Dead Flowers

PI Julie Collins #4.5

by Lori G. Armstrong

PI Julie Collins trails cheating lovers, which leads to questions about her relationship with Tony Martinez.

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Romance

111 pages, ebook

First published January 2, 2013

About the author

Lori Armstrong is the two-time winner of the Shamus Award given by the Private Eye Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author of contemporary western erotic romance, written as Lorelei James. Her books have won the Willa Cather Literary Award and have been nominated for the High Plains Book Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She lives in western South Dakota - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/L...

Series
* PI Julie Collins
* Mercy Gunderson Mystery

Reviews

[Beanbag Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I couldn’t resist. I meant to take a break between Julie Collins reads and I couldn’t. But the last one is going on the back burner for a while because who knows when/if Armstrong will ever write another one. ☹

This was very short. But intense. It’s not a mystery, it’s more of a slice of life, romance troubles kind of story. While I was happy to catch up with one of my favorite couples, I know I would have thrown up if this arc had been threaded through a full novel. So, it’s satisfying on one level, but not much more than angst fluff (a new term I just made up).

Still love this series and wish there were more. Now, to stick to my resolution to hold off on devouring the last little bit of crazy Julie Collins I’ve got. Luckily I think the novels are decent rereads even if the mystery’s no longer valid, so I’ll have that. ☺

[SheLove2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan 2023 re-read.

Re-read Dec 2013 - still a huge 5 stars.

Original read Jan 2012
This is the short story that was included in the Guns and Roses anthology. The entire anthology is excellent - definitely give this particular story a try!

[Larri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Julie Collins series and I really hope that Ms. Armstrong writes more in the future...preferably the near future.
This short story was a great time to catch up with Julie, Martinez, Kevin and Jimmer. It was funny, sad and sexy. I'm still trying to figure out how a story can be so satisfying, and yet leave me wanting more.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reminded me of how much I enjoyed both of Armstrong's mystery/thriller series. I hope the author will take some time off from her Lorelei James persona to give us some more books in the Julie Collins and Mercy Gunderson series.

Pretty please?

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

The language in this story was horrible. The story was good, but the language destroyed it. Won't read any more by this author.

[Hmr28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, I wish I could get more of Tony and Collins. Such a great series. While everything else she writes as Armstrong is very good nothing is as great as this series.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m addicted to Julie Collins and now I’m going into withdrawal. Somehow I stumbled on this series (better late than never) and binged-read all four books and the two novellas in a matter of days. And now I read others’ comments to find out that there are no more in the series? How the heck am I going to survive this corona virus quarantine with no more Julie and Tony?! Shame on you, Lori Armstrong, for getting me addicted and leaving me hungering for more. (And by the way, out of the hundreds of books I’ve read, I think this is only the third time I’ve actually written a review on Goodreads. THAT’S how riled up you got me!)

PLEASE bring Julie back. I don’t care if it’s more than ten years later and she’s now a dumpy housewife bleaching her hair blond, I miss her smart alecky, ass-whooping style and need her to add some fun to this Corona virus pandemic quarantine. Just think of it as doing a Public Health Service for all of us during these troubled times. 😁

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

E-book; 111 pages. It’s Valentines Day and Julie is worried that Tony has lost interest and is cheating. In the meantime she’s hired to do surveillance on actual cheaters which makes her mind wander about Tony. Blah blah romance blah. Should really be a two star but I like the way she handles her man and the potential hussy.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Cynical, foul mouthed and ready to go, Julie is her usual self when Valentine's Day rolls around. She and Tony do not disappoint. This is a very enjoyable, quick read. I loved it.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good to get a glimpse of how they settled as a couple.
But I left feeling really sad - Martinez remained completely controlling, Julie's soul seemed crushed.

[Liz White · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short stories. fills the gaps nicely.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to devour this book after I finished the other current Julie Collins books. This is more of a look into Julie's head with her relationship with Martinez. He isn't spending as much time with her and she finds out that he bought flowers - but she never got any......

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great spin on a Valentine's Day story, because I too HATE this holiday!!! But it was also fun to see Julie & Martinez's relationship progress after the books!!! Loved it, Julie is still her 'take no crap from anyone' self, and still one of the things Martinez loves about his "Blondie", Julie.

[Silver James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Flowers is a novella that revisits one of my favorite couples, tough-as-nails PI Julie Collins, and bad-boy-with-a-heart, Tony Martinez. I have all the books in this series and I keep nudging the author to write more. These characters don't play nice but they've found a deep and abiding love with each other despite HUGE obstacles, like...Julie used to work for the sheriff's office before she became a private investigator and Martinez is international president of an outlaw motorcycle gang. Add in their volatile tempers and you get fireworks.

It would be easy to draw these characters and the secondary characters--especially the gang members--with shallow strokes. Not Ms. Armstrong. There are no cardboard cutouts here. The writing is as sharp as the north wind in South Dakota, the plot as clean as new snow (with muddy footsteps... *waggles brows*), and the heat between Julie and Martinez would set green logs on fire.

[Angela Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I don't know what I expected, from an author I have read for a while this was a refreshing change to see another side to her talent.

I love that the feisty female character is still apparent as in all her books and the attitude she gives is classic. Although one draw back is the story was too damn short.

[Daniell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun little discovery...I always wait for her next installment. It has been a while since I finished the last book, so I missed Julie and her biker beau. Fun to revisit them if only for 50 pages. That is my only complaint....not long enough!

[Jeanne Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the entire Julie Collins series. She and Martinez may be as dysfunctional as they come but they're so good for and to each other and just fit. This book was had the depth of their challenges in full display and as always a great coming together. I hope we see more of these two.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad that Julie is back. I loved it and really want more with one of favorite female characters.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story. We get classic Julie. Nice little taste to keep us satisfied until the next full length book.

[Liz Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED her to write more Julie Collins stories!! I love Julie and Martinez!

[Mechelle Miller griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

te quiero mucho Tony Martinez!! I want me a hot latin biker!

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss this series!

[Gyung-Min]

Guns and Roses

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good novella. Enough to keep us up on Julie Collins.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

short but sweet. nice to see things are still sizzling with Julie and Martinez a few months later.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read that I loved. Oh how I've missed Julie and Tony! I really would love more books in the series!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this character and this author. I would read anything she wrote. This was a great tidbit. Id give it more stars if it were longer.

[Lisa Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that this book was too short. It was great to see Julie and the gang again.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Julie Collins series immensely and Dead Flowers was no exception. Definitely recommend reading the rest of the series before you pick this one up. The Julie we've come to know and love was out in full force in this one. Loved it!