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The Garden: An Almost True Crime Story
Welcome to Season Two of Murders Under the Sun
, a podcast that takes a trip to the dark side of sunny Southern California. I’m your host, Molly Shure.
We met Olivia Richards in Season One—a single mother struggling to care for her son after a terrible accident. She is determined to get Brian back to his pre-trauma self and create a new life for them. With a new job, a new boyfriend, and a new beginning, Olivia is finally starting to see the light of a new day.
But just as things seem to be looking up, a figure from her past resurfaces, threatening to destroy everything she’s worked for. As past and present collide, Olivia fights to save her son from the evil growing from seeds sown in the past.
Olivia's story is just one of seven interconnected tales that span five years. As a crime journalist, I've noticed a subtle link between these stories, and in Season One, I began to unravel the truth. But the deeper I dig, the more twisted and sinister the truth becomes.
Join me in discovering what lies beyond the gates of The Garden and who will pay the ultimate price for the sins of the past.
**Portions of this story previously appeared in The Scent of Wrath by Greta Boris**
We met Olivia Richards in Season One—a single mother struggling to care for her son after a terrible accident. She is determined to get Brian back to his pre-trauma self and create a new life for them. With a new job, a new boyfriend, and a new beginning, Olivia is finally starting to see the light of a new day.
But just as things seem to be looking up, a figure from her past resurfaces, threatening to destroy everything she’s worked for. As past and present collide, Olivia fights to save her son from the evil growing from seeds sown in the past.
Olivia's story is just one of seven interconnected tales that span five years. As a crime journalist, I've noticed a subtle link between these stories, and in Season One, I began to unravel the truth. But the deeper I dig, the more twisted and sinister the truth becomes.
Join me in discovering what lies beyond the gates of The Garden and who will pay the ultimate price for the sins of the past.
**Portions of this story previously appeared in The Scent of Wrath by Greta Boris**
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
About the author
Greta Boris
38 books209 followersGreta Boris is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Mortician Murders, a paranormal suspense series, and The Seven Deadly Sins Murders, a psychological suspense series.
She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.
She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 23, 2024
In this edition, journalist Molly Shure's podcast focuses on a single mother struggling to care for her son who is recovering from a brain injury induced by an auto accident. Her life is thrown into more upheaval when she is targeted by bewildering messages.
This episode was crazy good. With a fresh take on the mystery genre, this approach to storytelling is modern and innovative. The podcast format allows the reader to examine the crime from all angles, bringing forth information that would otherwise have been missing or, even worse, carelessly woven into the story.
Olivia Richards, the main character, is committed to healing her son. Immediately this builds feelings of warmth and empathy for Olivia, drawing the reader into the story. This attachment brings the story to life as though it were happening to a real-life person close to the reader.
The story is fully engaging. I could not put it down. Indeed, I went to sleep late and woke early so eager was I to reach the conclusion. I reiterate: crazy good!
Thank you to Greta Boris and BookFunnel for the opportunity to read this eARC. My opinions are my own, honest and true.
This episode was crazy good. With a fresh take on the mystery genre, this approach to storytelling is modern and innovative. The podcast format allows the reader to examine the crime from all angles, bringing forth information that would otherwise have been missing or, even worse, carelessly woven into the story.
Olivia Richards, the main character, is committed to healing her son. Immediately this builds feelings of warmth and empathy for Olivia, drawing the reader into the story. This attachment brings the story to life as though it were happening to a real-life person close to the reader.
The story is fully engaging. I could not put it down. Indeed, I went to sleep late and woke early so eager was I to reach the conclusion. I reiterate: crazy good!
Thank you to Greta Boris and BookFunnel for the opportunity to read this eARC. My opinions are my own, honest and true.
September 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book - I have a friend who suffered from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and when reading about Olivia and Brian - I kept thinking about my friend. I think Brian suffered a bit from a TBI and the path to recovery (often to a new baseline normal) takes lots of love and patience which this sweet boy has in abundance. The characters are realistic and the way the author writes about them I get a good sense of who they are. There is a lot wrapped up in this storyline - new romance, fractured relationships, forgiveness, oh and murder! One part of the storyline that really stood out for me is how we can limit ourselves when we judge another or another situation as being a certain way and then not be able to see clearly what is really going on - this limits ourselves and is a disservice to the other. The author addresses this beautifully while acknowledging the human condition. While I felt sad about the broken relationships again the overriding theme of love really warmed my heart.
September 25, 2024
I totally “dug” this book!
No idea how the author can keep track of all the characters’ connections throughout seven books without giving away too much to the readers. And written as a ��whydunnit’ rather than a ‘whodunnit’ to boot!
Readers were made aware of Brian’s accident and subsequent coma in the previous book, and the author takes us deeper into his neurological issues caused by brain trauma. Regardless of medical advances, our brains and psyches are so complex…too complex for full comprehension. Which can then lead to misunderstandings in the community and misdiagnosis by professionals.
‘The brain is the final frontier of medicine, I think," Sage said. "Doctors can weigh it, measure it, watch electrical impulses travel across it, but it's still a mystery. And mysteries make people nervous.’
‘The Hiding Place’ is next – can’t wait to find out which dark secrets come to light.
No idea how the author can keep track of all the characters’ connections throughout seven books without giving away too much to the readers. And written as a ��whydunnit’ rather than a ‘whodunnit’ to boot!
Readers were made aware of Brian’s accident and subsequent coma in the previous book, and the author takes us deeper into his neurological issues caused by brain trauma. Regardless of medical advances, our brains and psyches are so complex…too complex for full comprehension. Which can then lead to misunderstandings in the community and misdiagnosis by professionals.
‘The brain is the final frontier of medicine, I think," Sage said. "Doctors can weigh it, measure it, watch electrical impulses travel across it, but it's still a mystery. And mysteries make people nervous.’
‘The Hiding Place’ is next – can’t wait to find out which dark secrets come to light.
September 23, 2024
This is the second installment from 'Murders Under the Sun' podcast hosted by the wonderful Molly Shure. I highly recommend that you read the first one 'The Cliff House' so that you can fully embrace each and every character.
In this episode titled 'The Garden ' you will come across Olivia, a single Mum trying to keep custody of her young son Brian after he got hit by a truck and suffered brain damage as a result. But that isn't the beginning or even end of this story.
You will come across some familiar faces in this heart rendering podcast that will question who to believe but also who not to trust and why?
Molly often asks questions that people feel uncomfortable asking, but it makes the story so much more than just your average podcast/novel.
Once again huge kudos has to go to the author Greta Boris for her fantastic almost true crime podcast.
In this episode titled 'The Garden ' you will come across Olivia, a single Mum trying to keep custody of her young son Brian after he got hit by a truck and suffered brain damage as a result. But that isn't the beginning or even end of this story.
You will come across some familiar faces in this heart rendering podcast that will question who to believe but also who not to trust and why?
Molly often asks questions that people feel uncomfortable asking, but it makes the story so much more than just your average podcast/novel.
Once again huge kudos has to go to the author Greta Boris for her fantastic almost true crime podcast.
September 24, 2024
I'm loving this new series so much, the format of the story feels fresh and new and is keeping my attention from beginning to end.
This book is the second installment of the An Almost True Crime Story series, and yes, you can read it as a standalone but I recommend you reading the first book before, the characters carry from book 1 and you'll get background information that will make you appreciated this book more.
I love the way the book is portray as a crime podcast giving us information directly from the victim and from the crime perpetrator facilitated by the podcast host.
This book was very well written with well developed characters, a very credible plot, lots of suspense and twist.
I can't wait to read episode 3 on the next installment of the series.
This book is the second installment of the An Almost True Crime Story series, and yes, you can read it as a standalone but I recommend you reading the first book before, the characters carry from book 1 and you'll get background information that will make you appreciated this book more.
I love the way the book is portray as a crime podcast giving us information directly from the victim and from the crime perpetrator facilitated by the podcast host.
This book was very well written with well developed characters, a very credible plot, lots of suspense and twist.
I can't wait to read episode 3 on the next installment of the series.
September 24, 2024
I am really enjoying this series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but each has characters that crossover. Olivia is an overprotective single mom of a child who has a brain injury from a car accident. She starts dating again with a man who seems perfect for her and male figure for Brian. Then, she starts getting scary messages at the same time her ex comes back in the picture. Is he jealous? Is he trying to scare her? Why would someone do this? I love the way it is written and I am looking forward to the next one. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mysteries. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
September 24, 2024
“The Garden” is the second book in the Almost True Crimes series, but you can easily read it as a standalone. The story is about a single mother trying to care for her young son, who has some “impulse issues”; trying to keep him in line and safe, while juggling a new job, an alcoholic ex-husband, and a new boyfriend. Sounds straightforward, right? But not all is that simple. Incidents from her childhood have shaped how she views the world, and people aren’t always as they seem. Who can she trust? Can she protect her son from those who want to cause him harm?
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 24, 2024
Sometimes people are not what they seem.
When Davey arrives and states that he wants more time with Brian, can Olivia overcome her distrust enough to give him a chance to prove that he has changed?
When Tom shows an interest in her and a willingness to help Brian, is he really the knight in shining armour she perceives him to be, or her worst nightmare?
And what of Sage? What secret knowledge is she keeping?
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Garden through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
When Davey arrives and states that he wants more time with Brian, can Olivia overcome her distrust enough to give him a chance to prove that he has changed?
When Tom shows an interest in her and a willingness to help Brian, is he really the knight in shining armour she perceives him to be, or her worst nightmare?
And what of Sage? What secret knowledge is she keeping?
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Garden through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
September 25, 2024
You are right in the story. That’s the advantage of the podcast style with a good author and a great story. The multiple points of view really fill in the story details. It has the added benefit of really building the mystery to keep you wondering where all the key players fit.
The combination brings a great read which is highly recommended for all mystery lovers.
The combination brings a great read which is highly recommended for all mystery lovers.
September 25, 2024
This book was totally different and very interesting. Amazing how characters are being introduced throughout the different books. You just have to remember what went on in Book One to understand completely Book Two and I guess so on in the series. In all I really enjoyed reading as always books by Greta Boris.
September 25, 2024
This is developing into a cracking series, especially when you consider it’s psychological and before this I didn’t like that sort of book. But I am growing and warming to them. I really liked this one. I was engrossed from start to the finish I didn’t expect not at all. What’s the next one going to feature I wonder. Highly recommended.
September 24, 2024
This is another great book by Greta Boris. Suspenseful, well written, well developed characters, good story, page turner, hard to put down. Love this series and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
September 27, 2024
This book was fascinating and was such an interesting concept for a storyline. I thouroughly enjoyed this book and would rate it higher than five stars if it were possible.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews