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Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery #2
For Whom the Bluebell Tolls
Deadly thorns lurk among the roses in this Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery
Florist Audrey Bloom, co-owner of the Rose in Bloom, creates fragrant bouquets for brides. But when a wedding goes fatally wrong, it’s up to Audrey to sniff out a killer . . .
Everything is coming up roses for Audrey when her dazzling creations are picked to be featured on a wedding reality show. The hot series is filming an episode about a bride who’s bonkers for bells, and Audrey’s bouquets of campanulas, calla lilies, and Bells-of-Ireland are perfect for the bridal theme.
But Audrey’s debut quickly becomes a hothouse of trouble. Her ex, Brad, shows up as a crew member on the show, threatening her blossoming relationship with Nick the baker. To make matters worse, when one of the show’s hosts is found dead in the bell tower of a historic church, all the evidence points toward Brad.
Now Audrey needs to weed out the real killer before someone else’s chance at stardom is permanently nipped in the bud . . .
Florist Audrey Bloom, co-owner of the Rose in Bloom, creates fragrant bouquets for brides. But when a wedding goes fatally wrong, it’s up to Audrey to sniff out a killer . . .
Everything is coming up roses for Audrey when her dazzling creations are picked to be featured on a wedding reality show. The hot series is filming an episode about a bride who’s bonkers for bells, and Audrey’s bouquets of campanulas, calla lilies, and Bells-of-Ireland are perfect for the bridal theme.
But Audrey’s debut quickly becomes a hothouse of trouble. Her ex, Brad, shows up as a crew member on the show, threatening her blossoming relationship with Nick the baker. To make matters worse, when one of the show’s hosts is found dead in the bell tower of a historic church, all the evidence points toward Brad.
Now Audrey needs to weed out the real killer before someone else’s chance at stardom is permanently nipped in the bud . . .
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2015
18 people are currently reading
759 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Allen
4 books113 followersBeverly Allen is the author of Bloom and Doom, For Whom the Bluebell Tolls, and Floral Depravity, three books in the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. Beverly is a pseudonym of Barbara Early, chosen because when she says “Barb Early” too quickly or in a noisy room, people hear “Beverly” anyway. She resides in Western New York state with her ever-patient husband and four naughty but adorable cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 29, 2014
I have been looking forward to this book ever since finishing the first book in the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series, BLOOM AND DOOM. Author Beverly Allen did not disappoint me! I was reminded of all the reasons I dubbed this series to be one of my three favorite new series of 2014.
I adore Audrey and her friends and staff. They are a group of people I would love to hang out with. I’d spend a lot of time in the flower shop for sure. And any book that makes me want to be friends with fictional characters, is a book after my own heart.
Ms. Allen has a very smooth, no nonsense writing style. It’s like that of a natural born singer, clear and crisp. Not forced. Her knowledge of flowers and their meanings really shine through. I’ve learned so many interesting facts.
The murder is FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS was done in a way I have never read before. So very creative. The entire story moved and flowed quickly. Each page making me want to read the next and the next, straight through to the shocking reveal. I sure didn’t see that coming!
You will not be disappointed with this book. It will however leave you wanting more. I’m ready for the third book in the series to come out!
Pre-order your copy of FOR WHOM THE BLUEBELL TOLLS today. It releases January 6, 2015! And while you’re at it, if you haven’t already, buy a copy of BLOOM AND DOOM to read while you wait!
I adore Audrey and her friends and staff. They are a group of people I would love to hang out with. I’d spend a lot of time in the flower shop for sure. And any book that makes me want to be friends with fictional characters, is a book after my own heart.
Ms. Allen has a very smooth, no nonsense writing style. It’s like that of a natural born singer, clear and crisp. Not forced. Her knowledge of flowers and their meanings really shine through. I’ve learned so many interesting facts.
The murder is FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS was done in a way I have never read before. So very creative. The entire story moved and flowed quickly. Each page making me want to read the next and the next, straight through to the shocking reveal. I sure didn’t see that coming!
You will not be disappointed with this book. It will however leave you wanting more. I’m ready for the third book in the series to come out!
Pre-order your copy of FOR WHOM THE BLUEBELL TOLLS today. It releases January 6, 2015! And while you’re at it, if you haven’t already, buy a copy of BLOOM AND DOOM to read while you wait!
January 14, 2015
You don't have to have a green thumb to enjoy For Whom the Bluebell Tolls. It's up to you to dig up the clues and suspects and there are many that abound to be unearthed in this cozy mystery. Audrey Bloom is the owner of Rose in Bloom, A Bridal Bouquet Shop in Ramble,Virginia and a wedding themed reality show is in town called, Fix My Wedding to film a show. To make matters complicated Audrey's ex Brad works with the show and volunteers Rose in Bloom to do the flowers for the wedding.
Thinking that doing the flowers for Fix my Wedding, will bring the shop publicity Audrey agrees to do it. With the brides fascination with all things bells, It is ironic that the one of the shows host's, Gary is found hung from within the bell tower of the church while testing the church bell. It is soon discovered that Gary was murdered and mayhem ensues. Things start going wrong from the dress being tampered with and the flowers also.
Audrey must try to let the police handle this one but wants to clear her ex's name when he becomes a number one suspect and she just can't stand by and watch. So she takes it upon herself with the trusty help of her friends and fellow employees from Rose in Bloom. Audrey continues to wonder who within the cast and crew and who ever else can want to stop this wedding so badly that they would result to murder. Things are not coming up roses for whom ever it may be.
Riveting from the first page. . Audrey is a true rose among all the thorns of wacky,yet fun loving characters. Sweet smelling as a bouquet of bloom's. You will become a fan of this series from the get go. Many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew who the murderer was another suspect and clue would surface that have you hooked. An addicting series with engaging writing. A entertaining read.
April 9, 2018
"Audrey, I..."
Audrey's ex, Brad comes back to town with a reality TV show that has chosen Rose in Bloom florist to do the flowers. This creates some problems with Audrey's new love interest, Nick the baker. Audrey and her crew must put together bell shaped flowers for the demanding bride on the show. one of the show's hosts is found in the bell tower of a nearby church. Brad becomes the number one suspect. Audrey and crew immediately begin to investigate.
This is an excellent follow up to the first book in the series. I love the use of flowers to present meaning to the bouquets. This reminds me of my grandmother and may be why I enjoy the books so much. There was foreshadowing when one of the three bouquets had meanings that were not conducive to a happy marriage.
The characters of the book are well balanced and work well together. I enjoy the family bonds of Audrey and Liv. The floral crew has grown a bit and support Audrey and each other. I really like Nick and hope that Brad is not going to stay around to become a triangle.
There were twist and turns with a few red herrings thrown in plus a news story from the past that became very important. Everything about the book flows. I felt like I was there with the characters. They felt like friends. That is the sign of a good book.
I recommend this series.
Audrey's ex, Brad comes back to town with a reality TV show that has chosen Rose in Bloom florist to do the flowers. This creates some problems with Audrey's new love interest, Nick the baker. Audrey and her crew must put together bell shaped flowers for the demanding bride on the show. one of the show's hosts is found in the bell tower of a nearby church. Brad becomes the number one suspect. Audrey and crew immediately begin to investigate.
This is an excellent follow up to the first book in the series. I love the use of flowers to present meaning to the bouquets. This reminds me of my grandmother and may be why I enjoy the books so much. There was foreshadowing when one of the three bouquets had meanings that were not conducive to a happy marriage.
The characters of the book are well balanced and work well together. I enjoy the family bonds of Audrey and Liv. The floral crew has grown a bit and support Audrey and each other. I really like Nick and hope that Brad is not going to stay around to become a triangle.
There were twist and turns with a few red herrings thrown in plus a news story from the past that became very important. Everything about the book flows. I felt like I was there with the characters. They felt like friends. That is the sign of a good book.
I recommend this series.
January 4, 2015
You may need a wheelbarrow when you start digging up all the clues the author's planted in this story! it's crafted as beautifully as a bride's bouquet.
Audrey Bloom and her cousin, Liv, own the Rose In Bloom flower shop in Ramble, Virginia. A wedding reality show, Fix My Wedding, has come to Ramble to film a new episode. Brad, Audrey's ex, is working with the show hosts, GiGi and Gary. The bride-to-be, Suzy Weber, loves bells, so every aspect of the wedding is planned around bells of some sort.
When the First Baptist Church bell suddenly starts ringing, a shocking murder is discovered. However, the show must go on! As the close-knit group of employees at the flower shop work overtime to make the flower arrangements for the wedding and reception, secret after secret from one of the hosts' past, starts revealing clues to a cold case straight from headline news. Someone wants this wedding stopped so badly, they'll kill, vandalize, and who knows what else, to make that happen. What kind of flowers can cover up the scent of deception?
I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publisher. I voluntarily posted an honest review.
Audrey Bloom and her cousin, Liv, own the Rose In Bloom flower shop in Ramble, Virginia. A wedding reality show, Fix My Wedding, has come to Ramble to film a new episode. Brad, Audrey's ex, is working with the show hosts, GiGi and Gary. The bride-to-be, Suzy Weber, loves bells, so every aspect of the wedding is planned around bells of some sort.
When the First Baptist Church bell suddenly starts ringing, a shocking murder is discovered. However, the show must go on! As the close-knit group of employees at the flower shop work overtime to make the flower arrangements for the wedding and reception, secret after secret from one of the hosts' past, starts revealing clues to a cold case straight from headline news. Someone wants this wedding stopped so badly, they'll kill, vandalize, and who knows what else, to make that happen. What kind of flowers can cover up the scent of deception?
I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publisher. I voluntarily posted an honest review.
November 5, 2017
When a reality television show comes to Ramble, VA, everyone is excited until one of the hosts of the show is murdered.
Audrey Bloom owns a local flower shop. She is contracted to make the bouquets for the show, Fix My Wedding. Once the host is killed, she decides to help find the killer.
I enjoyed this book. The author described the Victorian meaning of different flowers. That part of the book was interesting.
Audrey Bloom owns a local flower shop. She is contracted to make the bouquets for the show, Fix My Wedding. Once the host is killed, she decides to help find the killer.
I enjoyed this book. The author described the Victorian meaning of different flowers. That part of the book was interesting.
August 9, 2017
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December 18, 2014
"For Whom the Bluebell Tolls" is a cozy mystery. It's the second book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books.
The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. About halfway through, all the clues fell into place for me with a very satisfying snap, and I knew whodunit. I couldn't guess the full motive until much nearer to the end. I don't think most readers will realize whodunit until later, and the writing was good enough to keep me fully engaged in the story even knowing whodunit. I liked that Audrey realized she wasn't critical to the police investigation (though she sure helped!), that the police weren't fools, and that Audrey has learned from the past and is careful when investigating murderers.
There was no bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. About halfway through, all the clues fell into place for me with a very satisfying snap, and I knew whodunit. I couldn't guess the full motive until much nearer to the end. I don't think most readers will realize whodunit until later, and the writing was good enough to keep me fully engaged in the story even knowing whodunit. I liked that Audrey realized she wasn't critical to the police investigation (though she sure helped!), that the police weren't fools, and that Audrey has learned from the past and is careful when investigating murderers.
There was no bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
January 6, 2015
Audrey Bloom is excited when the reality TV show Fix My Wedding is coming to town, especially when she gets to design the bridal bouquet. Okay, so the bride is a bit bell obsessed, but she can make it work. Unfortunately, that becomes the least of her problems when one of the hosts of the show is killed and the police begin to suspect Audrey’s former boyfriend, a production assistant on the show.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 16, 2016
A reality show, Fix My Wedding, comes to Ramble and thanks to her ex, Brad, Audrey Bloom’s bouquets and centerpieces will be featured on the show. That is if there is a show. One of the show’s hosts is killed as the segments just start taping and Brad becomes the prime suspect. Audrey finds herself tracking everyone’s movements as she tries to catch the killer before the show and all the flowers she ordered wither and die.
The author delivers a winning cast and a sweet mystery that will have cozy readers entertained from the first pages to the last. It was fun to parry down the suspects along with Audrey and I think I figured everything out just before she did.
The author delivers a winning cast and a sweet mystery that will have cozy readers entertained from the first pages to the last. It was fun to parry down the suspects along with Audrey and I think I figured everything out just before she did.
October 27, 2018
The main character, Audrey Bloom, is asked to do the flowers for a wedding that is being put on by a tv reality show. It seems a simple request except the person asking is her former boyfriend,Brad, who is back in town. Her current boyfriend,Nick, is not too pleased except he feels he can't really claim Audrey until he has more money set aside after opening his new bakery. Audrey isn't sure how she feels and complicating everything is the murder of one of the stars of the tv show. The book was a quick easy read.
January 26, 2022
This is an excellent mystery set in a flower shop and involving a reality TV show that comes to town to film a wedding. There is already enough stress but when the director is murdered and found hanging in the church bell tower, everyone's lives are turned upside down until they find the murderer.
March 4, 2017
Still enjoying the language of flowers and Beverly Allen's twists to the cozy mysteries. Florists events are limited and so far, two different aspects have been shown and a whole set of new flowers! I'm 0/2 in this series as I figured out the killer late into the book. Still not a fan of the love triangles and cat lovers in cozies but plot is interesting enough to keep you reading and maybe take on book 3.
January 3, 2015
For Whom the Bluebell Tolls by Beverly Allen
The Second Bridal Shop Bouquet Mystery
Where reality TV shows go trouble follows and Ramble is no exception. Brad, the Cad, has returned to Ramble, Virginia bringing along a reality TV show crew to film the latest episode of Fix My Wedding. He has also arranged for Audrey to be the florist for the show. The offer proves to be more of a curse than a blessing, as Audrey has to deal with Brad's desire to get her back, a bridezilla, the mercurial machinations of one of the show's hosts, and a murder! Add her blossoming relationship with Nick and we have a hotbed of drama!
In this second entry of the Bridal Shop Bouquet Mystery series Beverly Allen digs deeper into the character of Audrey Bloom exploring her fears as well as her desires. Is she good enough? Can she capture the safety once provided by her grandmother by purchasing the cottage that was the haven of her youth? What are her feelings towards Brad...and Nick?
This exploration is entwined in a prickly mystery. Fix My Wedding host Gary Davoll could be both charming and vitriolic-leaving him as a perfect candidate to be murdered. But was he killed because of his personality? Or was he collateral damage by someone who wanted to stop the show? Or was it Gary's past as an investigative journalist that came back to haunt him?
In depth characterization and a well plotted mystery combined with the language of flowers make For Whom the Bluebell Tolls a captivating read.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. For Whom the Bluebell Tolls will be released January 6, 2015-but you can pre-order it now!
The Second Bridal Shop Bouquet Mystery
Where reality TV shows go trouble follows and Ramble is no exception. Brad, the Cad, has returned to Ramble, Virginia bringing along a reality TV show crew to film the latest episode of Fix My Wedding. He has also arranged for Audrey to be the florist for the show. The offer proves to be more of a curse than a blessing, as Audrey has to deal with Brad's desire to get her back, a bridezilla, the mercurial machinations of one of the show's hosts, and a murder! Add her blossoming relationship with Nick and we have a hotbed of drama!
In this second entry of the Bridal Shop Bouquet Mystery series Beverly Allen digs deeper into the character of Audrey Bloom exploring her fears as well as her desires. Is she good enough? Can she capture the safety once provided by her grandmother by purchasing the cottage that was the haven of her youth? What are her feelings towards Brad...and Nick?
This exploration is entwined in a prickly mystery. Fix My Wedding host Gary Davoll could be both charming and vitriolic-leaving him as a perfect candidate to be murdered. But was he killed because of his personality? Or was he collateral damage by someone who wanted to stop the show? Or was it Gary's past as an investigative journalist that came back to haunt him?
In depth characterization and a well plotted mystery combined with the language of flowers make For Whom the Bluebell Tolls a captivating read.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. For Whom the Bluebell Tolls will be released January 6, 2015-but you can pre-order it now!
March 9, 2015
For Whom the Bluebell Tolls is the 2nd book in the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series. Reality television is coming to the town of Ramble where Audrey and her cousin Liv have a floral business named The Roses In Bloom. The show is called Fix My Wedding. The co-hosts Gary and Gigi arrive to a town welcome. Audrey's ex-boyfriend works for the TV program and has recommended Audrey business to do the wedding floral work. We are introduced to the bride to be who has a fixation with bells and wants a bell themed wedding. An unhappy past bride and her entourage arrive to protest the show. Soon the church bell starts ringing, and crimes start happening.. A murder leads the way..
This is a well written and plotted series. The mystery was solid. There is humor. The characters are likable and are the type that one would like to be friends with. I especially liked the character of Mrs. June who works for the police department. She was a neighbor to Audrey's Grandma Mae where Audrey grew up . I hope Audrey is able to buy her Grandma Mae's cottage soon. I have pre-ordered Floral Depravity as I want to continue with this well crafted cozy mystery.
This is a well written and plotted series. The mystery was solid. There is humor. The characters are likable and are the type that one would like to be friends with. I especially liked the character of Mrs. June who works for the police department. She was a neighbor to Audrey's Grandma Mae where Audrey grew up . I hope Audrey is able to buy her Grandma Mae's cottage soon. I have pre-ordered Floral Depravity as I want to continue with this well crafted cozy mystery.
January 20, 2015
This is a delightful, fun cozy mystery with touches of creatively that I like. The story was character driven and they have became friends. Audrey Bloom ex-boy friend brings a realty show Fix My Wedding to town and the shop accepts a contract to the flowers for the shop. Shortly after the start of filming Gary, the host is MURDERED. Audrey and Bixby, Chief of Police worked together to solved the killing and who is trying to halt the wedding. There are many twists and turns before the solution is found. I recommend this series.
August 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, I would give it 4 1/2 stars actually. Audrey and her cousin Liv are both likeable people who are under pressure to get flower arrangements completed for a tv show Fix My Wedding. This story has people protesting the show, a bride, an ex boyfriend, a body, and much more to keep you turning the pages. The mystery will take you on plenty of twists and turns and tie it up nicely in the end. I will definitely continue on with this series.
April 17, 2015
This series is shaping up to be a definite winner! I really liked the first one and this one was every bit as good. I like the location for this one and the characters are top notch. Gotta say, I didn't see the solution to this one coming. Was out of the ordinary, to be sure, and it added to the enjoyment of the story. RECOMMEND!
March 22, 2015
3.5 stars. Good follow up to the first book in the series. I hope there is not a love triangle starting though!!!!! I did think the actual mystery was a little over the top but aren't a lot of them!
January 25, 2015
Another wonderful mystery from this author. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
December 27, 2015
Literally , a real page turner!
November 2, 2015
I enjoyed this one more than Bloom and Doom. I again loved the meanings behind the flowers chosen and the crazy residents of Rumble. Let's see what the third one has in store!
February 14, 2021
I'm drowning in tropes and I love it.
Just a heads up. This is going to be long and gushy.
I was really excited to return to Ramble and the Rose in Bloom. We finally get to meet Brad the (not-so) Cad, which gives the series a secondary conflict that wasn't really there in the first novel. The original characters to this installment were also really fun to follow and the reality show theme was entertaining. The mystery itself was good, although the introduction of the tapes near the middle of the novel made the ending really predictable. But that's fine with me. I'd rather a mystery with super obvious foreshadowing than a mystery with no foreshadowing at all.
But the main reason I love this series is the Rose in Bloom crew. I care about what happens to every recurring character in this series. I know that's super subjective, but most literary enjoyment is subjective anyway. I also love that Audrey gangs up with the whole shop crew to solve the mystery. Too many cozy mystery novels are just one twenty-something heroine that flings herself into dangerous situations without thinking or warning others.
I appreciated that the author gave us a bit of a backstory about why Audrey dropped out of nursing college, how she became a florist, and why she moved back to Ramble. Especially in this age, it's super common for people to start off doing something and change paths down the line, sometimes several times. It's nice to see that represented in novels since so many readers can relate.
I know she's a super unimportant character that barely shows up, but I love Mrs. Simmons (Brad's mom). She's one of those stereotypical moms that know their son is a bit of an ass but still tries to butter up their respective possible daughter-in-law with the classic, innocent I-know-my-son-is-trash-but-please-take-him demeanor. We better get more Mrs. Simmons in Floral Depravity.
Just as a side note, can we just appreciate what happens on the last page of the novel? I'm not sure if Allen intended to add a love triangle to her series or if she was pressured into it by her editor, but there's almost a satirical edge to that last image. Either that or Allen really knows how to sit on a fence.
I just checked and apparently Floral Depravity is the last one. I'm wilting inside.
Just a heads up. This is going to be long and gushy.
I was really excited to return to Ramble and the Rose in Bloom. We finally get to meet Brad the (not-so) Cad, which gives the series a secondary conflict that wasn't really there in the first novel. The original characters to this installment were also really fun to follow and the reality show theme was entertaining. The mystery itself was good, although the introduction of the tapes near the middle of the novel made the ending really predictable. But that's fine with me. I'd rather a mystery with super obvious foreshadowing than a mystery with no foreshadowing at all.
But the main reason I love this series is the Rose in Bloom crew. I care about what happens to every recurring character in this series. I know that's super subjective, but most literary enjoyment is subjective anyway. I also love that Audrey gangs up with the whole shop crew to solve the mystery. Too many cozy mystery novels are just one twenty-something heroine that flings herself into dangerous situations without thinking or warning others.
I appreciated that the author gave us a bit of a backstory about why Audrey dropped out of nursing college, how she became a florist, and why she moved back to Ramble. Especially in this age, it's super common for people to start off doing something and change paths down the line, sometimes several times. It's nice to see that represented in novels since so many readers can relate.
I know she's a super unimportant character that barely shows up, but I love Mrs. Simmons (Brad's mom). She's one of those stereotypical moms that know their son is a bit of an ass but still tries to butter up their respective possible daughter-in-law with the classic, innocent I-know-my-son-is-trash-but-please-take-him demeanor. We better get more Mrs. Simmons in Floral Depravity.
Just as a side note, can we just appreciate what happens on the last page of the novel? I'm not sure if Allen intended to add a love triangle to her series or if she was pressured into it by her editor, but there's almost a satirical edge to that last image. Either that or Allen really knows how to sit on a fence.
I just checked and apparently Floral Depravity is the last one. I'm wilting inside.
January 4, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up
Two books in and I'm still not sure how I feel about this series, although it's beginning to grow on me. I think my biggest problem is that Audrey, the MC, can still be a bit wishy-washy, but she does seem to be learning to stand up for herself, so there's hope.
I like most of the returning characters from the first book, but didn't really care for the any of the newcomers. Then again, over the top weddings featuring a bridezilla have never been my thing, not even to watch from the periphery. The murder victim could have been any of a multitude of characters, but I think the person who was killed was the most deserving [not that anyone deserves to be murdered :)].
There were a lot of people who wished the victim dead, so the police had a lengthy list of suspects to consider. I had the right character at the top of my list, but would never have guessed the motive before it became obvious in the book.
There's only one book left in this series, so I'll keep it on my list for the next time I need a flower shop or florist to fill a challenge spot :)
Two books in and I'm still not sure how I feel about this series, although it's beginning to grow on me. I think my biggest problem is that Audrey, the MC, can still be a bit wishy-washy, but she does seem to be learning to stand up for herself, so there's hope.
I like most of the returning characters from the first book, but didn't really care for the any of the newcomers. Then again, over the top weddings featuring a bridezilla have never been my thing, not even to watch from the periphery. The murder victim could have been any of a multitude of characters, but I think the person who was killed was the most deserving [not that anyone deserves to be murdered :)].
There were a lot of people who wished the victim dead, so the police had a lengthy list of suspects to consider. I had the right character at the top of my list, but would never have guessed the motive before it became obvious in the book.
There's only one book left in this series, so I'll keep it on my list for the next time I need a flower shop or florist to fill a challenge spot :)
December 30, 2018
A reality show comes to town bringing Audrey's ex-boyfriend back. So, we finally have the one-woman two-men scenario. The ending scene in the book has her at a church wedding with Nick holding her right hand and Brad holding her left. Ewwww…..
But, still an enjoyable read and the reality show info seemed real (smile).
The first book in the series had more information on flowers and their meanings, and floral arrangements, but less mystery. This book is more mystery, but less on the floral part.
The way she sends her shop staff out on assignments to gather info reminded me of the Emily Brightwell series I like so much, where Mrs. Jeffries' staff does the same. Just saying that I like this kind of teamwork to alleviate the pressure on the main character to get all the info herself.
Finally, my favorite quote: "... the women were all draped over the large boulders that lined the boundary of the Ashbury's garden, like they had melted in the heat, or were part of some Dali' painting."
(and I encourage you to go visit the Dali' museum in St. Petersburg ! It is wonderful.)
But, still an enjoyable read and the reality show info seemed real (smile).
The first book in the series had more information on flowers and their meanings, and floral arrangements, but less mystery. This book is more mystery, but less on the floral part.
The way she sends her shop staff out on assignments to gather info reminded me of the Emily Brightwell series I like so much, where Mrs. Jeffries' staff does the same. Just saying that I like this kind of teamwork to alleviate the pressure on the main character to get all the info herself.
Finally, my favorite quote: "... the women were all draped over the large boulders that lined the boundary of the Ashbury's garden, like they had melted in the heat, or were part of some Dali' painting."
(and I encourage you to go visit the Dali' museum in St. Petersburg ! It is wonderful.)
January 13, 2018
Every since Diane Mott Davidson's hit mysteries with recipes, you can hardly write a new mystery without a gimmick, from house cleaning tips to crochet patterns.
Most of the more obvious gimmicks have been snatched up, so they become more and more specialized. My most recent light reading, featured tips on bargain shopping for goods left in storage units and auctioned off; the next will be on haunted house renovation.
This book revolved around a florist shop, a "Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery." It dwells more on old meanings of flowers--bluebells mean constancy and sorrowful regret--than I needed to know. But was overall a good, well-written, and enjoyable mystery.
Most of the more obvious gimmicks have been snatched up, so they become more and more specialized. My most recent light reading, featured tips on bargain shopping for goods left in storage units and auctioned off; the next will be on haunted house renovation.
This book revolved around a florist shop, a "Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery." It dwells more on old meanings of flowers--bluebells mean constancy and sorrowful regret--than I needed to know. But was overall a good, well-written, and enjoyable mystery.
November 4, 2018
A wedding reality show is being filmed locally and Audrey’s flower shop is creating all the flower arrangements for the wedding. The Bride has chosen “Bells” as the theme for everything. All is going well until one of the hosts of the show is found hanging from the bell rope of the church and a former bride who was unhappy with her show wants to shut the program down. With thousands of dollars of flowers waiting in coolers, how long will things hold … Can Audrey hurry things along by helping to solve the crime? ……….. An OK story, but it simply didn’t interest me that much.
October 4, 2018
Suspenseful, witty, funny, and just an overall good mystery! This is the second book in the series, and it gets you hooked right from the start, just like the first one did. I love this series, and can relate to the characters too.
January 5, 2019
I like the characters, but the author underestimates her readers' intelligence. Or else the characters just aren't smart enough. I'm not sure which. Several obvious elements overlooked by the sleuth and cops.
July 18, 2022
This is the second book in this series that I’ve read and really enjoy. The characters are great, I figured it out before they did but I still wanted to read to see how they reveal the killer. It was a good mystery.
September 2, 2022
Fun beach read of a book. I didn't read the first in the series, and I didn't feel like I needed to. All of the craziness of planning a wedding in a short period of time combined with the pressures of reality TV.
Family friendly.
Family friendly.
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