Lilly Jayne is an unofficial town leader in Goosebush, Massachusetts. She and her friends are members of the Garden Squad, who secretly beautify the town with flowers and plants. Unfortunately for the group, crime or murder happen around them and they end up getting involved. In this third book in the series, the Fall Festival is in full swing and Lilly is halfheartedly hosting a haunted house event, she is on the anniversary planning committee and she is helping with the 10k fundraiser. In the middle of all this, an obnoxious reporter is killed and the Garden Squad tries to help the police as best they can as friends are suspected. The older characters are kind, knowledgeable and lively, but still take a nap when it is needed. My favorite line from Lilly is judgement about another character, "he contributes nothing but his opinion to the town." An enjoyable autumn title.

It's Fall in Goosebush, Massachusetts, my favorite time of the year. The air is getting crisp and the colors are ablaze in red, yellow and orange. The perfect time for Goosebush to celebrate its Fall Festival complete with loads of Halloween decorations, a haunted house and a 10K run through town. Too bad it also includes murder. Lilly and her Garden Squad are very busy getting things shipshape for the holiday fun and that includes making sure the route of the 10K is safe. Along the way they uncover the corpse of a much disliked reporter buried in a pile of leaves. Due to his nosy nature for trying to dig up dirt on the local families, he had made it known that there were more secrets to be revealed and somebody wanted to put a stop to that. The suspect list isn't a short one but Lilly and her fellow gardeners are up to the task of tracking down the killer.
I come from a long line of master gardeners but, alas, the gene skipped me, giving me a very brown thumb. This series lets me hang out with a great group of gardeners, people I would love to have for friends and neighbors. The puzzle has depth and had me guessing wrong, the characters are well developed and the ending satisfying. It also works fine as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I read this slower than I normally read books of this series, but I still liked it. I love this group of night gardeners, mostly because they seem clear eyed, they don't take too many stupid risks and seem intelligent. And they have a cop in the group, whom they respect and who respects them. They also touch upon forgotten and brushed aside histories, and instead of inserting social justice talking points like a sore thumb, the books end up making them a natural part of the plot. I like that.

I love Delia, she's my favorite. And even though I think it would be trying to be her friend, it would be rewarding too. The cast is diverse, and three books in, it's just part of Goosebush. I'm looking forward to the next book already.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Sometimes small towns hide secrets and Goosebush, Massachusetts has its fair share.…Sometimes those secrets lead to murder.

Lilly Jayne, an avid gardener, well-mannered and respected member of the community of Goosebush, Massachusetts, yet once again is involved in an inexplicable, mysterious, murder-mystery. Digging Up The Remains is the third book in the Garden Squad Mystery series by Julia Henry. Historical-archives meets technology, this puzzling murder-mystery will keep you guessing.

I felt this story was a bit over engaging, it had a run-around of plausible suspects and scenarios. As I read along, I couldn’t get out of my own thoughts and as the story developed I was building up each case suspect with persuasive arguments for murder.

The supportive characters were wonderful. Lilly Jayne definitely has some amazing friends that she can count on. Tea, cookies, cake and cupcakes were on rotation with every friendly visit. I couldn’t help but feel welcomed to Goosebush, with its crisp weather and festivities, it seems like the perfect place to visit.

Tyler Crane, the murdered character, (although, dead for most of the story) remained a most treacherous villain, throughout. Abusive, manipulative and ruthless, he manages to cause all kinds of madness from beyond the grave. Tyler is one of the most hateful characters I have ever read; charming and yet loathsome. I enjoyed him!

A slow mystery, not too complicated, but in my opinion, fell a bit flat at the end. I really, felt there were other characters who had a lot more motivation for the murder. Ultimately, I was a bit surprised (also in a good way, because I never figured out who had done it) by the character chosen to be involved with Tyler’s end. Regardless, I enjoyed reading this mystery.

And if you tend to murder your plants (like me!) don’t skip out on the gardening tips at the end!

~ Patricia

This was the first title I read in this series, and I didn’t feel like I was lost, but I do want to start from the beginning because the characters, writing, and story arc are very well done. Super busy Lilly has no time for Tyler Crane and all his innuendos and attempted bribes. The “reporter” seems to be turning up every stone he can to find the things the residents of Goosebush have either hidden or forgot about. When his body is discovered in a pile of leaves that are being moved just before the start of the race, Lilly and the rest of the Garden Squad set to work to figure out who the killer was…
This isn’t the first time that Lilly has solved a crime in the town of Goosebush and by now even the police are asking her to keep her ears open for any news. Tyler’s been going around the small town of Goosebrush, blackmailing residents into telling him stories about other residents, so there’s really a large number of people who would want him dead. He attempted to speak to Lilly and threatened to post about her garden and the secret it holds. There’s a long line of suspects, but very little in the way of actual evidence though. Will Lilly and the rest of the Garden Squad really be able to figure out who was behind the murder?
I thoroughly loved the story and the characters. Even minor characters are fully fleshed out and are not flat. I like Lilly as the protagonist, but I loved Delia and her thirst for knowledge. I was surprised by the killer, figuring it out just before he was actually revealed. The writing is great, the characters are wonderful, and the town is just too cute. I wish I could actually visit!
**I was given an ARC of this story from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Fall has arrived in Goosebush, Massachusetts, and Lilly Jayne is busy with the two weekend fall festival. Kicking things off is a 10K through town. Lilly and her friends Delia and Roddy are making sure the path is clear before the race starts when the find the body of reporter Tyler Crane partially buried in a pile of leaves. Tyler hasn’t been in town long, but he’s made several people upset as he has dug to uncover family secrets. He was teasing new stories coming soon. Was one of those the reason he was murdered?

I really enjoyed getting to visit these characters again. Lilly leads a large and diverse cast of characters, and they are all charming. They are also distinct, so it is easy to keep them all straight. The book reintroduces us to the characters and town while introducing Tyler and the suspects. The pacing is a bit off early on, but the time is being put to good use as it sets up the mystery. Once Tyler is found dead, we are off with suspects as strong as the main characters and many secrets for Lilly and the others to uncover before we reach the climax. Meanwhile, we get some advancement in storylines introduced in earlier books. I suspect we’ve got some seeds that will bloom in future books here as well. I wish I could garden as well as the characters in this series, but I can dream while I read these fun mysteries.

I love this group of friends, starting with Lilly and Delia. This is an awesome group who look out for each other and always have each other’s backs. I felt like I was one of this group as I was reading the story. I could feel their pain and joy. This is an interesting group of folks, with different backgrounds and challenges in life. I think you will enjoy getting to know them. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

I quite enjoyed this one. Not particularly "Halloween" themed, which bummed be out a bit. But the mystery held my interest. The characters were intriguing and likable, and it stood up well as a standalone. 👍👍

Digging Up The Remains by Julia Henry is a Garden Squad mystery and is full of real people. The heroine/protagonist is a 65 year-old woman who thinks things that many of us think about those around us but is too well brought up to say aloud. She is extremely entertaining. There's been a reporter hanging around lately but he isn't looking for news, he wants gossip. It is his aim, apparently, to blackmail people into revealing secrets that are juicier than the ones he already has. Everyone is on edge because everyone has secrets. To make it worse, he teases using social media, unpleasant gifs and such. It has become quite the headache. Then, he turns up dead. But he keeps posting. Dreadful business and right in the middle of the Fall Festival.

Digging Up The Remains is a totally character-driven cozy mystery. Everyone has a story and a personality. Some are permanent fixtures in the series; some are not. All the characters are totally relatable and reminiscent of someone the reader knows. This makes it a totally endearing read. Added to that is the genealogy and curiosity for things in the past. The problems from the past don't always have a solution, or at least it hasn't been uncovered yet, but it makes for a more fun story. This subplot involves descendants of John Howland of the Mayflower and for a good portion of the book is the driving force for one of the many characters. Lots of gardening and garden club stuff as well, which makes for wonderful pictures in the reader's head. Lots of people help solve this crime, but solve it they do and go on to enjoy Halloween, before delving into winter. It was an enjoyable read. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Digging Up The Remains by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #digginguptheremains

Digging Up the Remains by Julia Henry is the 3rd book in A Garden Squad Mystery series. Lilly Jayne is 65 and retired. Lilly loves gardening along with her senior friends, in the Garden Squad. The Garden Squad also help Lily solve murders. When a sneaky reporter is found dead, Lily and her friends are on the case. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Plot and characters are well thought out, and the pace is fast. I also enjoyed the book having a Halloween theme I recommend this cozy mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the third book in the Garden Squad series set in Goosebush, Massachusetts. The town is preparing for the Fall Festival and the 400th anniversary of the township. A pesky reporter/vlogger tries to dig up dirt on members of the founding fathers and ends up dead. Lilly and the Garden Squad step up to find the murderer.

I love the descriptions of the old houses in town, particularly Lilly's. The town sounds like a quaint New England town that i would like to visit. The townspeople are well written. I like that Lilly is a woman of a certain age yet is still very active in her community. I like Delia for her perseverance and her kind heart. The addition of a stray kitten rounded out the story. I was particularly fond of Luna as I also have a rescue by that name.

The victim was not very well liked and there were multiple suspects in his demise. The plot was good and I discovered the murderer along with Lilly.

I would love to have someplace like the Star Cafe in my hometown. Who wouldn't love a bookstore, coffee shop, bar, restaurant and entertainment venue combination?

I skipped over a book in this series and now need to go back and read it to catch up on the happenings in Goosebush.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the A Garden Squad mystery series by Julia Henry.

As the fall festival commences, a reporter/blogger has come to town with blackmail on his mind and, of course, he ends up dead with a whole slew of suspects in his wake. Lucy meets this blogger and immediately is on to his game but his reign of fear branched out pretty far into the community and thus making everyone a suspect for his murder.

I really enjoyed this one. The community was fun and I liked so many of them. Kinda like going home and seeing all the old friends you have missed for so long. The mystery was compelling and the character’s just resonated with me so much.

This is definitely a series I want to follow. I think I still need to read book one in this lovely series. I gotta get on that soon! Give this one a go!

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I loved this series and loved this instalment. It's highly enjoyable and engrossing.
It was great to meet again the cast of characters and the solid mystery, full of twists and turns, kept me guessing.
It's well plotted and the solution came as a surprise.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Who did Tyler worry enough that they killed him? He was new to Goosebush, Maine and was determined to make his mark as an investigative reporter. Lily's relatively new to town so she's not concerned about herself or about Delia, her room mate, but she's got a Halloween to plan! Lily's a mature woman, Delia's much younger, but they make a perfect pair to poke around for answers. They've also got some friends in town- known as the Garden Squad- who also enjoy solving crime. You know that Tyler was more than a pest, you know that lots of people have secrets, and you know that there's going to be an answer you won't expect. Henry writes nice characters and mysteries that are just twisty enough. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm a fan of this fun series (and this one would be fine as a standalone) which also- in a switch from the norm in the genre- includes gardening tips!

This book is set in the small town of Goosebush, MA where a small group of known as the Garden Squad secretly improves the appearance of the town. This book deals more with the group working on a Halloween town festival which goes over several weeks. Of course, there is a murder to be solved, but there’s so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their interactions. The town is interesting with lots of possibilities. This is my first read in this series but it won’t be my last.

A quick, enjoyable Fall read that will make the reader picture mums and other Autumn blooms. An engaging mystery with plenty of suspects and interesting characters. I will definitely read the rest of the series.

Love this series, loved this book! I love reading about Lilly and her gang and all they do to help others. These are great feel-good stories and fun mysteries.

Digging Up The Remains is the third book in the A Garden Squad Mystery series.

Halloween is coming up in a few days, and Lilly and Delia are busy planning a haunted house at Lilly’s home and putting the finishing touches for the Fall Festival’s 10k fundraiser.

Lilly and Delia head out about an hour before the 10k begins to make sure the course is free of leaves. They come upon an area the needs raking and sweeping. As they are finishing up, they find the body of Tyler Crane. Tyler had been an up and coming journalist but had recently started a blog where he would dig up dirt on prominent people and post these to the blog he uses. Tyler had claimed five residents of Goosebush to have their “secrets” exposed, one of those is Lilly. She’s not overly concerned that it would be told, just wishes that it not be made public. Lilly and Delia set out, along with the help of the Garden Squad, to find the killer and to stop any more postings. Soon, the police will be asking Delia to help dig into how posts are still be made with Tyler dead.


The book is well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and very believable. I particularly like Lilly and Delia. Despite the age difference, they work very well together. The Garden Squad members are engaging in that they each different areas of expertise and are so eager to help each other.
The book also contains helpful gardening tips.

I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this informative series.

I have really liked these books - the first one was a real surprise and I have been really excited to dive into each one that has come out since. I really like Lilly and Deliah and Roddy and their crew of friends [I am particularly fond of Ernie - what a lovely character] and all the escapades that they all get up to along with solving murders. I love The Star [EVERY town should have a place like this; I know I'd barely live at home if we had one where I live] and how welcoming it is to everyone [even creeps like Tyler Crane] and how its the hub of the town. And I love all the gardening stuff as I am unfortunately, cursed with a black thumb, but I love plants and flowers and gardens, so this is the best of all the worlds.
That said...this book really kind of fell flat for me. I felt that a lot of it just wasn't fleshed out enough and we are left hanging with much of the story. I would have liked a little more backstory of some of the characters, a little more fleshing out of the story and a much better reveal [like, WHY WHY WHY this person was really the murderer - it was very anticlimactic in my opinion]. I felt like there was just too much going on and not enough time and pages to try and flesh them out to make a full story. Which was really disappointing as this was one book I was truly looking forward to. I was very happy to spend time with all of them, but even Lilly felt flat in this one and while I didn't hate it, I didn't love it either. It will not stop me from reading more of course; I am way to invested in these characters now to just give up after one tepid story, but I do hope that the next one is back on track with the first two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lilly, Delia, and the other residents of the small town of Goosebush, Massachusetts are gearing up for the town's 400th anniversary celebration as well as the Halloween festival and 10K run. A newcomer to their small town, a reporter by the name of Tyler Crane quickly becomes a nuisance as he starts scouring the town archives in search of long buried secrets pertaining to the local residents both past and present. It comes as no surprise when Lilly, Delia, and Ernie uncover the body of Tyler Crane on a last check of the 10K path. The list of suspects is long and grows steadily as secrets continue to be revealed even after Tyler's untimely demise as the stories he threatened to published are released for public consumption. Lilly, Delia and the other members of the garden squad quickly jump into action to solve the mystery and put a stop to the damaging stories. The garden squad has their work cut out for them as they sift through secrets to try to uncover who was willing to kill to ensure their secrets remained hidden
The newest addition to the garden squad series has plenty of small town, close knit community charm, vivid garden descriptions and timely Halloween festivities perfect for readers looking forward to the upcoming fall season. With a nod to Jessica Fletcher, Lilly and Delia make the perfect sleuth duo, balancing each other and the members of the garden squad out nicely. The series regulars make an appearance and there are also some delightful furry additions to the cast as well. The mystery was swiftly paced with plenty of twists and turns with lots of personal dramas at play behind the scenes. The story also touched upon some important timely topics such as the role social media plays on the validity of news and power that unsubstantiated gossip and secrets have in our current world. The ending hinted at further adventures in the series, centered around some upcoming house guests for Lilly, which I am eagerly anticipating.