Gun in the Gardenias

Dale Mayer

Nov 2019 · Lovely Lethal Gardens (eBook Series) Book 7 · Valley Publishing Ltd.

About this ebook

Riches to rags. ... Chaos to more chaos. ... Fire destroys evidence. ... Or at least most of it!

Flush with 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?

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

(4.5) I want to live next door to "Bone Lady" and her fur babies. I want to see Mack up close and personal and go lay a few bets with Nan. I feel like I know Doreen and I want to know her better. I have a few things she could certainly investigate for me :) This is another enjoyable read one that takes you out of your day to day as you go along for a fun ride as Doreen delves into more mysteries and cold cases. She has really grown since Arsenic in the Azaleas. I like her thinking things through, going the extra mile for loved ones and her growing friendship with Mack. I wanted to give this a 5 but I just couldn't understand how Steven got a way with so much when he seems to be a real clutz, and fool. It just nagged at me. Gun in the Gardenias made me smile, gave me family, a mystery and warmth. It truly embodies "cozy mystery" Thank you Dale, Booksprout and Valley Publishing for the arc. I freely volunteer my opinion. All thoughts are my own and were unsolicited.

This is another incredibly enjoyable entry in this terrific series. I am a true romance fan but I think it is impossible not the fall under the spell of Doreen and the rest of these lovable characters as each new mystery unfolds. The storyline will quickly capture your attention and have you trying hard to solve the case before Doreen can. In my opinion, what really makes this series so special is the cast of characters. From the sometimes too clever for her own good, trouble magnet that is Doreen, to the long suffering and much put upon Corporal Mack, to Doreen's outrageous, hilarious (and quite scene stealing) grandma, Nan, to Doreen's passel of loyal furred and feathered sidekicks (Goliath the cat, Muggs the dog and Thaddeus the parrot), these characters are genuine, likable and so very funny. If you are new to this series, you can feel free to jump in at any time as each book can be read as a standalone. However do keep in mind that character growth and relationships are evolving over the course of the series. A really fun read!

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.

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