This is the first cozy mystery that I've read by Elizabeth Spann Craig. I found the style similar to M. C. Beaton with her delightful quirky older characters.
Myrtle was once a teacher at the local school and when a body turns up in her backyard -bludgeoned by one of her garden gnomes - she starts investigating and trying to discover which of her ex-pupils may have been the culprit. As an octogenarian herself, her ex-pupils are also of a mature age. Despite the concerns of her son, the local police chief, she trudges on using a cover as a newspaper crime reporter hoping she can find the murderer before they find her.
I really enjoyed the book and didn't realize how prolific Elizabeth Spann Craig is. She also writes under the name Riley Adams.