The second book in the Flower House mystery series and there is another death at the Flower House which doesn't bode well for (now owner) Sierra and her friend and co-worker Deena's plans to open up the cafe in the shop and sell food using edible flowers as ingredients. There's a lot of suspects and plenty of twists and turns. I like Sierra and her friends and family. A enjoyable series--I'll read the next one!

“Petals and Poison,” the second in the Flower House cozy mystery series, by Jess Dylan (St. Martin’s Press), is set in — where else? — a flower shop.
Sierra Ravenswood owns the Flower House. She and Gus, a corgi owned by her former boss, team up to operate Flower House, in spite of the fact that none of them really know what they are doing.
After creating a special window display, business picks up, including a van full of college students who are on a horticulture club field trip. When their professor is found dead in the storeroom, the floral shop becomes known as “Poison House,” and business dips again.
There are some quirky characters in this little Tennessee town, which make the reading fine. It’s a lighthearted, easy read.

Petals and Poison: A Flower House Mystery

By Jess Dylan

St. Martin’s Paperback

December 2021



Review by Cynthia Chow



Having given up her dream of making it in Nashville as a musician, Sierra Ravenswood moved back to her hometown of Aerieville, Tennessee and has since become the new owner of the Flower House nursery. To help increase business Sierra is opening a café within the shop, one that will be run with baker supreme and best friend from high school Deena Lee. Before they are ready for their grand opening they are unexpectedly visited by a University of Tennessee Professor of Botany and his summer field students, all who seem to demand immediate (but unavailable) food and service. While the obliviously self-centered young adults eventually depart in a wave of chaos, it is the body of Professor Steve Lowry that Sierra finds in her back storeroom. Bludgeoned to death, apparently, by a candlestick from her orchid room.



It was quickly apparent to Sierra that the arrogant professor was disliked by many, but it’s her tenant Calvin Foxheart who becomes the prime suspect. Even though Sierra has reasons to distrust the man who hid his identity in order to follow a legendary treasure quest, Calvin has since been growing closer to her and winning an affectionate place in her heart. Phone records are able to eliminate half of the visiting students, but the remaining three are encouraged to stay in town until they are cleared. In a town full of gossips and nosy neighbors Sierra knows that it won’t be long before her reputation of running a “Poison House” spreads and ruins her business completely, so she takes it upon herself to prove her tenant and her shop innocent while tracking down a murderer.



This second in the series quickly introduces new readers to Sierra’s supportive friends and unique family. The artsy one in a family of jocks, Sierra stands out with her love of plants and flowers while her parents and brother operate their Dumbbells Gym. The Flower House window display may feature botany symbolisms from a multitude of cultures, but the bamboo plant that many Asian cultures view as being good luck charms seems to be glitching for Sierra. Good fortune does seem to be abounding in numerous romances hovering around Sierra though, with her bestie, brother, and the Bed and Breakfast owner all having secretive flirtations. Interwoven into the abundance of plant, flower, and gardening lore are academic shenanigans and infighting, which are always fascinating and so fun to explore. Sierra has a mostly amenable relationship with the Acting Chief of Police Renee Bradley, but both are mindful of boundaries and when to not cross legal lines. That’s going to be tricky when Sierra is locked in her own storeroom and the noose seems to be tightening around Calvin’s neck, as Sierra will do everything she can to see justice through before all the suspects leave town. Edible flowers, café treats, and the adorable Corgi Gus make this a charming cozy mystery that breezes along to a reveal that makes perfect sense for this botanical mystery series.

Petals and Poison by Jess Dylan is the 2nd A Flower House Mystery. Petals and Poison can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in Death in Bloom. Petals and Poison contains good writing and developed characters. Sierra, Denna, Calvin, Granny, Rocky, and Sierra’s parents are some of the residents in this southern town. I like Sierra’s upbeat attitude and her plans for the business. Granny is a fun character with her superstitions and folklore. There are a couple of quirky characters included which is natural in any small southern town. I like the setting of Aerieville, Tennessee. It is the type of town where you can relax on your front porch with a glass of sweet tea and chat with your neighbors as they go by. The mystery was well-plotted with a variety of suspects and good clues. I like that Sierra actively investigated with help from her friends. I was able to identify the guilty party early in the story, but I did not know why. I thought the why was unique for a cozy mystery and it tied in nicely with the theme of the series. The café with edible flowers and plants was a clever idea. It was interesting learning more about edible plants. I could have done with less romance in the book. Sierra is interested in Calvin, and I thought it took up too much of the book. Denna and Rocky have a budding relationship as well. I do not mind some romance as long as the focus is on the mystery. Petals and Poison is a lighthearted Southern cozy mystery with edible eats, a perished professor, sweet tea, cavorting college students, puzzling poppies, and romantic endeavors.

This is a nice cozy mystery that will teach a bit about flowers and their many good and bad uses. I liked the characters and look forward to knowing more about the main characters. This is the second book in the series and I recommend reading the first book to know a little more about each character. This had an interesting murder and it was fun seeing how Sierra finally figures out the killer and the motive. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see how the cafe and the flower shop come along. I received a copy of this book from Minotaur for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I have some mixed feelings about this series. I love that the setting is a flower shop and I love that there is a dog and not a cat. I also really like the strong community of side characters with Deena, Richard, and Sierra's family along with the other residents of small town Tennessee. In the previous book the character of Calvin was introduced and while he was likable he was always a bit of a mystery. I was thrilled to see that this second book focused a bit more on Calvin and some of the questions were answered. The mystery was an interesting one with lots of possible suspects and motives.

That said I just don't like Sierra. She goes off on random monologues occasionally talking about her philosphy about laws of attraction and signs and whatnot but at the same time can be kind of dismissive of her grandmother's superstitions and beliefs. I also have hard time with the whole premise of ownershop of The Flower House being kind of dumped on her.

Even though this wasn't a favorite I did enjoy the read and like the novelty of a flower shop featuring in a cozy mystery. The mystery was interesting and I really enjoy the group of likable side characters (plus a Corgi!).

After enjoying the first in this cozy Southern I was glad to read this second entry and like even more than the first. Sierra is getting used to running The Flower House, being doggie mom to her little Corgi, Gus and developing a relationship with Calvin, one that might become more than simple friendship?
The space behind the shop has a greenhouse and it houses a rare orchid. When a University professor shows up with his class to view the orchid things go sideways and he ends up dead in the greenhouse. Not the first time death has visited The Flower Shop and Sierra has to, once again, start investigating the murder. Add to her situation, Calvin finds himself as the prime suspect and she knows he isn't a killer. So, who is the real killer?
This is a very comfortable and entertaining mystery, well plotted with an easy writing style. The setting of a small town in Tennessee and the returning characters were great but what made me really want to set a spell was her Granny, a wise woman with a big heart. Gus the Corgi is great, too.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5-4 stars. The author has done a really great job setting up the setting and characters in this series- readers can really feel the summer heat and I feel that we are getting a good sense of the community with this one. It's got a lot of Southern small town charm, aiding in the rumor mill and everybody knows everybody quirks that fuel the story. The ending wraps up a bit too conveniently- even for a cozy - but the journey was enjoyable.

Sierra's settled in as owner of the Flower House and to life with Gus the Corgi. An effort to bring more clients in leads to an unusual problem in the back room of the shop- a professor who has brought students to see a rare orchid is murdered there! Sierra has to investigate because, well, she's a cozy heroine and her love interest Calvin is a suspect. Luckily, she's got good friends and a lively family (I'm a fan of Granny). The mystery isn't too complicated, the storytelling is good, and you will root for everyone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

Petals and Poison by Jess Dylan is a great cozy mystery that is the second book in the wonderful A Flower House Mystery series. I really enjoyed this one.

I really liked the first book, Death in Bloom, so I knew I had to read the follow up. In this one, Sierra is trying to get her Flower House floral shop up and running when tragedy strikes and a potential customer is found deceased on the premises. Sierra, along with her crew, are determined to find the culprit so as to clear the name of her business before it ruins her chances at a second start.

I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot with several potential culprits present, the array of characters in the small Tennessee town, and of course I like Gus. Gotta love a cute Corgi.

I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the next book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.