Lillian Jayne is the sleuth in the “Garden Squad” mysteries. One of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions. So, let’s get to know Lilly.

What is your full name?
My name is Lillian Rose Jayne.

How old are you?
I’m 65, and have no problems with saying that to people, much to my best friend Tamara’s chagrin, since we’re the same age.

What is your profession?
In my working life, I was in finance. But since I retired, I spend time doing what I love doing, which is gardening. My friends and I do what Delia calls “guerilla gardening”. When there is a gardening issue in town, rather than wait for permission, we solve it. That could include trimming weeds near a stop sign, pruning a bush that no one is taking responsibility for, or tidying up a public monument. I’ve lived in Goosebush for my entire life, so chances are I could get these things done through the normal channels. But I have to admit, I love the idea of people being surprised by the Garden Squad’s work. Mind you, lately we’ve been solving more than gardening problems.

Do you have a significant other?
My second husband, Alan Macmillan, died a little over two years ago. He was the love of my life, and I was so fortunate that we had almost twenty-five years together. Alan taught me how wonderful the right partner can be. My first husband, Pete, taught me how important it is to make sure it’s the right person, so I’m not in any great rush to repeat the Pete experience.

What is their name and profession?
Alan was a professor and researcher. His last graduate assistant, Delia Greenway, helped him finish his last book, even moving into the house when he was no longer mobile. Delia stayed, and has become a dear friend despite the forty years difference in our ages.

Do you have any children?
No children, though Tamara has four, so I’m Auntie Lil to several children and grandchildren, a true blessing.

Do you have any siblings?
I don’t, though I have several cousins who I have varying degrees of fondness for. My house, Windward, was the albatross that got passed on to family members for years. I was blessed in business, and have been able to renovate the old house. It’s lovely, if I do say so. Which means some of the cousins want access to what their parents gave up long ago. Suffice it to say, family events can be challenging, and I tend to avoid them.

Are your parents nearby?
I’m sorry to say that they have both passed on, though they are such a part of this house that I feel them all around me.

Who is your best friend?
Tamara O’Connor and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old. We’ve navigated a lot of life together. My world would be far less bright without Tamara. And I have her wonderful husband Warwick and the rest of her family as part of mine, which is an added blessing.

Do you have any pets?
Not yet. . .but that may change soon.

What town do you live in?
I live in Goosebush, Massachusetts.

Would you say you live in a small town or a big city?
Goosebush is a small town on the south shore, with beaches, town meetings, a limited number of traffic lights and a lot of behind the scenes drama that make it unique.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I live in a ridiculously large house on one of the main streets in Goosebush. It was built by a sea captain who liked what he liked and did what he wanted. While most of the houses are on a single lot, Federal style, with small front yards, my house is on a triple lot set back and raised up so that it looms over everyone else. Windward is Victorian in style, three stories and in constant need of repair.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
I love the back of my house. The large back porch is slowly becoming winterized so I can sit out there and look at my gardens. I’ve added a large conservatory style greenhouse to the side of the house, so between that and the steep driveway it’s truly private. During the gardening season, which I do my best to extend, being out in the rambling gardens is my favorite thing to do.

Favorite meal and dessert?
Anything I don’t have to cook myself! Happily, my friends enjoy cooking, and I have the space where we can all gather.

Do you have any hobbies?
Since I wouldn’t call gardening a hobby, it’s more of a calling, I’d say that my hobby is helping our Chief of Police, Bash Haywood, solve some of the mysteries that crop up once in a while. I seem to have a talent for that.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
When my husband was alive, we traveled all over the world. But now, I’m just as happy to stay at home. I can go to the beach in a matter of minutes, or see the water from my sitting room. I’m not saying I won’t ever go back to London or Paris, or take a cruise down the Rhine or the Nile again. But for now, there’s no place like home.

What music do you listen to?
My husband Alan loved learning about music from his students, so I have a very eclectic assortment of music. But my go-to? I love rock and roll. I think most folks would think I’m listening to classical music while gardening given my white hair and grand house, but I’m more likely listening to Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones or Bonnie Rait.

Do you have a favorite book?
How does one choose a favorite book? I love so many different types of books, from non-fiction to mysteries to so-called women’s fiction and beyond. If I had to choose one, I’d say it’s A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I’ve always loved the story, and feel that it is more relevant today than ever.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Sitting on my back porch surrounded by friends, laughing.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
** Weeding: My Life Lessons **. I’ve come to realize that getting rid of what doesn’t work or harms others matters in a life well lived.

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’d put myself in the amateur sleuth category. I help our Chief of Police, Bash Haywood, when he needs it. My friends and I will also do our own investigations if we feel that Bash isn’t focused in the right direction.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I am so blessed to be able to make my day what it needs to be. I always spend time in my garden, or in the greenhouse during the winter. I also walk into town to visit Ernie at Bits, Bolts & Bulbs and help him arrange the plants in his garden center. If I’m out, I always stop by the Star. The Star is an old Woolworth that has been turned into a coffee shop, bookstore, restaurant and theater. The food is wonderful, and I can catch up with what’s going on by sitting and listening to people. I can’t remember the last time I had dinner alone, which is wonderful. If there are situations to solve, that takes up time as well. . .

Digging Up the Remains is the third book in the “Garden Squad” cozy mystery series, coming August 25, 2020.

A festive fall is in full swing in Goosebush, Massachusetts, but when a snoopy reporter is felled by foul play, it’s up to Lilly and her Garden Squad to spook out a killer . . .

Between hosting a haunted house on her lawn, serving on the town’s 400th Anniversary Planning Committee, and prepping for the Fall Festival’s 10k fundraiser, Lilly’s hands are full. She doesn’t have time for prickly newspaper reporter Tyler Crane, who’s been creeping around town, looking for dirt on Goosebush’s most notable families . . . until he’s found dead on the race route moments before the start.

An unfortunate accident? Or did Tyler unearth a secret that someone in Goosebush is willing to kill to keep? By planting nasty rumors and cultivating fear, Tyler sowed a fair share of ill will during his brief time in town. Weeding through the suspects will be thorny, but Lilly and her Garden Squad are determined to root out the autumnal assassin before the Fall Festival flops . . .

Purchase Link
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About the author
Digging Up the Remains, is the third book in Julia Henry’s Garden Squad series. She lives in Massachusetts, where she also teaches and runs Your Ladders, a company that supports artists and writers. As J.A. Hennrikus she wrote the Theater Cop series. As Julianne Holmes she wrote the Clock Shop series. Julie blogs with the Wicked Authors (wickedauthors.com) and Killer Characters (killercharacters.com). You can find her on social media as @JHAuthors and her website at jhauthors.com.

All comments are welcomed.