Customer Reviews

Evil In Carnations: A Flower Shop Mystery

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Why does it seem like forever between books in a great series? Number 8 in this line-up is worth the wait, though. Things are heating up between Abby and Marco, so Abby tries to help her best friend find true love, too...but things do not go according to Abby's perfect plan! And we get to know Marco's family better now, for better or worse. (!) This is a fun read and the series definitely continues to please.

I have loved all the other Flower Shop Mysteries which is why it is hard to give this installment only two stars. However, Kate Collins definitely veered from her excellent plotting and style when she came up with "Evil in Carnations".

In this book, Abby's roommate has degenerated to a whiny, pathetic creature who starts off in deep depression because she is "without a man"--what is this, 1940? She progresses to a seeker of the shallow--going crazy over the egotistical, rich speed dater instead of the solid good guy. And ends up a sad "please, please help me; you just don't understand" murder suspect. At times I was hoping she HAD committed the murder just to shut her up.

If that's not bad enough, our heroine, Abby, can't get a spine to stand up to Marco's sister, Gina, and Abby's cousin, Jillian, both of whom (in separate scenes) walk all over her and, in the case of Jillian, almost ruin Abby's business.

The plot itself was lacking--Collins commits a mortal sin (at least in mystery book circles) by not supplying enough clues (or even a fleshed out killer) to the whodunit.

Unfortunately, this is the worst of the series and I can only hope it is nothing but a bridge to the next set of books that, it seems, will include a deeper relationship between Abby and Marco.

Read it, if you must, but don't expect too much.

At least in this case with Nikki trying to get over her boyfriend.
Speed dating doesn't seem to work very well for Abby's roommate.
Especially when Nikki is accused of killing her date.
Abby is flabbergasted that someone would accuse Nikki of harming anyone.
So, she had Marco and her friends gather all the information they can find, to absolve Nikki of this murder. Can she do it?
Read the book and find out.
I am always happy to read a "Flower Shop "mystery.
Kate Collins does a great job with the characters and plot.
I keep coming back for more. A nice cozy mystery series.

I'm a fan of the Flower Shop Mysteries and was pleased to see Kate Collin's latest addition did not disappoint. Abby is still a fiesty and plucky character and the rest of the cast as interesting as ever. This time around Abby's best friend and roomate, Nikki, is in trouble and Abby and Marco come to the rescue. I'm not going to go into detail or put in any spoilers, so I'll just recommend the whole series as a light, funny, comfortable mystery set that fans of the genre should pick up. Start with the first in the series and go from there. They can stand alone, but readers get more satisfaction going in order. What I will say about Evil in Carnations is that it has a nice and comedic turn in Abby and Marco's relationship that I'd like to read more of in her next book.

Book 8 was a cute ready and with some funny parts as well. Abby really gets herself into some mess along with her roommate who is accused of murdering a man she meet at the speed dating seminar. Not to mention the web she has made with Marco's sister. There is no telling what book 9 will bring.

This installment of Abby and her clan is about Nikki and a man she went out with once who turns up dead. Nikki is the prime suspect, and once again it's up to Abby and Marco to find the real killer. I usually love this series, but this one I hate to say is boring. I found myself only finishing it to find out who the killer is. The killer really makes no sense in the grand scheme of things, and Nikki is just plain annoying. I love these books so I'm seriously hoping the next one is better. The only good part comes at the end and I will not spoil it for anyone, but it has to do with Abby's and Marco's relationship. Too cute :)

It's time for me to give up on this series. I've enjoyed every other book--1, 3, 5, and 7 (a strange pattern) and for me it just isn't worth holding my breath whether I'll enjoy getting through the next one or not. This book was not a keeper.

This series is great. I enjoy the supporting characters as
much as Abby and Marco. I wait anxiously to see what Abby's
Mom's new craft project will be in each book. The murder mystery
involving Nikki in this book wasn't the best, but the
book was still entertaining. Keep them coming, Kate!

If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich or Jennifer Colt, this series will appeal to you. The characters are very likeable and the plots keep you turning the pages.

Well, I almost had the murderer before the murder happened. So Nikki breaks up and is upset--Our Heroine doesn't hold her hand and tell her to cry it out, let her mourn the situation, tell her to go help the less fortunate or go into therapy or join a gym.

No! she has to cheer up RIGHT NOW--and the only possible cheering up is a MAN.

I put this one in the trash.