A FROND IN NEED: A Flower Shop Mystery Summer Novella

A Flower Shop Mystery #19.3

by Kate Collins

A FRIEND INDEED? It’s Summertime in New Chapel, Indiana, and feisty florist Abby Knight Salvare is up to her neck in work – supervising the construction of her float for the Fourth of July parade, managing her flower shop Bloomers, reigning in her over-eager cousin Jillian, and working with her hunky husband Marco in his private detective business – when her best friend Nikki comes to her with a big problem. Blake Ryder, a handsome, charismatic surgeon at the New Chapel Hospital is a suspect in a murder case, and Nikki is supposed to go away with him for the holiday weekend. Is Blake being targeted unfairly or has Nikki gotten herself involved with a real life lady-killer? The days are long and humid, the clues are leading in all directions, and the responsibilities are piling up as Independence Day quickly approaches. Abby can’t turn down a friend in need, but can she solve Nikki’s dilemma and handle all her other concerns before the fireworks?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

165 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2020

About the author

Indiana 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.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Flower Shop Mystery series was one of my first introductions into the cozy mystery genre. As a result, I have a special place in my heart for the series. I have been looking forward to a novella or full book in this series so when I saw this book was released it was an automatic purchase for me. Abby and Marco are one of my favorite cozy mystery couples. They complement each other perfectly and Marco tends to help restrain Abby's more impulsive tendencies. This is a summer novella centered around the Fourth of July. Abby has a lot going on which is complicated more by her friend Nikki, whose current boyfriend is being questioned for murder. This is a quick fun read and I am hoping that we can get a full book soon. The entire cast of characters is entertaining and there is plenty of humor and friendship that makes the stories and mysteries engaging. I am a huge fan and any new book or novella is an automatic buy for me.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Flower Shop stories I have read. There is a solid plot with lots of potential suspects and red herrings packed into a novella. Abby Knight Salvare and her husband Marco make a great duo investigating a murder to help out Abby's best friend Nikki who is afraid her new boyfriend may be a murderer. The pace is brisk since it's shorter than a regular novel and I appreciate that. I think the book will appeal to fans of the series as well as new readers. Fans of Jenn McKinlay would like the characters in this story who really care about their friends and family members. I was surprised when the identity of the killer was revealed and like how things wrapped up in the book and hope this series continues.

[Dawn Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Kate Collins’ most recent addition to the A Flower Shop Mystery series is a summer novella featuring all of my favorite characters from New Chapel, Indiana, and is called A Frond In Need. Incidentally, I always love the clever and “punny” titles my favorite authors come up with to name their books; I can only wish to be so creative. Our story opens as Abby Knight Salvare is exceptionally busy getting her flower shop’s float ready for the Fourth of July parade, helping her oh-so-hot husband, Marco, in their PI business, try to manage her cousin Jillian’s everything-is-a-crisis-help-me-now latest quest, and keeping up with the day to day running of the shop. Abby’s already full plate is close to overflowing when her best friend, Nikki, begs for Abby’s investigative skills with her new boyfriend who has found himself a possible suspect in the murder of a nurse he used to date. With Nikki planning on leaving town with her hunky boyfriend for the holiday weekend, Abby and Marco have to work fast to figure out if Nikki’s new man is a good match or a vicious murderer. Although this novella is a short and quick read, it is still packed full of suspects, motives, red herrings, and an engaging mystery. The entire cast of fun, quirky, and relatable characters from the series make an appearance in this novella, even Abby and Marco’s fur babies. Abby and Marco are really relationship goals and provide such a great backdrop to this series. I highly recommend A Frond In Need along with the entire A Flower Shop Mystery series!

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Flower Shop novella, Abby's bestie, Nikki, asks for her assistance in clearing her new boyfriend's name. He happens to be a doctor at the local hospital and is being questioned in regards to a nurse's recent murder. Abby and Marco take on the case, but don't like that he's asked Nikki to cover his alibi, even though it isn't accurate. In addition to working the case, Abby is supervising the quadruplets in decorating the Bloomers float for the upcoming 4th of July parade. Pick up this fun novella to discover if the doctor is innocent and if the Bloomers float wins.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Flower Shop Mystery is one of my favorite series ever! My mom bought me 'Mums the Word' back when it first came out and I've been hooked and following ever since.

A Frond in Need is a fun novella where you can get your fix of Abby, Marco, Jillian, and the rest of the New Chapel gang! Abby's best friend Nikki asks her and Marco to investigate a case and along with the fourth of July parade and running the shop it might all be too much!

Can Abby and Marco get to the bottom of Nikki's dilemma? Or will the pressue be too much? I was so glad to visit New Chapel again and hope another story will come around eventually!

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Knight Salvare has plenty on her hands with running her flower shop Bloomers, finding time to spend with her husband Marco and their two pets, as well as getting a float ready for the New Chapel, Indiana Fourth of July parade. But when her best friend Nikki asks her for help, Abby just can’t turn her down. Nikki is dating a doctor who may be a murder suspect and Nikki wants Abby to investigate whether or not Nikki can trust her new boyfriend. Bu t will Nikki be able to handle the truth?

“A Frond in Need” is a nicely done novella in Kate Collins’ Flower Shop cozy mystery series. While I prefer longer mystery novels, I really enjoyed this story. It was jam packed with everything I love about this series – Abby, her family and friends, her flower shop, even her mother’s latest “invention”. Collins does a great job of showing how busy Abby was – I was getting anxiety just reading about her to do list! – as well as showing Abby’s relationship with those closest to her. The mystery is well done with just the right amount of suspects to keep readers guessing as to who the killer is. There is some great tension towards the end of the book as the killer was revealed that had me on the edge of my seat –well done by Collins!

“A Frond in Need” is a good cozy mystery indeed.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Marco and Abby are back and better than ever! This story was jam packed full of excitement, and I couldn't put it down. It was a quick , action filled adventure that I wished didn't end. Abby had her hands full with running her flower shop, working at the investigation agency with Marco, and creating and entering a float in the Fourth of July Celebration. When her best friend Nikki asks Abby to help her, she can't say no. Abby's cousin Jillian, Grace, Lottie, Rosa, and Lottie's quadruplet sons added to the mix, and this is a story you will be glad you read. I highly recommend this book, and this series!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby & Marco are back in, A Frond In Need, Kate Collins’ newest novella. The dynamic duo take on Abby’s best friend as a client when her boyfriend becomes the main suspect in a murder.

Collins’ writing style makes you feel as if you are in the story. With well loved characters from her Flower Shop mystery series, Collins has developed well-rounded, likeable characters who could be your neighbors. The character driven plot is full of red-herrings, a 4th of July parade, and murder.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, you will enjoy A Frond In Need.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby Knight Salvare has lot going on. She owns a busy flower shop, has a new marriage, and works with her husband in their private investigator business. She is also building a float for the upcoming parade. Just when she thought she could not deal with anything else, her best friend is being drawn into a murder investigation and asks for her help. Can Abby solve the mystery and do everything else?

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick Read, pure fluff but entertaining. Abby's friend Nikki comes to her to help investigate a murder which involves the ex-girlfriend of her present crush. Abby and Husband, Marco, take on the task even though Abby is overworked trying to get her float finished for the 4th of July parade. The clues aren't adding up but can Abby solve the mystery and get her own work done at the same time?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series!

I always enjoy these books. I really like Abby and Marco and they make a great team! I enjoyed the mystery in this one and side story with the float. So much fun!

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Abby and her colleagues and her husband are getting ready for a Fourth of July parade and celebration, they don't expect to have to solve a murder along the way, but that is what happens. This is a good and quick read for fans of this series.

[Sue Hampshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining 4th of July novella!

I loved reading this book in Kate Collins’ Flower Shop mystery series. With several possible murder suspects, I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer. A must read!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick read, and if I need a quick read again, I'd read another in the series, but because it's so short, it didn't have a lot of substance. Kind of like the dog and cat mysteries I've read, but with flowers!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short one. Had all the good stuff. Working on another novella now.

[Lamia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

It was a fun and entertaining story to read. It is a quick read, but very interesting. Such a great cast of characters.

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a touch more than okay. But it was short and I think that helped too.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books and characters. I’m going to miss them when the series ends. This is another good one.

[Monique Bos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just discovered the season’s novellas. This was the first one I read, so off to autumn.

[Lauren Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this novella, but I wanted more. Abby and Marco are like family now. The mystery was fun and twisting, and I had a good idea who the killer was until the end. I love Jillian and Abby's mom, who had a small but enjoyable part. I will read this again during the summer months, July being my favorite time of the year with my favorite holiday. Well done Kate Collins!

[Libby]

(E-Lib) I can't believe the quads had to do all of the work on the float -- I hope they do get paid in the future!