Product Description

Alex and Kate Sheppard have found the perfect house; the home they had always dreamed of owning. Nestled deep in the Wiltshire countryside and surrounded by a two acre walled garden, The Parsonage was to be their own little paradise...but nothing stays perfect forever. Soon after moving in they make an impossibly exciting discovery - one that defies every known law of nature and science. They find a blue rose bush flourishing in their walled garden. But as word of their discovery leaks out, the Sheppard's peaceful existence is shattered and they find themselves plunged into a world of coded journals, genetic experiments, cold-blooded greed and ultimately, murder. Threatened from every direction, with no one to trust but themselves and Lawrence Kingston, a gardening expert to whom they have revealed their exciting secret - the only way they can save their lives is to unravel the dark, seductive secret of the Blue Rose.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1247310 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

From the Author
A bloomin' coincidence!
My mystery novel, The Blue Rose, is the story of a young couple that discovers a blue rose growing in their garden in Wiltshire and the ensuing adventure that takes over their lives.
A true blue rose is the 'Holy Grail' of horticulture and despite continued attempts over the years by amateur gardeners, breeders and scientists a blue rose remains as elusive as ever.
The very week that The Blue Rose was published (in May 2004), an article appeared in the London Telegraph headlined, 'A true scientific breakthrough: the blue rose.' The story reported a most unusual discovery by two biochemists at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. What a serendipitous coincidence, I thought.
In the course of their research into drugs for cancer and Alzheimer's, the two researchers had stumbled upon a liver enzyme that had a startling effect. When it was moved into bacterium, the bacterium turned blue. The scientists have patented the process and are reservedly optimistic about their breakthrough. Have they, by chance, unlocked the key to the creation of a blue rose? It's early in the game and we can only wait and smell the other roses until the chemistry is applied to plants.
In the meantime, it appears that I have written a mystery novel that is a handbook on how to survive such a discovery. I suggest reading it lest, one day, a blue rose should show up in your garden!
Anthony Eglin

About the Author
English born Anthony Eglin spent many years on the creative side of the advertising and marketing business. Forsaking that career to indulge his passion for gardening, he started The Larkspur Company, where he co-produced a series of bestselling gardening videotapes. Anthony is a member of the American Rose Society and lives in Marin County, California.

Customer Reviews

the blue rose
I read the blue rose at the time of the hampton court flower show perfect timing for a horticultural whodunnit, the book is extremeley well researched, and since the story takes place in wiltshire where I once loved &lived an added bonus I found it hard to put down a great thriller! do another please mr Eglin wherever you are. Amazon I urge your clients to buy this book.

An insipid blue
Although I did read it through to the end, I found it disappointing. The characters are pretty dull, and quite superficial. Saying this, it is a good choice for a light holiday read