Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 3)

"From the author's sure-fire plot comes this fail-safe moral: It takes an outsider to open people's eyes to the beauty--and the evil--within."
--The New York Times Book Review
"Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha."
--Chicago Sun Times
Never say die. That's the philosophy Agatha Raisin clings to when she comes home to cozy Carsely and finds a new woman ensconced in the affections of her attractive bachelor neighbor, James Lacey. The beautiful newcomer, Mary Fortune, is superior in every way, especially when it comes to gardening. And Agatha, that rose with many thorns, hasn't a green thumb to her name.
With garden Open Day approaching, she longs for a nice juicy murder to remind James of her genius for investigation. And sure enough, a series of destructive assaults on the finest gardens is followed by an appalling murder. Agatha seizes the moment and immediately starts yanking up village secrets by their roots and digging up all the dirt on the victim. Problem is, Agatha has an awkward secret of her own . . . .
"Compare this one to lemon meringue pie: light. . .with a delicious hint of tartness at its heart."
--The Washington Times
"Delightful . . . Hilarious . . . Warning: Once you read one of Beaton's books, you're hooked. No one does the English cozy better."
--Romantic Times