Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beware the Orchids | 2016 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
| 2 | Path to Nowhere | 2016 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
| 3 | Poison Foliage | 2016 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
| 4 | Poinsettia Madness | 2016 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
| 5 | Deadly Greenhouse Gases | 2017 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
| 6 | Vine Entrapment | 2017 | Cynthia Hickey | Buy |
Shady Acres Mystery plants a garden-loving amateur detective in a setting where tending plants leads to unearthing crimes. Across six books, the protagonist divides her time between nurturing her garden and investigating murders that occur in or around Shady Acres, using her observational skills and community connections to solve cases.
The series combines the cozy mystery tradition of hobby-focused sleuths with gardening themes, appealing to readers who enjoy both whodunits and horticultural details. The Shady Acres setting provides a consistent backdrop and cast of neighbors or fellow gardeners who serve as suspects, victims, and allies across the books. Christian faith guides the protagonist’s moral compass as she seeks justice while maintaining her peaceful garden sanctuary.