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Potting Shed Mystery #4
The Skeleton Garden:
USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate’s Potting Shed series continues as expert gardener Pru Parke digs up a Nazi warplane—and a fresh murder.
Texas transplant Pru Parke has put down roots in England, but she never dreamed she’d live in a grand place such as Greenoak. When her former employers offer Pru and her new husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, the use of their nineteenth-century estate while they’re away for a year, she jumps at the chance. Sweetening the deal is the prospect of further bonding with her long-lost brother, Simon, who happens to be Greenoak’s head gardener. But the majestic manor has at least one skeleton in its closet—or, rather, its garden.
Working on renovations to the extensive grounds, siblings Pru and Simon squabble about everything from boxwood to bay hedges. But when the removal of a half-dead tree turns up the wreckage of a World War II–era German fighter plane and a pile of bones, the arguments stop. That is, until a rival from Simon’s past pays a surprise visit and creates even more upheaval. It’s suddenly clear someone is unhappy their secrets have been unearthed. Still, Pru’s not about to sit back and let Simon take the fall for the dirty deed without a fight.
Texas transplant Pru Parke has put down roots in England, but she never dreamed she’d live in a grand place such as Greenoak. When her former employers offer Pru and her new husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, the use of their nineteenth-century estate while they’re away for a year, she jumps at the chance. Sweetening the deal is the prospect of further bonding with her long-lost brother, Simon, who happens to be Greenoak’s head gardener. But the majestic manor has at least one skeleton in its closet—or, rather, its garden.
Working on renovations to the extensive grounds, siblings Pru and Simon squabble about everything from boxwood to bay hedges. But when the removal of a half-dead tree turns up the wreckage of a World War II–era German fighter plane and a pile of bones, the arguments stop. That is, until a rival from Simon’s past pays a surprise visit and creates even more upheaval. It’s suddenly clear someone is unhappy their secrets have been unearthed. Still, Pru’s not about to sit back and let Simon take the fall for the dirty deed without a fight.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
307 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Marty Wingate
31 books646 followersUSA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes The First Edition Library series (Berkley) set in Bath, England, about the curator of a collection of books from the Golden Age of Mystery. Book one, The Bodies in the Library, concerns murder among an Agatha Christie fan-fiction writing group, and in book two, Murder Is a Must (October 2020), an exhibition manager is found dead at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Marty also writes historical fiction: Glamour Girls (Alcove Press, January 2021) follows Spitfire pilot Rosalie Wright through both the physical and emotional dangers of the Second World War. Marty writes two further mystery series: the Potting Shed books (Alibi) feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and the Birds of a Feather series (Alibi) follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk village.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
March 8, 2016
For starters, I'm late to this party. This is the fourth in Marty Wingate's Potting Shed series, and it's a mystery to me why I haven't read the previous three. Despite it being the fourth, it's so well-written you can read it as a stand-alone. But I won't deprive myself. I plan to read the first three as soon as possible.
The storyline is fast-paced. It's never gory and there isn't any potty mouth (for those of you who love mystery stories but are faint-of-heart or squeamish). The characters are engaging: smart and interesting and people you'd want to hang out with (except maybe the bad guy!). There is even a very sassy duck.
I love the gardening aspect and found myself looking up the plants and trees mentioned to I'd have a vivid picture in my head.
I heartily recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery, especially one set in the lovely English countryside.
(Thanks to RandomHouse/Alibi - via Chatterbox - for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.)
The storyline is fast-paced. It's never gory and there isn't any potty mouth (for those of you who love mystery stories but are faint-of-heart or squeamish). The characters are engaging: smart and interesting and people you'd want to hang out with (except maybe the bad guy!). There is even a very sassy duck.
I love the gardening aspect and found myself looking up the plants and trees mentioned to I'd have a vivid picture in my head.
I heartily recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery, especially one set in the lovely English countryside.
(Thanks to RandomHouse/Alibi - via Chatterbox - for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.)
March 15, 2016
Pru Park's former employers off her husband and Pru the use of Greenoaks while they are away. Simon, her brothers is the gardener and her wants to get better acquaint with him. They had learned they are siblings separated by the second world war l last year. Digging in the garden Pru and Simon finds the remains of a World War Two German fighter plane. The pilot was captured. A skull and other bones are also found with the plane. Pru's husband take a back seat in the investigation. The locals are planning a Christmas fete using a World War Two theme. Who was the body found with the plane and the reasons for the break-ins that occurring in the neighborhood? Pru discovers a fresh body lying near the site of the fighter. Someone is desperate to prevent answer to these questions.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Alibi through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Alibi through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own
March 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this little cozy. It was set in modern day, but had a touch of history involved that most people had forgotten. The story was entertaining and fun to read and the characters were very endearing. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received this book through Random House via their Chatterbox program in hopes that I would review this book.
I received this book through Random House via their Chatterbox program in hopes that I would review this book.
March 6, 2016
A Long Buried Mystery in an English Country Village
During WWII, a German fighter plane was shot down and landed in the Greenoak garden. The owner decided to bury the plane, since it couldn't be removed, but before the burial was complete, a wounded RAF pilot was pushed into the pit and died. The body lay undiscovered until it was unearthed during a garden renovation causing a stir among the townsfolk and leading to more problems as the inept inspector conducts the murder investigation.
Pru Parke and her husband, Christopher Pearse, are Living at Greenoak for a year at the invitation of Pru's employers who are away on an archaeological expedition. Pru is trying to connect with her brother, Simon, the head gardener at Greenoak. The siblings were raised apart and Simon finds it hard to forgive Pru for knowing both their parents.
Christopher has given up his job as CID Inspector in London and is working as a special constable in the village near Greenoak. He knows that his superior is not qualified for police work, but resists taking over the murder investigation because he doesn't want to overshadow the young man.
As if things couldn't get more complicated, Orlando, Christopher's nephew arrives for an extended stay. He's a computer whiz and is being punished for hacking into someone's personal files and publishing them on the internet. Orlando is supposed to be helping in the garden, but the rebellious teenager succeeds in making more work for Pru until the body appears and catches his interest.
This is a delightful and very English mystery filled with unusual characters and wonderful descriptions of the garden and surrounding village. Pru and Christopher are sympathetic characters. They are newly weds enjoying the luxury of Greenoaks until Orlando and the body turn up. Christopher is a typical teenager, curious and always hungry.
The mystery itself is not hard to figure out in less than half the book. However, it doesn't matter. It's fun to watch the townspeople's interactions and see the struggle between Pru and Simon as they try to overcome the past.
If you enjoy a cozy English mystery, this is a good one.
I received this book from Net Galley for this review.
During WWII, a German fighter plane was shot down and landed in the Greenoak garden. The owner decided to bury the plane, since it couldn't be removed, but before the burial was complete, a wounded RAF pilot was pushed into the pit and died. The body lay undiscovered until it was unearthed during a garden renovation causing a stir among the townsfolk and leading to more problems as the inept inspector conducts the murder investigation.
Pru Parke and her husband, Christopher Pearse, are Living at Greenoak for a year at the invitation of Pru's employers who are away on an archaeological expedition. Pru is trying to connect with her brother, Simon, the head gardener at Greenoak. The siblings were raised apart and Simon finds it hard to forgive Pru for knowing both their parents.
Christopher has given up his job as CID Inspector in London and is working as a special constable in the village near Greenoak. He knows that his superior is not qualified for police work, but resists taking over the murder investigation because he doesn't want to overshadow the young man.
As if things couldn't get more complicated, Orlando, Christopher's nephew arrives for an extended stay. He's a computer whiz and is being punished for hacking into someone's personal files and publishing them on the internet. Orlando is supposed to be helping in the garden, but the rebellious teenager succeeds in making more work for Pru until the body appears and catches his interest.
This is a delightful and very English mystery filled with unusual characters and wonderful descriptions of the garden and surrounding village. Pru and Christopher are sympathetic characters. They are newly weds enjoying the luxury of Greenoaks until Orlando and the body turn up. Christopher is a typical teenager, curious and always hungry.
The mystery itself is not hard to figure out in less than half the book. However, it doesn't matter. It's fun to watch the townspeople's interactions and see the struggle between Pru and Simon as they try to overcome the past.
If you enjoy a cozy English mystery, this is a good one.
I received this book from Net Galley for this review.
March 1, 2016
Texas transplant Pru Parke and her new husband, Christopher Pearse are settling down for the first year of their marriage on the country estate of Pru's former employer. The owners have offered them the estate while they are off on an archaeological dig. Christopher has resigned his position as a CID Inspector in London and taken a position as a sort of village community policeman. Pru is still working on landscaping the estate along with her long-lost brother, Simon. Things are not going very well with Simon, who is still resentful that their mother gave him up for adoption while Pru had the advantage of growing up with both parents. Simon understands the reasons for the adoption and admits that he had a very happy childhood but relations are tense with Pru. The tension puts them at loggerheads over both the landscaping and their personal lives. When a skeleton turns up in the garden, a skeleton buried along with a WWII fighter plane, many old secrets threaten the peace of the village. Simon becomes edgier when an old resident of the village comes home after years away and stirs up bad memories for someone. The newly returned man turns up dead as well in the crater in the garden where the skeleton and plane were found. Chris does not want to interfere but his police superior seems not only incapable of conducting a murder investigation but downright obstructive at times.
The Potting Shed Mysteries are wonderful cozy mysteries. As an Anglophile, I am always glad to add to my store of "Britishisms" which abound in the series. I think I have learned more about gardening in general than I ever knew before, which was admittedly very little. Marty Wingate is a well-known gardening expert and it shows to advantage in this series. There is plenty of humor as well, especially with Pru's attempts at cooking, a skill she has never mastered. The secondary characters are well realized, often quirky, and the setting is a place I would love to visit. I recommend The Skeleton Garden highly, along with its' predecessors. Brew up a cuppa and enjoy!
RATING- 4.5 Stars
February 9, 2016
The Skeleton Garden
A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate
Random House Publishing Group
Expected Release Date: March 15, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
As a newbie to this author and her books, I was pleasantly surprised by this clever story.
When Pru and her new husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, are offered the use of her former employers home, Greenoak, their nineteenth-century estate while they’re away for a year, she is excited at the chance to spend time with her brother Simon, who is the head gardener at Greenoak. Simon and Pru have recently found each other and Pru is trying to get to know her brother. As Christmas is approaching, Pru feels it is a special time and decides to bring the family together for the holidays. Spending time with Simon in the garden should bring the siblings together, however, when they are removing a dead tree they happen upon a World War II–era German fighter plane, complete with skeletal bones.
While Pru attempts to solve the mystery of the bones in the garden, she is also trying to keep an eye on her nephew, Orlando, who seems to have gotten into a bit of trouble.
This was an intriguing story with a plethora of information pertaining to World War II.
I couldn't help but laugh at the description of Pru attempting to make Christmas pudding.
The characters in this book were so real, that I could imagine myself walking the path to visit Kitty, while Sonia the duck awaited my arrival.
As the mystery became unraveled, I found myself lost inside this first-rate story.
I will be reading the others in this clever series.
A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate
Random House Publishing Group
Expected Release Date: March 15, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
As a newbie to this author and her books, I was pleasantly surprised by this clever story.
When Pru and her new husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, are offered the use of her former employers home, Greenoak, their nineteenth-century estate while they’re away for a year, she is excited at the chance to spend time with her brother Simon, who is the head gardener at Greenoak. Simon and Pru have recently found each other and Pru is trying to get to know her brother. As Christmas is approaching, Pru feels it is a special time and decides to bring the family together for the holidays. Spending time with Simon in the garden should bring the siblings together, however, when they are removing a dead tree they happen upon a World War II–era German fighter plane, complete with skeletal bones.
While Pru attempts to solve the mystery of the bones in the garden, she is also trying to keep an eye on her nephew, Orlando, who seems to have gotten into a bit of trouble.
This was an intriguing story with a plethora of information pertaining to World War II.
I couldn't help but laugh at the description of Pru attempting to make Christmas pudding.
The characters in this book were so real, that I could imagine myself walking the path to visit Kitty, while Sonia the duck awaited my arrival.
As the mystery became unraveled, I found myself lost inside this first-rate story.
I will be reading the others in this clever series.
April 26, 2024
Second time around and just as good!
-----
The Potting Shed Mystery series has become my latest cozy binge read and I'm loving it! Top of my list is the solid romance (no love triangles -- none!!!) Maybe that's because Pru and Christopher are 'older' (mid-fifties) but that doesn't mean they aren't ardently devoted to each other. No worries, if you're not a romance fan (though that boggles my mind) because mystery and plot and characterization are just as strong.
Loved the WWII angle in The Skeleton Garden and I was onto the right suspect early on which made me feel very proud of myself. :-) I still enjoyed (and angsted over) Pru and Christopher's clue chasing. Great secondary characters -- especially loved the tricky brother and sister dynamics between Pru and her brother. You really should read the books in order to get the most out of that story line.
I'm thrilled that my library has the whole series in audio book format so I'm heading off for a long walk and more murder and mayhem courtesy of Pru and company.
-----
The Potting Shed Mystery series has become my latest cozy binge read and I'm loving it! Top of my list is the solid romance (no love triangles -- none!!!) Maybe that's because Pru and Christopher are 'older' (mid-fifties) but that doesn't mean they aren't ardently devoted to each other. No worries, if you're not a romance fan (though that boggles my mind) because mystery and plot and characterization are just as strong.
Loved the WWII angle in The Skeleton Garden and I was onto the right suspect early on which made me feel very proud of myself. :-) I still enjoyed (and angsted over) Pru and Christopher's clue chasing. Great secondary characters -- especially loved the tricky brother and sister dynamics between Pru and her brother. You really should read the books in order to get the most out of that story line.
I'm thrilled that my library has the whole series in audio book format so I'm heading off for a long walk and more murder and mayhem courtesy of Pru and company.
February 14, 2021
Another wonderful book in Marty Wingate's Potting Shed mysteries. As I finish each book, I am convinced I will not be able to like the characters in the next books nearly as much -- but I always do! In this book, a teenager joins the household at Greenoak -- Christopher's nephew, Orlando. You just can't help but love him! The mystery is good, the gardening, lovely, and Pru and Christopher are like very dear friends.
Erin Bennett's narration is excellent as always!
Erin Bennett's narration is excellent as always!
February 20, 2017
I guess I've just been in the mood for cozy mysteries. Or a really funny heroine. Maybe both. At any rate, Marty Wingate doesn't disappoint. The Skeleton Garden picks up after Pru and Christopher's marriage. They have been offered the chance to stay at Greenoak for a year, while friends are out of the country. Pru jumps at the chance to do so, because the gardens are gorgeous, but also because her brother Simon is the gardener.
While working on the grounds, Pru and Simon discover a buried German fighter plane with human remains nearby. The old locals remember the plane crashing, but no one knows the identity of the bones, and soon, a real dead body turns up in the gardens as well. Pru, being curious, can't keep herself from doing her own investigating into both situations.
The story begins with a flashback and incorporates so much more than just a murder mystery. The quirky townspeople are very much a part of Pru's life and the story of what happened during the war. Christopher's nephew comes to stay and he's a load of fun. Pru's housekeeper is prickly and her sister-in-law's former beau shows up. All in all, it's a delightful, engaging story with endearing characters you'd love to be friends with.
Fourth in the Potting Shed Mystery series, just like the others, the book stands alone well. But, as with any good series, I always recommend reading the books in order for depth and character development.
While working on the grounds, Pru and Simon discover a buried German fighter plane with human remains nearby. The old locals remember the plane crashing, but no one knows the identity of the bones, and soon, a real dead body turns up in the gardens as well. Pru, being curious, can't keep herself from doing her own investigating into both situations.
The story begins with a flashback and incorporates so much more than just a murder mystery. The quirky townspeople are very much a part of Pru's life and the story of what happened during the war. Christopher's nephew comes to stay and he's a load of fun. Pru's housekeeper is prickly and her sister-in-law's former beau shows up. All in all, it's a delightful, engaging story with endearing characters you'd love to be friends with.
Fourth in the Potting Shed Mystery series, just like the others, the book stands alone well. But, as with any good series, I always recommend reading the books in order for depth and character development.
February 3, 2016
I really enjoyed Marty Wingate's newest Potting Shed Mystery, The Skeleton Garden. This fourth installment of the series finds gardener Pru Parke and her husband, Christopher Pearse, living at Greenoak, an estate near a small Hampshire town. In keeping with classic cozies, the setting limits the number of suspects and the violence level is kept to a minimum. These are good things.
There was so much that I enjoyed about this book. I really appreciate how Ms. Wingate was able to so deftly weave information about life in a small village during WWII Britain into a story that is primarily set in the present. I also liked the way she was able to link two seemingly unrelated deaths. There is an interesting cast of characters, beginning with Pru and Christopher, which I believe to be very important when it comes to cozy mysteries. I appreciated that the characters and their relationships evolved during the book, and that the relationships were often complex and not easy. I was especially fond of Evelyn and Orlando. As someone who loves to garden, the gardening aspect of the book really appealed to me, as well.
I found the story interesting. Though I accurately guessed the culprit(s) midway through the book, in no way did this detract from my enjoyment of the book. I spent many hours reading my Kindle in the dark (think old time under the covers with a flashlight) enjoying the book and wanting to see how it ended. I strongly recommend this book, especially for lovers of cozy mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write an honest review and the opinions stated are solely my own.
There was so much that I enjoyed about this book. I really appreciate how Ms. Wingate was able to so deftly weave information about life in a small village during WWII Britain into a story that is primarily set in the present. I also liked the way she was able to link two seemingly unrelated deaths. There is an interesting cast of characters, beginning with Pru and Christopher, which I believe to be very important when it comes to cozy mysteries. I appreciated that the characters and their relationships evolved during the book, and that the relationships were often complex and not easy. I was especially fond of Evelyn and Orlando. As someone who loves to garden, the gardening aspect of the book really appealed to me, as well.
I found the story interesting. Though I accurately guessed the culprit(s) midway through the book, in no way did this detract from my enjoyment of the book. I spent many hours reading my Kindle in the dark (think old time under the covers with a flashlight) enjoying the book and wanting to see how it ended. I strongly recommend this book, especially for lovers of cozy mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write an honest review and the opinions stated are solely my own.
February 24, 2016
A World War II fighter pilot, on leave to recover from injuries, is killed and his body buried. No one knows that he is dead and some suspect he has deserted the RAF. That is everyone except for the woman who is bearing his unborn child.
When Pru and her husband Christopher are given the run of a beautiful country home while the owners are off on a sabbatical, she and her newly found brother, work on the garden together.
Christopher has resigned his post with the Met and is doing something so below his skill level for the opportunity to live in Hampshire. He is quite content to let the local officer run things without interference from him but when Martin, the officer, is clearly botching things up, Christopher must finally take over so that justice might be done.
By then there are two mysteries. Who is this newly dug up skeleton and what happened to the local man who recently returned home and is murdered? How do these two stories intertwine?
I really have enjoyed every single one of this series. I love how the characters have evolved over the books and the way the settings are described, the reader feels like he or she is in rural England too.
I did twig fairly early to the identity of the murderer but there were still plenty of surprises. And I loved the way that some of the characters who started off chafing each other learned to trust and appreciate each other.
I really like the direction things are moving.
I give this a solid five purrs and two paws up. It's a good one.
When Pru and her husband Christopher are given the run of a beautiful country home while the owners are off on a sabbatical, she and her newly found brother, work on the garden together.
Christopher has resigned his post with the Met and is doing something so below his skill level for the opportunity to live in Hampshire. He is quite content to let the local officer run things without interference from him but when Martin, the officer, is clearly botching things up, Christopher must finally take over so that justice might be done.
By then there are two mysteries. Who is this newly dug up skeleton and what happened to the local man who recently returned home and is murdered? How do these two stories intertwine?
I really have enjoyed every single one of this series. I love how the characters have evolved over the books and the way the settings are described, the reader feels like he or she is in rural England too.
I did twig fairly early to the identity of the murderer but there were still plenty of surprises. And I loved the way that some of the characters who started off chafing each other learned to trust and appreciate each other.
I really like the direction things are moving.
I give this a solid five purrs and two paws up. It's a good one.
March 16, 2016
Another good installment to the series (I've read all of these so far). It was nice to visit again with Pru and Christopher and follow their newlywed life in pastoral Hampshire. Pru and brother, Simon are now working together on the garden of the Wilsons's home as they are away on an archaeological dig. For those who've read all the previous books there's quite a lot of information from those that are related here from chapters 1-10. I'm not going to call that a flaw because it's characteristic of cozy mysteries and helps those who read these things out of sequence. It's all to the good to letting the reader know what's come before, character relationships & hints about past mysteries. So while it felt tedious a retread and I just wanted to get on to the bit in this book that involves the actual plane & body touted in the summary (takes place in chapter 10), I completely understood the why.
As to the past murder mystery and the current one, those were teased out well and I enjoyed following them. No spoilers but I can say that this one was more a conundrum for me and made for a satisfying solution in the end. I will happily look forward to the next book in the series as I am still enjoying Pru, Christopher and any circumstances that arise around them. Reader, pick it up for a quick, weekend read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
As to the past murder mystery and the current one, those were teased out well and I enjoyed following them. No spoilers but I can say that this one was more a conundrum for me and made for a satisfying solution in the end. I will happily look forward to the next book in the series as I am still enjoying Pru, Christopher and any circumstances that arise around them. Reader, pick it up for a quick, weekend read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
March 16, 2016
The fourth entry in Mart Wingate’s Potting Shed Mystery series, The Skeleton Garden is an excellent read. Ms. Wingate’s prose is characterized by vivid descriptions, deep characterizations, an intricate plot, and highly researched details of life in a small English village during World War II.
Pru Parke is now married to former DCI Christopher Pearse, who has taken a lesser position in a tiny village. Pru is working side by side with her long lost brother Simon, himself a gardener, restoring a lovely old garden. They dig up a dead tree in the middle of the Parterre garden and discover, not only the wreckage of a German Messerschmidt, but the bones of an unidentified young man. The village is planning a fete and, due to the interest raised by the old plane, the theme is set as an homage to World War II. As villagers dig into their old forgotten relics in basement or attic, certain things are turned up which someone wants to keep hidden.
Although I did figure out “whodunit” before the end, THE SKELETON GARDEN was a very enjoyable read. I learned a bit about the “Land Girls” of England who moved into the country to raise the crops while the farmers were at war. And I always love to see growth and development in characters’ personalities and relationships. This was my first of Marty Wingate’s books, and I intend to go back and read them all. And I’m looking forward to #5, THE BLUEBONNET BETRAYAL, due later this year.
Pru Parke is now married to former DCI Christopher Pearse, who has taken a lesser position in a tiny village. Pru is working side by side with her long lost brother Simon, himself a gardener, restoring a lovely old garden. They dig up a dead tree in the middle of the Parterre garden and discover, not only the wreckage of a German Messerschmidt, but the bones of an unidentified young man. The village is planning a fete and, due to the interest raised by the old plane, the theme is set as an homage to World War II. As villagers dig into their old forgotten relics in basement or attic, certain things are turned up which someone wants to keep hidden.
Although I did figure out “whodunit” before the end, THE SKELETON GARDEN was a very enjoyable read. I learned a bit about the “Land Girls” of England who moved into the country to raise the crops while the farmers were at war. And I always love to see growth and development in characters’ personalities and relationships. This was my first of Marty Wingate’s books, and I intend to go back and read them all. And I’m looking forward to #5, THE BLUEBONNET BETRAYAL, due later this year.
February 12, 2016
This instalment of the Potting Shed Mysteries finds Pru working alongside her brother, whilst Christopher, who has retired from the Met, is enjoying country life as a Special Constable.
The mystery this time is the discovery of not only a buried plane but also a body in the same hole. Do they belong together?
We have to go back to WW 2 to unravel the mystery....although the effects are still being felt in the 21st century..a true "sins of the fathers" case.
This book is not as lighthearted as the previous novels, but this is to be expected due to the nature of the case and the sub-plot of siblings trying to get along and come to terms with the lies of the past.
Pru and Christopher go from strength to strength in both their relationship and their crime solving.
The attention to detail in the WW2 scenes is exemplary and the plot moves along smoothly.
I look forward to their next mystery.
I was gifted an ARC by the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery this time is the discovery of not only a buried plane but also a body in the same hole. Do they belong together?
We have to go back to WW 2 to unravel the mystery....although the effects are still being felt in the 21st century..a true "sins of the fathers" case.
This book is not as lighthearted as the previous novels, but this is to be expected due to the nature of the case and the sub-plot of siblings trying to get along and come to terms with the lies of the past.
Pru and Christopher go from strength to strength in both their relationship and their crime solving.
The attention to detail in the WW2 scenes is exemplary and the plot moves along smoothly.
I look forward to their next mystery.
I was gifted an ARC by the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2016
A skeleton, a Messerschmitt, a sassy duck, a fresh corpse….
Welcome to the English Countryside. We are visiting Pru
Parke and her husband, Christopher Pearse who are staying
at Greenoak, Pru’s former employer’s nineteenth-century estate.
Her former employer’s are traveling on an archaeological
expedition for a years time period. Pru with her new found
brother, Simon are working landscaping the estate.
And then a skull is found while they are working then a plane.
Who was the skeleton? Where had the plane been buried?
Why were there break-ins with nothing missing? Why had
the newly returned man killed?
Meanwhile, the whole town is going back in time to a World
War II theme for the Christmas fete. Uncovering plenty of
secrets and secret hideaways!!!
Great cast of characters with a lot of suspects. All the
characters were well-developed with each bringing their
own flavor to the story.
This is the fourth book in Marty Wingate's Potting Shed
series but can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Alibi through NetGalley for the eBook. My
opinion is my own.
Welcome to the English Countryside. We are visiting Pru
Parke and her husband, Christopher Pearse who are staying
at Greenoak, Pru’s former employer’s nineteenth-century estate.
Her former employer’s are traveling on an archaeological
expedition for a years time period. Pru with her new found
brother, Simon are working landscaping the estate.
And then a skull is found while they are working then a plane.
Who was the skeleton? Where had the plane been buried?
Why were there break-ins with nothing missing? Why had
the newly returned man killed?
Meanwhile, the whole town is going back in time to a World
War II theme for the Christmas fete. Uncovering plenty of
secrets and secret hideaways!!!
Great cast of characters with a lot of suspects. All the
characters were well-developed with each bringing their
own flavor to the story.
This is the fourth book in Marty Wingate's Potting Shed
series but can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Alibi through NetGalley for the eBook. My
opinion is my own.
March 26, 2016
It's a fun, fast paced, modern day mystery. The historical references are great, they are never boring or weigh down the story. It is extremely easy to engage with the characters, they feel like someone who know. The character interactions and struggles are enjoyable to experience and the imagery is incredible.
Thanks to RandomHouse/Alibi - via Chatterbox - for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to RandomHouse/Alibi - via Chatterbox - for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2018
This just didn't hold my attention. Don't think it was intended for my age or reading interests
March 18, 2016
Originally published at Reading Reality
The Potting Shed series has been fun from its beginning in The Garden Plotto its latest outing in The Skeleton Garden. And if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a little bit of a twist, or if you are a fan of the Rosemary & Thyme TV series, The Potting Shed is a terrific place to dig up a little gardening and a little murder.
In this book, series’ protagonists have turned a new leaf on their lives. Gardener Pru Parke, transplanted to England from Texas, has come to Greenoak to work with her long-lost brother Simon on the estate’s extensive gardens. Pru’s new husband, Christopher Pearse, has taken a step back from his very stressful job as a Detective Chief Inspector for the London Police and has become a hopefully much less stressed Special Constable near Greenoak.
Pru and Christopher are also house-sitting for friends, so they think they have a year to de-stress, get comfortable and put down roots in the community. Instead, Pru and her brother Simon are constantly at loggerheads, and, as seems to be unfortunately usual, Pru digs up a dead body.
In this case, it’s literal. When she and Simon investigate why one dying tree is not thriving, they discover that the poor thing’s shallow roots are right over, not just a body, but also a crashed World War II German plane. It only takes a little bit of forensics, and some historical archives, to discover that whoever the deceased was, he wasn’t the pilot. There was plenty of newspaper coverage of the pilot’s capture a mile or two from the plane way back when.
What’s difficult is that no one seems to be able to identify the body. But when Pru starts digging into missing persons cases from the war years, she stirs up a whole lot memories, including some that would have been better off remaining buried.
Someone wants that body, or at least its identity, to remain buried, and is willing to go to any lengths to keep it that way. And whoever it is seems to be way too active to be the original perpetrator. As Pru keeps digging, as she can never resist, she discovers that just because a secret is 70+ years old, that doesn’t mean it can’t still be worth killing for.
Escape Rating B+: As with all of The Potting Shed mysteries, this book really hit the spot. And also like the earlier books, I think it would be possible for a reader who was interested in this series to just start here. Pru and Christopher move around so much, and change their circumstances so often, that the things that do carry over from book to book are easily explained within the story.
One of those things is the strained history between Pru and her brother Simon. When Pru first comes to England in The Garden Plot, she has no idea that she has a brother in England. And Simon was told that his parents were dead. When they discover each other, it is a revelation for both of them. Now that Pru is in England for good, she has taken the opportunity presented to work with Simon, so that they can get to know each other.
The secondary plot in The Skeleton Garden is all about Simon and Pru navigating the skeletons in their own closet. They both have a whole wagonload of unresolved resentments at their parents. Simon is angry that Pru got to have them, Pru is angry that they lied about Simon, and Simon is angry that the aunt who raised him also lied to him. And as Simon’s wife puts it so well, since Simon and Pru did not get the chance to negotiate all their sibling rivalry and sibling in-fighting as children, they are going through all those stages now, and all at once.
But their issues with each other also link back to the mystery that they get caught in the middle of. It all goes back to the War. The reasons why Simon’s parents left him behind in England have direct parallels in the case they unravel.
The circumstances of the long-ago murder will be familiar to anyone who watched Foyle’s War. It’s all about the things that went wrong, sometimes criminally wrong, on the homefront while the war was going on. And that includes the problems of rationing and the black market. Also, there’s a parallel between Simon’s story and that of the young woman left behind and pregnant by the young soldier that old corpse used to be.
One of the lovely things in this particular story was the way that the past impacts upon the present, both because the war is still much closer to people’s memories in England than is in America, but also because everyone involved, or their descendants, are all still in the area. The past, as they say, isn’t even past.
This isn’t a flashback story, at least not after the opening scene. Instead, it’s all about the impacts. The events of the war are still affecting the lives of the people in the village today. Not just Simon and Pru and their unresolved issues regarding their parents’ actions during and after the war, but every single person and their descendants is still living with, or living out, their actions at that crucial time.
And that’s what made this story so much fun to read.
I’ve just discovered that there will be another book in this series! I am looking forward to seeing just what Pru and Christopher dig up in The Bluebonnet Betrayal: A Potting Shed Mystery this summer.
The Potting Shed series has been fun from its beginning in The Garden Plotto its latest outing in The Skeleton Garden. And if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a little bit of a twist, or if you are a fan of the Rosemary & Thyme TV series, The Potting Shed is a terrific place to dig up a little gardening and a little murder.
In this book, series’ protagonists have turned a new leaf on their lives. Gardener Pru Parke, transplanted to England from Texas, has come to Greenoak to work with her long-lost brother Simon on the estate’s extensive gardens. Pru’s new husband, Christopher Pearse, has taken a step back from his very stressful job as a Detective Chief Inspector for the London Police and has become a hopefully much less stressed Special Constable near Greenoak.
Pru and Christopher are also house-sitting for friends, so they think they have a year to de-stress, get comfortable and put down roots in the community. Instead, Pru and her brother Simon are constantly at loggerheads, and, as seems to be unfortunately usual, Pru digs up a dead body.
In this case, it’s literal. When she and Simon investigate why one dying tree is not thriving, they discover that the poor thing’s shallow roots are right over, not just a body, but also a crashed World War II German plane. It only takes a little bit of forensics, and some historical archives, to discover that whoever the deceased was, he wasn’t the pilot. There was plenty of newspaper coverage of the pilot’s capture a mile or two from the plane way back when.
What’s difficult is that no one seems to be able to identify the body. But when Pru starts digging into missing persons cases from the war years, she stirs up a whole lot memories, including some that would have been better off remaining buried.
Someone wants that body, or at least its identity, to remain buried, and is willing to go to any lengths to keep it that way. And whoever it is seems to be way too active to be the original perpetrator. As Pru keeps digging, as she can never resist, she discovers that just because a secret is 70+ years old, that doesn’t mean it can’t still be worth killing for.
Escape Rating B+: As with all of The Potting Shed mysteries, this book really hit the spot. And also like the earlier books, I think it would be possible for a reader who was interested in this series to just start here. Pru and Christopher move around so much, and change their circumstances so often, that the things that do carry over from book to book are easily explained within the story.
One of those things is the strained history between Pru and her brother Simon. When Pru first comes to England in The Garden Plot, she has no idea that she has a brother in England. And Simon was told that his parents were dead. When they discover each other, it is a revelation for both of them. Now that Pru is in England for good, she has taken the opportunity presented to work with Simon, so that they can get to know each other.
The secondary plot in The Skeleton Garden is all about Simon and Pru navigating the skeletons in their own closet. They both have a whole wagonload of unresolved resentments at their parents. Simon is angry that Pru got to have them, Pru is angry that they lied about Simon, and Simon is angry that the aunt who raised him also lied to him. And as Simon’s wife puts it so well, since Simon and Pru did not get the chance to negotiate all their sibling rivalry and sibling in-fighting as children, they are going through all those stages now, and all at once.
But their issues with each other also link back to the mystery that they get caught in the middle of. It all goes back to the War. The reasons why Simon’s parents left him behind in England have direct parallels in the case they unravel.
The circumstances of the long-ago murder will be familiar to anyone who watched Foyle’s War. It’s all about the things that went wrong, sometimes criminally wrong, on the homefront while the war was going on. And that includes the problems of rationing and the black market. Also, there’s a parallel between Simon’s story and that of the young woman left behind and pregnant by the young soldier that old corpse used to be.
One of the lovely things in this particular story was the way that the past impacts upon the present, both because the war is still much closer to people’s memories in England than is in America, but also because everyone involved, or their descendants, are all still in the area. The past, as they say, isn’t even past.
This isn’t a flashback story, at least not after the opening scene. Instead, it’s all about the impacts. The events of the war are still affecting the lives of the people in the village today. Not just Simon and Pru and their unresolved issues regarding their parents’ actions during and after the war, but every single person and their descendants is still living with, or living out, their actions at that crucial time.
And that’s what made this story so much fun to read.
I’ve just discovered that there will be another book in this series! I am looking forward to seeing just what Pru and Christopher dig up in The Bluebonnet Betrayal: A Potting Shed Mystery this summer.
January 27, 2022
Buried planes and Runner Ducks
This is the fourth book in the potting shed mysteries and as much as I loved the storyline, finding a German plane and a body planted in the garden of the house where they are living and Pru and her brother Simon are redoing the garden, I did get tired of newlyweds Pru and Christopher hopping in bed and I really didn't need to know where his fingers go.
It's not that I a prude but this isn't a romance novel.
While the story is good, the murderers, both old and new are easy to identify. The secrets of the small village and the interaction of family members are fun and well realistic. I also learned what a runner duck is and the names of some plants and trees that I have seen but never knew the names. The best part was the ending and Christmas dinner.
This is the fourth book in the potting shed mysteries and as much as I loved the storyline, finding a German plane and a body planted in the garden of the house where they are living and Pru and her brother Simon are redoing the garden, I did get tired of newlyweds Pru and Christopher hopping in bed and I really didn't need to know where his fingers go.
It's not that I a prude but this isn't a romance novel.
While the story is good, the murderers, both old and new are easy to identify. The secrets of the small village and the interaction of family members are fun and well realistic. I also learned what a runner duck is and the names of some plants and trees that I have seen but never knew the names. The best part was the ending and Christmas dinner.
April 12, 2018
I'm enjoying the series and had the opportunity to hear the author read a few excerpts the newest book in the series due out in Oct. It was also at the beautiful Dunn Gardens in Seattle which is always enjoyable to visit.
March 3, 2019
This series provides for much enjoyment! I can't get enough of them!
May 10, 2024
This is a good one! Wingate can really nail an ending. I enjoy the adventures of an American in Scotland, and I particularly appreciate when the heroine saves the hero!
April 4, 2016
I read the first book in this series, The Garden Plot soon after it came out and really enjoyed it. For some reason I missed the next two books even though I had copies but couldn't resist jumping in with book 4. Thankfully, Stormi, a blogger friend, gave me a quick update on what I had missed so I was ready to go.
I really enjoyed spending time with Pru. I liked the gardening discussions and getting a look into what it takes to keep up a garden on a big estate in the English countryside. I also really liked how Pru developed her relationships with Simon, Evelyn, and especially her nephew Orlando. Her marriage to Christopher, a policeman made her involvement in the investigation make sense. I really enjoyed Christopher's character as well. I liked that even though he had more experience with more serious investigations he worked really hard to work with the younger detective, Martin, and not step on his toes.
I loved the connections to World War 2 in the mystery. Between the buried plane , the investigation, and the Wartime themed fundraiser it was really interesting. For me the mystery got off to a bit of a choppy start though this may be because I'm jumping into book 4 after only reading book 1. Once the story got going I was sucked in and really enjoyed the book. I did guess the who and the why fairly early on but I really wanted to see how it all worked out, find out how certain characters reacted to information, and just spend more time with Pru, Christopher, Simon and everyone else.
I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what I missed as well as reading what adventures has in store for her next
Full Review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot...
I really enjoyed spending time with Pru. I liked the gardening discussions and getting a look into what it takes to keep up a garden on a big estate in the English countryside. I also really liked how Pru developed her relationships with Simon, Evelyn, and especially her nephew Orlando. Her marriage to Christopher, a policeman made her involvement in the investigation make sense. I really enjoyed Christopher's character as well. I liked that even though he had more experience with more serious investigations he worked really hard to work with the younger detective, Martin, and not step on his toes.
I loved the connections to World War 2 in the mystery. Between the buried plane , the investigation, and the Wartime themed fundraiser it was really interesting. For me the mystery got off to a bit of a choppy start though this may be because I'm jumping into book 4 after only reading book 1. Once the story got going I was sucked in and really enjoyed the book. I did guess the who and the why fairly early on but I really wanted to see how it all worked out, find out how certain characters reacted to information, and just spend more time with Pru, Christopher, Simon and everyone else.
I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what I missed as well as reading what adventures has in store for her next
Full Review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot...
March 20, 2016
This review definitely contains spoilers. So read at your own risk.
The Skeleton Garden started off as a very slow book. I was worried that it was definitely going to be one of those books that I could put down and never worry about finishing. After reading the prologue, I couldn't understand how it fit into the book. It seemed just like random information. There were a couple of other instances in the book where information was shared and then never spoken of again (i.e. the body in the shed). I was also a little put off by the editor of the gardening magazine's name. Jacinta Bloom. It's a little cliche that her surname is Bloom, don't you think?
Here comes the spoiler. The author did such a good job at portraying Martin Chatters as a completely inept detective, that it was quite a surprise that he was the killer. I wish that Jack Snugg's character had had a little more buildup so that I could have been sad when he was killed. Which could have been done by introducing Hare as Dr. Hare in the beginning instead of after Jack's death.
The book didn't elicit any emotional responses from me until the end of the book when Pru thought that Christopher was dead. I wanted to love Orlando's character enough to be sad when Claire took him home. I wanted to find it funny that Sonia wanted to attack Orlando or to be sad that Kitty was taken to the hospital or excited for Evelyn to find out who her father was or annoyed by Simon's stubborn streak or the fear Pru felt when she thought she was being followed. But I never got that. I never got to feel that much of a connection with any of the characters.
I did enjoy the historic research that went into novel though. The author did a fantastic job in that regard.
I don't know that I would read this book again.
The Skeleton Garden started off as a very slow book. I was worried that it was definitely going to be one of those books that I could put down and never worry about finishing. After reading the prologue, I couldn't understand how it fit into the book. It seemed just like random information. There were a couple of other instances in the book where information was shared and then never spoken of again (i.e. the body in the shed). I was also a little put off by the editor of the gardening magazine's name. Jacinta Bloom. It's a little cliche that her surname is Bloom, don't you think?
Here comes the spoiler. The author did such a good job at portraying Martin Chatters as a completely inept detective, that it was quite a surprise that he was the killer. I wish that Jack Snugg's character had had a little more buildup so that I could have been sad when he was killed. Which could have been done by introducing Hare as Dr. Hare in the beginning instead of after Jack's death.
The book didn't elicit any emotional responses from me until the end of the book when Pru thought that Christopher was dead. I wanted to love Orlando's character enough to be sad when Claire took him home. I wanted to find it funny that Sonia wanted to attack Orlando or to be sad that Kitty was taken to the hospital or excited for Evelyn to find out who her father was or annoyed by Simon's stubborn streak or the fear Pru felt when she thought she was being followed. But I never got that. I never got to feel that much of a connection with any of the characters.
I did enjoy the historic research that went into novel though. The author did a fantastic job in that regard.
I don't know that I would read this book again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2016
Long buried secrets are unearthed and the repercussions echo to the present when Pru Parke and her brother Simon unearth a World War II plane and some bones in the garden where they are both working. Someone doesn't want the mystery of the identity of the bones to be discovered. This story is filled with all sorts of tangled relationships.
Pru is just getting to know her brother Simon since her mother left him behind when she moved to America with her new husband at the end of World War II. Simon is still dealing with the fact that his supposed mother was actually his great-aunt and that he was abandoned - though left in a loving home. He is torn between love and anger now that his mother has died and he is having a hard time deciding how he feels.
When an old rival for Simon's wife returns from Canada even more emotions surface. When the rival is found dead in the same place where the bones were found, Simon becomes one of the suspects. Christopher is back doing police work after his retirement as a detective inspector for the Metropolitan police but he doesn't want to take over from the local police officer who is his superior. Still he and Pru get involved in investigating both deaths.
The story is filled with all sorts of characters who have ties to the World War II past and who might have reasons to want to keep the secrets buried. I really enjoyed the relationships in this story. I like the way Christopher and Pru are building their new marriage. I like the friendships that are forming among the characters.
This was a great cozy mystery in a series that is filled with great characters.
Pru is just getting to know her brother Simon since her mother left him behind when she moved to America with her new husband at the end of World War II. Simon is still dealing with the fact that his supposed mother was actually his great-aunt and that he was abandoned - though left in a loving home. He is torn between love and anger now that his mother has died and he is having a hard time deciding how he feels.
When an old rival for Simon's wife returns from Canada even more emotions surface. When the rival is found dead in the same place where the bones were found, Simon becomes one of the suspects. Christopher is back doing police work after his retirement as a detective inspector for the Metropolitan police but he doesn't want to take over from the local police officer who is his superior. Still he and Pru get involved in investigating both deaths.
The story is filled with all sorts of characters who have ties to the World War II past and who might have reasons to want to keep the secrets buried. I really enjoyed the relationships in this story. I like the way Christopher and Pru are building their new marriage. I like the friendships that are forming among the characters.
This was a great cozy mystery in a series that is filled with great characters.
March 18, 2016
I received a copy of The Skeleton Garden from Random House, as a Chatterbox participate. I must say I was quite delighted with this mystery.
I really enjoyed spending time with Pru. I liked the gardening discussions and getting a look into what it takes to keep up a garden on a big estate in the English countryside. I also really liked how Pru developed her relationships with Simon, Evelyn, and especially her nephew Orlando. Her marriage to Christopher, a policeman made her involvement in the investigation make sense. I really enjoyed Christopher's character as well. I liked that even though he had more experience with more serious investigations he worked really hard to work with the younger detective, Martin, and not step on his toes.
I loved the connections to World War 2 in the mystery. Between the buried plane , the investigation, and the Wartime themed fundraiser it was really interesting. For me the mystery got off to a bit of a choppy start though this may be because I'm jumping into book 4 after only reading book 1. Once the story got going I was sucked in and really enjoyed the book. I did guess the who and the why fairly early on but I really wanted to see how it all worked out, find out how certain characters reacted to information, and just spend more time with Pru, Christopher, Simon and everyone else.
I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what I missed as well as reading what adventures has in store for her next
I'm really looking forward to the next book and catching up on the books I missed.
I really enjoyed spending time with Pru. I liked the gardening discussions and getting a look into what it takes to keep up a garden on a big estate in the English countryside. I also really liked how Pru developed her relationships with Simon, Evelyn, and especially her nephew Orlando. Her marriage to Christopher, a policeman made her involvement in the investigation make sense. I really enjoyed Christopher's character as well. I liked that even though he had more experience with more serious investigations he worked really hard to work with the younger detective, Martin, and not step on his toes.
I loved the connections to World War 2 in the mystery. Between the buried plane , the investigation, and the Wartime themed fundraiser it was really interesting. For me the mystery got off to a bit of a choppy start though this may be because I'm jumping into book 4 after only reading book 1. Once the story got going I was sucked in and really enjoyed the book. I did guess the who and the why fairly early on but I really wanted to see how it all worked out, find out how certain characters reacted to information, and just spend more time with Pru, Christopher, Simon and everyone else.
I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what I missed as well as reading what adventures has in store for her next
I'm really looking forward to the next book and catching up on the books I missed.
July 4, 2016
I got this book for free from Net Galley as part of #RandomHouseChatterBoxMonthlyMystery.
I wasn't very impressed with this book. It did not hold my attention well at all. It was difficult forcing myself to read it. There's just nothing going on. I'm not a gardener, so that might have added to the bore factor for me. I just wasn't interested.
The mystery wasn't very mysterious. I wasn't really taking part in the who-done-it, mainly because I already knew. There were no twists or turns. It was very transparent, and the plot moved at a snail's pace.
The characterization was bland. I wasn't caught up in who they were or very attached to them either. And to be honest, nothing happened. No one grew, or fell apart. The read felt rather empty to me. The passion was in the flowers--that I just do not share.
The writing felt very formal--rather than including you in the story. Not quite clinical...but it wasn't magical. I was not transported into the world depicted here. And the historic nature to the read was watered down and amped up in places that didn't do any justice at all--like dresses for a Christmas Party..and a few flowers that meant nothing to me.
Where were all the "to's"? There was a lot of "Never wanted judged.." and "..wanted go there..." This drove me bonkers.
But honestly, I was bored. This was a slow read that really had nothing going on. There was nothing keeping me interested in the read. It just wasn't my cup of tea
I wasn't very impressed with this book. It did not hold my attention well at all. It was difficult forcing myself to read it. There's just nothing going on. I'm not a gardener, so that might have added to the bore factor for me. I just wasn't interested.
The mystery wasn't very mysterious. I wasn't really taking part in the who-done-it, mainly because I already knew. There were no twists or turns. It was very transparent, and the plot moved at a snail's pace.
The characterization was bland. I wasn't caught up in who they were or very attached to them either. And to be honest, nothing happened. No one grew, or fell apart. The read felt rather empty to me. The passion was in the flowers--that I just do not share.
The writing felt very formal--rather than including you in the story. Not quite clinical...but it wasn't magical. I was not transported into the world depicted here. And the historic nature to the read was watered down and amped up in places that didn't do any justice at all--like dresses for a Christmas Party..and a few flowers that meant nothing to me.
Where were all the "to's"? There was a lot of "Never wanted judged.." and "..wanted go there..." This drove me bonkers.
But honestly, I was bored. This was a slow read that really had nothing going on. There was nothing keeping me interested in the read. It just wasn't my cup of tea
March 20, 2016
The Skeleton Garden by Marty Wingate is my first experience with this author. That being said, I was totally captivated by this story. This is actually the fourth book in this series and I did not feel as though I was lost or missing anything. Not having read those books didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book. I really enjoyed how well the characters were developed. Ms. Wingate proves herself a master at character development; not just with the main characters but with every single one. As each character entered, I quickly became invested in them and could relate to their part of the story.
I did find that the story started off a bit slow but after a few pages I was totally fascinated in how the author tied history into this mystery. I felt myself becoming one with Pru and feeling all the emotions she had with learning of her brother, wanting to spend time with him and then a mystery surrounding him. I loved how this book is a mystery but also about relationships. Pru and Christopher, Pru and Simon, Orlando and for a lighter note Sonia.
All in all, the plot twists, mysteries, the characters, and the relationships make this story a deeply fascinating read. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed. As I said, the first chapter starts a bit slowly but this story turns into a true page-turner.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Chatterbox. I was not paid, required or obligated to provide a positive review.
I did find that the story started off a bit slow but after a few pages I was totally fascinated in how the author tied history into this mystery. I felt myself becoming one with Pru and feeling all the emotions she had with learning of her brother, wanting to spend time with him and then a mystery surrounding him. I loved how this book is a mystery but also about relationships. Pru and Christopher, Pru and Simon, Orlando and for a lighter note Sonia.
All in all, the plot twists, mysteries, the characters, and the relationships make this story a deeply fascinating read. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed. As I said, the first chapter starts a bit slowly but this story turns into a true page-turner.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Chatterbox. I was not paid, required or obligated to provide a positive review.
March 14, 2016
I really enjoy this series. I felt so honored when I was able to read Between a Rock and a Hard Place in this series a few months ago. Now Mary Wingate has blown me away with this new book The Skeleton Garden. I am a reader that loves a bit of history along with a great mystery. This book has it all. I love the characters likability and down to earth attitudes. They feel like they could be your neighbors. I also really enjoy the storyline of Pru and her brother Simon and how each of them are trying to learn each other better.
In this book Pru and her hubby Chris have the wonderful opportunity to live at Greenoak while the owners are away on a dig. Pru is so excited because she gets to work alongside her brother fixing up the gardens. Simon is the head gardener and I'm sure you can guess there are a few differences of opinion. Thank goodness for Polly, Simon's wife who seems to be a buffer sometimes. Then one day while removing a dead tree from the garden they find more than a dead root ball, they find a WWII plane with of course a skeleton. The question is, does the skeleton go with the plane or not? It becomes very apparent that someone wants the past to stay buried when another body is found by the dig site. So many secrets and family twists and turns. Who would want to keep the past buried?
In this book Pru and her hubby Chris have the wonderful opportunity to live at Greenoak while the owners are away on a dig. Pru is so excited because she gets to work alongside her brother fixing up the gardens. Simon is the head gardener and I'm sure you can guess there are a few differences of opinion. Thank goodness for Polly, Simon's wife who seems to be a buffer sometimes. Then one day while removing a dead tree from the garden they find more than a dead root ball, they find a WWII plane with of course a skeleton. The question is, does the skeleton go with the plane or not? It becomes very apparent that someone wants the past to stay buried when another body is found by the dig site. So many secrets and family twists and turns. Who would want to keep the past buried?
May 21, 2016
The Skeleton Garden, book 4 in the Potting Shed Mystery series, has Pru Parke and new husband Christopher living at Greenoaks for a year and investigating the discovery of a skeleton buried next to a downed WWII German plane and another body found at the site days later.
I loved the historical mystery; I read a book with a similar storyline last year and I like mixing the past and present in one story. While I figured out the old mystery pretty quickly, the second, more recent murder of who killed prodigal son, Jack, at the site of the plane burial was much more intricate.
Introduced into the story is Christopher's 17 year old nephew, who is sent by his parents to stay at Greenoaks as punishment for hacking into someone's email. At first, Orlando is a typical surly teen, but quickly grows to enjoy the gardening work Pru and brother Simon set him to do. Although the character wasn't given a lot of dimension, it was still easy to relate to him (who doesn't know a surly teen?) and he turned into a likable kid.
All in all, an enjoyable plot with several dimensions and easy to settle in to. I thought it moved slower than the other books, but the relationships between the characters made up for it.
Fully enjoyable, it was a great read and definitely a great addition to an already great series.
I loved the historical mystery; I read a book with a similar storyline last year and I like mixing the past and present in one story. While I figured out the old mystery pretty quickly, the second, more recent murder of who killed prodigal son, Jack, at the site of the plane burial was much more intricate.
Introduced into the story is Christopher's 17 year old nephew, who is sent by his parents to stay at Greenoaks as punishment for hacking into someone's email. At first, Orlando is a typical surly teen, but quickly grows to enjoy the gardening work Pru and brother Simon set him to do. Although the character wasn't given a lot of dimension, it was still easy to relate to him (who doesn't know a surly teen?) and he turned into a likable kid.
All in all, an enjoyable plot with several dimensions and easy to settle in to. I thought it moved slower than the other books, but the relationships between the characters made up for it.
Fully enjoyable, it was a great read and definitely a great addition to an already great series.
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