Snipped
in the Bud
A Flower Shop Mystery #4
by Kate Collins
You have read the first three books in this series, you will know
that florist Abby Knight’s time at law school was no bed of roses.
When she has to deliver a single black rose (well, dark red) to her
old nemesis Professor Z A "Snapdragon" Puffer, she thinks that it
will be a time to prove to herself that she no longer fears him. But
the encounter is a disaster, especially when her other old nemesis
Professor Carson Reed is found dead, stabbed with a pencil she had
just been holding. The fact that he recently had her arrested at an
animal right’s rally won’t help, any more than the fact that people
soon find out that she hated him. Soon, Abby has been told not to
leave town and angry people are waving placards outside her shop howling
for her blood. But this has never stopped her in the past...
As I am interested in neither floristry nor chicklit a cursory
glance at this book might look at if it had both in abundance. But
the references to floristry are only fleeting, and if a bit of romance
with wineshop owner Marco is a feature so are many other things.
This whole series is a hundred per cent whodunit, with a thread
running through it about social climbing and society. Short, creative
Abby is a trouble magnet with a large mortgage and a new shop to
run, while the rest of her family either aspire to society or are
already in it. Her perfect foil is selfish, glamorous cousin Jillian,
staying in Abby’s apartment and on the run from a disastrous wedding.
Telling a story in the first person is not always a good thing,
but Abby is a real spokesperson for ordinary women who don’t have
it all, and her narrative brings the reader closer to the action.
Just like the others in the series, this book admirably manages
to juggle a good whodunit plot, plenty of humor, sharp social satire
and some larger-than-life and lively characters splendidly. One
of the best cozy series around.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Mum's
The Word #1
Slay
it with Flowers #2
Dearly
Depotted #3
Snipped
in the Bud #4
Acts
of Violets #5
A
Rose from the Dead #6
Shoots
to Kill #7
Night
of the Living Dandelion #11
To
Catch a Leaf #12
Nightshade
on Elm Street #13
Seed
No Evil #14
|
The
Book |
Signet
/ Penguin |
May
2006 |
Paperback |
0451218310 |
Crime
- Contemporary, Indiana |
More
at Amazon.com |
The Reviewer |
Rachel
A Hyde |
Reviewed
2006 |
|