Sandra H. (pandareads) reviewed Flowerbed of State (White House Gardener, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I checked out a new (to me) bookshop last night and picked up a copy of Flowerbed of State, which has been on my wishlist for about a week. It's Dorothy St. James' first cozy mystery and I found the setting to be pretty unique for a cozy... no bookstore or bakery here, it takes place at the White House! Casey is enjoying her job as the new assistant gardener to the White House when one day she wakes up in a flower bed after an attempted strangling. The discovery of a strangled dead body nearby puts the Secret Service and FBI on high alert to solve these crimes... and Casey, too. Having read enough mysteries to "know better" she decided to launch a little investigation of her own.
The reason this book gets four instead of five stars from me is that I felt there were a few too many characters. It was difficult in the beginning to keep them straight, but I caught on enough as I went. I found the plot to be just as intriguing as the setting and I really enjoyed how the author included the POTUS and FLOTUS into the novel. I would definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for a new cozy to read.
An added bonus: there are instructions at the end of the novel for how to plant a pineapple top. I might have to give that a try someday...
The reason this book gets four instead of five stars from me is that I felt there were a few too many characters. It was difficult in the beginning to keep them straight, but I caught on enough as I went. I found the plot to be just as intriguing as the setting and I really enjoyed how the author included the POTUS and FLOTUS into the novel. I would definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for a new cozy to read.
An added bonus: there are instructions at the end of the novel for how to plant a pineapple top. I might have to give that a try someday...
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 2
To me, this book had alot to live up to as I really enjoy Julie Hyzy's White House Chef mysteries; "Hail to the Chef"; "Buffalo West Wings." By the end, I thought the author pretty well managed to write a good White House mystery herself.
The beginning of the book was a bit confusing as it is a bit unclear what is happening to the main character, and it takes quite awhile to figure it out. But once this all comes together I found the book to be very good. Humorous as well. It is one of those books where you find yourself thinking, "Oh, this is easy, this character did it" then a couple chapters later you change your mind to another character, then another. Interesting information on the White House gardens, organic gardening and just planting information in general. The anuual Easter Egg Roll at the White House is the back drop for this novel. I am very much looking forward to the next book which will be published in 2012, "The Scarlet Pepper."
The beginning of the book was a bit confusing as it is a bit unclear what is happening to the main character, and it takes quite awhile to figure it out. But once this all comes together I found the book to be very good. Humorous as well. It is one of those books where you find yourself thinking, "Oh, this is easy, this character did it" then a couple chapters later you change your mind to another character, then another. Interesting information on the White House gardens, organic gardening and just planting information in general. The anuual Easter Egg Roll at the White House is the back drop for this novel. I am very much looking forward to the next book which will be published in 2012, "The Scarlet Pepper."
