Overview

In Regency Bath, flowers speak louder than words. Someone is using them to lie. Clara Hartwell trusts flowers more than she trusts people. Camellias for admiration, violets for loyalty, heliotrope for devotion that never speaks aloud. Her work as a secret flower-writer creating floriography books for rich clients keeps her fed and mostly content. That all changes the day a body is found with a bouquet in its hands and her careful language turned inside out. Partnered with Bath's new coroner, Gideon Bell, Clara follows a trail of petals and lies and begins to wonder if she has been translating her own heart all wrong. Adrian Vale likes the world neat and knowable. Bottles in straight rows, ledgers balanced, a future with Clara she can't say no to. Her secret language of flowers and his gift for scent seem made for each other. But when bouquets begin to appear beside the dead and Clara is called to advise the new coroner, Adrian feels his careful arrangements begin to shift. To protect the work they share and the life he hopes for, he must decide what he is truly willing to risk for the woman at the center of his plans. Perfect for readers who love: historical romance mystery strong, clever heroines gentle protector heroes love triangles society scandal forced proximity class coflict slow-burn romance found family Victorian floriography and secret messages Flower glossary included.

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9798993311425

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Reviews

The purpose of the book, ""Whispers on Flowers,"" by Matilda Lockwood was to explore the double meaning of the word flowers in the Victorian language. The language of flowers could be a deep romantic expression or a dangerous deception. Ms. Lockwood's plot was created as a Sherlock Holmes' whodunit. The plot included a slow burn romance. Her intent seemed to be to immerse her readers in the atmospheric of Regency Bath in England. Even though the plot seemed to be a classic whodunit, she blended into her writing the eloquence of a Regency romance. A Regency romance focuses on love stories set in British high-society during 1811-1820. The stories were defined by strict social etiquette, parties, and wit. The themes included social reputation, marriages of convenience, class differences, and courtship rituals. One of the characters which was part of this story was an unconventional heroine. The Regency romance was a sub-genre of historical romance. There are key characteristics to this style of writing. The secret to unlocking a deeper comprehension of the story is understanding the majority of the terror was inferred. When reading the story, you as the reader must focus on the coded symbols of the words not what was being said by the characters. The characters often communicate through witty banner and lengthy silences. This was because directness in speech was considered improper. The central mystery of the story began when the dead body of a young errand boy was discovered by the river in Bath. A list of false flower meanings were found in his pocket. Clare Hartwell, the protagonist in the story, came to help decipher the secret language of the flowers. The secret language was typically employed by women to express themselves in a discreet manner. The language was being manipulated as a weapon for danger and deception. She and Dr. Gideon Bell joined forces to discover the meaning of the phrases to discover the true identity of the murderer. The book is a must read for those who enjoy reading stories which blend an intellectural puzzle with a twist of romance. The author diverted her story from a typical Regency novel to a detective story. The book turns the historical niche of the Victorian language of flowers into a vital pieceof evidence. Ms. Lockwood had intentionally forced the reader to learn the secret message of blooms. An added bonus to the story is the author's illustrations. The reader now has a multi-media visual experience. The sketches allow you to visualize the clues and the asstheitcs of Bath. Enjoy the experience. -Gregory Van Den Berg, Goodreads

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