The Body in the Back Garden
Finalist for the 2024 Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award from the Mystery Writers of America
Named as one of the “Best Books of 2023” by the Professional Book Nerds
In this queer cozy mystery perfect for fans of Ellen Byron and Ellery Adams, Luke Tremblay is about to discover that Crescent Cove has more than its fair share of secrets…and some might be deadlier than others.
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Penguin Random House
Praise for THE BODY IN THE BACK GARDEN
“Waddell’s debut, The Body In The Back Garden, hits every cozy mystery beat perfectly while adding a fresh and much-needed perspective to the genre. I can’t wait to read more of Luke Tremblay’s adventures in Crescent Cove (both in sleuthing and with his handsome Mountie ‘friend’)!”
—Mia P. Manansala, author of the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning Arsenic and Adobo
“Waddell has crafted an enjoyable and satisfying mystery with a sympathetic sleuth, a small beach town to fall in love with, and a twisty plot that will keep you turning pages well into the night.”
—Dianne Freeman, author of the award-winning Countess of Harleigh mystery series
“In this impressive series debut from Mark Waddell…secrets worth killing for are unearthed and justice is served, but you’ll never guess whodunit till the final reveal.”
—Michael Craft, author of the Dante and Jazz series
“Mark Waddell’s The Body in the Back Garden may be the new kid on the block, but don’t let that fool you. Everything about this story, from the Vancouver Island setting to mysterious denizens of Crescent Cove, is utterly delicious. All I can say is, move over Jessica Fletcher!”
—Ellen Hart, award-winning author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenaway mysteries
“A quaint coastal island setting; a whip-smart writer-turned-amateur detective; a cozy cast of characters and lots of local flavor. The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell is like a modern-day Murder, She Wrote—only set in Canada, and with a queer millennial man in the Jessica Fletcher starring role. Throw in his handsome Mounted Policeman love interest (Red Serge tunic, midnight-blue jodhpurs? Yes, please!) and this humorous whodunnit sizzles with enough romantic tension to keep readers turning/scrolling those pages. A welcome addition to the ‘quozy’ mystery genre.”
—Frank Anthony Polito, author of Renovated to Death
“Well plotted, perfectly paced, and wittily written, The Body in the Back Garden is a wonderful launch to what I hope will be a long-running series. I greatly enjoyed my visit to Crescent Cove, and can’t wait to visit again!“
—T. G. Herren, author of A Streetcar Named Murder