Moss Hysteria

A Flower Shop Mystery, #18

By Kate Collins

ISBN13: 9780451473448

Author website: http://www.katecollinsbooks.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:  

Abby and Marco’s new neighborhood isn’t as rosy as it seems in the latest Flower Shop Mystery from the New York Times best-selling author of Florist Grump and A Root Awakening.

Flower shop owner Abby Knight and her husband, Marco, are ecstatic to finally be moving into their new home, despite the prospect of unpacking a seemingly infinite number of boxes. After all, Brandywine—their new subdivision—seems like an oasis with its welcoming neighbors and beautifully manicured lawns.

But their idyllic community is suddenly uprooted when a body is found floating in a nearby pond. The police think Abby and Marco’s helpful next door neighbor is the culprit, but the newlyweds aren’t convinced.

Meanwhile, Marco distrusts his mother’s slick new boyfriend, and Abby’s cousin Jillian has agreed to decorate their new home, resulting in comic chaos. Even worse, as Abby and Marco dig through Brandywine’s secrets in search of a killer, they discover that some flowers come from very bad seeds…and danger stalks even the sunniest small-town streets.

 Review:

I always love visiting Abby Knight and her husband Marco. In Moss Hysteria the newly married couple is finally moving into their own home. Their new home is located in the subdivision of Brandywine. It seems idyllic with manicured lawns, beautiful homes and wonderful neighbors. Or so they think. The unpacking is overwhelming and they need new furniture. With no time to decorate themselves, Abby is taking a big chance and letting her cousin Jillian handle the tough job. Jillian is always a hoot to read about and this book is no different. Among all the craziness, Marco’s mother has a new boyfriend and he is not up to her protective son’s standards. As if the regular crazy world of Abby and Marco was not enough and the adding hectic schedule with the new move, a body is found floating in a pond that happens to be next to their favorite new neighbor’s yard. Now the police think she has the motive and the opportunity to do the deed. Of course Abby and Marco have to investigate.

Although Abby really likes her neighbor Theda, she soon finds out she was a suspect in the death of her husband years ago. And she may have been the last one to see the dead man Dirk Singletary. Then they find out that Dirk and his foreman, Rye Bishop, did not like each other very much and had been having disagreements. Abby is forced to go to two different book clubs with two very different attitudes. She thinks a few of the ladies could also be suspects. With several people on their list of possible murders, not only are they busy trying to find the murderer, but they are not sure their new subdivision is as wonderful as they first thought. And let’s not forget that Marco’s mother is going away with her new boyfriend that may not be what he seems to be. Also, Abby is not happy with how well her new employee Rosa is fitting in with everyone, including her own mother. Her mother is not even dropping off her “artwork” at the shop.

“The Flower Shop Mystery” series is a wonderful and long-lived one. The first two books have even been made into movies. That is a testament to how well loved this series is. The characters are well-developed and enjoyable. The storylines are always entertaining. Author Kate Collins is amazing and her writing style is a pleasure to read. Moss Hysteria is the 18th installment in this fabulous series and there is no slowing down with these characters. The marriage of Abby and Marco and their relationship has only gotten better and better. The fact that they work together as private investigators makes everything seem more plausible. Yes, they still find trouble and get in predicaments, but they are not over the top. The mystery and body appear early in the book and the pace never lets up.

Moss Hysteria may be the 18th in this wonderful series, but it still delivers the punch and action that all the others have done. The storyline is entertaining and well written. The mystery and suspects are believable and suspenseful. This installment grabs the reader and never let’s go. This is a series that has real staying power. I love reading about Abby, Marco and the gang and all of their adventures. Not just the mystery part either, but also their family life. Even if you have never read one of the fabulous reads in this series you will have no trouble enjoying this one. Author Kate Collins is wonderful as always. This is a pleasure read, one that keeps the reader involved and excited to find the answers. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a stellar mystery, with characters that will become family. Abby has grown and I love the fact that once again the author has portrayed her as a real person with real faults and quirks. You cannot get much better than visiting the “Flower Shop Mystery” series and this 18th installment is a bouquet of fabulousness.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review *