Nipped in the Bud (Hometown Mysteries) [Paperback]

Susan Sleeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010

Prepare to attend the Pickle Fest in Serendipity, Oregon, along with Paige Turner and Adam Hayes. But first you must help them unravel the mystery of how the city manager wound up dead in a mound of mulch in the city park that Paige was hired to landscape. Can Adam’s knowledge of the law keep her out of jail and win her love?

(20101111)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nipped In The Bud is a quick afternoon read that will keep the reader guessing right to the end. The characters are so easy to become connected with and one feels as if they are right there among them  helping to solve this mystery. If you are a reader of the cozy mystery genre and you are looking for one that will keep you laughing and  trying to figure out  her the killer is at the same time , then you need to grab a copy of Barbour’s  Hometown Mystery book  Nipped In The Bud by Susan Sleeman. You won’t go wrong. 

(Lynn Fowlston Miss Lynn's Books & More 20101223)

Throw in a giant pickle named Briny. A best friend with two daughters. And a much hated City Manager with a wife who seems to frighten everyone you and will see that author Susan Sleeman wrote a page-turner. The gardening tips and their comical misinterpretations literally made me laugh out loud. I look forward to reading more of her work 

(Beth Gawlowicz Blissful Beth 20110218)

If you''re looking for a light, cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the last page is turned; Nipped in the Bud is for you. It has all the elements of a good mystery plus excellent dialogue, romance and satirical humor, without the hardened elements of blood, sex and gore. This author is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre!

(Gail Welborn The Examiner 20110301)

I can’t seems to get enough of the books from the ‘Hometown Mysteries’ series. This is the second book that I’ve read in the series. The first one I’ve read was ‘Missing Mabel’ by Nancy Melh.



I absolutely love Nipped In The Bud by Susan Sleeman. It’s intriguing, ironic as well as breathtaking. I love the romance that buds in the story. It did not overshadow the mystery in the story.



If I were to rate this book, I’d give it a 4. I recommend this book to those who loves a good mystery-romance kinda books.

(Elizabeth Toh Library of Lights )

If you’re looking for a light, cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the last page is turned—Nipped in the Bud is for you. It has all the elements of a good mystery plus excellent dialogue, romance and satirical humor, without the hardened elements of blood, sex and gore. This author is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre!

(Gail Welborn The Suspense Zone)

Book Description

Romance is the last thing on Paige Turner’s mind when she is fingered for murder of the small Oregon town’s city manager who is found in the park she is landscaping. Can a handsome lawyer help to keep her out of jail on the eve of the Pickle Fest?

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602605734
• ISBN-13: 978-1602605732
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

SUSAN SLEEMAN is a bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense and mystery novels. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com. Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. Connect with Susan at:
Her Website - http://www.susansleeman.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!, October 9, 2010

By 

Cindy Loven "~LovenGod~" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nipped in the Bud (Hometown Mysteries) (Paperback)

Nipped in the Bud
Susan Sleeman
2010
Hometown Mysteries from Barbour
Fiction/Mystery/Suspense

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Nipped in the Bud is a fun novel that you will not want to put down, Susan Sleeman has captured a quirky character in Paige Turner, a landscaper, who seems to attract even more quirky listeners to her radio show. Each chapter begins with the transcript of a call from her radio show, which will have you in stitches laughing.
Paige Turner, a local girl come home from the big city, is the owner of a landscaping business, and also the host of a radio program. Finally landing a big contract with the city, for the upcoming Picklefest, Paige is thwarted by the city manager Bud Picklemann, who seems determined to get her fired. Loosing her temper, and threatening him, Paige never dreams it will come back to haunt her within hours, when Bud is found dead in her work area. The local police chief seems to have it in for her, holding a grudge against her over something from their high school days. Paige has to find out who killed Bud, before she is sent to jail. Her handsome young lawyer seems to distract her with his good looks, but more than that, he is determined to hire a professional investigator, which angers Paige.
An exciting book you will want to finish quickly you do not want to miss this book. Susan Sleeman has once again shown that she is a gifted author. 243 pages US $10.99 4 stars.
Learn more about Susan Sleeman at her website. Also check out the contest she is hosting at The Suspense Zone.
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spirited and engaging, January 16, 2012

By 

Peter Higman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nipped in the Bud (Hometown Mysteries) (Paperback)

Nipped in the Bud is a cozy mystery full of humor and intrigue. The heroine, Paige Turner, is spirited and engaging, and you'll love the hilarious scenes when she's hosting her local radio show called, "Through the Garden Gate." Paige is surrounded by small town characters who are so memorable and quirky that you'll want to write home about them. You don't want to miss this gardening mystery romp by Susan Sleeman!

Reviewed by Anita Higman

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder Investigation in the midst of Quirky Humor, November 29, 2010

By 

L. Wagner "newdesertrose" (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nipped in the Bud (Hometown Mysteries) (Paperback)

Paige Turner returned to her hometown after receiving her degree in landscaping, and opened her own shop, The Garden Gate. She also hosts KALM's radio broadcast, Through the Garden Gate, with her producer friend, Lisa Winkle.

Paige won her first landscaping job of sprucing up the city park in time for the Pickle Fest, fencing off the area. Returning to the site, she engages in an argument with the city manager, Bud Pickleman, about the lack of a proper security fence. She screamed at Bud in a menacing way about his interference at the site. The following day, Bud was found dead in a mound of mulch at Paige's landscaping site. Police Chief Mitch Lawson, an old classmate with a grudge, is out to handcuff and jail her for Bud's murder. She hires Attorney Adam Hayes to defend her, find the real killer, and keep her out of jail.

Not only is this a good murder mystery, with a great plot and plenty of suspects, Susan throws in a quirky, humorous radio show at the beginning of each chapter to offset the seriousness of the murder investigation. The call-ins have a rare, slap-stick comedy. A unique way to downplay the tension.

The suspicious behaviors, multiple arguments, and grudges will have you guessing who the murderer is. Almost everyone seems to be suspect in some way. The plot kept me interested through the whole book. The essence of romantic tension brings another element of delight while all the while trying to solve the murder. Definitely a fun read! Way to go, Susan!

This book was provided by Susan Sleeman in exchange for my honest review.