Keeping Mum by Alyse Carlson is the third book in the “Garden Society” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, March 2014

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to some of the country’s most exquisite gardens, and it’s Camellia Harris’s job to promote them. But when a political fundraiser turns deadly, everyone’s a candidate for murder.

Cam and her best friend, Annie, are planning a gala for a local Senate candidate—a murder mystery themed silent auction where the guests bid on who will be the night’s “victim.” Coordinating a beautiful display of fall flowers and planning the perfect fake crime is hard enough, but with a guest list that is a “who’s who” of the Roanoke elite, Cam has her hands full navigating the egos and grudges of her high society guests.

When local financial tycoon Derrick Windermere is found dead next to a shattered pot of chrysanthemums, the night’s fun and games quickly turn serious. Half the guests had good reason to want Windermere dead, but only one is suspiciously missing in action—Annie’s father. Now Cam will not only have to figure out which partygoer is a killer, but find her friend’s father before all their reputations end up dragged through the mud

I enjoyed this book, which was hard to put down. Once again, Cam gets involved in a murder investigation and with the support of her friends, she is able to bring justice to all involved. The tone of this book is very comfortable and the flow is easy to follow the plot that will get you to the end in this delightfully charming light fare. I enjoyed all the scenes in the book, especially the closeness of Cam and Annie. Cam is very likeable, as are her friends and I look forward to more adventures with them in this terrific read that boast a beautiful setting, a great secondary cast in this well-written drama.

previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog