Petals, Poison and Peril: A Thorne Sister Sleuths Cozy Mystery: Small Town Female Detective and Women Sleuths Cozy Mysteries

Thorne Sister Sleuths Cozy Mysteries #1

by D.G. Thomas

Iris and Poppy Thorne, the spirited sisters behind Bloomwood’s beloved flower shop Blossom & Thorne, are no strangers to unusual requests. But when a rare and dangerous plant is discovered hidden among their stock while preparing floral arrangements for the mayor’s gala, their world is turned upside down.

When the mayor’s political rival is found dead after the gala and their shop is implicated, the sisters find themselves at the center of a scandal. As the town whispers about poisoned blooms and political plots, Iris and Poppy refuse to let their reputation wither. Determined to clear their name, they begin unraveling the mystery, uncovering a web of rivalries, hidden agendas, and long-buried secrets.

The deeper they dig, the more perilous their investigation becomes. With their shop, livelihood, legacy, and community on the line, Iris and Poppy must use their wit, floral expertise, and unshakable bond to uncover the real culprit before the killer strikes again.

Can they solve the mystery in time to clear their name, or will Blossom & Thorne become the next victim of a killer’s deadly arrangement?

Why Readers Love This SeriesA gripping mystery filled with twists and surprises.The dynamic sister duo of Iris and Poppy, whose cleverness and charm light up every page.A unique blend of floral intrigue and small-town drama.Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries looking for a clever, heartwarming read.Don’t miss this enchanting tale of secrets, scandals, and the deadly power of flowers.

Genres: Cozy, Mystery, Cozy Mystery

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2025

About the author

D.G. Thomas is an author, storyteller, and independent publisher who writes engaging books for readers of all ages. From cozy mysteries filled with small-town secrets to imaginative children’s picture and chapter books, her stories blend warmth, humor, and unforgettable characters—always rooted in themes of family, friendship, community, belonging, and the power of human connection.

Her writing celebrates the beauty of everyday life through African American main characters, because she believes representation matters. Whether her characters are uncovering hidden truths in a charming Southern town or traveling through time to explore their ancestry, D.G. Thomas creates stories that entertain, inspire, and leave readers feeling seen.

She began her writing journey with The Magic Chest: Sands of Time, inspired by the bedtime stories she created for her children. That spark grew into a series that includes Dancing ’Til Dusk, Halloween Hideout, and Seaside Treasure. She’s also the author of several picture books including the anti-bullying book Norris and Twig and The Flower Power Unicorn series of moral tales for children, crafted to delight young readers with fun educational adventures.

For mystery lovers, she writes The Thorne Sister Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series, a charming collection of whodunits full of suspense, heart, and Southern flair. Each book in the series invites you into a world where secrets are hidden among the blooms and danger lurks beneath the surface of small-town charm. Whether they’re unraveling clues left in a rose garden, uncovering scandals tied to local landmarks, or confronting dark motives rooted in greed and jealousy, the Thorne sisters bring wit, courage, and a unique perspective to every case.

A graduate of the University of Louisville and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, D.G. Thomas lives in Kentucky with her daughter, son, and their ever-curious cat.

Reviews

[Charlene (Char) ❤︎ ❀˖° ❤︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop listening I was looking for something that would get me by through my workday and provide a nice cozy fall read. This book definitely check off all those boxes. Plus the book features two melanin sisters 🤎.

Sisters Iris and Poppy Thorne carry on their late mother’s legacy as they are owners of her flower shop. There is something here for everyone ! Not only are they sisters but they also have a good eye for details. Business is booming as they are tasked with coming up with floral arrangements for the mayors event. In one of their shipments, they find wolfbane which is a highly poisonous plant and something they didn’t order.

Then there is a murder and the two sisters are seen as suspects. Then their small town seems much smaller. Iris and Poppy must take matters into their own hand and clear their name. This is was a quick listen with a small town feel. I definitely love the series and the banter between the characters. Definitely perfect for the cozy season. If you like a mystery with humor, a small town feel and a page turner. This is the book for you.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading this first book in the Thorne Sister Sleuth cozy mystery series. I liked it. It’s a cozy and clean novella that contains likable sister sleuths, set in a small southern town. It’s generational warmth and good values, and it didn’t take forever to finish. I’m already starting book 2.

3 stars

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short mystery

Iris and Poppy Thorne have a flower shop in Bloomwood. They run into triub!e when wolfsbane shows up in their shop and then someone is poisoned.
They investigate to remove the black spot on their reputations.
It's a short mystery but cute with puns and flower associated humour.

[Indiya Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for me started a little slow but, as the read progressed it became one that was hard for me to put down. I was patiently waiting to see who the murderer was. This is a good book to pick up, especially if you are in a reading slump. It was good for me to be able to have something to help me get back into my reading goal.

[Tracie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little story. It was a little disjointed, but I think that was due to listening on audiobook and I was distracted from time to time. However, I like the main characters (two sisters) and I will definitely listen to more.

[Carmen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery is obvious. But, for a first in a series and a novella, it was enjoyable. The next few books are a little longer, so hopefully we can get to know the main characters a little better.

[Loreal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute lil cozy mystery. Good read during the fall season. If hallmark did mystery...im sure cozy mystery would be there kinda mystery. Not too much but just enough to keep you going.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but Good :)

[GlitterWater79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.G Thomas, consider me a fan! 💜 What an absolutely perfect cozy mystery! I truly enjoyed the Thorne Sisters and the town of Bloomwood introduced here. The story definitely kept me tapped in and guessing all the way until the reveal, so much so that I set aside a couple other books I was reading and also really enjoyed because this story pulled focus. I liked both Iris and Poppy, and Dolly was a trip!

I did want more character buildout with the spouse and children, but perhaps other books will do more of that. This is the first and it is a novella so it can’t do all the things, which get. There were a couple loose ends I wanted more tied up with some characters who were suspects, and consequences outside of the main crime. but otherwise everything was really perfect for me. I’m so eager to read all the other books in the series (and the prequel, which I joined the author’s mailing list to receive because the teaser for it was so intriguing).

Could totally see this as a Hallmark Movies and Mysteries series. There are far two Black centered mystery shows on tv and this is the kind of storytelling and intellectual property that the tv and film world need.

[January · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟

It was just, ehh...
The story felt unorganized in certain spots, and it didn't make sense in others. I have no interest in finishing the series.
Might be better for children.

[Molly]

ai art cover

[Chinadoll]

Rating:

[Breána Kechelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable, low-ish stakes mystery. The main characters, sisters Iris and Poppi are uncomplicated flower store owners in a small town caught in the middle of a scandalous crime.

Since the book is so short I think the main downfall would be the lack of character development. Along with that the plot is predictable and repetitive.

But overall it was a pleasant experience; something to listen to while I get ready for work.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many suspects in such a small town - The victim was wholly unpleasant and the town will be better without his overbearing presence, but he was killed so it's up to the coppers to investigate. Poppy and Iris did their part, considering that it appears that a plant used in the murder was found in the arrangements they prepared for the gala. But they didn't order the plant and seemingly it was transported directly from the supplier to their shop. Who had access to pull off the crime of the century in little Bloomwood? A great story with two siblings who are determined to restore their reputations and save their lives. Great characters all, including Poppy's cutie of a daughter who was ready to put on her Sherlock Holmes. I figured this one out. The AI narrator took nothing away from the story.