Tag: flowers

REVIEW: Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Fiona’s been in Scotland only for a couple months. It really should not have been enough time for her to have a nemesis already. But Reverend MacCullen has made his dislike clear since day one. And if he was difficult early on, he’s become almost hateful now. He has had a grudge against the MacCallister family for ages, although Fiona has no idea why. She knows he thinks the rumored magic of the Duncreigan garden is evil. He wouldn’t even allow Fiona to attend services at the church he pastors! He blocked her at the door in front of half the congregation. When the Reverend is found dead, of course Fiona is a murder suspect once again.

The Reverend was a hard man to like, so there are other suspects, too. And Fiona is determined to find them before her new business is ruined by the whispers about her and the Reverend’s murder.

Review

This was a solid cozy mystery with a few paranormal elements (magical garden, mysterious visions, reincarnation). It was nice to spend time again with Fiona and the people of Aberdeenshire. Fiona’s sister, Isla, added a nice dimension to the story – a companion for Fiona and a means to round out the mystery with some more character details. The romantic side plot for Fiona continues to slowly develop.

The mystery was good. After book one I figured it was just a matter of time until the Reverend was murdered. He was a hateful person when it came to Fiona, although his attitude was explained to a degree in this book. The suspects were good -and dangerous. Fiona really had her hands full with this case.

The side stories focused on Isla more than the garden this time around, although there was one big reveal in the book regarding Fiona’s inheritance. The epilogue sets up book three to deal with that plot point.

This was a solid mystery, and fans of book one should not miss this one. I am finding, though, that I am not clicking with the characters in this series as much as I have with Flower’s Amish Candyshop series, for example. While this was good, I’m not sure I will definitely pick up book three, although the reveal in this book could drive me to the third just to see what happens.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Fiona Knox arrives in Scotland in somewhat of a haze. She lost her flower business in Nashville. Her fiancé left her for their cake decorator. And her beloved godfather died and left her his family cottage and grounds.

One of her favorite parts of her godfather’s land was his garden. But when Fiona arrives at the cottage, the garden has died. The groundskeeper says everything died when Fiona’s godfather died. But now that Fiona has arrived, the garden would revive. Fiona has already noticed the ivy on the walls greening up. It’s like magic. But no magic can help the dead man she finds.

The handsome police officer who shows up to look into the death finds Fiona’s arrival at the same time as the death suspicious. And when the death is ruled a murder, Fiona and the groundskeeper, Hamish, are at the top of his suspect list. But plenty of other folks had a reason to hate the man and want him out of the way. Maybe Fiona can puzzle it out as she gets to know the people in her new town and keep herself and Hamish out of jail.

Review

The first book in the Magic Garden mystery series is a treat! I have enjoyed the author’s Amish Candy Shop mysteries and the Magical Bookshop series. This is a great addition to her cozy mystery collection (she has other series besides these three)!

I enjoyed the unusual setting for this mystery. And the town near Fiona’s new cottage has a lovely, eclectic group of residents. Well, most of them are lovely. The magical elements of the garden are a fun twist on the classic cozy formula. There are still some things to be discovered in future books (like a punchy reveal right at the end of this one), which I am looking forward to reading.

There’s a solid mystery with plenty of plausible suspects. I’m curious to see what becomes of some of the disagreeable people in the book who happened to be innocent – this time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen

REVIEW: Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Audrey Bloom and her cousin, Liv, have made their dream of running a flower shop a reality. And the wedding side of their business is booming, especially as people find out about Audrey’s skill of pulling together flower arrangements that mean positive things like faithfulness, hope and friendship. But the business takes a hit when a potential groom is killed, their shop is implicated, and a friend of Audrey’s is arrested for the crime. Now Audrey is determined to find out what really happened to the groom and get her friend out of jail.

 

Review

This was terrific! The writing style and the characters felt comfortable and familiar. It was like I was reading a new story in a familiar series rather than the first in a new one. The characters at the flower shop were fun and interesting. I’m hoping for more information on some of the secondary staff in future books. The camaraderie at the store reminds me of another favorite series, the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander.

The mystery was well-written. The circle of possible suspects and motives grew wider and wider as the story developed, giving me several things to puzzle through while I read. In the end, I’d say I figured out only half of the puzzles in the story. I was able to feel both successful and surprised in the end.

There are two more books in this series, and I am eager to read both of them soon. Book 2 is For Whom the Bluebell Tolls.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥