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Cynthia Hickey
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Beware the Orchids (A Shady Acres Mystery) Paperback – February 10, 2016

by Cynthia Hickey (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 250 ratings
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Who said flowers weren't dangerous?

Shelby Hart never imagined her dream job would involve murder. Freshly jilted at the altar and desperate for a fresh start, she ditches her old life, trading her bouquet for a pair of gardening gloves. Landing a job as a gardener and event coordinator at the luxurious Shady Acres Retirement Community seems like a stroke of luck—until she finds a corpse in the greenhouse on her very first day.

With the dead body nestled under the orchids and Shelby quickly becoming the prime suspect, her new life starts wilting fast. Determined to clear her name, Shelby teams up with the irresistibly charming handyman, navigates the antics of the quirky residents, and even gets unsolicited advice from a flirtatious grandma who’s seen it all.

Full of humor, heart, and unexpected twists, Beware the Orchids is a small-town cozy mystery that will keep you laughing and guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans who enjoy a lighthearted whodunit with a touch of romance and a whole lot of fun.

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  1. Book 1 of 6
    A Shady Acres Mystery
  2. Print length
    207 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    February 10, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1944203060
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1944203061
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Winged Publications (February 10, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 207 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1944203060
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1944203061
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 250 ratings

About the author

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Cynthia Hickey

Cynthia Hickey

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Cynthia Hickey has been making up stories since she was a child. How fortunate that she finally found an outlet for her, uh, fictional tellings.

Website at www.cynthiahickey.com

Multi-published and Amazon and ECPA Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey has sold over a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference, several small ACFW chapters and RWA chapters. She and her husband run the small press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She travels between Arizona and Arkansas, depending on the time of year with her husband. She has ten grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
250 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this cozy mystery series. They find the storyline engaging and suspenseful, with a great setting and likeable characters. The humor and romance are mixed together in a fun and entertaining read. However, opinions differ on the readability - some find it easy to read and get into the flow, while others feel it's not well-written and has childish language at times.

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EnjoymentStorylineCharacter developmentHumorReadability
19 customers mention "Enjoyment"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an engaging read for cozy mystery fans with a hint of romance. The story is described as cute and fun.

"...pulls her elementary education skills and comes up with exciting and interesting activities...." Read more

"...This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with fun characters. The retirement village had lots going on all the time - aside from looking for a murderer." Read more

"I love reading Cynthia's mysteries. I just found her books in the past year and been reading quiete a bit of her books...." Read more

"This was a fun read. Looking forward to more. The characters were uncomplicated. This is a perfect bedtime read...." Read more

16 customers mention "Storyline"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find the setting and characters engaging. The mystery is suspenseful and the author blends humor and romance into a fun story that keeps readers guessing throughout.

"...It made the whole adventure even better. The author mixes mystery, humor and romance into one fun story...." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book! It's a great storyline with fun characters! I already bought the other books in the series!" Read more

"...This book takes you through Shelby's escapades and attempts at detective work with some colorful sidekicks...." Read more

"...Her latest mystery is probley the best yet. I instantly fell in love with the characters in this book. I can't wait for book two!!!!!" Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters and find them entertaining.

"...She, also, gives us a heroine who is entertaining and will leave you smiling...." Read more

"...This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with fun characters. The retirement village had lots going on all the time - aside from looking for a murderer." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book! It's a great storyline with fun characters! I already bought the other books in the series!" Read more

"...I truly enjoyed the characters and story in this book and look forward to reading more." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's mix of mystery, humor, and romance in this book.

"...It made the whole adventure even better. The author mixes mystery, humor and romance into one fun story...." Read more

"Good mystery along with spots of humor. Enjoyable read." Read more

"This book is hilarious and fun! I highly recommend it." Read more

"Funny and engaging" Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability. Some find it easy to read and a quick read to start the series on a good note. Others mention that the writing seems rushed, not as well-written, and there are mistakes like typos and discrepancies. The wording seems childish at times, so some readers are confused about who it's written for.

"...This is a quick read to start this series on a good note. I’m already looking forward to reading the next one." Read more

"...The wording seems almost childish at times. So I'm a little confused about who it's written for. A lot of continuity problems...." Read more

"I loved how quick a read this mystery story was...." Read more

"I love this entire series. There are a few typos and some discrepancies, but the stories are great." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • R.H. McCort
    5.0 out of 5 stars School teacher turned gardener
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Book 1 of the Shady Acres series begins with telling you that Shelby Jenkins a 3rd grade teacher is ditched left at the altar. Boyfriend is the principal of the school where Shelby teaches.. Shelby wants changes, quits her job and is hired as a gardener, social director and assistant to the Director at Shady Acres Retirement Community.

    Not sure at first what will be expected of her and wonders how to “find activities” for retirees, she soon pulls her elementary education skills and comes up with exciting and interesting activities. However, first she must find a missing resident Maybelle. Shelby begins searching the grounds and finds Maybelle in the Orchid greenhouse poisoned. The mystery begins.

    Enter Grandma Ida, recently turned 65 and retired decides to move into one of the cottages to keep an eye on Shelby. Mother Sue Ellen is not only worried about Ida, but daughter Shelby and becomes part of the story line. Best friend Cheryl comes to stay and helps solve the mystery. However, the eye candy of the story line is Heath, the handyman.

    This book will have you laughing and scared for Shelby, Heath, Grandma Ida and Sue Ellen.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Socrates Book Reviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cute Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Dressed in her wedding gown at the church, Shelby Hart receives a text message from her groom. He’s calling off the wedding. Shelby immediately quits her teaching job. No way is she going to continue teaching there since her now former fiance is the school’s principal. She’s determined to make a new life for herself far away from her ex.

    First thing on her list is to get a new job. She gets one at a local retirement community center. She not only is the new gardener and event planner, but she gets a place to live too. To make things even more interesting, her grandmother decides to get an apartment there too.

    Shelby loves gardening, but her first day on the job brings more than she bargained for when she discovers one of the residents dead in the greenhouse. It doesn’t take long to learn it is murder.

    There are numerous suspects. Shelby doesn’t trust the police to do the job, so she lends a helping hand in the investigation. Along with her grandmother and her friends, Shelby sets out to find a killer.

    The first book in the Shady Acres Mysteries had me guessing through the entire book. There were so many suspects to choose from and I must have picked each one at one time or another. I didn’t guess the real killer, which is a good thing. It made the whole adventure even better. The author mixes mystery, humor and romance into one fun story. She, also, gives us a heroine who is entertaining and will leave you smiling.

    This is a quick read to start this series on a good note. I’m already looking forward to reading the next one.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Nims
    5.0 out of 5 stars A cute cheeky quick mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I loved how quick a read this mystery story was. My new favorite character Shelby has quick the "cheeky" and perky attitude of my favorite teen sleuth "Nancy Drew".
    The shennanigans of her favorite Grandma and the support of Mom and dear friend Cheryl make for a lovely change of pace from reality.
    Love it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jo-Anne B.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cute cozy mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Things are bad for Shelby when her fiance leaves her standing at the alter. She quits her teaching job (since he is the school principal) and gets a job as gardener/social convenor at a retirement community - sight unseen. She loves the job much more than she ever did teaching. She expected her life to be nice and quiet with a job tending the gardens and entertaining the seniors but when she found one of them dead in her greenhouse, her life wasn't quiet and calm after all. Add her zany grandmother coming to live there and a handyman who makes her tingle and you know this is going to be a fun story.

    Since Shelby found the body, she is a prime suspect. To clear her name, she wants to find the real killer, so starts her own investigation, with the help of her grandmother and her friend, Cheryl, who is visiting for a week.

    The characters are so funny you've just got to love them. Grandma is especially fun. She is old enough to live at Shady Acres but acts like a woman half her age. She starts dating the police officer investigating the murder and is constantly trying to get information out of him about it. As the investigation continues, another body is found. It's getting dangerous for these unskilled investigators.

    This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with fun characters. The retirement village had lots going on all the time - aside from looking for a murderer.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this book! It's a great storyline with fun characters! I already bought the other books in the series!
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  • Scphomes
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun mystery with a hint of romance
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Shelby finds herself in a new job at Shady Acres, a retirement "home" with some interesting characters. Unfortunately she discovers the body of one of the residents almost immediately after starting her new job. This book takes you through Shelby's escapades and attempts at detective work with some colorful sidekicks. Shelby's grandma, Ida, decides to move to Shady Acres the same day Shelby does and is one of the driving forces behind Shelby's investigations. Then there is Heath, the handyman Shelby finds extremely handsome. Even though Shelby tries to convince herself she isn't interested in romance there is undeniable interest between her and Heath and I can't wait to see where that goes in the future. I truly enjoyed the characters and story in this book and look forward to reading more.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Nicole
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I love reading Cynthia's mysteries. I just found her books in the past year and been reading quiete a bit of her books. Her latest mystery is probley the best yet. I instantly fell in love with the characters in this book. I can't wait for book two!!!!!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jennie Ersari
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute cozy!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The media could not be loaded.
    Left at the altar, Shelby changed jobs to get away from her ex-fiance. On her first day at Shady Acres Retirement Community, she finds a dead body and is determined to find the killer.
    One person found this helpful
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