The Skeleton Garden

Potting Shed Mysteries Series, Book 4

By: Marty Wingate

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Texas transplant Pru Parke has put down roots in England, but she never dreamed she'd live in a grand place such as Greenoak. When her former employers offer Pru and her new husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, the use of their 19th-century estate while they're away for a year, she jumps at the chance. Sweetening the deal is the prospect of further bonding with her long-lost brother, Simon, who happens to be Greenoak's head gardener. But the majestic manor has at least one skeleton in its closet - or, rather, its garden.

Working on renovations to the extensive grounds, siblings Pru and Simon squabble about everything from boxwood to bay hedges. But when the removal of a half-dead tree turns up the wreckage of a World War II-era German fighter plane and a pile of bones, the arguments stop. That is, until a rival from Simon's past pays a surprise visit and creates even more upheaval. It's suddenly clear someone is unhappy their secrets have been unearthed. Still, Pru's not about to sit back and let Simon take the fall for the dirty deed without a fight.

©2016 Martha Wingate (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"As always I enjoyed this story a lot and I have loved all of Marty Wingate's cozy books so far and can't wait for the next one!" (Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!)

Memories of WW2 Create Mayhem and Murder

On a new job, Pru gets to spend more time with her long, lost brother who is also a gardener. I loved the addition of a nephew, who really brings a light to the story.

As Always, Interesting! A Great Book!

I've found the books in this series to be quite interesting, entertaining, with a bit of British gardening teaching thrown in. While the mystery in this book was good, the further depth added to the characters was very enjoyable. I feel like I know them quite well by now.

Painfully obvious

The mystery was threadbare and the solution was too obvious. The teen character acts too young for his age and is unrealistic (as is the main character for that matter).

Story was painful

Why does this author think we are as dumb as her protagonist? She gets in trouble only because she doesn’t communicate. Tell the right people at the time. ..all for the sake of making a story.? It’s nice to read fiction with history, but insulting to read thinking we agree with the choices of the protagonist.. who never learns?!
Also, it’s hard to recall Pru is in her fifties, when the voice is by a woman far younger.
Sorry. This was my last.