The Garden Tour Affair by Author Ann Ripley
A Gardening Mystery Book Takes Sleuth Louise Eldridge to Connecticut
Jan 6, 2009
Louise Eldridge’s public television show, Garden with Nature, goes on the road to a quaint historic village in Connecticut. But events leading to murder follow the garden show host, a seemingly reluctant part-time sleuth. But Ann Ripley's main character would rather talk about the elusive Sacred Blood Iris while spending a 3-day weekend away from the steamy summer weather of Washington D.C.
Murders on a Garden Tour
In tow on this adventure is Bill, her Foreign Service husband, younger daughter Janie and boyfriend Chris. Neighborhood friend and Chris’ mother, Nora, comes along for the adventure meeting a new infatuation that is found dead. The group stays at Litchfield Falls Inn where Louise’s garden tour guests gather.
Before going on a tour to Wild Flower Farm the first victim falls, literally from a cliff. Then another is found, but everyone thinks this one is suicide.
Local police Detective Drucker’s request for Louise to help with the investigation is a temptation she cannot resist. After risking a treacherous climb alone, Louise finds the clues where others do not, a plant lover who picks a bouquet of flowers and a missing poetry journal.
Essays on Gardening
Gardeners taking time off from real life dirt digging will relate to the garden essays scattered throughout the author’s books. Ripley’s accurate detailed plant references in the fictional story and the first person essays are entertainment for gardeners. Her enthusiasm for organic gardening is evident throughout the writings.
The garden essays in The Garden Tour Affair appear more frequent than seen in some of the other books. The essays between chapters can feel disruptive especially for readers who are more interested in the mystery story.
About Ann Ripley
Ann Ripley lives in Lyons Colorado with her family where she is an avid and knowledgeable organic gardener. Ann Ripley is a former newspaperwoman. She has had ten gardening mysteries published.
Gardening Mystery Books
Although the main characters continue throughout all the author’s books, each book can be read independently. Many supporting characters reappear in subsequent stories just as new characters play key roles and then disappear. Ann Ripley’s first novel, Mulch, won Top Hand Award from the Colorado Author’s League.
Ripley, Ann. The Garden Tour Affair, Bantam Books/Random House Incorporated, 1999; ISBN: 0-533-10693-7.
Published by Bantam Dell Publishing Group/Random House Incorporated were Mulch, 1994; Death of a Garden Pest, 1996; Death of a Political Plant, 1998 and The Perennial Killer, 2000.
Kensington Books published Harvest of Murder, 2001; The Christmas Garden Affair, 2002; Death at the Spring Plant Sale, 2003; Summer Garden Murder, 2005 and Death In The Orchid Garden, 2006.
More garden writings are easy to find.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
 |
 |
 |
