I've seen a number of pictures and mentions about the Chelsea Flower Show but never fully realized what it was. I very much enjoyed this behind the scenes look and was stunned by just how much goes into it. Of course, I imagine in real life there's not a murder investigation going on right in the middle of everything. It was an interesting twist that the murder happens in Pru's husband Christopher's old turf and the lead detective is someone he mentored but at the same time he doesn't have access to the inside information that he usually has. It made for an interesting dynamic for the characters. I enjoyed this one. I like that the characters are a bit older and the mix of law enforcement and gardening. This is a nice series and this was a nice read that kept me entertained even if it's not necessarily the most memorable. Definitely a great choice for a series if you love gardening!

The "Potting Shed" mysteries are always a good read and I liked that this one took longer to "figure out" than usual.

Another great mystery that kept you guessing until the end. The story definitely brought Texas 100% into England with the garden club ladies. I was surprised that there was not more intermixing of differences for the Texas ladies, as it seems none of them had been to England before and would have found things strange like Pru did her first year.

I did enjoy the fact that Christopher and Pru seemed more like a crime-fighting pair, working closely together to solve the mystery. I look forward to their next mystery together.

I am reading everything I can find by this author now. The book was well paced and I enjoyed the protagonist very much. Will be looking forward to more.

The Bluebonnet Betrayal, A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate is a marvelous blend of Britain and Texas. This is the third in the series and may just be the best. This was just plain fun. I enjoyed it tremendously and rank it 5 stars.

An interesting look behind the scenes at the build-up to Chelsea Flower Show, although with US spellings and the 'cosy mystery' format they are so fond of. Can be read as stand-alone or part of the series.

[I listened to this on Audible instead of reading.] The Pru Park mysteries are a great series set mostly in England, where Pru has taken gardening jobs. I like them because the mysteries are centered around gardening. This one involves a gardening group from Pru's native Texas who have snagged an elusive spot at the Chelsea Flower Show. Pru is asked to help get the garden started before the Texans can arrive to finish the job. But, a murder gets in the way once the Texans have arrived. Pru and her husband Christopher become involved in solving the murder, as well as the obstacles preventing them from finishing the garden in time for judging.

This mystery held my interest throughout, and involved some very interesting secondary stories and characters. I especially enjoyed the Chelsea Flower Show setting and the construction of the flower garden. There also seems to be quite a bit of emphasis on food and drink, adding another element to the depth of the story line. I highly recommend this series of mysteries to anyone who enjoys gardening and mystery novels!

This is the fifth Potting Shed book and the third I have read. I have had not problems following the various stories even though I have not read them all. It can be read as a standalone, but after reading this, you will probably want to go back and read them all. Pru Parke is a transplanted Texan that is now living in England. She is recently married and is a well-known gardener. When the Austin Rock Garden Society (ARGS) is invited to participate in the Chelsea Garden Show, Pru is contacted to be their liaison and assist in setting up their exhibit until everyone arrives, including Twyla, the designer and force behind the entry. She is thrilled for the opportunity and jumps at it, leaving Christopher, her police husband, at home. Pru jumps right in helping to build a breathtaking garden display showcasing the wild flowers of Texas, specifically Bluebonnets. There are walls to be built, a building to construct and thousands of flowers to showcase. The team arrives, all except Twyla, and what a group they are. Early the next morning, Pru arrives only to find the dead body of Twyla, who she had met the previous evening. After a short conversation, Pru left and Twyla was alone with the garden in progress. She had hinted to Pru that there was a problem, but no one seemed to know anything about it.

I enjoy this series. It definitely has the British take on it, so if you do not enjoy a good British Cozy, this series might not be for you. This book's supporting characters are quite interesting and unique. They make the story is fun and I laughed out loud several times. The two Texan women who look so much alike that no one can tell the difference are hysterical. Sweetie, what a great name for a Texan Garden Society Member, is looking for a man. The characters are easy to relate to, whether regulars or book specific. The locations are well described so you can picture them and the plot is well developed and moves nicely. A nice addition to the series and cozy mystery genre.

If you like a good mystery combined with gardening and description of English and American traditions, then you should read this book.

Pru Pearse and her husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse have come to England so Pru can help build an American garden for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. Pru is just there to cover for the leader of the group until she can arrive.

Unfortunately, the leader is found dead in the garden and this sets Pru and her husband on an undercover operation to find our “who done it”.

There are a host of possibilities and each one is explored so the guilty party can be apprehended. It all ties back to the Bluebonnet’s that are to go into the garden’s plans.

Grab a copy to find out what happens.

No longer interested in reading this. Clearing out old galleys.

This is one of my favorite series but this was not my favorite story. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for it or if it was just to much gardening going on but I just couldn't get into this one as much as the others. :(

Pru has been invited to help with the Chelsea Garden for some Texans who have actually got themselves a place among the Brits. One of the ladies knew her and asked if she would mind getting things started for them since they wouldn't be able to get there until a few days later.

The President of the Austin Gardening club ends up later than planned and Pru isn't sure what she thinks about that but when she meets her they have an instant connection and Twyla starts talking about needing her help to fix things and really just sort of rambles about things but when she ends up dead, Pru can't help but keep thinking about what she said. Almost like she is haunting her Pru can hear her voice and she knows she has to figure out what happened so she can have peace of mind.

Christopher is now semi-retired police (work with the local police on occasion) and not an inspector anymore and the local Inspector doesn't want his help nor Pru's but that don't stop them from checking into things and there are a few things that come up to make her suspicious of a few people.

I love Pru and Christopher they are probably one of my favorite cozy couples. I liked the characters introduced in this one but I think I just missed the normal characters that are usually in it, but since they were in a different area Simon wasn't there and I missed him.

The mystery is pretty good though I did figure it out towards the end but it was nice to see that I was right. :)

Overall, it's a good one but there was just something there that was missing but I am not sure what. Like I said could just be my mood. :) If you like cozies though you should give this series a try.

This is my first introduction to this author and this series, and I am so glad that I have bee introduced to these characters, they are so relatable and life-like. The imagery makes the scenes jump off the page and the mystery was very well written. My only misgiving of the book is Pru's attitude, which can unfortunately be standard fair in cozy mysteries. All-in-all this is a very enjoyable story!