Louise isn't so sure, and when Whiting's young widow, Polly, invites Louise to join the research team at Dr. Whiting's labs, Louise is curious on two fronts: she is fascinated by the plants Dr. Whiting described, and she is also anxious to learn if there is someone at the lab who had something to gain with the doctor's demise.

Louise finds herself enjoying her work and her time with Polly, Dr. Whiting's estranged son, Matthew, and Dr. Joe Bateman, Dr. Whiting's long time grad assistant. While Louise doesn't see any outward animosity, she senses a lot of unpleasant undercurrents. After being approached by detective friend Mike Geraghty to keep her eyes and ears open, her interest is even more piqued, but by the time she realizes there is more going on in the lab than growing exotic plants, her life may also be in jeopardy.

On top of all this, Louise’s Thanksgiving guest list has continued to grow and she has gotten in over her head with the dinner menu when she enlists the aid of an ambitious, young chef/guest.

Harvest of Murder is an engrossing mystery, though some readers with only a passing interest in plants and gardening may not be as enraptured since this book is more technical than some of Ann Ripley's earlier gardening mysteries. The mystery is neatly constructed with several viable suspects and motives, and believable, yet sometimes there are obvious red herrings. A chance encounter at a diner provides Louise yet one more suspect in an incident that is almost too contrived.

The atmosphere of this cozy is where Ripley excels. The small Virginia enclave outside of Washington, DC provides a wonderful backdrop for all sorts of interesting characters. Louise's two daughters and husband are all supportive, yet protective of her. Louise is an admirable heroine as she struggles between her desire to have a career outside of the home and her instincts to stay at home and nurture her family. A gardening essay at the end of the mystery will be an added bonus to those with a strong interest in gardening.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry