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A Flower Shop Mystery #19
Yews with Caution
Flower shop owner Abby Knight is out to help a friend in need but soon finds herself in the weeds…
The Spring of Abby’s Discontent
It’s April in New Chapel, and Abby and her husband, Marco, are off to buy shrubs for their new house. But the owner of the local landscaping company is nowhere to be found. Abby’s best friend, Nikki, meanwhile, believes she unwittingly helped a group of her hospital coworkers conspire to kill the man.
After the police get involved, Nikki becomes a suspect. Abby digs deeper for clues to save her friend only to discover bushels of folks bearing a deep-rooted hatred for the two-faced business owner. Marco attempts to help Abby with the case but soon falls critically ill. Now Abby must find the real culprit on her own before everything goes to pot…
The Spring of Abby’s Discontent
It’s April in New Chapel, and Abby and her husband, Marco, are off to buy shrubs for their new house. But the owner of the local landscaping company is nowhere to be found. Abby’s best friend, Nikki, meanwhile, believes she unwittingly helped a group of her hospital coworkers conspire to kill the man.
After the police get involved, Nikki becomes a suspect. Abby digs deeper for clues to save her friend only to discover bushels of folks bearing a deep-rooted hatred for the two-faced business owner. Marco attempts to help Abby with the case but soon falls critically ill. Now Abby must find the real culprit on her own before everything goes to pot…
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2017
69 people are currently reading
951 people want to read
About the author
Kate Collins
66 books949 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 75 reviews
May 21, 2019
Some of the books in this series were really dire. However, this particular book had ample quality. The twist was slightly unlikely, but it was all in good fun. At least the boredom factor was unseen here.
The author is a talented individual whose book has been an exercise and a joy to read. People who want to be writers should pay attention to this book.
Cozy mysteries have always had a knack to come back from the dead. I liked everything about the heroine's agenda. I recommend this book to former fans of the series.
The author is a talented individual whose book has been an exercise and a joy to read. People who want to be writers should pay attention to this book.
Cozy mysteries have always had a knack to come back from the dead. I liked everything about the heroine's agenda. I recommend this book to former fans of the series.
August 25, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Things get crazy in this 19th installment of the Flower Shop Mysteries. Abby and Marco are settling in to their new home and it is time to do a little landscaping. While shopping for shrubs Abby makes a strange discovery. They then learn the owner of the nursery is missing and Abby’s BFF Nikki may be involved. Nikki begs Abby to help her but Marco is working another case. She starts to do a little investigating on her own and unearths several reasons the man may be missing or dead. Just when Marco is ready to dig into the case Abby finds him unconscious and has to call 911. Now it is up to Abby to plow through all the clues and save Nikki and Marco too.
This was such a fun read.
Kate Collins always delivers a captivating cozy mystery starring characters that are some of my favorites. I was so glad to see Nikki play a prominent role even though I wanted to climb into the book several times and shake her by the shoulders or kick her in the butt. Abby is much more patient that I am but her frustration was very evident to everyone but Nikki.
Marco and Abby are the perfect match. I love the way their relationship continues to grow and grow. Their love just blooms within these pages.
I always love visiting Bloomers. Lottie, Grace and Rosa are such wonderful women with such positive outlooks. Jillian and Abby’s mom drop by the shop to give us some shake your head moments and a few giggles.
Ms. Collins has written a story that moves along at a good clip. The plot in the story was like riding an emotional roller coaster and full of twists. The drama at times was intense. I was worried about Abby, Marco and Nikki. I couldn’t put the book down. The final twist took me totally by surprise.
This was one of the first cozy mystery series I found way back when and instantly Kate Collins became one of my favorite authors. The stories are always fresh, fun, and entertaining. A difficult job when you get this deep into a series. You can jump into the series anywhere but you are going to want to go back and read them all. I am so looking forward to my next escape to New Chapel. This visit ended way too soon.
Things get crazy in this 19th installment of the Flower Shop Mysteries. Abby and Marco are settling in to their new home and it is time to do a little landscaping. While shopping for shrubs Abby makes a strange discovery. They then learn the owner of the nursery is missing and Abby’s BFF Nikki may be involved. Nikki begs Abby to help her but Marco is working another case. She starts to do a little investigating on her own and unearths several reasons the man may be missing or dead. Just when Marco is ready to dig into the case Abby finds him unconscious and has to call 911. Now it is up to Abby to plow through all the clues and save Nikki and Marco too.
This was such a fun read.
Kate Collins always delivers a captivating cozy mystery starring characters that are some of my favorites. I was so glad to see Nikki play a prominent role even though I wanted to climb into the book several times and shake her by the shoulders or kick her in the butt. Abby is much more patient that I am but her frustration was very evident to everyone but Nikki.
Marco and Abby are the perfect match. I love the way their relationship continues to grow and grow. Their love just blooms within these pages.
I always love visiting Bloomers. Lottie, Grace and Rosa are such wonderful women with such positive outlooks. Jillian and Abby’s mom drop by the shop to give us some shake your head moments and a few giggles.
Ms. Collins has written a story that moves along at a good clip. The plot in the story was like riding an emotional roller coaster and full of twists. The drama at times was intense. I was worried about Abby, Marco and Nikki. I couldn’t put the book down. The final twist took me totally by surprise.
This was one of the first cozy mystery series I found way back when and instantly Kate Collins became one of my favorite authors. The stories are always fresh, fun, and entertaining. A difficult job when you get this deep into a series. You can jump into the series anywhere but you are going to want to go back and read them all. I am so looking forward to my next escape to New Chapel. This visit ended way too soon.
May 28, 2017
Yews With Caution is the nineteenth book in the A Flower Shop Mystery series.
I love stopping in at Bloomer’s and seeing what Abby and her enjoyable staff, Grace, Lottie, and Rosa are up to.
Abby and Marco have recently finished moving into their new home and have decided to purchase some plants to decorate the outside of their new home. Abby had seen ads for DK’s Landscape Center that stated that they never used harmful chemicals, toxic application or herbicides. As they are awaiting Hector Cantos. Co-owner of DK’s, to select the availability of the shrubs, they overhear some employees discussing a customer, Barry Barnsmith, that had come in threatening the life Dick Kennison, owner of DK’s. Barnsmith’s wife Alice was in the hospital with a serious allergic reaction, which he feels is related to plants they had recently purchased from DK’s.
Also about this time, Abby gets a scary phone call from her best friend, Nikki Hudike. Nikki tells her a story how she and four other nurses have come with a plan to murder one of their husbands and dispose of his body so it will never be found. As the story progresses the reader will learn that the wife of the man to be killed off in their fictional story, is none other than Dick Kennison. Soon, Kennison’s father reports his son missing. Now with the police involved, Abby and Marco really need to get busy to find who was involved with Kennison’s disappearance, so that Nikki can get back to her living guilt free. But soon becomes extremely ill and Abby needs to also find what has caused Marco’s illness.
Most all the usual characters are back once again. Lottie and Grace are there to have Abby’s back and Rosa, not only valuable in the flower shop but also goes on the hunt with Abby for the killer.
Another well-plotted and written book from Ms. Collins. I will be watching for the next book in this exciting series.
I love stopping in at Bloomer’s and seeing what Abby and her enjoyable staff, Grace, Lottie, and Rosa are up to.
Abby and Marco have recently finished moving into their new home and have decided to purchase some plants to decorate the outside of their new home. Abby had seen ads for DK’s Landscape Center that stated that they never used harmful chemicals, toxic application or herbicides. As they are awaiting Hector Cantos. Co-owner of DK’s, to select the availability of the shrubs, they overhear some employees discussing a customer, Barry Barnsmith, that had come in threatening the life Dick Kennison, owner of DK’s. Barnsmith’s wife Alice was in the hospital with a serious allergic reaction, which he feels is related to plants they had recently purchased from DK’s.
Also about this time, Abby gets a scary phone call from her best friend, Nikki Hudike. Nikki tells her a story how she and four other nurses have come with a plan to murder one of their husbands and dispose of his body so it will never be found. As the story progresses the reader will learn that the wife of the man to be killed off in their fictional story, is none other than Dick Kennison. Soon, Kennison’s father reports his son missing. Now with the police involved, Abby and Marco really need to get busy to find who was involved with Kennison’s disappearance, so that Nikki can get back to her living guilt free. But soon becomes extremely ill and Abby needs to also find what has caused Marco’s illness.
Most all the usual characters are back once again. Lottie and Grace are there to have Abby’s back and Rosa, not only valuable in the flower shop but also goes on the hunt with Abby for the killer.
Another well-plotted and written book from Ms. Collins. I will be watching for the next book in this exciting series.
August 2, 2017
I can't believe this is the 19th book in the flower shop series. This was always one of my favorite series that I loved to revisit again and again. This book was no different. Abby And Marco are purchasing shrubs for their new house. The owner of the landscaping goes missing and Abby's friend Nikki confides that her and her coworkers might have unknowingly helped contribute to his disappearance. When Nikki becomes a suspect, Abby is determined to help her friend, while helping Marco on one of his cases. But when Marco falls sick, Abby has to balance three cases and her flower shop.
Visiting New Chapel, Indiana is like visiting with old friends. I love the relationship between Abby and Marco. I am also growing like Rosa's character. I didn't care for her much in the previous book, but I liked her in this one. I enjoyed how she helped Abby with the case. The mystery was good. I was NOT expecting that ending at all. I can't wait to read the next book.
Visiting New Chapel, Indiana is like visiting with old friends. I love the relationship between Abby and Marco. I am also growing like Rosa's character. I didn't care for her much in the previous book, but I liked her in this one. I enjoyed how she helped Abby with the case. The mystery was good. I was NOT expecting that ending at all. I can't wait to read the next book.
June 6, 2017
Once again author Kate Collins has plotted a garden of mystery, intermixed with mayhem and humor that is guaranteed to thrill readers’ senses.
Making it to book nineteen in a mystery series is no small feat for an author. They have to develop storylines consisting of the same characters, come up with new ways to kill off the victim, stay on canon with the rest of stories, and they have to keep readers wanting to come back for more. Lots of hard work for sure. But with a book like, YEWS WITH CAUTION, Kate Collins proves that it can be done, and done well.
Had I been drinking something as I read the end of chapter one of, YEWS WITH CAUTION , I would have done a spit take all over my book. As it is, I made an unladylike “HA!” starling my dog, my rabbit, and yes, even myself. Good thing no one else was home. Even as I type this review I’m laughing again at what I had read.
This was such a fast paced, witty, you-never-know-what-the-next-page-will-bring mystery. Seriously, I flip flopped from holding my breath, to laughing out loud, to biting my bottom lip in anticipation. Sometimes all in one chapter! I couldn’t tear myself away from Abby and Marco, and all of the wonderful characters, and excitement between the covers of YEWS WITH CAUTION. Even after I had read the action filled reveal, and the tender ending, the book spoke to me the rest of the day.
Making it to book nineteen in a mystery series is no small feat for an author. They have to develop storylines consisting of the same characters, come up with new ways to kill off the victim, stay on canon with the rest of stories, and they have to keep readers wanting to come back for more. Lots of hard work for sure. But with a book like, YEWS WITH CAUTION, Kate Collins proves that it can be done, and done well.
Had I been drinking something as I read the end of chapter one of, YEWS WITH CAUTION , I would have done a spit take all over my book. As it is, I made an unladylike “HA!” starling my dog, my rabbit, and yes, even myself. Good thing no one else was home. Even as I type this review I’m laughing again at what I had read.
This was such a fast paced, witty, you-never-know-what-the-next-page-will-bring mystery. Seriously, I flip flopped from holding my breath, to laughing out loud, to biting my bottom lip in anticipation. Sometimes all in one chapter! I couldn’t tear myself away from Abby and Marco, and all of the wonderful characters, and excitement between the covers of YEWS WITH CAUTION. Even after I had read the action filled reveal, and the tender ending, the book spoke to me the rest of the day.
March 19, 2018
This was a delightful read. I found both the story and the characters engaging. I like the way it kept me guessing about Nicki's actual involvement in the crime. I liked the relationship between Abby and Marco. I liked the side characters. I liked the pacing. I liked the suspense toward the end. In short, I liked the whole darn book.
June 23, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ye...
Yews with Caution
A Flower Shop Mystery, Book #19
By Kate Collins
ISBN: 9780451473455
Author website: http://www.katecollinsbooks.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Flower shop owner Abby Knight is out to help a friend in need but soon finds herself in the weeds…
The Spring of Abby’s Discontent
It’s April in New Chapel, and Abby and her husband, Marco, are off to buy shrubs for their new house. But the owner of the local landscaping company is nowhere to be found. Abby’s best friend, Nikki, meanwhile, believes she unwittingly helped a group of her hospital coworkers conspire to kill the man.
After the police get involved, Nikki becomes a suspect. Abby digs deeper for clues to save her friend only to discover bushels of folks bearing a deep-rooted hatred for the two-faced business owner. Marco attempts to help Abby with the case but soon falls critically ill. Now Abby must find the real culprit on her own before everything goes to pot…
Review:
Kate Collins’ A Flower Shop Mystery series is one you can always count on to be vivid, full of fun and mystery and a super read. Not only are they great to read, but they are so good Hallmark has made a series out of them. (Remember the shows are never completely true to books). Yews with Caution is the 19th book in this series, yes that is right, 19th! So you know this long lasting fun is truly worthy of your time. Let me just say, not one of these 19 have ever shown signs of becoming stale either. And Yews with Caution is anything but stale. I was so nervous, anxious and excited towards the end of the book I almost (yes almost) wanted to skip ahead to make sure everything turned out ok. I held myself in check though. This one has a hang on to your seats ending.
Abby Knight and her man Marco (everyone’s dream man) are settling into their new home, so why not get the outside looking nice. They decide to get some landscaping plants. What better place to go than DK’s Landscape Center that is known for their safe plants, they never use harmful chemicals or toxic treatments. Off they go to find something to put in front of their house. The owner is nowhere to be found, but the second man in command is able to help them. They decide on some yews and other plants to put in their front area. Funny thing while they are there they over hear that a former customer has lost his mind and threatened to kill the owner. Why? Because he thinks they poisoned and his wife. Also, Abby gets a S.O.S. from her friend Nikki saying she may be involved in a murder plot inadvertently. Well now isn’t that nice.
It really gets crazy when it is learned that owner of the landscaping business and subject of the murder plot Dick Kennison has been reported missing. Could Nikki and her nurse friend really be behind his murder? Well Abby is going to have to find out of course. Poor Marco gets seriously ill after planting their yews and now Abby is on her own to figure out all the different scenarios and hopefully not only save her friend, but also husband Marco. The plotting is so tight and full of twists and turns I was not able to put this book down.
Even if you have not read any of the 19 books in this long lasting and wonderful cozy series, you can happily read Yews with Caution as a standalone. Some series get a bit tired after 10 or 15 books, (those few that actually last that long) and seem to reuse the same story lines. Not author Kate Collins. This is fresh, exciting and unique as all the books in her series are. I could not wait to get to the end to see how things turned out. Then was sad it was over. It is fast paced and plot driven, does not sit on its laurels and coast through. Fun, fabulous and fantastic. I cannot remember the last time I was so caught up in a book that I forgot everything else and just had to make sure everyone came out OK. I was so worried. I think this may be one of the very best in this enduring cozy series. I recommend Yews with Caution to anyone that enjoys the perfect cozy!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Yews with Caution
A Flower Shop Mystery, Book #19
By Kate Collins
ISBN: 9780451473455
Author website: http://www.katecollinsbooks.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Flower shop owner Abby Knight is out to help a friend in need but soon finds herself in the weeds…
The Spring of Abby’s Discontent
It’s April in New Chapel, and Abby and her husband, Marco, are off to buy shrubs for their new house. But the owner of the local landscaping company is nowhere to be found. Abby’s best friend, Nikki, meanwhile, believes she unwittingly helped a group of her hospital coworkers conspire to kill the man.
After the police get involved, Nikki becomes a suspect. Abby digs deeper for clues to save her friend only to discover bushels of folks bearing a deep-rooted hatred for the two-faced business owner. Marco attempts to help Abby with the case but soon falls critically ill. Now Abby must find the real culprit on her own before everything goes to pot…
Review:
Kate Collins’ A Flower Shop Mystery series is one you can always count on to be vivid, full of fun and mystery and a super read. Not only are they great to read, but they are so good Hallmark has made a series out of them. (Remember the shows are never completely true to books). Yews with Caution is the 19th book in this series, yes that is right, 19th! So you know this long lasting fun is truly worthy of your time. Let me just say, not one of these 19 have ever shown signs of becoming stale either. And Yews with Caution is anything but stale. I was so nervous, anxious and excited towards the end of the book I almost (yes almost) wanted to skip ahead to make sure everything turned out ok. I held myself in check though. This one has a hang on to your seats ending.
Abby Knight and her man Marco (everyone’s dream man) are settling into their new home, so why not get the outside looking nice. They decide to get some landscaping plants. What better place to go than DK’s Landscape Center that is known for their safe plants, they never use harmful chemicals or toxic treatments. Off they go to find something to put in front of their house. The owner is nowhere to be found, but the second man in command is able to help them. They decide on some yews and other plants to put in their front area. Funny thing while they are there they over hear that a former customer has lost his mind and threatened to kill the owner. Why? Because he thinks they poisoned and his wife. Also, Abby gets a S.O.S. from her friend Nikki saying she may be involved in a murder plot inadvertently. Well now isn’t that nice.
It really gets crazy when it is learned that owner of the landscaping business and subject of the murder plot Dick Kennison has been reported missing. Could Nikki and her nurse friend really be behind his murder? Well Abby is going to have to find out of course. Poor Marco gets seriously ill after planting their yews and now Abby is on her own to figure out all the different scenarios and hopefully not only save her friend, but also husband Marco. The plotting is so tight and full of twists and turns I was not able to put this book down.
Even if you have not read any of the 19 books in this long lasting and wonderful cozy series, you can happily read Yews with Caution as a standalone. Some series get a bit tired after 10 or 15 books, (those few that actually last that long) and seem to reuse the same story lines. Not author Kate Collins. This is fresh, exciting and unique as all the books in her series are. I could not wait to get to the end to see how things turned out. Then was sad it was over. It is fast paced and plot driven, does not sit on its laurels and coast through. Fun, fabulous and fantastic. I cannot remember the last time I was so caught up in a book that I forgot everything else and just had to make sure everyone came out OK. I was so worried. I think this may be one of the very best in this enduring cozy series. I recommend Yews with Caution to anyone that enjoys the perfect cozy!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
June 4, 2017
I have to say this is my favorite cozy mystery series. It is the one that started my love affair with this genre and I eagerly look forward to each new book. I can't believe that this is he 19th book in the series and it easily ranks as one of my favorite. Kate Collins not only comes up with the best names (which I'm not sure how she does book after book), but she has written a fast paced, well plotted, intriguing, engaging, emotional and sometimes intense story. I think Abby, Marco and the rest of the cast are some of the best characters in a cozy mystery series. They are all well developed, complex, layered characters that we have gotten to watch grow and mature while they have taken up residence in our hearts. Whenever I pick up a book in this series it is like visiting with old friends. I can't wait to crack the spine and find out what trouble they find themselves in this time.
The mystery in this book was well done. I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I couldn't put this book down. I had to know how the mystery was going to be resolved, but more to the point I needed to see how things were going to shake out for Abby and Marco. I'm not going to spoil this for those who haven't yet read it, but be prepared for an emotional ride as this books speeds toward and very satisfying ending. I can't wait for the next book in the series, and as soon as information is out and links are up, I will pre-order the next adventure for Team Salvare.
The mystery in this book was well done. I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I couldn't put this book down. I had to know how the mystery was going to be resolved, but more to the point I needed to see how things were going to shake out for Abby and Marco. I'm not going to spoil this for those who haven't yet read it, but be prepared for an emotional ride as this books speeds toward and very satisfying ending. I can't wait for the next book in the series, and as soon as information is out and links are up, I will pre-order the next adventure for Team Salvare.
June 20, 2017
Abby and her husand Marco are going to buy shrubs for their own house from a place that sells products without chemicals. The owner isn't around and Abby almost falls into a well, later her husband plants the shrubs without gloves and gets scratches and a strange rash. Abby's friend Nikki calls with a problem her friends husband is missing and the ladies had as a joke planned how to kill him. Now with him missing Abby has to try to figure out what happened to save her friend from jail. A very enjoyable story.
October 3, 2018
A woman who has purchased plants from a garden center dies, and her husband claims it is because of toxins used on the plants. When Abby's husband, Marcos, becomes ill with the same symptoms after planting yews from the same nursery, police and doctors blissfully ignore Abby's suspicions and pleas.
As Abby was convinced that the yew had been sprayed with toxic chemicals, why didn't she have a sprig of the yew tested? She didn't need a gallon of the stuff to get the police's or doctors' attention.
In spite of the implausible storyline, I enjoy the characters in this series.
As Abby was convinced that the yew had been sprayed with toxic chemicals, why didn't she have a sprig of the yew tested? She didn't need a gallon of the stuff to get the police's or doctors' attention.
In spite of the implausible storyline, I enjoy the characters in this series.
August 31, 2017
As ALWAYS Kate Collins does a superb job of making me fall in love with Abby Knight and Marco Salvare all over again as if I was reading Mums the Word for the first time. Right from the begining of this series it scared me how similar Abby's thoughts were to my thoughts, like we had the same inner monologues running through our brains. Every book since then has made me feel the same way and Yews With Caution is now one of my favorites of the series.
November 17, 2022
In this book, the main character, Abby and Marco are married and getting shrubs for their house. They are also drawn into two investigations - one is a jewelry store that is losing merchandise and thought to be an inside job and another involving Abby's best friend. In the course of the book Marco becomes seriously ill and Abby thinks it ties in with one of their investigations. The book was a quick easy read.
October 3, 2018
Yews with caution by Kate Collins is the 19th book in the Flower Shop Mystery series. When the owner of a garden centre goes missing, Abby's friend Nikki is worried as she and a group of her co-workers had drawn up a plan for his murder to cheer up his wife. Another terrific book in the series. Abby and Marco make a great team, and I love that Rosa helped out a lot more this time and that Abby has become a lot more accepting of her. An absorbing and engaging mystery.
January 2, 2020
Always a fun, easy read. New Chapel never lacks for excitement.
July 5, 2017
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.
Your basic cozy mystery. I enjoy the Flower Shop Mysteries movies on Hallmark channel based on this series and found this novel to be a fun read. My only complaint about the characters is that the main characters, Abby and Marco, are a bit too saccharine for my tastes referring to one another by such ridiculous pet names as "Buttercup". Not my thing. The ending of the novel was a bit far fetched as well, but not as bad as some novels in the genre. Overall, a good cozy read for those who enjoy this genre but I don't see myself being driven to read more in the series.
Your basic cozy mystery. I enjoy the Flower Shop Mysteries movies on Hallmark channel based on this series and found this novel to be a fun read. My only complaint about the characters is that the main characters, Abby and Marco, are a bit too saccharine for my tastes referring to one another by such ridiculous pet names as "Buttercup". Not my thing. The ending of the novel was a bit far fetched as well, but not as bad as some novels in the genre. Overall, a good cozy read for those who enjoy this genre but I don't see myself being driven to read more in the series.
March 13, 2020
I'm so sad there aren't any more books in this series. I do have 2 novellas I can still read. I love the characters in this series - Abby was annoying me in a couple of books but she's come back around and likeable again. This book totally kept me guessing and I couldn't have been more surprised at the ending. If this truly is the end of Abby and Marco's adventures I'm satisfied with the end but I really hope it's just a long break between books.
March 13, 2018
Collins should do some research before she writes her novels. Problems with this one:
1) "Organic" is not a synonym for non-toxic. Think of deadly nightshade, foxglove, certain mushrooms etc. Also something that is used to kill pests (insects) is toxic even if it is organic- it's purpose is to kill living things, duh.
2) The bottles were supposedly labeled "Herbicide, Pesticide, Fungicide". You would never put a herbicide on a plant you are trying to grow. It's purpose is to kill plants.
3) A surgeon would not be taking care of a patient with a possible infection.
4) Unless this is a hospital with no lab the results would not take 2 days.
5) There is something called a tox screen which would have been done if not immediately with all the other blood tests but certainly after Abby reported the possible pesticide exposure. It might have been able to identify the chemical without her need to get the list of chemicals in the bottle.
6) As another reviewer said, why didn't they test the yews?
All these things sort of spoiled the story for me.
1) "Organic" is not a synonym for non-toxic. Think of deadly nightshade, foxglove, certain mushrooms etc. Also something that is used to kill pests (insects) is toxic even if it is organic- it's purpose is to kill living things, duh.
2) The bottles were supposedly labeled "Herbicide, Pesticide, Fungicide". You would never put a herbicide on a plant you are trying to grow. It's purpose is to kill plants.
3) A surgeon would not be taking care of a patient with a possible infection.
4) Unless this is a hospital with no lab the results would not take 2 days.
5) There is something called a tox screen which would have been done if not immediately with all the other blood tests but certainly after Abby reported the possible pesticide exposure. It might have been able to identify the chemical without her need to get the list of chemicals in the bottle.
6) As another reviewer said, why didn't they test the yews?
All these things sort of spoiled the story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2017
Abby and Marco have finally finished moving into their new home, and they are looking to spruce up the property with some shrubs. Abby is super excited to find a landscape business, DK's Landscape Center, which boasts the use of no harmful chemicals, toxic applications or herbicides. But when Dick Kennison, the owner of DK’s, shows up dead, Abby's best friend, Nikki Hudike, is thrown front and center as murder suspect #1. When Marco falls mysteriously ill, Abby has more than one mystery on her hands to solve in order to help the people she loves.
The books in the Flower Shop Mystery series can always be expected to deliver action-packed, vivid, well-written and thoroughly enjoyable story lines, and Yews With Caution is no exception! This book starts off action packed and stays that way throughout the entire book. I was so drawn into the mystery that I couldn't put the book down. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster through most of the book and was happy to see how the story played out. The characters in this series are well-developed and complex, and the relationships run deep. Although this is the 19th book in the series, the story was fresh and new, and it can be read as a standalone.
http://myshelf.com/mystery/16/yewswit...
The books in the Flower Shop Mystery series can always be expected to deliver action-packed, vivid, well-written and thoroughly enjoyable story lines, and Yews With Caution is no exception! This book starts off action packed and stays that way throughout the entire book. I was so drawn into the mystery that I couldn't put the book down. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster through most of the book and was happy to see how the story played out. The characters in this series are well-developed and complex, and the relationships run deep. Although this is the 19th book in the series, the story was fresh and new, and it can be read as a standalone.
http://myshelf.com/mystery/16/yewswit...
July 31, 2019
Book 19 in the beloved Flower Shop Mystery. I always look forward to this fantastic cozy. The flower shop setting and quirky characters are always perfect. In this installment, Abbey and Marco are planting shrubs around their new house. It turns into a mystery when they notice some odd behavior around their local nursery and the owner turns up missing. Abbey’s friend, Nikki, finds herself a suspect when a morose joke amongst colleagues turns into evidence. To make matters worse, a customer mysteriously dies after touching the supposedly organic plants from the nursery and now Marco is showing the same infectious symptoms.
Goodness, this mystery was face paced, incredibly intriguing and even quite suspenseful at times. The action starts with the opening scene and continues throughout the entire book. The mystery was so well done and had me stumped until close to the reveal. There were so many believable suspects that I wasn’t quite sure who to trust and who to accuse.
The main characters really make this series special. They are funny, smart, entertaining and very relatable. I loved Rosa’s extra involvement in this case. Never doubt a lady in heels with a huge purse!! The hospital scenes had me on the edge of my seat and nervous for the outcome of one of my all time favorite male leads. Of course the flower talk is always intriguing and I’d love to get my hands on Maureen’s latest creation. It actually sounds quite fabulous!!
This is a series that I always recommend to new cozy readers.
Goodness, this mystery was face paced, incredibly intriguing and even quite suspenseful at times. The action starts with the opening scene and continues throughout the entire book. The mystery was so well done and had me stumped until close to the reveal. There were so many believable suspects that I wasn’t quite sure who to trust and who to accuse.
The main characters really make this series special. They are funny, smart, entertaining and very relatable. I loved Rosa’s extra involvement in this case. Never doubt a lady in heels with a huge purse!! The hospital scenes had me on the edge of my seat and nervous for the outcome of one of my all time favorite male leads. Of course the flower talk is always intriguing and I’d love to get my hands on Maureen’s latest creation. It actually sounds quite fabulous!!
This is a series that I always recommend to new cozy readers.
October 8, 2018
Another great installment in the Flower Shop Mystery series. Abby Knight Salvare is back with her wonderful husband.
This time, her close friend Nikki is in trouble--she thinks. A harmless prank meant to cheer up a coworker may have gone a little too far, and Nikki is concerned that she might have unwittingly become part of a crime. She asks Abby to investigate, and Abby's gut compels her to keep looking into the situation, even when there's little to no proof that something really IS going on.
As always, Abby struggles to balance her flower shop, investigating, and personal relationships (especially with her quirky mother and cousin). This time, she and Marco also have to balance two investigations, and dangerous complications threaten to disband Team Salvare … permanently.
Wonderful characters and storytelling! The plot moves quickly, and Abby investigates professionally. She's come a long way since the beginning of this series. One mark of disappointment for me: the book focuses on one investigation's details and mostly leaves the other out. The conclusion to that investigation is vague and undetailed.
This time, her close friend Nikki is in trouble--she thinks. A harmless prank meant to cheer up a coworker may have gone a little too far, and Nikki is concerned that she might have unwittingly become part of a crime. She asks Abby to investigate, and Abby's gut compels her to keep looking into the situation, even when there's little to no proof that something really IS going on.
As always, Abby struggles to balance her flower shop, investigating, and personal relationships (especially with her quirky mother and cousin). This time, she and Marco also have to balance two investigations, and dangerous complications threaten to disband Team Salvare … permanently.
Wonderful characters and storytelling! The plot moves quickly, and Abby investigates professionally. She's come a long way since the beginning of this series. One mark of disappointment for me: the book focuses on one investigation's details and mostly leaves the other out. The conclusion to that investigation is vague and undetailed.
March 4, 2019
Abby you are amazing
This one had my heart!!! Abby and Marco shop for shrubs for their newly purchased home. While shopping at organic only nursery and unable to find owner to help them, Abby and Marco pick their items themselves. Abby stumbles upon a well and it doesn't sit right and its only the beginning.
Her best friend Nikki becomes unknowingly suspect in a possible murder/disappearance of her co-workers husband. While Abby investigates to clear her friend she uncovers a multi list of people who have it in for the disappearing owner. Marco and Abby take on another client for a jewelry store theft but then Marco becomes critically ill. Abby left struggling to solve the theft for Marco's sake and saving his life and clearing her friends name and a death of customer from same nursery has Abby's world falling apart because Marcos illness is eerily similar.
This had my heart going i found myself almost yelling at each page. Please tell me there's more #FlowershopMystery novels in the future!!!
This one had my heart!!! Abby and Marco shop for shrubs for their newly purchased home. While shopping at organic only nursery and unable to find owner to help them, Abby and Marco pick their items themselves. Abby stumbles upon a well and it doesn't sit right and its only the beginning.
Her best friend Nikki becomes unknowingly suspect in a possible murder/disappearance of her co-workers husband. While Abby investigates to clear her friend she uncovers a multi list of people who have it in for the disappearing owner. Marco and Abby take on another client for a jewelry store theft but then Marco becomes critically ill. Abby left struggling to solve the theft for Marco's sake and saving his life and clearing her friends name and a death of customer from same nursery has Abby's world falling apart because Marcos illness is eerily similar.
This had my heart going i found myself almost yelling at each page. Please tell me there's more #FlowershopMystery novels in the future!!!
June 16, 2017
A series that reads well independently
This is the first of the series I've read. I didn't realize it was a series and a later book at that until I started reading....by that time I was already into the book and wanted to finish. While it doesn't hurt to read out of order I am one that likes to 'start from the beginning'. The book is well written and you can follow the characters and understand the backstory enough even without reading previous books. There is enough detail to fill in the blanks but not so much as to be mundane. The story flows nicely and has enough detail you can guess and then second guess who you think...I found I was correct about one part but not so much that it ruined the ending. There was a faux pas at one point where it had Rosa driving, but then said Abby parked the car....but overall a good read.
This is the first of the series I've read. I didn't realize it was a series and a later book at that until I started reading....by that time I was already into the book and wanted to finish. While it doesn't hurt to read out of order I am one that likes to 'start from the beginning'. The book is well written and you can follow the characters and understand the backstory enough even without reading previous books. There is enough detail to fill in the blanks but not so much as to be mundane. The story flows nicely and has enough detail you can guess and then second guess who you think...I found I was correct about one part but not so much that it ruined the ending. There was a faux pas at one point where it had Rosa driving, but then said Abby parked the car....but overall a good read.
February 12, 2018
This book follows Abby and Marco who are working on beautifying their yard with new shrubs. While there Abby nearly falls into a well. Not long after that Nikki approaches Abby about having planned a murder with some co-workers what she didn't count on was the husband going missing. Add to that Marco is working on finding an employee of a jewelry store is stealing from their boss. All that changes when Marco's falls sick and Abby has to figure out what is going on and who is the bad guy!
This book was like all the others in the series a great adventure to go on following with Abby and Marco as they dig through the clues to find out what is going with those close to them. It especially gets worse when Marco falls ill and the pressure is put on Abby to figure everything out quickly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2018
Marco and Abby purchase bushes from an Eco-friendly landscaper and discover one of the owners has received death threats over toxic chemicals used on the plants. Abby's friend needs her help after jokingly plans the death of a coworker's cheating husband. It was all in fun, until he turns up missing. Turns out the landscape owner and the cheat are the same man. Halfway through a PI job for a local jewelry store, Marco becomes deathly ill, and thinks there may be a connection between his illness and the bushes he recently planted.
Interesting plot, quick read. The great cast of characters help fill out the story: Jillian's obsession with her party, Abby's mom and her newest 'creation', and newest member Rosa, who proves to be a valuable asset.
Interesting plot, quick read. The great cast of characters help fill out the story: Jillian's obsession with her party, Abby's mom and her newest 'creation', and newest member Rosa, who proves to be a valuable asset.
June 19, 2017
Super read. Fast paced and wow hold on to your seats. I cannot believe this is the 19th book in this series. It is so fresh and well plotted. I love these characters. I was not able to put this book down. You can read it as a standalone but if you havent read any in this series before I recommend you do. I loved "Yews with Caution". This series was one of the first I read when I started reading cozy mysteries and one of the reason it is the one genre' I love best. This is a fabulous book and so well written. Enjoy and hang on to your seats.
June 19, 2017
This is a nice story with good solid characters. The author created some cute and dangerous (but not too dangerous) situations for our character and love the protagonists main issue with claustrophobia. However, I some how missed that this was #19 in the series and I personally feel like there is too much water under the bridge too much information from previous books that left me a little confused at times.
That being said, I enjoyed it enough that I intend to find the series and start reading from book 1.
That being said, I enjoyed it enough that I intend to find the series and start reading from book 1.
July 21, 2017
Another fun edition to the Flower Shop series. I really like this series despite the fact that there are times that Abby, the protag, really gets on my nerves. Her cute husband Marco helps me to overlook those times though. The mystery in this one was good if a little hard to believe in parts. I had my suspicions about what was going on and in the end they proved right. Some series start to lose steam after so many books. As this series approaches the 20th book I don't feel like I am getting tired of it yet. Keep 'em coming!
August 30, 2017
Another great addition to the flower shop mysteries. Abby's best friend, Nikki, thinks she unknowingly helped to kill a colleague's husband. Abby wants to help Nikki, but Marco thinks they need to wait until the man is at least pronounced missing. They also take on a case to catch a jewelry thief. Meanwhile, Marco ends up in the hospital severely ill. Now it's up to Abby to solve the cases and find an anecdote for Marco before he runs out of time. Hope to see lots more of Abby, Marco, and the rest of the group soon.
December 15, 2017
Alas, this sounds as if it might be one of the last Flower Shop Mysteries. Once I discovered them I have read them all in order and rapidly. Kate Collins provides incredible and color filled descriptions of plants, flowers and a flower shop that I found fantastic - from a person who is not enthralled with flowers. That says a lot. Characters are extremely consistent from book to book. And she does not throw extra characters in just to fill pages. New characters are introduced when needed and gradually filled in as needed.
May 30, 2022
Abby and Marco have been married six months as this book opens. They're new homeowners, and its spring and time to landscape the new yard. They visit a local nursery whose claim to fame is that it won't use plants that are sprayed with toxic chemicals. But the owner of the nursery has gone missing, and Abby's friend, Nikki, is sure he's dead. Worse still, Nikki is certain she helped plan his death. When a mysterious illness fells Marco and puts him in the hospital, Abby must solve the case by herself, and she does very satisfactorily.
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