Murder in Bloom

Murder in Bloom: An Unputdownable Lila Jennings Cozy Mystery

Diane Scotland

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Florist Lila Jennings becomes suspicious when the mayor of Maplewood dies under suspicious circumstances. She uncovers an embedded code in the floral orders that lead to the town’s buried secrets. With the help of pet shop owner Ethan Bell, best friend Lucy Bellweather and Officer Paul Harris, Lila is able to unravel the conspiracy and help bring justice to Maplewood.

Scotland constructs an elaborate plot that combines mystery, conspiracy and intrigue. The creation of using flowers in coded messages is original and captivating. Her characters are well written with a strong female lead, a supportive male lead and a quirky best friend. There were a few too many floral puns for me, but they fit into the theme of the story. The book ends with a budding romance and a cliffhanger, leaving the reader to want more. I recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers who enjoy conspiracies in small towns.

*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.