Cassandra "Casey" Calhoun's passion for gardening has carried her to President's Park on which sits the White House. But when she finds a dead body in a trash can, Casey has to root out a killer before she ends up planted herself.
Flowerbed of State (A White House Gardener Mystery)
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A bright blossom in the garden of cozy mysteries." --Jacklyn Brady, author of A Sheetcake Named Desire
Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans. --Publishers Weekly
This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest). --Library Journal
Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans. --Publishers Weekly
This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest). --Library Journal
From the Back Cover
When it comes to gardening, Cassandra "Casey" Calhoun isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. But when it comes to murder, she's not the kind of gal to let any killer get away clean...
Casey's passion for organic gardening and eye for detail have carried her into the most important patch of land in America--the President's Park, on which sits the most important home in America: the White House.
But while she's readying the final touches on an innovative cultivation program for the First Lady to inspect, she's attacked from behind by an unknown assailant who then disappears. When she comes to, she notices some damaged foliage that leads her and the Secret Service to a dead woman in a trash can.
With the biggest opportunity of her life ready to bloom, and all the President's men plowing up her perfect plans, Casey has to dig in and root out a killer before she ends up planted herself...
Casey's passion for organic gardening and eye for detail have carried her into the most important patch of land in America--the President's Park, on which sits the most important home in America: the White House.
But while she's readying the final touches on an innovative cultivation program for the First Lady to inspect, she's attacked from behind by an unknown assailant who then disappears. When she comes to, she notices some damaged foliage that leads her and the Secret Service to a dead woman in a trash can.
With the biggest opportunity of her life ready to bloom, and all the President's men plowing up her perfect plans, Casey has to dig in and root out a killer before she ends up planted herself...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Casey Calhoun is not your typical assistant gardener at the White House. She was brought in by the First Lady to make the gardening at the White House more organic, more earth friendly. Casey is also very organized, observant and detail oriented. While getting the grounds ready for the annual Easter Egg Roll she is also developing a plan to present to the Grounds Committee for implementing her new organic ideas.
Fighting back a case of the nerves about her presentation she ventures out to weed one of the park's gardens. While there she is attacked from behind and ends up face down in the garden. As she comes to and is explaining what happened to a Secret Service Agent, she notices some broken limbs on a tree. When she works her way over to the damage, it leads both her and the agent to make a shocking discovery. A dead woman that has been stuffed into a trash can. Casey can't help herself from digging into case and trying to root out the killer. Doing so she puts herself not only in danger from the assailant but also may lose her job before she even has a chance to bloom.
A wonderful start to a new series!! Casey Calhoun is a gutsy, full of life character, who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Her character develops perfectly throughout this story. You couldn't have a more perfect setting and the plot is entertaining and fast paced. A friendship that may bloom into love is also planted that I cannot wait to see flower in future editions.
Flowerbed of State is the perfect Springtime read. It also includes information on how to keep our yards and gardens blooming in more earth friendly ways as Casey prepares her presentation and fights for at least gradual change. I can't wait for the next book in this series to see where Casey takes us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Publishing. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Fighting back a case of the nerves about her presentation she ventures out to weed one of the park's gardens. While there she is attacked from behind and ends up face down in the garden. As she comes to and is explaining what happened to a Secret Service Agent, she notices some broken limbs on a tree. When she works her way over to the damage, it leads both her and the agent to make a shocking discovery. A dead woman that has been stuffed into a trash can. Casey can't help herself from digging into case and trying to root out the killer. Doing so she puts herself not only in danger from the assailant but also may lose her job before she even has a chance to bloom.
A wonderful start to a new series!! Casey Calhoun is a gutsy, full of life character, who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Her character develops perfectly throughout this story. You couldn't have a more perfect setting and the plot is entertaining and fast paced. A friendship that may bloom into love is also planted that I cannot wait to see flower in future editions.
Flowerbed of State is the perfect Springtime read. It also includes information on how to keep our yards and gardens blooming in more earth friendly ways as Casey prepares her presentation and fights for at least gradual change. I can't wait for the next book in this series to see where Casey takes us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Publishing. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By T Reader
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really wanted to like this book. I've read and loved Julie Hyzy's White House chef series and looked forward to another series set at the White House. Boy was I disappointed. Where Julie Hyzy's chef Olivia Paras is a strong and smart woman, gardener Casey is an immature, disorganized, scatterbrained, frivolous, silly little girl.
The plot revolves around Casey discovering a dead body and her determination on solving the crime. After all, she reads mysteries and is therefore more highly qualified than the police and the Secret Service. In her pursuit of justice, Casey predictably puts herself in harm's way and is saved by the requisite handsome Secret Service agent who, for whatever reason, is besotted with dimwitted Casey. Ugh.
The plot revolves around Casey discovering a dead body and her determination on solving the crime. After all, she reads mysteries and is therefore more highly qualified than the police and the Secret Service. In her pursuit of justice, Casey predictably puts herself in harm's way and is saved by the requisite handsome Secret Service agent who, for whatever reason, is besotted with dimwitted Casey. Ugh.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Time reading Flowerbed of State was well spent. It's a light, well-written mystery with a heroine who is sympathetic and likeable. I will order the next book in the series.
My only problem with the mystery was that to me, it wasn't. I felt that the killer was too obvious from almost the beginning. Other than that, I enjoyed the book very much.
My only problem with the mystery was that to me, it wasn't. I felt that the killer was too obvious from almost the beginning. Other than that, I enjoyed the book very much.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mystery in the White House Gardens
I enjoy books about the workings within the White House, and cozy mysteries. In this new series, Casey Calhoun has just joined the gardening staff with the White House team... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Ronna
4.0 out of 5 stars
Flowerbed of State
A nice entertaining story with some nice touches and plenty of action to keep you interested all the way through.
Published 2 months ago by V. Johnstone
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing for both readers and gardeners
I looked forward to reading this book because it had two of my favorite elements - mysteries and gardening. But I was disappointed on both counts. Read more
Published 4 months ago by B Squared
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wanted to like it, however
Looked forward to reading this as I so enjoy Julie Hyzy's White House Chef series, however, Cassandra Calhoun seemed to be very immature and disrespectful of the Secret Service,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Nancy L Graham
3.0 out of 5 stars
A promising debut, but...
The setting and the story are excellent, and I liked the main character -- I would enjoy reading about her again. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Boston Garden Gal
5.0 out of 5 stars
White house mysteries by Dorothy St.James
Flowerbed of State :Loved it, read it in two days. As good as Julie Hyzy White House mysteries. Looking forward to her next book. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ludmilla Fowden
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gardener or Detective?
Casey seems to getting into more than just soil, weeds and flowers, especially when someone is trying to kill her. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Flower Bed of State is Blooming Fantastic
Flowerbed of State
By Dorothy St. James
Copyright May 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Casey's passion for organic gardening and eye for detail have... Read more
By Dorothy St. James
Copyright May 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Casey's passion for organic gardening and eye for detail have... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nora A. Deret
4.0 out of 5 stars
History and a Good Read
I was glad to discover a new series and learn more about
our seat of government. The characters were entertaining.
A good book to curl up with.
our seat of government. The characters were entertaining.
A good book to curl up with.
Published 22 months ago by Diana L. Walker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Start to a new series
Just before her presentation to the First Lady making gardens Casey tempts fate by pulling a few weeds in the flower beds. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jennifer Rummel - YABookNerd
