Cover Image: Death and Daisies

Death and Daisies

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book took me for a ride! I thought I knew what was happening but I was definitely caught by surprise at some of the revelations. I think there’s still so much more to discover about Duncreigan and Fiona’s role as the Keeper in the books to come.

Was this review helpful?

I must confess: I was a little suspicious of this book once I realized it involved a flower store and was written by someone named 'Flower' - it just seemed too cutesy.

However, I enjoyed this novel. It wasn't great literature (with a capital L), but it was a fun read. The protagonist is Fiona, an American who's recently inherited a cottage and magic garden in Scotland. She's in the midst of the opening day of her new flower shop when the local minster shows up, telling her she's evil. Less than a day later, his body is found on the beach. While the inspector never openly states she's a suspect, Fiona takes it upon herself that she is, and must clear her name.

The plot wasn't too complicated (above the level of a Scooby-Doo mystery, but not much), and the characters tended to be a little stereotypical - either really nasty or almost too good to be true. I would have liked to see more of the garden, since it seems like it's a central part of the series. Fiona was also rather dense regarding Chief Inspector Craig. But overall, it was an entertaining way to spend a few hours.

Four stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley and voluntarily chose to review.

Was this review helpful?

I liked several of the same things in this second book of the Magic Garden series—the mystical garden, the animal characters, and several secondary characters, Hamish, Presha, and Raj—that I enjoyed in book one. In this story, although Fiona should be enjoying the opening of her florist shop, Climbing Rose, instead she’s pulled into a murder involving a prominent citizen in the Scottish village, who had made it clear he didn’t like her or her ancestors before her. There are several suspects to sort through their relationships with the deceased, however, the killer reveal didn’t really surprise me. There aren’t near as many magical garden scenes, and I felt the tone of the plot was overall dreary. Fi’s sister, Isla, has come to stay with her and they bicker constantly. On a positive note, the author continues her great world building and characterization and seems to set the stage for more mystical revelations in the third story. I recommend reading the first book before you read this one or you’ll be lost as to what’s going on.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance complimentary e-book copy from NetGalley.

Other reviewers have given fairly detailed synopses, and I will not duplicate their efforts here.

In brief, this is the second book in a series. I read the first book previously so cannot speak to whether or not it is strictly necessary to read the first book to understand what is going on in the second book. Some reviewers say yes, others say no. Your mileage can and will vary.

In brief, Nashville resident Fiona has fled the US after a broken engagement and the failure of her flower shop business to take up residence in a tiny Scottish town where her recently-deceased godfather has left her his cottage. The town has the usual cozy mystery cast of quirky characters, including a not-so-nice minister who has made it very clear that he has no use for Fiona, her entire family, and the horses they rode in on. Naturally the minister turns up dead quite early in the book, and Fiona puts on her Nancy Drew, Girl Detective hat to try and solve the mystery and take herself off the list of suspects. In the meantime, there are subplots involving a magical garden, domestic abuse and a budding romance.

I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this book, but I am ambivalent about whether the next book in the series will be a must-read for me.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book in the Magic Garden series. Amanda Flower's books are always great reads, and this series is no exception. She adds an element of magic in every book that takes the reader away into the book's setting every time.

In this book, Fiona Raynor is a florist who left the US and opened a shop in Scotland. She inherited a house and garden from her godfather, and she's now the Keeper of that garden. The garden seems enchanted somehow, and Fiona isn't sure why or how she's connected to it, but she knows she can feel something special every time she goes in.

The people in the town are suspicious of Fiona, and one of them turns up murdered in the garden. She's not a suspect but she wants to help find out who murdered him and why he's in her garden.

The plot was very good, the characters charming and the reveal at the end was great although not really a surprise. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book in a new series. I found this book, and the first book, to be thoroughly enjoyable! I love that there is the over-arching mystery with Fiona and Uncle Ian, but also the main mystery that is the focus of each book. I have enjoyed getting to know Fiona and the other cast of recurring characters. One of the main things I look for in a cozy are well-developed main characters who I feel I could be friends with in real life. Fiona definitely fits the bill! I will continue reading and recommending this series!

Was this review helpful?

This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery. Amanda Flower is a talented writer. The characters and dialogue in her books
are always entertaining. The plot of this mystery had several different ways it could go and that keep my interest. This is a clean book with no foul language or embarrassing scenes. This book has a slight touch of the mystical because of the magic garden, but it fits well in the story. I have no doubt this series will be a popular one among cozy mystery readers.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Second book in the Magic Garden Mystery. Fiona Knox has come to Scotland and been left a Cottage with Magic Garden by her Godfather. She becomes number one suspect when Minister MacCullen is murdered after saying the garden must be destroyed.
This is a good cozy mystery set in a small village with good characters all with their own secrets. You don’t need to read the first book in the series to enjoy this story.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Coming to Duncreigan, Scotland, to accept her inheritance to accept her inheritance gave Fiona Knox a chance to repair the wounds of her failed engagement and closing of her flower shop. Little did she know the inheritance included a magical garden. In the second book of the series, her sister, Isla, has come to join her and help her open a new flower shop. But before the grand opening, the minister who is unhappy with her arrival is found dead and Fiona a suspect, once again.

Fast-paced and charming, the story has it all for me. Intriguing characters, red herrings, touch of the supernatural, and a heroine worth rooting for. You know the book is good when your first thought after finishing it is how long until the next one. HIGHLY recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy of Death and Daisies (Book 2 of the Magic Garden Mysteries) by Amanda Flower in exchange for an honest review. Fiona Knox is excited to open a new flower shop in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Fiona moved to Scotland upon inheriting her godfather’s estate, which included a magical walled garden, a mystic standing stone, and the responsibility for managing the magic of both. The parish minister has repeatedly and publicly harassed Fiona for her connection to the magical property; he even banned her from entering the church. On the eve of the flower shop’s grand opening, the minister once again accosts Fiona and issues vague threats. When the minister is discovered murdered the next day, Fiona must clear her name before her reputation and new business are ruined.

This was an interesting book. Since I did not read the first book, I really enjoyed meet all of the quirky residents of the town.

#DeathAndDaisies #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book in the magical garden series. Fiona Knox is opening a flower shop in her new home of Duncreigan, Scotland with her sister, Isla. But not everyone is happy about it. The minister of the local church does not approve of Fiona staying in Scotland and has no problem telling everyone in his church so. On the morning of the Grand opening of her shop, the minister turns up dead, appearing to have died in the previous nights lightning storm, since the minister had left a threatening note for Fiona, she becomes a suspect.

I really enjoyed getting to Fiona more as well as her sister, Isla. The mystery was well done. I went back and forth on the the killer was and I still didn't figure it out. I liked learning more about Fiona's connection to the garden and to Duncreigan. I can't wait to see how these characters evolve and grow in future books. I definitely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

This book was even better than the first in the series and it was great! Fiona has decided to stay in Scotland and open a flower shop, but there are lots of things that go awry that may lead to Fiona's downfall! Her younger sister shows up on her doorstep, the local minister has decided to go full out hate on her and a dead body washes up on shore that seems to connect to Fiona. An excellent multi-layered plot that is well thought out and intriguing. Add in fantastic characters with well fleshed out personalities and you have a winning book on your hands! An excellent choice for an afternoon of entertainment!

Was this review helpful?

Loved it. A little romance,a little murder. Magic and visions. Great characters, lovely little town . Still feels like a cliffhanging ending. I was given a free ARC through Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. my review is freely and honestly given

Was this review helpful?

A magic mystery, centering around a flower shop owner who is also the guardian of a magic garden, complete with menhir, in Aberdeenshire. Although Fiona is an American living in a small coastal village she takes an interest in the people, most of whom have lived their for generations, and becomes involved when the minister needs her. The garden gives her visions to help her and along with the local police the question is whether they can solve the mystery, before she becomes the next victim.

A thoroughly enjoyable book.

Was this review helpful?

I was given an ARC of Death and Daisies from Crooked Lane Publishers and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the glimpse of Scottish village life through the eyes of American, Fiona, as she prepares to open a flower shop in the village where her godfather has left her a historical garden. When the local vicar is killed Fiona feet he she must investigate because he publicly denounced her for some unknown reason. Lots of bad weather, a little magic, a budding romance and some family complications make for an interesting mystery.

Was this review helpful?

Another terrific book in this series. The characters are interesting and the book is well written. Some reference to the previous book, but it is more for background than anything else. A little magic, small Scottish village and a murder.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. I love this series and look forward to others.

Was this review helpful?

In this second book of the series we find Fiona preparing her new store for opening day, The Climbing Rose Flower Shop, with some help from a visitor from home. Her sister Isla has come to visit and plans to spend the summer now that she has finished college, she wants to take some time to figure out what her next step will be. While getting the shop ready Fiona gets an unexpected visit from Minister MacCullen, for some unknown reason the man doesn't like her and takes every chance he gets to let her know just what he thinks. He never says what he wants but takes the chance to tell Fiona that she is evil and that nothing good will come of her staying in the village before she finally makes him leave. During a party Fiona is having for other shop owners and friends the next day police chief Kipling rushes into the store and lets in be known that Minister MacCullen is dead on the beach. The previous evening the village was hit by a massive storm and it looks like the Minister may have drowned, but what was he doing outside and near the water no less in such horrible weather. When it becomes apparent that he didn't die at the hands of the storm but from a person Fiona begins to worry because the man hated her so venomously. Being the obvious suspect in his murder she decides to start digging for answers on her own hoping to eventually clear her name. She definitely disliked the man but not enough to kill him but someone out there did. With so much going on in her life, her sister acting funny, and worrying whether opening the shop was the right move Fiona has a full plate on her hands. She can't let any of this distract her though, she has to come up with answers and quick. Along the way Fiona discovers several secrets, one that will change her forever. This is such a lovely series filled with a touch of magic, scenery to die for, and characters we can all relate to. I had a great time visiting with them and look forward to doing it again and getting to know everyone even more.

Was this review helpful?

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower allowed me to visit Scotland again and I enjoyed every minute of the mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series.

Fiona is now settled into her home at Duncreigan and has decided to open a florist shop in town, The Climbing Rose. The magic garden seems to be thriving under Hamish and Fiona's tender care. The red fox who visits Fiona in the garden is a mystery and yet maybe not as he has Ian's, her godfather, blue eyes. I do believe that he is there to watch over Fiona as she learns her new role as ths garden's guardian. Readers are introduced to Isla, Fiona's younger sister, in this book. She has recently graduated from college and come to live with her for the summer.

Ms. Flower has penned a quickly paced plot with many likable characters that are developing well in this second book. There were several threads in this story regarding romance, drugs, an abusive marriage as well as the murder mystery that are all weaved into the story of the murder of the local minister. Yet I never felt lost or confused as they all tied into the main plot. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Cozy mystery at its best! I have to say that I loved the mystical element to this story and I was not so sure about that in the beginning. The characters were delightful and I look forward to future installments of this series. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I always enjoy a cozy mystery by Amanda Flower. She always keeps me guessing on who the villain one and this one was no different.

Fiona is getting settled in the small Scottish town but still does not have the approval of some of the citizens, the main one being the local minister. Why does he dislike her so much. When he turns up dead Fiona again becomes a murder suspect. She decides to do some investigation on her own.
I was surprised at who the villain was. I didn't see that one coming.

The only thing that bothered me about this series is that Fiona thinks the fox in the garden is her godfather. I thought that was just too weird.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me a digital copy of this book to read and review. Death and Daisies will be published on November 23, 2018.

Was this review helpful?