Dollycas's Thoughts

Local theater owner and dear friend of Lilly Jayne, Leon Tompkin, has passed away. He had been sick but his passing was quicker than imagined. A memorial at the theater brings together the alumni of The Goosebush Players, including Jeremy Nolan and Annabelle Keys who both went on to become Hollywood stars.

The theater had been planning several readings of A Christmas Carol and has decided to still do so only with Nolan and Keys taking part. But there will be no encore performance for Jeremy Nolan. He is killed at a reception following the event. Theater volunteer Scooter McGee becomes the police's prime suspect but Lilly Jayne knows he didn't do it. She gathers together The Garden Squad and they start to dig through the suspects and the clues. Will they be able to plant the killer behind bars? or will one of them be picked (off) by the killer when they get too close?

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All my favorite characters are back busy solving mysteries and planning their Thanksgiving feasts. Lily Jayne is an amazing woman with a huge heart and pride in all things Goosebush that is unmatched although some come close. A new character joins the group. Minh Vann, the new librarian has the skills the Historical Society needs and she loves the research and making the information accessible. She is very enthusiastic and talkative but Delia is happy to have her on board and Roddy enjoys working with her. She is on a quest of her own that brings a new element to the series. I really enjoy how realistic all of Ms. Henry's characters are and how they continue to grow and evolve.

There are a lot of things happening within these pages and Lilly Jayne seems to be involved in everything. Baking pies for the holidays, a wreath contest at the library, a garden sculpture contest at the park, some things in her gardens and greenhouse, and several coincidences that are uncovered while trying to solve the mysteries of the theater. The author blends it all together with such detail. Well-plotted and written the story flows perfectly making it very hard to put down. I had to force myself to do that when I looked up and saw it was 1 in the morning, then quickly picked it up after work the next day to finish.

The mystery takes several twists with a variety of suspects with probable motives. With Chief Sebastian "Bash" Haywood removed from the high-profile case he was able to work with Lilly Jayne and the squad. The future of the theater due to Leon's death takes the story in an interesting direction and brings to light other deaths connected to the place. All the members of The Garden Squad have their strengths so solving the case was a real group effort but one clue really sets Lilly Jayne on the trail of the truth. I was totally captivated by each twist and turn so much so I had an inkling of what was going to happen but was still surprised as everything was spelled out and all was revealed.

The only thing I missed was that because of the time of year, there were no secret midnight garden emergencies rectified by The Garden Squad but they truly did have their hands full with other important things.

Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful addition to the Garden Squad Mystery series. This series really focuses on friendships that get stronger with each book and each case solved. The core characters are so appealing making it very easy to get involved in their lives. A complex mystery that tests me is another thing that draws me in and the one in this book certainly did that. Another Perfect Escape from Julia Henry. I highly recommend this book and series to all cozy readers, especially those with a green thumb.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

When Lily Jayne’s friend and local theater owner, Leon Tompkin, dies unexpectedly his funeral brings guests from across the country, including celebrities. It also brings bitterness, jealousy and another death. When a theater volunteer becomes a suspect, Lily and her friends in the Garden Squad work to uncover the real killer before someone else dies. .
This series is one of my favorites. I enjoy the characters and setting very much. The plot in this book moves at a good pace and keeps me engaged. I recommend this book and the series.

This is the first book I’ve read in the Garden Squad series, but I plan to go back and read the previous books. While a rather long book, there were lots of things going on that kept my attention. There were a lot of characters and I would have to stop at times to think about who was the current focus. And though a lot of characters, they were well developed and I developed strong feelings about them. The murder mystery was handled well and I loved how I didn’t figure it until the end. I enjoyed seeing the relationships between characters as well as new ones developing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I thought that plot of the book was such a great page turner. The book was very well written. I truly cannot wait to read another wonderful book from this author. This was a truly great book.

Set aside two days for this steady PG cozy theater mystery set in Goosebush, Massachusetts in November of 2021 (but without Covid) with a cast of characters mainly on the more mature side. I had an ARC from Netgalley and this voluntary review is my own opinion

"Wreathing Havoc" held a lot of promise, as it included two of my favorite themes: theater and autumn. When I started the book, I felt as if I stepped into the second act of a play after intermission, having missed the first act. A lot of characters were introduced in a short time, and I had to keep flipping pages to remember who they were and how they were connected. I liked the setting and the autumn theme and the theater, but this was a difficult read for me. Very little gardening was going on. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had read earlier books in the series.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I love visiting with Lilly and the rest of the Garden Squad. They definitely make the series more enjoyable. This particular story, however, seemed to drag on. The murder doesn’t happen until almost halfway through the story, leaving us with so much to just build the scene in the theatre, which I thought might have been a little too much. The mystery itself was pretty solid but I couldn’t get into this story – there were so many new people to keep track of, it got a little confusing at times. I will continue with the series but hope for more of their gardening fun.

Goosebush is a quaint small town, but with a large enough arts community to house two, sometimes dueling, community playhouse groups. The holidays are coming, and the beginning seemed full of activity and red herrings galore. There's the death of a local benefactor, Leon, a wreath fundraiser, a garden sculpture contest and stage reading of a Christmas Carol. A star returns to Goosebush to participate in the reading and his death definitely seems suspicious. There are a lot of fun characters and small town squabbles amid the mystery. A pretty fun way to kick off some holiday reading.

After reading the first three books in this series, I was looking forward to visiting with Lilly Jayne and friends in Goosebush, once again. It is autumn and the town of Goosebush is gearing up for Harvest season. There is a damper on the celebrations as Leon Tompkin, the local theater owner has died. Many of the Goosebush Theatre alumni attend his memorial service, but not all of them leave. Hollywood star, Jeremy Nolan, is murdered. Scooter McGee, a local resident and theatre volunteer is the prime suspect in his death so Lilly and the Garden Squad begin their own investigation.

I enjoy the setting of this series and the variety of characters we meet as well as the regulars. It seems there is always some sort of event or fundraising going on and this book has a library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes. I even googled it thinking I would make my own for Christmas and have come up with some ideas, but I digress. There wasn’t much gardening in this one, but that was based on the time of year in this Massachusetts town. Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is great at delegating and uses the strengths of her friends to uncover information. She is a scion of the town and everyone seems to realize her talents as a peacemaker as well as a worker bee. The mystery was well developed and had plenty of suspects. I liked that it delved into the theater world and the tangled relationships among a group of actors and friends. The mystery was a bit complex and kept me guessing. I did figure out the culprit before the reveal, but I was still invested in the story. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, and community which I love in cozy mysteries. I will continue to follow this series and spend time in Goosebush with The Garden Squad.

Another favorite cozy mystery series that I love and now I have to wait for the next book to read since I've read books 1-4 . so I'll be checking here on NetGalley for it to come on,love the friends ship that is in this series, the small town ,

Wreathing Havoc by Julia Henry is the 4th book in A Garden Squad Mystery series. Lilly Jayne is 65 and retired. Lilly loves gardening along with her senior friends, in the Garden Squad, Goosebush, Massachusetts. It's fall, time for harvesting, baking, and crafting. When the theater owner dies suddenly and mysteriously, Lilly and her friends must find the truth. I enjoyed this book, but I found it slow at times. I will be reading this author again and looking forward to the next book in the series. Fall themes are one of my favorite.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series. Julia Henry is one of my favorite cozy authors.

This is the 4th installment in the Garden Squad mystery series. Lilly Jayne and her friends Delia, Tamara, Roddy and Ernie are mourning their friend Leon who recently died of a heart attack and was the owner of the Stanley theater. Leon’s son Fred asks Lilly to help with his estate and his desires for updating the Stanley. The owner of the theater troupe Goosebush players Delores is making all sorts of claims that Leon left her loads of money and Lilly is just planning on doing what her friend wanted and needs to find his most recent wishes as he has been changing his mind over the last several weeks. Lilly is shocked when Bash (Chief of Police) asks Lilly if she thinks Leon’s death could be suspicious. Next when one of the famous actors who is in town and was a friend of Leon’s dies of poisoning then Lilly is convinced that Leon’s death was not a simple heart attack. I love Lilly and all of her friends and how they stick together and are always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and to the betterment of the town of Goosebush. This was a good mystery that kept me engaged the entire time and I love how Lilly is the heartbeat of this town. Looking forward to the next installment.

Wreathing Havoc is the fourth book in The Gardening Squad series by Julia Henry.

Lilly and Delia are busy preparing for Thanksgiving, and the Garden Squad will be coming over for the pot-luck dinner. But this year’s Thanksgiving will have a somber atmosphere, as their dear friend and patron of Goosebush Theatre, Leon, recently passed away. Leon had medical issues, but his death came as a complete surprise. At first, it was death by natural causes, but Lilly convinced the police chief that it had to be murder.

For decades there have been arguments between the Goosebrush Players and the Goosebrush Theatre. And with Leon’s death, the views seem to have intensified. Present and past members of both groups have organized a tribute and will be performing a reading of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. Most of the local members are happy to have two members from the past who have gone on to have careers in California, Jeremy Nolan, and ex-wife Annabelle Keys. At the end of a reading, the actors and audience gathered in the lobby for refreshments. Jeremy picks up one of his favorite cupcakes and, after eating it, becomes very sick and soon dies.

Lilly and the Garden Squad will soon begin to investigate his death. The investigation will prove to be a little tricky as the state police are called in, and they aren’t willing to share any information.
It’s always enjoyable to visit Goosebrush and its delightful and interesting residents. The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.

Helpful gardening tips are also included in the book.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Wreathing Havoc is the 4th book in the Garden Squad Mystery series by Julia Henry.

It is shortly before Thanksgiving when a local theater owner passes away. Shortly after that, a Hollywood star with past ties to the theater passes away. The Garden Squad investigates to see if they died of natural causes or homicide.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I thought it started off slow, but picked after the the event at the theater. Lilly and the Garden Squad are wonderful characters who are kind and care about each other. It was interesting how the various storylines were tied up.

I plan on reading the earlier books and look forward to reading future books.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I started out loving this series, but this book dragged a little for me. I think it was a little too intense on the theater aspect, which just made it difficult for me to wrap my head around. After a slow start, it did pick up and I did enjoy reading it. Overall it was still a great read and I highly recommend.

This is the fourth book in the Garden Squad series. I enjoy my visits to Goosebush, Massachusetts with Lilly and the gang. It's Thanksgiving and the town is mourning the loss of Leon, the local theater owner. Former Goosebush players come to town to present a reading of A Christmas Carol in his memory. The death of a Hollywood star brings to light things about Leon's death and leads to the suspicion of one of Lilly's friends. Lilly and the gang jump in to clear her name.

I like the setting of this series and the variety of characters. It feels like coming home when you open the book. The library fundraiser making wreaths with book themes intrigued me and now I must look into it a bit more. The townspeople seen like friends the more I read of this series.

Lilly is an excellent sleuth that knows her limitations. She is also a peacemaker which everyone in town seems to realize. The mystery is well done and kept me guessing.

Of course, I love Luna! I imagine her looking like my own kitty with the same name. She certainly acts the same when it comes to begging for food.

I missed the Garden Squad's "flash gardening" but realize that late Fall in Massachusetts is not a time for planting.

This is a fun series that I enjoy more with each book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the perfect mystery to get you into the Fall season. Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad are working on seasonal wreaths to raise money for the local library. Thoughts turn to festivities in the months to come but nobody was ready for a sudden death by murder to mar their plans. The townsfolk of Goosebush, Massachusetts are used to spending happy times in the former hardware store turned community theater but not as a venue for the memorial service for Leon. After the death of his wife he found his new passion - on stage and he was a natural, something his late wife, Betsy would not have approved. It isn't long before a second death occurs and Lilly Jayne and the Garden Squad and the local police are investigating. Could one of their friends be the killer?
There is so much to like about this charming small town cozy series. The best thing, in my opinion, is the main cast of characters - the Garden Squad - are senior citizens and their personalities are well developed leading the reader to have a connection to each one. The mystery is well crafted, leading the reader down some blind alleys populated by the required red herrings. If you are new to this series, no problem as each works fine as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wreathing Havoc is the 4th book in the Garden Squad Mysteries written by Julia Henry.

I loved this fabulous cozy mystery! Set in autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, sixty-odd-year-old Lilly Jayne is the main character of the story and I adore the author's masterful writing. Wreathing Havoc is a wonderful blend of mystery and friendships and many of the characters are great individuals. Lilly and her squad are making wreaths for the library fundraiser and get caught up in the community theatre world in this scintillating instalment. The author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With no shortage of suspects, there was a veritable gamut of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. A superb read, with a strong plot and characters and rich in drama, this novel is very highly recommended and well-worth five stars. I will be watching out for the next book as well as diving into this author's back catalogue.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.