeus, Goliath and Mugs help the story along by being themselves. Doreen's grandmother Nan and Corporal Mack Moreau keep the action going as well. I wasn't too sure about Doreen at first but she is mellowing with time and I'm looking forward to more of her adventures! I was also leery about reading a 'Cozy Mystery' as they have often been known to put me to sleep (which is great at bedtime but not so much at other times) but this one made me laugh, kept me wondering, made me want to pick up this book again when I had to put it down. Can't ask for anything better than that. Another success for this author I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you for sharing!

Doreen had no idea what she was in for when she took up an offer from her grandmother. Yes, sure I will come live there, and well yes, I can feed the cat. She takes Mugs to Mission and the rest is history. Mugs finds a bone. Then of course there is Goliath and Thaddeus. Those two characters help keep this story moving and provides many a chuckle. Then throw into the mix the RCMP and it is game on. I have tried hard to not give any spoilers. I know you will get some laughs out of this and want more of the Doreen and Mack saga. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.