Savanna Shepherd, elementary art schoolteacher, is happy that her family is so close - she lunches with her 2 sisters frequently, and her Uncle Max works at Libby's Blooms, the local flower shop where Savanna is teaching a Still Life art class for adults. Unfortunately, Uncle Max opens the flower shop and shortly afterward finds the owner dead in the rooftop greenhouse. Was she killed by a thief or was there some specific reason that she lost her life?

Loved the mystery, the characters and their interactions are fantastic! Tracy Gardner quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! ( )

Still Life and Death by Tracy Gardner is the 3rd book in The Shepherd Sisters Mysteries. It can be read as a standalone, but I believe it is better to read the books in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and their backstories. When Uncle Max finds Libby dead on the roof of Libby’s Blooms, the Shepherd sisters rally around him. No one can believe that someone shot Libby. Sydney, the youngest sister, was close to Libby and is particularly distraught over her murder. Savanna with her keen eye for detail, searches for clues to help aid the investigation. The author has created friendly, relatable characters and a charming town. The Shepherd sisters are close, and they care about their family. I like the town of Carson, Michigan with its friendly residents. There are great shops too. Savanna is dating Dr. Aidan Gallager and she is worried about what other people will say especially at the school. Sydney is dating Aidan’s brother, Finn. She cares about him, but his job takes him around the country. Libby’s murder has the Shepherd sisters digging up clues. The mystery was not the focus of the book. I did not feel the author took the time to develop it as much as the other aspects of the book. There are a couple of suspects along with a red herring. All the details of why are provided at the end. Still Life and Death has a heartwarming ending that will leave readers smiling. Still Life and Death is a charming tale with precious pups, close sisters, a friendly family, a senseless slaughter, beautiful blooms, and a rewarding relationship. ( )

Savanna Shepherd is back on the case in "Still Life and Death", Book Three in the "Shepherd Sisters Mysteries Series" from author Tracy Gardner. Savanna, along with her sisters, Skylar and Sydney, must work together to solve the mystery of the murder of the owner of Libby’s Blooms, where Savanna teaches a still life painting class. Their Uncle Max, who works at the flower shop, is initially a suspect, but once he is cleared, the bona fide investigation begins. Older sister Skylar, a lawyer, and younger sister Sydney, the owner of a pet shop and grooming salon, combine forces with middle sister Savanna, a former art authenticator turned grade school art teacher, to bring the real killer to justice. Hard to believe a murderer is on the loose in their hometown community of Carson, Michigan, but as the sleuthing sisters delve deeper, surprising secrets come to light. With additional support and care from her sweetheart, widowed doctor and single dad, Aidan Gallager, and her trusty Boston Terrier sidekick, Fonzie, Savanna follows her intuition to find the killer of her friend, Libby. With strong female characters, a beautiful setting, and a compelling cozy mystery to solve, "Still Life and Death" is a very enjoyable read from author Tracy Gardner.

Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing ( )