Helpful Score: 1
You can read the details of the story from the reviews...just wanted to add I really enjoyed this tale...very enjoyable and thought provoking.
Helpful Score: 1
Fast read. Good mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
From Publishers Weekly
The prolific Michaels ( Into the Darkness ) sets off her latest high-voltage mystery the instant Diana Reed, a shrewd and determined lawyer, appears at the Nicholson estate in Maryland as their new landscape architect. Diana is actually searching for her younger brother Brad, who disappeared eight months earlier while working as caretaker for the estate's previous owner, Miss Musser. With considerable guile and a superficial knowledge of roses, Diana charms the Nicholsons into leaving her in charge of their manor for several weeks. Flying into action and dropping her disguise, she enlists the aid of Mary Jo, the feisty cleaning woman/student who once had an affair with Brad. Other allies are found in Walt Slade, the industrious, provocative gardener, and Andy Davis, Mrs. Nicholson's inept yet endearing son. The four disparate friends pry discreetly and focus their suspicions on Miss Musser's smarmy lawyer and Mary Jo's violent ex-husband. Woven through events are disquieting elements: crystal-clear music, lingering perfume and ambiguous forms suggesting an unworldy figure; indeed, Diana is saved from serious harm by a hand (quite literally) from another world. Michaels once again offers a witty, intricate and ultimately surprising story, with strong characterizations that keep the sparks flying.
The prolific Michaels ( Into the Darkness ) sets off her latest high-voltage mystery the instant Diana Reed, a shrewd and determined lawyer, appears at the Nicholson estate in Maryland as their new landscape architect. Diana is actually searching for her younger brother Brad, who disappeared eight months earlier while working as caretaker for the estate's previous owner, Miss Musser. With considerable guile and a superficial knowledge of roses, Diana charms the Nicholsons into leaving her in charge of their manor for several weeks. Flying into action and dropping her disguise, she enlists the aid of Mary Jo, the feisty cleaning woman/student who once had an affair with Brad. Other allies are found in Walt Slade, the industrious, provocative gardener, and Andy Davis, Mrs. Nicholson's inept yet endearing son. The four disparate friends pry discreetly and focus their suspicions on Miss Musser's smarmy lawyer and Mary Jo's violent ex-husband. Woven through events are disquieting elements: crystal-clear music, lingering perfume and ambiguous forms suggesting an unworldy figure; indeed, Diana is saved from serious harm by a hand (quite literally) from another world. Michaels once again offers a witty, intricate and ultimately surprising story, with strong characterizations that keep the sparks flying.
The search for her brother brings his sister Diane Reed, a lawyer to the vast estate he had worked as a caretaker. She somehow convinced the owners and herself that she is an experienced rose gardner. Workingg undercover is only the first step in a dance of deception that brings her face to face with her darkest dreams and deadliest fears.
The search for her brother brings his sister Diane Reed, a lawyer to the vast estate he had worked as a caretaker. She somehow convinced the owners and herself that she is an experienced rose gardner. Working undercover is only the first step in a dance of deception that brings her face to face with her darkest dreams and deadliest fears.
The search for her missing brother brings Diana Reed to the vast estate where he had worked as caretaker. She convinces its owners that she is an expert Rose gardener. But working undercover brings her face to face with her darkest dreams - and her deadliest fears.
This was a good read. It took a little while to get going but I enjoyed the typical Barbara Michaels elements of mystery, muted romance, and the supernatural. A great rainy day book.
Not bad for an author I do not know.
New York Times best-selling author Barbara Michaels, who Mary Higgins Clark calls a "consummate storyteller", returns with her unique blend of mystery, romance, and the uncanny....
addictive Surprising Chilling and Exquiste
Interesting setting & characters, spooky and suspenseful plot.
