The Red Book of Primrose House: Potting Shed Mysteries Series, Book 2

Excellent. As I get more acquainted with Pru and all, the more I like them. The stories are intriguing and the villains hard to figure until the end. I really like these books.

A good installment to this cozy mystery series. I still like Pru even if her seeming inability to have a plan for when things go pear shaped due to her nosiness, irritates me. I liked the growth of her relationship with Christopher & also the revelations she found on her continues quest for her English roots. I'm not sure why she displays not only no interest in her American father's line but seems almost apologetic over it but still, it was nice to see her explore her mother's family ties in her chosen heartland. The characters were fairly well done except for the actual murderer. That was pretty thin but alas it doesn't matter since they're our baddie. I thought Pru's employers, Davina & her husband (he was so absent a character that I didn't commit his name to memory) were interesting and understood how Pru's was both frustrated with them but also found them ultimately endearing. I very much enjoy this series though I'm not Pru's peer (I don't know why but I always picture Pru & Christopher as younger than they are in the books) or know a thing about gardening. I look forward to the next in the series.

Though I'm not a gardener nor even know half the plant this talks about I would highly recommend this story as an excellent and intriguing mystery.

I am not a gardener but do enjoy a lovely garden. This setting was fun as the garden grew from idea to fruition. Interesting to see the relationship between Pru and Christopher grow. Looking forward to the next in the series.

A woman from Texas with English roots, takes a job to create a garden on an English estate, as a homage to the artistry of a famous landscape architect, who had done a plan for the estate. The plan need not be followed exactly, but should give off the same feel.She is quite the lady, skilled, witty, smart, independent and works along with the crew. There is a romantic interest, stationed about an hour a way in London, and their occasional weekends are a treasure to both of them.The book talks about gardening but also, secrets, jealousy, the uber rich, and what it would take to really make the grounds of an old estabe glow in that lovely English way.A romance and murder and a fun read.

Liked the interplay between the characters in this book. Several plots going on so keeps you interested in the sub plots. Good easy read

I stumbled upon the "Potting Shed Mysteries" a couple of days ago and have been really captured by them. Having read both books in two days (I'm a fast reader and I didn't skim over or skip pages), I have really enjoyed the "cozy reads". Having reached the tender age of 72 and living in a place quite removed from my native San Diego where everything grew well with just a "glance and a nod", I am getting a "third person thrill" from these books.No, these are not James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter etc. mysteries, but they are nice break from the more blood and guts novels that are available today. So if you want a nice, charming, cozy read that will put a smile on your face and give your detective grey cells a tingle ...give these Potting Shed Mysteries a try.As for me...I think I'll go "fix" dinner now.

The Red Book of Primrose House takes the reader through interesting history, multiple mysteries and wonderful characters. It was a pleasure finishing this story in late December of 2023.

I read 'The Potting Shed Mystery' quite a while ago and enjoyed it but somehow never got around to reading this second book in the series. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it because it was every bit as good as that first book in the series. Prue Parke is about to start her new job as head gardener at Primrose House - whose garden was originally laid out by Humphrey Repton. She has the Red Book in which he set out his plans for the garden to work from and several willing workers.Unfortunately the workers do not always see eye to eye with each other and when one of them is found dead in the walled garden following some incidents of vandalism in the garden there are plenty of suspects including Prue herself and her employer, Davina. Prue has her work cut out to finish the garden in time for its planned open day and somehow she also has to fit in time with Christopher Pearse, a Detective Inspector in the Met whom she met when he was investigating the murder in the potting shed in the first book and also to try and trace some long lost relatives of her mother's.I enjoyed reading this second book in this murder and gardening series and I thought the information about Humphrey Repton and the way he worked was fascinating. I liked the characters and descriptions of the garden. I'm not a gardener myself but I enjoy reading about gardens. I liked the way the author deals with the growing relationship between Christopher and Prue and it makes a change to have a romance between people in their fifties.This is a well plotted cosy mystery with an interesting background and likeable characters. I don't always like the American trend for themed cosy mysteries but this book, and its predecessor is well written with an interesting and well researched background and I recommend it either as a standalone novel or as part of the series.

Anyone who enjoys a mystery that's not full of blood and Gore should like this. Yes there's a murder but it's covered in a really gentle kind of way. The main character Pru, put me in mind of Miss Marple. Give it a go!

Excellent plotting, leaving the reader to follow the clues. Although Ms Parkes seems to suffer along the way, her irrepressible desire to play detective usually has a result.

This set of books are very good and interesting stories

Prue Parker is about to start her new job as head gardener at Primrose House - whose garden was originally laid out by Humphrey Repton. She has the Red Book in which he set out his plans for the garden to work from and several willing workers.But what would this story be like without a good murder mystery which Prue, once again, finds herself in the centre.Looking forward to the next in this series. 5 * from this happy reader.