Rose Gardner Investigations Series by Denise Grover Swank

The first book in the Rose Gardner Investigation series, a spinoff of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best selling Rose Gardner Mystery series. Trouble always comes to those who court it. Rose Gardner’s ability to see glimpses of the future has gotten her into hot water time and again, but so have her curiosity and her sense of daring... moreThe first book in the Rose Gardner Investigation series, a spinoff of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best selling Rose Gardner Mystery series. Trouble always comes to those who court it. Rose Gardner’s ability to see glimpses of the future has gotten her into hot water time and again, but so have her curiosity and her sense of daring. Those very qualities helped her defeat the most powerful man in Arkansas—a man so adept at hiding his crimes there was no way to defeat him inside of the law—but her success came at a steep personal price. Now she’s throwing herself into her landscaping business, trying to live a life that’s as orderly as one of her gardens. Rose’s best friend, Neely Kate, is struggling with her own losses, so when she suggests they help a local man find a missing necklace, Rose agrees. It’ll give both of them a welcome distraction, and besides, it’s a simple investigation. What harm could befall them? But things that should be simple rarely are. In seeking out the necklace, Rose and Neely Kate find themselves in the thick of a power struggle in the Fenton County underworld, one that could dethrone Rose’s friend James Malcolm, the surprisingly moral king. The last thing Rose should do is court more trouble, but she’s not the type to step away from a friend in need—and she’s also not so sure she wants an orderly life. less

Book two in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. Rose Gardner is trying to build a new normal. One that leaves the Fenton County crime world—including James “Skeeter” Malcom, the current king—behind. Her best friend and roommate is a big part of that effort, but Neely Kate is busy building her own life anew... moreBook two in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. Rose Gardner is trying to build a new normal. One that leaves the Fenton County crime world—including James “Skeeter” Malcom, the current king—behind. Her best friend and roommate is a big part of that effort, but Neely Kate is busy building her own life anew. She disappeared for a few days, scaring the spit out of Rose—which is why Rose finds it impossible to deny her when she suggests they look for a missing parrot. Neely Kate pretends she’s only interested in the reward money, but Rose doesn’t believe it for a minute, especially after she discovers they’ll be working with a cranky private investigator known as Kermit the Hermit. Rose sees it for what it is: another bid for them to become private investigators. If nothing else, it’s a good distraction…until one of James’s nemeses, Buck Reynolds comes calling for help. James’s brother has gone missing, and Reynolds is number one on the crime king’s suspect list. Only, according to him, he’s innocent. Rose had promised herself she was through with the crime world, but however angry she is with James, she wants to see his brother safe. Besides, can she really say no when she might be the only one who can keep order in the county? Reading order: Family Jewels Trailer Trash (Neely Kate Mystery)--optional For the Birds less

Third book in the New York Times bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. They say the road to hell is paved in good intentions, and Rose Gardner can't shake the notion she's headed there in a handbasket. She feels responsible for the death of a woman she tried-and failed-to save with her visions, and though she intends to do the "right" thing and tell James Malcolm she can't possibly accept his offer of a relationship, she hasn't yet mustered the strength... moreThird book in the New York Times bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. They say the road to hell is paved in good intentions, and Rose Gardner can't shake the notion she's headed there in a handbasket. She feels responsible for the death of a woman she tried-and failed-to save with her visions, and though she intends to do the "right" thing and tell James Malcolm she can't possibly accept his offer of a relationship, she hasn't yet mustered the strength. Worst of all, her sister is terminally ill, and there isn't a thing she can do to save her. When a new case falls into Rose's lap, she eagerly shifts her attention to someone else's problems-except it's Henryetta, and every person, and problem, is somehow connected. The case will bring her back into contact with James, whom she still hasn't answered, and force her to confront her past in other unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Rose and Neely Kate find themselves playing host to an unlikely house guest. Helping the stranger may require them to become more entangled with the crime world, something Rose knows she should avoid. She and Neely Kate have the very best of intentions, but are those intentions ushering them down a path they can't easily leave? Rose Gardner Investigations Series Family Jewels For the Birds Hell in a Handbasket Up Shute Creek (Fall 2018) Neely Kate Mystery Trailer Trash In High Cotton (July 31, 2018) less

Rose Gardner feels like she’s up a creek without a paddle. Her sister is dying, her secret boyfriend, James Malcolm, is struggling to protect the county underworld from an upstart drug dealer, and her ex has moved back to town with a bee in his bonnet and a mission to root out corruption in the county. To make matters worse, Neely Kate is in dire straits too—the past she’s spent years trying to forget has finally caught up to her, with horrific fallout... moreRose Gardner feels like she’s up a creek without a paddle. Her sister is dying, her secret boyfriend, James Malcolm, is struggling to protect the county underworld from an upstart drug dealer, and her ex has moved back to town with a bee in his bonnet and a mission to root out corruption in the county. To make matters worse, Neely Kate is in dire straits too—the past she’s spent years trying to forget has finally caught up to her, with horrific fallout. They’re in the thick of danger, and everyone’s quick to tell them they’d do best to hunker down and keep to themselves. But mysteries have a way of finding Rose and Neely Kate. A mother contacts them about finding her missing teenage daughter the same day they find a different young woman stranded by the side of the road. They know they should turn down the case, just as they should ignore the signs that the woman with the broken down car is running from something, but for Rose and Neely Kate, curiosity will always have a stronger call than danger. less

Rose Gardner collects secrets the way other people collect junk—and now she’s being asked to expose them. Special Prosecutor Mason Deveraux has called a grand jury to investigate the corruption in the Sweet Branch Police Department, and he’s summoned Rose as a witness. Any topic is fair game, and the criminals in Fenton county are rightly scared of what she might share under oath. While trying to placate the lawless men, Rose is also caring for her dying sister, Violet... moreRose Gardner collects secrets the way other people collect junk—and now she’s being asked to expose them. Special Prosecutor Mason Deveraux has called a grand jury to investigate the corruption in the Sweet Branch Police Department, and he’s summoned Rose as a witness. Any topic is fair game, and the criminals in Fenton county are rightly scared of what she might share under oath. While trying to placate the lawless men, Rose is also caring for her dying sister, Violet. Only Violet’s doctor has fled town after selling prescriptions, and Rose is sure big-time drug dealer Denny Carmichael has his hand in the situation. She has no intention of investigating, but like with a lot of her cases, clues keep falling into her lap. Then, just when it feels like everything’s at a boiling point, Rose gets shocking news that turns her life upside down. Now, she’s not just soothing the criminals’ anxiety, but actively seeking allies for a fight she hasn’t asked for—and her enemy just might be the man she loves. less

Rose Gardner Journal entries between Come Rain or Shine and When the Bough Breaks.

The sixth book in the Rose Gardner Investigations series.For months, Rose has suspected her ex-brother-in-law, has a foot in the criminal world, and she’s equally sure her deceased sister had the evidence to prove it—evidence stolen days just days after Violet’s death. Those suspicions turn concrete when a body shows up at the construction site Mike works at, and the concrete cracks open wide when her niece and nephew go missing... moreThe sixth book in the Rose Gardner Investigations series.For months, Rose has suspected her ex-brother-in-law, has a foot in the criminal world, and she’s equally sure her deceased sister had the evidence to prove it—evidence stolen days just days after Violet’s death. Those suspicions turn concrete when a body shows up at the construction site Mike works at, and the concrete cracks open wide when her niece and nephew go missing. Rose might be weeks away from delivering her own baby, but that doesn’t stop her and her best friend, Neely Kate, from looking for the kids. She needs answers and fast, but her search leads her to the man who betrayed her months ago… the father of her baby. James “Skeeter” Malcolm has been playing games with her for months—refusing to relinquish her paternity but refusing to tell her why. James knows what Mike is up to—Rose is sure of it—but can she convince him to tell help before it’s too late? less

The final book of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. When a body shows up south of Henryetta, Rose knows trouble is on the horizon. Rufus Wilson worked for the county crime lord, Skeeter Malcolm, and she soon discovers Wilson had a special skill set—he could crack safes... moreThe final book of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series. When a body shows up south of Henryetta, Rose knows trouble is on the horizon. Rufus Wilson worked for the county crime lord, Skeeter Malcolm, and she soon discovers Wilson had a special skill set—he could crack safes. Now everyone is looking for Wilson’s girlfriend, including Rose, and it doesn’t take her long to realize Wilson’s murder might actually be connected to something else, something bigger. Hardshaw Group, a Dallas crime syndicate, is meeting a South American drug cartel in the county, only no one knows the time and place. Denny Carmichael’s drug empire has a lot to lose if they move in, so now he’s calling in the favor he insists Rose owes him—find him the time and location. Or else. Rose is a hair’s breadth away from losing everyone she loves, including her six-week-old daughter, and she’ll do anything she can to save them. less

A Rose Gardner Christmas novella taking place the December after It All Falls DownRose Gardner and her best friend Neely Kate have one wish this to celebrate their first holiday season with their babies, surrounded by love and joy. But life, as always, has other plans.For Rose, sharing custody of her niece and nephew with her brother-in-law Mike’s parents proves to be more challenging than she ever imagined. The tension escalates, threatening to overshadow the festive season... moreA Rose Gardner Christmas novella taking place the December after It All Falls DownRose Gardner and her best friend Neely Kate have one wish this to celebrate their first holiday season with their babies, surrounded by love and joy. But life, as always, has other plans.For Rose, sharing custody of her niece and nephew with her brother-in-law Mike’s parents proves to be more challenging than she ever imagined. The tension escalates, threatening to overshadow the festive season. Meanwhile, her husband Joe faces a surprise visitor who brings unexpected complications to their already chaotic lives.Neely Kate, determined to make this Christmas her best yet after years of heartache, is blindsided when Carter Hale, former attorney to the Fenton County crime lord, delivers devastating news. It’s a revelation that could unravel not just her perfect Christmas but the life she’s built with her husband, Jed.Told from the perspectives of Rose, Neely Kate, Joe, and James “Skeeter” Malcolm, All I Want for Christmas weaves a story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Will these beloved characters find their holiday miracles, or will this Christmas become yet another battle to overcome? less

Rose is BACK! It’s been nearly three years since the fall of the Hardshaw Group, and Rose is living a low-key life in Fenton County. She’s happily married to Joe Simmons, raising her own two children along with her niece and nephew, and running her landscape business. Everything is coming up…well…roses! And still, when she and her best friend Neely Kate unearth a peculiar wooden box in a client’s yard, she finds herself yearning for the good old days of solving mysteries... moreRose is BACK! It’s been nearly three years since the fall of the Hardshaw Group, and Rose is living a low-key life in Fenton County. She’s happily married to Joe Simmons, raising her own two children along with her niece and nephew, and running her landscape business. Everything is coming up…well…roses! And still, when she and her best friend Neely Kate unearth a peculiar wooden box in a client’s yard, she finds herself yearning for the good old days of solving mysteries. Be careful what you wish for. Before she can even fight that particular urge though, a teenage boy shows up asking for protection from “The Lady in Black”. There’s no denying it. Trouble seems to be landing right on Rose’s doorstep just like it used to. And no one knows better than her; trouble always comes in threes… The past is better left behind, but is it ever really gone? less