This was an enjoyable and lighthearted whodunit that I quickly embraced as I had to know how this was all going to end. The author did a great job in setting up the premise with plenty of suspects and clues that were planted throughout.

With a tightly woven narrative, a bounty of visual descriptors, and engaging dialogue, this multi-plot and emotionally-driven tale kept me immersed in all aspects as the author intended. And that double-twist at the end, wow, I did not see that one coming. Bravo. Bravo. Everyone played a pivotal role in how well this story was being told and the minor plot gave strength to the camaraderie that exists between Tish, Jules and MJ.

This is one of my favorite new series and I can’t wait to see where the gang cooks up next in this delightfully charming series.

THE GARDEN CLUB MURDER by Amy Patricia Meade, is the second book in the Tish Tarragon mystery series. The senior citizens preparing for their annual garden club competition and luncheon are a varied lot and not exactly who I would expect to toil in the sun and soil to create beautiful works of nature. There’s the cosmetic queen, the wealthy yet abusive businessman, the grief-stricken mother and wife, the confirmed bachelor, and the live life to the fullest woman. There is plenty of strife between the contestants, each vying to capture the coveted award from businessman Sloan Shackleford. It wasn’t much of a surprise when Sloan is found murdered in his prize-winning garden. Ms. Reade does an admirable job portraying and developing the characters, especially the protagonist, caterer Tish Tarragon, who is also owner of Cookin’ the Books Café. While she doesn’t want to investigate, the senior citizens like to gossip with her and as a result, gets involved. I like that Tish is quick to turn the information imparted to her, over to Sherriff Reade.

Assisting Tish with both the “non-investigation” and catering, is her adorable sidekick Jules (Julian) Jefferson Davis, the Channel 10 weatherman. They have a close friendship and a snappy repartee. This adds to a gentle humor that lightens the murder mystery. While I thought the pace started out slow, once the murder took place, the author’s writing tightened and the story captured my attention. There were subplot mysteries that added to the overall appeal and ramped up the emotional level. The twist at the reveal left me speechless, since I didn’t see it coming yet it added another layer of satisfaction to an entertaining read.

At first I wasn't entirely sure what I thought of this book. There's a little to much emphasis on Tish having a past investigating, but saying that she won't be investigating this murder. Then everyone confides in her. The answers seem to be coming a little too easy with no real investigation required.

As the book progresses more drama and mystery are created and the story transitions from ok to good. The ending of the book also has a bit of a tagged on bit about Tish's relationship, that I didn't love. But overall the story kept me engaged and I would read the next book in the series.

This is the first book I have read in Amy Patricia Meade's A Tish Tarragon Mystery series and I am hooked. The depth of the character development and I was led to care about these people and the outcome of their lives. The mystery was expertly done with surprising twists and turns. There was humor to top it all off. The ending of 'The Garden Club Murder' was so poignant that it will haunt me for a long time. I hope for some resolve in another offering in the series, as soon as possible.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions express in this review are entirely my own.

The Garden Club Murder, book 2 in the Tish Tarragon series by Amy Patricia Meade, is an excellent mystery that got even better the further I read. Ms. Meade slowly reveals a peek into the depths of each of the new characters, and for those of us who are new to the series, she provides adequate background blended into the story so that we can become part of that core group of friends. While I can not relate to the intensity the community feels about their gardens, Ms. Meade pulled me into their stories so that I could understand how important the work and the competition is to them, important enough to possibly justify murder. On the same note, I could have sworn that I had actually visited these gardens, yet the description is not excessive.
I loved that Tish was pulled into the investigation instead of tracking down each of the suspects. I always question how easily people answer questions from an outsider in amateur detective mysteries, but it is perfectly clear why each person feels the need to share with her. Her personal support community is awesome! Well before the end of the book, I felt as if I made new friends.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for allowing me to read an ARC of The Garden Club Murder, now I need to go back and read Cookin' the Books, the first book in the Tish Tarragon series.
#NetGalley #TheGardenClubMurder

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Severn House in return for an honest review. This is the second book in the series & can be read as a stand-alone. Tish Tarragon owns ‘Cook the Books’, a local catering and restaurant. Tish tries to link everything she serves to a book theme. In this case, she’s creating a ‘Secret Garden’ lunch for the local retirement community (the kind with stand-alone homes that you buy), as part of their annual garden contest. While being shown the top gardens in the competition, Tish, her best friend, Jules, and the head of the gardening committee, stumble onto the murdered body of the most disliked man in the community. While not having the least desire to sleuth and solve the case, people keep talking to Tish and telling her things that she then relays to the local sheriff. Yet, somehow, Tish is the one in the thick of everything and ends up (of course!) solving the many mysteries of the community. The story is well-written with plenty of possible suspects and motives. The characters are described so you can tell who’s who (yah!). I recommend this as a good cosy mystery. As noted by another reviewer, the ARC did not contain recipes.

Cookin' the Books was an entertaining read. When Tish Tarragon and one of her best friends_- Jules - work a catering job at Coleton Creek SixtyPlus Community, a senior living neighborhood, the last thing they expect is to become involved in solving a murder.

Catering the luncheon/awards ceremony for the best garden at Coleton Creek, is a great opportunity for Tish to expand her literary catering business. With dishes named after famous literary characters and books, combined with lovely gardens, things are looking up. However, when the "bad boy" , (Sloane Shackleford) of the community turns up dead, the little community begins to look a lot like Peyton Place - with illicit romances and secrets everywhere! There's the bad boy, the seductress, the cosmetics queen, the grieving wife and mother and the grumpy guy! All have reasons to want Sloane planted in the ground.

I loved all the characters in the book. They were well-written and each added to the mystery. I have to admit, that I teared up at the end of the book - for two reasons. The book has a complex and enjoyable mystery, humor, friendship and tugs at your heart.

Wonder what Tish will be "Cookin' up" next!

I received an ARC, from NetGalley, for a fair and honest review of this book.

Who knew gardening could be competitive enough to kill to win? That's the case in this book. I have not read the first one in the series, but had no trouble keeping up. With a wonderful setting in Richmond, a literary menu for the party, well written characters and an interesting mystery, this is an enjoyable read. Looking forward to more.

Gardening is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but not for these folks. When a dead body spoils the garden walk, it seems everyone has a motive for murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading more.

Tish Tarragon is catering a Secret Garden themed lunch at the Coleton Creek as they announce the winners of the annual Garden Club awards. Competition is stiff and so is the most disliked man in the community and winner five years running when Tish and Jules find him dead in his garden as they are being a tour of the top gardens.

While Tish has a knack for speaking with people and finding clues, she insists she is only there to cater the lunch. That’s it. No sleuthing. But a girl can’t help it if everyone seems to come to her and divulge their secrets. And since Tish isn’t on the case, she passes any relevant details on along to the sheriff so he and his team can deal with it.

As Tish gets to know the residents of Coleton Creek she meets Zadie Morris, the former queen of cosmetics that she, her mother and grandmother all revered. She also learns that many residents have just enough of history with the dead man to be suspects, but who would kill over a garden competition? That’s exactly what Tish is hoping Sheriff Reade finds out quickly.

Set in Richmond, Virginia, where I have some history myself, I can hear the accents, smell the food, and envision the scenery. As owner of Cooking the Books, Tish has a menu that takes on a literary flair with names that nod to some of the classics. It’s a cute concept and truly intriguing. The one thing I was surprised about was given all the cooking, there weren’t any recipes, which one comes to expect in a culinary cozy. But it is an enjoyable read and has enough red herrings and suspects to keep you turning the pages and trying to guess whodunit and why.