Reviews

Fatal Flowers by Jess Dylan

curlyheadedone's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition

3.0

Fatal Flowers by Jess Dylan is the third book in The Flower House Mysteries. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. I wanted to give this series one more chance. I found the pacing to be varied throughout the book. Frequently the pacing was gentle as Sierra went about her days (working, time with friends, walking the dog, breakfast with parents, chatting with her grandmother, thinking about Calvin, spending time with Calvin). I have mixed feelings about Sierra. I wish she was less wishy washy. I am amazed her business is making any money with her business practices (her website is not updated, went to meeting without portfolio, and does not have updated pictures of flower arrangements readily available on phone are a couple of examples). Some of the other vendors thought she was naïve, but it is more the matter of Sierra not putting enough thought into matters (too many brain cells occupied with thoughts of Calvin). I like Deena, Sierra’s employee and friend. She is a good friend who stands by Sierra. There is humdrum dialogue and activities. The murder of the wedding planner is straightforward. There are a handful of suspects that include the other vendors for the wedding. I wanted more questioning and investigating (less of the namby pamby approach). At a bakery, Sierra had the perfect opportunity to speak with the owner (the woman was in her office with no way to avoid Sierra). Instead of knocking on the office door, Sierra decides to sit in the café and wait for the woman to come out (so she can keep avoiding her). I wanted to yell at Sierra to get her act together. There are some incidents, but the emotions are lacking to make them feel scary or dangerous. Instead of fury (or anger), Sierra is more “oh my, what am I to do.” The killer is easy to identify long before the reveal. I felt that more time is spent on Sierra and Calvin’s romance than on the mystery. At times, it felt that I was reading a romance instead of a cozy mystery. I wanted the murder to have a tie in to flowers. I felt that this was a missed opportunity. I did like learning about edible flowers and seeing them used in the tasty treats served in the flower themed café. Fatal Flowers has all the elements of a cozy mystery: quaint small town, friendly residents, a charming shop (flower shop), a murder, and an amateur sleuth. I just feel the story (the whole series) needs to be livelier with a more complex crime. I read the book, but I did not get into the story. I just kept wondering if the story would ever end. While Fatal Flowers was not for me, I suggest you obtain a sample to judge for yourself. Fatal Flowers is pretty as a posy with a puffed-up wedding planner, creative cookies, a soothing spa, a missing automobile, an alarming motorcycle, a mystifying murder, a warm mother-of-the-bride, and an interfering florist.

katreader's review against another edition

5.0

FATAL FLOWERS by Jess Dylan
The Third Flower House Mystery

Always looking to expand her business, Sierra Ravenswood is pleased at the opportunity to provide the flowers for the wedding of the mayor's daughter. Shocked that the wedding is only a few weeks away and surprised that the bride appears blasé, Sierra nonetheless is excited to join in. While the bride and her mother are gracious Taz, the wedding planner, is arrogant and condescending. A meeting of the wedding vendors turns into a crime scene when Sierra finds his body. Known for her investigative talents as well as her flowers, Sierra will try to uncover the secrets Taz had as well as who had enough of the pompous wedding planner.

An unhappy bride, an insular group of wedding vendors, as well as the status of the wedding, make the story rife with drama, like a pressure cooker ready to pop open. Adding to the drama, someone appears to be targeting Sierra and she is questioning her relationship with Calvin. I admit that I am concerned about some of his ideas.

Appalachian folk wisdom is interspersed throughout the mystery bringing a wonderful sense of place. Combined with Deena's decadent floral themed treats and a sweet dog, I long to visit Aerieville and will have to content myself to waiting for the next book to be released.

FATAL FLOWERS is a smart engaging mystery that captivates with Appalachian charm, wonderful characters, and a clever plot.

alireadsandknits's review against another edition

2.0

I had read the first book and enjoyed it. I missed the second book, but dove right into the third book. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I found Sierra rather daft. For example, a murder happens (you are the one who found the body and heard the last words) and you are pushed into the street into oncoming traffic and you're not sure its relevant? These things just kept happening. I also don't feel the chemistry between Calvin and Sierra. This book could also have been 20-30 pages shorter....lots of filler.

Sadly, this was a miss for me.

rhythmically's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

marilanoire's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I liked this book best so far and I really enjoyed the story, the characters get more interesting, too. I would enjoy another book in this series.

kwitzel's review against another edition

4.0

There are many new cozy mystery series that take the British village genre and reimagine it in small town settings across the United States. The Flower House series takes place in a small town at the foothills of the Smokey Mountains and the characters in the tales are just quirky enough to keep the reader engaged while being authentic Tennessee residents. In the third book in the series, Sierra Ravenswood is comfortably settled as the owner of the Flower House in her hometown of Aerieville. She is drawn into a fresh mystery while participating in the plans for a society wedding in her town. At one point in the book the adventure takes Sierra and her friend and coworker Deena to Nashville, which appeared to go in a different direction, but Jess Dylan successfully tied it all together by the end of the book.

kristirose's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I initially struggled a bit with getting into the story.  The set up was a bit wordy and long.  I listened to the chapter with the murder four times trying to keep everyone and the locations straight.

However, it really picked up after that point.  I enjoyed the inclusion and development of the side characters.  I didn't figure out the murderer's identity even though I was convinced that I knew.

I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

hannah_monson's review against another edition

4.0

This is my favorite book in the Flower Shop series to date. Not only did I find Sierra less grating, but the mystery was also intriguing. While I thought that the murderer in book 2 was too obvious, this one managed to stump me and had me considering every option— except the correct one. I also liked the evolving relationships. While I previously found some of the supporting characters somewhat forgettable, they were involved well in the the story.

I would definitely read a next in series for both the stories that are developing and for the mystery.

morchels's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The pacing for this book (and series) is off. By the end, I'm not sure I totally cared who the killer was. The cozy mystery was fine, but there was so much potential with a b plot with Felix, but it is too slow to keep me interested.