Set aside two days for this steady PG cozy theater mystery set in Goosebush, Massachusetts in November of 2021 (but without Covid) with a cast of characters mainly on the more mature side. I had an ARC from Netgalley and this voluntary review is my own opinion ( )

Goosebush is a quaint small town, but with a large enough arts community to house two, sometimes dueling, community playhouse groups. The holidays are coming, and the beginning seemed full of activity and red herrings with the death of a local benefactor, Leon, a wreath fundraiser, a garden sculpture contest and stage reading of a Christmas Carol. A star returns to Goosebush to participate in the reading and his death definitely seems suspicious. There are a lot of fun characters and small town squabbles amid the mystery. A pretty fun way to kick off some holiday reading. ( )

Wreathing Havoc is the fourth book in The Gardening Squad series by Julia Henry.

Lilly and Delia are busy preparing for Thanksgiving, and the Garden Squad will be coming over for the pot-luck dinner. But this year’s Thanksgiving will have a somber atmosphere, as their dear friend and patron of Goosebush Theatre, Leon, recently passed away. Leon had medical issues, but his death came as a complete surprise. At first, it was death by natural causes, but Lilly convinced the police chief that it had to be murder.

For decades there have been arguments between the Goosebrush Players and the Goosebrush Theatre. And with Leon’s death, the views seem to have intensified. Present and past members of both groups have organized a tribute and will be performing a reading of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. Most of the local members are happy to have two members from the past who have gone on to have careers in California, Jeremy Nolan, and ex-wife Annabelle Keys. At the end of a reading, the actors and audience gathered in the lobby for refreshments. Jeremy picks up one of his favorite cupcakes and, after eating it, becomes very sick and soon dies.

Lilly and the Garden Squad will soon begin to investigate his death. The investigation will prove to be a little tricky as the state police are called in, and they aren’t willing to share any information.
It’s always enjoyable to visit Goosebrush and its delightful and interesting residents. The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.

Helpful gardening tips are also included in the book.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series. ( )

small-town, senior-sleuths, friendship, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, actors, murder, murder-investigation*****

(A Garden Squad Mystery #4)
Community theater is out of my comfort zone, but a murder with a hint that this is not the first is right up my alley. The Garden Squad is a group of friends who have lived in the area and have known each other for enough decades that many are retired. The backdrop is a a library fundraiser with everyone making wreaths based on a famous novel. There are some hinky things going on and a director with delusions of grandeur, the a visiting renowned actor is murdered by poison and the state police are very interesting. Let the sleuthing begin!
It's a good fun read full of twists and red herrings, and some really delightful characters, and I loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )