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The Leafy Hollow Mysteries #1
From Garden To Grave
Murder. It’s a perennial problem...
Verity Hawkes is a shut-in. After two years bunkered in her apartment, the only thing that gets her out is the disappearance of her beloved but eccentric aunt. As she takes over her aunt’s landscaping shop, she’ll need to go from hoarder to horticulturist in a hurry…
Her new home of Leafy Hollow is quaint, except for her most obnoxious client. When a series of freak accidents kills the customer, all signs point to Verity as the killer.
The hunt for answers is on, and Verity must question a tipsy carpenter, a bacon-peddling vegan baker, and her dreamy landscaping competitor to keep her new life afloat. Failure to find the truth could put her back in a confined space for much more than two years…
From Garden to Grave is the first book in a NEW series of delightfully funny cozy mysteries. If you like lovably quirky characters, deceptively idyllic Canadian villages, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mysteries.
Verity Hawkes is a shut-in. After two years bunkered in her apartment, the only thing that gets her out is the disappearance of her beloved but eccentric aunt. As she takes over her aunt’s landscaping shop, she’ll need to go from hoarder to horticulturist in a hurry…
Her new home of Leafy Hollow is quaint, except for her most obnoxious client. When a series of freak accidents kills the customer, all signs point to Verity as the killer.
The hunt for answers is on, and Verity must question a tipsy carpenter, a bacon-peddling vegan baker, and her dreamy landscaping competitor to keep her new life afloat. Failure to find the truth could put her back in a confined space for much more than two years…
From Garden to Grave is the first book in a NEW series of delightfully funny cozy mysteries. If you like lovably quirky characters, deceptively idyllic Canadian villages, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mysteries.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2017
4102 people are currently reading
2112 people want to read
About the author
Rickie Blair
19 books146 followersWhen not hunched over my computer conversing with people who exist only in my head, I spend my time trying to tame an unruly half-acre garden and a mischievous Jack Russell-cross. I also share my southern Ontario home with two rescue cats and an overactive Netflix account.
I write The Ruby Danger series of financial thrillers, and a cozy mystery series, The Leafy Hollow Mysteries. The Ruby books reflect my interest in fraud and how it ruins lives, while the Leafy Hollow volumes are more light-hearted. I hope you enjoy them.
Rickie
I write The Ruby Danger series of financial thrillers, and a cozy mystery series, The Leafy Hollow Mysteries. The Ruby books reflect my interest in fraud and how it ruins lives, while the Leafy Hollow volumes are more light-hearted. I hope you enjoy them.
Rickie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
January 11, 2020
Surprisingly good.
Verity lost her mother and then her husband she became overwhelmed and shut off from the world for two years. Then her aunt disappeared and she had to go deal with her estate that was a bigger mess than imagined.
This cozy mystery had some good characters and some good villains and some interesting questions it left unanswered, but definitely keeps the reader intrigued. There were some nice twists and read herrings, too. I’m gonna read the next in the series.
Verity lost her mother and then her husband she became overwhelmed and shut off from the world for two years. Then her aunt disappeared and she had to go deal with her estate that was a bigger mess than imagined.
This cozy mystery had some good characters and some good villains and some interesting questions it left unanswered, but definitely keeps the reader intrigued. There were some nice twists and read herrings, too. I’m gonna read the next in the series.
April 27, 2021
review
From Garden to Grave is very enjoyable. It really captures your attention and keeps you reading. It is hard to put down!!! I highly recommend it
From Garden to Grave is very enjoyable. It really captures your attention and keeps you reading. It is hard to put down!!! I highly recommend it
August 12, 2017
This is the first book I have read by Rickie Blair. A fast paced fun mystery with quirky characters.
Small village life in Leafy Hollow, Canada and adventures for Verity when she gets a call that her aunt is dead, presumably and she is the only heir.
Greed, deception and some laughs along the way to keep you guessing.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
Small village life in Leafy Hollow, Canada and adventures for Verity when she gets a call that her aunt is dead, presumably and she is the only heir.
Greed, deception and some laughs along the way to keep you guessing.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
December 29, 2019
A good start
Whoa what a crazy scenario to be in. Whatever way Verify went she always managed to get herself into trouble and she doesn't get why. I wouldn't either especially when all you're trying to do is figure out what happened and get things done and get back home. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
Whoa what a crazy scenario to be in. Whatever way Verify went she always managed to get herself into trouble and she doesn't get why. I wouldn't either especially when all you're trying to do is figure out what happened and get things done and get back home. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
July 20, 2018
The characters are completely over the top in their actions and very unbelievable - they remind me of characters in a melodrama, and that's not the kind of 'quirky' I enjoy. I'll finish it to find out who did it, but so far it's a bit of a slog. The writing is not awful, I just can't take any of the characters seriously.
October 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. Its the first in a trilogy. I love the characters and how each one is important to the story. I've always loved small town stories and this one is fabulous.
On to book 2.
On to book 2.
April 15, 2023
3.5⭐ A good mystery, especially for the first in a series. The MC is likeable - Some of the predicaments she gets into are hi-larious. 🤣 Her abrupt change from living like a hermit to hopping on a plane, befriending strangers, adopting strays and running a business is a big reach. The story is narrated in several voices with the author switching from 3rd person to 1st person when the speaker is the MC. It's rather disconcerting. Either stick to one voice or have everyone speak in the 3rd person. IMO
The mystery itself was good - at least the primary one, not sure what will happen with the missing aunt (who prompted the aforesaid trip). It's worth reading the next in the series for the humor and the mystery.
The mystery itself was good - at least the primary one, not sure what will happen with the missing aunt (who prompted the aforesaid trip). It's worth reading the next in the series for the humor and the mystery.
October 8, 2018
I almost didn't answer the call that changes my life.
Verity Hawkes has been a virtual recluse since the death of her husband two years previously. An early morning call from an attorney in a small town in Ontario has her travelling two thousand miles to discover what happened to her Aunt Adeline. Verity does not believe that Adeline is dead even though Adeline's car was found in the river. Verity finds the family cottage in disrepair and her aunt's landscaping business a mess. She attempts to tackle some of the contracts herself to only upset the first client. Verity is suspect number one when that client suddenly has two strange accidents and is killed during a third mishap.
Leafy Hollow is a quaint little town where everyone knows your business. Verity is an oddity and becomes the focus of rumors following the murder. There are strange things going on with a projected housing development, a crazy code enforcer and a perhaps secret society.
The characters were introduced so quickly I had to flip back a couple of times to see who they were. I liked the friendships that Verity cultivated and the quirky townspeople. I will read the next book to see where to the storyline is going.
Verity Hawkes has been a virtual recluse since the death of her husband two years previously. An early morning call from an attorney in a small town in Ontario has her travelling two thousand miles to discover what happened to her Aunt Adeline. Verity does not believe that Adeline is dead even though Adeline's car was found in the river. Verity finds the family cottage in disrepair and her aunt's landscaping business a mess. She attempts to tackle some of the contracts herself to only upset the first client. Verity is suspect number one when that client suddenly has two strange accidents and is killed during a third mishap.
Leafy Hollow is a quaint little town where everyone knows your business. Verity is an oddity and becomes the focus of rumors following the murder. There are strange things going on with a projected housing development, a crazy code enforcer and a perhaps secret society.
The characters were introduced so quickly I had to flip back a couple of times to see who they were. I liked the friendships that Verity cultivated and the quirky townspeople. I will read the next book to see where to the storyline is going.
June 13, 2018
There are some major plot holes and it came off as overly cheesy to me. If it’s a series- I don’t want to read anymore.
June 9, 2023
Verity Hawkes heads to Leafy Hollow after getting a call her aunt has disappeared and possibly dead. Verity's introduction to Leafy Hollow is met with a snobby client of her aunt's who expects her to do the work she paid for, doesn't matter if Verity knows what she is doing or not. As she looks for answers for her aunts disappearance others come out of the woodwork and incidents begin to occur that have everyone looking for a suspect, even Verity.
This had some funny moments. There is a lot that happens and I think it got a bit confusing with so much going on but I think it was to establish the series. I liked the writing on this and I was curious to see where the book would lead. The ending definitely peaked my interest to see what happens next.
This had some funny moments. There is a lot that happens and I think it got a bit confusing with so much going on but I think it was to establish the series. I liked the writing on this and I was curious to see where the book would lead. The ending definitely peaked my interest to see what happens next.
September 11, 2017
“From Garden to Grave” earns 5/5 Antique Dresden Figurines!
Verity is the closest relative and her Aunt Adeline’s lawyer implores her to come to Leafy Hollow; two thousand miles away is a problem since Verity hasn’t left the house much since her husband suddenly passed away. However, her aunt is missing. The police say she died in the accident and the body swept away by the river’s current, but Verity has had questions all her life about her aunt’s strange behavior and can’t see that the evidence indicates her aunt is dead. When she arrives in Leafy Hollow as directed by her aunt’s lawyer, she gets thrown, well threatened, into a landscaping job her aunt had yet to finish which doesn’t end well…finicky mower, bald patches on the lawn, cut up wisteria, verbal threats, broken ladder, coyote trap, broken ankles, police interrogation. Whew, what a welcome! Then a death, accident not likely, but Verity will need to do a lot of talking to get out of this one.
I am new to Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mystery series, but I decided to start with the newest release “A Branch Too Far.” I understood the book was a kind of standalone with the immediate mystery finding a conclusion, but the references to a missing aunt, an issue that is said to weave throughout the series, made me curious I’d missed something. BUT…now, I get it…this first book answered several ‘How?’ questions that lingered because of starting with the third book. How Verity came to live in Leafy Hollow and run the landscaping business? How strangers became BFFs? How the mystery of the missing aunt becomes even more mysterious? How the police get to know Verity’s name by heart? The story was very clever and entertaining incorporating various family dramas, turn-coat neighbors, landscaping competitors, a hint of a future romantic entanglement, a kitten, a chicken, and nothing but secrets about Verity’s aunt. Although the immediate mystery comes to a ‘Wow!’ ending, the missing aunt and her secrets get a bit “What!?” at the end. Cool!
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author/publisher. All of the above opinions are my own.”
Verity is the closest relative and her Aunt Adeline’s lawyer implores her to come to Leafy Hollow; two thousand miles away is a problem since Verity hasn’t left the house much since her husband suddenly passed away. However, her aunt is missing. The police say she died in the accident and the body swept away by the river’s current, but Verity has had questions all her life about her aunt’s strange behavior and can’t see that the evidence indicates her aunt is dead. When she arrives in Leafy Hollow as directed by her aunt’s lawyer, she gets thrown, well threatened, into a landscaping job her aunt had yet to finish which doesn’t end well…finicky mower, bald patches on the lawn, cut up wisteria, verbal threats, broken ladder, coyote trap, broken ankles, police interrogation. Whew, what a welcome! Then a death, accident not likely, but Verity will need to do a lot of talking to get out of this one.
I am new to Rickie Blair’s Leafy Hollow Mystery series, but I decided to start with the newest release “A Branch Too Far.” I understood the book was a kind of standalone with the immediate mystery finding a conclusion, but the references to a missing aunt, an issue that is said to weave throughout the series, made me curious I’d missed something. BUT…now, I get it…this first book answered several ‘How?’ questions that lingered because of starting with the third book. How Verity came to live in Leafy Hollow and run the landscaping business? How strangers became BFFs? How the mystery of the missing aunt becomes even more mysterious? How the police get to know Verity’s name by heart? The story was very clever and entertaining incorporating various family dramas, turn-coat neighbors, landscaping competitors, a hint of a future romantic entanglement, a kitten, a chicken, and nothing but secrets about Verity’s aunt. Although the immediate mystery comes to a ‘Wow!’ ending, the missing aunt and her secrets get a bit “What!?” at the end. Cool!
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author/publisher. All of the above opinions are my own.”
October 3, 2018
Verity is a window who has turned into a hermit of sorts. She hasn't left the house in the two years since Matthew died, well, except to go across the street to the bookstore for self-help books. Shen she receives a call from her Aunt's attorney saying that her aunt is presumed dead, Verity gets on a plane and travels across Canada from BC to Ontario province and finds her Aunt's house in total decay, a landscaping business that needs attending to, and of course, no sign of her aunt.
After meeting one of her Aunt's more disagreeable customers, Verity agrees to go to her house and take care of the lawn, and not knowing anything about landscaping, makes a mess of it. She argues with the client, and when the client turns up dead, Verity becomes a suspect.
I struggled between 2 stars and 4 stars with this book. When I started it I was enjoying it and would have gladly given 4 stars. When I finished it, I was down to 2 stars.
I liked the premise, aunt gone missing, Verity slowly coming out of her shell and meeting people, and making some friends. I liked that the book was set in Canada and that my favorite coffee in the world (Tim Horton's) was mentioned a lot. I thought the handling of Verity's slowly coming out of her shell was well handled.
Some of the characters were well developed in this first in series. Some of the characters were just bizarre. I'm torn on the character development.
The book had a Maxwell Smart feel to it. I didn't like that at all. And I hated the ending. That is where the 2 stars comes into play.
A compromise at 3 stars. I probably will not be seeking out the next in the series.
After meeting one of her Aunt's more disagreeable customers, Verity agrees to go to her house and take care of the lawn, and not knowing anything about landscaping, makes a mess of it. She argues with the client, and when the client turns up dead, Verity becomes a suspect.
I struggled between 2 stars and 4 stars with this book. When I started it I was enjoying it and would have gladly given 4 stars. When I finished it, I was down to 2 stars.
I liked the premise, aunt gone missing, Verity slowly coming out of her shell and meeting people, and making some friends. I liked that the book was set in Canada and that my favorite coffee in the world (Tim Horton's) was mentioned a lot. I thought the handling of Verity's slowly coming out of her shell was well handled.
Some of the characters were well developed in this first in series. Some of the characters were just bizarre. I'm torn on the character development.
The book had a Maxwell Smart feel to it. I didn't like that at all. And I hated the ending. That is where the 2 stars comes into play.
A compromise at 3 stars. I probably will not be seeking out the next in the series.
May 31, 2021
Surprising
Good book. Lots of surprises. Fun read. Will read the next book, liked the teaser. Enjoyed the escape from everyday life.
Good book. Lots of surprises. Fun read. Will read the next book, liked the teaser. Enjoyed the escape from everyday life.
May 28, 2017
This book was SO much more than your standard cosy mystery. Novel length, it has a certain "body" to it that is missing from other cosies.
Funny with an entertaining plot, it was one of those books you just couldn't put down. One of the most enjoyable "cosies" I have read this year; I have already downloaded the second in the series.
Funny with an entertaining plot, it was one of those books you just couldn't put down. One of the most enjoyable "cosies" I have read this year; I have already downloaded the second in the series.
December 28, 2018
Cozy Mystery: Looking for a great cozy mystery series. This is not it. Hate characters that are too stupid or wrapped up in their own drama to do anything sensible. The writing was spotty; there were so many times the storyline just dropped or started up randomly. Too bad, because the extra characters were interesting but the writing was too poor for me to try and get through another book.
June 29, 2017
As the new girl in town, Verity becomes the most likely suspect in two murders so she decides to prove her innocence by tracking down the real killer. This becomes a recipe for disaster as Verity lands in trouble with the local police when she breaks into houses and takes evidence, peeks into windows, and follows suspects.
In her spare time, Verity is also trying to find out what happened to her missing aunt which leads to possibly dangerous situations.
This is light reading with interesting characters and a rooster and one-eyed tomcat to round out the fun.
In her spare time, Verity is also trying to find out what happened to her missing aunt which leads to possibly dangerous situations.
This is light reading with interesting characters and a rooster and one-eyed tomcat to round out the fun.
August 22, 2020
Verity Hawkes hasn't had the best couple of years. After losing her husband, she becomes borderline agoraphobic, spending most of her time locked away in her apartment. A kindly neighbor checks in on her and brings her inedible food (don't look for the recipes for her creation at the end of the book), and Verity's collection of self help books continues to grow. Then she receives a phone call. Her estranged aunt has disappeared and is presumed dead. She must fly across the country to put her affairs in order in the quaint town of Leafy Hollow. Soon she finds herself at the center of the town gossip and a murder investigation. What else will she find as she tries to clear her own name?
An amusing and quick read though some of the underlying plot points are mildly unbelievable.
An amusing and quick read though some of the underlying plot points are mildly unbelievable.
January 22, 2018
From Garden To Grave by Rickie Blair was a lovely afternoon read. Ms. Blair has done a nice job of setting up this new cozy series in this first book.
I liked Verity and admired how she began to grow and move out of her mourning for her husband as she moved to Leafy Hollow temporarily to take care of her aunt's estate. The secondary characters, Emy, Lorne, Carson, and Gideon, are all quirky and fun to spend time with. I really did enjoy getting to know them all a little and I look forward to getting to know them all much better as the series continues.
They plot moved swiftly as Verity is accused of first one murder, then two as the "newcomer" to the town. However, there are a few other suspects that need to be considered as Verity soon learns. Then there's the disappearance of her aunt which still has Verity questioning whether it is suicide, murder or has her aunt staged her own disappearance. I'm already looking forward in the next book.
I liked Verity and admired how she began to grow and move out of her mourning for her husband as she moved to Leafy Hollow temporarily to take care of her aunt's estate. The secondary characters, Emy, Lorne, Carson, and Gideon, are all quirky and fun to spend time with. I really did enjoy getting to know them all a little and I look forward to getting to know them all much better as the series continues.
They plot moved swiftly as Verity is accused of first one murder, then two as the "newcomer" to the town. However, there are a few other suspects that need to be considered as Verity soon learns. Then there's the disappearance of her aunt which still has Verity questioning whether it is suicide, murder or has her aunt staged her own disappearance. I'm already looking forward in the next book.
October 7, 2018
Verity Hawkes is a newcomer in Leafy Hollow which
is a small town in the Ontario province. Her Aunt
Adeline has disappeared. Her Aunt’s lawyer believes
that her Aunt is dead, making Verity the heir. He
requests Verity come to a Leafy Hollow.
Verity has flown over two thousand miles to find that
her Aunt’s house turns out to be an overgrown and
rundown cottage. Her Aunt also has been running a
landscaping business has been totally ignored with
some pre-paid customers who expect Verity to take
over their lawn care and keeping their shrubs pruned.
What does a former bookkeeper know about gardening??
Verity takes a crash course in landscaping, horticulture
and various types of gardening plants.
Verity has lived as a recluse after the death of her husband
so now not only has she found herself with a cottage to
repair, a landscaping business but accused of two murders.
Come along with Verity as she gets her hands dirty not
only with gardening but investigating her quirky neighbors
who give her a bunch of colorful, feisty, oddball suspects
all with secrets to hide.
A great cast of characters, an original plot, good humor
and a well written cozy.
is a small town in the Ontario province. Her Aunt
Adeline has disappeared. Her Aunt’s lawyer believes
that her Aunt is dead, making Verity the heir. He
requests Verity come to a Leafy Hollow.
Verity has flown over two thousand miles to find that
her Aunt’s house turns out to be an overgrown and
rundown cottage. Her Aunt also has been running a
landscaping business has been totally ignored with
some pre-paid customers who expect Verity to take
over their lawn care and keeping their shrubs pruned.
What does a former bookkeeper know about gardening??
Verity takes a crash course in landscaping, horticulture
and various types of gardening plants.
Verity has lived as a recluse after the death of her husband
so now not only has she found herself with a cottage to
repair, a landscaping business but accused of two murders.
Come along with Verity as she gets her hands dirty not
only with gardening but investigating her quirky neighbors
who give her a bunch of colorful, feisty, oddball suspects
all with secrets to hide.
A great cast of characters, an original plot, good humor
and a well written cozy.
October 9, 2020
Enjoyable read
I enjoyed this book and will probably read the series....Want to know more about the characters and what happens with the cottage....Took me awhile to figure out the murderer in this one..
I enjoyed this book and will probably read the series....Want to know more about the characters and what happens with the cottage....Took me awhile to figure out the murderer in this one..
October 8, 2020
Good read and good fun.
November 29, 2020
Fun read.
A reclusive young widow as a main character does not sound like the start of a light hearted book, but quirky characters, a one eyed cat, and a lonely rooster help bring Leafy Hollow’s new landscaper out of her shell.
A reclusive young widow as a main character does not sound like the start of a light hearted book, but quirky characters, a one eyed cat, and a lonely rooster help bring Leafy Hollow’s new landscaper out of her shell.
August 13, 2017
I loved this story - from the first page to the last and now I am longing for more!
A very likeable but troubled main character. The troubles didn't overshine the story just made the character more real and gave her more depth. The mystery is set in the small town Leafy Hollow, Ontario, Canada. We are introduced to a quite big cast of people but they are introduced so well and the characters are so different that it is not confusing or overwhelming.
The mystery was very good paced without any boring passages and I always appreciate getting some chuckles out of a story. There's also the background story about the disappearance of Veritys' aunt that I can see to be developing very interesting in the following installments.
This excellent story and it's wonderful characters make for a fantastic read. I can't wait to get back to my friends in Leafy Hollow!
A very likeable but troubled main character. The troubles didn't overshine the story just made the character more real and gave her more depth. The mystery is set in the small town Leafy Hollow, Ontario, Canada. We are introduced to a quite big cast of people but they are introduced so well and the characters are so different that it is not confusing or overwhelming.
The mystery was very good paced without any boring passages and I always appreciate getting some chuckles out of a story. There's also the background story about the disappearance of Veritys' aunt that I can see to be developing very interesting in the following installments.
This excellent story and it's wonderful characters make for a fantastic read. I can't wait to get back to my friends in Leafy Hollow!
August 7, 2017
Excellent cozy mystery. This book is fast, riveting and fun. The author engages all of our emotions as we learn about the characters and their relationships. Verity, our hero, is a combination of vulnerable, strong, compassionate and hilarious. The mystery is complex and interesting as the story is sprinkled with clues. There is a wonderful and mysterious back-story about Verity’s Aunt that I’m sure will provide opportunities for many more adventures. I am looking forward to more stories about this group of dynamic characters. I highly recommend this book.
May 30, 2025
"I may be stupid, but at least I'm not an old cow."
This was really an unexpected, good book! I really want the rest of this series! So, this will be my next mission in life. Finding and collecting the Leafy Hollow Mysteries series.
From Garden to Grave is about Verity Hawkes finding out her aunt is missing/dead. She needs to go to Leafy Hollow to sort out her aunt's estate, landscaping business and whatever else comes up. But as soon as she arrives, one of her customers gets killed in a freak accident, and everything points to Verity as the killer. The more she tries to convince the police of her innocence, the deeper she gets into trouble. Then another body ends up in the back of her pickup truck.
This story was really surprising. I didn't expect it to be so good. In the beginning of the story, it started a bit slow and sometimes I was confused about Verity's character. Even some of the "scenes" in the book didn't make sense. But really, the more you read, the more sense it gets. At the end of the day, you are completely hooked on this story and what Verity does.
Verity's character evolved quite nicely as well. She started as this introvert-ish lady (nothing wrong with being an introvert, I'm one myself), into this strong-willed, brave and confident woman. She even made more true and funny friends at Leavy Hollow than probably in her whole life. She even adopted a stray cat with one eye, and a rooster called General Chang.
There were a lot of other characters, but not too much to end up having trouble keeping track. Every character played an important role in this story, and was connected brilliantly to make this story awesome. Gideon is one secretive old man, and I really want to know him better. Emy is a lady you know you want to be friends with. I really love her. Everyone needs an Emy in their life.
There were some parts in the story that was so funny, and Rickie Blair described it so well. When Verity tries something, you can believe it's going to be funny. (Break-in with Emy)
All in all this was a very, very enjoyable book. Full of humor and mystery. Like mentioned before, this will be one of my life's missions to get the whole series. Thank you Rickie Blair for this amazing story! This is going onto my favorite shelf!
This was really an unexpected, good book! I really want the rest of this series! So, this will be my next mission in life. Finding and collecting the Leafy Hollow Mysteries series.
From Garden to Grave is about Verity Hawkes finding out her aunt is missing/dead. She needs to go to Leafy Hollow to sort out her aunt's estate, landscaping business and whatever else comes up. But as soon as she arrives, one of her customers gets killed in a freak accident, and everything points to Verity as the killer. The more she tries to convince the police of her innocence, the deeper she gets into trouble. Then another body ends up in the back of her pickup truck.
This story was really surprising. I didn't expect it to be so good. In the beginning of the story, it started a bit slow and sometimes I was confused about Verity's character. Even some of the "scenes" in the book didn't make sense. But really, the more you read, the more sense it gets. At the end of the day, you are completely hooked on this story and what Verity does.
Verity's character evolved quite nicely as well. She started as this introvert-ish lady (nothing wrong with being an introvert, I'm one myself), into this strong-willed, brave and confident woman. She even made more true and funny friends at Leavy Hollow than probably in her whole life. She even adopted a stray cat with one eye, and a rooster called General Chang.
There were a lot of other characters, but not too much to end up having trouble keeping track. Every character played an important role in this story, and was connected brilliantly to make this story awesome. Gideon is one secretive old man, and I really want to know him better. Emy is a lady you know you want to be friends with. I really love her. Everyone needs an Emy in their life.
There were some parts in the story that was so funny, and Rickie Blair described it so well. When Verity tries something, you can believe it's going to be funny. (Break-in with Emy)
All in all this was a very, very enjoyable book. Full of humor and mystery. Like mentioned before, this will be one of my life's missions to get the whole series. Thank you Rickie Blair for this amazing story! This is going onto my favorite shelf!
March 1, 2017
This is the best cozy mystery I have read in a long time. Could not put it down. Had a mystery on top of a mystery and then the writer added in a murder or two. Verity has been a shut in since her husband died two years ago until she gets a call from a lawyer in Leafy Hollow in Canada that her aunt is missing and she needs to come and take over her aunt's landscaping business. Once in Leafy Hollow she encounters some very strange neighbors of her aunts, a crumbling house in desperate need of repairs and a town full of unusual characters. Then one of her aunt's clients is killed and she is the number one suspect because she is new in town and had an argument with the deceased. In order to clear her name so she can go back to her old life she starts doing her own investigating. So if you enjoy books with a great mystery, a handyman that likes his coffee with a touch of liquor, a next door neighbor who comes and goes through the shrubs and knows more about the disappearance of Verity's aunt then he wants to admit and a vegan who runs a bakery and a deli and a surprise ending then you will want to read this book. I enjoyed it so much I bought the second one to read immediately. Enjoy!
November 14, 2019
I read several of the reviews on this book, thinking it was time to read something light and funny and really hoping to get some good chuckles from it. Almost every review I saw said how funny it was, had them laughing out loud, and all that good stuff.
That didn't happen for me. Actually through the first few chapters I didn't know if I was even going to stick it out, I was so disenchanted and ready to call it quits. But I hate to NOT finish a book once I've started, so I forced myself to keep going.
In the end I found the characters pleasant enough, but the mystery was not good enough to prevent me from "guessing" correctly who the villain was before I reached the end of the story. I love trying to "solve" the mystery but I like it much better when they totally pull the wool over my eyes and I end up stunned when the reveal is made. Still, I will say it was more enjoyable during the last half. Maybe because by then the lead character was not quite so annoying to me as she was at first. I never laughed out loud, not once. But I am hard to please in that respect generally speaking. I don't blame the author, it's something inside of me that is broken, I think. :)
When all was said and done, it was really OK, not nearly the disappointment I feared it was going to end up being, and not quite as exciting or thrilling or funny as I would have wanted, but a good story well told just the same.
That didn't happen for me. Actually through the first few chapters I didn't know if I was even going to stick it out, I was so disenchanted and ready to call it quits. But I hate to NOT finish a book once I've started, so I forced myself to keep going.
In the end I found the characters pleasant enough, but the mystery was not good enough to prevent me from "guessing" correctly who the villain was before I reached the end of the story. I love trying to "solve" the mystery but I like it much better when they totally pull the wool over my eyes and I end up stunned when the reveal is made. Still, I will say it was more enjoyable during the last half. Maybe because by then the lead character was not quite so annoying to me as she was at first. I never laughed out loud, not once. But I am hard to please in that respect generally speaking. I don't blame the author, it's something inside of me that is broken, I think. :)
When all was said and done, it was really OK, not nearly the disappointment I feared it was going to end up being, and not quite as exciting or thrilling or funny as I would have wanted, but a good story well told just the same.
February 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this first in the series. Verity gets a call that her eccentric aunt has disappeared an her estate needs to be settled. When she arrives she finds that nothing is like she remembered. She tries to help with the business but when her first customer has accidents, eyes turn to Verity.
I enjoyed these characters, and the mystery was good and kept me guessing. A few times you get to see what another character is thinking which I found interesting. I will continue on with this series.
I enjoyed these characters, and the mystery was good and kept me guessing. A few times you get to see what another character is thinking which I found interesting. I will continue on with this series.
December 11, 2020
Small towns love gossip--and it flys faster then the speed of light! When the town decided that Verity Hawkes was guilty of just about everything---well it took a while. All she was trying to do was prove her Aunt was missing--not dead.
She knew nothing about gardening but had to take over her Aunts Landscape business while living in her cottage that was in very bad repair! At least there were a few who befriended her and attempted to help her.
People kept being murdered and because she was the newbie in town she was blamed--Can she figure out who and why someone is murdering people? Will she be able to figure out where her Aunt is hiding-or is she really dead?
This is a cute and clean cozy with many twists and turns to keep you guessing!!
She knew nothing about gardening but had to take over her Aunts Landscape business while living in her cottage that was in very bad repair! At least there were a few who befriended her and attempted to help her.
People kept being murdered and because she was the newbie in town she was blamed--Can she figure out who and why someone is murdering people? Will she be able to figure out where her Aunt is hiding-or is she really dead?
This is a cute and clean cozy with many twists and turns to keep you guessing!!
May 19, 2020
Good narration for this cozy story, enjoyable with a sense of humor added.
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
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