KILLING WEEDS is Book eight in the Peggy Lee Garden cozy mystery series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. Although this is Book eight in the series, I believe KILLING WEEDS can be enjoyed by readers who are new to the series. The authors do a thorough job of mapping out the main characters and their relationships to each other, as well as covering past events that are crucial to understanding the group dynamics. I love the Peggy Lee mystery series and KILLING WEEDS does not disappoint!

The murder and mysteries in KILLING WEEDS are all highly personal for Peggy. All the crimes seem to either target her or her family. I love the added dimension that this personal angle gave the story. The chameleon-like shadowy woman who appears to be behind every evil act is reminiscent of murderesses from hard-boiled detective stories. The mystery of who the woman is, what her motives are, and what she plans next make for a fascinating read and keep the reader in suspense. Although the danger to the main characters is very real, there are still lighter moments and traditional cozy aspects to KILLING WEEDS.

Amid a sea of cozy mysteries with either thirty-something female sleuths or the more Miss Marple set, Peggy Lee stands out as an intelligent, vibrant middle-aged businesswoman and academic. I enjoy reading about her exploits because she is likable and down-to-earth. Once again, Joyce and Jim Lavene write a wonderful and engaging ensemble mystery. Peggy Lee is the protagonist and main sleuth, but the supporting characters - including her family and co-workers - are very well- written and add a lot to the story without cluttering it. The relationships between the main characters add a light counterpoint to the intensity that runs throughout KILLING WEEDS, as well as providing added depth.

KILLING WEEDS is full of intriguing puzzles that will delight fans -- both new and old! The fun plant facts scattered throughout the book are interesting. I look forward to seeing what happens with the cold case in Peggy's family in future books. I eagerly await the next book in this Peggy Lee Garden series.

Book Summary

It’s spring in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of forensic botanist and garden shop owner, Peggy Lee. This spring has been beautiful, as always, with flowering trees and blue skies.

But a killer is on the loose, and seems determined to destroy everyone and everything she cares about.

When her garden shop, the Potting Shed, is brutally vandalized, Peggy doesn’t realize that it is only the beginning. Her son, Paul, who has been moonlighting as a private detective to investigate the death of his father, John Lee, is suspected of murder when a mink coat lined with poison kills the woman who is wearing it.

Peggy identifies the particularly deadly blend of botanical poisons in the coat. Unfortunately, her work as a specialist with plant poisons makes Paul even more interesting to the police. When attacks against her and her family continue, Peggy must go back through her years of sleuthing to finger the person responsible . . . before it’s too late.