Shoots to Kill

Abby Knight is not thrilled when Elizabeth Blume returns to town. Abby babysat Elizabeth years ago which was not a happy experience and Abby doubts Elizabeth has changed much over the years. Sure enough, Elizabeth soon changes her name to Libby, dyes her hair red, and imitates Abby in many other ways. All of this is irritating, but when Libby seems to come between Abby and boyfriend Marco, Abby is furious. Even worse, Abby is a chief suspect when there is a murder. Now Abby has to solve the murder, try to win back Marco, and get Libby out of her life, all this while trying to run her flower shop!

I always enjoy my visits to Abby and her flower shop and "Shoots to Kill" is no different. This is the seventh book in the Flower Shop cozy show more mystery series and the characters feel like old friends at this point. It's nice to see Lottie and Grace, Abby's helpers in the flower shop, also help Abby solve the mystery, although I was less thrilled that Abby was helping Marco in his private investigating - it felt too much like Stephanie helping Ranger in Janet Evanovich's books. There is a nice sense of humor throughout the book (Abby's mother and her artistic endeavors provide most of the humor) mixed in with a sense of seriousness (Libby's brother Oliver is very troubled). Unfortunately, while author Kate Collins does her best to breathe fresh air into the plot line of someone stealing someone else's identity, (and it does provide some good plot elements involving Abby's relation with Marco), the plot line is limiting. Collins does do a good job of providing several suspects, but it's pretty easy to figure out who the killer is and it becomes a matter of figuring out how and why.

"Shoots to Kill" isn't the best book in the Flower Shop cozy mystery series, but it's still an enjoyable read. show less

Summary:
When she was younger Abby Knight was Elizabeth’s babysitter. Back then Elizabeth, frustrated Abby by trying to be just like here. Elizabeth, now known as Libby is back and mothering has changed. In fact it’s worse. Not only has she changed her name to resemble Abby’s, but she seems bent on stealing Abby’s identity as well. She’s even after Abby’s boyfriend Marco. But imitation really becomes the sincerest form of trouble when Abby finds herself the accused dupe in a bizarre murder plot. It’s up to Abby to find the real killer and shine the light on Libby’s scheme.

It’s been a while since I read a book from this series. I don’t know how I managed to lose track of the new books because this is a series I truly show more enjoy. Abby is a strong and likeable character. She even has a good relationship with her mother (though not a perfect one – anyone would find it difficult to handle the crafts that Abby’s mom keeps creating for Abby to sell in the flower shop.) Abby’s hunky love interest, Marco, is a delight to read about.

Even though I enjoyed this 7th installment in the series, at times it was a frustrating read – not because Collins isn’t a masterful storyteller. She is. It’s just that I felt Abby’s frustration over the fact that everyone, including Marco and Abby’s mom seemed to think Libby was harmless – that Abby should be flattered by Libby’s attempts to be like Abby. Gracious people! Libby fits the bill of a horror movie stalker.

I have to admit there was some humor to the situation (though identify theft is a serious matter.) That’s what I like so much about this series – the humor and light heartedness. Yes, Abby is constantly finding dead bodies or being accused of murder. Collins treats death with reverence, but still the reader doesn’t finish the book feeling depressed. Besides, who wouldn’t laugh at the idea of your mother purchasing a llama to live in the backyard so she can have homegrown yarn? That’s just one of the crazy things she does.

If you are looking for a well thought out and humorous cozy mystery, this series is for you. show less

Abby Knight gets herself into trouble without even doing anything. Her past comes back to haunt her in this mystery related to a young woman who Abby babysat years before. Her gut tells her things that Marco, her friend Dave, and the police can't realize until it is too late. I thought this mystery was fun wth all the twists related to Libby's quirks but I would definitely suggest that a new reader get the previous books in the series for the background.

It was too good to last. There were so many opposing clues strewn in this book that it would either live up to the hype and come up with a great resolution or disappoint. Now that I think of it, the author didn't even bother with a suspect list. If I had to guess who was the murderer, I would have been half right in all probability. As for the break up between Marco and Abby, I found it as tiresome as their smooching offs. That is because even when conflicted the heroine still finds the charm, the golden flecks of his brown eyes etc irresistible. Barf! That's the key and end word.

Abby Knight is back for the seventh book of A Flower Shop Mystery Series. This time Abby finds herself involved with a former charge who gradually steals Abby’s life. Right away Abby feels Libby is up to no good, however everyone else thinks Abby is overreacting. Things soon turn from bad to worse when Abby is mistakenly arrested for murder. Abby thinks Libby set her up, however Abby doesn’t have any proof.

Libby comes between Abby’s relationship with Marco which leaves Abby no choice but to end the relationship. As Abby starts her own investigation, she finds herself, unwillingly, working with Marco. Together they try to solve the murder, while trying to avoid their feelings for each other.

Shoots to Kill is a good addition to the show more series. Abby Knight is an amateur sleuth with common sense. She constantly finds herself in the middle of murder investigations (sometimes she’s a suspect) due to her meddling, but she means well. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a new cozy mystery with a hint of romance.

4.5/5 show less

Still loving this series. Abby is visited by a horror from the past, a girl she babysat when she was younger comes back to town and proceeds to try and become Abby. LIbby has some serious problems but do they include murder?

With a few twists and turns this one just kept me reading and reading until the end.

Looking forward to the next in the series

Couldn't put it down.