Murder in Bloom: An Unputdownable Lila Jennings Cozy Mystery

by Diane Scotland

Cryptic blooms. Hidden agendas. A trail of secrets leads to murder.

When plans for a beloved Maplewood festival are interrupted by the suspicious death of the town's infuriating and not so beloved mayor, florist Lila Jennings once again finds herself entangled in something far more sinister than wilting petals.

Armed with a sharp mind, an eye for symbolism, and her mischievous rescue cat, Clementine, Lila digs into a trail of coded bouquets, town secrets, and long-buried grudges.

With the help of Ethan Bell, the town’s charming pet shop owner, and her gossipy friend, Lucy, Lila must untangle a mystery rooted deep in Maplewood’s past.

But as secrets take root and danger grows, they must navigate masked galas, hidden archives, and whispered threats, because someone in town is determined to keep the truth buried… and the closer she gets, the more dangerous it becomes.

In a place where flowers can send messages and every shopkeeper has a secret, Lila’s quiet life is about to blossom into something thrilling and deadly.

Murder in Bloom is the first in a charming new cozy mystery series, perfect for fans of witty sleuths, small-town scandals, and four-legged partners in crime.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2025

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Murder in Bloom” takes place in the small town of Maplewood, where Lila Jennings runs a quaint floral shop. As the town prepares for its annual festival, excitement quickly turns to shock when the mayor is discovered dead under what can only be described as suspicious circumstances. Lila, along with her friend Ethan—the local pet shop owner—begin to follow the trail of clues that not only point to the truth behind the mayor’s death but also expose deeper corruption lurking within their local officials. While I found the overall plot fun and engaging, I struggled with one of its central components: the use of flower arrangements to send and interpret secret messages. It made sense that Lila, as a florist, would understand the symbolism, but it felt far-fetched that everyone involved in the crime would also share this specialized knowledge. Because this component was woven throughout the story, it kept me from becoming fully immersed in the mystery.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just before the town's biggest festival celebrating the history of the town, the mayor dies suspiciously. Suddenly strangers are bustling around town advising small store owners like Lila with her florist shop and Ethan with his pet shop to be careful. Is it a warning or something more sinister? Also clues are being left with flowers and who better to solve this case than a florist? Lila, her trusty cat Clementine, along with Ethan and his dog Tank, and friend Lucy are on the trail. Who killed the mayor? What history is suddenly missing from the town's files and museums? Can this mystery be solved before any of the "Scooby" gang are hurt? The reader is glued to their seat through all the twists and turns the story takes until the very end. Fantastic read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila Jennings and Ethan her friend are partnered in an unusual journey to find out the truth when a murder takes place in Maplewood . There is something sinister going on in their town. An intriguing read.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the mayor's suspicious death occurs, Lili find herself looking for clues. Lots of interesting complex characters and twists and turns, the closer she gets the more dangerous it becomes. A witty fast paced story that is a real page turner and a must read!

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town cozy mystery. Just before the town's biggest festival celebrating the history of the town, the mayor dies suspiciously. Now it’s up to Lila the town florist and Ethan the pet shop owner to work together and use the clues to solve this mystery.

[Dawn Smit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun murder mystery

The Mayor of Maplewood has been murdered just before the town's biggest festival celebrating the history of the town and with clues being left with flowers - who better to solve this case than Lila the florist - along with Ethan the pet store owner, Lila's nosy outspoken friend Lucy who never lets good gossip go astray and the adorable orange cat named Clementine.

The story is well written with lots of twists and turns and a good pace to keep you engaged in trying to solve the mystery.

I received this book as a member of the ARC team



The book had lots of twists, red herrings and a fast well written pace that kept me engaged whole trying to solve the mystery.