Fatality in F: A Gethsemane Brown Mystery

In Gordon’s delightful fourth Gethsemane Brown mystery (after 2018’s Killing in C Sharp), the Irish village of Dunmullach is gearing up for the International Rose Hybridizers’ Association’s Annual Rose and Garden Show, which pits professional rosarians against skilled amateurs. Among the latter group is Frankie Grennan, a friend and colleague of Virginia-born Gethsemane at St. Brennan’s School for Boys. When Frankie’s main rival is found stabbed to death with a pair of pruning shears in Frankie’s garden, Gethsemane investigates. She’s aided by Insp. Niall O’Reilly of the Dunmullach Garda, but her real partner in detection is the ghost of Eamon McCarthy, a composer who once lived in the cottage she now occupies. While Eamon’s astute observations are helpful, he never overshadows Gethsemane, and the banter between the two provides plenty of opportunities for humor. Plausible motives and eccentric, well-defined suspects abound. Full of snappy dialogue, this paranormal cozy is pure, sparkling fun. [em]Agent: Paula Munier, Talcott Notch Literary. (Feb.) [/em]