Wreathing Havoc

Julia Henry

Sep 2021 · A Garden Squad Mystery Book 4 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

There’s nothing like autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, but beneath the season’s sun-dappled foliage, Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad must investigate a shadowy murder mystery after a theater owner’s sudden death sows as much drama behind the scenes as on any stage . . .
 
Lilly Jayne typically spends the harvest season baking festive pies and crafting colorful wreaths to enter in the library’s annual fundraising contest. But this year, autumn opens on a somber note when beloved local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly. His memorial sets the scene for a mini reunion of The Goosebush Players’ best and brightest alumni, including Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan . . . until someone plucks Jeremy from the spotlight, permanently.
 
Now, as dedicated theater volunteer, Scooter McGee, falls under suspicion, Lilly and her Garden Squad must spring into action. They quickly discover a cornucopia of potential suspects in Jeremy’s murder. Was it an embittered ex . . . or a jilted lover? A rival thespian . . . or an overly ambitious artist? Lilly rakes through the piles of clues, but if she doesn’t uncover the real killer soon, more than autumn leaves will be dropping in Goosebush . . .

 

Ratings and reviews

small-town, senior-sleuths, friendship, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, actors, murder, murder-investigation***** (A Garden Squad Mystery #4) Community theater is out of my comfort zone, but a murder with a hint that this is not the first is right up my alley. The Garden Squad is a group of friends who have lived in the area and have known each other for enough decades that many are retired. The backdrop is a a library fundraiser with everyone making wreaths based on a famous novel. There are some hinky things going on and a director with delusions of grandeur, the a visiting renowned actor is murdered by poison and the state police are very interesting. Let the sleuthing begin! It's a good fun read full of twists and red herrings, and some really delightful characters, and I loved it! I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

Julia Henry lives in Massachusetts, where she sets her mystery series. As Julianne Holmes she writes the Clock Shop Mystery Series, and as J.A. Hennrikus she writes the Theater Cop series. She blogs with the Wicked Cozy Authors (WickedCozyAuthors.com) and Killer Characters (KillerCharacters.com), tweets as @JHAuthors, is on Instagram @JHAuthors, and on Facebook. Julie works in the arts, teaches, is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. For more, please visit JHAuthors.com.