Book Review: Mulch Ado About Nothing

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Mulch Ado About Nothing     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jill Churchill
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Jane Jeffry # 12
Morrow, Dec 2000, $23.00, 224 pp.

A flower arrangement meant for Julie Jackson is accidentally delivered to Jane Jeffry. Living in the same neighborhood, Jane and her best friend and neighbor Shelly deliver the flowers to Julie. Upon arrival at her home, they find a “crime scene” tape barring their way. Jane’s police officer friend Mel informs the two women that someone knocked out Julie in her basement office.

Julie was supposed to teach a gardening class, but her injury precludes that from happening. Dr. Eastman conducts the session attended by Jane and Shelly. The students tour each other’s gardens picking up tips along the way. When their teacher is found dead in his garden, Jane and Shelly begin an investigation into what is happening amidst the gardening set.

MULCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is a character-driven tale that is a bit short on plot, but huge on imagery and humor. The individual gardens are described so well that the audience will feel they are along on the tour. The killer is a shocker to those readers smelling the roses and not paying attention to the motives driving the characters. As usual, Jill Churchill provides her fans with a delightfully amusing novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner