"Bleeding Heart Librarian" By Jackie LaytonL Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

The title of book three of the Texas Flower Farmer Mystery series is a great play on words, and has much to offer in the way of plot twists. I had completely forgotten about the Bleeding Heart plant that has amazing looking flowers. This is my first time reading this series, but I was able to keep track of people and relationships, making it a very good stand-alone. The main character, pharmacy-tech-turned-flower-farmer, Emma Justice, lives up to her name. She and her friends do what they can to discover who killed librarian Tess Carranza, and they deliver justice as well as some nice floral bouquets.

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Emma is like many other cozy characters. She has a strong sense of right and wrong, and needs to help right the various wrongs. Emma is also quite relatable on several levels. I enjoyed reading the banter between Amy and her 18-year-old daughter, Abby. I also enjoyed the love and respect that Jake, a former Marine, showers on Emma. He is concerned for Emma’s safety, but respectful of her need to suss out clues. Emma and crew get along well with police chief Matt Young, who warns Emma to steer clear of the investigation, but is always quick to respond to her calls.

There are multiple mysteries in this story, including some seemingly shifty real estate transactions. Author Jackie Layton mentions in her “About the Author” section that many of her ideas come from watching Dateline and American Greed, so I have to wonder if this story is a blending of two, or maybe three, such episodes. There is definitely greed involved and something more. The multiple plot possibilities keep you intrigued, making it necessary to take a page out of Emma’s sketch book and write everything down to keep it straight.

As with other cozy mysteries, I am once again learning about new things such as the concept of a flower bar. Encouraging guests to create their own bouquet party favors sounds like such a fun and creative way to enhance a party or get-together. I also wonder if I have family land somewhere just waiting to be redeemed for the price of back taxes.

This was an enjoyable and challenging mystery that only needs one little tweak to make it perfect for me: some gardening tips at the conclusion of the story. I have a light green, sometimes brown, thumb and could use all the tips and tricks possible. Any plant advice would be much appreciated.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Bleeding Heart Librarian, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "bleeding heart,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 31, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book

 

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.