Olivia, a beautician in a small coastal South Carolina town, only went to the engagement party of Taylor and Virginia out of curiosity. She'd never seen the inside of the Donaldson estate. If she could rewind her life she'd have stayed home and painted her nails. The image of Taylor Peterson laying on the ground at Virginia's feet with a pair of garden shears in his back, the wooden handles mimicking a two-fingered peace sign in the moonlight, would haunt her the rest of her life. In the Garden with the Pruning Shears is a murder mystery, somewhat on the cozy amateur sleuth side, with a bit of suspense, and a dash of romance added. Add to the mix some Southernism and you are in store for a fun read.