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Murdered by the Blooms
Murder and Romance, Chaos and Destruction
Welcome to Willow Springs where fall is in full swing, romance is in the air, and someone has murder on their mind.
Amanda Edwards, the owner of Blossoms & Blooms flower shop, loves Halloween and decorating her store’s window for the town’s annual holiday contest is at the forefront of her mind. With the help of her sister, Jillian, they create a prizeworthy display, but it isn’t long before everything goes awry.
Ominous predictions from a clairvoyant aunt warn of impending danger. A crazed stalker sends menacing poems to Amanda. Is this just a sick Halloween prank? When her store is vandalized more than once and a dead body is found in the alley behind the shop, Amanda realizes the danger is real. Much to the dismay of the lead detective, she and Jillian must put their heads together to help solve these latest mysteries.
Chaos and murder aren’t the only things feeding the Willow Springs rumor mill. Gossip of romance and marriage in the Edwards family has tongues wagging. With Aunt Grace’s wedding just a few weeks away, Amanda’s boyfriend, Sam, returns from a long trip abroad with a romantic plan of his own. People also can’t help noticing two newcomers who arrive in town, behaving strangely, and casting suspicions in their direction.
As the body count rises, Amanda and Jillian are thrust into the center of the investigation. Will the culprit be unmasked before anyone else gets hurt—or worse? Will love conquer all amidst the death and destruction?
Welcome to Willow Springs where fall is in full swing, romance is in the air, and someone has murder on their mind.
Amanda Edwards, the owner of Blossoms & Blooms flower shop, loves Halloween and decorating her store’s window for the town’s annual holiday contest is at the forefront of her mind. With the help of her sister, Jillian, they create a prizeworthy display, but it isn’t long before everything goes awry.
Ominous predictions from a clairvoyant aunt warn of impending danger. A crazed stalker sends menacing poems to Amanda. Is this just a sick Halloween prank? When her store is vandalized more than once and a dead body is found in the alley behind the shop, Amanda realizes the danger is real. Much to the dismay of the lead detective, she and Jillian must put their heads together to help solve these latest mysteries.
Chaos and murder aren’t the only things feeding the Willow Springs rumor mill. Gossip of romance and marriage in the Edwards family has tongues wagging. With Aunt Grace’s wedding just a few weeks away, Amanda’s boyfriend, Sam, returns from a long trip abroad with a romantic plan of his own. People also can’t help noticing two newcomers who arrive in town, behaving strangely, and casting suspicions in their direction.
As the body count rises, Amanda and Jillian are thrust into the center of the investigation. Will the culprit be unmasked before anyone else gets hurt—or worse? Will love conquer all amidst the death and destruction?
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 29, 2025
This second book in Jodi Casstevens-Short’s Willow Springs cosy mystery series is a worthy follow up to the first, with bodies, near deaths, mysterious threats, red herrings and a generous helping of romance. Also, again, humour and lots of yummy food – I swear I put on kilos just reading it!
We’re a year on from Murdered by the Books and things are quiet in Willow Springs. Jillian’s bookstore is thriving, as is her relationship with hunky firefighter Travis. Jillian’s two sisters are doing well too – Amanda with her florist shop and Cate at the bakery.
That is, until Amanda’s Halloween window display is vandalised and – worse – her flower delivery man, Rick, is found dead in his van behind her store. The police believe it’s suicide but Amanda’s not so sure. Meanwhile, awful things keep happening to Amanda and those around her, and someone is leaving ghastly, threatening poems on the Roses are Red theme, but with none of the Sugar is Sweet lines. And then there’s dear Aunt Grace with her vivid, and disturbing visions.
Someone believes Amanda has something – or someone – she shouldn’t have, but what? Or who?
Jillian’s detective feelers are on full alert. She wants to investigate, to ‘help out’ her best friend’s policeman husband. While he manages to keep her on a slightly tighter rein this time, the interactions between the two are part of the engaging fun of the tale.
Ms Short keeps the pace up and the pressure on from chapter one to the end. Her ability to deliver the cliffhanger end-of-chapter remains intact, meaning, well, you just have to turn that next page, don’t you? The plot twists and turns, the suspects accumulate, and the ending is an ‘Ah’ moment. You won’t see it coming, but it makes perfect sense!
Excellent reading, well done Ms Short. I believe book three is on its way.
We’re a year on from Murdered by the Books and things are quiet in Willow Springs. Jillian’s bookstore is thriving, as is her relationship with hunky firefighter Travis. Jillian’s two sisters are doing well too – Amanda with her florist shop and Cate at the bakery.
That is, until Amanda’s Halloween window display is vandalised and – worse – her flower delivery man, Rick, is found dead in his van behind her store. The police believe it’s suicide but Amanda’s not so sure. Meanwhile, awful things keep happening to Amanda and those around her, and someone is leaving ghastly, threatening poems on the Roses are Red theme, but with none of the Sugar is Sweet lines. And then there’s dear Aunt Grace with her vivid, and disturbing visions.
Someone believes Amanda has something – or someone – she shouldn’t have, but what? Or who?
Jillian’s detective feelers are on full alert. She wants to investigate, to ‘help out’ her best friend’s policeman husband. While he manages to keep her on a slightly tighter rein this time, the interactions between the two are part of the engaging fun of the tale.
Ms Short keeps the pace up and the pressure on from chapter one to the end. Her ability to deliver the cliffhanger end-of-chapter remains intact, meaning, well, you just have to turn that next page, don’t you? The plot twists and turns, the suspects accumulate, and the ending is an ‘Ah’ moment. You won’t see it coming, but it makes perfect sense!
Excellent reading, well done Ms Short. I believe book three is on its way.
October 9, 2025
This second installment in the series is pure comfort w/ a clever/twisty heart. The mystery is satisfying/well-paced…but what really makes this book sing are its people! The series continues to have a familiar/warm setting as well as the small/perfectly observed moments that make a cozy mystery feel like home.
Aunt Grace steals every scene she is in… the descriptions of her (from her outfits to her visions to her mannerisms) are so vivid that she practically steps off the page. It is the kind of character work that deepens the whole book.
The family dynamic… especially during the big meals… is a highlight. The author captures the beautiful noise/intimacy of a large family — overlapping conversations… unspoken history… plenty of warmth. It makes you root for all the characters in the big community of friends/family.
I loved all the romantic relationships to cheer for — they feel genuine/well-drawn. They also add an extra layer of investment beyond the whodunit. The cast of new characters introduced here are lively/distinct… each one brings new texture.
I thought I had things partially figured out halfway thru… but the ending surprised me again this time! It is smart/unexpected/completely satisfying w/o betraying the cozy tone.
If you read the first book and loved the characters… this builds nicely on that foundation. If you are new to the series… it is inviting/character-forward enough to not require the first… but it was so good… you should read it anyway! This book is warm/witty/cleverly plotted — a lovely cozy mystery that is hard to put down… I read in one day!
Aunt Grace steals every scene she is in… the descriptions of her (from her outfits to her visions to her mannerisms) are so vivid that she practically steps off the page. It is the kind of character work that deepens the whole book.
The family dynamic… especially during the big meals… is a highlight. The author captures the beautiful noise/intimacy of a large family — overlapping conversations… unspoken history… plenty of warmth. It makes you root for all the characters in the big community of friends/family.
I loved all the romantic relationships to cheer for — they feel genuine/well-drawn. They also add an extra layer of investment beyond the whodunit. The cast of new characters introduced here are lively/distinct… each one brings new texture.
I thought I had things partially figured out halfway thru… but the ending surprised me again this time! It is smart/unexpected/completely satisfying w/o betraying the cozy tone.
If you read the first book and loved the characters… this builds nicely on that foundation. If you are new to the series… it is inviting/character-forward enough to not require the first… but it was so good… you should read it anyway! This book is warm/witty/cleverly plotted — a lovely cozy mystery that is hard to put down… I read in one day!
October 15, 2025
Loved this book every bit as much as the first in the series - even more, if that's possible! Jodi Casstevens-Short still has that whimsical style I fell in love with in her first book. Fur babies are still major characters, and this time around there are even more plot twists and red herrings. You get a little bit of everything, including cranky neighbors, romance, and quirky family members. I was fortunate enough to form part of the launch team, so I got an advance copy of the e-book. My goal was to pace myself and finish the book the day before the official launch. What was I thinking?! For starters, that kind of discipline would mean giving up my bookworm card! I raced through it in two days and am looking forward to a leisurely re-read in the near future. My only complaint....Jodi, can you please write a little faster? I don't want to wait too long for your third novel!!
October 14, 2025
Reading book two in this series is like visiting old friends. Though it can be read as a standalone, stepping back into Willow Springs but focusing on sister Amanda instead of Jillian, feels like we picked up right where we left off. And just as before, Jodi Casstevens-Short imbues her characters with warmth and humor. You get just enough clues to keep you guessing who the villain is, but also enough red herrings to prevent you from figuring things out too soon. Read this book. You'll enjoy it.
October 17, 2025
While this is the 2nd book in the Williw Springs series it can be read as a stand. However, I can guarantee you will want to read book 1.
Murdered by the Blooms is an enjoyable, cozy mystery with a bit of romance and some twists thrown in. The characters are developed in such a way as to make you feel you know them. I also loved that the fur babies were more "visible " in this story. Can't wait to see what's up next in Willow Springs.
Murdered by the Blooms is an enjoyable, cozy mystery with a bit of romance and some twists thrown in. The characters are developed in such a way as to make you feel you know them. I also loved that the fur babies were more "visible " in this story. Can't wait to see what's up next in Willow Springs.
October 13, 2025
Jodi Casstevens-Short's second book is just as entertaining as her first in the series. I love how we get to know these characters even better. Her description of the characters makes you feel as you know them. With being a dog lover I truly enjoyed that some of the new characters are fur babies. Looking forward to the next book in this series. You won't be disappointed with this read!
November 6, 2025
The second book in the series was, dare I say, the best one yet! Twists and turns and unexpected events kept me reading. I loved all the characters and I loved getting to know Amanda better in this book. I can’t wait for the next installment in the series!!!
October 20, 2025
Another great book. I was really looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. Could hardly put the book down, now looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews