The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 2) [Hardcover]

Carola Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995

The Honorable Daisy Dalrymple, writing about British manor houses, visits Occles Hall and finds it under the charge of the autocratic Lady Valeria, who takes offense when Daisy discovers the body of a pregnant maid buried in the garden.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Another series sleuth, Daisy Dalrymple, calls in Scotland Yard after local police wrongly arrest a gardener for the murder of a pregnant maid. Set in a British manor house in 1923, this traditional charmer will please most everyone.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312132174
• ISBN-13: 978-0312132170
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,722,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carola Dunn is the author of the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries. Born and raised in England, the author now lives in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful fun! Let yourself be charmed by this mystery., October 8, 2000

By 

Sharon Wylie (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 2) (Hardcover)

Set in 1923 England, this series follows the adventures of the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple, a young woman who has defied convention by choosing to make her own living (as a journalist) rather than let her aristocratic family support her. She uses her connections, however, to gain access to material for her writing.

In this, the second of the series (preceeded by "Death at Wentwater Court" and followed by "Requiem for a Mezzo"), Daisy is researching information for the second installment of her articles on country manor houses for Town and Country magazine. Having inveigled an invitation to Occles Hall, Daisy finds herself entangled in mystery when the body of a pregnant maid is discovered in the garden. Aggravated by the ineptitude of local investigators, Daisy calls on her friend Alec Fletcher of the Scotland Yard for help.

This series is absolutely charming, a delight for fans of the "cozy" subgenre of mystery writing. Unlike many authors of this subgenre, Dunn doesn't over-rely on antics and hilarity to carry her story, but instead allows the mystery to drive her plot. The characters are interesting and well-developed, the depiction of the era is precise, and the execution of the mystery plot is masterful.

Daisy is an enormously likeable character, intelligent and practical. There is a lot to like in this series, so hopefully this title will be re-released in paperback soon (as was the first in the series). In the meantime, check your library, and tell your friends.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Second Mystery, February 2, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Honorable Daisy Dalrymple is working on her second article for Town and Country Magazine. This time, she's been invited to profile Occles Hall by a friend from school. Lady Valeria isn't completely happy about Daisy's presence, but agrees to let her continue. While touring the winter garden, the discovery of a dead bush leads to the discovery of a body. Grace Moss, the parlor maid, was presumed to have run away two months ago. When Lady Valeria pressures the local police into arresting one of the estate gardeners, Daisy's observations convince her that an innocent man has been arrested. She calls her friend Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher to come help, but can they solve a murder that's two months old?

This is the second book in the Daisy Dalrymple series, set in 1923 England. It's a cozy with an emphasis on character and interviewing the suspects over tons of action. But don't misunderstand; it's a great read. Lady Valeria is a strong character, and watching the other characters try to work around her is lots of fun. The pace of the story doesn't lag, with lots of new information and complications coming on a regular basis. Daisy and Alec's relationship is also very fun to watch, as they are not willing to admit to any feelings between them.

If you're looking for a book with lots of shoot-outs and close calls, look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a good mystery with great characters and an intriguing plot, this is the series for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining light mystery, set in the roaring twenties, June 19, 2001

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Town and Country writer Daisy Dalrymple once again finds murder while writing her series on English country homes. While visiting a school friend's home as possible subject for an article, she goes on a tour of the winter garden. The undergardener notices a dead bush. When they dig it up, a missing parlormaid is found underneath. That mystery solved, Daisy and Alec have to find out who killed her.

This is a pretty good beach book, light and not too taxing. It's very entertaining.