chuckdolton's review against another edition
4.0
Good read, figured out who the killer was half way through. Not as funny as the first book, but still enjoyed. Looking forward to the 3rd in the series
dollycas's review
5.0
Casey Calhoun works at The White House as the assistant gardener. In this installment we are focused on the First Lady’s Kitchen Garden. It hasn’t been classified as an “organic garden” yet, but Casey is using organic procedures as they work toward that goal. There are rumors running rampant in the media about the garden. It is being said that Casey is replacing plants to make it seem that the plants are growing faster than they actually are and that the ground is full of lead making the vegetables grown there dangerous to eat. Casey thinks it is funny that with all the issues the nation is facing the vegetable garden is such a high priority with the press.
There definitely is something going on in the garden as red peppers are popping up where green peppers are supposed to be and cabbage is growing where lettuce was planted. Casey is very confused when in addition to the different plants the garden is being vandalized during the night.
Then an investigative reporter is found dead with Casey’s name in his notes. She doesn’t haven’t much time to dig into all the details as the first harvest of the garden is right around the corner and it is going to be another big press event. There is much more going than a few garden incidents. Someone seems to think Casey is the key and knows who the killer is, she is having one close call after another. She’d better hurry up and figure out what’s going on or she may find herself planted right between the eggplant and cauliflower.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I reviewed Flowerbed of State I said couldn’t wait for the next Casey Calhoun story and it was well worth the wait. Who knew a little kitchen garden for The White House and a pesky reporter could cause so much trouble? Its got all the makings of a fabulous mystery especially in the hands of this author.
I love a strong female protagonist and Casey fits the bill. If the Secret Service Training Sessions don’t make her want to quit her job there is no way a murderer running around the gardens is going to either. She is right in the dirt with this one. I loved it!!!!
St. James writes a fast paced cozy mystery with more twists than all the varieties of bell peppers. Toss together a little humor, romance, a pregnant first lady, and some Secret Service Agents with some unpredictable volunteers, an organic garden expert, a few secrets and a dead body and you are in for a bountiful feast for your reading pleasure.
This cozy gets my highest recommendation, a perfect escape, and it should be in your in your hot little hands as you prepare your own gardens. Definitely a must “seed” story!!!
There definitely is something going on in the garden as red peppers are popping up where green peppers are supposed to be and cabbage is growing where lettuce was planted. Casey is very confused when in addition to the different plants the garden is being vandalized during the night.
Then an investigative reporter is found dead with Casey’s name in his notes. She doesn’t haven’t much time to dig into all the details as the first harvest of the garden is right around the corner and it is going to be another big press event. There is much more going than a few garden incidents. Someone seems to think Casey is the key and knows who the killer is, she is having one close call after another. She’d better hurry up and figure out what’s going on or she may find herself planted right between the eggplant and cauliflower.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I reviewed Flowerbed of State I said couldn’t wait for the next Casey Calhoun story and it was well worth the wait. Who knew a little kitchen garden for The White House and a pesky reporter could cause so much trouble? Its got all the makings of a fabulous mystery especially in the hands of this author.
I love a strong female protagonist and Casey fits the bill. If the Secret Service Training Sessions don’t make her want to quit her job there is no way a murderer running around the gardens is going to either. She is right in the dirt with this one. I loved it!!!!
St. James writes a fast paced cozy mystery with more twists than all the varieties of bell peppers. Toss together a little humor, romance, a pregnant first lady, and some Secret Service Agents with some unpredictable volunteers, an organic garden expert, a few secrets and a dead body and you are in for a bountiful feast for your reading pleasure.
This cozy gets my highest recommendation, a perfect escape, and it should be in your in your hot little hands as you prepare your own gardens. Definitely a must “seed” story!!!
murderbydeath's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book - it's a nice blend of gardening, mystery, and a hint of romance. The Washington D.C./White House setting makes for a fun backdrop to the story as well. I guessed the culprit about 2/3 of the way through, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story or the characters, all of whom are well written, lively and likeable. What did detract from my enjoyment, and the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, is the way the main character, Casey, latched on to a suspect and was just silly about it - as the reader you know she's wrong - the real killer is never suspected to early in the book, so watching her constantly accusing the wrong person adds nothing positive to the story whatsoever, is just an irritant to the reader, and makes the protagonist look stupid. I also thought the angst over family history was a tiny bit overplayed, but that was a trifle compared to the silliness of having to spend half the book reading about Casey making an idiot of herself with her false accusations.
I'll look for the next book with the hopes that Casey will have learned some restraint and objectivity in time for the next murder investigation.
I'll look for the next book with the hopes that Casey will have learned some restraint and objectivity in time for the next murder investigation.
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