The Magic Garden series is a favorite of mine, and this book certainly did not disappoint.

The previous book left a lot of questions about Fiona and her family. This book answered those as well as presenting an absorbing mystery. The murder of Barley McFee was never clear cut for me, and I think I was convinced that every suspect had done it at one point or another (except for Fiona's father, of course). But I didn't have the solution figured out until the end, which is always the most satisfying kind of mystery. The situation in the garden wasn't a great concern for me because I have complete faith in Fiona as the keeper. Isla continues to irritate... maybe because she reminds so much of my drama-queen students. But seeing the relationship between Fiona and Craig continue to develop is wonderful, and I look forward to continuing the story of Duncreigan in the future.

Barley McFee a world-famous fiddle player has arrived in town for a homecoming concert. While Fiona is helping to prepare for the concert, her parents arrive in town to visit Fiona and her sister. Fiona’s parents seem to have more secrets for Fiona to get to the bottom of but before they can talk, Barley McFee is found dead. Fiona’s father is somehow connected to Barley. Can Fiona clear her father and find out what her parents have been hiding from her?

Mums and Mayhem is the 3rd book in the series and in my opinion the best one so far. In this book, we learn more about our protagonist and the real reason she inherited the garden. The characters are realistic and for the most likable. The mystery was well-written. The plot moves at a fast pace with several twists and turns along the way to the big reveal. I was surprised at who the murderer was and why they did it. I recommend this to cozy mystery lovers especially if you enjoy a touch of supernatural.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

This is the third book in the Magic Garden series. I've read them all and they get better and better with each book. I think this is one of the better cozy mystery series out there.
They're set in Bellewick, Scotland, where Fiona Knox has inherited a garden that she discovers is magical. In this book, Fi's parents and her sister are coming to visit and a famous fiddler has come back to perform in Bellewick, his hometown.
When he turns up murdered, Fi gets involved against the wishes of her new boyfriend Neil, the chief inspector.

Great plot and fun and charming characters make this a 4 1/2 star read.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mums and Mayhem by Amanda Flower is the third book in her Magic Garden series which is set in the small Aberdeenshire community of Bellewick.

This was an engaging mystery with a few twists and turns and a smoothly paced plot that kept me turning the pages. Ms. Flower introduced us to Fiona and Isla's parents in this one and Fiona's mysterious past was finally explained. I confess that Isla's is a trial for me while reading. She's "over the top" about everything in life and decidedly self-centered. Fiona is smart and dedicated but I was disappointed in her change of heart about the character that vandalized the garden. The reveal regarding the murder was sad but satisfying. I loved the epilogue regarding the garden party and the fox. Perfect!

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

This is the third in the series, and picks up shortly after the bombshell from the last book. Now that the secret on her parentage is out, her parents are coming to visit and see both their girls. With Isla now having moved in with Seth, the cottage is less crowded, but her life is about to be busy again.

I loved how the investigation into who the murderer was dovetailed with her family's past, and the past of the town. The victim, a local celebrity (Barley McFee), who knew uncle Ian and her parents personally. This book was all about family, so even though her relationship with her family was a bit of a mess, it played well with the messy families throughout the plot. And although the families had remarkably different outcomes, the town as a whole was able to come together as well, and solve the mystery together.

Fiona Knox is originally from Tennessee, but when she inherited a cottage and magic garden from her late godfather, she soon learned that this small part of Scotland was tied to her and she needed to remain. So she opened the Climbing Rose Flower Shop and takes care of the garden, along with her caretaker, Hamish.

Barley McFee is a famous fiddler from Bellewick, and he's come home for a concert. When he meets Fiona, he says something cryptic, then catches himself and leaves. She's also looking forward to the visit of her parents as well as dreading it, because while she misses them, there's a part of her life that needs to know - and only they can fill in the pieces. She's also worried about their reaction to the fact that her younger sister Isla has found a Scottish boy and intends to marry him and never return to Tennessee. It's a lot on her plate right now.

But when Barley is found murdered during an intermission in the concert, she soon learns that her father might have been the last person to see him alive - and she's worried that he's a suspect. So now she's on the hunt for the real killer, hoping to clear her father's name. But if someone has killed once, they're ready to kill again - and Fiona might be in the line of fire...

This is the third book in the series, and I've read them all. I have to say that of all Ms. Flower's books, I like this series the best. A magic garden is intriguing, and the fact that it's set in Scotland makes it even more so.

THE ITEMS BELOW ARE HIDDEN IN A SPOILER SINCE THIS BOOK HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED AS OF YET:

What I don't like: First, Isla. She seems much too childish to be engaged to anyone. She thinks of nothing but herself and Seth, and is so immature that she wants to spend every second of her free time with him, and he's the same way. These are teenagers, not grown adults. Perhaps Isla should return to Tennessee, in my book; and Seth needs to grow up, too.

The second thing is I know I wouldn't have let the person who destroyed the garden off so easily. Breaking and entering. Vandalism. Destroying someone's property. Let them go to jail for awhile and think about what they did. Someone so self-serving and who cares so little for another's property would be more than likely to do it again. They are thoroughly unlikable as a person.

Aside from these two things, I like Fiona; she's level-headed and able to forgive people, which shows a generous heart. She obviously cares for others deeply, and will not hold a grudge nor anger, allowing this generosity into her daily life. Her relationship with her parents after what she discovers is a good example of this.
END OF SPOILER

The mystery was well-done and I enjoyed seeing all the pieces of Fiona's life come together. I would love to see this series continue, and I have enjoyed it so far and would continue to do so. Recommended.

Author Amanda Flower’s Mums and Mayhem, the third book in the Magic Garden Mystery series, sweeps you into a story rife with humor, quirky characters, a lush landscape, and a roller coaster ride of “Who Done It’s” that will literally keep you guessing up until the climatic end. Imagination abounds, attention capturing right out of the gate...with an exceptional backstory that’s less wordy, and more illuminating, you’ll find yourself engrossed in Fiona’s magical world of the unexpected. Well written, with the occasional...”is this person TSTL?” moment...you’ll find yourself emotionally invested in Fiona and her intriguing life and the small Scottish world around her.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

When a famous fiddle player is found murdered, Fiona steps in to help solve the case. Dealing with her silly sister, and her parents visiting she has a lot on her plate. Then her garden starts dying and she has to fix it. Third in the series, so many issues I had most likely are explained in the earlier books. Enjoyed it though, and would highly recommend this book and author.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3. I really wanted to love this book - the premise is so cool, a magical garden, Americans in Scotland, murder mystery + family history - what's not to love?? The book had it's moments with some interesting characters and some twists. Overall though, there were one too many small issues. Fiona seems to be wandering all over the place in an effort to solve the mystery but she actually doesn't seem to spend any time thinking - so it feels very haphazard, accidental not intentional. Her younger sister Isla really annoyed me to no end - more than you can discount away for someone who is just young and immature but charming. There was no real explanation or anything about the garden other than it was magic - Fiona didn't even spend much time there and her duties as keeper seem to be taking walks there for visions - her change of heart at the end was also sudden. I'm intrigued enough to try some of the other books by the author but couldn't enjoy this much as much as I would have liked to.

This was a great continuation of the magical garden storyline. You really do need to read them in order or you will be slightly lost about who is who and what has happened. I like how the story is progressing. The book went fast to me. There was some drama surrounding Fiona's parents and their visit back to Scotland. This coincided with a concert being giving by a fiddler, Barley. It turns out Fiona's father knew Barley, so that caused some issues. The book moves right along and has a good conclusion. The descriptions of this part of Scotland bring the story to life.

Description
A famous fiddler has been kilt. A magic garden's left to wilt. Does Fiona Knox's father hold the guilt? Will florist Fiona's blood be spilt? World-famous fiddle player Barley McFee arrives in blustery Bellewick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, for a grand homecoming concert organized by jeweler Bernice Brennan. Fiona Knox, owner of the Climbing Rose Flower Shop, is starting to regret volunteering to help with the concert. Bernice is an exacting taskmaster, and Fiona has enough tension dealing with her parents, who have traveled from Tennessee to visit Fi and her younger sister, Isla, and to reveal a secret about Fi's birth. But when Barley is found dead in his trailer during the concert's intermission, and his death is shockingly tied to Fiona's father, Fiona discovers there are more secrets surrounding her family than she realized. Much to the chagrin of handsome Neil Craig, Chief Inspector of the County Aberdeen Police, Fiona delves into the case to clear her father's name. To make matters worse, Fiona learns that Duncreigan, the magical garden that she inherited from her godfather, is dying. At some point during the concert, someone broke into the garden and cut the centuries-old climbing rose—the source of the garden's magic—from the standing stone. The stakes are higher than ever and Fiona could lose all that she's grown unless she's able to dispel this terrible curse and dig up the truth—fast.

My Review
Book 3 of A Magic Garden Mystery Series is better than the last. Amanda Flower has done it again! Charming characters and magical settings makes this cozy mystery a Must Read.

This ARC was provided free of charge and I am grateful for the opportunity as this was very enjoyable.

Fiona's parents are coming for a visit, her sister is totally enamored with Seth and Fiona is in the midst of helping get a Barley McFee concert set up for the village of Bellewick. When Fiona discovers Barley's body on his tour bus she knows that she must help her boyfriend Chief Inspector Neil Craig solve the murder. With suspects galore the case seems to be going nowhere. When Fiona's garden dies she then has that to worry about as well. With the garden dead does that mean that all of the magic is gone? Is there a possibility of Fiona being able to bring the garden back to life? What will happen to Fiona's visions now, and her job as the Keeper?



I love the setting of the Magic Garden series! Duncreigan, Scotland lends itself to such mystery and magical settings! I also love that a bit more is revealed about Fiona's parentage and connection to the garden. I found her mother a toss between an annoying character and a caring understanding woman. Fiona's sister Isla is annoying and beyond immature! Ugh! Her gushing over Seth made me want to hurl, but I think that was the intention. ha! I was impressed with this book in the series because I really was in the dark about "who-done-it" until the end. I'm liking Fiona and Neil's relationship, but would like a bit more interaction, to be able to see their relationship progress, but I think they are a good fit for each other. I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next in the series!

I loved this book. From the very beginning, I was immediately hooked. Stayed up all night to finish it and am glad I did!

I really enjoyed this. I’ve enjoyed the mystery in each book of this series, but I also like the characters. They are well developed, even the secondary characters like the pub owner and the old men who hang out on the pier. And Fiona and her sister don’t stay static. Their lives and relationships change and grow from book to book.

Amanda Flower is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers and Mums and Mayhem did not disappoint. The series follows florist Fiona Knox as she navigates her recent move from Nashville to a small Scottish town to take over the care of her Godfather's estate and magical garden. She has been finding out more about her magical garden and the visions that go along with it and this time she has to investigate two deaths! One is a famous fiddler murdered during his return home concert and the other is her garden, which had begun dying after it was vandalized. To make things more difficult her parents are visiting and they may be involved. I love when cozies have underlying mysteries that run throughout the series, like Fiona and her Godfather's relationship. We get a lot of answers in Mums and Mayhem. A great installment to the series and I would highly recommend.

Amanda Flowers has become my favorite cozy mystery author. This series is one of the reasons why.

Barley McFee, a world-known fiddler, is coming back home to Bellewicke to give a performance. Fiona Knox has offered to help with the concert even though she has got her hands full with her sister, Isla, her parents coming to pay a visit at last, her new florist shop, and her new boyfriend Chief Inspector Neil Craig. Don't forget her magic garden at Duncreigan which she inherited from her godfather. The garden has been tampered with and is now dead.

When she finds Barley dead during an intermission at the concert, she adds one more thing to do to her list- find Barley's killer. Who killed Barley and why? What connection does her father have to Barley? Fiona sets out to find out all the answers with some disapproval emanating from Craig.

Do not miss this fun and entertaining series!

I didn't think this series could get any better, than I was lucky enough to read this book. Another murder, another mystery. Such a perfectly written whodunit without giving anything away. Even though some some questions were answered about the main character, and the mystery around her, somehow we are left with more questions, but in a way where it is just making you long for the next installment.

I received a free copy of MUMS AND MAYHEM (Book 3 of the Magic Garden Mysteries) by Amanda Flower. The merchants of Bellewick, Aberdeenshire, are working to together to welcome back hometown boy and world-famous fiddle player Barley McFee for a special concert. When Barley is murdered during intermission, events spiral out of control, and Fiona Knox, once again, finds herself investigating a homicide. At the same time, Fiona is dealing with her parents who are visiting from Tennessee and who continue to withhold important details of their past. Eventually, her parents’ lies and secrets are revealed, and Fiona’s father becomes a prime suspect in the musician’s murder. On the same night of the murder, someone broke into the secret garden at Duncreigan and damaged the magic therein. The garden is dying, and Fiona doesn’t know how to save it.

I enjoyed this book and like the series. I recommend the book to fans of Amanda Flower and to those who enjoy cozy murder mysteries set in rural Scotland and featuring magic.

#MumsandMayhem #NetGalley

Another winner! There wasn't anything about this book that I didn't like. A quaint village in Scotland, a murder, and a magical garden. The characters are quirky and enjoyable and the storyline is well written. You can't go wrong with the 3rd book in this series.

Fiona Knox is busy tending her birthright, a magical garden, running her floral shop, helping the village manage a concert by a famous former villager, and waiting for her parents to arrive from Tennessee and answer questions about her lineage. If that’s not enough to keep a girl busy, she still has to introduce her parents to her boyfriend, the local Chief Inspector. But when the former local is murdered between sets and Fiona’s father is the last known person to see the man alive, solving another murder is added to the mix of things that keeps Fiona busy.

Another great book from the immensely talented author, Amanda Flower. I read all of her books across her many series and cannot recommend her books enough. She is truly the queen of cozies!