To Catch a Leaf

A Flower Shop Mystery #12

by Kate Collins

Flower shop owner Abby Knight is aglow with happiness now that she's officially engaged to her longtime beau, Marco Salvare. Nothing can possibly dampen her joy-until wealthy dowager Virginia Newport is killed, and Abby's assistant Grace Bingham is the prime suspect. The plot thickens when they stumble upon mysterious stolen art and a missing cat, all part of an elaborate heist. Before Abby can throw her bouquet, she'll have to save her friend and throw a killer and a thief in jail...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Cozy, Chick Lit, Family

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2011

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

[Nancy D Miz-Firefly aka Sparky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick fun read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series and I am really enjoying Abby's family being a much larger part of the story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book in the Abby Knight Flower Shop mystery series. I was torn between giving it 4 stars or 5 stars and finally decided that it deserves 5 stars. This is a long-running cozy mystery series and all of the books are well-written solid mysteries that are fun to read, too. In this one, Abby is blissful that her engagement to hunky Marco is finally public and other than a few minor details, like a future mother-in-law who would like to plan everything herself, life is serene. Then her British older lady friend, Grace, who works in the teashop part of the flower shop, finds the body of her friend lying at the bottom of the stairs in her mansion. Worse yet, the eccentric millionaire cut her lazy grown kids out of her will and left the mansion and all of her assets to Charity. Well, Charity is her tabby cat! AND she named Grace to look after Charity but the cat has disappeared and the police are looking at Grace as the murderer. (of the human, not the cat) It's up to Abby and Marco to investigate and find the real murderer, not to mention the wealthy cat.... All of the titles in this series have a floral reference. I buy each book as soon as it comes out.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each of us has, according to his lights, an idea of what a good book to be. This one has many faults, but you know what, I don't want to pile on the criticisms onto a story that did entertain me. Let me just say that this is the first cozy mystery to dare slip in a paranormal element. It is confirmed now, that Kate Collins doesn't know herself what defines her main character. Abby here is mean to quite a few people, but she is kind towards a pretty cowardly and sneaky person. So you see, I have listed some faults, but there are more of them. I just want to end by saying that the entire series is worth reading and now that I'm nearing, at the time of writing, the end of the series, I'm at a loss for choice.

[Marge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story. Editing was horrible, Abby's Mom comes to shop at 3:30 with glasses, several hours later at "3:30" Mom shows up asking about prices on glasses - really. At Down the Hatch - they are eating homemade manicotti, then Abby take a bite of her hamburger.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this entry in the series. Marco and Abby worked well together and the mystery was done well, lots of different threads woven together. Good support from all the regulars as well. Can't wait to read the next one! #readforkimberly

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

You already know I loved To Catch a Leaf but I truly believe this is the best book Kate has written. This story is multifaceted and complex and perfectly paced. There are twists and surprises along with the comfort of the characters we have all grown to love.

When reading about Marco's mom trying to overtake the wedding I had to pause and think "did Kate ever meet my mother?" While we are not Italian reading about Francesca was just like conversations I had with my own mother while planning my own wedding. I had a real feeling of Déjà vu. If you are a fan of this series you know Kate characters are so true they almost jump off the page as is absolutely the case in this installment.

I don't want to give to much away.
This story is a must read!!
I wish I could give it 10 STARS!



If you have not started this series or are behind you have until November to find out everything about Abby, Grace, Lottie, Marco and all the rest of the characters from New Chapel, Indiana.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To Catch a Leaf” is the newest installment in the Flower Shop Mystery Series by Kate Collins. Don’t let the cutesy title deter you. This is a solid mystery with likeable characters and a fast-moving plot.
Flower shop owner Abby Knight is finally, officially engaged to her boyfriend, fulltime bar owner and part-time detective Marco Salvare. She’s determined not to let the loving interference of her mother and her mother-in-law to-be in the wedding plans deter her from enjoying every minute of her upcoming nuptials. Abby’s second family—the employees of her flower shop—are enthusiastically on board the “wedding train” as well, especially her assistant, Grace Bingham. Then Grace’s wealthy friend Constance Newport is killed and Grace is left a large sum of money in Constance’s will, making her the prime suspect in the murder. But not as large a sum as Constance’s cat, who has suddenly disappeared.
With a wide array of Constance’s disagreeable relatives to choose from, Abby and Marco work together to find the true culprit. And Abby works hard to keep one relative in particular from sinking her hooks into Marco. With a little help from a special angel named Lindsey.
Lots of fun!
Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author of “Moving Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so, so much happier with this series now that certain ongoing plot points have been resolved!

In this installment, poor Grace -- the British linchpin of Abby's flower shop and tea room -- is thrown for a loop when she finds her good friend, Connie, dead in her basement. When it turns out that Connie is actually the wealthy Constance Newport -- and that her death is no accident -- Abby and Marco step up to keep Grace from taking the fall. Collins' sprinkling of clues throughout the book is masterful and Abby's ability to end up in the middle of things is, once again, very entertaining. I'm glad I already requested the next in the series!

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun visit with Abby, her family and friends. Multiple plot lines each with motives for murder. The actual killer surprised me, I was sure it was someone else. Thought the Lindsey character was unnecessary - I prefer a more down to earth resolution. Love Abby and Marco's relationship and his efforts to both support her and protect her in spite of her impetuous actions. Really liked the role flowers played in this story. Eagerly awating the next one.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the series and the interaction between our heroine and her future mother in law is like a Saturday Night Special skit. You've got to read this book.. the mystery will draw you in, and the side bars will keep you chuckling.

[Linda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

each book in this series MUST be read
Newly engaged Abby Knight is over the moon with joy with her beau hunk Marco. Nothing could go wrong until her assistant Grace Bingham finds a dead body her friend the town filanthropist and friend Virginia Newport. Naturally in this town because of the DA wanting to please the public with quick convictions they want to go after the 1st and only suspect and unfortunately its Grace.

Abby cannot let this happen so her and Marco set to find other suspects to lead the investigation away from sweet harmless Grace. They uncover an art heist and murder!

I always says this in my #FlowershopMystery reviews A MUST read for a reason because its delightful, fun, whimsical and addicting to read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

#12 in the series.

Grace is accused of murder. Abby and Marco investigate. Marco's mom Francesca is 'helping' plan Abby and Marco's wedding shower. A stray cat is found. All these things blend into an interesting mystery about who killed Ms. Connie Newport. Her whole family is a suspect.

This book has a paranormal element added. Can't say that it added too much to the overall plot line. Could easily have been left out.

Of annoyance is Abby's constant references to a woman's chin hairs. Really. Is Abby that shallow. Seems like she has morphed into mean girls mode.

I've read alot of this series, and this one was ok. While I liked who Kate Collins earmarked as the murderer, I can't say that this one was a stand-out.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was quite complex but not artificially-feeling, meaning I didn’t feel like it was complicated purely for the sake of being complicated. Though there were a lot of different things going on, they all intertwined and there were some things that seemed very obvious in part but played an interesting and unpredictable role in the overall story. I would have loved to see a Hallmark movie made from this book!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a whirlwind of a mystery! Murder, Forgeries, A missing heiress, Gambling, Lies and... micromanaging mothers? All the twists and turns made this a whopper of a story, with a lovely soul in the center!

[Sarah "Kat" · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 100 pages - gave it a good try. It was too cliche and cutesy esp. with regards to the romance of Marco and Abby. Won't read further not the series.

[J.T.K. Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another light read, which I needed. Hurrah for consistent characters and reliable plotting!

[Rina · Rating 2 out of 5]

#12 in a series. My first. A very cozy mystery. Was a fun and easy read until there was "angel" assistance. That sorta ruined it for me. Not sure if I'll try another.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Kate Collins writes perfect cozy mysteries. I love Abby and Marco. The plot is compelling while still being warm. I love love love this series.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting.

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love this series. Abby and Marco are a great couple.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in this series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the idea of the book "Language of Flowers" to use for clues. Fitting for a florist.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about murder and art forgery. Didn't like the end - where the new character Lindsay turns out to be an angel. I hope she doesn't show up in any of the remaining books.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. This is a great murder, art heist mystery. Lots of fun twists and turns.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are just so fun to read!!

[Lauren Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! I enjoyed Abby and Marco’s family becoming a larger part of the story!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful series.