Megan was a screamer. Definitely not the kind of baby who would wait patiently until waiting was no longer an option. No, our Megan had a real temper, one born of a desire to live in a world that matched her expectations. She’d let loose at the slightest provocation: a late meal, a wet dog nose, the wrong color socks. Time and loss have mostly worn those edges smooth, but that iron-firm determination still cuts sharp and deep when the situation warrants. I guess when you lose someone the way Megan lost Mick, too soon and oft dreaded, it changes you. Mick’s passing overseas gutted our girl, substituting youthful naiveté for a mature perspective the universe usually reserves for someone twice her age. Now when I see her nursing a sick animal for hours on end or planting row after row of tiny lettuce seeds, I know Mick is watching over her. He lent her some of his quiet strength, and perhaps she’s the better for it.
She’ll need that patience for this life. Oh, Megan thinks she came to Winsome to stay with her old grandmother, but that’s only the half of it. My granddaughter needed healing. And when you need healing, you go home.
Still, when I saw Winsome’s sorry excuse for a zoning commissioner skulking about on our farm a few weeks ago, I knew he’d cause her trouble. It was late morning, the last Tuesday in April, and cold-steel skies threatened rain. The chickens were pecking around the cluster of trees in their yard, searching for insects, and I was watching them from the kitchen window while my stiff fingers complained their way through a ball of bread dough.
Clay, Megan’s farm manager, slammed the porch door. Inside the kitchen, he unwound the red scarf from his neck and smiled when I offered him a cup of tea.
“No thanks, Bonnie.” He gestured toward the greenhouses, where he and Megan were hardening seedlings for the spring planting. “Megan’s finishing up down there and we’re about to head into town. Anything you need?”
I told him no and he left with, “Back in a spell.”
He and Megan pulled out in her pick-up. Fifteen minutes later, Simon Duvall pulled in. He knocked. I didn’t answer. “Bonnie,” he called. I pretended not to hear him—an indulgence I’m allowed at eighty-four.
Instead of leaving, the commissioner trudged back to the barn, avoiding puddles so as to not to muck up his shiny loafers with mud. I washed my hands. I covered the kneaded ball of dough with a damp kitchen towel. I poured myself a cup of hot tea, then added a dash of whiskey to ward off the April chill—another indulgence allowed an eighty-four-year-old. By the time my oven was heated to the right temperature, Simon had left.
I never told Megan about that visit. Maybe I should have. Maybe there were a lot of things I should have shared with her. Maybe I should have answered the door when Simon knocked. Maybe then Simon would be alive today. I think it was Thoreau who said, “To regret deeply is to live afresh.” Poppycock. From a purely practical standpoint, some secrets are simply best left buried.
A Muddied Murder is the first book in the NEW Greenhouse mystery series, published by Henery Press, March 2016.
When Megan Sawyer gives up her big-city law career to care for her grandmother and run the family’s organic farm and café, she expects to find peace and tranquility in her scenic hometown of Winsome, Pennsylvania. Instead, her goat goes missing, rain muddies her fields, the town denies her business permits, and her family’s Colonial-era farm sucks up the remains of her savings.
Just when she thinks she’s reached the bottom of the rain barrel, Megan and the town’s hunky veterinarian discover the local zoning commissioner’s battered body in her barn. Now Megan is thrust into the middle of a murder investigation—and she’s the chief suspect. Can Megan dig through small-town secrets, local politics, and old grievances in time to find a killer before that killer strikes again?
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About the author
Wendy Tyson is an author, lawyer and former therapist whose background has inspired her mysteries and thrillers. Wendy has written four published crime novels, including Dying Brand, the third novel in the Allison Campbell Mystery Series, which was released on May 5, 2015. The first in the Campbell series, Killer Image, was named a best mystery for book clubs in 2014 by Examiner.com. Wendy is also the author of the Greenhouse Mystery Series, the first of which, A Muddied Murder, released today.
Wendy is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, and she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, International Thriller Writers’ online magazine. Wendy lives with her husband, three sons and three dogs on a micro-farm just outside of Philadelphia. Visit Wendy at www.watyson.com.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win an advance copy of A Muddied Murder and one of the Allison Campbell novels (Killer Image, Deadly Assets or Dying Brand) – winner’s choice. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end April 5, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks for another great review. I have added this series and author to my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi Doward! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the series.
Sounds like interesting characters in this book! Thanks for a chance to enter.
Thanks Donna! Have a great night.
Another series to put on my t-b-r list…
Hi Gram! Thank you!
This sounds like a great series. I will be adding to my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Katrina!
Sounds like never a dull moment in this story! Looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks Donna! I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like a fine new series! Thanks for the chance to win!
Hello! Thanks for stopping by!
Can’t wait to read the newest crime mystery! Thanks for entering me in your contest!
Hi Veronica! Thanks for participating in today’s blog!
I can’t wait to read a mystery with the perspective of an eighty-four year old! I hope to live that long and still be making my own bread, active in life, and sharp in the mind! What a tribute to the older generation! Thank you Wendy for your generous opportunity to win a copy! Thank you Dru for the introduction! 🙂
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much! The book is actually written from the perspective of Megan, Bibi’s grandmother, but Bibi made a guest appearance today just for Dru. Bibi is a central character in the book, so I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Have a great night!
Thank you for the review, this sounds like a good read. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks Wendy! Have a great night!
I love Wendy and can’t wait to dig into this one.
Hi! Thanks for stopping by today!
The inclusion of young and elder as well as organic too is a great combination in this book. Megan and her grandmother, Bonnie, are a duo not to be messed with. Thanks for including the book on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate the comments. Have a great night.
looking forward to this book! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Thanks Gwen! Have a great night!
I’m not familiar with Wendy’s writing but would enjoy giving it a try!
Thanks for stopping by today and participating in the blog!
This sounds like a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Hi Elaine! Thanks for stopping by!
I am curious to read this story! My own mom is 81 years old!! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Hi Linda! I hope you enjoy the book!
I like the grandmother’s style.
Thanks Libby!
Sounds great!! Thanks for the contest.
Thanks Judy!
Really excited about this one!
Hi Dawn! Thanks for supporting the launch today!
1st in series,, yea and sounds like a great new series to read
Hi! Thanks so much! Have a great night.
This does sound like so much fun and interesting. I like the characters already especially granny.
She’s one of my favorite characters too! Thanks for stopping by!
What a great giveaway! I haven’t read any of Wendy Tyson’s books yet, but they are definitely on my TBR list. Thanks so much Dru Ann!
Thanks for stopping by, Celia!
Sounds really interesting! Adding to the #TBR! 🙂
Thank you! Have a great night!
You’re welcome! You too! 🙂
The series sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the book!
Sounds like a great read. What an interesting storyline, from lawyer to organic farmer. Can’t wait to read. Thanks for a great giveaway.
Hi Dianne! Thanks so much!
Sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Rita!
I loved the description of this, from the grandmother’s point of view, and can’t wait to read it.
Thank you! Have a great night!
I love love Wendy Tysons book!!!!!
Angie, thank you so much! I appreciate all the launch day support!
Looking forward to trying this series!
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by today.
What a great book this is going to be. I have added it to my list of series to read. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy A MUDDIED MURDER!
Sounds like a very good story to read.thanks for the chance.
I’m thrilled to be on Dru’s blog and appreciate the comments! Have a good night.
Thank you so much for having me here today, Dru! Such wonderful comments! I appreciate your readers stopping by!
Looking forward to a great read!
Hi Angela!! Thanks for stopping by!
I grew up taking 6 hour car rides from MD to Scranton Pa to see grandmas. Can’t wait to read it!
My husband is from the Scranton area, and we used to live in Baltimore. I know that trip quite well. Thanks for posting!
Thanks again for all of your great reviews — another book to put on my list!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Thanks for stopping by!
I love Wendy’s books and can’t wait to read this one! I already have it on my TBR list.
Mary Jane, thank you so much! Have a great night!
This book sounds like another winner and great start to a fun series!
Thanks for participating today!
Sounds great, I would love this book. Yay!!!!
Thanks so much, Tricia! Have a great evening!
Wendy, so interesting this is written from the grandmother’s POV! I’m wondering if the series is from her POV or from Megan’s. Either way, it sounds delightful.
Nancy G. West
Hi Nancy! The book is written from Megan’s POV, but Bibi is making a special appearance for Dru! Thanks for stopping by!
What a marvelous book! I had a patio garden when I was a ‘wanna be’ hippie, growing tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs. I tried radishes, but with less success. I now have a few herbs in the kitchen. Fun!
Hi Kathleen! Sometimes herbs are all you need to perk up a dish. Love basil! Have a great night and thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a good new cozy series.
Thanks Annette!
This sounds like an amazing read. Great review, will definitely be adding to my TBR list. Great giveaway, thanks.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great night!
This is a book on my tbr list for sure. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Hi Kay! Hope you enjoy the book. Have a great night!
Love the sound of this book!
Thanks so much!
I loved Megan Sawyer; I would love to spend time with her if she were not just a book character. I related well to her and all her friends.. Such a realistic and delightful cozy. Thank you Wendy for a great book series that I am looking forward to continuing with for a very long time.
Cynthia, thank you for being such a wonderful support and an early reader! Have a wonderful night! I appreciate the kind words.
This sounds like a great book, a definite must read for me. Thankyou for the opportunity!
Thanks for stopping by, Jill!
All c right! I’m in.
Hi Amy! Thanks!
Would love to read this – sounds exciting! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com
PS Have had this on my wish list since first seeing it –
Thanks for participating, Jeanie–and for the kind words!
sure would like to learn about this series!
Hi Barb! Thanks for posting! If you decide to give A MUDDIED MURDER a go, I hope you enjoy it!
I think I’ll like Megan’s grandmother—I know I’ll probably understand her better since I’m closer to her age. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
A double book giveaway!!!!
How awesome!!!
Thank you!!!
Sounds like a good book. The cover looks nice even though I don’t eat tomatoes!