This is the second book in the A Magic Garden Mystery series, a cozy mystery set in Duncreigan, Scotland, written by Amanda Flower. The series centers around Fiona Knox, a transplant from Nashville, Tennessee, who moves to Scotland when she receives an inheritance from her godfather that includes Duncreigan and a magical garden. Full disclosure: I didn't read the first book in this series, but I feel like the background of the character and how she came to be in Scotland was explained well enough that I was able to follow the story without any problems. In this book, Fiona is excited about the opening of her florist shop, Climbing Rose, with the help of her younger sister, Isla, who showed up on her doorstep quite unexpectedly two weeks prior. Everything is going well until a local cop bursts in with the news that the local Reverend (who had a huge problem with Fiona, Duncreigan, and the magical garden) had been murdered. Because of the enmity between Fiona and the Reverend, she is one of the top suspects.

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were well developed, the setting was beautiful, and the mystery was engaging. It really was a quick read because of all of this.

I highly recommend this book to those interested in mystical, magical cozy mysteries. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Flower, and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. ( )

This is the second in this series about Fiona Knox and the magic garden she is now the keeper of. It is the first that I have read in the series because, frankly, the publisher wants $13 dollars for the Kindle version of a book which was published in 2018, but only wanted $8 for the second in the series published in 2019. I'm not willing to pay $13 for an electronic version of a 3-year-old book. Book 2 will tell me what happened in book one and fill in all the blanks about all the characters as well. I can do without it. Okay, off the soapbox. This book was entertaining and the mystery held together well. I figured out who the 'bad guy' was, but not until 3/4's of the way through the book and didn't know for sure why the murderer thought it was necessary (though I had a good idea). I enjoyed Fiona, Neil, and Isla, and several of the other minor characters. I look forward to book 3. ( )

Amanda Flower has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. Her books have a magical quality, great characters and creative plots.

Death and Daisies is the second book in her new Magic Garden Mystery series. Fiona Knox is the caretaker of a magical garden. She is still trying to wrap her head around the fact she inherited the cottage and garden in Duncreigan, Scotland from her godfather. She has since opened a floral shop in a nearby village. Climbing Rose Floral Shop is named after a magical rose that grows in her walled garden. She's the 12th keeper entrusted to upkeep the garden and protect the rose. A local minister hates the garden and threatens Fiona, leaving her a cryptic note that the garden will bring evil. As if threats can't possibly be enough to put a damper on her shop's grand opening, the minister is found dead. Some villagers blame her for the death....Can Fiona find out the truth before everyone starts believing there is something sinister about her and the magical garden?

I love this series! It has the same wonderful, magical feel as the author's Magical Bookshop series! The location is awesome...who wouldn't love to inherit a cottage and walled garden in Scotland? The characters are well-developed and have that village quirkiness about them. The plot of this newest book is interesting and the mystery moves along at a nice pace with plenty of suspects, investigation and twists. There is just the right touch of the supernatural/magical to sparkle up the story....never over-done, just right.

While it isn't necessary to read the books in order, to get the full character and location background and development it might be best to read book one (Flowers and Foul Play) before jumping into Death and Daisies. But, a reader could jump in at this second book and still totally enjoy the story!

All in all, this is an entertaining and fun cozy to read. I'm definitely in line awaiting the next book!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

Fiona’s sister Isla, newly graduated from college, is visiting her in Scotland. They are busy getting Fiona’s new flower shop ready for its grand opening, but not everything is rosy. Fiona and the minister are at odds after he prevented her attending Sunday services the previous week, an unfortunate event that half the village witnessed. Then the night before before the opening, a horrific rain storm hit the village, a bad omen and a destructive force. The flower shop opening was marred when the police inspector found a body in the water, a body which turned out to be the minister’s. Fiona is cautioned by the chief inspector against looking for clues to find the murderer, but turns anyway to her magical garden for guidance. This novel is a delight from beginning to end. Author Amanda Flower has a way with the written word that is entertaining as well as intriguing, and her storyline with a magical garden is pure genius. This second book in the Magical Garden Mystery series is every bit as good as the first one, and will leave you wishing she could write faster. ( )

Fiona Knox is settling in to her new life in Scotland; caretaker to a magic garden that will work its magic only for her, and anticipating the opening of her new flower shop in town. She was also surprised when her younger sister Isla turned up on her doorstep announcing she wanted to visit Scotland before she went home and looked for a job after her college graduation. She certainly has her hands full, but there's trouble on the horizon when the local minister makes an unannounced visit to her yet-to-be-opened shop and tells her that she's not wanted.

When there's a terrible storm and Minister MacCullen is found dead on the beach, Fiona believes she'll be a suspect, and sets out to find out who wanted the minister dead. But while it becomes apparent that many people disliked him, she also finds that the little town is hiding more secrets yet, and not only is a killer still on the loose, it seems that person has set their sights on her as the next victim...

While I would have liked to review this book here, I feel that it would be unfair to readers who have not read the book as yet, so if you are interested, please see my review on my blog:

https://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/death-and-daisies-magic-garden-mystery... ( )