Death in the Garden

Death in the Garden

Elizabeth Ironside

#4019 of 8,085 books · #1191 in Crime & Thriller

Shortlisted for the Gold Dagger Award (CWA Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year) (1995).

The story is set in two timelines. It tells the story of a young lady trying to solve a murder that remained a mystery 60 years after it happened. In 1925, Diana Pollexfen turned 30, and to celebrate this milestone; she invited her friends over for a party. Things turn sour when Diana's husband, George Pollexfen, dies of poisoning. After investigations, it is clear that George's cocktail was laced with chemicals, and all of them were traced to Diana's photography studio. Diana is accused of killing her husband, but when she takes to the stand, the justice system finds her innocent. While Diana is exonerated, the shadow of this case follows her throughout her lifetime. It doesn't help that the person who committed the heinous crime is never found. Now, it is in the 1990s, and Diana's grand-niece is turning 30. Helena's birthday is celebrated with less fanfare as there are no friends to party with. The only social outlet the overworked attorney has is an obsessive love affair and nothing else. For distraction, Helena went through her great aunt's papers to learn about that murder in the garden many decades ago. The more detailed she gathers; the more Helena gets obsessed with this case. She is determined to stop at nothing until she solves this mystery. With the help of her great aunt's principal heir, Helena goes through records that could help solve this mystery.