Pickled Petunia

by Dahlia Donovan

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Pickled Petunia is the third Mott's Cold Case cozy mystery by Dahlia Donovan. Released 6th Nov 2021, it's a compact and fast read at 212 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats, it makes it so easy to find info with the search function if needed.

Although it's the third book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone. The author is adept at providing the necessary backstory without info-dumping. The plot moves along at a good pace and the scenery and interaction between the characters are engaging and well written. The characters are -all- quite quirky, several (including the main protagonist) are neurodivergent. That's not a bad thing, but it is noticeable and permeates the whole of the story. One of the things with which main character Mott struggles is serious anxiety. Some of the descriptions of her anxiety episodes are quite heartrending and might potentially be triggering to some readers. I liked that she and her friends help and support one another no matter what.

Mott's friends and her pets (one sphinx cat, one turtle (who is on sabbatical with Mott's parents)) along with Mott herself solve mysteries and gently educate readers on pronoun use, neurodivergence, and genuine friendship. For readers outside of the British Isles, the spelling and vernacular are British English (scooter, chips, crisps), but should pose no difficulty for readers in context. One relatively small quibble though - in the books, the author describes her cat, Cactus, as both male and tortoiseshell. I'm willing to allow that there *are* male tortoiseshell cats, but colour is a sex linked trait on the X chromosome and only really occurs where the cat has an extra X chromosome (Klinefelter's syndrome) and it seemed to me that it would be an odd thing to write into the books without any mention or explanation. Then again, I'm a biology and genetics nerd, so it's probable that most readers won't even notice.

I did enjoy this installment enough to compel me to go seek out the first book in the series. It's also nice to see neurodiversity and positive ethnic diversity and representation in media.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.