Abby Knight Salvare has plenty on her hands with running her flower shop Bloomers, finding time to spend with her husband Marco and their two pets, as well as getting a float ready for the New Chapel, Indiana Fourth of July parade. But when her best friend Nikki asks her for help, Abby just can’t turn her down. Nikki is dating a doctor who may be a murder suspect and Nikki wants Abby to investigate whether or not Nikki can trust her new boyfriend. Bu t will Nikki be able to handle the truth?

“A Frond in Need” is a nicely done novella in Kate Collins’ Flower Shop cozy mystery series. While I prefer longer mystery novels, I really enjoyed this story. It was jam packed with everything I love about this series – Abby, her family and friends, her flower shop, even her mother’s latest “invention”. Collins does a great job of showing how busy Abby was – I was getting anxiety just reading about her to do list! – as well as showing Abby’s relationship with those closest to her. The mystery is well done with just the right amount of suspects to keep readers guessing as to who the killer is. There is some great tension towards the end of the book as the killer was revealed that had me on the edge of my seat –well done by Collins!

“A Frond in Need” is a good cozy mystery indeed. ( )