Publisher's Weekly Review
Victoria Trumbull, a 92-year-old Martha's Vineyard native, deputy police officer and naturalist, continues to delight in this second outing (after 2001's Deadly Nightshade) from Vineyard native Riggs. Lonely recluse Phoebe Eldredge decides to sell 200 acres of beautiful, unspoiled land to a developer rather than leave it to her descendents, in particular her crass, rude granddaughter, whose arrival on the island triggers the well-paced action. Because Massachusetts has a law against destroying endangered plants, Victoria, an avid walker, goes in search of a rare plant, any rare plant, on Phoebe's property in order to forestall development, but first she stumbles on a decayed corpse, which proves to be that of sleazy lawyer Montgomery Mausz. Victoria's new sidekick, an 11-year-old boy named Robin, makes a worthy companion, leading her to unexpected island nooks. A stranger pinned under a storm-toppled tree in Victoria's driveway, an avaricious developer married to a Nevada showgirl, a recovering Vietnam veteran, earnest botanists, naOve town officials, a clique of golfing doctorsall are involved, but not all are what they seem. Amid dealings and double-dealings, the body count rises. The author's prodigious fund of natural lore, both plant and animal, complements her authentic portrait of the Vineyard's human community, complete with a chorus of locals on the porch of a West Tisbury landmark, Alley's general store. Bits of sly humor and wordplay add to the fun. This mystery unfolds as nicely as the Vineyard spring it so lovingly depicts. Agent, Nancy Love. (May 13) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
When Phoebe Eldridge signs over her property to Montgomery Mausz, attorney for real-estate developer Harry Ness, who wants to build Ocean Zephyr Estates, most of Martha's Vineyard is up in arms. The Parks and Recreation committee wanted the land for a campground. Tom More wanted it for his Cranberry Fields commune. The physician's golf club consortium wanted to open a private course. And the Conservation Trust wanted to protect fragile ecosystems. Asked by the Trust if she can spot any endangered species, nonagenarian Victoria Trumbull is soon tramping the Sachem's Rock area with a bratty 11-year-old escort and finding the purple-spotted cranefly orchid, whose presence could delay redevelopment plans. The plants are suddenly removed, then reappear and vanish once more. Just as Phoebe's getting used to this rhythm, a couple of bodies pop up; Phoebe's prodigal son puts in an appearance; and p.i. Spencer Kirschmeyer is knocked into a coma by a falling tree while trying to bug Victoria's house. Who's doing all the replanting? Why is Phoebe's son secretly living in a hillside cave? And, by the way, did those two men die over real-estate shenanigans or over romance gone askew? Naturally, the murderer will confess only to Victoria, who acts as if it all makes perfect sense. Few readers will agree. The good news is that there are fewer clams, less water and island lore, and less gore than Deadly Nightshade (2001). A nice nap might refresh Victoria's reasoning prowess, though.
Booklist Review
Plucky 92-year-old Victoria Trumbull is back on the case in this satisfying follow-up to Riggs' series premiere, Deadly Nightshade [BKL Ap 1 01]. This time she is trailing both a killer and a rare orchid. Victoria is enjoying spring on Martha's Vineyard until she stumbles upon the decomposing body of attorney Montgomery "Mickey" Mausz. It soon becomes apparent that the murder has something to do with a bitter struggle over the valuable property of elderly Phoebe Eldredge. When Phoebe is tricked into selling the land to a greedy developer, leaders of the conservation group enlist Victoria to find rare plants--namely, a Cranefly orchid--on the property that might block the developer's plans for a housing development. The suspense builds as a man is caught spying on Victoria's house, and she and her 11-year-old assistant are befriended by a mysterious character living in the woods. Readers who enjoyed the charming series debut will be delighted to get another dose of Victoria's sharp tongue. --Jenny McLarin
Library Journal Review
The second appearance of 92-year-old Victoria Trumbull, amateur sleuth, upholds the promise of her first in Deadly Nightshade. Here, she and her young assistant look for a scarce plant that might provide clues to the murder of a local attorney. A great story. Incident). (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.