Death of an Orchid Lover (Joe Portugal Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Nathan Walpow (Author)

Book Description

Series: Joe Portugal Mystery | Publication Date: April 11, 2000

Nature. Nurture. Murder.

L.A. actor Joe Portugal just wants to keep the mealybugs off his cacti, give a little boost to his love life, and maybe make a few commercials along the way. And with a small acting role nailed down, Joe has every reason to mind his own business. But he doesn't. That's because a man who loved orchids has been found dead. And so has a woman who asked for Joe's help.

Never one to walk away from a challenge, Joe is plunging into a world unlike any he's seen before--the frenetic, highly competitive world of the orchid enthusiast. And suddenly Joe Portugal--actor, cactus lover, reluctant sleuth--is discovering that solving murder cases among the flora, fauna, and fanatics who thrive in L.A. isn't just a hobby, it's his true calling...especially since a killer has already come calling on him....

Includes The Joe Portugal Guide to Orchids.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Walpow brings back Joe Portugal of The Cactus Club Killings to unravel the mystery behind the sudden death of Albert, an orchid grower in Los Angeles. Portugal, more of a succulent plant enthusiast, rarely mingles with orchid growers but happens to attend the spring social of the Palisades Orchid Society, where he meets the accused, Laura, whom he fondly remembers from his past. Attracted to the thrill of playing detective--and to Laura--he assumes the role of investigator, enlisting the help of his best friend, Gina. This time around, Walpow ups the ante, tossing more bodies in the protagonist's way; soon Portugal is wondering whether he's too involved for his own good. Despite the predictable romance between Gina and Portugal and the lackluster horticulture details, Walpow's quirky cast of characters enlivens a satisfying mystery. Agent: Janet Manus. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The Sam Spade of the gardening set."
--Elaine Viets, author of The Pink Flamingo Murders

"Bright, witty and full of intriguing characters, the second Joe Portugal mystery is a wonderful sequel to The Cactus Club Killings."
--Dale Furutani, author of the Ken Tanaka and Samurai mystery series

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dell (April 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440234921
• ISBN-13: 978-0440234920
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,149,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining book, even for non-orchid lovers, October 4, 2000

By 

Kinsey Millhone (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of an Orchid Lover (Joe Portugal Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm not into orchids *or* succulents, but plant-loving sleuth Joe Portugal is a fun guy to spend some time with nevertheless. Joe is an actor who appears in commercials, which gives him plenty of free time to solve crimes. He's really more of a cactus man, but he enters the cutthroat (really!) world of orchids in order to find out who murdered a member of the local orchid society. It's not too difficult to guess whodunit, and the plot could be stronger, but this book is still a light and amusing read. I liked Joe's deadpan observations and wry sense of humor, and enjoyed learning about the differences between cactus and orchid lovers.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better that the first one, May 1, 2000

By 

Harry R. Squires (Redondo Beach, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of an Orchid Lover (Joe Portugal Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was happy to renew my acquaintance with Joe Portugal, cactus maven and amateur sleuth. This time he gets involved with killings among orchid enthusiasts. It's an off-beat mix of actors, plant smugglers, old loves, and one very nasty murderer. Joe's sense of humor had me chuckling throughout, despite the dangerous situations he keeps landing himself in. The main character comes across as a damaged person trying hard to be a decent human being. Joe just keeps getting more appealing and his lovelife couldn't be more complicated. Even if you're not a plant enthusiast yourself, you'll find it hard not to get interested. (Didja know that the term "orchid" comes from the Greek word for testicle?) Fascinating characters, tight plot, genuine humor--another quick read from Walpow.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Botanical lovers are going to love this one, April 15, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Death of an Orchid Lover (Joe Portugal Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

Forty-six-year-old Los Angeles resident Joe Portugal earns enough income from starring in commercials to keep his body and spirit nourished. He has finally accepted the reality that he will never be a great actor and enjoys spending time cultivating his succulent plants, treating them like his children. At a party given by orchid enthusiast Albert Oberg, Joe runs into fellow attendee Laura Astaire, a person he has not seen in fifteen years. Joe is surprised when Laura calls him the next day, begging him to help her. The police feel she murdered her boy friend Albert.

Laura asks Joe to clear her name by finding the real killer. Joe agrees, but before he can start investigating, Laura dies. The police want to tie her death into a neat package labeled guilt leading to suicide, but Joe rejects the theory because of Laura's plea for him to prove her innocence. Joe begins inquiries into the two murders not yet realizing how dangerous a pastime amateur sleuthing can become.

DEATH OF AN ORCHID LOVER is a refreshing, fast-paced novel filled with offbeat charcaters that beguile the audience into liking them in spite of their serious flaws. Horticulture details are cleverly interwoven into the story line by an author who obviously is an expert on plant life because he is an enthusiast himself. Joe's quirky sense of humor enables him to survive situations that would make many a person weep. Although this is only Joe's second appearance, author Nathan Walpow has a winning series that appears ready for a long run.

Harriet Klausner