Death and Daisies: A Magic Garden Mystery

Book 2 in this series and the main character Fiona is getting settled into her new life along with her sister Isla who has popped in to spend the summer with her. Surprise! We're told that in Book 1, Fiona was considered a suspect after finding a dead body in the garden of the property she inherited. As a result, she got to know the Chief Inspector (Neil Craig) pretty darn well. When the most adamant adversary she has turns up dead the day of her flower shop opening, she's pretty motivated to make sure she's not considered a suspect again. There were actually two mysteries going on in this story. One, I caught onto right away. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be part of the intrigue as the main mystery but I didn't really feel that it was. The main mystery kept me guessing pretty well. I did guess who the guilty party was pretty early but it was written well-enough that I kept second guessing myself. I definitely didn't figure out the why of it. In addition to this, we had a LOT of character growth and developing relationships of all kinds. Some were expected as one settles into a new area but others really surprised me. I appreciated how the relationship between the sisters was treated and how it was as natural in its evolution as the rest of the relationships. I enjoyed how Fiona was very self-aware and confident in some ways while vulnerable and at a loss in others. It made her more realistic. I also really appreciated the way that the different cultures played across the story. I definitely would recommend this for someone looking for a cozy that's slightly different. Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Flower, and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the chance to read this book and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flowers returns us to Bellewick, Scotland. Fiona Knox has been busy getting her new flower shop, Climbing Rose Flower Shop ready to open with the aid of her sister, Isla. Isla showed up at the beginning of the summer after she graduated from college and has yet to return home. She has been acting cagey recently and spending a great deal of time texting. The day before the grand opening, Minister Quaid MacCullen stops in and once again expresses his dislike for Fiona. He recently barred Fiona from attending church by blocking the door and stating he did not want her corrupting the villagers (what a charmer). That night a terrible storm hits the area and thankfully blows back out to sea by morning. Fiona’s shop opening is a success until Kipling, the villages volunteer police chief, stumbles in crying murder and then promptly faints. Kipling stumbled upon the reverend’s body on the beach. Chief Inspector Neil Craig rushes away to secure the scene and a curious Fiona is not far behind him. It is well known in the village that MacCullen disliked Fiona which puts her at the top of the suspect list. Fiona has just started to set down roots and has no intention of letting her new life go to seed. The only way to stop the speculation is to sniff out the killer with a little help from the magical garden at Duncreigan. While Death and Daisies is the second book in A Magic Garden Mystery series, it can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included in this tale. I thought the book was well-written with steady pacing throughout. Amanda Flower has an engaging, conversational writing style that drew me into the story and it kept my attention until the very last page. I like the characters and they are nicely developed. We are still getting to know Fiona (it is only the second book), and she learns some new information about herself in Death and Daisies. Hamish is such a sweetie and we learned something new about him that makes him even more endearing. I am not a fan of Fiona’s sister, Isla. I am hoping we will see her mature and become less self-centered. The village sounds quaint with friendly residents except for the minister. The murder of Reverend Quaid MacCullen is expected since he is such a nasty character. There are several suspects, misdirection and good clues. I wish the mystery had been more of a challenge. However, I still enjoyed reading this beguiling narrative (I knew who now I wanted to know why). I especially enjoy the addition of the magic from the garden, the stone and the fox. It enhances the overall story as well as the mystery. I like that new details are revealed in each book. Carver Finley, a historian, has taken an interest in the garden, and I believe he will be a formidable foe for Fiona. Death and Daisies is an enchanting cozy mystery with a charming village, friendly characters, a hint of romance, adorable little critters, magical assistance, and a murder mystery.

Second in the Magic Garden Mysteries, this captivating novel can be read as a standalone or after the first. This series will delight fans of Amanda Flowers’ other series and Bailey Cates’ Enchanted Garden Mysteries. The characters are very likable and well-defined, the mystery is a complex challenge to solve, and the location in Scotland sets the stage for long-ago past and present to meet. Fiona Knox, from Tennessee, recently inherited Duncreigan from her godfather, Ian MacCallister, in Scotland. She is the twelfth Keeper of the Garden in which there is a hidden ancient standing stone and surrounding climbing yellow rose. It is a magical healing garden that has been in Ian’s family for about 300 years. To Minister Quaid MacCullen, the magical garden, and Fiona’s presence, and her new business, The Climbing Rose Flower Shop, are an affront. He is pastor at St. Thomas, which was also Ian’s church. He preaches against Fiona and Duncreigan from the pulpit. When she tried to attend a Sunday service, he refused to admit her. Only days later, after a brutal storm, MacCullen was found dead on the beach, apparently a drowning victim. It was no ordinary drowning; the ME notes that the water in his lungs is fresh rather than ocean. Fiona realizes that, for the second time in the two months she has been in Scotland, she is a murder suspect. She doesn’t recognize the attraction Chief Inspector Neil Craig clearly has for her. Despite her new shop opening and the challenges in her relationship with her sister Isla, Fiona feels she has to solve another murder to clear herself of the charges. I enjoyed meeting Fiona and Isla and seeing Fi learning to accept Isla as an adult with her own needs and talents. They deeply love and want the best for each other. Close friends Raj and his twin sister Presha have been in Scotland for forty years and extended a warm welcome to Fiona. By the time the novel had ended, I felt that I had more than a passing acquaintance with Ian MacCallister even though deceased. Overall, I really liked Fiona, Isla, and all the people of Bellewick. Most were shown in a positive way. Hamish sounds like a man after my own heart! A home filled with thousands of books sounds like the perfect place! I have empathy for his lack of desire for going into town. The setting in Scotland is breathtaking! The magic garden, which will only grow and flourish when there is a Keeper of the Garden, sounds incredible. The colors, butterflies, birds, and the mysterious fox who enjoy the garden would make it a restful place. The mystery has unexpected twists and turns, with a surprise for Fiona about … no, I won’t give it away! While the Minister had few real friends, most people respected his position and knew he wanted the best for them. It wasn’t as easy to discover who had a motive other than dislike that fueled the murder. There were at least a couple folks who seemed to be good suspects but were good red herrings. I was surprised to find out the real motive behind the murder yet not surprised at the killer, someone I considered more than once. I highly recommend Death and Daisies to all who appreciate a well-written cozy mystery set in Scotland, with a secret garden, special flower shop, a Scottish fold cat, and characters that grab hold of one’s heart and doesn’t let go. From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, and this is my honest review.