Death in the Orchid Garden

By Ann Ripley

Book Overview

Louise Eldridge is taking her public television garden show on the road--to Hawaii But the tropical paradise isn't so idyllic once murder makes an unexpected appearance. . .Lush with hibiscus, ficus, plumeria, and monkeypod trees, the island of Kauai is the perfect place for Louise to film a few episodes of Gardening with Nature.After their shoot at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Louise unwinds with a sunset walk on the beach. But at the base of a cliff, she makes a grisly discovery: the battered body of Matthew Flynn, a noted botanist. Her attempts to save his life are fruitless, and--after seeing his injuries firsthand--Louise is convinced that his death was no accident.Now it'll take some serious digging for Louise to unearth more clues, but she'll have to be very careful, because this is one killer who is ready to plant her in the ground. . ."Neatly plotted. . .Ripley's green thumb fans will relish the paradise island setting and Louise's reliable sleuthing."--"Publishers Weekly"

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758208200
• ISBN13: 9780758208200
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

One of the Best in the Series

I really enjoyed this book. I am not much of a green thumb, but this series was recommended to me by a friend. The main character is so likeable and the mysteries are well-developed, now I have read them all. I also really enjoy how the author keeps changing/developing the characters' lives- it is more realistic and it keeps the reader wanting to know what will happen next. The best part of this book is the setting and anyone who has been to Hawaii will LOVE all the Hawaiian details in this book. I am really looking forward to the next installment.

Great story, great setting

This is the first book I've read in this series, and it was terrific. The author does an amazing job with the setting, particularly the trip to the volcano. The plant information is interesting and so is the debate in the storyline about searching out new plants for different possible commercial applications. I liked the main character (though I personally didn't think much of her husband!) and was surprised at the solution. Will definitely look to read more by this author.

botany version of Ten Little Indians

Louise Eldridge is euphoric as she takes her DC based PBS show, Gardening with Nature, to the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a special shoot at the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Louise has scheduled a panel of expert guests to discuss horticulture. However, she finds the egomaniacal quartet (nursery owner Dr. Bruce Bouting, ethnobiologist Dr. Matthew Flynn, environmentalist Dr. Charles Reuter and Pacific Island expert Dr. Tom Schoonover) so obnoxious she looks forward to leaving paradise for home. While strolling on the nearby beach, Louise finds the battered body of Dr. Flynn that she quickly concludes was a homicide. Police Chief Randy Hau leads the official investigation, but a second homicide occurs. Unable to heed her spouse's warning to stay out of the dangerous water, the plant lady begins an inquiry as she seeks the root cause of this homicide. The Gardening Mystery (see SUMMER GARDEN MURDER) crowd will enjoy the change of milieu because Louise feels a need to uncover the botany version of Ten Little Indians. The whodunit is fun to follow as Chief Hau and amateur sleuth Louise separately work the case. Fans of the series will root for the plant lady as Ann Ripley provides a fun tropical cozy. Harriet Klausner