Slay It with Flowers

Title: Slay It With Flowers
Author: Kate Collins
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A Flower Shop Mystery #2
Pages: 298

From the back cover:

Me, Abby Knight, an entrepreneur! Who would have guessed when I flunked out of law school a year ago that I’d be standing here today in front of Bloomers, my very own flower shop? Even though I may be penniless, I am soundly devoted to my new profession . . .whether it means arranging a bouquet of flowers – or unearthing the seeds of murder.

NEAR MRS.

Abby’s latest gig is the perfect marriage of her talents. Not only does her bride-to-be cousin, Jillian, want Abby to be a bridesmaid – she also wants her to sign on as floral designer and sleuth . . .

Though nearly once a year Jillian has agreed to marry a different man, she has yet to make it to the altar. But this time, it’s cold dead feet that may stop the wedding. Before the couple says “I do,” one of the groomsmen disappears and another member of the wedding party is found dead. Luckily for Abby, she has plenty of help – including her brassy been-there-done-that assistant, a hunky bar owner with a penchant for love and justice, and her own family. Together, they aim to unveil the truth . . . and make sure the bride still gets her day to shine.

This is the 2nd book in the Flower Shop Mystery series. Abby Knight has been asked by her cousin, Jillian, to be a bridesmaid. Abby, not quite thrilled, agrees and will also provide the flowers for the ceremony. Honestly, Abby is more interested in receiving the paycheck to keep her business afloat than being a bridesmaid. Abby has doubts about the wedding anyway because Jillian is known for getting engaged annually and dumping her fiance before the wedding day.

Not only does Abby have to wear a hideous dress, she also has to see her former fiance, who is the groom's brother. Still, Abby wants to do the right thing and tries her best to make sure her cousin gets married. The bride and groom walking down the aisle soon becomes doubtful as one of the groomsmen goes missing and the another is found dead. Despite Abby promising not to meddle, she soon finds herself in the middle of the investigation.

I really like this series. I like Abby Knight as a main character. She's a young woman trying to move on with her life by following her dreams. She struggles with her mom (who really wants her married with children) and living in her brothers' shadows (they are extremely successful with families of their own). She lives with her best friend, Nikki, and her friend's cat, Simon. She recently met Marco, the owner of the bar across the street from her shop. Her one flaw is she can't keep her promise of not meddling. From this, she finds herself being kidnapped, stalked and threatened. I will continue to read the rest of the series. (4/5)