This book was a really fantastic read! I'd mostly compare it to the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourne, with a widow who starts investigating crimes, as well as the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. Oh, and more recently, the Lady Darby Mystery series by Anna Lee Huber, but that just means this book has joined some pretty awesome books!

Lily was a fantastic character! She had to wait a long time to marry her sweetheart-and then now he's died so shortly into their marriage that they fought for and wanted so badly. So it's been rough, and then she's thrown into this investigation, and this was a great use of her energy!

I really enjoyed all the interactions these characters had, especially between Jack and Lily, and Jack and Ofelia. He's stuck between two very smart, very stubborn ladies, and yeah, they have some verbal sparring, and that was so great to read!

Really enjoyed the mystery, it was logical and made sense, and I really was rooting for them! They had narrowed it down right away, but oh, man, were there some complications! I enjoyed how deftly she dealt with them, both the confrontational and the emotional!

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to see where this series goes from here!

It takes a skillful story-teller to lure the reader in to total suspension of disbelief in any novel, and perhaps it is even more challenging in an historical novel. Ms. Schellma's THE BODY IN THE GARDEN places the reader in the sophisticated London society of the early 1800's.

We meet a young widow, still in mourning, yet anxious to re-establish herself in "polite society." It is beyond a stretch that this woman, surrounded by acquaintances who are interested only in "bonnets and lace" will be an adept markswoman, a strategic thinker, and a fearless foe (to the evil-doers) and yet we do accept her as such.. And, YES, she is just that capable of achieving all kinds of amazing feats, AND convincing us that it is almost natural for her to do so.

THE BODY IN THE GARDEN is both great fun and a great read. In years past, I studied the literature of that period, so I understood the social conventions and a woman's role--and yet, I rolled over like a puppy and accepted the unconventional behavior of our heroine. And loved every minute.

Katharine Schellman has created a protagonist that we enjoy spending time with and I look forward to the possibility of meeting her again in subsequent novels.

NETGALLEY provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'The Body in the Garden' by Katharine Schellman was absolutely spectacular! It had everything I could love in a book - a Regency setting, incredible tension and intrigue wrapped up in expert mystery, relationship growth and a little humor. I am hoping that this first in the series is one of many more. I know I will be richly rewarded.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books, in return for an honest review. I LOVED this book! Lily, Lady Adler, returns to London, still in mourning for the death of her husband of two years. Her best friend insists that she attend a ball to start back into society. During the ball, she overhears a quarrel and later discovers a body. Added by her husband’s best friend, Jack, and a unique debutant, Miss Oswald, Lily sets out to solve the mystery after she discovers the local magistrate decides not to allow the Bow Street constables to investigate. The heroine is a strong woman who deals with her new life by seeking purpose beyond finding a new husband. All of the characters in this book are well written and true to their characters. The author navigates the Regency norms to allow the characters to act within the time period. If you like mysteries and the Regency era, I highly recommend this one.

The Body in the Garden is a fun and interesting read.
While firmly grounded in the society of the day, it doesn't labour points, as some authors might do, but rather absorbs everything as part of the space the characters are occupying.
I'm currently watching the TV adaptation of Sanditon and The Body in the Garden easily feels as though it follows many of the conventions well known from a Jane Austen book. If there is too much emphasis on the purchase of gloves and hats, then that was only what well-bred ladies would have been worried about!
The mystery is well put together, and there are any number of potential suspects along the way, which makes the story move along at a fine old pace, and not without some peril for the main character.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I hope there are more mysteries for Lady Adler, and her 'roguish' captain to solve.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

The Body in the Garden was an interesting read. #NetGalley-thanks for the advanced copy. #TheBodyInTheGarden was an interesting murder mystery.

Set in 1815 London, the sometimes comical, sometimes flirtatious banter between the characters, the secrets, scandals, and gossip in this book that is full of murder, bribes and blackmail .gave a very Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes feeling. We quickly learn that the main character, Lily Adler, is very clever and her actions are more modern than most of the ladies and gentlemen of the time appreciate.

Lily witnesses a murder in a garden and is appalled to discover that the police close the investigation without finding the murderer. She employs the help of her friend Jack and acquaintance Miss Oswald to bring justice for the victim. The many twists and turns in this story, along with the witty chatter between the characters make this book difficult to put down!

I enjoyed every minute of this story! The cover is lovely and would definitely draw my attention from a shelf.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is what I call a vintage murder scene. The body in the garden focused on Lily Adler and independent, self-sufficient woman that tries to make it on her own even when society frowns unmarried women. Determined to make it without a husband, she is very close with her friend Lady Walter who stays up to date on the town gossip and little to their dismay, they find a dead body in Lady Walter's garden. Both of them are more than willing to leave the job to the authorities until Lily overhears Lord Walter attempt to bribe the officers to drop the case and now Lily has the key to solve this murder. Lily is more determined than ever with the help of a Navy Officer and his wife to solve this murder before she becomes the next victim and find out what this blackmail scandal is all about. This book reminded me why I am a mystery lover and how they are so exhilarating and thrilling.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction/Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.