Poppy's Family 😄!

I absolutely love the beauty, warmth, mystery and fun these stories about Poppy, Oren and all the other people and dog ( Einstein) that gives me a place to go. I can see the people, the gardens, and feel the love they have for each other. I am happy she found out who her father wasn't. How much fun to have a new character like Clara!!! Anxious to see if Nell and Clara will be friends. I'm thrilled and that Bernie invented a yummy flavor for Orens cat food. Also his amazing mushroom remedies!! Can't wait to read book # 5!! And as always... Pearl Hewitt is the BEST narrator I've ever heard!!! THANK YOU! PLEASE NEVER STOP WRITING!!!!

2 people found this helpful

Less humor, but just as good as the rest!

I loved this one! The humor was a lot less than previous books, but that was all right because the story and twists and turns were really good. Poppy's despair was a bit heavier this time around as well, but she also didn't make any maddening mistakes like she did in previous books (like fibbing about how much experience she had in gardening or something to that effect). Somehow, the whole thing balanced out so I didn't feel bogged down by Poppy's troubles. As always, H.Y. Hanna did a spectacular job!!!

2 people found this helpful

Delightful Addition to the Series

Trowel and Error was another delightful addition to H.Y. Hanna's cottage garden mystery series. I feel like the characters continue to grow wonderfully book to book, and I was delighted to follow their new adventures. Pearl's narration too continues to just bring even more life to an already vibrant tale. I only regret I listened to this too quickly perhaps as now I'll have to wait sometime for the next book.

1 person found this helpful

A fun listen!

Trowel and Error, the latest in the English Cottage Garden mysteries, is an entertaining cozy mystery with interesting characters, plenty of humor, and a great setting, which is described so well by the author that I almost feel like I'm there. I always learn something garden related from this series - this time it was about how to grow gardenias, and was really helpful. One thing I particularly like about H.Y. Hanna is she always comes up with unique methods of murder, as well as plenty of suspects to keep you guessing, and this book is no exception. The story was well written, intriguing, fast paced, and kept me listening. I'm enjoying seeing the main character, Poppy, grow and develop, through her problems, mistakes, successes, and relationships with her various friends and neighbors. Oren, the feisty feline, is always entertaining. A new invention by Poppy's eccentric neighbor Bertie, CLARA the cleaning robot, provides several laugh-out-loud moments. The reader, Pearl Hewitt, is adept at voicing all the different characters, even a cat and a dog, (and now a robot as well!) . She really brings the characters to life, and is certainly one of the best narrators I've ever listened to. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you will love this series! Highly recommended! I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

1 person found this helpful

Love the English Garden Series

I love all of HY Hanna's books and The English Garden Series is excellent. The narrator Pearl Hewitt is fantastic! I just wish they would hurry up and record some more!!!

1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable

The best so far of this series. I have been waiting for another H.Y. Hanna book because they are do fun. This one was very entertaining, I can't wait for the next.

1 person found this helpful

I still just so much dislike the main character

I love the descriptive way she describes the flowers, the people and animals, but I just absolutely dislike the character of Poppy. And that's hard for me to get past unfortunately. I always have no problem figuring out the killer very early on as well. What has kept me listening to the series though is the wonderful voice actress and the beautiful descriptions, so detailed that I can almost smell the soil and flowers. I think the author is very gifted in that area!

Earns 5+/5 Swarmzzzz...Engaging Entertainment!

Trowel and Error, The buzz is...it’s brilliant! H.Y. Hanna is an all-time favorite author for her clever mystery, descriptive language, and an entertaining banter, and this fourth book in her English Cottage Garden Mystery is another excellent adventure. The murder mystery was well-developed from the victim selection and a long list of folks connected to the victim to intriguing motives and interesting secrets, and ending with a final nail-biting bit of personal peril. I had the killer on my radar, but cleverly Hanna’s story had me dismiss that idea when something better came along...I love it when I get stumped. Readers get more insights into Poppy’s late mother and the father she never knew...fascinating side story! The English Cottage Garden main characters are delightful, realistic, and varied in age to meet any cozy fan’s preferences, and additional characters do well to support their personalities, class, and education. Several suspects had the opportunity and slowly several motives are exposed as Poppy uses her informal queries, Bertie’s newest invention CLARA, and an “in” at the police station; my inner Sherlock was on overdrive. I may not be an active gardener, but I greatly enjoyed the idea of a nursery, gardening, and all the flowers talk. I loved it all! How can H.Y. Hanna’s story get any better? Produce it as an audiobook narrated by the talented Pearl Hewitt. My entertainment is greatly enhanced by Pearl’s ability to go well beyond a traditional reading out loud with variations of the British accent illustrating region and education, great effort with make voices, and performing the tone and emotions to keep me totally engaged. She makes an excellent CLARA, the robot. She sure is my favorite narrator, and when I read one of Hanna’s books, I always have Pearl’s voice in my head.

Killed the series for me

Not that the previous books were great, but they were light and the narration and production made them easy to listen to. This one is horrible. I’m willing to overlook some poor story lines but I couldn’t even get through this book and I won’t be keeping up with the series any longer.

Loved it

I always look forward to seeing what new mischief Poppy can get into in each new installment in the English Cottage Garden Mysteries series. H.Y. Hanna and Pearl Hewitt together make an unstoppable duo in the cozy mystery genre.