4 stars

This is the second in the Reverend Graham and his wife Monica series. These are cozy mysteries that are very well written and plotted by the incomparable Faith Martin writing as Joyce Cato. This book was published before under another title.

When Graham and Monica get finagled into judging a neighboring village's annual flower show (they know next to nothing about flowers), Monica's daughter Carol Ann decides to tag along. She, of course, has an ulterior motive.

The day of the show dawns clear and very hot. During the judging, Graham's vicar friend falls dead. Poisoned. In comes Chief Inspector Jason Dury to begin an investigation.

Meanwhile, mini-skirted and barely dressed Carol Ann is trying to catch the eye of a famous photographer so she can become a super model. The girl is so self-centered that she doesn't even see what a mess she ia making of things.

Monica can't help but snoop into things herself in order to aid DCI Dury. When another murder takes place, this time one of the suspects, the plot thickens (so to speak), and the tension in the story ratchets up.

This is an enjoyable little mystery. It is relaxing to read with just the right amount of drama and tension to spend an afternoon in a quintessential English village, complete with eccentrics, egomaniacs and evil doers. I don't know how many novels Ms. Martin has written what with all her pen names, but each story is a gem. She is a fantastic writer and has a unique talent for creating cozy mysteries with interesting storylines.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding this book to me so that I may, read, enjoy and review.

Faith Martin never disappoints, this new series is really good, well written and sad at the same time. The story really draws one in with the characters and the plot thickens at every turn, love the characters and the plot, whilst a little out there, drew you in and a real page turner.

The Flower Show Murder by Faith Martin is the second book in Monica Noble series but can be read as a standalone.

This is the first book in the series for me and I didn't have any problems getting into the story or engaging with the characters.

The main protagonist, Monica is vicar's wife who gets roped together with her husband to judge in a flower show in the neighboring community, even though they know nothing about flowers. But since their friend James, also a vicar is asking they are agree to participate. James and his wife Wendy had recently suffered a loss of their only child and are having hard time coping.
The long anticipated show is finally happening and everyone is having great time until the vicar James ends up dead while judging at the flower show.
Monica with her inquisitive nature can't help but get involved and ask a few questions here and there. This doesn't go well with the Chief Inspector who is someone Monica has already dealt with.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has that old fashioned A.Christie feel to it which can only be a huge plus in my book.
Ms. Martin exceptionally paints quaint and picturesque British village which is brimming with sinister characters and lurking evil.
Protagonists are so well portrayed and very realistic that you have a feeling you know them well. At the beginning of the book we have the chance to learn everything about the characters as the story slowly unfolds.
The book is nicely paced and reads easily.
Well presented and though out mystery, with clearly laid out clues easy for a reader to follow as we read along.
Even though the murderer wasn't unexpected, still a real pleasure to read.
Highly recommended for those for prefer classic mysteries.

Monica Noble is the local vicars wife. Monica and her husband, Graham have been invited to judge the neighbouring village's flower show. The competition is fierce. Who would have thought that by the end of the afternoon, two people would have be dead. Chief Inspector Jason Dury is on the case with the rest of his team. He needs all the help he can get to help solve these murders. He is happy to have Monica on board to help find out what happened and who was responsible.

I really like these really cozy mystery reads. Although this is only the second book in this series, I have read several other books by the author. I like there who-did-it type mysteries. Trying to work out yourself before its revealed to you what happened and who the murderer was. Everyone was shocked when James, the local vicar suddenly drops dead. Not so far away a second murder occurs. The characters are well rounded and true to life. The plot is simple but effective. These books are easy to read ut hard to put down. They are well written with a few twists to put off the scent. A great little read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Faith Martin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in Faith Martin’s series featuring the vicar’s wife, Monica Noble. In this book, Monica and her husband have traveled to a nearby community to enjoy the annual fete and participate in judging the accompanying flower show as well as visit with James, the local vicar and his wife Wendy. Monica is particularly tuned in to the stresses Wendy has been experiencing for the past nine months as she grieves the death of their son and still strives to help James in his responsibilities, stresses Monica recognizes as being part of a vicar’s wife.
Monica, Graham, and James are all pressed into judging the flower show, even though Monica and Graham profess to know little about the flowers they have been assigned. Unknown to the show organizer, James has been pressured by the local business magnate to switch responsibilities so James is now judging the roses. As he bends over to breathe in the scent of a particularly lovely rose entry James falls to the ground and Graham, who rushes to his side, discovers he is dead.
Chief Inspector Dury, who was also investigator in the first book of the series, is once again called in to investigate this suspicious death. He is surprised and perplexed to arrive and discover Graham and Monica there, made more bothersome by his unspoken attraction to Monica. Monica, who married Graham several years after the death of her first husband, also feels a confusing pull toward Dury, although she is happily married to Graham.
As Dury investigates the murder, Carol-Ann, Monica’s teenaged daughter, who is intent on becoming a high fashion model wanders the fete in her mini-skirt and revealing blouse in search of a local photographer who was intrumental in another young woman becoming a super model. Carol-Ann’s behavior and the insights into her thought process are an excellent counterpoint to the investigation in to James’ murder as Carol-Ann exhibits the egocentricity of a teenager who is totally self absorbed and who hasn’t quite matured enough to make the wisest of choices.
Although the second in the series, this stands alone as a mystery and Martin does an excellent job of describing the emotional pull between Monica and Dury in a way that makes it possible to readily understand without having read the first book in the series. The book is reminiscent of the classic British mystery complete with the bucolic English village and inhabitants that are both individual and somehow classically British. Highly recommended for any reader who enjoys the classic British cozy mystery.
My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Digital Read copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review,

This is the second in the series however it was the first book that I had read and I didn't think it detracted from the novel.

I enjoyed all the characters and it was a fun, cosy who dunnit. Whilst it is set in the countryside the key characters were sharp and well created and kept me on my toes guessing who did it.

I enjoyed the subplots and look forward to reading the rest in the series.

Thank you for proving me with an arc.

This is the second book with Reverend Graham Noble and his wife Monica. In this fast paced who done it mystery, the Nobles go to a neighboring town to participate in their flower show. They both agree to be judges, along with their friend James, the local vicar. During the flower judging, the vicar suddenly drops dead. Everyone is shocked and reacting to his death when, unbeknownst to them, a second murder occurs near the flower tent. The story is developed around several characters, all with motive and opportunity. But who actually committed the murders, and was it the same person who killed both people?
As only Faith Martin can, the mystery and characters are well developed, and the story flows easily; kept me guessing and trying to figure things out up until the very end.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Net galley. The second Monica Noble is as good as the first. I find this female "sleuth" and her "intuitive"
jump to the solution fun and entertaining. I look forward to more in the series..

Another good cozy detective story from Ms Martin. This time the local vicar's wife is rapidly embroiled in a murder during the village flower show. I liked the way that the main characters and their hate of what we imagined was going to be the victim, were described up front. The descriptions of the characters are oh so typical of many country villages in England, even if exaggerated somewhat. The plot twists and turns nicely, some but not many red herrings for once and an endearing heroine - the vicar's wife, all contribute to a well-written and enjoyable story. Thanks to NetGalley and Jofee Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe books for an ARC to read for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Monica Noble series, and i think even better thsm the first book. Not easy as the first one was superb.
The author has the knack of writing cosy, timeless stories set in picture postcard locations. There were a lot of characters and permutations of who could of killed who and why, but it was very well presented and laid out in such a way that it never felt a big muddle.
Definitly looking forward to the third book in the series.

Just a note to say that this book has been released before under a different title and another pen name. If you are a fan of Joyce Cato be careful!

Luckily I had not read it before and I found it to be a very entertaining cosy mystery. The main character and amateur sleuth is Monica Noble, wife of the local vicar in a small English country town. Monica has a talent for picking up clues and solving crimes before the police do.

There were moments in the book when I was very glad Monica was there to sort things out because there were so many characters buzzing around the Flower Show I became totally confused. However everything became clear by the end and the murderer was the last person I suspected!

Altogether a nicely written and enjoyable cosy and I look forward to more in this series!

This was a lot of fun! Although ostensibly it's set in modern times, the characters and their concerns could have been lifted straight out of a Christie novel: the vicar's wife, the fading aristocrat, the shady businessman, the teenage girl behaving foolishly in pursuit of a modelling career, even the English country setting. It all felt very cosy and old-fashioned – picture-postcard murder. I identified the murderer long before the book did, but it didn't stop me enjoying myself, and I'd read another. Recommended for fans of classic British crime.

"The flower show murder" is the second book in the Monica Noble series, and as much as I enjoyed the first one I didn't find this one as good. It's your average murder mystery, cozy village, lots of suspects and an amateur detective that solves the crime. I found it a bit slow paced at the beginning (the murder takes place halfway through) and then all the investigation happens in one afternoon, so it got a bit monotonous. Also, Carol Ann's plot was sooo embarrasing I cringed everytime time she came on the scene.

Maybe it's just me, but I find a bit disconcerting not being able to date when the story is happening. Sometimes it reads as it may be set in the 80s, early 90s by some descriptions or some character thinking (someone says that the best thing a girl can aspire for in life is to marry a rich guy), but then you get a mention of the Internet or Beyonce, and you think whaaat???

Anyway, 2,5/5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The second in the Monica Noble series and im hooked.... requested to attend and judge a flower show Monica and her husband Graham soon find that not everything in the village of Caulcott smells of roses, 2 dead bodies and old secrets bring them again into contact with Chief Inspector Jason Dury

Absutely loved this 5 stars

Another good mystery from Faith Martin. What can possibly go wrong at a flower show - one which hasn't even been judged yet? The rivalries among the village competitors haven't yet come to a head regarding who came first and who was 'cheated' out of the cup. The local vicar is, of course, a judge along with Graham Noble - a vicar from a nearby village - and his wife Monica. As they gather to begin the judging, things start to go pear-shaped very quickly.

Really enjoyed it. Especially Carol-Anne Clancy's role.

I read a free advance review copy, courtesy of Netgalley. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Flower Show Fatalities.....
The very welcome second book in the Monica Noble series of mysteries from Faith Martin (previously published as 'An Unholy Whiff of Death ' under pen name Joyce Cato). Monica and, clergy husband, Graham have been asked to judge a flower show by a neighbouring clergy and friend. They certainly get more than they ever bargained for as the dreaded day dawns and progresses. Hugely enjoyable mystery with likeable and credible protagonists in both Monica and Graham and a colourful supporting cast. Falls into the cosy genre but never quite as predictable as you may at first think and a thoroughly engaging read. A standalone mystery although there is greater enjoyment to be had in reading from the start of the series in terms of both character development and timeline. A very worthy addition to the series.