Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Once J. Franklin (don’t call him Frank) got a taste of murder, he wanted more. The mad man lived on an old isolated farmstead.  He needed privacy to put his diabolical plan in action.  The  biology teacher at the local college felt unappreciated. However, he knew how to get revenge.

Franklin grew special plants in his greenhouse, cabbages with a special purpose.  When the biology department held a potluck dinner, Franklin served his special coleslaw.  When faculty members became ill, their physicians assumed it was a virus or simple food poisoning.  Franklin’s special recipe was anything but simple.  His secret ingredients were deadly.

Dr. Gil Martin realized someone purposely poisoned the biology department.  Gil and his wife, Tara-- a Public Health Officer, and Detective Brian Flaherty worked closely in the investigation.   It becomes personal when Franklin targets Gil and Tara.

Dr. Chris Holmes, a physician epidemiologist, brings his great expertise to his thriller The Garden Of Evil.  I may never look at coleslaw the same.  Fans will remember Gil and Tara from Holmes book The Medusa Strain.  It has been interesting watching Gil and Tara mature.  Holmes demonstrates the stress of the medical field.  Neither Gil nor Tara is perfect.  Both have weaknesses and face temptation.  Holmes hints at the childhood that creates the monster serial killer, Franklin.  I have always enjoyed medical thrillers.  The Garden Of Evil did not disappoint me.  I am usually a fast reader, but I took my time on this book;  I wanted to savor the suspense.  Chris Holmes has quickly become one of my favorite authors.