Thursday, May 16, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: A THYME TO DIE by JOYCE AND JIM LAVENE


About A Thyme to Die:

Peggy Lee and her gardening friends have managed to persuade the International Flower Show to move to Charlotte from Atlanta this year. Excited and enthusiastic, Peggy agrees to step into the role as director of the event, but on opening day, a good friend of hers is found dead in the middle of the show.

Dr. Aris Abbuto, an orchid grower from South Africa, has been shot and buried in a makeshift grave covered with pink thyme. Peggy is especially devastated since he came at her personal invitation. The presence of the pink thyme, a plant once used for ancient burial rites, tells her it’s possible one of the show’s growers may be involved in his death.

She plans to work with the Charlotte Police on this one, in her position of contract forensic botanist, and is surprised to learn of the Charlotte FBI’s interest in the case—which means her husband, Steve is involved too.

Peggy is focused on finding her friend’s killer and running the flower show with hundreds of sometimes disgruntled vendors. Her questions will find a devious plot with her friend and his young daughter, unwittingly, at the heart of it.

Asking the wrong questions can be dangerous, however, as Peggy knows so well. If she isn’t careful, finding her friend’s killer might also lead to a flower-covered grave for her.

About Jim & Joyce Lavene:


Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 60 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.

Connect with Joyce & Jim Lavene:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

 Join Jim & Joyce on tour:
May 13, 2013 - A Chick Who Reads
May 13, 2013 – Shelley’s Book Case
May 14, 2013 – Brooke Blogs
May 16, 2013 - The Self Taught Cook
May 17, 2013 - Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries & More
May 17, 2013 - Melina’s Book Blog
May 19, 2013 – Chloe Gets a Clue & A Blue Million Books
May 20, 2013 - Omnimystery
May 26, 2013 - Cozy Up with Kathy
June 24, 2013 - Socrates Book Review

Reader review . . . 

Peggy Lee is excited when the International Flower Show is moved to Charlotte and she is named director of the show.  Her happiness is short-lived when a friend is found murdered and buried in a shallow grave in one of the show exhibits.  The scattered thyme leaves on the grave tell Peggy that one of the exhibitors may be involvedPeggy helps with the investigation as a contract forensic botanist, but her work may place her in a grave like that of her friend.

Another winner in the Peggy Lee Garden series, and a sure-to-be favorite of cozy mystery fans and botany enthusiasts, this novel has plenty to offer.  The characters are engaging, and the story is compact and concise.  Each chapter begins with a short description/history of a different herb or flower, making this book informative as well as entertaining.

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cozy Mystery book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

   

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