Reeling from the loss of her fiancé and flower shop, Fiona Knox is surprised to find that her newfound inheritance—her late grandfather’s magical estate—comes with a murder mystery too Florist Fiona Knox’s life isn’t smelling so sweet these days. Her fiancé left her for their cake decorator. Then, her flower shop wilted after a chain florist opened next door. So when her godfather, … godfather, Ian MacCallister, leaves her a cottage in Scotland, Fiona jumps on the next plane to Edinburgh. Ian, after all, is the one who taught her to love flowers. But when Ian’s elderly caretaker Hamish MacGregor shows her to the cottage upon her arrival, she finds the once resplendent grounds of Duncreigan in a dreadful shambles—with a dead body in the garden.
Minutes into her arrival, Fiona is already being questioned by the handsome Chief Inspector Neil Craig and getting her passport seized. But it’s Craig’s fixation on Uncle Ian’s loyal caretaker, Hamish, as a prime suspect, that really makes her worried. As Fiona strolls the town, she quickly realizes there are a whole bouquet of suspects much more likely to have killed Alastair Croft, the dead lawyer who seems to have had more enemies than friends.
Now it’s up to Fiona to clear Hamish’s name before it’s too late in Flowers and Foul Play, USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s spellbinding first Magic Garden mystery.
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I’ve always felt Amanda Flower writes a great cozy mystery and this is no exception. All of the elements are there. A charming setting, a main character you want to root for, and a magical story to tie it all together. It was a great book and I can’t wait to see where the author takes the series next.
Full review can be found at: https://cozyexperience.com/flowers-and-foul-play-book-review/
I read this book over vacation. It was a perfect, relaxing way to entertain myself. I enjoyed the whimsy of a magic garden and the fun of transplanting a nice southern girl to a small cottage in Scotland, only for her to learn she is now the Keeper of the mourning plants and flowers, and without her care, they’d die. Finding a dead body in her grandfather’s walled, locked garden proved a bit of a shock, but hey–it introduced Fiona to the tall, handsome Chief Inspector Craig. Adding hidden treasure to the murder added to the fun. Every once in a while, when Fiona found an important clue and decided not to share it with Craig, it annoyed me. It felt gimmicky so that Craig couldn’t put pieces like the two torn yellow tickets together to follow through on questioning important suspects, but overall, the mystery was interesting and the characters likeable.
What a magical wonderful cozy mystery that sweeps you up into murder with a mystical element that keeps you enthralled throughout the book.
Fiona’s life is in a jumble and she hopes moving to Scotland to the place her GodFather left her will give her purpose and a new beginning but little did she know the his garden was special and mystical. She finds herself in the middle of a murder that for her could be dangerous or down right deadly and of course in a small village people will assume the worst about her. Will Fiona figure this mystery out and what really is going on in her garden?
This is a fun enjoyable cozy mystery that incorporates a good mystery, a little magic, great characters in an unique setting. I just loved the way the author made the village and garden so easy to imagine being right there and then the mystery was not one you figured out right from the start. 5 Stars for this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book.
I recieved this book for my honest opinion and review.
In this first book of Flowers new series we are introduced to Fiona Knox whose life has made a turn for the worse in several different ways. You see not only did her fiance leave her for someone else but she lost a place she loved dearly, her flower shop. When a missive comes saying that her godfather has passed and left her his holdings in Scotland Fiona can’t wait to get away and put things back into perspective. While checking out the grounds with the caretaker, Hamish, they find a body in the garden. Not only is finding the body shocking, but the condition that the garden is in as well. What was once a beautifully well kept place filled with blooming flowers is now a place filled with death. After the police arrive and start looking into the mans murder Fiona realizes that Hamish is their main suspect. She doesn’t believe that Hamish is the killer and she needs his help in fixing whatever has gone wrong with the garden. Follow along as Fiona digs through suspects, settles in, and looks into her grandfathers past. This was such a bewitching read, it grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end. I loved not only the setting but the set of characters, two and four-legged, that graced the pages. I felt an immediate connection with Fiona and can’t wait to see where her story leads her to next.
Flowers and Foul Play, the first Magic Garden Mystery by author Amanda Flower, introduces American Fiona Knox who has inherited a small Scottish cottage and garden from her late godfather, Ian MacCallister. The inheritance was a shock, and couldn’t have come at a better time since her fiance jilted her and she lost her business all within the same week. Even more remarkable, however, is the revelation that the garden is magical, and with Ian’s passing Fiona is now its keeper. She’s also inherited its elderly caretaker, Hamish, and it is with him that she discovers a dead body in the garden upon her arrival. Enter handsome Chief Inspector Neil Craig, and other charismatic residents of Bellewick, and you have a very charming cozy mystery, complete with murder and magic. Nicely written story, and the outcome was a surprise! A+
Flowers And Foul Play is the first book in the Magic Garden Mystery.
This is another wonderful series from the Amanda Flower.
Fiona Knox’s fiance has just broken off their engagement and she has had to close her florist shop when she receives a phone call from Alastair Croft. Croft is the estate lawyer for Ian MacCallister, Fiona’s godfather and he informs her that MacCallister has passed away and has left his cottage and land to her. She has always thought of MacCallister more as an uncle rather than a godfather and remembers many vacations to visit and how much she enjoyed being there and the beautiful garden which was always referred to as a magical garden. With nothing holding her to Tennessee she heads for Bellewick, Scotland to claim her inheritance.
Upon arriving at the cottage she finds Hamish, her godfather’s caretaker, working in the garden that seems to have died off. Hamish tells her that now that she is there the garden will come back to life with her nurturing. As they are touring the garden they find the lifeless body of Croft. As the garden is kept locked and Hamish has the key to the garden he becomes the chief suspect. Fiona has known Hamish since she was a child and sets off to prove him innocent of murdering Croft.
As Fiona begins to investigate she learns that Croft was trying to sell some coastline property to a real estate developer and many of the towns residents are against the sale as it would restrict their use of the harbor. With the help of an environmentalist group and some residents of Duncreigan, she hopes to find out who took Croft’s life.
This book is a well developed and told story with an interesting cast of characters. I will be looking forward to learning more about the residents. And maybe Fiona will find a love interest in Duncreigan.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about the magical garden, Fiona and the residents of her new home.
Wow, I loved this book. It was so fun. The characters are enchanting and I loved Duncan the Red Squirrel and Ivanhoe the Scottish Fold kitty add a whimisical touch to this magical tale. The idea of a magic garden is fun. Fiona is actually involved in two mysteries. The murder of her godfather’s attorney as well as the mystery of why she inherited Ian’s property and just what is her connection to the magical garden. I would love to read the next book in the series.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower is an intriguing beginning in a new cozy series by this author.
Fiona Knox was a strong young woman who is finding her way after two big losses in her life in Tennessee. She comes to Scotland to accept her inheritance from her godfather. On her first day there she discovers a body and so the mystery begins. I confess that I didn’t strongly connect to Fiona in this book; however, as this is the first book in a new series I didn’t feel like any of the main characters are fully developed yet. I look forward to getting to know them all better in the next book. I did enjoy the twists and turns as Fiona and Chief Inspector Neil Craig investigate the murder. The plot flowed smoothly and there were plenty of suspects who might have had a reason to want the man dead. For me, the magical garden was a plus to the story and I’m eager to know about Fiona’s legacy.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I was given a copy of Flowers and Foul Play by NetGalley for an honest review.
This is the first in a new series by Amanda Flower.
Set in Scotland, an American named Finoa Knox goes to settle the estate of her late Godfather. She is not sure if she is going to stay in Scotland or sell the property, but what happens once she arrives makes that decision.
Her first night there she discovers the body of her Godfather’s attorney in the garden. She dives right in searching for the murderer, and along the way meets the townspeople.
Flower does a great job introducing the characters and the setting. I particularly liked Hamish, Duncan, and Ivanhoe. Though the series is named Magical Garden, the magic was not overly done.
I am looking forward to reading the next adventure for Finoa.
Fiona Knox, still hurting from her unfaithful fiance and the closing of her florist shop, is confused and trying to do right by the memory of her Uncle Ian’s legacy. To her credit, she doesn’t run from the situation before her when so many things challenge and test her. Hamish, the rustic and down-to-earth caretaker of the property is a great character I enjoyed getting to know. Chief Inspector Neil Craig, is the standard police love interest – but neither he nor Fiona are quick trust one another. I like Inspector Craig’s character. There are several townspeople to fill out the cast. There are a few charming animal characters including a mischievous blue-eyed fox, a cat who adopts Fiona named Ivanhoe, and Hamish’s companion red squirrel, Duncan, who add delightful magical touches.
Duncreigan, the property Fiona inherited is a great setting and key to the story. The magical garden reminded me of The Secret Garden in the classic novel. The closest town and its people plus with the imposing cliffs complete the half magical and half secretive atmosphere.
The plot is wonderfully layered and kept my interest. The killer reveal is my favorite – nice and tense. The wrap-up was complete and leaves it open for the next adventure. The story telling is smooth and light. I enjoyed Fiona, who comes across as genuine and vulnerable yet strong. I love the magical touches. I appreciate that the potential romance may be a slow burn from early indications.
Rating: Near Perfect – Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.
Different place, different characters, but the same story .
Nicely done murder mystery with a taste of magic.
What a charming book! The heroine is believable, the mystery is interesting, and the characters surrounding her are realistic – well, the human ones are. This is, for me, a cozy mystery with that little bit of magic thrown that makes it all the more enjoyable.
I loved this first book to start off the Magic Garden series by Amanda Flower! It made me long to visit Scotland so bad. Great characters especially the little squirrel Duncan. I look forward to reading more in this series.
This was just an OK cozy mystery. Fiona travels to Scotland to collect an inheritance from her Godfather Ian. She has inherited a cottage and a magical garden. On her first day in Scotland she discovers a dead body in her garden and sets out to solve the mystery. I liked the setting and some of characters. The mystery was OK with a few surprises. The book felt like it was quickly written. There was a lot of repetition. It was a quick and easy read. I have enjoyed this author’s other books more.
Another fun mystery. Can’t wait for her next book!
My very first Amanda Flower book was Flowers and Foul Play. What a fun story to read. A magical garden in Scotland. A nosey but observant Southern gal and the serious police constable. What a recipe for a great mystery. If you like mysteries filled with humor and romance, this book is a great adventure. I can’t wait to read more.
Flowers and Foul Play is a fascinating story that takes you on an adventure in a small village in Scotland.
Fiona and the whole cast in Scotland are very likable characters especially inspector Neil, which I hope to read more of incoming books, the settings are very detailed in the story and I loved the touch of magic and the fact that I was never able to guess the killer, but I did have a few issues with the story that I hope some will be explained in coming books.
The setting is in Scotland but yet every character in Scotland seemed to talk in American language, I felt like if there were more notes of the Scottish slang it would have given it a more Scotland feel, as it is now there wasn’t enough aye, eh, naw here and there to make me believe it was in Scotland.
I liked the idea of Fiona owning a flower shop, but I had an issue when she sees the garden, it was liked it never mattered to her, someone that has a passion for flowers would show emotion when flowers are dying or even coming to life.
I also felt like a few things were left untold. You never truly find why Fiona is tied to the stone and its magic and how it all works.
Even with the issues I had, the story kept me enthralled to the end and I cannot wait for book two
When Fiona finds that her godfather has left her his cottage and land, she uses it as an excuse to flee Tenessee to rush to Scotland to hide from her mess of a life. Unfortunately she finds a little something extra in the garden that is less than desirable and she must rush to find who left the present in the garden before her godfather’s best friend is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Very interesting characters with unique personalities that were funny and charming. I am looking forward to the next book to get to know the characters even better.
Another good book from Amanda Flower – not my favorite of her books, but still great. There were some funnily written bits that had be going back a few pages to make sure I hadn’t missed something as the story progressed, which is why I’m not giving a 5-star rating, but I loved the characters, the element of magic within the story, the setting of Scotland and the outcome of the cozy mystery itself. Looking forward to the next in this series to see where the characters develop next.