Tulips Too Late: A Flower Shop Mystery Novella

A Flower Shop Mystery #19.2

by Kate Collins

It’s springtime in New Chapel, Indiana, but as the weather heats up, so too does the drama, in this thrilling new Flower Shop mystery novella from New York Times Bestselling Author, Kate Collins.



After arriving late for a tulip delivery, Bloomers Flower Shop owner Abby Knight Salvare stumbles upon a homicide in action. The killer flees the scene, leaving a trail of mysterious clues behind, but when Abby’s long-time friend, Sgt. Sean Reilly accidentally releases information to the press, he is forced to step away from the case. Having nowhere else to turn, and armed with a list of evidence that the detectives refuse to investigate, Sgt. Reilly enlists the help of Team Salvare to solve the case and set things right.



In order to solve this mystery, Abby and Marco must defy strict orders from a powerful old foe – a bull-headed corrupt detective - who promises that one wrong move will have them wrapped up in legal fees, courtroom battles, and possibly even worse. Abby’s passion for truth and unquenchable thirst for justice drives her forward even while the odds stack up against her. This will not only be Abby’s greatest challenge but also her greatest redemption, believing she may have been able to save someone’s life, had she not delivered those tulips…too late.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2018

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

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the contrast in this book. Abby delivers flowers to a home where a couple will celebrate its first anniversary. But because of a traffic tie-up, she can't get there as quickly as she had hoped. When she arrives, she finds a broken window, a door ajar, and the woman lying dead.

Throughout the story, she faults herself for being late and for not preventing the killing.

She spends the remainder of the story investigating the killing with her husband, Marco, and dealing with the dismissal of her friend, Sean Reilly, from leading the investigation to desk duty. It's a great study in failure and redemption and it will feel deeper to you than you would expect one of this size would be. I came away impressed.

[Cheryl Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too good

I have loved everyone of these Flower Shop Mysteries. I have also watched all of the made for Hallmark Movies and channel movies. Keep them coming.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby is late delivering flowers to a home and stumbles on a homicide in action. Her long time friend Sgt Reilly accidentally give information to the press and is forced to leave his job. A bad cop is pushing his own ideas on who did it. Reilly hires Abby and her husband to solve the case. They risk everything to find out who did it. An interesting case with Abby trying to get over her feeling that if she had just been earlier she could’ve stopped the murder.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition to the series, with a very good mystery. Found things that didn't jive, unfortunately. 3.5*

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twist I did not see coming!

[Lori Gronewold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed Abby's mom bringing in her art to the flower shop. I missed the ladies at the flower shop

I missed Jillian.

I am not a fan of the novella

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shorter novel, this book feature Abby, who owns a flower shop, and her husband Marco, as they try to solve the mystery of what happened to Abby's customer. Abby was making a flower delivery to the woman, and found the house broken into, and ultimately, the woman's dead body in the kitchen. Abby and Marco have a friend on the police force, and he attempts to work on the case, but is shoved aside and framed for wrongdoing by a crooked cop who hates him. When Abby and Marco use their investigative skills to try to help him and help solve the murder, the bad cop threatens them to the point of physical danger to get them to stop. This is a quick but very good read.

[Mina Diakite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I started with to dip back into the Murder Mystery genre and I can honestly say I enjoyed it. I was thrown off a little when it came to figuring out who did it, but that’s what I enjoyed most because every time a new lead was introduced I was back at square one. Insight into Abby and Marcos marriage gave nice breaks in between the chaos. I also enjoyed the fact that the mystery to solve is happening at the same time that Abby is trying to get fit for her cruise because it makes the story more realistic.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series! I kind of liked the idea of the 2 latest "short stories," how they really just get right to it, but that just means the mystery is over too fast and I want more (so I gave it 4.5 stars :) If you haven't read any of the Flower Shop mysteries before, I recommend starting with #1, Mum's the Word, and going in order - it's fun to see the characters' relationships grow throughout the series.

[Mary Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please don’t let this be the last Flower Shop Mystery!!!

This is the latest in 19 mysteries involving Abby Knight Salvare, her husband Marco and a fun cast of characters. They solve the mystery, get into trouble, and usually give us a happy ending.

The characters are personable, fun and very likable. It’s a great series - but start at #1!

[Melissa Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Abby is delivering flowers to a woman and she is found murdered. Things get interesting when Abby's friend, Sargeant Reilly, gets taken off the case and accused of mishandling information. Abby and Marco set out to clear him and find the killer. More flower shop books, please!!!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good short mystery about Abby and Marco and Reilly. I see Kate Collins is starting on a new mystery series, too. But I hope that doesn't mean that the Flower Shop mysteries are done. I've come to like Abby's and Marco's families, and all the ladies working in the flower shop. Would miss them all terribly, so I hope their stories will still be written and told.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella that is a quick, fun read. I would have preferred a little less emphasis on Abby "needing" to lose weight, but the mystery itself is a good one with plenty of suspects and an unexpected resolution.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Tulips Too Late! I loved that Sean Reilly was in this story so much! It really solidified his and Marco's and Abby's relationship in my mind. I really hope there are more Flower Shop Mysteries in the way!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories and the characters of Abby & Marco have developed stronger then I had remembered. The books now contain the intrique and professionalism (of "real" PI's) that take this series to a new level!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. Marco and Abby make a great time and I love reading their adventures. This case kept me guessing and the ending was exciting. So glad I still have two more of these novellas to read.

[Stephanie Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quickish read for this series. Haven't read any books in this series for a while but it was easy to dive in and catch up. (I've skipped around in the series) the who done it kept me guessing to the end. Great story, can't wait to read more in this series.

[carol thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flower shop mysteries

I had read a number of the books in this series and find them an enjoyable experience. I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys coz y mysteries

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to like about this one. Lots of drama, some humor and glad to have read it.

[Rachel Marra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[Libby]

(E-Lib) This was good -- and action-packed -- especially for a novella. It sounds like we will delve into Abby's dad's accident soon.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really short.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery is this series. I loved it.

[Lauren Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! An impressive novella!

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tulips too late by Kate Collins is a novella in the Flower Shop Mystery series. Delivering tulips, Bloomers Flower Shop owner Abby Knight Salvare comes across a murder taking place. An interesting, quick mystery with a few unanswered questions. Enjoyable but over too quickly.