At the outset of Bastion's sprightly second cozy to feature American-in-London public relations executive Lucille Anderson (after 2004's No Just Desserts
), Lucille discovers the body of Sir Montague Taylor-Scott hanging from a trellis during a garden tour of Monty's stately home. Richard Meek, a freelance journalist who's been tailing Lucille, suggests Monty was the victim of eco-terrorists, “the Marigold Mafia,” for stealing priceless seedlings from an African tribe and planning to profit from them. Meek also warns that the group is targeting Allgood Foods, whose CEO, Braxton “Brack” Clark, is Lucille's client and lover, because the company may be genetically modifying its products. Though Brack insists she stop her meddling, the plucky Lucille pursues the Marigold Mafia to Cornwall, where she meets a handsome government agent, whose advances she finds hard to resist given Brack's odd behavior. Occasional strong language may offend those used to milder expletives. (Apr.)
