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Book Review of Bitter Harvest (Greenhouse, Bk 2)

Bitter Harvest (Greenhouse, Bk 2)
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Bitter Harvest is the second installment in the A Greenhouse Mystery series set in Winsome, PA and featuring Megan Sawyer, organic farmer and café owner. Megan is relieved that her farm, Washington Acres had a successful growing season and that the Washington Acres Farm Café and Larder has become a central gathering place for the local townsfolk.

With Oktoberfest on the horizon the entire town is abuzz with preparations, but some are unhappy with the festival organizers. What started out as an idea by local brewer Otto Vance to attract tourism and to promote the organic farmers and small business owners, the festival has snowballed with the creation of a planning committee and the hiring of PR pro Ophelia Dilworth. Unfortunately, Ophelia and the committee have awarded sponsorships and prominent position at the festival to the Sauer farm, known for animal cruelty and also to Otto's Brew Pub, whose home brews are inferior to a rival brewery operation owned by Ted Kuhl.

When Megan's grandmother Bibi stumbles upon the dead body of Otto, Police Chief Bobby King claims he'd suffered an unfortunate fall. But Megan has doubts and when Ted goes missing she begins to suspect foul play. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery Megan enlists the help of beau and veterinarian Dr. Daniel "Denver" Finn, and soon discovers not everything is as it seems in the idyllic little town.

Coupled with finding Otto's killer Megan also discovers that someone is spying on her and the farm. Whoever is camping out on Potter's Hill overlooking Washington Acres, has a personal interest in Megan. She visits her estranged Aunt Sarah but the woman is reluctant to answer Megan's questions and the mystery surrounding Megan's childhood deepens.

A delightful cast of returning characters includes chef Alvaro Hernandez, farm worker Clay Hand and his sister Clover, and war veteran Brian Porter. Megan's loveable dogs Gunther and Sadie once again figure prominently alongside the adorable pygmy goats Heidi and Dimples. Two separate plotlines will keep you turning the pages, the author leaves one mystery unsolved which will have readers anxiously awaiting the next in the series, Seeds of Revenge.