Snipped in the Bud

A Flower Shop Mystery #4

by Kate Collins

When I swapped the thorny problems of law school for the budding business of my flower store, Bloomers, I vowed that I, Abby Knight, wouldn t be caught dead visiting that hateful campus ever again. But sometimes a girl s got to face down her dragons....

PLANT OF ATTACK

Someone orders a black rose for Abby s old law school nemesis, Professor "Snapdragon" Puffer. But 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. Abby flees in terror, only to run smack into Carson Reed, the professor who recently had her arrested at an animal rights protest. After a biting exchange, Abby storms out of the building. But if there s anything she can t stand, it s injustice and bullies. So, even though she knows bad luck comes in threes, she ignores the advice of her sometimes boyfriend, hunk-a-licious Marco Salvare, and 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....

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

296 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 2, 2006

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

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Abby!!! These books keep getting better and better. This series is definitely in my top three of cozies. Recommend to everyone.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another series that is getting better and better; this series started off very slow, with the first book being almost boring, but it picked up wonderfully, and now I look forward to reading it!

I really liked Abby in this book, and after reading tons of other mysteries where the MC was a chief suspect, I exected this book to be just like the others, but it wasn't. Abby was probably the most believable character that I've ever read that is a chief suspect. She is angry about it, but at the same time feels like she's about to be arrested, but she continues on and doesn't get down. The author did a wonderful job of portraying Abby in this book.

The mystery was very good, and I really liked how Abby and Marco went through each suspect and checked out their alibis before ruling them out. The killer was a surprise, and the last scene was very tense, like a dam burst from all of the feelings before in the book.

Overall a very good book, I look forward to reading the next one!

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just get this out of the way; this book was a doozy to read. I could have underscored this book, but then I remember the impossible ones and I'm grateful for having discovered this series. Who cares if the culprit in the story wasn't a bolt out of the blue? I can only speak for myself but Kate Collins knows how to write a cozy murder. There's just enough of annoying characters to giggle at and if that's not your thing, then they're inconspicuous enough to avoid and focus on another, fuller, redder, bustier, shorter character. Herein ends this review.

[Drebbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flower Shop owner Abby Knight is asked to deliver a black rose to Professor Puffer, who terrorized her during her brief time as a law school student. Abby is hoping to drop off the rose and run, but much to her dismay she runs into not only Puffer but another law professor, Carson Reed, who not too long ago had Abby arrested at an animal rights protest. Both men bully Abby into fleeing the building, but she decides to stand up for herself and goes back inside only to find that Professor Reed has been murdered. Plenty of people heard Abby's fight with Reed and she is a chief suspect in his murder and there's a real chance she'll be arrested. While Abby fights to clear her name, she stumbles upon a series of pet nappings and is convinced the two are related. But can she and hunky ex-cop Marco find the real murderer and pet nappers before she is arrested for murder?

This was a nicely plotted cozy mystery. Although I've read many mysteries where the heroine is considered a suspect, this is the first one I've read where the situation wasn't contrived and there was a legitimate reason for the police to suspect Abby. Abby is an engaging heroine, although there were times in this book when her meddling was a bit too much and once or twice I rolled my eyes while reading the book. The book has lots of humor and Abby's various disguises as she hides from the Media and various townspeople who think she is the murderer are quite humorous. The mystery is well written and I didn't guess who the real murderer was until the very end.

Very enjoyable.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a few years since I read the previous book in this series, and I remember enjoying it. This one had a good mystery, but had some bits that bothered me, such as some editing problems, a piece of equipment that should have been thoroughly checked over, a case that was pretty flimsy and heavy-handed. Love the flower shop setting and the Marco connection, as well as her assistants, so will try the next one.

Btw, fourteen is not hefty - not that a woman's weight should matter, really. And the degrading nickname the nasty prof had for the mc, wow. Here's to continuing positive societal change for us all.

[Brooke Banks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh boy. Where to start?



This is seriously a copy & paste job from the last book. Abby didn't learn her lesson from last time. "Oh my! That person was so nice and gave me all this information about the case! Boy, do I run into them a lot, what a coincidence!." Oh but you link up other coincidences that mean nothing together, like that stupid rule of threes. Well, no shit Sherlock that nice, helpful person who was hanging around you and you didn't suspect turned out to be the murderer. That's what happened last time

Oh, there's a subplot that deals with this minor issue in the background. Oh my god, it's so shocking that it's involved with the murder! That's what happened in every book.

Oh, the romance is heating up! Cue insecurities and a stupid minor "conflict" to create tension. Cue lots of compliments and drag on descriptions of how hot Marco is every time Abby sees him. Finally, the murder caught, case solved. Time to fuck Marco! Oh, wait something happens to interrupt them to get the next book rolling. That's how every book ended.

Abby is truly fucking stupid. She's all about thinking she's so smart and bristled when ever anyone brings up her stupid actions. It's not about dropping out of law school. That doesn't make her stupid. Jumping to conclusions, holding on to first impressions no matter what and rushing head first into everything. She complains about Jillian not being a grown up, but Abby has her own issues to work on. Like being so desperate to right all the time, clinging to assumptions and first impressions, jumping to conclusions, so desperate to prove herself and for attention, love and affection. Have the book was her saying "No! They couldn't be having an affair, she's not his type. I can't see it" or "No! She's such a good person, she couldn't hurt a fly!". "Let's be witty to the cops! I can do his job better anyways. I'll find out who the real murder is!" and you wonder why the cops don't like you Abby? I can't even stand Abby anymore. People have pointed things out to her but she doesn't change or learn.

Abby is extremely privileged. I was pissed that she couldn't believe someone would be struggling and standing in a soup line if they didn't have their job at a horrible company. Yes, the company is horrible and should change its practices. I'm absolutely against the animal testing going on this book. That doesn't mean you should harp on people just trying to support their family. You want to guilt trip the janitor? Employees aren't responsible for the grievances their employers cause. Yes, it sucks. Ideally, people would be able to work at great places and chose their employment at will. But this is reality. It doesn't work that way. Show some understand and class, Abby. Most people don't have the luxury or privilege to chose their employers, they just need to work to survive. Abby grew up in a small town and doesn't realize this? Didn't think people would be defensive for calling them animal tortures when they work at an immoral company to survive? Hello, as the author ever dealt with real people or small towns? I grew up in a small town in Michigan. I know what happened with the mills and the car companies in Detroit. I saw the devastation and the desperation for jobs when shit went down.

So I'm left with either not believing Abby as a character, or coming to the conclusion she's self absorbed and couldn't care less about people, just her principles. Who cares about those struggling people, they can get other jobs! It's so easy after all. They are unprincipled people who don't care about animal torture. No possibility they care, they just need to work to support themselves? Of course not! Not in Abby's black and white world. Everyone get in line, you need to be painted by the florist who knows only two fucking colors.

Funny, how now people are upset about a murder. Where were the mobs in the last books? Do you really blame people for assuming Abby is the murderer considering the evidence they know? Abby jumps to conclusions all the time. If someone else had done the stupid shit Abby did, Abby would be assume they were the murders too. That's what she's done in the last books. Time for some realizations and character growth? Of course not! We have a format to follow.

I like how the book flows, so I must assume I like the author's writing style because I really can't stand Abby anymore. The author is a good writer for what it's worth, her stories just suck. Not every character is a bust, but the most important character, Abby, is. Maybe that's just me but I've grown to find Abby extremely annoying at least. At worst, she's a stubborn know-it-all judgmental little snob who claims to be helping but only makes thing worse.

TL;DR

If you liked the last book, you'll probably like this book. It's a copy pasta job. The author can write so at least reading won't be painful. Unless you find reading the same story over and over with only name changes discomforting. Abby has lost me. I can't stand her anymore. She's worked on none of her faults and feels self-righteous about what she does. She's painfully stupid. She's the woman in the horror movies who walks blindly towards a sound the killer made and gets murdered. Only this is a cozy mystery so she's saved her hunk in the nick of time. *eyeroll*

The cons of this series as finally outweighed any pleasure from this short, supposedly fun read. I'm done with the series.

It's suppose to be a fun escape from reality, only to make it work it needs to be relate able. This story universe claims to be in our own, but is clearly disconnected from reality. The timing on the events in this books makes no sense and only works with perfectly choreographed people. I can see the puppet strings and am bored by this sorry performance. The previous books have been plagued by plot holes and lacking common sense. This time around I was so annoyed and couldn't wait to be done with this book so I didn't pay attention. I knew what was coming and just wanted to get it over with.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

Book 4 in the Flower Shop Mystery series.

In this early entry in the series, Abby has to deliver a funeral rose to one of her old nemesis' - Professor Puffer. Naturally it does not go well, and he throws the rose in the trash. Once Abby gets back to her car, she decides to go back and retrieve the rose. She calls Marco, Marco says let it go...but she can't. Once she goes back up to the law school office, she finds another professor , Professor Reed, dead sitting in Prof Puffer's chair. Abby has had a run in with Reed before, which culminated in her arrest. So naturally she is the prime suspect.

I admit to reading these out of order, but once you know the characters it really doesn't seem to make a difference. Kate Collins brings her characters to life, and in this one crazy cousin Jillian was only moderately crazy (which was nice). Abby continues to be a bit impetuous, which normally drives me crazy but for some reason it doesn't in this series. I guess the only thing that does make me a little irritable is the semi-constant references to Abby's apparently fairly large boob size. Must happen in every book.

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book , glad i am reading this series,, really love abby and her stories, easy read

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series and I really enjoy the antics of all the characters. I'm so pleased that Philadelphia Free Library has all but the 3 latest in Overdrive. Cozies can be hard to find in central Pennsylvania.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like this series, but it’s just so boring. This one felt like it dragged on.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Knight is one of the most delightful cozy mystery characters I've discovered in recent months. I have to credit the Hallmark Mystery channel for turning me onto the series, even though they've horribly cast Abby Knight. The book version is far more picturesque and relatable.

As the book begins, Abby dreads making a delivery of a black rose to a professor at the law school she recently flunked out of. He was particularly nasty to Abby when she was a student there, and her guts tied themselves in knots at the thought of having to visit his office.

She timidly confronts her nemesis who behaves pretty much as she thought he would. She delivers the flower; he promptly delivers it to the trash; she runs. But the more she thinks about it, the less inclined she is to allow her work to remain in the garbage. She would rather retrieve it herself than have it meet such an ignominious end. Accordingly, she returns, only to find another law professor sitting in the desk chair of the first one, and this professor is dead. Someone stabbed him brutally through the throat with a pencil. That would be the pencil Abby had held when she made her delivery--held it with both hands. Because she the cops recently arrested her for being in an animal rights protest against a local labratory employer, the cops and the community instantly assume Abby killed Carson Reed. Of course, she didn't, but that doesn't mean she can wander at will through her town. She ultimately resorts to disguises prepared for her by her gorgeous model cousin who can't seem to stay married.

All of these characters are delightful, and Collins has a remarkable ability to build a lasting affinity to Abby Knight. If you're not careful, you'll hope she's real and that you can visit her shop. At the very least, you'll eagerly await your next visit with her.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby must face her fears when she has to deliver a flower to one of the law school professors who made her collegiate life a living hell. Professor Puffer bellows, blusters, and bins the lovely flower Abby delivered, sending her fleeing in terror. Once outside, however, she musters her courage and is determined to retrieve the flower. Upon her return, however, Abby finds a murdered professor and also finds herself at the top of the list of suspects. Now people are picketing the front of her store, forcing her to skulk around town wearing disguises. Abby refuses to sit back and let the police do their job, and her kinda-sorta boyfriend, PI Marco Salvatore, agrees to help her investigate. In the meantime, Abby is dodging a zealous reporter, looking into a series of local petnappings, and trying not to throttle her airheaded cousin, Jillian. Welcome to the life of a florist-slash-murder suspect.

These books are entertaining enough, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this woman is dumber than a box of rocks. She does the stupidest things. I’d like to knock her head together with Jillian’s. Sheesh. The plot was fast-paced and characters were fleshed out.

Fun story, but the blithering idiocy displayed by the mc holds the score to an average of three.

[Linda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Knight is one adorable heroine!
Abby Knight is one adorable heroine! Don't ever insult Abby's work! This backfires as she has to deliver a single rose to her former professor whom she nicknamed Snapdragon. As usual he insults her claims he never ordered it and throws it into the trash right in front of her. She leaves but insists against Marco's advice to go back and claim her beautiful creation only to discover a dead body in Snapdragons chair office but it isn't him. She becomes suspect and public enemy #1. Poor Abby but she perseveres against everything stacked against her which is honestly ludicrous and insulting. She is feisty determined and AWESOME. I love this series so much #FlowerShopMystery

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby Knight, florist, makes a floral delivery to an overbearing law professor who intimidates her and then runs into another law professor she is at odds with over animal rights and has words with him. After leaving she has second thought about the trashed flower and goes back to retrieve it, only to find the second professor dead. Because of her animosity she becomes a prime suspect. Abby was especially annoying in this volume of the series, going where she shouldn't, mouthing off at all the suspects, the police, and reporters. They should have locked her up until the investigation was over. Mix this with her super annoying cousin, Jillian, and I'm rethinking continuing with the series.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I am becoming addicted to Kate Collins and her Flower shop Mysteries. Why? because when I finish one I am wondering what will happen in the next one. Abby, flower shop owner after dropping out of law school, Marco, her boyfriend of sorts - heart throb works here, her family, her employees at the flower shop, Riley the cop - who wanted to be a boyfriend and all the residents of a small town in Indiana make an exciting mix. So, family squabbles, a dead body and a =nosy reporter combine for another story.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby sets out to make a delivery to one of her former law school professors. There is no love loss between the two of them and it seems poetic that the order is a single black rose. Although Abby actually hopes to avoid the man, he plan is dashed when he arrives and insults her by throwing the flower into the trash. Abby leaves quickly only to run into a professor who recently had her arrested. They exchange words and Abby leaves in anger. After sitting in her car and cooling off (a little) she goes back in order to retrieve the beautiful flower, despite Marco, her boyfriend, telling her to go back to her shop. She enters the office to recover the flower and finds a little more than she bargained for. Abby finds herself a suspect in a murder and it's up to her, with help from Marco, to clear her name.
This is an enjoyable series. The characters are well developed and easy to like. The pace of the plot is steady. I unfortunately watched the Hallmark movie before reading this book and it took me awhile to shake the vision of Brooke Shields as Abby. I much prefer the character's literary form. I enjoy the books much more than the movies and look forward to reading the next book when I have a chance. I own them all because I think they are worth the investment.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books in this series, and what I liked best was that I was able to guess who the murderer was, without it being predictable. I enjoyed the antics in this one quite a bit. I wish this book had an audio version with the same narrator as the first 3 books, but I guess they just stopped doing audiobooks for this series after book 3. It was an amusing read.

EBN Challenge - A book with a colorful cover.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this 2.75 stars. I really struggled with Abby's personality in this one. All of her problems come from being stubborn, prideful and stupid. She wants to prove she is over hurtful histories, but you don't have to put yourself back in those places to prove you are over them. Boundaries are a good thing. She was also TSTL and she survived due to some lucky, timely interruptions from others. I am going to take a break from the series for bit. This one made me frustrated

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, but there was nothing fantastic about it. As always, the story is very unrealistic, but I like Abby and Marco. This installation in the series featured a bit of Abby's background at the law school, along with two of her former professors, but the plot is so outlandish that it's hard to imagine any of it could actually happen.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

When does courage become foolhardiness? Openness become verbal diarrhea? Abby would be a colorful but uncomfortable friend. And a loose cannon as a sleuth who somehow has managed to survive book after book.

[Ewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After first 3 pages I was disappointed and thought it would be difficult to finish it - but then action started and I really liked it, I liked the main character (loves animals and isn't ashamed to fight for them), the plot, the setting.

[Mardi D · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I have read anything by this author. I really did enjoy the book. It is what I call an easy read, not requiring a lot of deep thinking, and perfect for relaxing with a cup of tea. I will definitely be on the look out for more of the Flower Shop Mystery series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, does Abby get in deep on this one! Tons of twists and turns, a few unlikely 'couples', and of course a murder. We learn a bit more about her past, she learns the art of tact (maybe!), and Jillian's journey continues. Can't wait to start the next one!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series and, as you can see, I read it in a day. However; it is my hope that the author has Abby getting smarter in future books. You can only have the main character do stupid things that put them in harm’s way so many times. No one is that stupid to keep doing that.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

:-)

[Abbie L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jillian!!! I do NOT like her👎👎

[Beth Retchless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t get past first couple of chapters. Tired of reading about a person the author chose to be the heroine. After reading the previous books in this series, just couldn’t go any further.

[Sanderella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the black roses. ;)

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but some of the characters come off as clowns, in a forced way. Jillian and Mom are waaaay too much.