Book Review: Pretty Poison

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Pretty Poison     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Joyce and Jim Lavene
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Dogs   Cozy
Series: Garden Mysteries (Lavene) # 1
Berkley, Paperback, 5/05, 267 pages, $6.99

Peggy Lee is widowed and now owns The Potting Shed, a local garden shop. Her husband was a police detective. She also teaches part-time at the local university. She is a botanist.

She arrives at her shop only to find a dead man. How did he get inside her locked shop? Who is he and who killed him? And why here? These are some of the many questions she wants answered.

He is Mark Warner, a very wealthy man. The police arrest a local homeless man for the murder because he had his shoes and belongings. Peggy does not believe he killed him.

In the meantime, Peggy is adopted by an enormous Great Dane. The only good thing is that she and the veterinarian seem to hit it off.

Her son is not too sure about the dog or veterinarian, and he definitely disapproves of her trying to discover the identity of the real killer. She starts stirring thing up by interviewing the various women in Mark’s life.

Peggy starts digging up secrets that someone doesn’t want known. She puts herself in danger to try to uncover the truth.

This is the first in a great new series. I can’t wait to read the next. Peggy is such a wonderfully crafted character. The students she employs really add to the story. I loved the Great Dane and the veterinarian, too.

The story is well developed and runs along at a good pace. It is a wonderful cozy that you will find hard to put down. The only bad thing is that it will be over too soon! I highly recommend this book.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com