This eighth, and most recent, installment in the delightful Darling Dahlias series, set in Darling, Alabama, a small town in southern Alabama, during the Great Depression, is just as charming as ever. The Dahlias are competing in a Christmas-time puzzle contest. Two of their members are opening a bakery but don't know how to bake bread. A ne'er-do-well father is aiming to snatch back his Shirley Temple-esque little girl. There's moonshining, and yes, not surprisingly for a mystery, an effort to solve a murder.

This terrific series brings to life the 1930's and I absolutely love these books. Now that I've read the two most recent books, I want to go back and read the first six books in the series. Definitely a series to recommend to my friends who like cozies.

The story was fine, uncomplicated and slow moving. The characters are many and come and go come. Rather odd format chapter to chapter often involving totally unrelated characters and/or side story

I love a good period mystery and this series doesn't disappoint, the author truly takes you back to the time period and with her descriptions it's easy to picture all that is going on. In this next book of the series you'll find yourself entranced by so many different things like a bakery opening, a jigsaw puzzle contest and an exploiter of children just to name a few. Can the ladies keep a young girl safe from someone who only looks to use her? Will the bakery opening go off without a hitch and will the recipes being used be exciting enough for the customers? Will a mystery brought back to the forefront be solved or will it remain and open case to the sheriff? There are many mysteries to be solved in this new read and as you work your way through the clues you'll feel the Christmas spirit that the Dahlias emit throughout the read. The Dahlias face so many different things but as a group when they work together things seem to have a way of turning out. The mystery of the book is a wonderful way to get your mind working and keeping you interested but the friendships in the book will be what brings you back for more. I look forward to seeing the Dahlia's friendship at work and where life takes them next!

The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Puzzle is the latest novel in this cozy mystery series set in Alabama during the Great Depression. The conclusion of the mystery plot that was set up in the previous book (The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover) was balanced with the ongoing storylines of the various, well-drawn characters, which is what makes this such a fun series.

The Darling Dahlias have been among my favorites and this current book keeps them at the top of my list. In The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Puzzle, the residents of Darling, Alabama are competing in a Christmas jigsaw puzzle contest. As usual there is much going on: Earlynne Biddle and Mildred Kilgore are planning to open a bakery. The only problem is neither of them knows how to bake bread. They can bake all sorts of pastries and sweets, but not bread. Then someone threatens three-year-old Cupcake and the residents rally to solve the problems.

Another delightful treat from the people of Darling and how they manage their lives in the 1930s.

I have not read the previous Dahlia books but I was surprised how quickly all the pieces fit together just like their puzzles. From spunky Liz to the adorable Cupcake I felt I knew the characters. Set in Alabama during the depression you get an appreciation for how hard life was and this spirited community makes the best of what little they have. Murder, puzzle clubs, child abduction, moonshiners and new bakery owners all collide and somehow it works so well! I really loved this charming story and I intend to continue reading more of the Dahlias!!! .

4 stars

This is another delightful “Darling Dahlias” novel. In it we meet the (mostly) kindly and generous people of Darling, Alabama during the depression era of 1934. They share; they donate and get along well for the most part. Two of the ladies are opening a new bakery. They can’t agree on most things, but have been fast friends all their lives. The local editor and reporter for the newspaper has some puzzling new thing to, well – investigate. A little girl who sings and dances enchantingly may go to Hollywood on her talent. Another puzzle pops up when a suicide turns out to be a cleverly planned murder. Sheriff Norris and his deputy are faced with this conundrum.

These are charming books that describe the small town of Darling with all of the color and liveliness it deserves. The small shops, the struggling residents and the enduring friendships between these special women are all brilliantly imparted to the reader. It is a relaxing way in which to spend an afternoon. I enjoy these little books and look forward to reading the next in the series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Perservero Press/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

This is a different type of mystery book. It meanders and flows through the lives of those in Darling, Alabama during the late Depression years. It's a great look at the times, the new to them technology and what lives and expectations were like in those times. The mystery is solved by good old-fashion police work and investigating journalist work. It took awhile for me to get into it, as it is very different from the usual cozy mysteries.but I enjoyed it after I let my expectations go. #TheDarlingDahliasAndThePoinsettiaPuzzle #NetGalley

This is one of my favourite series: i love the mix of historical facts, the setting and the great cast of characters.
This was a great instalment as usual: full of humour and tenderness.
I think it's more historical fiction than mystery but it was great to be again in Darling and meet again the characters.
The historical setting is well researched and it gives a good picture of the everyday life of a small Southern town in the 30s
The mystery was engaging and entertaining but i think it requires to have read the previous instalment for fully understand it.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher, Ms Wittig Albert and Netgalley for this ARC