A garden-party crasher is cut down by a killer in this mystery series featuring “immensely likable characters” (Kirkus Reviews).

Sixty-five-year-old Lilly Jayne may have some aches and pains in her retirement years, but it doesn’t stop her from keeping the most manicured garden in Goosebush, Massachusetts. But as a murder mystery blooms in the sleepy New England town, can a green thumb weed out a killer?

With hundreds flocking to her inaugural garden party, meticulous Lilly Jayne hasn’t left a single petal out of place. But the picture-perfect gathering turns unruly upon the arrival of Merilee Frank, Lilly’s ex-husband’s catty third wife. Merilee lives for trouble, so no one is surprised after she drinks too much, shoves a guest into the koi pond, and gets escorted off the property. The real surprise comes days later—when Merilee is found dead in a pile of mulch . . .

Lilly wishes she could stick to pruning roses and forget about Merilee’s murder—until her best friend and ex become suspects in an overgrown homicide case. Now, aided by the Garden Squad, an unlikely group of amateur crime solvers with a knack for planting, Lilly knows she has limited time to identify the true culprit and restore order to Goosebush. Because if the murderer’s plot isn’t nipped in the bud, another victim could be pushing up daisies!

What People Are Saying

“A well-written and snappy whodunit, this is an enjoyable read…” – Dru’s Book Musings

“Not only was it a spectacular mystery with more twists and turns than ivy vines, it was an entertaining story from cover to cover.” – Lisa Ks Book Reviews

“Lilly Jayne is feisty, smart, dignified, stubborn, kind and lovable! A perfectly relatable new main character!” – An Amazon Review

“Well-written and thoroughly enjoyable! Julia has introduced a variety of diverse and interesting characters collectively solving an intriguing mystery. A most impressive series debut!” – Scott on Goodreads

“The extraordinary development of the characters and the plot makes this one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve read in years. So interesting that it was difficult to not read in one sitting!” – A Goodreads Review

“I’ll tell you how much I liked this book – I dropped it in the bath, and continued reading it (after I got out of the bath!) without waiting for the pages to dry! This is a wonderfully well-written book that creates a reality I would love to be part of.” – An Amazon Review