This winter, someone is turning to crime.A ballroom full of potential suspects.A meticulously planned murder.Diana and Fergus are both in the running for the coveted spot of ‘prime suspect’.Fergus decides the only way to clear their names and save Christmas is for them to investigate the case. He’s convinced that an ancient curse is the real killer. Diana is convinced that Fergus has lost his … the real killer. Diana is convinced that Fergus has lost his marbles.
She’s ready to prove him wrong, but when they are dragged into a maze of secrets and lies, she starts to wonder…
…Is it the perfect crime?
If you love intelligent female sleuths, hilarious sidekicks, and a proper ‘whodunnit’ mystery, you will love this book!
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A Very Entertaining Read!
Poinsettias and the Perfect Crime is the third book in the Diana Flowers series and the best one so far for me.
Once again we see Diana and Fergus use their skills to investigate the mystery of a missing diamond, which may or may not be cursed, as well as trying to determine who committed the murder. Diana also comes face to face with her childhood bully. There are plenty of twists in the tale to keep you engrossed. I sat up until 2am to find out who did it.
I love the interactions between Diana and Fergus. Even though they are like chalk and cheese, they also bring out the best in each other. There is also nothing more entertaining than a dysfunctional family get together, especially with a mother like Diana’s (I have one like her too!).
I highly recommend this series. It is funny and entertaining. Grab one now!
That was an intensely entertaining book! I loved all the conspiracy theories surrounding the main mystery. I loved that some secrets were left untold. I am really enjoying this series!
Lots of mysterious threads to unravel as theft and murder disturb the village peace!
January 7, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Just skating under 4 stars
This small-town murder mystery started out well with plenty of humor and antipathy between Diana Flowers (the MC) and Walter the local police chief (who thinks she’s too close to the local crimes not to be involved) and Cordelia the heiress (who has had it in for Diana since their school days). In this fourth (including the prequel) story in the series, the author also introduced a trio of suspect men, all with odd behavior and motives not to be trusted. Diana’s friend Fergus, the local conspiracy theorist, keeps her intimately involved in murder and theft investigations, and Diana has to keep fighting off advances from her chemist ex-boyfriend while watching her sister careening into a new romance after a short-lived marriage (to their mother’s disgust).
Many of the local characters, including the police chief and the lady members of the Murder Mystery Fan Club, bring zaniness and cozy humor to this holiday whodunit. Diana’s relationship with Fergus strengthens as she learns bits and pieces about his secretive professional life. However, I did not enjoy this story as much as the previous in the series. Horticulture and Diana’s knowledge of chemistry, which previously played crucial parts in her investigations, are sidelined as are the pets. There’s a nebulous mystery that, even when uncovered, never gets properly explained and, to me, the poor murder victim gets short shrift from family and investigators. I ended the story a bit unsatisfied with how the whole murder/theft ended and with a last minute new mystery involving Diana’s ex hanging “to be dealt with later” as the year draws to a close!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Delightful tale of murder and mischief. Diana and Fergus continue to be a wonderful, romance-free team. Maybe that (the romance situation) will change sometime. Maybe not. Diana’s childhood nemesis made quite a few appearances. Diana’s floricultural knowledge was put to good use as she whittled down the list of suspect. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
A charming English mystery with some surprises. So good you want to read to the end.
Conspiracy theorist unite. Fergus is the perfect conspiracy theorist leader. While Diana is quite laid back and believes in science not sci-fi. They make the perfect pair to investigate a murder mystery. The characters are quite entertaining and fully engage you in the story. The background mysteries draw you into them and then let you infer what you want. Totally entertaining story and series. Will definitely be reading more books in this series.
Pointsettas And The Perfect Crime, the third book in Ruby Loren’s series Diana Flowers Floriculture Mysteries, kept me glued to the sofa from the moment my eyes began scrolling down page one! The book is my favorite of the series so far. With more books planned in the future I look forward to the next adventure awaiting Diana and Fergus! Highly reccomend.
Diana and Fergus find themselves once again working together to solve a mystery. Diana is hired by the mother of her arch nemesis (Cordelia Wrexton) to decorate their home for a winter ball. Having never been invited to the ball, she gets a surprise invite by Fergus to be his plus one. All does not go as planned when Bill Wexton is found murdered. If that wasn’t bad enough, Diana’s ex-boyfriend is back trying to woe her, her sister Charlotte is getting a divorce and dating a suspect, and Cordelia is making life miserable for Diana just like in grade school.
What I love most about this series are the interactions between Diana and Fergus. Diana seems a bit anti-social and is straightforward (blunt) when dealing with people. Fergus is a conspiracy theorist that is captivating and the life of the party. While they sometimes are like oil and water, they just seem to mesh really well with each other.
With a touch of whimsy (from her dysfunctional family), a mystery to solve, and tons of madcap adventure, this book is simply entertaining.
Murder at a Holiday Gala
This novel is the best yet in this series. I was left with a smile and laughter. Diane and Fergus are a very entertaining couple! The plot was great and unpredictable. There is plenty of good conspiracy fodder amid the holiday festivities. I also really enjoyed the references to The X Files as I loved that program. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
Ruby Loren writes excellent cozy mysteries and this new series featuring Diana Flowers is shaping up to be her best yet.
I love the way that Diana’s pragmatism is balanced by her rather charismatic but unconventional friend, Fergus.
In this book, which is definitely the best in the series so far the mystery is nicely convoluted with plenty of potential suspects (including Diana and Fergus, according to the rather incompetent police detective) and the motives behind the murder are nicely obscure. It was also interesting to get some more background on Diana’s family and her school life.
I have voluntarily written this review based on an ARC which was kindly provided by the author.
Book #3 in a terrific series has you turning pages until you have finished! Diana Flowers has been hired to decorate the regal home of the parents of her arch enemy, Cordelia who bullied Diana all through school until Diana got her revenge, so now Cordelia really hates Diana and still gets her digs in when she can. This is for the annual Christmas Gala that the Wrextons hold with special invites only. When her friend Fergus managed an invite to the party, he has Diana go as his “plus one” to help him solve a mystery supposedly attached to the family. And then the fun begins! The husband of the hostess is murdered and his safe was robbed. Is this related to the mystery Fergus came to solve? With so many suspects and so many threads woven throughout including Diana’s sister who announced she was divorcing her husband while bringing her new boyfriend to the party. And then again, having to spend Christmas eve and Christmas day with her unapproving mother and her father and his wife under the same roof. To add to all the craziness, George, Diana’s very ex-boyfriend from London shows up and throws many questions into the equation. Seems he can’t take no for any answer, so what will Diana do? This book has you going through the hoop to try and figure out what happened and you just can’t put it down along with giving you a really good laugh throughout! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
This is a welcome, festive edition to the series, with twists, turns, conspiracy theories, puzzling behaviour, the joys (cough) of a family Christmas, and the slight matter of murder…
Diana and Fergus are once again first on the crime scene, and once again, Diana is prime suspect…according to the local police….but this time secret agencies are involved, and nothing is as it seems.
The story romps along, the characters all play their part, and humour is never far from the surface.
The growing relationship between Diana and Fergus is a particular delight.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Poinsettias and the Perfect Crime is a great addition to the Diana Flowers Floriculture Mysteries. I really enjoyed this book. Diana, Fergus and their dogs, Diana’s ex-boyfriend, various villagers and some of Diana’s family members are embroiled in this new murder. There are conspiracy theories, a cursed diamond, secret societies and way too many suspects. Come join the fun.
Looking at an old feud, a treasure hunt, and a murder and you have Ruby’s next installment of Diana flowers Floriculture Mysteries. This one is worth its weight in gold it was so much fun to read. Fergus and Diana are in the thick of things again. In this quickie there is so much going on you are in for a fun journey. Yet there are unanswered questions what is up with George and? You will love the countdown to the New Year. If you like cozies this is a must read. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Rabbit trails galore! Which trail to follow with all the different goings on? Which one leads to the truth?
Think you have it figured out then another theory comes into play. How about the conspiracy theories. Stories about a diamond – which is true?
I find it funny that Fergus meets his match. Or does he? Diana and childhood enemy still to this day?
On top of all of this, a murder and dealing with family stuff at Christmas. So much going on. This book will keep you reading just to figure it all out.
This is my honest and freely given review. I received an ARC book.
With this volume the author reaches a level of intrigue rarely found in cozy mysteries. Diana and her friend, Fergus, become involved in a murder and the theft of a rare diamond. Very cleverly plotted, well written, and filled with interesting characters. I received a free copy of this book and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Diana Blooms is making a success of her flower business. What should be her slow season is becoming busy between Christmas wreaths, parties, and internet sales. While decorating the house of her arch-enemy for a party, Diana receives a plus-one invite from Fergus. Fergus has rumors of a giant cursed diamond hidden on the property and he wants to explore the causes of the diamond’s curse. Between family get-togethers, new boyfriends, and a murder, Diana’s Christmas is full with activity.
This is becoming one of my favorite series. Great characters and better stories.
Poinsettias and The Perfect Crime #3 – A good addition to the series, with plenty of new characters and twists. There are plenty of storylines weaving their contributions throughout this story, all well thought out and moving at a good pace. There is still the funny and interesting relationship between Diana and Fergus, adding to the mix of townsfolk and new characters.
The new characters are developed just enough pull their share and are believable – you believe they’re up to something. Fergus pulls his load and comes up smelling like a rose again. There’s a bit of originality with the crime and a very good surprise with one of the special characters. There’s traces of Egypt and India meshed in behind the scenes that lend a different flavor to this series. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
Diana Flowers series:
The Florist and the Funeral #0 – The prequel to the Diana Flowers series. A quickly read, fun story about a chemist, with a high IQ, interested in growing and selling flowers to meet the growing demand. Along the way there’s a death, which she solves since she is smarter than the old Lt. There’s quite a bit going on in this novella and the “killer” is a big surprise and not what you expect. Another series that may be the match for Madi’s zoo series. I contacted the author to review her books and received this one. 5*
Gardenias and a Grave Mistake #1 – My favorite series by this author is the Madi Amos Zoo Mysteries, but this is an interesting series so far. The prequel should be read first to get the foundation, The Florist and the Funeral. I like both Fergus and Diana; they’re perfectly matched to each other, tin-foil hat optional. The other characters worked in their roles. The story took a little bit to get rolling but it did get interesting and had some good twists. Diggory is a character all of his own. I was disappointed that Di let the nematodes get to her; there’s an easy, nonpoisonous fix to get rid of those critters, but there’s always a change that works out better in the end as I found with Madi’s series. Included with the story is a free offering of the prequel and a list of edible flowers. I contacted the author to review her book. 4.5*
Delphiniums and Deception #2 – This story had me so immersed in it that I just let it carry me along. The bunker had overtures of several sources, including the Saw series, so I saw several ways this could have worked out. Several people in a isolated location with a murderer and the deceased. But Ms. Loren made this theme her own and unique, and it was hard to put the book down. I figured out three possible murderers, but I missed. I liked the way the Floral Arrangement retreat was arranged; and certainly enjoyed the punishment feature of the classes. There are many interesting storylines for the characters. Fergus really shined brightly in this story, from his heartwarming gift to his ability to surprise. 4*
Diana Flowers series end.
This is the third book on “Diana Flowers Floriculture Mysteries” and with each book the story become better and better.
Mystery, cursed diamonds and surprises until the last page!
You will love it!
In this book Diana has to deal with more than just a bully from her past. Her ex-boyfriend is hanging around and Diana is in no mood to deal with his shenanigans haha. Every book by Ruby Loren is an entertaining read, and you always learn something along the journey. I love all her books, and this one was just as much fun to read. You never know who done it until the end. So much fun riding along with Diana and Fergus.