Blooming Murder: A Marquess of Mortiforde Mystery

"Blooming Murder is, essentially, what would happen if Gardener's World had an illicit love child by Midsomer Murders via the work of Tom Sharpe." PAJ Newman

"With devilish and hilarious goings-on amongst the blooms, it is jam-packed full of wonderful and very likeable eccentric characters with a deliciously wicked streak of humour running through it. I loved every page and laughed my socks off at some bits." The Word Is Out Now

"The writing is addicting. I had trouble putting this one down and it was easy to be hooked." - Jessica Belmont

Book Description:

Two communities. One flower competition. So much dead-heading! Aldermaston's having a bad day. A falling hanging-basket has killed the town's mayor, and a second narrowly missed him. His wife wants him to build her new greenhouse in three days, and someone is sending him death threats. This isn't the quiet life he expected as the new Marquess of Mortiforde.

It's the annual Borders in Blossom competition, and Mortiforde is battling with Portley Ridge in the final. But this is no parochial flower competition. The mayor's mishap looks like murder, and there's another body in the river. Someone desperately wants Portley Ridge to win for the fifteenth successive year.

So when a mysterious group of guerrilla gardeners suddenly carpet bomb Mortiforde with a series of stunning floral delights one night, a chain reaction of floral retaliation ensues.

Can Aldermaston survive long enough to uncover who is trying to kill him, and why? And can he get his wife's greenhouse built in time?

"I loved this book and laughed such a lot at the going-ons in the village. A brilliant tale of jealousy, revenge and green-fingered criminality. I can not wait until the next book." The Devine Write

"Simon Whaley's Blooming Murder is a terrific cosy mystery perfect for Agatha Raisin fans. Full of eccentric characters, bucolic mayhem and mischief and village shenanigans, Blooming Murder is a fun, witty and entertaining mystery peppered with humour, intrigue and nail-biting suspense." Bookish Jottings

"Whaley's writing style is straightforward and hooks you instantly, and his plot builds steadily from there. Blooming Murder is a charming, engaging novel." Bibliotica