Death in the Orchid Garden (Gardening Mysteries) [Paperback]

Ann Ripley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gardening Mysteries | Publication Date: September 4, 2007

Louise Eldridge is taking her public television garden show on the road--to Hawaii! But the tropical paradise isn't so idyllic once murder makes an unexpected appearance...

Lush with hibiscus, ficus, plumeria, and monkeypod trees, the island of Kauai is the perfect place for Louise to film a few episodes of Gardening with Nature.

After their shoot at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Louise unwinds with a sunset walk on the beach. But at the base of a cliff, she makes a grisly discovery: the battered body of Matthew Flynn, a noted botanist. Her attempts to save his life are fruitless, and--after seeing his injuries firsthand--Louise is convinced that his death was no accident.

Now it'll take some serious digging for Louise to unearth more clues, but she'll have to be very careful, because this is one killer who is ready to plant her in the ground...

"Neatly plotted...Ripley's green thumb fans will relish the paradise island setting and Louise's reliable sleuthing." --Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ripley's neatly plotted fifth horticultural cozy (after 2005's Summer Garden Murder) takes Louise Eldridge, host of a PBS show, Gardening with Nature, on location to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the lush setting for an elite botanical conference. Louise has scheduled a panel featuring an explosive mix of egos and agenda from plant explorer and entrepreneur Dr. Bruce Bouting, pharmaceutical company consultant Dr. Matthew Flynn, environmentalist Dr. Charles Reuter and Pacific Island plant expert Dr. Tom Schoonover. But on a sunset walk along the beach, Louise discovers one of these men dead, the deep wound gouged at the base of his skull definitely not sustained from a fall off a cliff. As another botanist perishes, Louise once again turns amateur detective to solve the murders. Ripley's green thumb fans will relish the paradise island setting and Louise's reliable sleuthing. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758208200
• ISBN-13: 978-0758208200
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,491,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, great setting, April 1, 2007

By 

Mary H. Lesser "doc lesser" (Valdese, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death in the Orchid Garden (Gardening Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This is the first book I've read in this series, and it was terrific. The author does an amazing job with the setting, particularly the trip to the volcano. The plant information is interesting and so is the debate in the storyline about searching out new plants for different possible commercial applications. I liked the main character (though I personally didn't think much of her husband!) and was surprised at the solution. Will definitely look to read more by this author.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars botany version of Ten Little Indians, November 6, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death in the Orchid Garden (Gardening Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Louise Eldridge is euphoric as she takes her DC based PBS show, Gardening with Nature, to the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a special shoot at the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Louise has scheduled a panel of expert guests to discuss horticulture. However, she finds the egomaniacal quartet (nursery owner Dr. Bruce Bouting, ethnobiologist Dr. Matthew Flynn, environmentalist Dr. Charles Reuter and Pacific Island expert Dr. Tom Schoonover) so obnoxious she looks forward to leaving paradise for home.

While strolling on the nearby beach, Louise finds the battered body of Dr. Flynn that she quickly concludes was a homicide. Police Chief Randy Hau leads the official investigation, but a second homicide occurs. Unable to heed her spouse's warning to stay out of the dangerous water, the plant lady begins an inquiry as she seeks the root cause of this homicide.

The Gardening Mystery (see SUMMER GARDEN MURDER) crowd will enjoy the change of milieu because Louise feels a need to uncover the botany version of Ten Little Indians. The whodunit is fun to follow as Chief Hau and amateur sleuth Louise separately work the case. Fans of the series will root for the plant lady as Ann Ripley provides a fun tropical cozy.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best in the Series, March 3, 2008

By 

Ms. Jessica - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death in the Orchid Garden (Gardening Mysteries) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. I am not much of a green thumb, but this series was recommended to me by a friend. The main character is so likeable and the mysteries are well-developed, now I have read them all. I also really enjoy how the author keeps changing/developing the characters' lives- it is more realistic and it keeps the reader wanting to know what will happen next. The best part of this book is the setting and anyone who has been to Hawaii will LOVE all the Hawaiian details in this book. I am really looking forward to the next installment.