Sleeping with Anemone

Table of Contents

 

 

“Who knew a pretty flower shop called Bloomers could be fraught with so much danger and treachery? Kate Collins’s Flower Shop Mysteries is one of my very favorite mystery series, featuring proprietor Abby Knight, an amateur sleuth who’s spunky, courageous, and smart. Her family, friends, and neighbors are as quirky and delightful as a potful of pansies, and sexy hero Marco is worth his weight in sighs. Their latest adventure,
Sleeping with Anemone
, is a treat not to be missed, with some seriously creepy villains and an intricate plot that will keep you twisting and turning and guessing until the very end.”

—Kate Carlisle, author of the Bibliophile Mystery series

“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. She continues to get better and doesn’t disappoint.”

—Once Upon a Romance Reviews

“Colorful characters, a sharp and funny heroine, and a sexy hunk boyfriend . . .
Shoots to Kill
is a great mystery read!”

—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

“The tale is wrapped around the wonderful hallmarks of this series: a spirited heroine surrounded by zany characters, humor, and irreverence.”

—
Romantic Times

“The latest Flower Shop Mystery is an amusing graveyard amateur sleuth that will have the audience laughing.”

—The Best Reviews

 

“Abby’s sharp observations bring laughs, while the intriguing, tightly plotted mystery keeps you guessing.”

—
Romantic Times

“A delightful, lighthearted cozy.”

—The Best Reviews

 

“Lighthearted and fast-paced, Collins’s new book is an entertaining read.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“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

 

“Upbeat, jocular . . . an uplifting, amusing, and feel-good amateur sleuth tale.”

—The Best Reviews

“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

“Collins has created a delightful amateur sleuth.”

—
Romantic Times

“Kate Collins plants all the right seeds to grow a fertile garden of mystery. . . . Abby Knight is an Indiana florist who cannot keep her nose out of other people’s business. She’s rash, brash, and audacious. Move over, Stephanie Plum. Abby Knight has come to town.”

—Denise Swanson, author of the Scumble River Mysteries

“An engaging debut planted with a spirited sleuth, quirky side-kicks, and page-turning action . . . delightfully addictive . . . a charming addition to the cozy subgenre. Here’s hoping we see more of intrepid florist Abby Knight and sexy restaurateur Marco Salvare.”

—Nancy J. Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Day 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.”

—Ellen Byerrum, author of A 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 engaging read has a list of crazy characters that step off the pages to the delight of the reader. Don’t miss this wannabe sleuth’s adventures.”

—
Rendezvous

“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

“This amusing new author has devised an excellent cast of characters and thrown them into a cleverly tumultuous plot . . . a terrific debut!”

—
Romantic Times

Other Flower Shop Mysteries

 

 

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First published by Obsidian, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

First Printing, February 2010

Copyright © Linda Tsoutsouris, 2010

eISBN : 978-1-101-18469-1

All rights reserved

 

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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.

 

 

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So many facts go into a book that it’s impossible to remember where they all came from, but I sincerely hope to thank everyone who provided information.

Leon Dean, horticulturist, landscape designer, agriculturist, educator, and uncle, for his tremendous knowledge and support.

James V. Tsoutsouris, Esq., as always, for his legal expertise and delicious Greek salads.

Harry E. Ramsey, MD, for his medical counsel.

Aaron Rhame, for his assistance with police procedure in the K-9 division.

Diana Nielsen, florist, A.S.K. For Flowers, Plymouth, Indiana; and

Nulita, florist, Love In Bloom, Key West, Florida, for their knowledge and guidance.

Linci C., for a thirteen-year-old’s point of view.

Barbara Ferrari, educator and friend, for her tireless and devoted promotional efforts.

Sergeant Lester O’Brien (1926-1987), police officer. Were he alive today, I imagine he would be the father Abby’s dad is.

Writers spend hours researching information that may show up in only one sentence in the book—or be edited out entirely. Some information is made deliberately vague to fit the purpose of the plot. Nevertheless, I strive for accuracy and apologize for any errors I may have made.