Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Written by Marty Wingate

Narrated by Erin Bennett

After her romantic idyll with the debonair Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse culminates in a marriage proposal, Pru Parke sets about arranging their nuptials while diving into a short-term gig at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. At hand is the authentication of a journal purportedly penned by eighteenth-century botanist and explorer Archibald Menzies. Compared to the chaos of wedding planning, studying the journal is an agreeable task . . . that is, until a search for a missing cat leads to the discovery of a dead body: One of Pru's colleagues has been conked on the head with a rock and dumped from a bridge into the Water of Leith.

Pru can't help wondering if the murder has something to do with the Menzies diary. Is the killer covering up a forgery? Among the police's many suspects are a fallen aristocrat turned furniture maker, Pru's overly solicitous assistant, even Pru herself. Now, in the midst of sheer torture by the likes of flamboyant wedding dress designers and eccentric church organists, Pru must also uncover the work of a sly murderer-unless this bride wants to walk down the aisle in handcuffs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515973973

Reviews for Between a Rock and a Hard Place

[bevash · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first of the Potting Shed Mysteries that I have read. I found the first part to be a bit boring, but I stuck with it and soon was enjoying the book. Some of the references to the previous books were a little confusing but they didn't interfere with the storyline. As far as the story, I can't imagine starting a new job and planning your wedding at the same time, but Pru seemed to be a good delegator and the story was well wtitten. The characters were well developed. I liked the fact that this is about an older couple and shows you're never too old for love. I received this arc free from NetGalley for an honest review.

[aztwinmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pru and Chrstopher are planning their wedding. Pru takes a temporary research project in Edinburgh while Christopher returns to his busy schedule at the Met. Pru's associate, Iain resents her presence and there is some question why she was appointed to the task. Soon, Iain is murdered and Pru is a suspect. The murder investigation is interspersed with Pru's hilarious dealings with her wedding plans. The dress fittings were hilarious! A wonderfully fun cozy, perfect for a relaxed weekend.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a busy time for Pru Parke. She has just accepted the proposal of Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse and is planning a wedding. She has also taken a short term job at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh while Christopher remains in London. Pru's job is to authenticate a journal supposedly written by botanist and explorer Archibald Menzies. She is fascinated and has visions of writing a definitive article about the journal and about Menzies. She isn't expecting a boss who seems to be hiding from her, a rival who can't understand how she got the job, and a gardener who doesn't seem to know much about gardening but who shows up everywhere Pru goes.When the rival is found dead in suspicious circumstances, Pru is a suspect and has to begin investigating a number of suspicious people to clear her name. Of course, she is also planning a wedding and it seems that everyone she interviews also has something to contribute to her wedding plans. Besides the tension of finding out who the murderer was, we have some funny moments regarding the wedding plans. From the fashion designer who is supposed to be creating her wedding gown to the Scottish equivalent of getting married in Vegas by Elvis to the police detective who is planning her own wedding, Pru has her hands full.This was an excellent cozy mystery with wonderful, engaging characters. I like that Pru and Christopher are older. It was realistic to see them making compromises for their new relationship but it was also nice seeing that they were set enough in their lives that they had more financial freedom to make those choices.Fans of cozy mysteries and gardening will enjoy this one.

[kathl33n-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great escapade with Pru through the gardens of the UK! I did wish there was a bit more of the gardening tidbits in this one, but the botanical research was actually very interesting also. I am definitely in line to read number 4 in the series.

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pru Parke is off to Scotland for a short-term job at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh In the third book in the very enjoyable Potting Shed Mystery series. She’s also busy planning her wedding to Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse when a vengeful murderer threatens to strike again. Of course Pru can’t help but get involved.It’s good to be back in action with Pru – she’s intelligent, brave, mature, likable with a great sense of humor, and works hard and competently at a job she loves. Her relationship with Christopher is passionate and intense and a joy to read about, and I was so happy to see them getting married. All of the gardening facts and details are fascinating.If you appreciate British-style mysteries, unexpected plot twists, and engaging characters the Potting Shed Mystery series is for you.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is book #3 in the Potting Shed Mystery series. The main character is 50-something Pru Parke who is a gardener now living in Britain, who solves mysteries that just happen around her. In this book, Pru takes a three-month research post at the The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, hoping to authenticate a journal fro Menzies, then to publish. Recently becoming engaged to DCI Christopher Pearse, it separates her from him and causes issues while trying to plan their wedding. Unfortunately for Pru, the person she is to be working with is angry that he did not get the opportunity to do the authenication and when he turns up dead after an argument, Pru joins the list of suspects and finds herself working to discover who the killer is. other suspects include Murdo, the grounds gardener, who seems to be watching Pru and making notes in a notebook he carries. Then, there's Pru's assistant, Saskin Bennet, who seems to have secrets and a keen interest in this project. Another fun character is Mrs. Murchie, Pru's neighbour who becomes an important part of this story. The journal, murder, interesting characters, along with an overzealous wedding dress designer, makes for a very good story.

I have not read the other books in this series and think it would have been a benefit if I had. I will have to go back and read them to see what brought Pru to where she is now. It was a fun and enjoyable book, even though I did figure out who did it before Pru did. I did enjoy the relationship between Pru and Christopher and it looks like the next book at least will have them spending more time together as a couple.

A quick, easy and entertaining read.

Note: I was given a ARC of this book via NetGalley, in return for an honest review. I was not compensated for the review and my thoughts and feelings about the book are my own.

[anissaannalise-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fun installment to the series but I do have to admit that I really felt the gardening element to the story was missed. Pru in a research assignment started off interesting but quickly became tedious. Granted, it was the direct path to the murder mystery but that didn't make the setting any more appealing for me. Pru needs to be in a garden somewhere doing something with flora. I don't know the first thing about gardening but I do find that aspect of the series to be a major draw for me. Still, I enjoyed the mystery. The victim was one that, while they didn't deserve the end they met, was such that they made it clear why they weren't deeply & widely mourned once they were dispatched. Oddly, I figured out the killer this time very quickly but I just didn't believe I was correct so it was a nice surprise ultimately, to find that I had been. I very much enjoyed following Pru and Christopher's wedding plans. It was nice to see all the people heard about over the course of the first two books, show up in this one. Marcus was a surprise for Pru and me as well. I enjoyed finding out more about Jo's husband and the ups and downs of Pru and Christopher's planning from wedding dress to church. I never doubted it would all come together in the end no matter what tried to intervene and I was very satisfied with the culmination. I have really enjoyed the evolution of Pru and Christopher's relationship and think it'll be nice to follow them as a married couple living in the same place 24/7. I really liked that Christopher was willing to transfer to wherever Pru's work took her. I can't wait to read about their adventures in Hampshire. I'd recommend this installment definitely and will absolutely continue with the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.