Mendy wrote on 9/29/2007...
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jean Hager develops a wonderfully written cozy murder with Blooming Murder. The Iris House is beautifully described and I can imagine it vividly in my mind. There is even a little diagram of the floor plan in the front of the book. This turned out to be very helpful as the book went along. I found myself referring to it to get an idea of where everyone was in the storyline.
Being from Missouri, I felt that small town Missouri was very well written, down to the stereotypical community members. There are founding family descendants that are still tall in stature even if they are short in monetary supplies. There is the stuffy conservative banker, the rude obnoxious sheriff, the boy "next door" type of love interest even though he's not really next door but you get my meaning I hope. LOL
Tess is young and slightly naive but she's still able to follow the clues to the killer. While I figured out the killer with an "a-ha" moment about 2/3 of the way through the book, I believe Ms. Hager did this intentionally. Not long after my moment, she confirms it with a little sleuthing on Tess's part.
A very easy read with enjoyable characters and a beautiful setting. Highly recommended.

Susan F. (
Kukana) wrote on 5/26/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
1st in this new series. I thought it was pretty good and especially enjoyed the descriptions of the rooms in the bed-and-breakfast which are all decorated with an "iris" theme. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A good cosy! will read more!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Tess's first guests at her inherited B&B are gardening enthusiasts gathered for an Iris growers convention - what better place to stay than the Iris House B&B, until one of them turns up dead in the garden. A fun read.

Shirley R. (
sdrred) wrote on 2/26/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
wonderful story. Read these in order. I've most of her books listed!