The
interview with Audrey Bloom in the Ramble On newspaper is
keeping the staff of Rose in Bloom hopping. It seems that
not one of the couples that had their bridal bouquet done
by Audrey Bloom have split up. Audrey does use the language
of flowers to make each bouquet meaningful.
Jenny
Whitney arrives to cancel the bouquet her mother Ellen has
picked out. It was a strange assortment including scabious
seed heads. Audrey is pleased that her former close friend
is taking charge of the planning. That is - until Jenny tells
her the wedding is off. She will be breaking it off with Derek
Rawling that very evening. Knowing her mother will not support
her after the breakup, Jenny asks Audrey if she has a position
for her at Rose in Bloom. Audrey gives her a quick lesson
and packs up a set of tools for Jenny to practice her new
skills at home.
Early
the next morning, Liv (co-owner with Audrey of Rose in Bloom)
is pounding on Audrey’s door. It seems that Liv’s
husband Eric spotted Derek Rawling’s car near Jenny’s
home. On closer inspection, Derek was not sleeping off a rough
night, he was dead and there was blood everywhere in the car.
There was also a knife stuck in his chest. Could it be the
one that Audrey gave to Jenny to practice her flower arranging?
The police
feel that Jenny Whitney is the prime suspect. Audrey does
not believe Jenny would murder anyone and decides to help
with the investigation. Audrey had better be very careful
or she could find herself plucked from the bouquet.
Things
to ponder: Why was Jenny Whitney really marrying Derek Rawling?
Why did Rawling Properties let Grandma Mae’s house fall
into such disrepair? Who is the recipient of Nick Maxwell’s
frequent flower purchases?
This
is a great start for a charming new series. I love Audrey’s
fondness of musicals – it adds that extra touch of whimsy
to this delightful series. Learning what each flower represents
was an extra bonus. The characters are a lively bunch and
add so much to the story. The story pulled me right in from
the first page. It was a real page turner. I had to find out
what was going to happen next and of course know whodunit.
I found it to be the perfect read – getting me ready
for spring after a very long winter. I imagined all those
beautiful flowers described so beautifully in the book - growing
in my garden. Keep an eye out for the next in this engaging
new series - For Whom the Bluebell Tolls. So if you like your
mystery surrounded by bouquets of perfect blooms, then you
should be reading Bloom and Doom.
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