Floral Depravity
(A Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Berkley (October 6, 2015)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425264997
E-Book ASIN: B00SI027LY
My Review
Business is blooming, I mean booming at the Rose In Bloom Flower Shop and it just got busier. Co-owner, Audrey, is tasked with putting together the wedding bouquet for Ramble, Virginia’s elite couple. They want a themed wedding. A Middle Age wedding. It’s going to be a huge event, with everyone required to dress in authentic attire.
I’d like to say the wedding went off without a hitch, but sadly, I can’t. There’s this nasty scene when the doves are released and a hawk swoops in. Then, the groom’s father collapses and is pronounced dead at the hospital. Some say stroke, but it turns out to be death by poisoning.
There are too many suspects to name so the sheriff impulsively deputizes Audrey, enlisting her aid.
It’s a prickly time for Audrey. She just bought her late grandmother’s old cottage and the roof is literally falling in. She’s juggling two beaus, one long distance, who turns up at the wedding, and one local guy who’s working at the encampment. And now she’s donning her sleuthing hat, dodging road apples and blood thirsty mosquitos.
I learned some new trivia in this cozy. Did you know, in the Middle Ages, they used men’s urine to get the yellow dye for their clothing? “Shudders!” Makes you glad you live in this century, doesn’t it?
Ever wonder where the title sheriff came from. In the Middle ages each shire would have a reeve. Shire-reeve became sheriff.
It was fun getting to know Audrey and all of the characters in the small town of Ramble, Virginia.
When Audrey bought her grandmother’s neglected cottage, despite her friends many warnings, I just knew there would be some funny misadventures once she moved in.
It was also fun to learn the meaning behind the different flowers. It’s not just the type of flower, but the color that has different meanings. I now know I bought innapropriate flowers for some occasions. Good thing no one knew.
Learning about life in the Middle Ages was fascinating but I was convinced quickly that I wouldn’t want to live in those times. Too hard.
There are lots of colorful characters, even the ones not involved in the wedding. A love triangle but not really a love triangle. And a surprise villain. I didn’t have a clue who was behind the murder or why.
A sweet romance, lots of chuckles and surprises, and a tangled mystery. One I recommend to cozy fans.
4 Stars
Synopsis
In the latest Bridal Bouquet Shop mystery, florist Audrey Bloom creates an arrangement for a one-of-a-kind wedding, but ends up pruning a one-of-a-kind criminal…
As the co-owner of the Rose in Bloom Flower Shop, Audrey knows how to put together unique wedding bouquets, but this one takes the cake. The daughter of a local historian is getting married in a medieval-themed, hand-fasting ceremony, and Audrey is responsible for providing period-accurate blooms.
But making sure she gets her roses right turns out to be the least of Audrey’s problems. Shortly after the vows are exchanged, the father of the groom suddenly drops dead. When Audrey discovers the man’s death stems from monkshood poisoning, it’s a clear-cut case of murder. Now, faced with a suspect list that rivals the guest list, Audrey needs to root out the toxic killer…
Author Beverly Allen
Beverly Allen writes cozy mysteries with a healthy dose of comedy and sometimes a splash of romance. When not reading or writing, she enjoys cooking, crafts, home-improvement projects, and spending time with her family and four naughty, but adorable cats. She grew up and still lives, in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY.
Author Links:
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Purchase Links
Amazon
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I have 1 PRINT Copy to give away – U.S. ONLY
Entry is easy. Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and leave a comment.
You can ask the author a question. Tell us something you like about the book or cover. Let’s talk!
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Follow the tour for more fun posts!
October 6 – fuonlyknew – Review, Giveaway
October 7 – Lisa Ks Book Review – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
October 8 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Interview, Giveaway
October 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review, Giveaway
October 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
October 10 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway
October 11 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!
This cozy sounds like a fun read! I really wish I had not read how they use to make yellow dye (I’m a little disturbed… Ewww!). Other than that, I am looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
That yellow dye is why I couldn’t live back then. Or, at least it’s one reason. LOL
I love the cover, has lots of color; I love cozies as well and hope to get a chance to read this book 🙂
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
You should see the print copy. The colors are so vivid!
Love the cover! mamor69 at gmail dot com
It’s perfect for the season isn’t it!
Sounds like a good series, so I put book one on my wishlist. 🙂 booklady2007 @ gmail . com
It’s another fun cozy series, Stormi!
What a great review! I love the tagline on the cover too–a killer is about to get medieval–would definitely pick it up in a bookstore! Thank so much for the chance to win! JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you. If you spotted the print cover on a shelf, it would jump right out at you!
Book sounds great!!
jawdance@yahoo.com
It sure was fun:)
I haven’t read any books by this author, but this one sounds fantastic and I’d love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ayancey1974@gmail.com
This is a new series for me too. I can’t get enough of these cozies:)
Thanks for hosting and the wonderful review. I wish everyone could win!
Yes, I may have had a little fun with some of the medieval trivia, but it was such a fun book to write. I hope you enjoy reading it!
Thank you for this fun mystery:)
I love the trivia and enjoy sharing it. There were several things I never knew!
This does sound interesting and informative.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
And funny too!
This sounds like a great book and one I will enjoy reading. Thank you for this opportunity.
peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it!
Looks like a fun read. Cozies are always a hit.
sherry @ fundinmental My TT
You said it!
This cozy sounds delightful and unique. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
I had a lot of fun and learned some new things too.
This book sounds great. I love the cover. Cats and flowers are great.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
I know. The cats were fun and I learned some interesting things about flowers. I love flowers!
I love giveaways thanks for this opportunity
Thanks for stopping by!
I like the cover! Anything with a cat on the cover — or where a cat is featured in the book — is a big plus for me!
I never noticed cats much until I adopted one. LOL Now they are everywhere!
I love books with historical twists. I’d love to get my hands on a copy.
bonnijean dot marley at gmail
So do I!
I am alway looking for new cozy authors to enjoy. One thing that I really like about books in general is learning things that I did not know beforehand. It sounds like this author puts in the work to teach us and entertain us. The mysteries that I LOVE are the ones where I didn’t know what the next plot twist was ahead of time and I for sure was not able to figure out who the murderer was! This one looks to fit my criteria! eeyore722@gmail.com
I too enjoy learning facts along with a well spun, fun mystery:)