The Gardener's Plot

Name: The Gardener's Plot
Brand: Dreamscape Media
Availability: InStock
Author: Deborah J. Benoit
ISBN: 9781666680836

Author: Deborah J. Benoit

Narrator: Patricia Santomasso

Unabridged: 8 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Published: 11/05/2024

Categories: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Cozy, Cozy Crafts, Women Sleuths

Synopsis

A woman helps set up a community garden in the Berkshires, only to find a body in one of the plots on opening day. After life threw Maggie Walker a few curveballs, she’s happy to be back in the small, Berkshires town where she spent so much time as a child. Marlowe holds many memories for her, and now it also offers a fresh start. Maggie has always loved gardening, so it’s only natural to sign on to help Violet Bloom set up a community garden. When opening day arrives, Violet is nowhere to be found, and the gardeners are restless. Things go from bad to worse when Maggie finds a boot buried in one of the plots… and there’s a body attached to it. Suddenly, the police are looking for a killer and they keep asking questions about Violet. Maggie doesn’t believe her friend could do this, and she’s going to dig up the dirt needed to prove it. The Gardener’s Plot takes readers to the heart of the Berkshires and introduces amateur sleuth Maggie Walker in Deborah J. Benoit’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut.

About Deborah J. Benoit

Deborah J. Benoit was a legal secretary for 30 years before deciding to pursue more creative endeavors. Her debut novel, The Gardener’s Plot, won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. Born and raised in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, there’s no place she’d rather call home, even in winter. Determined to never stop learning, Deborah loves sharing her knowledge of gardening, through articles she’s written, in person, and on social media. When not writing or digging up plots in her garden, she can be found working on her latest fiber arts project.

About Patricia Santomasso

Patricia Santomasso is a trained actor and audiobook narrator who has worked with a multitude of audiobook publishers on over 150 projects. She currently records out of her home studio in Queens, where she works with their two-year-old on character voices so that she can join the family business

Reviews

Goodreads review by PamG on October 27, 2024

Deborah J. Benoit’s book, The Gardener’s Plot, is a delight for those who love gardening and cozy mysteries. This debut features Maggie Walker who has moved back to her hometown of Marlowe. She volunteers to help Violet Bloom set up a community garden. When opening day arrives, Violet doesn’t sh......more

Goodreads review by James on September 21, 2024

Deborah J. Benoit, a brand new author to me, showed up in NetGalley earlier this summer, and I love murder mysteries and gardening, so it appeared to be a solid fit. Overall, I enjoyed the setting and getting to know a new cast of characters. Balancing the protagonist's personal mystery with that of......more

Goodreads review by Karen on April 21, 2025

It seems that this month (April 2025) I have had the pleasant opportunity of reading 2 authors that have been awarded the Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award for their winning debuts. The first being, “Sun, Sand and Murder” by John Keyse-Walker. Review here: [URL not allowed]......more

Goodreads review by Shirley on November 05, 2024

This cozy mystery totally wowed me! This is my first time reading anything by Deborah Benoit. I read the reviews and found some three stars, four stars and five stars. I decided to read this mystery and loved it from the start. It grabbed me into the story hook, line and sinker. I thought it was sca......more

Goodreads review by Mark on November 08, 2024

Maggie Walker has inherited her grandmother’s house in a small town in the Berkshires. She’s long been a gardener, so when she is asked to help Violet with the new community garden, Maggie jumps in with both feet. But the morning of the grand opening, Violet is nowhere to be found. Then, a member of......more

Quotes

Narrator Patricia Santomasso captures Maggie's turmoil when she discovers a dead body with a boot tied to it buried in her hometown's community garden . . . [with] tension as Maggie hunts for the killer and transitions to a lighter tone and rhythm for humorous moments. Santomasso's understanding of these characters provides enjoyable listening.