Evil in Carnations: A Flower Shop Mystery

by: Kate Collins

Published by: Obsidian Mystery / NAL / Penguin

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

Evil in Carnations is number eight in the delightful Flower Shop Mystery series featuring flower shop owner Abby Knight. Abby dropped out of college to run a flower shop, and loves her work and her delectable boyfriend Marco, who owns a nearby bar. They return from a romantic weekend to find that her roommate Nikki is about to be hauled in by the cops because a man was found dead, and Nikki was the last one to see him alive.

Abby is devastated, as she had encouraged the romantically challenged Nikki to attend a speed dating event, where Nikki had met the creep, the wealthy and slimy local developer, Jonas Treat. There are a lot of potential suspects for the role of killer, including Treat’s ex-fiancée, the farmer that he cheated on his latest land deal, and myriad girlfriends. Nikki’s lawyer hires Marco, and ex-Army Ranger, to investigate, but Abby can’t help but get involved–after all it was all her fault. If only Nikki would tell them the truth! Abby is thrown as evidence keeps mounting against her roommate.

Collins is an expert at throwing humor, great characters, and a mystery all together to make a great floral arrangement–but is it for a wedding or a funeral?

Armchair Interviews says: A fun mystery to read for the great characters and setting.

Author’s Web site: http://www.KateCollinsBooks.com