I like cozy mysteries as they aren't too violent, fun characters and some specialize in areas such as cooking, baking, and in this case gardening. Those who garden should enjoy this one as there is a lot of talk about it. I'm not a gardener so that part didn't grab me as much but the mystery is good.

First in series with this and it did take some pages to set up who is who and why people are where they are. Maggie has a history in town but is back to live there now. There are issues with acceptance, an inheritance but thankfully a friend who makes the story better.

While I thought the start was a bit slow it did pick up and things were solved and well explained, which I ask for in a cozy. The set up allows for a second book but not a cliffhanger.

I loved this cute cozy mystery. We follow Maggie, who’s just found a corpse in her community garden. The corpse of a man who has been annoying the entire town to sell their properties so he can build a new community. There’s no shortage of people who didn’t get along with the recently deceased. But then her good friend, Violet, goes missing and it’s down to Maggie to find Violet and figure out who in her community could be a killer.

I liked Maggie, and loved her relationship with her best friend Sally, but there were a few things that absolutely drove me crazy. In 2024, I find it hard to believe that anyone under the age of 50 wouldn’t have caller ID and wouldn’t make sure to keep their phone on them (especially after finding a dead body early in the book). While I expect a lot of meddling by the MC of any cozy, a lot of the meddling done by Maggie and Sally didn’t lead to anything and could’ve been resolved by some straight communication. Overall though, I really enjoyed the dialogue and the overall development of the characters. I hope Maggie comes back in another caper!

Thank you to Deborah Benoit, NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC.

Setting the murder mystery in a local garden plot was interesting. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about gardening, I got a taste of it without being completely lost.

At the same time, Maggie didn't really have any agency. She just sort of flounders along, reacting to things happening. At times, her friend pushes her to solve the mystery after Maggie, and the friend is actually the one who cracks the case in the end. Maggie almost felt more like a side character.

Also, it made no sense at the end that the dog couldn't lead Maggie all the way to where her owner was, because the building had scratches on it from the dog trying to get in. They have this great tracking dog who just decides to give up the search halfway to his destination.

Finally, I was a little sad that one of the victim's was a nice person we actually met. I'm more a fan of the dead jerk trope, or at least someone who never meet on the page.

“The Gardener’s Plot” by Deborah J. Benoit
Definitely a FUN Mystery
Yes, I truly enjoyed keeping Maggie Walker company as we worked our way through this story with the company of her friend Sally from next door. I thought I knew ‘Who did it’ I just didn’t know the how and the why. If you like cozy mysteries… I am sure you will like this one, too! Happy Reading ! !

Deborah J. Benoit’s debut novel combines mystery and gardening in a most enjoyable fashion. Maggie Walker has just returned to her home town in the Berkshires. Trying to fit in, she volunteers to help with the new community garden. Sadly, before they can get started for the year, they find a body in one of the plots. Maggie sets out to help solve the crime and gets herself in peril quickly. The character development and storyline are very well done. The solution was a surprise but the clues were well hidden. I am hopeful that the series is continued. NetGalley provided me with an advance copy but the opinion is my own.

The Gardener's Plot is a debut cozy mystery by Debra Benoit and it.was really enjoyable. The characters are likable and the mystery kept me guessing and had an exciting ending. Maggie Walker buys her Grandmother's house from the estate. Her best friend Sally lives next door. Maggie gets involved with a community garden project headed by Violet. An unpopular man in town ends up dead and Maggie finds him. Then Violet goes missing. Maggie spends a lot of the book trying to replicate Violet's schedule and trying to find her. Maggie and.Sally do some sleuthing and end up on the.killer's radar. The Detective Matt Quinn is a good character and there is a possible romance there. Local policeman Sam Whitaker and his wife add to the story. Maggie's Cousin Simon causes problems. It all keeps Maggie busy. The book moves along at a good pace for the most part. The story has a cozy feel with the town, the friendships, and the sleuthing.. The ending is a bit exciting and two people die. The book was enjoyable and I look forward to more. #TheGardenersPlot #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress

Thia mystery was so good. First time reading something from this authors and i was pleasantly surprised how good this was. Love the plot and the developments . The character are really well done. Would definitely recommend

Maggie Walker has returned to live in her beloved Grandmother's home. Maggie spent a great deal of time with her grandmother. She learned about gardening there.

The home is right next door to her best friend, Sally. They have been best friends since they were children.

Maggie loves gardening and she has become involved with the community garden in her small town. Maggie will be the second in command to Violet. Violet is one of the movers and shakers in town. She volunteers and helps with nearly every good cause around.

The first day when everyone is there to begin working on their gardening plots, a dead man is found in one of the plots. And Violet has never shown up for the opening day. She is never late and certainly would never willingly miss the opening day of such an important program for the town.

Maggie and Sally decide to go against what the police would prefer. They will investigate. Maggie is unable to ignore questions without answers. And Sally is ready to join in whenever Maggie is on the hunt for answers.

This is a book by a new to me author. She has done a good job of creating a plot that moves along well. She is obviously familiar with the area of the Berkshires. And it does sound like a lovely green place to live.

The characters are well developed. But, Maggie has the same problem as so many heroine's in mysteries. She knows more than the police. When she finds an actual clue she does not share with police immediately. And no matter how many times Maggie and Sally are told to back off, they do not.

The story is told from Maggie's point of view. And I must say she could cut down on pacing around. And eat a little something, cups and cups of herbal tea can only goes so far.

Yes, I recognized the villain early in the story. But, the journey to the book's solution was an enjoyable one.

Maggie is a strong heroine. She is smart and funny and has good rapport with the townsfolk. It is evident she would be a good friend to all. Sally is a funny and smart woman as well. She has a family and tries to investigate when it will not interfere with family life. She's a good wife and mom.

There are some busy bodies in town. And one woman is a less than stellar human being. In fact, she is rather cringe worthy. I am not sure why Maggie does not haul off an punch her? Or at least tell her to butt out.

I liked this book. I saw evidence that this would be the first in a series. See I can get clues too.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

I don’t think this book was for me as I struggled to get into it, struggled to care and felt mostly bored while reading. I think if it wasn’t for this review I would have not finished it. It might be great for someone else, it is quick read and a cute cozy mystery.

This is an adorable cozy mystery. It has small town quaintness and a host of sweet characters. Our main character finds a body in her garden and and she has to question what she knows about her friend. This is a first time author for me but I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more.

So I'm not usually into cozy mysteries, but I read this one because I love gardening. That aspect of the story was a lot of fun for me personally. The mystery was intriguing and the plot pulled along enough to hold my interest despite me not being the target audience for this book.

Maggie Walker is looking for a fresh start to her life after the rough year she's had. With the passing of her aunt, she inherits an old Victorian home in need of repair, which she is determined to restore to its full glory. Renewing her childhood friendship with Sally who lives next door and joining the effort to create a community garden, give Maggie a purpose to her days. When Violet Bloom, the head of the community garden doesn't show up for the grand opening, Maggie is concerned. When Maggie unearths a boot in one of the recently tilled plots, she is at first annoyed and then horrified as a foot is still attached to that boot! With the locals closing ranks and the police in search of a killer, Maggie ends up in their sights. Maggie is also dealing with a shady real estate developer who desperately wants to buy her property (it's not for sale-ever!) and her slimy Cousin Simon harassing her for a bigger cut of her aunt's will, Maggie finds herself in the role of detective since no one else seems to think that Violet's disappearance is all that important. But one shouldn't go asking too many questions in a small town where friendly faces may be hiding ugly truths.
Follow along as Maggie tackles her feelings about returning to this small town, the death of her aunt, her greedy cousin and exactly where could Violet Bloom be?

Maggie Walker has returned to Marlowe after purchasing her grandmother's home and reconnecting with old friends.
She becomes involved with setting up a community garden in town with plots assigned to interested residents.
Her partner Violet is a no show the day the garden opens and things take a turn for the worse when a dead body
is discovered in the garden. Another concern is where is Violet - she's not answering the phone and seems to
have disappeared. Is Violet involved in the murdered man's death. As the victim was trying to buy up properties
for a real estate development, many people had reason to dislike him. Maggie investigates, hoping to discover
Violet's whereabouts and unmask the killer.
Likeable, interesting characters - first in a new series.
#TheGardenersPlot #StMartinsPress #NetGalley

The Plot is in the Garden...

How fortunate for me to have stumbled onto the first of this series instead of jumping into the middle someplace, as I often do. The protagonists promise to keep things exciting, and there are hints of future relationships, but the main focus is on the behavior and misbehavior of the heroine, her companions, and various antagonists. There are animosities yet to be worked out, and a groundwork is established in the background as, beginning with a relaxed pace, the plot moves forward logically, but with surprises. And, bonus! How delightful to experience gardening vicariously, without having to endure it's tedium, for those of us who are not organically inclined toward that experience.

This is a fun cozy mystery! I will admit that it took me a bit to get into it but when I did! Wow!!

Maggie Walker loves to garden, and then she discovers a body in the community garden! She decides to investigate to help her friend.

Great pace (except for the beginning, at least for me), great characters and great friendships.

If you like cozy mysteries, you should like or maybe even love this one!

The Gardener’s Plot is a new unique cozy with a twisted whodunnit that introduces a new tenacious, amateur sleuth Maggie Walker. Maggie’s love of gardening has her volunteering to help her friend Violet with the community garden plans. But opening day finds a dead body in the garden and Violet missing. Maggie refuses to believe her friend has anything to do with the death and begins an investigation that pits her against the local police. Full of determination, Maggie uncovers a murderer and tracks down her friend in a suspenseful and unpredictable cozy that sets up the opening of an original new series that cozy mystery fans are sure to adore. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Small town? Check. Cute hobby? Check. Tough but slightly broken female lead who finds a dead body and then gets in the police's way while trying to solve the crime? Check! Loved this cozy mystery and can't wait to hopefully see more from this series.

Fairly typical cozy - entertaining, easy read. Perfect for the beach!

Maggie Walker is back in town. She’s interested in gardening, so she volunteers to help set up a community garden. Everything seems to be on track until her friend (and head of the community garden) Violet Bloom is MIA when the proverbial ribbon cutting to open the garden is scheduled. Then there’s a boot in one of the plots, unfortunately, still attached to the body. Suspicion naturally falls on the missing Violet; Maggie, with the help of her good friend Sally, starts asking questions to figure how where Violet is so she can clear her name.

I enjoyed this book, although it could have used more back story about Maggie and some of the other characters. I think Maggie was a writer? but she didn’t do much writing. Still, it was entertaining and great for reading on a lazy summer day.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

This was definitely a mystery that had me hooked but I’m not sure enough depth and context was given in some parts. I would’ve loved to hear more about Catherine Whitaker and about the town. Overall, great beach read!

I have always enjoyed a cozy mystery and this one did not disappoint. The main character was paranoid about so many things but that added to the charm. I could definitely relate to checking, double checking and triple checking locks and doors when home alone. I was able to figure out the ending but even so, it was such a fun read. Thanks Netgalley.