Flowers and Foul Play: A Magic Garden Mystery

Fiona is embarking on a new life after her fiance leaves her for the cake decorator and she loses her flower shop. She heads to Scotland when her godfather dies and leaves her his cottage and garden. Hamish, the caretaker of her godfather’s garden, tells her the dead garden will return to life now that she’s there to tend to it. Over the next few days, the garden seems to come back to life before her eyes, but she has bigger problems to deal with. Upon her arrival, she discovers her godfather’s attorney dead in the garden, and the Chief Inspector seems to think Hamish is responsible. Fiona is determined to find anyone else with motive, and the small community of Bellewick is full of suspects. When she catches wind of a coastline dispute, she discovers a shocking secret tied to the history of inheritance.

Fiona is a delightful character full of spunk and charm. Recovering from heartache and looking for a new path in life, she finds a second chance in unexpected places. The magical elements are grounded in reality, as Fiona’s both surprised and accepting of the miraculous recovery of this wilted garden. The story has a strong animal connection, as three prominent animal characters make their way into Fiona’s life, from a mysterious fox to a sassy cat to a lovable squirrel named Duncan. These animals have as much personality as the human characters. The mystery revolves around the death of her godfather’s attorney but also ties into environmental issues as Bellewick residents are fighting the development of a nearby beach and into the historical shipwreck tied to her new home. Flowers and Foul Play is a delightful mystery with a variety of characters to enjoy along with stunning Scotland scenery, history, and second chances.

Flowers and Foul Play is the first book in the Magic Garden Mystery series.