Blue Dahlia

In the Garden, Book 1

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Susie Breck

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Against the backdrop of a house steeped in history and a thriving new gardening business, three women unearth the memories of the past in the first novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts’ In the Garden Trilogy.

A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night…

Trying to escape the ghosts of the past, young widow Stella Rothchild, along with her two energetic little boys, has moved back to her roots in southern Tennessee. She isn’t intimidated by Harper House - nor by its mistress. Despite a reputation for being difficult, Roz Harper has been nothing but kind to Stella, offering her a comfortable place to live and a challenging new job as manager of the flourishing In the Garden nursery.

As Stella settles comfortably into her new life, she finds a nurturing friendship with Roz and expectant mother Hayley and a fierce attraction to ruggedly handsome landscaper Logan Kitridge. He’s difficult but honest, brash but considerate - and undeniably sexy. And for a sensible woman like Stella, he may be just what she needs...

Don’t miss the other books in the Garden Trilogy:
Black Rose
Red Lily

©2004 Nora Roberts (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Roberts, the queen of romance, launches a new trilogy with a captivating tale in which her considerable talents at creating richly compelling characters and witty, spellbinding stories come into full bloom in a paranormal-tinged romance." ( Booklist)

Great story!

I happen to be gardening when I chose this selection. It was quaint and loving. I also learned a couple gardening tips! The characters were believable and I grew to love them.

Well written.

The book is well written. The characters are interesting as is the story weaving flowers into their daily lives.

Outstanding story

Love Nora Roberts and how she tell a story. This one is filled with laughter and suspense and tears and love. The trilogy is wonderful if you like a little ghost story

Awesome,but

Awesome story didn't miss a beat Susie play all the characters superbly my favorites would between the kids and Logan. I wasn't impress with the ending but still gave 5 stars on 2nd book now

Blue Dahlia

An sweet love story laced with a ghost who tries the prevent the couples happiness

A Favorable Cozy

A very typical Nora Roberts, with a good friendship story, a new romance, a birth and a ghost. Stella is a newly widowed, mother of two boys who moves back to her hometown in Tennessee, looking for a fresh start and a safe new place for them to settle. She ends up at a garden nursery owned by Roz, a strong older woman who provides her with a satisfying job and a safe roof over their heads at Harper House.

It is well known that a harmless, female ghost who is very protective of children inhabits Harper House, they call her, The Harper Bride. Once Roz takes in another border, Hayley, a pregnant, single, young girl, the ghost begins to let herself be seen more frequently than ever before. The three women bond and develop a very close, supportive, family like, friendship,.....all is well at Harper House.

Eventually Stella starts to date Logan, a local man who has become entirely smitten with her and her boys. Logan starts to frequent Harper House more often and for reasons unknown the ghost becomes unsettled and shows a different side to herself. When he asks for Stella's hand in marriage and The Harper Bride learns that they may be leaving to live with him, she becomes very upset and may not be so harmless after all. The ending was quite abrupt. I'm not sure if I will get into the series but it was a nice cozy with good narration.

Nora Robert's did it again.

Loved it. Had to keep listening til it was over. I also like that is the first in a series.

Love Love Love

What did you love best about Blue Dahlia?

I love this book and this trilogy so much. It is my favorite of the Nora Roberts books. I read this book years ago (before ereaders) and it still stuck in my head. I loved the book so much I got it for my kindle and as an audiobook.

one of my favorite books yet!

love it! love how it had family,love,mystery extended family and the ghost story! Was sorry when it ended actually.

Dahlia

Interesting story. Just wished there was a little more closure to the ending of story.