Dollycas's Thoughts
It's fall in Goosebush, Massachusetts and Lilly Jayne has her fingers in everything. She is on the town's 400th Anniversary Planning Committee and the Fall Festival is just days away. Lily will have a haunted house in her yard and she has been tasked with keeping a part of the 10K run trail clear of leaves. She is also being hounded by Tyler Crane, a newspaper reporter with no ethics. He's been digging up dirt on longtime members of the community and has been teasing what he has uncovered across his social media accounts.
Lilly, Delia, and Roddy return to give the 10K path one more sweep when Roddy discovers a body under a pile of leaves. Tyler Crane won't be bothering anyone anymore. Did he fall? or did the man push someone too far? It's time for the Garden Squad to get busy and find out. If there is a killer in their midst they need to dig up evidence to plant them behind bars as soon as possible.
I was excited to get back to Goosebush to catch up with Lily and her friends. They are all about doing what is best for their town and it's usually done in a fun way. The Garden Squad and their midnight beautification projects are just so neat and I loved that they have inspired others to do some late-night projects of their own. We are also introduced to a couple of new characters in this story that are unique. All of Ms. Henry's characters continue to evolve and grow as this series continues. They are genuine and true to life and distinguishable. Oh, and there's a new feline character that is just what Lily and Delia needed.
I really enjoy the way the author describes each scene. Lily's garden is her pride and joy and I can picture it vividly. Roddy's garden needs a lot of work and he is willing to put in the time with Lily's help to get everything just right. The town is set up like a wheel with Ernie Garden Center at one spoke and The Star Cafe on another, and the police station is on the circle too, along with other businesses. There is also a park set for a special renovation nearby. We also get a peek at some house renovations that have and will continue from one book to the next.
Then there is the little-used path where the body is found. I felt like I was right there on the scene, looking for any clues or evidence with Delia and Lilly. The squad all comes together to compare notes and follow each twist and turn. There were more suspects than I first imagined. It was fun to follow along with them and it was exciting to be there when the jig was up and the guilty party was revealed, and boy was I surprised. But the showdown wasn't done, there was a really stressful situation to get through and the chief of police Bash Haywood trusted others to help him handle that situation. That says a lot about this community.
One thing I have noticed since I started reading this series is that I get all kinds of ideas for my own gardens. I appreciate the gardening tips included in the back of the book and I share them with my partner-in-planting husband.
Digging Up The Remains is a well-plotted, well-written cozy mystery that features characters I would love to be able to jump into the book and interact with. Goosebush is so welcoming and always has something fun going on. I am looking forward to digging into Wreathing Havoc soon.
It's fall in Goosebush, Massachusetts and Lilly Jayne has her fingers in everything. She is on the town's 400th Anniversary Planning Committee and the Fall Festival is just days away. Lily will have a haunted house in her yard and she has been tasked with keeping a part of the 10K run trail clear of leaves. She is also being hounded by Tyler Crane, a newspaper reporter with no ethics. He's been digging up dirt on longtime members of the community and has been teasing what he has uncovered across his social media accounts.
Lilly, Delia, and Roddy return to give the 10K path one more sweep when Roddy discovers a body under a pile of leaves. Tyler Crane won't be bothering anyone anymore. Did he fall? or did the man push someone too far? It's time for the Garden Squad to get busy and find out. If there is a killer in their midst they need to dig up evidence to plant them behind bars as soon as possible.
I was excited to get back to Goosebush to catch up with Lily and her friends. They are all about doing what is best for their town and it's usually done in a fun way. The Garden Squad and their midnight beautification projects are just so neat and I loved that they have inspired others to do some late-night projects of their own. We are also introduced to a couple of new characters in this story that are unique. All of Ms. Henry's characters continue to evolve and grow as this series continues. They are genuine and true to life and distinguishable. Oh, and there's a new feline character that is just what Lily and Delia needed.
I really enjoy the way the author describes each scene. Lily's garden is her pride and joy and I can picture it vividly. Roddy's garden needs a lot of work and he is willing to put in the time with Lily's help to get everything just right. The town is set up like a wheel with Ernie Garden Center at one spoke and The Star Cafe on another, and the police station is on the circle too, along with other businesses. There is also a park set for a special renovation nearby. We also get a peek at some house renovations that have and will continue from one book to the next.
Then there is the little-used path where the body is found. I felt like I was right there on the scene, looking for any clues or evidence with Delia and Lilly. The squad all comes together to compare notes and follow each twist and turn. There were more suspects than I first imagined. It was fun to follow along with them and it was exciting to be there when the jig was up and the guilty party was revealed, and boy was I surprised. But the showdown wasn't done, there was a really stressful situation to get through and the chief of police Bash Haywood trusted others to help him handle that situation. That says a lot about this community.
One thing I have noticed since I started reading this series is that I get all kinds of ideas for my own gardens. I appreciate the gardening tips included in the back of the book and I share them with my partner-in-planting husband.
Digging Up The Remains is a well-plotted, well-written cozy mystery that features characters I would love to be able to jump into the book and interact with. Goosebush is so welcoming and always has something fun going on. I am looking forward to digging into Wreathing Havoc soon.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Digging up the Remains is the third installment in the A Garden Squad Mystery series featuring Lilly Jayne and her housemate Delia Greenway, set in the small town of Goosebush, Massachusetts. The annual Fall Festival is on the horizon and it has turned from a one weekend event into two weeks of activities including a 10K run and culminating in a Halloween stroll.
Serving on the Planning Committee, Lilly has also become the target of new to town reporter, Tyler Crane. It seems that Tyler has been digging up dirt by going through the town archives and is now threatening to unveil the buried secrets of several prominent townspeople. When Lilly discovers Tyler's body covered in leaves nobody seems to be heartbroken.
Teaming up with the other members of the Garden Squad including her neighbor Roddy Lyden and Ernie Johnson the owner of Bits, Bolts and Bulbs, Lilly and Delia set out to uncover a killer. A fast moving plot, the return of series regulars and a new furry addition to Windward keep the pages turning. Readers are introduced to new characters that will most likely be featured in future additions to the series, and learning that Lilly and Delia are going to have temporary house guests will leave you looking forward to the next adventures of the Garden Squad.
Serving on the Planning Committee, Lilly has also become the target of new to town reporter, Tyler Crane. It seems that Tyler has been digging up dirt by going through the town archives and is now threatening to unveil the buried secrets of several prominent townspeople. When Lilly discovers Tyler's body covered in leaves nobody seems to be heartbroken.
Teaming up with the other members of the Garden Squad including her neighbor Roddy Lyden and Ernie Johnson the owner of Bits, Bolts and Bulbs, Lilly and Delia set out to uncover a killer. A fast moving plot, the return of series regulars and a new furry addition to Windward keep the pages turning. Readers are introduced to new characters that will most likely be featured in future additions to the series, and learning that Lilly and Delia are going to have temporary house guests will leave you looking forward to the next adventures of the Garden Squad.
