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The Village Apothecary Mysteries #1
A Deadly Bloom
After trading her high-stress pharmaceutical career for the healing herbs of a Cotswolds village, Ivy Blackthorn thought her biggest worry would be winning over sceptical locals.
She was wrong.
When Ivy inherits her great-aunt's apothecary in the picturesque village of Thornwick Green, she's determined to bridge traditional plant wisdom with modern science. Nine months in, she's finally earning the community's trust, until the village's biggest critic, Mrs Enid Hartwell, collapses at the Spring Fair—clutching a teacup bearing Ivy's shop logo.
With deadly nightshade in Enid's system, and berries missing from Ivy's carefully controlled garden, all evidence points to the newcomer. But as Ivy digs deeper, with the help of handsome veterinarian Seb Ashworth and her loyal circle of friends, she discovers that Enid wasn't just the village busybody, she was an amateur detective on the trail of a dangerous secret.
From church herb gardens to grand estate greenhouses, Ivy must use every bit of her botanical knowledge to uncover the truth. Because in Thornwick Green, someone is willing to kill to keep the past buried, and they're not finished with their deadly harvest.
Can Ivy prove her innocence and catch a killer before she becomes the next victim? Or will her dream of a peaceful life among the healing herbs wither before it can truly bloom?
Perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Bailey Cates, A Deadly Bloom plants the seeds for a captivating new cozy mystery series, where modern science meets ancient wisdom, and every garden holds secrets
She was wrong.
When Ivy inherits her great-aunt's apothecary in the picturesque village of Thornwick Green, she's determined to bridge traditional plant wisdom with modern science. Nine months in, she's finally earning the community's trust, until the village's biggest critic, Mrs Enid Hartwell, collapses at the Spring Fair—clutching a teacup bearing Ivy's shop logo.
With deadly nightshade in Enid's system, and berries missing from Ivy's carefully controlled garden, all evidence points to the newcomer. But as Ivy digs deeper, with the help of handsome veterinarian Seb Ashworth and her loyal circle of friends, she discovers that Enid wasn't just the village busybody, she was an amateur detective on the trail of a dangerous secret.
From church herb gardens to grand estate greenhouses, Ivy must use every bit of her botanical knowledge to uncover the truth. Because in Thornwick Green, someone is willing to kill to keep the past buried, and they're not finished with their deadly harvest.
Can Ivy prove her innocence and catch a killer before she becomes the next victim? Or will her dream of a peaceful life among the healing herbs wither before it can truly bloom?
Perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Bailey Cates, A Deadly Bloom plants the seeds for a captivating new cozy mystery series, where modern science meets ancient wisdom, and every garden holds secrets
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2026
A Deadly Bloom by Lauren Kaye is a wonderderfully cozy, botanical-themed mystery that captures your attention from the very start with tis rich setting and endearing characters. Joining the book tour for this title was a true pleasure, as the story instantly wraps you in a comforting embrace of herbal folklore and close-knit village life.
The narrative centers on a local apothecary whose quiet existence is turned upside down when a prominent community member barely survives a sudden poisoning attempt. Because the deadly brew points directly to her shop and medicinal supplies, she becomes the primary target of local suspicion. To clear her name and protect her livelihood, she must take matters into her own hands, teaming up with supportive allies to untangle long-buried village secrets before the culprit makes another attemt.
What I Loved
- Charming Village Setting: The small-town environment feels extraordinarily vibrant and welcoming, creating an idyllic backdrop that makes you want to step right into the apothecary.
- Heartfelt Found Family: The genuine friendships and supportive relationships along the cast are the absolute soul of this book, bring so much warmth to the investigation.
- Sweet Slow-Burn Romance: The romantic subplot is delightfully unhurried, gentle, and entirely spice-free, harmonizing seamlessly with the cozy tone of the novel.
Things for Consideration
- Unhurried Pace: The story takes a very deliberate approach to world-building and character interations, meaning readers who prefer rapid, action-heavy thrillers might find the tempo a bit relaxed.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
I give this charming read 4 stars out of 5. It is an exceptional pick for readers who adore low-stakes whodunits, botanical lore, and stories centered on found family and sweet, wholesome connections. If you are looking for a comforting mystery to curl up with, this opening book in The Village Apothecary Mysteries series is a perfect fit.
Disclosure
I received an ebook as part of a book tour through Whimsy Words PR. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The narrative centers on a local apothecary whose quiet existence is turned upside down when a prominent community member barely survives a sudden poisoning attempt. Because the deadly brew points directly to her shop and medicinal supplies, she becomes the primary target of local suspicion. To clear her name and protect her livelihood, she must take matters into her own hands, teaming up with supportive allies to untangle long-buried village secrets before the culprit makes another attemt.
What I Loved
- Charming Village Setting: The small-town environment feels extraordinarily vibrant and welcoming, creating an idyllic backdrop that makes you want to step right into the apothecary.
- Heartfelt Found Family: The genuine friendships and supportive relationships along the cast are the absolute soul of this book, bring so much warmth to the investigation.
- Sweet Slow-Burn Romance: The romantic subplot is delightfully unhurried, gentle, and entirely spice-free, harmonizing seamlessly with the cozy tone of the novel.
Things for Consideration
- Unhurried Pace: The story takes a very deliberate approach to world-building and character interations, meaning readers who prefer rapid, action-heavy thrillers might find the tempo a bit relaxed.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
I give this charming read 4 stars out of 5. It is an exceptional pick for readers who adore low-stakes whodunits, botanical lore, and stories centered on found family and sweet, wholesome connections. If you are looking for a comforting mystery to curl up with, this opening book in The Village Apothecary Mysteries series is a perfect fit.
Disclosure
I received an ebook as part of a book tour through Whimsy Words PR. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
July 5, 2025
A cute cozy mystery straight from a hallmark movie 🥰 First a big thank you to author Lauren Kaye for a digital ARC! Kaye is brilliant at setting a scene and Thornwick Green really came to life for me as I read I could almost smell the herbal tea or the blossoms and feel the warm summer breeze on my face. This was my first venture into the Cozy Mystery genre and needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! This has been my comfort book before I fall asleep the past week so I’m going to miss that routine now that I’ve finished 😂I was kept guessing as to who the killer was and I enjoyed that it wasn’t too gritty (I’ve had experiences being traumatized while reading after books were advertised as not too violent etc 😂) I also was completely wrong as to who it was but no spoilers here so you’ll have to read for yourself. The only thing I could say I didn’t like were that the conversations between characters were a little repetitive but other than that I’d say I completely fell in love with this story. I highly recommend A Deadly Bloom for a quick and cozy read and give it Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 6, 2025
An exquisitely written contemporary cozy mystery! A Deadly Bloom contains all the factors that make up a perfect cozy mystery. All the characters are well rounded and add dimension to the plot. The setting is quintessential and the story reads through perfectly without any distracting subplots or multiple points of view.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. You can feel the love and hard work that Lauren Kaye poured into this book. From the beginning, the plot captures you and holds your attention to the end. I have to say, I thought I picked out the bad guy but I was horribly wrong, and I have to say I’m grateful because I would’ve been devastated if I had been right.
Ivy is the perfect protagonist, leading lady. Basil is a wonderful addition to the story, the way he links Ivy to her aunt and the history of the apothecary is such a wonderful link in the story. Cozy mysteries are always better with at least one animal intertwined into the story. Seb, Sarah, Rose, and all the characters each add significant depth to the story and leave the reader wanting to know more about them. I cannot wait to see where this series leads us. So many stories lie ahead of us and I cannot wait!
Overall, I highly recommend this book! If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then this is for you. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you, Lauren Kaye, for allowing me the chance to be apart of your ARC group. It was an honor to read and review your book.
Happy reading! 📖
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. You can feel the love and hard work that Lauren Kaye poured into this book. From the beginning, the plot captures you and holds your attention to the end. I have to say, I thought I picked out the bad guy but I was horribly wrong, and I have to say I’m grateful because I would’ve been devastated if I had been right.
Ivy is the perfect protagonist, leading lady. Basil is a wonderful addition to the story, the way he links Ivy to her aunt and the history of the apothecary is such a wonderful link in the story. Cozy mysteries are always better with at least one animal intertwined into the story. Seb, Sarah, Rose, and all the characters each add significant depth to the story and leave the reader wanting to know more about them. I cannot wait to see where this series leads us. So many stories lie ahead of us and I cannot wait!
Overall, I highly recommend this book! If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then this is for you. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you, Lauren Kaye, for allowing me the chance to be apart of your ARC group. It was an honor to read and review your book.
Happy reading! 📖
June 17, 2026
Genuinely really enjoyed that, and I love it when I get the whodunnit right. It makes me feel smart (call me Jessica Fletcher).
September 7, 2025
A Deadly Bloom is everything you could want from a village mystery novel.
- cosy setting
- nosy neighbours
- everyone knowing everyone else's business.
The story follows Ivy, relative newcomer to the town of Thornwick Green as she takes on the business of her late aunt, Millie; an apothecary shop selling natural remedies. However, not everyone in the village is happy with her arrival, and there are those who believe her to be inexperienced and therefore dangerous.
When Ivy finds one such villager lying unresponsive on the village green one morning, with a distinct smell of Deadly nightshade in a teacup from her own apothecary in Enid's hand, a race ensues to find the real culprit before Ivy is accused. Along with a group from the village she's come to form friendships with, they work to uncover the true identity and save Ivy's name and reputation.
This was a fun read that had be guessing alongside the gang who it could possibly be. I did have my suspicions but remained surprised by the reveal at the end. The characters were all very likeable and the story was well paced. The star of the show for me was Ivy's cat, Basil and his (mostly) keen intuition!
Thoroughly looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you to Lauren Kaye for offering me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- cosy setting
- nosy neighbours
- everyone knowing everyone else's business.
The story follows Ivy, relative newcomer to the town of Thornwick Green as she takes on the business of her late aunt, Millie; an apothecary shop selling natural remedies. However, not everyone in the village is happy with her arrival, and there are those who believe her to be inexperienced and therefore dangerous.
When Ivy finds one such villager lying unresponsive on the village green one morning, with a distinct smell of Deadly nightshade in a teacup from her own apothecary in Enid's hand, a race ensues to find the real culprit before Ivy is accused. Along with a group from the village she's come to form friendships with, they work to uncover the true identity and save Ivy's name and reputation.
This was a fun read that had be guessing alongside the gang who it could possibly be. I did have my suspicions but remained surprised by the reveal at the end. The characters were all very likeable and the story was well paced. The star of the show for me was Ivy's cat, Basil and his (mostly) keen intuition!
Thoroughly looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you to Lauren Kaye for offering me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2025
First of all, I’d like to thank the author, as I received an ARC copy of this book.
Now, on to the review! I had a blast reading this book. From the FMC, Ivy Blackthorn, to the setting itself - everything was well written and the details were given made me feel like I was walking through the story with her.
I love apothecaries (I’ve played as one in DnD, even) - and seeing as Ivy is one I was super excited to read this. The book starts off at a meandering pace but picks up speed until you are snowballing right into a murder mystery. I think the thing I most enjoyed was that there wasn’t much gore and viscera present in the book which helped me focus more on the plot than cringing away from disturbing imagery.
In order to keep from spoiling, I’ll refrain from saying too much more… but for fans of the mystery genre who love solving puzzles and figuring out who dunnit- this is the book for you. And for folks who loved the Apothecary Diaries? I’d say this would be a great addition to your TBR!
Now, on to the review! I had a blast reading this book. From the FMC, Ivy Blackthorn, to the setting itself - everything was well written and the details were given made me feel like I was walking through the story with her.
I love apothecaries (I’ve played as one in DnD, even) - and seeing as Ivy is one I was super excited to read this. The book starts off at a meandering pace but picks up speed until you are snowballing right into a murder mystery. I think the thing I most enjoyed was that there wasn’t much gore and viscera present in the book which helped me focus more on the plot than cringing away from disturbing imagery.
In order to keep from spoiling, I’ll refrain from saying too much more… but for fans of the mystery genre who love solving puzzles and figuring out who dunnit- this is the book for you. And for folks who loved the Apothecary Diaries? I’d say this would be a great addition to your TBR!
August 13, 2025
I had the best time reading this cosy crime mystery!
The characters are so well-rounded and (mostly) likeable. Protagonist Ivy has recently moved from a corporate job in the city to set up a herbal remedies shop in the quiet village of Thornwick Green. The book runs with the idea of slowing things down, of living with nature instead of against it, and of community.
Apart from the intriguing plot line, the thing that stood out to me the most was the world building and imagery which was so vivid. Set during Springtime in the gorgeously cosy & small village of Thornwick Green, the vibes are perfectly aesthetic. I was picturing the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water a lot of the time, idyllic and charming, until...
Honestly feel like this would be a gorgeous tv series too. It reminded me of cosy crime/mystery series and would lend itself so well to the screen!
If you're a fan of cats, Basil the ginger tom is here for you! More than a typical pet, Basil is a hero! I loved the Basil scenes, and could easily picture him lazing around in the sunshine, but always being there when needed - almost like a familiar!
A Deadly Bloom should be your next read if you're a fan of Gilmore Girls and/or the Dream Harbour series. If you like charming village mysteries and plenty of suspense, this one's for you! That is, if the cover isn't gorgeous enough to entice you anyway!
The characters are so well-rounded and (mostly) likeable. Protagonist Ivy has recently moved from a corporate job in the city to set up a herbal remedies shop in the quiet village of Thornwick Green. The book runs with the idea of slowing things down, of living with nature instead of against it, and of community.
Apart from the intriguing plot line, the thing that stood out to me the most was the world building and imagery which was so vivid. Set during Springtime in the gorgeously cosy & small village of Thornwick Green, the vibes are perfectly aesthetic. I was picturing the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water a lot of the time, idyllic and charming, until...
Honestly feel like this would be a gorgeous tv series too. It reminded me of cosy crime/mystery series and would lend itself so well to the screen!
If you're a fan of cats, Basil the ginger tom is here for you! More than a typical pet, Basil is a hero! I loved the Basil scenes, and could easily picture him lazing around in the sunshine, but always being there when needed - almost like a familiar!
A Deadly Bloom should be your next read if you're a fan of Gilmore Girls and/or the Dream Harbour series. If you like charming village mysteries and plenty of suspense, this one's for you! That is, if the cover isn't gorgeous enough to entice you anyway!
June 28, 2026
A huge thank you to Whimsy Words PR and the author Lauren Kaye for the opportunity to read The Village Apothecary Mysteries.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was my very first dabble into the wonderful world of the cosy mystery genre and luckily enough I got to read book 1 Deadly Bloom and book 2 Solistice Secrets back to back.
Consider me a new member of the cosy mystery club. I absolutely LOVED both books. They were so easy to read and a little addictive in the sense that I was desperate to find out if I’d solved the who done it mystery…I’m now considering a career in crime solving 😂
I loved the atmospheric setting of the books. The world building was so well written that I could totally picture the village of Thornwick Green, I likened it in my mind to Stow-on-the-wold or Bourton-on-the-water which bought on lots of nostalgic feelings which I loved.
Both books offer interesting plot lines with easy to follow stories full of great characters. There are a lot of characters introduced and often quite quickly so at times I had to go back and just put it all together in my mind.
The Village Apothecary Mysteries off so much to us as the readers, fun, mystery, a hint of suspense and a smidge of romance. I genuinely looked forward to ending my day with these books.
P.S I’m not a cat lover but Basil you’ve won me over❤️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was my very first dabble into the wonderful world of the cosy mystery genre and luckily enough I got to read book 1 Deadly Bloom and book 2 Solistice Secrets back to back.
Consider me a new member of the cosy mystery club. I absolutely LOVED both books. They were so easy to read and a little addictive in the sense that I was desperate to find out if I’d solved the who done it mystery…I’m now considering a career in crime solving 😂
I loved the atmospheric setting of the books. The world building was so well written that I could totally picture the village of Thornwick Green, I likened it in my mind to Stow-on-the-wold or Bourton-on-the-water which bought on lots of nostalgic feelings which I loved.
Both books offer interesting plot lines with easy to follow stories full of great characters. There are a lot of characters introduced and often quite quickly so at times I had to go back and just put it all together in my mind.
The Village Apothecary Mysteries off so much to us as the readers, fun, mystery, a hint of suspense and a smidge of romance. I genuinely looked forward to ending my day with these books.
P.S I’m not a cat lover but Basil you’ve won me over❤️
July 30, 2025
Firstly thank you to the author for allowing me to read this ARC!
I loved this book. The mystery, cosiness, romance and an animal companion😍 I will admit it started slow but the build-up to the big reveal was worth it. This is a cosy read, not a huge book but honestly, it didn't need to be it was perfect and one that I would recommend for anyone in a reading slump.
This reminded me of a mixture of the shows, Midsummer Murders (classic),
Rosemary & Thyme (underrated) and a mix of Agatha Christie shows and novels.
The characters were very well written, and you could tell the author knew what she was writing about being an apothecary and the character giving out plant wisdom. I was kept guessing as to who the killer was and I enjoyed it so much because I was completely wrong on who it was.
Even though I am not a cat person I would die for Basil, Ivy's companion and pet that she inherited from her late great-aunt as well as the apothecary.
I could picture myself in the story in the Cotswolds sitting with a nice cup of tea and a book.
Thank you, Lauren Kaye, again for allowing me the chance to be a part of your ARC group. It was an honour to read and review your book.
The book will be available to purchase on 15th August or you can preorder now.
Happy Reading 💙😺
I loved this book. The mystery, cosiness, romance and an animal companion😍 I will admit it started slow but the build-up to the big reveal was worth it. This is a cosy read, not a huge book but honestly, it didn't need to be it was perfect and one that I would recommend for anyone in a reading slump.
This reminded me of a mixture of the shows, Midsummer Murders (classic),
Rosemary & Thyme (underrated) and a mix of Agatha Christie shows and novels.
The characters were very well written, and you could tell the author knew what she was writing about being an apothecary and the character giving out plant wisdom. I was kept guessing as to who the killer was and I enjoyed it so much because I was completely wrong on who it was.
Even though I am not a cat person I would die for Basil, Ivy's companion and pet that she inherited from her late great-aunt as well as the apothecary.
I could picture myself in the story in the Cotswolds sitting with a nice cup of tea and a book.
Thank you, Lauren Kaye, again for allowing me the chance to be a part of your ARC group. It was an honour to read and review your book.
The book will be available to purchase on 15th August or you can preorder now.
Happy Reading 💙😺
August 20, 2025
There’s cosy, and then there’s set-in-a-cottage-in-an-English-village cosy…and what is an English village without mystery and intrigue?
Ivy is a pharmaceutical researcher turned village apothecary. After inheriting her great-aunt’s cottage, garden and cat Basil, she has recovered from corporate burnout and is content.
But there’s trouble brewing in the town, with decades old grievances coming into play. Following the poisoning of the local busybody, suspicion falls on Ivy and her sense of belonging is seriously challenged.
This book is filled with larger than life characters, many with very strong opinions. It is an homage - even a love letter - to village life. It is a story of found family and healing, where Basil the ginger cat is the true star of the show.
While the book is primarily a mystery, the ruggedly handsome vet provides a love interest for Ivy. It’s a slow burn, spice free romance that goes no further than a kiss.
This is the beginning of a series focused on this village and I am so excited to read more in this little world. I highly recommend it for fans of cosy reads, English villages, mysteries and heroic ginger cats.
Ivy is a pharmaceutical researcher turned village apothecary. After inheriting her great-aunt’s cottage, garden and cat Basil, she has recovered from corporate burnout and is content.
But there’s trouble brewing in the town, with decades old grievances coming into play. Following the poisoning of the local busybody, suspicion falls on Ivy and her sense of belonging is seriously challenged.
This book is filled with larger than life characters, many with very strong opinions. It is an homage - even a love letter - to village life. It is a story of found family and healing, where Basil the ginger cat is the true star of the show.
While the book is primarily a mystery, the ruggedly handsome vet provides a love interest for Ivy. It’s a slow burn, spice free romance that goes no further than a kiss.
This is the beginning of a series focused on this village and I am so excited to read more in this little world. I highly recommend it for fans of cosy reads, English villages, mysteries and heroic ginger cats.
July 27, 2025
I received this arc and this is my voluntarily honest opinion.
This is a mystery story with a touch of romance but can't quite place it as cozy as I'm really not sure about the specifications. There's Ivy (her name suits her) who runs the village apothecary after her aunt left it to her. Running through her daily routine, familiarising with the village's occupants while making new friends, she finds herself pointed as the potential attempted murdered against Enid, a critic always accusing her of not knowing what she's doing with her dangerous plants.
I really liked the flow of the author's writing and the story was truly interesting. In the end I was quite surprised when I found out who the attempted murderer was. I gave this story 4 stars instead of 5 because there were some inconsistencies that didn't make sense to me, though there were minors and didn't diminish my fun reading it. Hence why I finished it in one day.
I definitely recommend it and surely I'll be waiting for the next story to come out.
This is a mystery story with a touch of romance but can't quite place it as cozy as I'm really not sure about the specifications. There's Ivy (her name suits her) who runs the village apothecary after her aunt left it to her. Running through her daily routine, familiarising with the village's occupants while making new friends, she finds herself pointed as the potential attempted murdered against Enid, a critic always accusing her of not knowing what she's doing with her dangerous plants.
I really liked the flow of the author's writing and the story was truly interesting. In the end I was quite surprised when I found out who the attempted murderer was. I gave this story 4 stars instead of 5 because there were some inconsistencies that didn't make sense to me, though there were minors and didn't diminish my fun reading it. Hence why I finished it in one day.
I definitely recommend it and surely I'll be waiting for the next story to come out.
August 15, 2025
I read an ARC of this cozy mystery and enjoyed the premise: a former pharmaceutical researcher inherits her aunt’s herbal apothecary and a cat that can sense good and bad intentions. The small-town setting is richly described with small, independently-owned businesses, whose owners we meet. The MC is working to build a sense of home, while she builds trust in the community with her herbal remedies. Some townspeople embrace her work, others are skeptical, which builds tension.
That said, the beginning was crowded with too many characters introduced too fast, making it hard to settle into the story, and the tone shifts between old-town-vibe and google search modern. The writing sometimes leans on clichés and repetitive inner thoughts, plus a budding romance established too quickly, and the mystery tension eased when I guessed who early on.
If you like small-town mysteries with a botanical twist and a touch of feline intuition, this series is worth checking out. The apothecary offers lots of room to explore herbal lore, community secrets, and even magical realism.
That said, the beginning was crowded with too many characters introduced too fast, making it hard to settle into the story, and the tone shifts between old-town-vibe and google search modern. The writing sometimes leans on clichés and repetitive inner thoughts, plus a budding romance established too quickly, and the mystery tension eased when I guessed who early on.
If you like small-town mysteries with a botanical twist and a touch of feline intuition, this series is worth checking out. The apothecary offers lots of room to explore herbal lore, community secrets, and even magical realism.
September 16, 2026
This was my first ever cozy mystery and because of this book I have fallen in love with this genre and especially this series!
Im so glad that I was able to arc read this book. Because this book opend my eyes to a new genre, a new favorite series and a new favorite author!
Laren has written an incredible book that takes you on a journey you dont want to end. She captured me immediately and I was drawn in, wanting to solve the mystery at once. And along the way I fell in love with the story, the characters, especially Basil, the found family and of course the thrilling mystery that kept me from putting the book down.
The feelings in this book are so precious and you really feel all the love and effort Lauren has put into this. I had such a good time reading this. Fantastic writing and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
An absolute favorite ❤️
Im so glad that I was able to arc read this book. Because this book opend my eyes to a new genre, a new favorite series and a new favorite author!
Laren has written an incredible book that takes you on a journey you dont want to end. She captured me immediately and I was drawn in, wanting to solve the mystery at once. And along the way I fell in love with the story, the characters, especially Basil, the found family and of course the thrilling mystery that kept me from putting the book down.
The feelings in this book are so precious and you really feel all the love and effort Lauren has put into this. I had such a good time reading this. Fantastic writing and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
An absolute favorite ❤️
June 25, 2026
This cosy mystery novel has been a real change of pace from my recent reading, which (as usual) has leaned more heavily towards fantasy, dystopian sci-fi and YA thrillers. In comparison, this book felt like a warm, soothing cup of chamomile tea, from the protagonist, Ivy.
Having fled the pressures of pharmaceutical sciences, Ivy turns her botanical expertise towards holistic healing practices, becoming the village Apothecary for the small settlement of Thornwick Green, an idyllic rural spot in the Cotswalds.
When an elderly resident is poisoned with precision, all signs point to Ivy being the culprit. She must work together with her new friends to solve the attempted murder and find the real perpetrator before her reputation is ruined. Mixed in with this is a slow-burning romantic arc between Ivy and the charming village vet, Seb, who wants nothing more than to help Ivy (and the rest of the villagers) feel safe and secure in their cosy homes, once more.
A lovely start to what I'm sure will be a fab series! 4.5 ⭐
Thanks to WhimsyWordsPR and the author for the review copy of this book.
Having fled the pressures of pharmaceutical sciences, Ivy turns her botanical expertise towards holistic healing practices, becoming the village Apothecary for the small settlement of Thornwick Green, an idyllic rural spot in the Cotswalds.
When an elderly resident is poisoned with precision, all signs point to Ivy being the culprit. She must work together with her new friends to solve the attempted murder and find the real perpetrator before her reputation is ruined. Mixed in with this is a slow-burning romantic arc between Ivy and the charming village vet, Seb, who wants nothing more than to help Ivy (and the rest of the villagers) feel safe and secure in their cosy homes, once more.
A lovely start to what I'm sure will be a fab series! 4.5 ⭐
Thanks to WhimsyWordsPR and the author for the review copy of this book.
August 22, 2025
This was a great cosy mystery by Lauren Kaye.
I enjoyed the characters and the story felt like it moved through at a great pace. The setting was cute and appropriate and added to the cosy feel.
I did feel frustrated at times with the MC for some of her choices because it felt like the result of actions/choices would be obvious. However, without that the story would have been very short so it did serve a purpose.
I suspected the villain quite early on using Dwight Schrute’s method of who do I most medium suspect but it was still interesting watching it play out and have confirmation.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book, I am leaving a review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the characters and the story felt like it moved through at a great pace. The setting was cute and appropriate and added to the cosy feel.
I did feel frustrated at times with the MC for some of her choices because it felt like the result of actions/choices would be obvious. However, without that the story would have been very short so it did serve a purpose.
I suspected the villain quite early on using Dwight Schrute’s method of who do I most medium suspect but it was still interesting watching it play out and have confirmation.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book, I am leaving a review voluntarily.
June 28, 2026
‘A Deadly Bloom’ is book one in 'The Village Apothecary Mysteries' series. For a short book, this has a lot of backstory and the storyline isn’t rushed at all, there is a lot of build up which kept me in engaged.
As a plant lover myself, I was loving all of the details on the plants and I loved how the plants played a part in the mystery, all of the characters are likeable and for me it was like a fun puzzle trying to figure out whose behind the crime. I loved reading Ivys story and living in the Cotswold myself, I can confirm it is truly as beautiful as it is explained.
If you fancy a quick mystery based around modern science, plants and atmospheric scenery then add this to your TBR.
As a plant lover myself, I was loving all of the details on the plants and I loved how the plants played a part in the mystery, all of the characters are likeable and for me it was like a fun puzzle trying to figure out whose behind the crime. I loved reading Ivys story and living in the Cotswold myself, I can confirm it is truly as beautiful as it is explained.
If you fancy a quick mystery based around modern science, plants and atmospheric scenery then add this to your TBR.
August 26, 2026
Cosy mystery, with small town, found family and slow burn! Its a short read and perfect for in between fantasy and heavy hitting books!
Altho saying that it still keeps you turning the page! I loved Basil 🐈 what a cutie and the way I'm a sucker for an animal sidekick! Especially a protective one!
And the slow burn between Seb and Ivy. He is all the Green 💚 Flags!
You also have all the support Ivy receives from her friends. All rally around for each other. Its such a feel good cosy book, like a hug in a book and helps chill the brain! But at the same time at parts it had me on the edge of my seat, panicking what was going to happen next! Just a perfect mix!
Altho saying that it still keeps you turning the page! I loved Basil 🐈 what a cutie and the way I'm a sucker for an animal sidekick! Especially a protective one!
And the slow burn between Seb and Ivy. He is all the Green 💚 Flags!
You also have all the support Ivy receives from her friends. All rally around for each other. Its such a feel good cosy book, like a hug in a book and helps chill the brain! But at the same time at parts it had me on the edge of my seat, panicking what was going to happen next! Just a perfect mix!
August 15, 2025
I absolutely love cozy mystery books. They are a guilty pleasure, and I can read them all the time. So when I got this one, it was a nice change to the dark romance I have been reading.
This is my first book by Lauren Kaye, and she left an incredible impression!
I was hooked from the beginning, and I kept guessing as to who the villain was. lol I love when books have me like that, it's fun!
Anywho, Kaye did a fantastic job in her writing, her details, her characters, everything! Like I said, she left an impression on me!
Thank you so much for writing this incredible, cozy mystery ✨️
This is my first book by Lauren Kaye, and she left an incredible impression!
I was hooked from the beginning, and I kept guessing as to who the villain was. lol I love when books have me like that, it's fun!
Anywho, Kaye did a fantastic job in her writing, her details, her characters, everything! Like I said, she left an impression on me!
Thank you so much for writing this incredible, cozy mystery ✨️
July 2, 2025
A well written cozy mystery. Easy reading the story flowed nicely from one chapter to the next.
As you read each chapter you saw Ivy’s character grow. There is a bit of everything intrigue, mystery, potential love interest forming and oh my goodness the unexpected. The story is set in a quintessential English village where everyone knows everyone or do they!!!
Lauren Kaye
As you read each chapter you saw Ivy’s character grow. There is a bit of everything intrigue, mystery, potential love interest forming and oh my goodness the unexpected. The story is set in a quintessential English village where everyone knows everyone or do they!!!
Lauren Kaye
July 4, 2025
Another new to me author that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ms Kaye writes a well thought out book with real good characters that are a joy to meet and which I hope to read more of.
Also writes a well thought out plot. One that I couldn't figure out the culprit. I always enjoy being stumped!
I am happy to be an advanced reader for Ms Kaye, and can honestly recommend this book.
Ms Kaye writes a well thought out book with real good characters that are a joy to meet and which I hope to read more of.
Also writes a well thought out plot. One that I couldn't figure out the culprit. I always enjoy being stumped!
I am happy to be an advanced reader for Ms Kaye, and can honestly recommend this book.
June 30, 2026
My gosh what a cute and cosy experience! The descriptive language used for all the different varieties of plants makes this such a sweet read, and really sets the atmosphere! Mix in a slow burning romance and a little mystery and it’s the perfect combination, and I cannot wait to dive into the next one!
August 14, 2025
A perfectly cozy mystery! You can tell the author did her research on plants and put a lot of work into building the narrative. There’s a super sweet romance here too, as well as reflections on belonging and finding your place.
July 4, 2026
I enjoyed this one! A cute cozy mystery with easy to love characters. I wasn’t able to guess the “whodunnit” aspect of the story and I feel like there were a couple different mysteries that were taking place at the same time. I wish I could have seen some development between Ivy and Seb though.
July 12, 2025
Nice, cozy mystery!
The story was well compiled and flows well. It did seem to be a little slow at times, but the ending had a nice twist and a happy ending! Overall great read!
The story was well compiled and flows well. It did seem to be a little slow at times, but the ending had a nice twist and a happy ending! Overall great read!
July 20, 2025
I was originally drawn to this book after seeing it advertised as a cosy, mystery and this definitely delivered on that front. This book is steeped in all things cosy village life where everybody knows each other… and their secrets.
This is quite a short novel at only 220 pages and so we get into the story and all its happenings quite quickly. Side characters are set up very well and we sharp get to know who’s who as the mystery unfolds. I do wish this had been a little bit longer so that certain plot points could have maybe been fleshed out a little more though. It did feel a little rushed in places.
I did anticipate this being a little predictable and still in terms of the mystery/thriller side but I was actually pleasantly surprised. I’ve read a lot of books in this genre so thought I had it in the bag of who was the culprit but for the first time in a while I was actually shocked by the outcome!
If there’s one way to make a mystery story in the Cotswolds even cosier it’s to add a little ginger cat! I absolutely loved Basil the cat - such main character energy and so much personality in one little guy 😂 I loved his role in uncovering the culprit and am very much looking forward to more Basil content in the next instalments!
I fully recommend this to anybody who wants a nice easy read full of cosy, botanical, village life vibes!! 🌿
This is quite a short novel at only 220 pages and so we get into the story and all its happenings quite quickly. Side characters are set up very well and we sharp get to know who’s who as the mystery unfolds. I do wish this had been a little bit longer so that certain plot points could have maybe been fleshed out a little more though. It did feel a little rushed in places.
I did anticipate this being a little predictable and still in terms of the mystery/thriller side but I was actually pleasantly surprised. I’ve read a lot of books in this genre so thought I had it in the bag of who was the culprit but for the first time in a while I was actually shocked by the outcome!
If there’s one way to make a mystery story in the Cotswolds even cosier it’s to add a little ginger cat! I absolutely loved Basil the cat - such main character energy and so much personality in one little guy 😂 I loved his role in uncovering the culprit and am very much looking forward to more Basil content in the next instalments!
I fully recommend this to anybody who wants a nice easy read full of cosy, botanical, village life vibes!! 🌿
June 29, 2026
@laurenkayebooks you have given me laughs, tension, pure ADDICTION needing to see if my predictions were correct... And I'm not gonna lie, the minute I started book one, it gave me serious "Hot Fuzz" vibes with this unhinged village community 😂
For lovers of thrillers, mystery, crime... You'd love these!
We have;
🥹 Found family
😱 Murder
🥰 A slow burn romance (spice free)
🤔 Betrayal
🥸 Who-done-it
Think Cluedo, Hot Fuzz... And a really sweet-hearted FMC who is top clever for these fools! 💃🏻 I had to do a little doodle of her, because we love her 🫶🏻🌸
I really enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For lovers of thrillers, mystery, crime... You'd love these!
We have;
🥹 Found family
😱 Murder
🥰 A slow burn romance (spice free)
🤔 Betrayal
🥸 Who-done-it
Think Cluedo, Hot Fuzz... And a really sweet-hearted FMC who is top clever for these fools! 💃🏻 I had to do a little doodle of her, because we love her 🫶🏻🌸
I really enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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