Vandals in the Vidalias

by Dale Mayer

Doreen eagerly anticipates her escape to the coast, leaving behind the wintery blues of Kelowna. However, the trip means returning to her old home—back when she was married to Mathew—stirring up a whirlwind of memories. She hopes for a peaceful journey, but, as soon as she steps into the conservatory, she realizes her hobby has unexpectedly followed her here.

Mack takes a few days off work to assist Doreen in sorting through Mathew’s belongings, aware of the emotional challenges she faces when revisiting her former life. His curiosity about her past is piqued, yet what he discovers is both unsettling and intriguing.

Amid this visit, a perplexing mystery unfolds. Why is a victim in the Vidalia patch, Doreen’s cherished garden bed? Could this be connected to Doreen herself? Or is she just unlucky again—or rather is she in the right place at the right time … again?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love this cosy mystery series, it has just the right amount of angst and humour.
Doreen Montgomery, her fiancé Corporal Mack Moreau of the RCMP, and Mack's brother, Lawyer Nick, had left Kelowna heading for Vancouver to start on a task that Doreen was dreading.
Doreen had lived in a gilded cage in Vancouver when married to her very wealthy, controlling husband, Mathew, she had been a trophy wife until he had kicked her out and replaced her with a younger model.
Mathew was now dead, and because he had spitefully refused to sign the divorce papers, Doreen had now inherited his entire estate, an estate that our intrepid threesome were about to start tying up. Both Mack and Nick were astounded by the size of the mansion but Doreen was more upset about the vandalism to her beloved conservatory, a conservatory that had been her happy place, a place where she could escape to and indulge in her passion for growing things. Of course, Doreen couldn't go anywhere without finding a body or two, and there was the first one, planted in her Vidalia bed.
Local detective, Daniel Sherwood was less than helpful, and made it clear that even though their alibis were rock solid, they were still his main suspects.
The house clearing started, it was a bit disturbing for Mack to see just how wealthy Doreen was going to be, bags of money were coming out of the woodwork, priceless antique furniture, cash, jewels and more disturbing, guns, were in hidden drawers and hidden rooms, Nick was certainly going to have his work cut out and this was only the start.
The police didn't appear to be doing much to solve the two murders and Doreen wanted to get home, so with the help of Nan and her delighted deputies at the care home, it was time to step in and start digging, this might not be a cold case but when had that ever stopped Doreen when she was in full flow..........Oh, and never forgetting her wonderful menagerie of protectors, Muggs the Basset Hound, Goliath the Maine Coon cat and Thaddeus the talking parrot, another great story from Dale Mayer.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen heads to the coast hoping for a peaceful break from Kelowna’s winter gloom, even though returning means facing memories of her old life with her ex‑husband, Mathew. She plans to simply sort through his belongings, but the moment she steps into the conservatory, she realises her knack for stumbling into trouble has followed her. Mack takes time off to help her navigate the emotional weight of revisiting her past, but what he uncovers about Mathew is both surprising and unsettling. Then a new mystery erupts: a body is found in Doreen’s beloved Vidalia patch. Whether it’s connected to her or just another case of her being in the wrong (or right) place at the wrong time is anyone’s guess — but once again, Doreen is pulled straight into the heart of it.

Returning to the opulent house she once shared with Matthew brings a real emotional punch to this instalment. You can feel how overwhelming it is for Doreen to walk back into that world, and Mack’s discomfort only heightens the tension — he wants to support her, yet being surrounded by the remnants of her old life unsettles him in ways he didn’t expect. What really adds depth is how the murder mystery unfolds right alongside the painful task of clearing out the house. The discovery in the Vidalia patch forces them to juggle grief, memories, and danger all at once, and the involvement of Scott and Nick grounds the house clearance with a familiar, steadying presence. The blend of emotional upheaval and classic Doreen‑style chaos makes this a compelling and layered read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbiebooknerdyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Doreen is tasked with clearing out the main house that she lived in while married to Mathew. The paranoia that he dealt with means Doreen, Mack, and even poor Nick will be kept busy. A couple of murders on the property make life interesting, because everyone knows Doreen won't be able to stay out of the investigation haha. What a good story, although worrying about someone hiding in the massive estate would be the definition of Gotta go to me. The trio sticks it out though, and manage to solve both murders, all while closing the books on the main property. Should be interesting to see what happens with the other properties. Book 5 in the rewind series, and I'm loving it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen, with her fiancé RCMP Mack, and his brother and her attorney Nick travel to Vancouver to empty the mansion she inherited from her separated husband. They are overwhelmed with the size of the job and the amount of money that Mathew squirreled away. Luckily, Doreen knows many of Mathew's hiding spots. It isn't long before Doreen discovers a dead body in the greenhouse and is under suspicion. I received a free copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I really enjoy this series. It's nice to have the story in Vancouver and having Doreen work with Mack to solve the murders and empty the house. I also like how her grandmother Nan and her crew are still part of the story even though their interaction is through video calls.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Vandals In The Vidalias . Doreen and Mack and his brother Nick along with Doreen's furry and feathered family , head to her former home to settle the estate . She's looking forward to closing this chapter of her life and moving forward . Unfortunately they find themselves in the middle of a murder case when they come upon a body in the green house in the Vidalia onions . Things get crazy as always , when Doreen and her pets get involved . This story is sensational . It's intriguing and mysterious with a dash of entertainment . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Doreen finds herself with a mystery to solve but this case definitely was a bit special. I love this series and eagerly devour every book upon its release, and I really enjoyed the twists the author threw into the mix. I felt it added an intriguing air of freshness that only increased my already high interest and I loved that it pulled more of the curtain back on Doreen's past while also witnessing Mack's reaction to each new revelation. Don't worry though, even though the setting is different you can still look forward to seeing the usual extended crew of Nan, Muggs, Goliath and Thaddeus.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story with fabulous characters and twists. Complex and intriguing, lots of insight into Doreen's life with Matthew and his character. Loved having both Mack and Nick with her and the animals, the close bonds of not just brothers but building family. Them getting to know more about her background and seeing the differences in lifestyle, giving them a deeper understanding. This highlights differences between greed and being comfortable, excesses against need. Quite interesting contrasts.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen, Mack and his brother Nick are off to her former married home. After her ex Mathew's death she is left with quite the clean up. It would seem he had more money than sense...literally and someone will kill to find it.
A body, no not one but two. Police are on the case and it seems trouble follows Doreen from one town to another.
I loved watching them work through this mystery with the help of nan back home and of course who can forget her menagerie waiting to save the day.
A great treasure hunt of a story, and as usual I'm already waiting for the next story.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has some twists and adds freshness to the rewind series. Doreen and Mac head to California along with her lawyer and future brother-in-law to clean out her ex-husband's house, aka mansion. I received an advance copy and freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. Mugs, Goliath and Thaddeus are part and parcel with Doreen and upon arrival a body is found in the greenhouse. Then we take off full force with a HEA #VandalsintheVidalias #LethalGardensRewind #DaleMayer #ValleyPublishing #Booksprout

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed being able to visit Doreen's old life and see where she lived prior to her new life, of course she Mack and his brother Nick have the worst luck of finding bodies!
I was just as surprised as Mack and Nick by what Doreen left, but it also reaffirmed why she needed to leave. Of course now not only are we clearing the place, but also we have a new mystery to solve whether Daniel the local Detective likes it or not!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started out as a simple trip to Doreen's marital house, to clear and to dispose of, rapidly changes to something complicated. I love the Lovely Lethal Gardens -- the warmth of family (two footed and four footed), the active minds of the former trophy wife and a member of the law enforcement, the humor and the mements of serious. Another page turner by Dale Mayer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series. You never know what will happen or be said when Doreen and her animals are around. Thankfully Mack, family, and friends are there to help out. This series is full of finding out who did it, Doreen getting into trouble, and laughs.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking more steps to put her past behind her, Doreen and crew go to clear out one of her inherited house and this shocks Mack as he gets an eye for what Doreen faced before they met. A hint what they went through clearing Nan's house has nothing on this one. A murder, or two and away from home ground doesn't stop Doreen for working the case. A very action packed story.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knew who it was from the beginning but it was still an easy and fun read with Doreen, Mack, Nick and the animals. This time they’re clearing out her dead hubby’s home and finding all kinds of treasures and cash+ dead bodies. The gang investigates as they run afoul of local detectives.

[Lisa Seely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this entire series and look forward to every single book. Already preordered the next book