The Red Book of Primrose House

Potting Shed Mysteries Series, Book 2

By: Marty Wingate

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Pru Parke has her dream job: head gardener at an 18th-century manor house in Sussex. The landscape for Primrose House was laid out in 1806 by renowned designer Humphry Repton in one of his meticulously illustrated Red Books, and the new owners want Pru to restore the estate to its former glory - quickly, as they're planning to showcase it in less than a year at a summer party. But life gets in the way of the best laid plans: When not being happily distracted by the romantic attentions of the handsome Inspector Christopher Pearse, Pru is digging into the mystery of her own British roots. Still, she manages to make considerable progress on the vast grounds - until vandals wreak havoc on each of her projects. Then, to her horror, one of her workers is found murdered among the yews. The police have a suspect, but Pru is certain they're wrong. Once again, Pru finds herself entangled in a thicket of evil intentions - and her, without a hatchet.

©2014 Martha Wingate (P)2016 Tantor

Great Mystery Series

This second book was a delight to listen to and now it feels as if Pru and Christopher are old friends. Pru is the head-gardener of quite a large project about an hour outside of London. I loved listening to the gardening ideas and her efforts and wished I could be in that garden too.

I was sad to see old Ned dead and gone, I quite liked the old fellow.

Another wonderful installment

Marty Wingate has crafted another wonderful installment. As it was in the first installment, this one kept me wanting more, and wondering what mess Pru would find herself in next time.

Great listen

Fun premise still works with this gardening mystery love story. Highly recommend and looking forward to more.

Cozy mystery with a bit of romance and gardening

Like: Clean romance that is not embarrassing to listen to with audio speaker on. Lots of characters to discover.
Dislike: A bit plodding. Main character delays alerting police and others about important details, such as her suspicions and attempts on her life. Ignores basic personal safety by not paying attention to her surroundings, not having her cellphone, etc. when she knows there is a murderer among her acquaintances. Wow! This character should NOT be written as that stupid or distracted or ditzy. Not when she is — supposedly— an organized and detail-oriented person (who works on major landscaping projects that require such skills). There needs to be a better reason that places her in those situations.
Overall, a good listen.

A romance novel more than a mystery

If you like your mysteries with the characters spending a lot of time gazing longingly into each other's eyes, this is the series for you.

It's well written and Erin Bennett is an excellent narrator, but the style isn't for me.