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Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers
This fun, engrossing book takes a look at the surprising influence that gardens and gardening have had on mystery novels and their authors. With their deadly plants, razor-sharp shears, shady corners, and ready-made burial sites, gardens make an ideal scene for the perfect murder. But the outsize influence that gardens and gardening have had on the mystery genre has been underappreciated. Now, Marta McDowell, a writer and gardener with a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the genre, illuminates the many ways in which our greatest mystery writers, from Edgar Allen Poe to authors on today’s bestseller lists, have found inspiration in the sinister side of gardens.
From the cozy to the hardboiled, the literary to the pulp, and the classic to the contemporary, Gardening Can Be Murder is the first book to explore the mystery genre’s many surprising horticultural connections. Meet plant-obsessed detectives and spooky groundskeeper suspects, witness toxic teas served in foul play, and tour the gardens—both real and imagined—that have been the settings for fiction’s ghastliest misdeeds. A New York Times bestselling author herself, McDowell also introduces us to some of today’s top writers who consider gardening integral to their craft, assuring that horticultural themes will remain a staple of the genre for countless twisting plots to come. “This book is dangerous. A veritable cornucopia of crime fiction and gardening lore, it faces the reader with multiple temptations—books to seek out, plants to obtain, garden tours to book.” —Vicki Lane, author of the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries
From the cozy to the hardboiled, the literary to the pulp, and the classic to the contemporary, Gardening Can Be Murder is the first book to explore the mystery genre’s many surprising horticultural connections. Meet plant-obsessed detectives and spooky groundskeeper suspects, witness toxic teas served in foul play, and tour the gardens—both real and imagined—that have been the settings for fiction’s ghastliest misdeeds. A New York Times bestselling author herself, McDowell also introduces us to some of today’s top writers who consider gardening integral to their craft, assuring that horticultural themes will remain a staple of the genre for countless twisting plots to come. “This book is dangerous. A veritable cornucopia of crime fiction and gardening lore, it faces the reader with multiple temptations—books to seek out, plants to obtain, garden tours to book.” —Vicki Lane, author of the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries
216 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2023
About the author
Marta McDowell
14 books201 followersI live, garden and write in Chatham, New Jersey where I share my garden with my husband, Kirke, assorted wildlife and approximately 10,000 honey bees. You will often find me at the New York Botanical Garden, where I teach landscape history and gardening courses. My new book, All the Presidents' Gardens, is coming out from Timber Press in October 2016. (I'm excited!) When I'm not gardening I like to read and knit and cook and eat, though not all at the same time.
My husband, Kirke, summarizes my biography as “I am therefore I dig.”
My husband, Kirke, summarizes my biography as “I am therefore I dig.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 30, 2023
What an interesting read…hard to almost categorize if I’m being honest.
This isn’t a typical read in any sense. This book highlights the connections of how some of the BEST writers utilized gardening and horticulture knowledge to spin the most sinister mystery novels we have now dubbed classics.
The visuals in this book gothically compliment the deadly plants beautifully. I would absolutely buy this for myself or as a gift, just because of the artwork.
If you like learning about deadly gardening plants and have a keen interest in mystery writing / writers and this history surrounding some of the greatest novels of all time, you will enjoy this book. I learned so much!
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This isn’t a typical read in any sense. This book highlights the connections of how some of the BEST writers utilized gardening and horticulture knowledge to spin the most sinister mystery novels we have now dubbed classics.
The visuals in this book gothically compliment the deadly plants beautifully. I would absolutely buy this for myself or as a gift, just because of the artwork.
If you like learning about deadly gardening plants and have a keen interest in mystery writing / writers and this history surrounding some of the greatest novels of all time, you will enjoy this book. I learned so much!
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2023
I loved this book, and the drawings interspersed throughout the book are delightful. The book list in the back is an excellent idea and I have a lot of books to suggest for my book clubs. Thank you Netgally for providing this book to me. It's a fun, unexpected, and thoroughly enjoyable book for anyone who enjoys murder mysteries, gardening, or just wants a light-hearted fun read.
October 24, 2023
A delightful book in which the author Marta McDowell describes the importance of gardens, gardeners, and those that love gardens for being the setting or characters in crime fiction. Sometime the ties are tenuous 'the author loved to garden' and other times the connection is essential for the plot of a book. The examples range from the well-known such as the poisons used by murderers in Agatha Christie novels to those of contemporary authors. I'm looking forward to attending a presentation by the author this coming week at the Missouri Botanic Garden. Readers of this book may be interested in my contribution to botanical forensics in crime fiction: Juice of Cursed Hebenon available on kindle and my non-fiction true crime book Planting Clues: How plants solve crimes.
May 16, 2023
First, a big thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book.
As a longtime lover of murder mysteries and the poison trope, how could I not immediately be drawn to a title like "Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers"?
This book is so much more than poison and is everything from a reference guide to an excellent way to learn more about some of our favorite writers and characters. Each chapter looks over different aspects of the world of mystery novels. From Nero Wolfe's obsession with orchids to a description of foxglove and its life as a plant that can save or kill, each page is a glimpse into the depth of plotting.
It is so fitting in the final pages to use Margaret Atwood's quote about gardening and gardeners not being rational. How perfect to combine the world of gardening and murder in this book.
While a short book, it can feel quite dense at times. After all, there is so much packed in a book with fewer pages than many of the novels it references. It can feel at times that you are reading a textbook which is the only real downfall. I love the references and reading lists in the back of the book. There are so many sources and a perfect way to bring every reader to their next mystery!
As a longtime lover of murder mysteries and the poison trope, how could I not immediately be drawn to a title like "Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers"?
This book is so much more than poison and is everything from a reference guide to an excellent way to learn more about some of our favorite writers and characters. Each chapter looks over different aspects of the world of mystery novels. From Nero Wolfe's obsession with orchids to a description of foxglove and its life as a plant that can save or kill, each page is a glimpse into the depth of plotting.
It is so fitting in the final pages to use Margaret Atwood's quote about gardening and gardeners not being rational. How perfect to combine the world of gardening and murder in this book.
While a short book, it can feel quite dense at times. After all, there is so much packed in a book with fewer pages than many of the novels it references. It can feel at times that you are reading a textbook which is the only real downfall. I love the references and reading lists in the back of the book. There are so many sources and a perfect way to bring every reader to their next mystery!
September 17, 2023
I love Marta McDowells writing, so when I discovered that she was releasing a beautifully covered book about the mystery genre (which I love), I was ecstatic. I immediately pre ordered and sat eagerly waiting for its arrival. The copy of book itself is 5 stars, it opens beautifully, every little detail in formatting and decoration was a mysterious autumnal vibe, but the content just wasn’t up to Marta McDowell par. What this book was marketed as and what I was led to expect from the outlook of McDowells other works was talking about the tradition of gardening and murder mysteries. Her first section was absolutely lovely, the way she wove the garden of Eden into her first paragraph, the detectives and books she chose fit extremely well. I now really want to start reading Nero Wolfe and Brother Cadfael. I loved her take on Roses in the Moonstone and Miss Marples positioning of her garden. From there it was down hill, for being her smallest book I thought it would be loaded with content but instead felt like she was really stretching for material, sometimes she even used books that didn’t fit into the mystery genre. The connections between gardening and mystery became a stretch, more having to-do with modern mystery readers need for mere aesthetics than for actual deep connection to gardening itself. There was also times like at the very end of the book where Marta McDowell would make a comment about something like the many authors who garden when really her examples had been scarce and included authors like Nathanial Hawthorne as mystery writers just to make the cut. I also did not appreciate the random mentioning of detectives as “racist” or “homophobic,” other than those being two buzz words that have lost their meaning in our day and age, they also felt out of place, as if when I read stories of murder I expect perfection and no disagreeable conclusions or comments? Murder mysteries are always challenging us and our sense of right and wrong. There were sections that could have been good, but it wasn’t enough to make a whole book out of. Without the connection to the true and beautiful McDowells writing that previously I had reveled in became superfluous and showy, the substance wasn’t there to support it.
Overall, if you want a book that reads like a compilation of rambling book reviews then you might actually like this, but if you wanted something cohesive and meaningful I would say spend your time on something else. Sorry Marta McDowell. If you want to read one of her brilliant works try Gardening Life of Beatrix Potter or The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Overall, if you want a book that reads like a compilation of rambling book reviews then you might actually like this, but if you wanted something cohesive and meaningful I would say spend your time on something else. Sorry Marta McDowell. If you want to read one of her brilliant works try Gardening Life of Beatrix Potter or The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
November 29, 2023
Gardening detectives, murders set in gardens, famously real and fictionalized, just a horticultural cornucopia of related literature. It has sure elongated my TBR list to look for.
April 2, 2023
I’m unreasonably excited about Marta McDowell’s “Gardening Can Be Murder” — How many should I buy for Christmas presents? How do I convince my botanical book clubs (The Secret Garden Book Club at Ashton Gardens and Read Between the Spines of The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix) to choose this as a selection? Will I be babbling to my fellow horticultural volunteers at the university about “oh, look! a “Helleborus niger” with white flowers” but we gardeners know that niger means black and that here “black” is about the poisonous tuber?
Obviously this is my perfect book, but Marta McDowell is also the queen of lacing literature with landscaping. I knew her work when my aforementioned book club chose her “Unearthing the Secret Garden” about Francis Hodgson Burnett’s plant inspirations. She has also written books about the gardens of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beatrix Potter, Emily Dickinson, and the White House. Here she has gathered a wide compendium of authors, mystery books involving plants, wicked gardens, and botanical murder means (we gardeners can stab you with pruners, take off fingers with loppers, choke you with weed killer, or strangle you with floral wire, and then we have alibi shovels to bury you and let you become fertilizer).
The research that Ms.McDowell did is absolutely amazing and incredibly comprehensive. She could write separate books about Agatha Christie and Miss Marple (their trendy Japanese gardens of the early 1910s and the great exhibitions Ms. Christie might have attended) or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his creation Sherlock Holmes’s experiments with plant poisons. I think she must have been collecting literary landscaping stories for years. There are so many gardening mysteries I’ve missed, but thanks to the author, I’ve added them to my to-be-read list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars! This book is more than just for gardeners, too. I recalled that my love of mystery novels started as a teenager with Jane Marple and I was quietly absorbing facts like white-flowering silver fleece vine was a menace. Even non-gardeners have probably read enough about jimson weed/angel’s trumpet (an entire season of the cable series, “The Sinner” was based on a murderous child brewing tea from that plant) to know that it’s appearance in a story might be a clue.
Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Obviously this is my perfect book, but Marta McDowell is also the queen of lacing literature with landscaping. I knew her work when my aforementioned book club chose her “Unearthing the Secret Garden” about Francis Hodgson Burnett’s plant inspirations. She has also written books about the gardens of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beatrix Potter, Emily Dickinson, and the White House. Here she has gathered a wide compendium of authors, mystery books involving plants, wicked gardens, and botanical murder means (we gardeners can stab you with pruners, take off fingers with loppers, choke you with weed killer, or strangle you with floral wire, and then we have alibi shovels to bury you and let you become fertilizer).
The research that Ms.McDowell did is absolutely amazing and incredibly comprehensive. She could write separate books about Agatha Christie and Miss Marple (their trendy Japanese gardens of the early 1910s and the great exhibitions Ms. Christie might have attended) or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his creation Sherlock Holmes’s experiments with plant poisons. I think she must have been collecting literary landscaping stories for years. There are so many gardening mysteries I’ve missed, but thanks to the author, I’ve added them to my to-be-read list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars! This book is more than just for gardeners, too. I recalled that my love of mystery novels started as a teenager with Jane Marple and I was quietly absorbing facts like white-flowering silver fleece vine was a menace. Even non-gardeners have probably read enough about jimson weed/angel’s trumpet (an entire season of the cable series, “The Sinner” was based on a murderous child brewing tea from that plant) to know that it’s appearance in a story might be a clue.
Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
July 23, 2023
Gardening Can Be Murder is a fascinating analysis of the ways in which horticulture has featured in, influenced, and inspired the Crime Fiction genre over the past 150 or so years.
“Writers write what they know, and there are many writer-gardeners. In their gardens, or gardens they research, they discover setting, motive, means, and clue. Gardening offers occupations or avocations for their detectives, suspects, and criminals. The skill of the author transforms the horticultural into the mysterious.“
Meticulously researched by an author who is both a writer and a gardener, her passion for both topics shines through. She starts with examples of detectives who garden, like Nero Wolfe and Miss Marple. Then she examines how gardens feature as murders scenes, how the lust for particular plants can be the prime motive for killing, and how horticultural wisdom can be used to source a range of poisons or gardening tools be wielded as weapons. Conversely, the detective’s knowledge of plants may also help them spot clues or untruths - I liked the explanation of the origin of the term “red herring”. Assiduously avoiding spoilers, McDowell mentions just enough about the selected works to pique one’s interest.
Finally she looks at gardeners themselves and how they can appear as victim or suspect, and the most famous writer-gardeners, including of course the most famous Crime writer of them all, Agatha Christie, and a tantalising description of her house near Torquay, Greenway.
The illustrations - mostly very stylised black and white drawings - are gorgeous and would make awesome T-shirts if the author wanted to branch out (see what I did there? 🤣) into selling merchandise. The cover image is also suitably sinister and would be a good reason to buy this in hardback if available. The list of books referenced, epigraph source list, and index at the end are a comprehensive tally of the range of writers covered in the book - from The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins, published in 1868, to A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, by Kate Khavari in 2022.
While I read a lot of mystery & crime, I had only heard of a minority of the authors mentioned, and have read even fewer, but they span the breadth of the genre, from hard-boiled to cozy, and historical to psychological. Most crime fans will find plenty of inspiration to grow their TBRs!
Unfortunately this was only available to read through the NetGalley app, so I won’t be able to keep it for future reference once it archives. Overall this would be of interest to anyone who loves gardening - whether that be watering a pot plant or tending multiple acres - and reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Gardening Can Be Murder is published on September 5th.
“Writers write what they know, and there are many writer-gardeners. In their gardens, or gardens they research, they discover setting, motive, means, and clue. Gardening offers occupations or avocations for their detectives, suspects, and criminals. The skill of the author transforms the horticultural into the mysterious.“
Meticulously researched by an author who is both a writer and a gardener, her passion for both topics shines through. She starts with examples of detectives who garden, like Nero Wolfe and Miss Marple. Then she examines how gardens feature as murders scenes, how the lust for particular plants can be the prime motive for killing, and how horticultural wisdom can be used to source a range of poisons or gardening tools be wielded as weapons. Conversely, the detective’s knowledge of plants may also help them spot clues or untruths - I liked the explanation of the origin of the term “red herring”. Assiduously avoiding spoilers, McDowell mentions just enough about the selected works to pique one’s interest.
Finally she looks at gardeners themselves and how they can appear as victim or suspect, and the most famous writer-gardeners, including of course the most famous Crime writer of them all, Agatha Christie, and a tantalising description of her house near Torquay, Greenway.
The illustrations - mostly very stylised black and white drawings - are gorgeous and would make awesome T-shirts if the author wanted to branch out (see what I did there? 🤣) into selling merchandise. The cover image is also suitably sinister and would be a good reason to buy this in hardback if available. The list of books referenced, epigraph source list, and index at the end are a comprehensive tally of the range of writers covered in the book - from The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins, published in 1868, to A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, by Kate Khavari in 2022.
While I read a lot of mystery & crime, I had only heard of a minority of the authors mentioned, and have read even fewer, but they span the breadth of the genre, from hard-boiled to cozy, and historical to psychological. Most crime fans will find plenty of inspiration to grow their TBRs!
Unfortunately this was only available to read through the NetGalley app, so I won’t be able to keep it for future reference once it archives. Overall this would be of interest to anyone who loves gardening - whether that be watering a pot plant or tending multiple acres - and reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Gardening Can Be Murder is published on September 5th.
September 1, 2023
Aptly titled Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell is a spectacularly researched and gorgeously-written book which seemed custom designed for those of us who are passionate gardeners and rabid murder mystery readers. The illustrations are beautiful, fresh and laden with meaning.
I am grateful to travel extensively and visit gardens in every country/region I'm in whether an arboretum, botanic or cottage garden or literary-themed garden. Toxic gardens are equally fascinating. Whether loved by authors or fictional characters, gardens can be murder scenes or boast nooks and crannies for hidden letters or bodies, toxic plants themselves can be used as the murder weapon and can also cause irritation when handled so beware of swarthy thugs brandishing knives on a garden tour who are sporting murderous rashes. Gardens can be settings for theatre and fetes and gardening tools can be used as sharp (or blunt) objects. Though usually wonderful, gardens in books can belie nefarious goings-on.
Whether you enjoy digging into murder mysteries or the soil (or both!), this fun, quirky, charming and informative book could easily be your wheelhouse. Never a dull moment. Not only does the author include how gardens influence(d) writers such as Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, Rex Stout, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. D. James, Ruth Ware or Dorothy L. Sayers but also how gardens and/or plants figure prominently in their mystery books. Amongst my favourite fictional gardeners include Miss Jane Marple and her cottage gardens and Nero Wolfe's obsession with his orchids which he prefers to people, prioritizing four hours a day caring for them and propagating them. Understandable as plants and gardens are certainly therapeutic.
My sincere thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this stellar book, one which combines two of my (many) favourite hobbies, gardening and murder mysteries. A killer combination.
I am grateful to travel extensively and visit gardens in every country/region I'm in whether an arboretum, botanic or cottage garden or literary-themed garden. Toxic gardens are equally fascinating. Whether loved by authors or fictional characters, gardens can be murder scenes or boast nooks and crannies for hidden letters or bodies, toxic plants themselves can be used as the murder weapon and can also cause irritation when handled so beware of swarthy thugs brandishing knives on a garden tour who are sporting murderous rashes. Gardens can be settings for theatre and fetes and gardening tools can be used as sharp (or blunt) objects. Though usually wonderful, gardens in books can belie nefarious goings-on.
Whether you enjoy digging into murder mysteries or the soil (or both!), this fun, quirky, charming and informative book could easily be your wheelhouse. Never a dull moment. Not only does the author include how gardens influence(d) writers such as Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, Rex Stout, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. D. James, Ruth Ware or Dorothy L. Sayers but also how gardens and/or plants figure prominently in their mystery books. Amongst my favourite fictional gardeners include Miss Jane Marple and her cottage gardens and Nero Wolfe's obsession with his orchids which he prefers to people, prioritizing four hours a day caring for them and propagating them. Understandable as plants and gardens are certainly therapeutic.
My sincere thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this stellar book, one which combines two of my (many) favourite hobbies, gardening and murder mysteries. A killer combination.
September 3, 2023
As a life long murder mystery lover, I jumped at the chance to read this ARC. Finding out the history of how plants are used as inspiration for mystery authors was a very interesting premise to me! Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell breaks down murder plots into sections to study one at a time including clues, means, suspects, settings, etc. I liked McDowell's writing style and recognized many of the stories she used as examples! While very interesting, I was looking for more of a botanical background on the plants and not just what plants were used in which stories. Still very informative and fascinating though!
Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for sending this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for sending this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 1, 2024
I read this book for a book club. The concept is very interesting — a look at the intersection of gardening and mystery writing.
This book introduced me to a number of new mystery writers to seek in 2024.
I am impressed with McDowell’s knowledge of both gardens and mystery writers. I found her transitions between sections clunky, but I enjoyed the book.
Things I did not like about the book:
The quirky drawings with no captions were often enigmatic rather than illustrative.
I hate misplaced modifiers, and there were quite a few in the form of opening phrases or clauses. Examples:
*Like Pecan Springs in her China Bayles series, author Susan Witig Albert’s detailed descriptions of Darling, Alabama, are vivid. (The phrase modifies Albert as written, but it should be placed to modify Darling.)
*As a writer, they became her favorite means of murder …
This book introduced me to a number of new mystery writers to seek in 2024.
I am impressed with McDowell’s knowledge of both gardens and mystery writers. I found her transitions between sections clunky, but I enjoyed the book.
Things I did not like about the book:
The quirky drawings with no captions were often enigmatic rather than illustrative.
I hate misplaced modifiers, and there were quite a few in the form of opening phrases or clauses. Examples:
*Like Pecan Springs in her China Bayles series, author Susan Witig Albert’s detailed descriptions of Darling, Alabama, are vivid. (The phrase modifies Albert as written, but it should be placed to modify Darling.)
*As a writer, they became her favorite means of murder …
July 23, 2023
I’m fascinated by poisonous plants because they’re usually gorgeous, like my beloved datura
This an informative book that made me learn more and discover new areas of knowledge
Recommended if you live plants or are a classic mystery fan
Highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher, all opinions are mine
This an informative book that made me learn more and discover new areas of knowledge
Recommended if you live plants or are a classic mystery fan
Highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher, all opinions are mine
January 12, 2024
I don't read NF often but this was one of the most interesting books - the research she did on the authors that use "gardens" in their mystery stories is interesting - starts with Agatha Christie, list so many of the old/new great authors - in the back of book, she listed all the books they have written with the published date... it is well worth reading if you read mysteries.
May 1, 2023
I love a good murder mystery and this focuses on the means of the murder, getting into the details on who used what and how it was cultivated. This was a fascinating look at different series where poison is used as well as what the gardens looked like. A well-researched reference book on gardens and their deadly inhabitants. Highly recommended for those wanting a little more detail on what can be used and where to find them in our favorite reads.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
December 27, 2023
Interesting non-fiction about how mystery writers have used gardens and gardeners in their stories. Chapter titles include Setting, Motive, Means, Clues, and Suspects, ending with a chapter on the mystery writers' own gardens. I also found several titles that I'm now interested in reading.
March 9, 2024
I love a book that talks about other books (i.e. Book Lust by Nancy Pearl) and this one covers mystery writers with a garden theme. Lots of familiar authors yet many I have not read. Delightful!
October 30, 2023
I really wanted to like this book. However, with all the references to books that I have not read in the past, mostly Agatha Christie and the like, I found myself in the dark.
October 30, 2023
*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from Amazon Vine.
Sometimes I don't read the subtitles as well as I should. This was one of those times. Having read a bunch of books with the poison/garden theme, I was under the assumption that this one was similar. It's not dissimilar, but it's also not quite that. It's more about gardening in mystery novels and all the various ways that can relate.
While the different types of plants that can kill have brief mentions in here, there are also gardeners who were murderers, gardeners who were murdered, other gardening implements that can murder, and much more. This book is really more about mystery novels than it is about gardening. Or at least that's the primary topic. So it's perfect for the mystery lover who may enjoy gardening.
I alas am not much of a mystery novel fan. I like a cozy mystery every now and again, but beyond that, it's just not my genre of choice. But I can recognize that this was written well, and compelling, and while I found it dry at times, I would expect people who have read the various books featured within would find it a lot more engaging.
So overall good, just not one for me!
Review by M. Reynard 2023
Sometimes I don't read the subtitles as well as I should. This was one of those times. Having read a bunch of books with the poison/garden theme, I was under the assumption that this one was similar. It's not dissimilar, but it's also not quite that. It's more about gardening in mystery novels and all the various ways that can relate.
While the different types of plants that can kill have brief mentions in here, there are also gardeners who were murderers, gardeners who were murdered, other gardening implements that can murder, and much more. This book is really more about mystery novels than it is about gardening. Or at least that's the primary topic. So it's perfect for the mystery lover who may enjoy gardening.
I alas am not much of a mystery novel fan. I like a cozy mystery every now and again, but beyond that, it's just not my genre of choice. But I can recognize that this was written well, and compelling, and while I found it dry at times, I would expect people who have read the various books featured within would find it a lot more engaging.
So overall good, just not one for me!
Review by M. Reynard 2023
August 30, 2023
Nestled within the pages of Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers by Martha McDowell lies a captivating exploration that intertwines the allure of gardens with the appeal of mystery. As someone who might be more inclined to commit ‘planticide’ than nurture a thriving garden, I found myself ensnared by the relatable title and the enchanting premise that this book presents. So, whether you’re a green-thumbed horticultural virtuoso or a mere enthusiast, this book promises to transport you to a world where sinister secrets are buried amidst the petals and leaves.
Gardening Can Be Murder by Martha McDowell
Gardening Can Be Murder masterfully grafts together two seemingly disparate worlds — the serenity of gardens and the gripping intrigue of mystery novels. This unlikely pairing, expertly curated by Marta McDowell, offers readers a unique lens through which to view both. McDowell’s deft penmanship charts a journey into the historical tapestry where gardens have played a pivotal role in inspiring mystery writers and their tantalizing narratives.
It’s not just the concept that thrills; it’s the execution that truly flourishes. The wonderful illustrations by Yolanda V. Fundora that punctuate the chapters are like dewdrops on petals – they add a layer of elegance and visual splendor that resonates harmoniously with the book’s essence. The slow-paced rhythm of the book mirrors the gentle pace of tending to a garden, making it a perfect companion for a rainy afternoon accompanied by the soothing companionship of herbal tea.
One of the most delightful aspects of Gardening Can Be Murder is how it becomes a garden of literary recommendations, where each chapter unfurls like a new varietal waiting to be explored. McDowell deftly introduces a catalog of books that embody the intricate dance between gardens and mysteries. As I turned each page, I felt like a curious visitor wandering through an expansive garden, discovering hidden nooks of stories waiting to be unraveled.
The Perfect Gift for Gardeners and Readers
While the book pays homage to classic literature where the whispers of poison-laden petals and ominous topiaries have stirred the imagination of generations, it also unearths contemporary gems that seamlessly weave modern garden elements into their tales. The chapter on poisonous plants serves as both a guide and a warning, revealing the eerie beauty of these botanical villains and their literary exploits.
McDowell’s prowess in research is obvious, her dedication evident in the seamless transitions between the historical origins of this narrative tradition and the modern renditions that keep it alive. She shines a light on the intimate relationship between authors and their gardens, from Agatha Christie’s Japanese garden musings to Sherlock Holmes’ scientific flirtations with poisonous flora.
As I delved into the rich soil of this book, I found myself echoing the sentiment of the reader who confessed, “How many should I buy for Christmas presents?” This is indeed the ideal gift for bibliophiles who cultivate gardens and gardens that cultivate mysteries. Just as a well-tended garden brings forth vibrant blossoms, Gardening Can Be Murder yields an abundance of literary blooms, each one waiting to be plucked and cherished.
Final Thoughts
In a world where narratives are often compartmentalized, McDowell’s creation is a harmonious fusion — a tale of two worlds converging to create something wholly enchanting. So, whether you possess a green thumb or a penchant for puzzling mysteries, Gardening Can Be Murder promises a reading experience that is as exciting as the title suggests, leaving you with a flourishing garden of books to explore and a newfound appreciation for the mysteries that lurk amid the leaves.
Gardening Can Be Murder by Martha McDowell
Gardening Can Be Murder masterfully grafts together two seemingly disparate worlds — the serenity of gardens and the gripping intrigue of mystery novels. This unlikely pairing, expertly curated by Marta McDowell, offers readers a unique lens through which to view both. McDowell’s deft penmanship charts a journey into the historical tapestry where gardens have played a pivotal role in inspiring mystery writers and their tantalizing narratives.
It’s not just the concept that thrills; it’s the execution that truly flourishes. The wonderful illustrations by Yolanda V. Fundora that punctuate the chapters are like dewdrops on petals – they add a layer of elegance and visual splendor that resonates harmoniously with the book’s essence. The slow-paced rhythm of the book mirrors the gentle pace of tending to a garden, making it a perfect companion for a rainy afternoon accompanied by the soothing companionship of herbal tea.
One of the most delightful aspects of Gardening Can Be Murder is how it becomes a garden of literary recommendations, where each chapter unfurls like a new varietal waiting to be explored. McDowell deftly introduces a catalog of books that embody the intricate dance between gardens and mysteries. As I turned each page, I felt like a curious visitor wandering through an expansive garden, discovering hidden nooks of stories waiting to be unraveled.
The Perfect Gift for Gardeners and Readers
While the book pays homage to classic literature where the whispers of poison-laden petals and ominous topiaries have stirred the imagination of generations, it also unearths contemporary gems that seamlessly weave modern garden elements into their tales. The chapter on poisonous plants serves as both a guide and a warning, revealing the eerie beauty of these botanical villains and their literary exploits.
McDowell’s prowess in research is obvious, her dedication evident in the seamless transitions between the historical origins of this narrative tradition and the modern renditions that keep it alive. She shines a light on the intimate relationship between authors and their gardens, from Agatha Christie’s Japanese garden musings to Sherlock Holmes’ scientific flirtations with poisonous flora.
As I delved into the rich soil of this book, I found myself echoing the sentiment of the reader who confessed, “How many should I buy for Christmas presents?” This is indeed the ideal gift for bibliophiles who cultivate gardens and gardens that cultivate mysteries. Just as a well-tended garden brings forth vibrant blossoms, Gardening Can Be Murder yields an abundance of literary blooms, each one waiting to be plucked and cherished.
Final Thoughts
In a world where narratives are often compartmentalized, McDowell’s creation is a harmonious fusion — a tale of two worlds converging to create something wholly enchanting. So, whether you possess a green thumb or a penchant for puzzling mysteries, Gardening Can Be Murder promises a reading experience that is as exciting as the title suggests, leaving you with a flourishing garden of books to explore and a newfound appreciation for the mysteries that lurk amid the leaves.
March 25, 2023
Although this isn't my typical read, I really enjoyed this book. I've always been fascinated by deadly and poisonous plants so I figured this would be right up my alley. It explores the ways that authors incorporate plants and gardens into stories, during the present time and way back when. Whether they are used as plot points, like a toxic plant used to commit a crime, or part of a character's backstory, like the gardening hobby of a character investigating a crime. Or even as the scene of a crime, with a victim dying among flowers and bushes or a forest of trees. I think people take lovely settings like these for granted and the author has so many examples of stories with a horticultural twist.
Like SO many examples under every topic. There are numerous stories referenced that I've never heard of, casually lumped in with some of the most famous stories out there. I was excited when I saw the description of "The Turn of the Key" by Ruth Ware, one of my favorite contemporary authors. A poisonous garden figures heavily in that story, by the way, and is part of why I enjoyed that book. The chapter on the most common poisonous plants contains a great summary of each plant, which part of it is poisonous, and which books they feature in. That's one of the best aspects about this book, that it refers to so many other stories that you may be interested in, not just plants.
Now, I'm sure this book will draw comparisons to "Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities." But it doesn't compete with that book; rather, it's the perfect compliment. If you loved that one, you will love this one. And if you know someone who loves to garden but doesn't read, this book would be the perfect gift to get them reading more. And then they're on their way to becoming a murder mystery addict like so many of us - works for me!
Like SO many examples under every topic. There are numerous stories referenced that I've never heard of, casually lumped in with some of the most famous stories out there. I was excited when I saw the description of "The Turn of the Key" by Ruth Ware, one of my favorite contemporary authors. A poisonous garden figures heavily in that story, by the way, and is part of why I enjoyed that book. The chapter on the most common poisonous plants contains a great summary of each plant, which part of it is poisonous, and which books they feature in. That's one of the best aspects about this book, that it refers to so many other stories that you may be interested in, not just plants.
Now, I'm sure this book will draw comparisons to "Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities." But it doesn't compete with that book; rather, it's the perfect compliment. If you loved that one, you will love this one. And if you know someone who loves to garden but doesn't read, this book would be the perfect gift to get them reading more. And then they're on their way to becoming a murder mystery addict like so many of us - works for me!
January 14, 2024
Marta McDowell's entertaining text came across my horizon thanks to Margaret Roach of A Way to Garden. If you are a gardener or gardener-wanna-be or simply enjoy reading about gardens and gardening, I highly recommend Margaret Roach's website. I subscribe to her newsletter and, especially during the winter, appreciate being transported to thoughts of gardening.
As someone who enjoys a good mystery, the concept of Marta McDowell's book intrigued me. I particularly liked her description of Agatha Christie's gardening life, as well as similar pages devoted to a select few other mystery writers who not only employed gardens in their stories but also were gardeners in some fashion. (Check out the photo of Agatha surrounded by some of her many books!) For those looking to read more garden related mysteries McDowell compiled all the tales mentioned in her book into a five page Book List at the end.
Alas, I am not a fan of Marta's style of writing. Some of the snippets left me wondering if the paragraphs were too well pruned, unnecessarily sending words off to the compost pile, resulting in this reader feeling something was missing. While I smiled at many of the chapter headings and subheadings - Setting (Garden Scenes of the Crime), Motive (Gardening Made Me Do It), Means (Dial M for Mulch), More Means (Pick Your Poison (Plant)), Clues (Green Evidence), Suspects (Shadowy Gardeners) - the actual chapters felt a little disjointed. See the second sentence of this paragraph.
Still, if you like mysteries, gardens, gardening or all three, this book may yield more blossoms for your reading pleasure via the Book List or simply prove a nice distraction, especially during winter.
As someone who enjoys a good mystery, the concept of Marta McDowell's book intrigued me. I particularly liked her description of Agatha Christie's gardening life, as well as similar pages devoted to a select few other mystery writers who not only employed gardens in their stories but also were gardeners in some fashion. (Check out the photo of Agatha surrounded by some of her many books!) For those looking to read more garden related mysteries McDowell compiled all the tales mentioned in her book into a five page Book List at the end.
Alas, I am not a fan of Marta's style of writing. Some of the snippets left me wondering if the paragraphs were too well pruned, unnecessarily sending words off to the compost pile, resulting in this reader feeling something was missing. While I smiled at many of the chapter headings and subheadings - Setting (Garden Scenes of the Crime), Motive (Gardening Made Me Do It), Means (Dial M for Mulch), More Means (Pick Your Poison (Plant)), Clues (Green Evidence), Suspects (Shadowy Gardeners) - the actual chapters felt a little disjointed. See the second sentence of this paragraph.
Still, if you like mysteries, gardens, gardening or all three, this book may yield more blossoms for your reading pleasure via the Book List or simply prove a nice distraction, especially during winter.
April 19, 2023
Disclosure: An ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review which I willingly provide below.
Books about books are one of my favorite things to read, which is why I chose to review this non-fiction book. "Gardening Can be Murder" explores the relationship between gardening and mystery novels, providing information, lore, and literary connections that are perfect for mystery readers.
McDowell generously shares her extensive knowledge of gardening, breaking down each facet before providing a book excerpt to illustrate that point. After reading this book, I have added so many books to my TBR list. This book covers everything from gardening detectives to poisonous plants. Each chapter explores the different components of a great mystery story: detective, setting, motive, means, clues, and suspects.
Writers commonly find inspiration in their daily lives, so this book would not be complete without sharing the gardening lives of our favorite mystery authors. For instance, I had no idea that Arthur Conan Doyle studied medicine and botany before writing Sherlock Holmes, or that Rex Stout, the author of the Nero Wolfe mysteries, had grown 192 varieties of irises.
This book deserves a place on any mystery reader's shelf, and once it is published, it will find a home on mine.
Books about books are one of my favorite things to read, which is why I chose to review this non-fiction book. "Gardening Can be Murder" explores the relationship between gardening and mystery novels, providing information, lore, and literary connections that are perfect for mystery readers.
McDowell generously shares her extensive knowledge of gardening, breaking down each facet before providing a book excerpt to illustrate that point. After reading this book, I have added so many books to my TBR list. This book covers everything from gardening detectives to poisonous plants. Each chapter explores the different components of a great mystery story: detective, setting, motive, means, clues, and suspects.
Writers commonly find inspiration in their daily lives, so this book would not be complete without sharing the gardening lives of our favorite mystery authors. For instance, I had no idea that Arthur Conan Doyle studied medicine and botany before writing Sherlock Holmes, or that Rex Stout, the author of the Nero Wolfe mysteries, had grown 192 varieties of irises.
This book deserves a place on any mystery reader's shelf, and once it is published, it will find a home on mine.
September 19, 2023
Do you read mysteries? Do you garden? If your answer to either is yes, then Marta McDowell has a book for you! She has taken time out from her gardening to indulge in her other passion - murder mysteries! In Gardening Can Be Murder, she combines both by looking at how these two passions intersect.
McDowell opens with a chapter on detectives known for their gardening starting with Willkie Collins' Sergeant Cuff, meanders to Agatha Christie's Miss Jane Marple, darts back in time to Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael, Heads into the present with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and his orchids, and finishes with Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles,
Besides individuals, McDowell provides a look at various mysteries that are set in a garden; use garden tools or objects for the murder; plants as means of the murder, gardens/plants as clues in the murder and an interesting look at mystery writers who garden. Another nice feature is the list of all the authors and titles she mention through the book along with various source material used.
So if you are interested in mysteries and or gardens, do check out Gardening Can Be Murder for your enjoyment and enlightenment!
Thanks Netgalley and Timber Press for the chance to read this title!
McDowell opens with a chapter on detectives known for their gardening starting with Willkie Collins' Sergeant Cuff, meanders to Agatha Christie's Miss Jane Marple, darts back in time to Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael, Heads into the present with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and his orchids, and finishes with Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles,
Besides individuals, McDowell provides a look at various mysteries that are set in a garden; use garden tools or objects for the murder; plants as means of the murder, gardens/plants as clues in the murder and an interesting look at mystery writers who garden. Another nice feature is the list of all the authors and titles she mention through the book along with various source material used.
So if you are interested in mysteries and or gardens, do check out Gardening Can Be Murder for your enjoyment and enlightenment!
Thanks Netgalley and Timber Press for the chance to read this title!
March 20, 2023
Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers. What delightful title. Myself, I’m a notorious and prolific murderer of plants, but I love a good mystery and I love the aesthetic of gardens and greenery. While this book is probably most interesting to gardening enthusiasts it’s really fun learning about the history of how gardens play a roll and have inspired mystery writers and their stories.
I loved that not only was it an interesting read but that it also gave me more to look forward to because I came away with a list of books to check out and also some pretty amazing gardens I would love to check out in person one day. The illustrations by Yolanda V. Fundora were also a total mood. They really complimented the content of the book. This is a short but slow paced relaxing read, perfect for a rainy day with a hot cup of herbal tea.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved that not only was it an interesting read but that it also gave me more to look forward to because I came away with a list of books to check out and also some pretty amazing gardens I would love to check out in person one day. The illustrations by Yolanda V. Fundora were also a total mood. They really complimented the content of the book. This is a short but slow paced relaxing read, perfect for a rainy day with a hot cup of herbal tea.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2023
Gardening Can Be Murder by Marta McDowell is a fun and informative book, full of tidbits that will make reading (and watching, for that matter) mysteries that much more engaging.
From the characters and scenes to the means and motives for murder, we are led through how thoroughly gardening and plants have played roles in classic murder mysteries. Not to mention in the lives of many of the writers themselves.
The writing is engaging and we are given a brisk tour of every aspect. Yes, the Latin names are included, as they should be, but it isn't required that you memorize them, so just keep reading. They really aren't that extensive or disruptive. Plus looking at the names can give some clues about them, and if you like mysteries then looking for clues should be right up your alley.
I would recommend this to mystery lovers as well as those who simply enjoy learning about the elements that make up any genre of literature.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
From the characters and scenes to the means and motives for murder, we are led through how thoroughly gardening and plants have played roles in classic murder mysteries. Not to mention in the lives of many of the writers themselves.
The writing is engaging and we are given a brisk tour of every aspect. Yes, the Latin names are included, as they should be, but it isn't required that you memorize them, so just keep reading. They really aren't that extensive or disruptive. Plus looking at the names can give some clues about them, and if you like mysteries then looking for clues should be right up your alley.
I would recommend this to mystery lovers as well as those who simply enjoy learning about the elements that make up any genre of literature.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 17, 2023
Dear Reader: If you enjoy tucking into Mysteries and your Gardening Shed is full to bursting: READ THIS BOOK!
By sending out her latest, Gardening Can Be Murder, Marta McDowell has provided a catalog of mysteries related to all things gardening - with delicious excerpts, and in helpful categories:
*Gardening Detectives
*Setting
*Motive
*Means
*More Means
*Clues
*Suspects
*Mystery Writers and Their Gardens
*The End
And, Huzzah and Hurray, she has done herself proud with Endpapers Aplenty, including a list of all books mentioned!!! GCBM is a mystery-garden-lovers dream come true. I went through this book with two screens, and grew my TBR list by 60+! I dare you to open this book and NOT walk away with at least 10 new-to-you reads. . .and hours of petals, leaves, dirt-under-your-nails and twigs in your hair as you read this new offering.
Every plant-based star (certainly more than five)
*A sincere thank you to Marta McDowell, Timber Press and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*
By sending out her latest, Gardening Can Be Murder, Marta McDowell has provided a catalog of mysteries related to all things gardening - with delicious excerpts, and in helpful categories:
*Gardening Detectives
*Setting
*Motive
*Means
*More Means
*Clues
*Suspects
*Mystery Writers and Their Gardens
*The End
And, Huzzah and Hurray, she has done herself proud with Endpapers Aplenty, including a list of all books mentioned!!! GCBM is a mystery-garden-lovers dream come true. I went through this book with two screens, and grew my TBR list by 60+! I dare you to open this book and NOT walk away with at least 10 new-to-you reads. . .and hours of petals, leaves, dirt-under-your-nails and twigs in your hair as you read this new offering.
Every plant-based star (certainly more than five)
*A sincere thank you to Marta McDowell, Timber Press and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*
Shelved as 'tbr'
January 27, 2024A wonderful addition for every literary and garden lover! Let's start at the beginning by saying this cover is fabulous and the hardcover details were a beautiful surprise. Next comes the inners. These pages are packed with stories, examples, history lessons, and more. All information is easy to access thanks to a chapter list and index. I absolutely love how this author compiled images and facts to mash together into a wonderfully wrote story lesson of how plants have been used for generations within the literary world. My favorite part is the book list. McDowell not only sites all her information and images, but she also compiles and entire list of every story mentioned in this book, which allows us readers to dive into the world's that McDowell has just taught us about. My only negative reaction is to the actual pages of the book, not the words written, but the type of paper choosen. It us lightweight which makes it more of a scratchy vs the luxurious smooth stock pages this book truly does deserve.
April 5, 2023
I've been a mystery fan for awhile, and I really enjoy books that give me bits of information I didn't know I wanted to know. This book gave me that. The "Means" chapters are especially good at breaking down specific plants and the influences there. But, I never really got to understand why any of it mattered. It felt like it was just information. I know a lot about Victorian gardens in relation to detective fiction now, but how do those influences remain today? Why is it important that the gardening fashions influenced literature and vice versa? I missed the "so what" of the book. When it comes in the last chapter, it's not enough to make up for the rest of the book where that was my constant question. There were too many seeds that weren't tended as fully as I wanted them to be. I still liked the book on the whole. I certainly have more knowledge than I had before. The pace of the book is quick and easy to read, but I wanted more.
August 8, 2023
This was a really fun read. It would be perfect as a coffee table book or a bedside table book where you could read little sub chapters before bed. The author clearly has a passion for crime fiction and gardening. The author was incredibly well read on the crime fiction genre and provided lots of book references throughout the text (and provided a handy book list at the back). This book looks at the different famous crime writers who used gardening, plants and poison to write great crime fiction such as Agatha Christie, Ruth Ware, Naomi Hirahara, Arthur Conan Doyle and more.
The book looks into topics such as means, motive, settings, clues, gardening detectives and suspects. A really detailed and pleasurable read that was clearly a love letter to the authors life passions.
Thanks to the publisher Timber Press, author Marta McDowell and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review
The book looks into topics such as means, motive, settings, clues, gardening detectives and suspects. A really detailed and pleasurable read that was clearly a love letter to the authors life passions.
Thanks to the publisher Timber Press, author Marta McDowell and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review
September 15, 2023
4.5 stars
Gardening Can Be Murder is a comprehensive analysis of plants and their influence on various murder mystery authors and novels. It’s a unique topic to read about especially since it’s well researched.
It was sadly dry at times and I felt like there was too much info dumping in some pages. For some chapters, the author talked about the influence of plants and gardens in one novel and then suddenly went on to discuss another work. Although it does not affect the actual content of the book, I wished the prose and writing style were less monotonous. Despite this, I absolutely loved learning about how plants and gardens have inspired classic authors such as Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. I’m also going to check out the author’s other works. The one about Emily Dickinson’s gardening life seems very interesting!
[Arc provided by NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest, voluntary review]
Gardening Can Be Murder is a comprehensive analysis of plants and their influence on various murder mystery authors and novels. It’s a unique topic to read about especially since it’s well researched.
It was sadly dry at times and I felt like there was too much info dumping in some pages. For some chapters, the author talked about the influence of plants and gardens in one novel and then suddenly went on to discuss another work. Although it does not affect the actual content of the book, I wished the prose and writing style were less monotonous. Despite this, I absolutely loved learning about how plants and gardens have inspired classic authors such as Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. I’m also going to check out the author’s other works. The one about Emily Dickinson’s gardening life seems very interesting!
[Arc provided by NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest, voluntary review]
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