I enjoy this series. Pru and Christopher are a great sleuthing couple. This book took me a bit of reading before I "fell" into the story. Perhaps, it was me being distracted. I don't understand people who become almost catatonic when they experience something bad. Coral is this type of person, and I couldn't wrap my head around this character. Lots of suspects and a delightful small village setting. If you like cozies or have read this author--you will enjoy this book..

Pru is hired to assess an Arts and Crafts garden in the Cotswolds and jumps at the chance. She thinks it would be a great vacation for her and her husband Christopher. She isn't there long before the builder of the garden, Batsford Bede, is found dead in his garden and Christopher is drafted to solve the crime.

There are all sorts of suspects including the daughter of his long-time love and a life coach who has been helping him and who had a previous relationship with Christopher after his divorce and before he met and married Pru. Or is it the young woman who wants to start her own farm by leasing some of Batty's land or maybe the man-of-all work who is helping her start her farm?

Pru and Christopher are staying in a ramshackle bed and breakfast run by an elderly widow whose husband did some odd electrical work in the house. The shabby interior, eccentric hallways, and low ceilings add some interesting atmosphere to the story.

The first thing Pru receives when she arrives are the garden journals that Bede wrote which are filled with the plants he and his love Constance chose and some personal insights about their lives too. Each chapter begins with a quotation from Batty's journal. Even though my knowledge of plants is pretty much limited to recognizing dandelions and roses, I enjoyed both the journal entries and Pru's descriptions of the gardens.

I did figure out who the murderer was about two-thirds into the story which made me feel quite accomplished. It was a suspenseful story with lots of great characters.

3.75 stars

Expatriate Texas gardener Pru Parke has happily settled in England and established enough of a reputation that she is invited to help restore a neglected classic garden. But when Pru arrives on the scene, along with her policeman husband, it isn't long before someone dies. Was it murder? And what was the motive - greed, or an old score to settle? The presence of an old girlfriend of her husband's unsettles Pru still further.

This is a well-written cozy with interesting background and clever plotting. The series always pleases with a lovely English garden setting and likeable but nosy protagonist Pru. Thanks to Net Galley for providing me an ARC in return for my honest review.

This is the sixth in the series and the fourth that I have read. Just like the first three I found this super enjoyable. The main character is delightful and the descriptions of the gardens are absolutely delicious! I love the American in England twist to the story and I wish there were more references to that part of Pru's history. I have the remaining two in the series and can't wait to dig into them.

I always enjoy my visits to England with Pru and Christopher, and 'Best-Laid Plants' is no exception. Marty Wingate manages to teach and instruct, all at the same time as she is presenting a superior mystery. The characters are multi-layered and I was continually guessing as to the identity of the culprit. I also appreciate the innate kindness of the book, of the offering of second chances and hope. This is another winner, one I can't recommend highly enough!

Totally new series to me and not having read the previous ones, I was a little lacking in background. However, the story itself was well written and easy to follow with some quirky characters and humor with a few twists thrown in for fun,

Pru Parke is a favorite character of mine and I am always entertained by a Marty Wingate book. As usual the reader is treated to heavenly descriptions of luscious gardens, some badger info, entertaining characters, and lovely cooking scenes.

This new Potting Shed Mystery actually finds Pru learning not only how to cook but actually helping to bake a sponge. Way to go Pru!

I look forward to books in this series and I have not been let down. Great cosy mysteries to read while curled up with a cup of tea and a slice of sponge.