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A Flower Shop Mystery #16
A Root Awakening
Abby Knight's marriage may be in full bloom, but house hunting is no bed of roses in latest novel in the New York Times bestselling Flower Shop Mystery series...
Now that they’ve tied the knot, flower shop owner Abby Knight and her husband, Marco, want to put down roots. When it comes to picking a house, Marco can’t wait to get his hands dirty, while Abby isn’t ready for a fixer-upper. But conflict really sprouts when they’re checking out a dilapidated Victorian and watch a construction worker take a life-threatening tumble.
Since witnesses claim the man shouted for help, suggesting that the fall was no accident, the victim’s flamboyant wife hires Marco to find the person responsible. Meanwhile, Abby keeps secret from Marco her own investigation into the home’s inhabitants, a family whose off-kilter behavior has aroused her suspicions. If only Abby’s very pregnant cousin, Jillian, will stop distracting Abby with false labor pains, she can conclude her own inquiries before Marco finds out…and her case blossoms into a disaster.
Now that they’ve tied the knot, flower shop owner Abby Knight and her husband, Marco, want to put down roots. When it comes to picking a house, Marco can’t wait to get his hands dirty, while Abby isn’t ready for a fixer-upper. But conflict really sprouts when they’re checking out a dilapidated Victorian and watch a construction worker take a life-threatening tumble.
Since witnesses claim the man shouted for help, suggesting that the fall was no accident, the victim’s flamboyant wife hires Marco to find the person responsible. Meanwhile, Abby keeps secret from Marco her own investigation into the home’s inhabitants, a family whose off-kilter behavior has aroused her suspicions. If only Abby’s very pregnant cousin, Jillian, will stop distracting Abby with false labor pains, she can conclude her own inquiries before Marco finds out…and her case blossoms into a disaster.
Unknown Binding
First published February 1, 2015
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850 people want to read
About the author
Kate Collins
66 books950 followersIndiana native and former teacher Kate Collins is the author of the New York Times best-selling Flower Shop Mysteries, featuring feisty florist Abby Knight and the zany crew at Bloomers. Her books have made the New York Times Best-seller's list, Barnes & Noble mass bestsellers lists, the Independent Booksellers lists, and are available in large print editions in the U.S. and the UK.
3 of The Flower Shop Mysteries are on the Hallmark Mystery Movie channel!
Kate's historical romance novels and her children's books, JANEY WEBSTER, EB*, *EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER, and JASON JERVISS AT YOUR SERVICE, are available now as ebooks in all formats. Great reads for ages 9-14.
Kate graduated from Purdue University with a master's degree in education, taught elementary school for six years, but after the birth of her first child, gave up teaching to pursue a long-time dream of putting children’s stories to paper. After writing short humorous stories for children’s magazines and working part-time as a legal secretary, she sold her first historical romance novel in 1995, publishing seven historical romantic suspenses under the pen name Linda O’Brien before turning to her true love, mysteries.
3 of The Flower Shop Mysteries are on the Hallmark Mystery Movie channel!
Kate's historical romance novels and her children's books, JANEY WEBSTER, EB*, *EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER, and JASON JERVISS AT YOUR SERVICE, are available now as ebooks in all formats. Great reads for ages 9-14.
Kate graduated from Purdue University with a master's degree in education, taught elementary school for six years, but after the birth of her first child, gave up teaching to pursue a long-time dream of putting children’s stories to paper. After writing short humorous stories for children’s magazines and working part-time as a legal secretary, she sold her first historical romance novel in 1995, publishing seven historical romantic suspenses under the pen name Linda O’Brien before turning to her true love, mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 27, 2015
A Root Awakening is a generous return to form. After the abysmal Throw in the Trowel, I had called it quits with an air of finality. But since I've been in a reading rut since the start of this year, I decided to throw caution and pride to the winds and broke my resolution to have nothing to do with the Flower Shop mystery series.
The best thing about this series is that Kate Collins is so inspired. With the previous 15 adventures crammed in 2 years in the 'Abbyverse', she has remained decidedly fresh - no pun intended. With that form, she looks to be chronicling the events of a fanciful and suspenseful reality where people - alright, Abby and Marco - don't find it strange to be risking life and limb for the thrill of it. Abby doesn't find it unbelievable to be having so many life threatening adventures. But among all the cozies I've read, there has been only one series where the characters are aware of this jinx. While this lack of feeling is unfortunate, it's completely understandable and there are enough quirky, original, decisive, defining, progressive, and endearing attributes to make the series be unique. I feel there's an unexplained absence of Abby's best friend Nicky. She has been missing for two books now. While I found her loss in the last book unforgivable, a loss that might have played heavily in me ditching the series, I've now accepted this absence and perhaps all is for the best. People drift apart.
Regarding this particular book, I felt from the start that it was a winner. The mystery was a clever conundrum of two cases intertwined, with Abby involving herself, with nothing but a gut feeling. Jillian I found amusing and not overbearing at all, which is a first for me. I found the dead end met by Abby's husband in the investigation of Sergio, natural and subject to normalcy and leading to a thrilling third act. The incapacitated state of Sergio and what happens to him contributed to the strong score I've given the book. The last three or four chapters were very satisfying, and I'm back. Back on the bandwagon and pleased to be here. I keep fingers crossed, hoping the next book is a confirmation of this one's success and not a flash in the pan nor an abnormality. It's great to follow the perky shenanigans of a 16th book where other authors of other franchises are just phoning in their flagging and unimaginative books. Even if Kate Collins were to be on auto pilot, I'd be even more impressed. It takes real talent to keep on churning pleasant and nice and interesting and addictive books like these without trying. It takes a real good effort to earn 4 stars from me these days. Can't wait to know more about Jillian's baby and Abby's temporary abode.
The best thing about this series is that Kate Collins is so inspired. With the previous 15 adventures crammed in 2 years in the 'Abbyverse', she has remained decidedly fresh - no pun intended. With that form, she looks to be chronicling the events of a fanciful and suspenseful reality where people - alright, Abby and Marco - don't find it strange to be risking life and limb for the thrill of it. Abby doesn't find it unbelievable to be having so many life threatening adventures. But among all the cozies I've read, there has been only one series where the characters are aware of this jinx. While this lack of feeling is unfortunate, it's completely understandable and there are enough quirky, original, decisive, defining, progressive, and endearing attributes to make the series be unique. I feel there's an unexplained absence of Abby's best friend Nicky. She has been missing for two books now. While I found her loss in the last book unforgivable, a loss that might have played heavily in me ditching the series, I've now accepted this absence and perhaps all is for the best. People drift apart.
Regarding this particular book, I felt from the start that it was a winner. The mystery was a clever conundrum of two cases intertwined, with Abby involving herself, with nothing but a gut feeling. Jillian I found amusing and not overbearing at all, which is a first for me. I found the dead end met by Abby's husband in the investigation of Sergio, natural and subject to normalcy and leading to a thrilling third act. The incapacitated state of Sergio and what happens to him contributed to the strong score I've given the book. The last three or four chapters were very satisfying, and I'm back. Back on the bandwagon and pleased to be here. I keep fingers crossed, hoping the next book is a confirmation of this one's success and not a flash in the pan nor an abnormality. It's great to follow the perky shenanigans of a 16th book where other authors of other franchises are just phoning in their flagging and unimaginative books. Even if Kate Collins were to be on auto pilot, I'd be even more impressed. It takes real talent to keep on churning pleasant and nice and interesting and addictive books like these without trying. It takes a real good effort to earn 4 stars from me these days. Can't wait to know more about Jillian's baby and Abby's temporary abode.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
House hunting can be fun but most times it is pretty daunting. Buying a house is a huge decision and Marco and Abby are not exactly on the same page as to the type of house they want. Marco is okay with a fixer upper but Abby knows with them both owning businesses and a private investigating company they are not going to have much time for fixing anything up. But she is willing to look. They arrive to check out a Victorian that is already receiving a bit of a facelift just in time to see one of the workers fall many feet from his ladder to the ground. It looks like an accident but the victim’s wife hires Marco and Abby to investigate. Abby also thinks there is something off about the people renting the house and her brain just can’t let it go so she does a little investigating on her own.
Not sure what their next move is regarding finding a home a very pregnant comes to the rescue and offers to find them the perfect place to purchase. The trick will be finding it before she actually really truly goes into labor and has the baby. Hilarity ensues!
This is the 16th book in this series. That should tell you something right there. This is an excellent series and Kate Collins is a wonderful storyteller. She continues to keep these character fresh and their adventures colorful and entertaining. They are definitely blooming in the place she has planted them.
As someone who has worked on a construction crew the man falling from the ladder sent extra chills through my entire body. Those Victorian homes are tall, my first thought was where was his safety harness but then I quickly became enthralled in the mystery. Did he just lose his balance or was he really pushed? Why? and Who? and was he going to survive? Abby and Marco seem to be getting nowhere in their investigation.
This was one of those books I just couldn’t put down. I knew what Abby was thinking but the author twisted it in a way I didn’t see coming at all. An extraordinary WHODUNIT!
I am a huge fan of this author and I anxiously await each installment and am never disappointed, in fact she always exceeds my expectations. We have already learned #17 is called Florist Grump and it hits stores in November! I truly can’t wait!
February 2, 2015
I found A ROOT AWAKENING to be every bit as entertaining as the other volumes in this series. With the same great writing style, it’s packed with mystery, fun, and colorful characters.
It’s hard to believe this is already the sixteenth installment in the Flower Shop Mysteries. Yet, somehow, Ms. Collins has kept this series as fresh as the flowers she writes about. For indeed, it is a wonderful bloom in an ever growing bouquet.
There is a superb “whodunit” with plenty of false leads to keep you guessing. I had no idea who the culprit was until lead character, Abby Knight, knew herself. While I do love to be able to guess sometimes, I really enjoy when a book like this one leaves me with my mouth hanging open and saying, “No way!”
One of my favorite parts of the story was the house hunting involving Abby and her new husband, Marco. It reminded me so much of looking for a new house a couple of years ago. Some of the “fixer uppers” we were shown were in pretty rough shape. Like Abby, I was not enthused with the prospect of being the one to do the fixing.
You’re really going to enjoy A ROOT AWAKENING. If you haven’t read this series yet, please start adding them to your TBR stacks! You won’t be sorry. And if you already read this series, well, you are in for the same wonderful treat you always get when reading the Flower Shop Mysteries.
Check out the end of the book for a blurb on, FLORIST GRUMP, coming in November 2015!
It’s hard to believe this is already the sixteenth installment in the Flower Shop Mysteries. Yet, somehow, Ms. Collins has kept this series as fresh as the flowers she writes about. For indeed, it is a wonderful bloom in an ever growing bouquet.
There is a superb “whodunit” with plenty of false leads to keep you guessing. I had no idea who the culprit was until lead character, Abby Knight, knew herself. While I do love to be able to guess sometimes, I really enjoy when a book like this one leaves me with my mouth hanging open and saying, “No way!”
One of my favorite parts of the story was the house hunting involving Abby and her new husband, Marco. It reminded me so much of looking for a new house a couple of years ago. Some of the “fixer uppers” we were shown were in pretty rough shape. Like Abby, I was not enthused with the prospect of being the one to do the fixing.
You’re really going to enjoy A ROOT AWAKENING. If you haven’t read this series yet, please start adding them to your TBR stacks! You won’t be sorry. And if you already read this series, well, you are in for the same wonderful treat you always get when reading the Flower Shop Mysteries.
Check out the end of the book for a blurb on, FLORIST GRUMP, coming in November 2015!
April 19, 2018
This is one of my favorite series and this book did not disappoint. I love the dynamic between Abby and Marco. This one had two cases going on. A nice mix of old and new characters. Good comfort reading.
February 4, 2015
A Root Awakening is the sixteenth book in the A Flower Shop Mystery series.
It's always a joy for me to sit on a bench in the village square watch for the wonderful characters that work at Bloomer's and Down The Hatch. Bloomer's being Abby Knights flower shop and her able assistants, Grace and Lottie. Grace who can be counted on to add timely quotes and Lottie's great sense of humor. Down The Hatch is the bar that Abby's husband, Marco, owns.
The newlyweds have returned to New Chapel to begin the married life together. The first thing on their agenda is to find a home. The first house that they are going to look at is having a new roof put on and us being painted. As they are about to go into the house, the extension ladder the painter, Sergio, is on beings to fall and throws him to the ground. Sergio is taken to the hospital in serious condition and the police feel that it was a workplace accident. But Abby is concerned that something isn't right with the daughter of the family living there. Soon, Rosa, Sergio wife ask Marco and Abby to look into the matter, as she feels that there was a vendetta against Sergio.
Marco and Abby begin to interview the crew that was working on the house. But at the same time Abby starts her own investigation into the little girl and her family. She wants to find out the young girl is upset and to show Marco that she really does have the necessary investigative skills to handle investigations on her own. They soon find that are many possible suspects. Most of the construction crew had personal reasons to be rid of Sergio. Likewise, Abby finds that there is something the parents of the children are hiding, she just needs to find a way to talk with the young daughter.
Grace is around to provide her timely quotes and her delicious scones and tea for the customers and staff. Of course Lottie is around to keep the flower side of the business running smoothly while Abby is out sleuthing.
And Jillian!!! I have come to love this character. Jillian is Abby cousin and provides some wonderful comedic times to the book. Readers have been with her through he nine months of pregnancy and the time is nearing for her to give birth, but she still hasn't still hasn't decided on a name for the newborn. And as is only possible in her flighty character, she is on a first name basis with almost the emergency room staff.
I love this series and can't wait for the next book to see how Abby and Marco's new home will be and to see what Jillian will do now that she is a mama.
It's always a joy for me to sit on a bench in the village square watch for the wonderful characters that work at Bloomer's and Down The Hatch. Bloomer's being Abby Knights flower shop and her able assistants, Grace and Lottie. Grace who can be counted on to add timely quotes and Lottie's great sense of humor. Down The Hatch is the bar that Abby's husband, Marco, owns.
The newlyweds have returned to New Chapel to begin the married life together. The first thing on their agenda is to find a home. The first house that they are going to look at is having a new roof put on and us being painted. As they are about to go into the house, the extension ladder the painter, Sergio, is on beings to fall and throws him to the ground. Sergio is taken to the hospital in serious condition and the police feel that it was a workplace accident. But Abby is concerned that something isn't right with the daughter of the family living there. Soon, Rosa, Sergio wife ask Marco and Abby to look into the matter, as she feels that there was a vendetta against Sergio.
Marco and Abby begin to interview the crew that was working on the house. But at the same time Abby starts her own investigation into the little girl and her family. She wants to find out the young girl is upset and to show Marco that she really does have the necessary investigative skills to handle investigations on her own. They soon find that are many possible suspects. Most of the construction crew had personal reasons to be rid of Sergio. Likewise, Abby finds that there is something the parents of the children are hiding, she just needs to find a way to talk with the young daughter.
Grace is around to provide her timely quotes and her delicious scones and tea for the customers and staff. Of course Lottie is around to keep the flower side of the business running smoothly while Abby is out sleuthing.
And Jillian!!! I have come to love this character. Jillian is Abby cousin and provides some wonderful comedic times to the book. Readers have been with her through he nine months of pregnancy and the time is nearing for her to give birth, but she still hasn't still hasn't decided on a name for the newborn. And as is only possible in her flighty character, she is on a first name basis with almost the emergency room staff.
I love this series and can't wait for the next book to see how Abby and Marco's new home will be and to see what Jillian will do now that she is a mama.
January 27, 2025
I absolutely love this series. Marco and Abby are so good together. All the characters are great. It is a wonderful series.
March 2, 2015
What do a man on a ladder, a child who looks at Abby strangely, a woman with a mop, and a possible murder have to do with a search by Abby and Marco for a house of their own? Throw in help from Abby's very pregnant cousin Jillian who has renewed her real estate license to find the perfect house, her seemingly everlasting false labor pains, and Abby prowling after possible criminals and what do you have? A book that is a quick, easy read that will have you scratching your head, as one possible crime becomes entangled with another possible crime to keep you on your toes. What or who caused Sergio's fall? If it was deliberate, which of his co-workers may have seen something or even might have pushed the ladder away from the roof?
Marco and Abby, now married and living in Marco's apartment, are finding their quarters cramped and really want to move into their own place. Business is brisk at Bloomers, the flower shop Abby owns and operates, and Marco is kept very busy with his two businesses, his bar "Down the Hatch" and his private investigator business. Abby is almost always his assistant on top of her own job managing her store.
This series is fun and captivating. The kooky items that Abby's mother brings in to sell in the shop gives Abby grief, but they are so creatively awkward they are entertaining in their own right. The camaraderie between Abby and her assistants is comforting, and fortunately allows her time to work on what she calls her "hobby", sleuthing, her three-legged rescue dog Seedy often accompanying her.
Rosa, Sergio's wife, is absolutely sure that someone pushed her husband off the roof and has hired Marco to find the culprit. In the meantime, she begins working part-time in Bloomers when she isn't by Sergio's side waiting and hoping for him to regain consciousness. There is so much going on in this book, with some very strange twists, but the story line remains intact and quickly moves in action and excitement. Another strong plot in the Flower Shop Mysteries from Kate Collins . This is #16 in the series and has not lost any of it's charm.
Marco and Abby, now married and living in Marco's apartment, are finding their quarters cramped and really want to move into their own place. Business is brisk at Bloomers, the flower shop Abby owns and operates, and Marco is kept very busy with his two businesses, his bar "Down the Hatch" and his private investigator business. Abby is almost always his assistant on top of her own job managing her store.
This series is fun and captivating. The kooky items that Abby's mother brings in to sell in the shop gives Abby grief, but they are so creatively awkward they are entertaining in their own right. The camaraderie between Abby and her assistants is comforting, and fortunately allows her time to work on what she calls her "hobby", sleuthing, her three-legged rescue dog Seedy often accompanying her.
Rosa, Sergio's wife, is absolutely sure that someone pushed her husband off the roof and has hired Marco to find the culprit. In the meantime, she begins working part-time in Bloomers when she isn't by Sergio's side waiting and hoping for him to regain consciousness. There is so much going on in this book, with some very strange twists, but the story line remains intact and quickly moves in action and excitement. Another strong plot in the Flower Shop Mysteries from Kate Collins . This is #16 in the series and has not lost any of it's charm.
February 3, 2015
Newlyweds florist, Abby and Private detective, Marco are on the hunt for a house. While on that hunt they come across this house that is a little worse for wear but was in the process of being repaired. Conflict arises when Abby just wants a move in ready home and her hubby wants to renovate. While looking at the house with their realtor a painter suddenly falls to the ground. Every one jumps to action trying to save the fallen worker. The man, Sergio is then rushed to the hospital and continues to stay in critical condition.
Everyone on the scene claims that Sergio did in fact call out for help and with Sergio's tough guy reputation his wife, Rosa soon hires Marco to try to find out what really happened. At the same time Abby wonders about the curious stares from a little girl that lives in the home , a little girl that she can't seem to get off her mind and haunts her dreams, she wonders again and again about this family and decides to start her own investigation because she just feels there's something off about them.
Marco Continues with his own investigation as to why Sergio fell from the roof but is getting no where and Abby wants to prove to Marco that she can prove the people in the home are not who they claim to be. When Sergio dies and it is proven to be murder it's even more important to to try the find out how Sergio could have possibly fallen to his death so suddenly before someone else is pushing up daisies.
I couldn't read this book fast enough, edge of your seat excitement. With also a few shed tears. Tender moments filled with drama. A great edition to the Flower Shop Mysteries. Being the sixteenth book it actually reads like the first book in the series. This is the first book I have read in the series but if author Kate Collins cozy mystery are this great at the sixteenth book I can imagine what the previous and future books in this series will be like. Thank you for making a fan out of me.
March 6, 2015
I have read and enjoyed all of the books in Kate Collins' Flower Shop series to date. However, I found the "bloom to be off the rose" in this one. While Abby and her new husband Marco are looking at an old Victorian home to purchase, a construction work takes a life-threatening fall in front of several people. Their investigation involves questioning the same unhelpful and increasingly hostile construction workers multiple times which gets old fast. At the same time, Abby goes off on her own investigation because of a "look" that she received from the little girl that lived in the house. The most intriguing part of the book was the injured construction workers wife and her new part-time job at Bloomers, Abby's Flower Shop. From the set up I think she will be wrecking havoc for Abby in the upcoming books.
August 30, 2015
This is a series I've always enjoyed, but this one is running neck & neck with my least favorite in the series which was quite a few books back. Abby was annoying in this one. REALLY annoying and I never think of her that way. Jillian was even more ridiculous than usual and there was really no mystery here. Hope the next one is better. I'd hate to have to part ways with this series!
June 2, 2015
I've been hooked on Collins's Flower Shop Mysteries for years, and this one lived up to the others. Maybe surpassed them! Fun characters, great twists!
July 15, 2016
Fun cozy mystery.
May 25, 2023
Newlyweds Abby and Marco are in the midst of house-hunting. While visiting a Victorian that's currently undergoing renovations, they witness one of the painters take a tumble from his ladder. The painter's wife hires Marco, a PI, to investigate, but Abby can't help but focus on the family that were living in the house as tenants. Something about their daughter, especially, seems off. While Abby focuses on them, she keeps her end of the investigation from Marco in an effort to prove that her hunches were right. In the meantime, Abby still has a flower shop to run, she needs to hire more help, her mother keeps bringing her hideous artwork to the shop to sell, and there's still the matter of finding a house.
I found this to be a likable story for the most part, but Abby took some foolish risks just so she could one-up her husband. It was stupid of her, and it made me want to smack some sense into her. Characters were done well, and I really liked Rosa, the flamboyant wife of the hapless painter. Abby's mother is a teacher, but she came across as a ditz. Then, there was the solution that dropped out of the sky.
Major spoiler!!! In an unbelievable stroke of luck, Abby just happened to be at the hospital with her very pregnant cousin Jillian, who just happened to have another false alarm and who then just happened to suggest Abby come with her to visit the hospital's maternity ward, which was inaccessible. However, they just happened to encounter a nurse, who happened to recognize Jillian, and who happened to use her fob to let them in, all while she just happened to mention that the reason the maternity ward is off limits is for security. It seems this nurse just happened to work at a hospital where, ten years ago, a woman dressed as a nurse stole a baby. This jogged something in Abby's mind, and she just happened to realize that the tenants' son is about ten years old, and what if... I mean, that series ofunfortunate events was so incredible as to be absurd. Why not have Abby think there's something familiar about the tenants' daughter and finally realize she's seen her face on a missing poster or some such? That would have been far more believable. Moving on.
I'm really waffling between a three and a four. I liked the story, but Abby's stupidity and that clue from heaven really turned me off. Giving this one a three.
I found this to be a likable story for the most part, but Abby took some foolish risks just so she could one-up her husband. It was stupid of her, and it made me want to smack some sense into her. Characters were done well, and I really liked Rosa, the flamboyant wife of the hapless painter. Abby's mother is a teacher, but she came across as a ditz. Then, there was the solution that dropped out of the sky.
Major spoiler!!! In an unbelievable stroke of luck, Abby just happened to be at the hospital with her very pregnant cousin Jillian, who just happened to have another false alarm and who then just happened to suggest Abby come with her to visit the hospital's maternity ward, which was inaccessible. However, they just happened to encounter a nurse, who happened to recognize Jillian, and who happened to use her fob to let them in, all while she just happened to mention that the reason the maternity ward is off limits is for security. It seems this nurse just happened to work at a hospital where, ten years ago, a woman dressed as a nurse stole a baby. This jogged something in Abby's mind, and she just happened to realize that the tenants' son is about ten years old, and what if... I mean, that series of
I'm really waffling between a three and a four. I liked the story, but Abby's stupidity and that clue from heaven really turned me off. Giving this one a three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2022
This is my favorite book in the series so far. It's intricately plotted, and the mysteries Abby solves are high quality indeed. Newlyweds Abby and Marco are house hunting as the book begins. He fancies a hell hole he can fix up and turn into a dream house. She fears she'd be the one doing most of the fixing while he did shifts at his bar in the evening. She decidedly wats something newer.
As they examine an old rundown rental wherein still lives a set of parents and two children, a construction worker on the house next door yells "help me," then plummets to his eventual death. Abby's not convinced the death is an accident, and this time, her instincts are great. But you won't see how this resolves, and it does most satisfactorily.
The second mystery that simultaneously needs a solution is who are these two children. That mystery will fascinate you and hold your interest, and you'll figure it out about 86 percent of the way through the book, but the suspense at the end is worth finishing it for.
As they examine an old rundown rental wherein still lives a set of parents and two children, a construction worker on the house next door yells "help me," then plummets to his eventual death. Abby's not convinced the death is an accident, and this time, her instincts are great. But you won't see how this resolves, and it does most satisfactorily.
The second mystery that simultaneously needs a solution is who are these two children. That mystery will fascinate you and hold your interest, and you'll figure it out about 86 percent of the way through the book, but the suspense at the end is worth finishing it for.
March 4, 2019
I really really really love this series #FlowershopMystery
Newly married Abby and Marco decide its time to buy a house, his bachelor pad apartment just isn't cutting it with the 3 of them ... them and their dog Seedy!!! Marco doesn't mind a fixer up while Abby wants a walk-in ready home. Their 1st house they visit is a Victorian style home currently being given outside renovations. Just after they arrive a painter falls off the ladder and becomes unconscious. Upon witnessing it looks like just another fall but the painters wife thinks otherwise and wants Marco and Abby's help.
Abby has a 6th sense feeling that there is more to this and feels the occupants of the house who suddenly flee have her senses on full alert. Abby goes rogue for her 6th sense on this one and comes across another investigation that requires her immediate attention at all costs!!!
I really really really love this series #FlowershopMystery
Newly married Abby and Marco decide its time to buy a house, his bachelor pad apartment just isn't cutting it with the 3 of them ... them and their dog Seedy!!! Marco doesn't mind a fixer up while Abby wants a walk-in ready home. Their 1st house they visit is a Victorian style home currently being given outside renovations. Just after they arrive a painter falls off the ladder and becomes unconscious. Upon witnessing it looks like just another fall but the painters wife thinks otherwise and wants Marco and Abby's help.
Abby has a 6th sense feeling that there is more to this and feels the occupants of the house who suddenly flee have her senses on full alert. Abby goes rogue for her 6th sense on this one and comes across another investigation that requires her immediate attention at all costs!!!
I really really really love this series #FlowershopMystery
March 11, 2018
Cousin Jillian is about to have a baby, Abby's mother and father are finding creative ways to make art, and Abby and Marco are house hunting. When a worker falls to his death at a home viewing, things quickly turn into an investigation at the bequest of the injured man's wife. Abby senses something off about a couple of children who were present on the property, and goes off on her own to investigate.
Good plot, but the witness interviews seemed to drag on a bit too long to keep the story moving. Love the series and the great cast of characters.
Good plot, but the witness interviews seemed to drag on a bit too long to keep the story moving. Love the series and the great cast of characters.
June 15, 2017
This is my first book by author Kate Collins. When books are written in a series such as this one, I try to read them in order, but it turned out in this case that order did not matter. The story was well written, but I found it to be a bit too low-level and lacked complexity. I figured out the end mostly before any of the end scenes. I'm sure I'm one of few who didn't like this book since there are quite a few that came before this one.
August 2, 2023
Now that Abby and her husband, Marco are married they want to buy a house. Of course one wants move in ready and the other wants a fixer. When looking at an old Victorian a worker falls. They are hired by the victim's wife to find out what happened. But Abby has that feeling that something is not right about the people that lived in the house. As they investigating Abby starts snooping on her on.
March 10, 2019
I figured it out ...
I figured it out around the halfway point. Of course Abby once again decided "I think I'll go see this person who I think committed a horrible crime but naturally I won't tell anyone where I am going or what I think because what would be the fun in that?". Sigh. But it was a good story.
I figured it out around the halfway point. Of course Abby once again decided "I think I'll go see this person who I think committed a horrible crime but naturally I won't tell anyone where I am going or what I think because what would be the fun in that?". Sigh. But it was a good story.
February 16, 2020
I like this series and have read so the books up through this #16. I like the relationship between Abby and Marco and enjoyed their interactions within their partnership. I felt some of the interview sequences hit a bit redundant, but the story moved along and kept me turning the page to see what would happen next.
I’ll definitely read the next book (#17) in this series.
I’ll definitely read the next book (#17) in this series.
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April 27, 2020(E-Lib) Even though Abby and I totally don't agree on what our dream house looks like (she wants a new build, with tan walls -- ew!), this was a great installment in this series. I like how they introduced Rosa, and I assume she will be a central figure going forward. I wonder when Jillian will ever have that baby!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2020
I liked this one with the twist of the kidnapped kids but wasn't a fan of Rosa and everyone fawning all over her at the flower shop. I was waiting for Abby to stand up for herself when everyone was pressing her to hire Rosa for the flower shop. She is still the owner and boss and Lottie and Grace seemed to overstep on pressuring her. I'll see how the Rosa hiring plays out in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2023
For a cozy mystery, Collins has a newly wed couple house hunting, trying to find the killer of a workman, dealing with her Mom's crazy inventions to help the budding florist. Husband and wife have businesses, work together as an investigative team while also dealing with a non-credential cousin helping them house hunt while having false labor pains. Great at dealing with all the angles.
January 21, 2018
I’m sorry but I don’t like Rosa. When she didn’t accept Abby’s offer to work at bloomers at the end I was SOO exited. THEN, she got “a sign” from Sergio and accepted. Now I’m just disappointed. I’m a very jealous person and Rosa even makes ME jealous. UGH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2021
What a humdinger! So much is going on, so many things seem disconnected, and Abby just has her inner antenna going crazy! Luckily Abby relies on her gut instincts, and because she's so darn stubborn, things usually end up for the best. I really enjoyed Rosa- Abby's Latina twin!
May 15, 2025
This book was so good from the beginning. The mystery was clever as two cases were intertwined with one another. I also enjoyed the reality of Marco finding a dead end in the case as this has never happened in the series before. Really enjoyed this one and excited for the next!
May 20, 2017
Love this series!! Always exciting read you don't want to put down read!! 😍
June 16, 2017
This whole series is great! Highly recommend them all!
December 15, 2017
The things Abby gets into. It's good that she has Marco to help her out. Even after 16 books these are still good. I love the mysteries. Ready to read # 17.
January 17, 2018
Really enjoyed this book, the next in her flower shop series. I did figure out the mystery though!
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