In Marty Wingate’s latest
release, Pru Parke has achieved her dream job of being the
head gardener at Primose House, an 18th century manor house
in Sussex. She found a “Red Book” written in 1806
by renowned designer Humphry Repton containing specific designs
for Primrose House. Pru plans to re-create Repton’s
designs in the now derelict garden and enlists the help of
elderly widower and caretaker Ned, Robbie, a young man who
has the mind of a ten-year-old, and several other workers.
Soon after a local paper follows Pru’s gardening efforts,
vandals wreak havoc in the gardens. Then one of Pru’s
workers is found murdered with an ax. The police suspect Robbie,
but Pru’s certain the young man is innocent.
Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, whom Pru met
during her first job in Chelsea, is determined to visit Pru
on weekends to insure she remains safe. After all, this isn’t
the first murder she’s discovered. But a long distance
relationship can’t prevent a killer intent on murder.
Marty Wingate’s latest release in the Potting Shed
series is like visiting an old and welcome friend. Pru is
an admirable and determined woman in her fifties who left
the U.S. to create a new life in England. She wants to complete
Primrose House’s gardens and gain recognition and a
career in that field. She also hopes to learn if any relatives
from her mother’s family are still alive Her discoveries
of the truth of her background touched my heart. The growing
relationship between Pru and DCI Pearse had me cheering them
on and so pleased with the outcome. The mystery itself was
spellbinding and had me guessing who the killer might be until
the very end. Marty Wingate has written yet another excellent
and satisfying read.
Reviews
of titles in this series
The
Garden Plot #1
The
Red Book of Primrose House #2
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