Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The rain is back!  It rained all night and most of the day which means I once again have a marsh pit for a backyard.  I went through two pair of slippers (they are soaking wet) trying to feed the birds. Our littlest dog, Tuxxe has to go out during the rain.  However, once he saw the rain coming down, he did a quick about face.  He refused to go out in the rain (and I do not blame him).  He is our prissiest dog!  

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Marty Wingate is a cute British cozy mystery.  It is the third book in the Potting Shed Mystery series.  Prunella “Pru” Parke is a gardener who is looking for a new posting.  Pru and her boyfriend, Christopher Pearse have been enjoying a six month sabbatical.  Christopher is getting ready to go back to work at London’s Metropolitan Police at Detective Chief Inspector.  Pru looks over her different offers and decided to accept one with the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.  She will be cataloging and identifying documents (a journal) written by eighteenth century Archibald Menzie (a plant hunter/collector).  It is a three month assignment and afterward Pru and Christopher will get married. 

Alastair Campbell is Pru’s new boss.  He seems to be hiding something about her new job and goes out of his way to avoid her.  Ian Blackwell is a historian of the special collections at the RBGE and he very much resents Pru’s presence.  When Pru asks him why he resents her getting the job, he gives her cryptic information.  Saskia Bennett is a gardener at RBGE and will be Pru’s assistant during her tenure.  She is an eager and friendly young woman who has had to take care of her mother for many years.  Then after an argument between Iain and Pru, Iain is found dead in Water of Leith under the bridge (I think I got that right).  Who wanted Iain dead?  Did it have to do with the journal of Archibald Menzie? 

Pru starts investigating with the help of her fiancé, Chris.  Pru is also working on her wedding which will take place after job ends in Edinburgh.  Pru does not have a log of luck with the dress designer and soon leaves the planning of the wedding to her friend, Jo.  Pru just wants to show up and get married (I have never heard of a bride that does not want some input into their wedding).   Pru needs to solve the murder, find out if the journal is authenticate, and then get married.  Nothing to it.

I found Between a Rock and a Hard Place to be an okay cozy mystery.  I did not mind it, but then I did not love it.  I found Pru to be a strange character and a contradiction.  She wants to get married (claims to really love Chris), but she does not want to plan it (pick a location, dress, cake).  She also goes to London the night before her wedding (with her fiancé), decides to stay overnight (which might make them late for their own wedding), and leaves her wedding shoes behind in their flat (does this sound like a woman who wants to get married).  The mystery was so simple to solve (it was obvious).  I give Between a Rock and a Hard Place 3 out of 5 stars.   Maybe it is just me.  I am told that I do not have a good sense of humor (by my own mother)!

I received a complimentary copy of Between a Rock and a Hard Place from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.  

I hope your are having a lovely and relaxing Saturday!  I am currently reading Pictures from the Past by Deby Eisenberg. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader