Nightshade on Elm Street: A Flower Shop Mystery
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Authors: Kate Collins
Nightshade on
Elm Street
A Flower Shop Mystery
Kate Collins
AN OBSIDIAN MYSTERY
Praise for the
Flower Shop Mysteries
To Catch a Leaf
“This story is multifaceted and complex and perfectly paced. There are twists and surprises along with the comfort of the characters we have all grown to love…. This story is a must read!”
—Dollycas’s Thoughts
“Ms. Collins has a devious and creative mind when it comes to each new Flower Shop mystery. Her plots are ingenious [and] Abby and Marco’s chemistry is alluring.”
—Once Upon a Romance
Night of the Living Dandelion
“Great plotting and interesting secondary characters add depth and humor…. Abby and Marco’s relationship strengthens and sizzles.”
—
Romantic Times
“A heartwarming cozy…. Fans of the series will feel mesmerized by the plot.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
Dirty Rotten Tendrils
“Each book in this series contains murder, continuous mayhem, a bit of sizzle, and one justice-seeking amateur sleuth.”
—Once Upon a Romance
“Abby is an excellent heroine who finds herself in some of the most unlikely, entertaining situations.”
—The Mystery Reader
Sleeping with Anemone
“A nimble, well-crafted plot with forget-me-not characters.”
—Laura Childs, author of the Tea Shop mysteries
“A treat not to be missed.”
—Kate Carlisle, author of the Bibliophile mysteries
“Foul play fails to daunt a lively heroine who knows her flowers. A clever, fast-moving plot and distinctive characters add up to fun.”
—JoAnna Carl, author of the Chocoholic mysteries
Evil in Carnations
“Collins isn’t losing steam in her eighth foray into the world of florist and part-time accidental detective Abby Knight. The fun, family, and romance are still fresh, and the mystery is tidily wrapped up, with just enough suspense to keep readers flipping pages.”
—
Romantic Times
“Ms. Collins’s writing remains above par with quality and consistency: fun and breezy, intriguing and suspenseful, excitement and sizzle.”
—Once Upon a Romance
Shoots to Kill
“Colorful characters, a sharp and funny heroine, and a sexy hunk boyfriend.”
—Maggie Sefton, author of the Knitting Mysteries
“Once again Kate Collins delivers an entertaining, amusing, and deliciously suspenseful mystery.”
—Cleo Coyle, author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
A Rose from the Dead
“The latest Flower Shop mystery is an amusing graveyard amateur sleuth that will have the audience laughing.”
—The Best Reviews
Acts of Violets
“A delightful lighthearted cozy.”
—The Best Reviews
Snipped in the Bud
“Lighthearted and fast-paced, Collins’s new book is an entertaining read.”
—
Romantic Times
Dearly Depotted
“Abby is truly a hilarious heroine…. Don’t miss this fresh-as-a-daisy read.”
—
Rendezvous
“Ms. Collins’s writing style is crisp, her characters fun…and her stories are well thought-out and engaging.”
—Fresh Fiction
Slay It with Flowers
“What a delight! Ms. Collins has a flair for engaging characters and witty dialogue.”
—Fresh Fiction
“You can’t help but laugh…an enormously entertaining read.”
—
Rendezvous
Mum’s the Word
“Abby Knight [is] rash, brash, and audacious. Move over, Stephanie Plum. Abby Knight has come to town.”
—Denise Swanson, author of the Scumble River Mysteries
“A bountiful bouquet of clues, colorful characters, and tantalizing twists…. Kate Collins carefully cultivates clues, plants surprising suspects, and harvests a killer in this fresh and frolicsome new Flower Shop Mystery series.”
—Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion Mystery series
“As fresh as a daisy, with a bouquet of irresistible characters.”
—Elaine Viets, author of the Dead End Job Mysteries
“This story was cute and funny, had a good plotline [that] entwined a lot of interesting threads…an enjoyable read and a fine debut for this new mystery series.”
—Dangerously Curvy Novels
“A charming debut.”
—The Best Reviews
Other Flower Shop Mysteries
Mum’s the Word
Slay It with Flowers
Dearly Depotted
Snipped in the Bud
Acts of Violets
A Rose from the Dead
Shoots to Kill
Evil in Carnations
Sleeping with Anemone
Dirty Rotten Tendrils
Night of the Living Dandelion
To Catch a Leaf
OBSIDIAN
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First published by Obsidian, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
First Printing, November 2012
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Copyright © Linda Tsoutsouris, 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
ISBN: 978-1-101-60557-8
OBSIDIAN and logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
| ALWAYS LEARNING | PEARSON |
To my late husband, Jim, for all the wonderful,
golden years we had together
I’d like to thank my family and friends; my editor, Ellen Edwards; and my agent, Karen Solem, for their continued support. I’d also like to thank Donna Phelps, owner of Seasons on the Square (women’s boutique), for assisting me with Abby’s shower outfit; Keith Gurley, owner of Bon Femme Restaurant, for his delicious signature martini mix called the Bon-tini; and two officers on the local police force, Lieutenant Brian McDonald and Patrol Officer Michelle Kodicek, for their helpful information. A special hug for Julie and Jason for their loving devotion.
HAPTER
O
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