Book Description
During the annual Pickle Fest, Abby's boyfriend Marco inexplicably disappears for a day. When he returns, he's the main suspect in the death of a clown. It seems the cops have found Snuggles pushing up water-spurting daisies-and Marco was the last person seen leaving Snuggles's house. Although Marco is still a mystery to her, Abby knows he's innocent. Now she has to find a way to prove it.
Customer Reviews:
Blooming Fantastic!.......2007-09-01
Snuggles the Clown has been murdered!
But worst of all Abby Knight's boyfriend - tough guy bar owner, ex-cop, and private eye, Marco Salvare - has been accused of the murder. Now Abby has to pull out of the stops with her team of flower shop amateur snoops to find out the real deal before Marco ends up in the clink for good! Or before Marco's ex-flame ignites an old love torch!
ACTS OF VIOLETS is the fifth entry in author Kate Collins's delightful amateur sleuth series. The heroine is Abby Knight, a college drop out turned flower shop owner. Although Bloomers isn't exactly the Batcave and her two employees (Grace and Lottie) aren't exactly Robin and Alfred, Abby has managed to solve four previous cases involving murder.
As always, despite the fact that murder is involved, the books tone is kept light and just left of wacky. Abby puts me in mind of Janet Evanovitch's New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. Like Stephanie, Abby has a strange family that won't stay out of her business or personal life. Her mother is an artist who creates the most awful statues ever imagined.
In this book, Abby also has to confront Mama Salvare, Marco's pushy mother, and the power struggle between the two women is fun to watch and realistic.
Abby wouldn't ever have been involved in the murder if her boyfriend hadn't tried to take up for her against the clown. During the local Pickle Fest (a truly huge homegrown affair filled with traditions), Snuggles ends up threatening Abby after a near-mishap because she's always had a fear of clowns. Marco can't leave things alone, though, and slips off to have a quiet word with the clown.
Before everything is said and done, Snuggles is dead and even Marco's cop buddies agree that he's the prime candidate for a lead suspect. Throw in the fact that Marco had trouble with the clown while he was back on the force, and you've got a long-standing feud that might just put Marco in prison.
Abby can't have that. She hasn't quite figured out what to do with Marco (and knows even less with his mom on the scene), but she doesn't want him locked away forever either. She also doesn't want Marco's old girlfriend Trina granted any conjugal visits.
I've read earlier books in the series and enjoyed them. Abby Knight is usually a delightful heroine, full of spunk and off-the-wall ideas. Plus, it's funny to watch her start to meddle in something even after she's decided not to. But in this book Abby seems less confident than she ever has. Collins errs on the side of making Abby too much of a worrywart to amp up the stakes in the book. They were just fine without all the additional fretting.
I love the series' ancillary characters. Colm, cool Grace is - literally -grace under fire. Nothing ruffles her fathers or catches her off-stride, no matter what the world-shattering-event. Lottie - with her gigantic sons to double-down as workhorses and bodyguards - is as humorous and insightful as always.
ACTS OF VIOLETS is another fine addition to what looks like will be a long-lived series in the cozy mystery field. My wife and I both read the books and enjoy them a lot. We're looking for it to Kate Collins's next book, A ROSE FROM THE DEAD, coming out in December 2007.
Introducing Mama Salvare.......2007-05-10
Book 5 in the series - the annual pickle fest, a mean clown, and Mama Salvare. The rest of the usual characters return, along with a few new ones. Abby's always had a fear of clowns, and when she is accosted by one at the pickle fest, Marco steps in. Then the clown turns up dead .. and Marco is the lead suspect. Can Abby save him?
Light and pretty fast paced........2007-05-07
A fun mystery. I enjoyed the book. It was the first I've read in this series and the main character was a little slow to warm up to but after we became aquainted I enjoyed it.
Best one yet!.......2007-04-15
I really like this series and love the style of Kate Collins' writing. Very witty and entertaining read. Can't wait for the next installment!
Good Cozy Mystery.......2007-03-29
When Snuggles the clown is murdered and Abby's boyfriend, hunky ex-cop Marco is the chief suspect because he was the last one seen leaving Snuggle's house, Marco asks Abby to help find the real killer. Even though she's solved some murder cases in the past, Abby is very nervous about solving this one - if she fails, Marco could go to jail. But it won't be easy, when he was a cop Marco had a run in with Snuggles (Dennis Ryson) that resulted in Marco leaving the police force. Marco also had a fist fight with Snuggles shortly before he was murdered. Abby knows that she has to work fast, Marco is the only suspect and even some of his cop friends are afraid he may be guilty. While Abby is convinced that Marco is innocent, she worries because he is keeping secrets from her: what exactly is his relationship with the attractive Trina who was threatened by Ryson and why doesn't he want her to meet his mother? As Abby gets closer to the truth her own life is in danger.
While not the best book in Kate Collins Flower Shop Mystery series, "Acts of Violets" is still a good cozy mystery. Abby's an endearing heroine willing to investigate the murder even though she is full of self-doubt. In fact, my one complaint about this book is that Abby is not as strong as usual, she is full of doubts and insecure about her relationship with Marco. She also has a propensity for unbuttoning her top button on her blouse to show off her ample cleavage, something I don't remember her doing in other books. Other characters are well developed and readers will learn more about Marco just as Abby does. There's a nice sense of humor throughout the book including a pickle parade; Abby's mother's latest art project; a funny scene in a diner; and the scene (and it's aftermath) when Abby finally does meet Marco's mother. The humor does go a bit too far - a character's lisp becomes distracting and is a bit cruel. The mystery itself is well done, although there aren't a lot of suspects. The outcome of Abby's confrontation with the murderer is neatly foreshadowed at the beginning of the book which is a nice bit of writing by Collins.
"Act of Violets" is a good cozy mystery.
Book Description
When someone orders a black rose for Abby's old law school nemesis, Professor "Snapdragon" Puffer, her plans for a speedy delivery are foiled when he catches her putting the bloom on his desk and sends it straight into the trash. So she heads back in to retrieve her dignity and her flower-only to find the rose now decorating a dead professor, and herself the prime suspect...
Customer Reviews:
Marco makes my toes curl!!.......2007-08-26
these books are just great! They have just enough romance to make your toes curl but not so much that it over powers the mystery. Keep them coming PLEASE!!!!!!
Well done... if you don't mind occasional crude language........2007-08-04
Kate Collins is a gifted writer who knows her setting- a flower shop. This was a good read, although I could do without the occasional "earthy" language.
Hits keep on rollin'........2007-05-10
Abby becomes a suspect in the murder of her law-school nemesis Professor. Will she be able to beat the rap? The usual supporting characters return in this installment of the Flower Shop Mystery series.
This series is still fresh as a daisy!.......2006-10-01
In the 4th book in the Flower Shop Mystery series, Abby Knight, owner of the Bloomers flower shop, receives a funeral order and decides to deliver it herself. None of this initially sounds odd for a florist, but the order that Abby received was for one perfect "black" funeral rose. When she sees that it is to be delivered to one of her most hated prior educators in law school, Professor "Snapdragon" Puffer, she is determined to bury her bad memories and make the delivery herself. Nothing goes well in the delivery...first Abby almost runs over Puffer with her car. Then, she tries to sneak into his office to deliver the flower and gets caught riffling through his desk. Puffer is famous for breaking pencils and throwing them at students, and doing a poor imitation of him, Abby gets caught by a furious Professor Puffer. Fleeing from the office, Abby then runs into another nemesis professor, Carson Reed. Professor Reed is involved with Dermacol Labs, a company that performs lab tests on animals. Abby was recently involved in a protest in front of the lab and was arrested. When she sees Professor Reed in the hallway and is taunted by him, she yells some very harsh words in his direction and stomps off.
Feeling smug for having the last word, Abby decides that she has finally buried the demons that have haunted her after flunking out of law school. But when Abby righteously decides to get back the flower she delivered to Puffer, she finds out that the nightmare is just beginning. She stumbles over the dead body of Professor Reed, and once her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, the town starts to insist that she be arrested. While dodging the relentless press, staying away from angry law students, and cracking a pet-stealing ring, Abby works diligently to clear her name.
This is a fresh, funny series! Even though I figured out early on how several of the details tied together, I was still intrigued to see how Abby would solve the case. She stumbles around a bit in her investigating, and gets herself involved in quite a bit of mischief, which is always amusing. I found her choice of disguises to be hilarious, and her budding relationship with Marco was sizzling. Great addition to the cozy genre!
The first book in the series is called "Mum's the Word". Enjoy!
Kate Collins Flower Shop Mysteries.......2006-08-24
I loved this book! She is funny and the story moves quickly. I am going to collect them all!
Book Description
Abby Knight is the proud owner of her hometown flower shop, but a new low-cost competitor is killing her profits-and a black SUV just rammed her vintage Corvette in a hit-and-run. She's determined to track down the driver, but when the trail turns deadly, the next flower arrangement might be for her own funeral.
Customer Reviews:
Has Potential.......2007-07-20
At first I didn't think I would get past the first chapter of this book - but, having purchased it, I pushed myself to read it. As I moved through the book, my interest increased and I have now decided that I will read the next to see if indeed it is a worthwhile series. The main character isn't the brightest, and that is my biggest issue. I love to read about smart, together women. Abby fauns all over the hot guy, takes quite a while to put two and two together, and takes risks that suspend belief. Her good qualities though, include her caring heart and her willingness to help people. If in the next book, she is written a little smarter - and less droolly over the hot guy, and maybe a bit more info about flowers and flower shops -I will continue to read these.
Book 2 of the Flower Shop Mysteries.......2007-05-10
In Book 2, Abby deals with some cut-rate competition. When her beloved vintage yellow 'Vette gets smashed in a hit-and-run, Abby is determined to find out who is responsible (a girl can't live without her car, right?) Unfortunately, she steps on some toes .. and her next questions may be her last ...
MUMS THE WORD.......2007-05-10
HAVE JUST READ 4 OF COLLINS BOOKS AND ENJOY ALL.......SEXY WITHOUT SEX...VERY NICE....LOVE THAT HUNK MARCO.....WITTY AND KEEPS YOU WANTING TO KEEP READING
Quick Read.......2007-04-21
The Flower Shop Mysteries are a quick sugar-coated read that leaves you laughing out loud. Though some points of the plot were trite and useless, they are a fun read when you just want to kill some time or take a break in the middle of another book. I really enjoyed reading them, even if Abby's interference in the case did not make sense.
Light, Breezy Read.......2007-04-10
Kate Collins's new mystery sleuth Abby Knight has found her way onto my shelves. My wife and I love watching BBC movies (FOYLE'S WAR, MURDER IN SUBURBIA, and the new MYSTERY WOMAN series) together and trying to figure out whodunit. The Abby Knight series gives us a whole new bunch of books to read and talk about.
The characters are thin, but they're supposed to be. These are people that you know enough about to guess the rest and they become real in that respect. There's not a lot of history here, but there's plenty of relationships that make a nice family to come home to from book to book.
One thing that Collins does really well is keep the story moving. Something is always happening. It strained credulity a little with the way Abby kept getting her Vette bashed, but I think it was a tip of the hat to Janet Evanovitch's Stephanie Plum character who is notorious for the way she treats cars.
The mystery is almost a no-brainer as well, but you can feel smart for putting all the pieces together. That's the true joy of a mystery: getting to solve it just a chapter or two ahead of the author.
Since this is Collins's first book and she's making some awfully good moves for a beginner, my wife and I are going to keep an eye on her and see where she goes with her series. This book is perfect for a day at the beach or a lazy stay-at-home Sunday afternoon when it's raining. Also, the titles are really catchy!
Book Description
Abby has her hands full at her cousin Jillian's wedding as florist, bridesmaid, and grandma-sitter-all while wearing a hideous dress. Then the groom's 90-year-old grandmother goes missing from the reception. On her search, Abby finds the corpse of guest Jack Snyder. Now she must find out who killed Jack in the pulpit.
Customer Reviews:
Good and easy read.......2007-07-23
A pleasant and a quick read. The characterizations seemed a bit shallow at times, and the language and plotting seemed a bit "square," for lack of a better word. I think Abby and the series have potential, though, and I think the B and C stories could be developed into something cute and interesting, too. I'll try another in the series for sure.
Another fun read.......2007-05-10
In book #3 of the Flower Shop Mysteries, Abby gets the job of doing the flowers for her cousin Jillian's wedding. Unforunately at the wedding, Abby stumbles across the body. Was it a guest at the wedding who is the murderer? Abby will find out, if only to get Jillian out of her town on a honeymoon!
Well written and fun to read.......2007-03-25
I've now read all the books in the Abby Knight Flower shop Mystery series and all are well crafted, intriguing little mystery stories. The plot lines are realistic and easy to follow - yet complicated enough to keep you guessing. I never figure out the "who done it" - in these books - a good sign of a well written mystery. Nice, light reading that will entertain and keep you guessing - I love this series!
The most appealing part was the Cover.......2007-03-20
Having recently started reading cozy mysteries, such as Diane Mott Davidson and Cleo Coyle, I thought the Flowershop series sounded interesting but was sadly mistaken. I ordered this book on-line and have never been able to finish it. It is just not cozy enough. The appeal of such authors as Davidson is her characters grab you right away and your drawn into the small town life wonderful recipes and overall "feel" of the book.This is not the case with the flowershop mysteries. In fact the titles and the pastel covers are the best things about these books.
I Smell Sweet Success for this author!.......2006-11-21
I just finished Dearly Depotted by Kate Collins, my first time reading this author. I found the book to be a great read and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys mysteries with humor and a bit of "spice".
I look forward to finding out more about the protagonist's main interest, besides flowers, Marco and the rest of her crazy family.
Ms. Collins does a good job keeping things together and giving the reader a surprise ending.
I have ordered more of her books and I recommend you do the same.
One recommendation; lose all the carnations - too cheap and most people prefer more exotic flowers(just a suggestion)from one florists to another.
Book Description
Start Your Own Florist Shop
Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day, birthdays . . . with so many occasions appropriate for flowers, a florist shop is an enticing business for you to start. This new guide covers florists, office plant care, pick-your own flower establishments, and other innovative business model.
Customer Reviews:
Very thorough.......2007-03-10
This book gave a thorough and easy to read account of all the aspects of the floral business, at least to a newcomer. It was well-written and informative.
Book Description
Abby Knight's latest gig is the perfect marriage of her talents. Not only does her bride-to-be cousin, Jillian, want Abby to be a bridesmaid, she also wants her to sign on as floral designer and sleuth. Although Jillian agrees to marry a different man nearly once a year, she has yet to make it to the altar. But this time, it's cold dead feet that may stop the wedding.
Available only in Mystery 4 & 5.
Customer Reviews:
Good start to the Flower Shop Mystery Series.......2007-05-10
4.5 of 5 stars. Book 1 of the Flower Shop Mysteries - Abby Knight discovers she's not cut out for law school, dropping out and using the rest of her inheritance to purchase her hometown flower shop, Bloomers. Unfortunately, Abby can't seem to stay out of trouble. Great cast of supporting characters, from her coworkers, sexy ex-cop Marco, her mom-the-artist, and her roommate.
Murder And A Wedding.......2007-03-13
Abby Knight runs Bloomers, a flower shop. She's agreed to do the flowers for Jillian, her cousin who is to get married. Jillian has backed out of marriages before, but Abby is determined to see this one happen. She can't afford to have it canceled! She's also to be a bridesmaid in the wedding.
A groomsman disappears and then another member of the wedding party is found dead. Jillian enlists Abby to help solve the murder before her wedding is a fiasco.
Abby enlists the aid of Marco, the hunky bar owner. With him covering her back, Abby can't get into trouble can she?
This is such a fun series. I love Abby and her staff at the shop. Her mother and her art work add plenty of humor to the series as well. Then there's Marco. What more can be said! But even with his help, Abby seems to get into her share, and then some, of dangerous situations. Be prepared to laugh out loud when reading this book! I highly recommend it!
Fun, Lighthearted Cozy.......2006-08-07
In the 2nd book in the Flower Shop mystery series, Abby Knight is hard at work planning a wedding...for her cousin. Jillian, Abby's flighty cousin, gets engaged once a year and calls off the nuptials before walking down the aisle. This time, Jillian is engaged to Claymore Osborne, the wimpy younger brother of Abby's ex-fiancé. Abby has been hired to create all of the flower arrangements for the wedding, and is also a bridesmaid. Determined to make sure this wedding takes place (and her flowers are paid for), Abby decides to stop at nothing to ensure her cousin walks down the aisle.
Everything comes to a screeching halt when one of the groomsman goes missing, and while frantically searching for him, Abby stumbles over the dead body of another member of the bridal party. When the missing groomsman shows up and the murder weapon is discovered as his camera, he is arrested for murder. While finding time to run her flower business, and investigating a mysterious massage parlor that recently opened in town, Abby works overtime to propel Jillian down the aisle.
This series is a fine example of why it is so wonderful to have different styles of mysteries available. I love cozy mysteries, and this was a great addition to the genre. Abby is a fun, good-hearted main character that is struggling to keep her new business afloat, and keep her family and friends happy as well. She does do some annoyingly stupid things like taking pictures of men going into the massage parlor (in broad daylight where they can see her), but she seems to believe the best out of people...mainly that no one is out to harm her. She also believes that she must help other people, even if it puts herself in danger. She is funny, charming, and loyal, and looking for love with neighboring business owner, Marco. I love the characters in this series as much as I love the mysteries, and cannot wait to visit New Chapel again with Abby very soon.
The first book in the series is called "Mum's the Word". Enjoy!
It took a bit to get going, but Abby seems to have the hang of it now..........2006-06-12
I have all four of these books. I picked up "Mum's the Word" because I was looking for a new mystery series, but I have since stopped looking because I found it. Kate Collins' flower shop mysteries are delightful. Many previous reviewers of "Mum's the Word" found it annoying, but the only thing I've found annoying is Abby's cousin Jillian. I think Collins' characters are delightful. I love that Abby's assitant Grace has a quote for everything, and her mother creates horrid anatomically correct sculptures. I love the descriptions of the flowers and the witty banter of the characters. Overall the best thing about this series is that while we have an abundance of amateur sleuth mysteries, Collins' doesn't use the same old tired, recycled plot lines I have found in many books. I agree that the first one was a little slow going, but the books get better and better as you go. I highly recommend this series.
very charming.......2006-04-19
Light and fun with appealing characters and some genuine wit. Abby is the owner of a flower shop and is doing the floral decorations for her rich and senseless cousin, Jillian's, wedding. When one of the groomsmen turns up dead and another is missing, Jillian begs Abby to find the culprit so that her wedding can go on as planned. Because Abby will be out of a large sum of money if the wedding does not proceed (a truckload of flowers and a hideous bridesmaid dress) she aggrees. As she snoops for clues, she discovers some other unseemly activity in her small town and becomes a target for some unknown bad guys.
This is a quick, feel-good read, with good pacing and character development. Fans of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum will notice some resemblances, but all for the good.
Book Description
If beauty is defined as a quality encompassing both extraordinary sensoriality and exemplary human behavior, then possibly the most beautiful flower shop in the world is located in Vienna's low-key but hip 4th District. Blumenkraft (literally, "Flower Power") is a place of inspiration, refuge, and virtue that will inform and enlighten anyone involved in design and modern commerce. Mixing analysis, anecdote, and observation, Leonard Koren once again reveals the key principles of practical wisdom at work in the world. His concise and lucid text is illustrated by his own photographs.
Trained as an artist and architect,
Leonard Koren is author of Arranging Things and the best-selling Wabi-Sabi. He lives in San Francisco.
Customer Reviews:
A warm and intimate portrait of a flower shop's evolution .......2006-08-04
For a warm and intimate portrait of a flower shop's evolution look at The Flower Shop: Charm, Grace, Beauty, Tenderness In A Commercial Context. Black and white and brown-sepia photos follow the location, setup, selection, behavior and more in a title that reads with the drama of a novel filled with impressions and insights.
Average customer rating:
|
Starting and managing a retail flower shop, (The Starting and managing series)
Paul R Krone
Manufacturer: Small Business Administration; [for sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Management & Leadership
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ASIN: B0006C1S8K |
Books:
- AFTER THE ELM.
- Alkalophilic Microorganisms: A New Microbial World (213p)
- Alpine flowers: 36 colour plates from watercolours specially prepared by Paul A. Robert (Iris books, ed. by Dr. Hans Zbinden)
- American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
- American species of Amelanchier, (Illinois biological monographs)
- Anatomical studies of flower and fruit in the Hydrocotyloideae (Umbelliferae) (University of California publications in botany, v. 42)
- Bacterial Growth & Form
- Bacteries et environnement. adaptations physiologiques
- Biological Science, Volume 3: How Plants and Animals Work (2nd Edition) (Biological Science)
- Biology of Mycoplasmas (Cell biology)
Books Index
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