Description

“A delightfully offbeat mystery that is also about the mystery of becoming yourself.” —Rebecca Stead, New York Times bestselling author

In this witty and whimsical story by award-winning author Margo Rabb, a sixteen-year-old girl is suspended from boarding school and sent to New York City, where she must take care of an unconventional woman entangled in a mystery.

Lucy Clark has had it. After being bullied one too many times, Lucy retaliates. But when the fallout is far worse than she meant it to be, she gets sent to Manhattan to serve as a full-time companion to the eccentric Edith Fox.

Edith is glamorous and mysterious—nothing like Lucy expected. Though Edith’s world of hidden gardens and afternoon teas is beguiling, there’s one other thing about her that makes her unlike anyone Lucy has ever met...she thinks someone is trying to kill her.

And it’s up to Lucy to find out who it is.

* A Bank Street Best Book of the Year *

“A full-on delight: funny, gripping, warm-hearted, and beautifully written—it made me cheer. Read it!” —Madeline Miller, award-winning author of Circe

"There's magic in this novel's quirky, sweet world. I want to live in its gardens and cheer Lucy on while she finds her heart’s loves!" —Kristin Cashore, New York Times bestselling author of Graceling

"Tender and fierce, witty and wise, this is a tale of the route we take when we grow up and into the love we deserve." —Judy Blundell, National Book Award-winning author of What I Saw and How I Lied


One suspended teen. One glamorous woman in danger. One killer hiding in plain sight.


  • YA Mystery: A cozy mystery perfect for teens, Lucy must piece together clues involving stolen poisonous plants, a falling air conditioner, and a decades-old secret.
  • Quirky Characters: From a world-famous horticulturist who thinks she’s being poisoned to a mysterious long-lost son, Lucy must navigate a world where everyone has something to hide.
  • Found Family: After being sent away from everyone she knows, Lucy finds an unlikely home with Edith and her eccentric friends in the heart of Greenwich Village.
  • New York City Setting: Explore the enchanting, hidden gardens of Manhattan, where danger and beauty grow side-by-side.
  • Witty YA Fiction: A heartfelt and hilarious story about facing down bullies, discovering who you are, and solving a life-or-death puzzle.

About the author(s)

Margo Rabb is the author of the novels Kissing in America and Cures for Heartbreak; both received four starred reviews and were named to multiple best-of-the-year lists. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and Seventeen and have been broadcast on NPR. She received the grand prize in the Zoetrope short story contest, first prize in the Atlantic fiction contest, and a PEN Syndicated Fiction Project Award. Margo grew up in Queens, NY, and currently lives near Philadelphia with her family. Visit her online at www.margorabb.com.

Reviews

"There's magic in this novel's quirky, sweet world. I want to live in its gardens and cheer Lucy on while she finds her heart’s loves!" - Kristin Cashore, New York Times bestselling author of Graceling and Jane, Unlimited

"Margo Rabb takes the elements of storybook and fable and twines them through a crackling murder mystery. Tender and fierce, witty and wise, this is a tale of the route we take when we grow up and into the love we deserve."  - Judy Blundell, National Book Award-winning author of What I Saw and How I Lied

“A delightfully offbeat mystery that is also about the mystery of becoming yourself.” - Rebecca Stead, New York Times bestselling author

“A full-on delight: funny, gripping, warm-hearted, and beautifully written—it made me cheer. Read it!” - Madeline Miller, award-winning author of Circe

“Lucy’s adventure is lush with opulent gardens, big-city charm, and charismatic characters. A beguiling, cozy mystery worth sinking into.” - Kirkus Reviews

“[An] engaging narrative about accepting oneself and defending one’s choices.” - Publishers Weekly

“Colorful characters, humorous situations, twists, red herrings, poison, family secrets—it’s all there, but this mystery will particularly speak to your old souls and plant lovers.” - Booklist

“A good fit for teens who feel misunderstood and yearn to be heard.” - School Library Journal

More by Margo Rabb

More Mysteries & Detective Stories

More Young Adult Fiction

More Contemporary

More Romance

More Boarding School & Prep School

More School & Education

More Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance

More Social Themes

More Bullying

More Coming of Age

More Friendship

More Contemporary

More Fantasy

More Parents

More Family

More Girls & Women