A Root Awakening by Kate Collins is the 16th book in the “Flower Shop” mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, February 2015

Abby Knight’s marriage may be in full bloom, but house hunting is no bed of roses in latest novel in the New York Times bestselling Flower Shop Mystery series. . .

Now that they’ve tied the knot, flower shop owner Abby Knight and her husband, Marco, want to put down roots. When it comes to picking a house, Marco can’t wait to get his hands dirty, while Abby isn’t ready for a fixer-upper. But conflict really sprouts when they’re checking out a dilapidated Victorian and watch a construction worker take a life-threatening tumble.

Since witnesses claim the man shouted for help, suggesting that the fall was no accident, the victim’s flamboyant wife hires Marco to find the person responsible. Meanwhile, Abby keeps secret from Marco her own investigation into the home’s inhabitants, a family whose off-kilter behavior has aroused her suspicions. If only Abby’s very pregnant cousin, Jillian, will stop distracting Abby with false labor pains, she can conclude her own inquiries before Marco finds out…and her case blossoms into a disaster.

Will Abby get her dream house? Will once again justice prevails? Step inside this wonderfully well-written tome and experience an adventure where your heart soars as Abby does what she does best and that is being inquisitive to keep on finding the truth because her gut tells her something is amiss with a situation that falls into her lap. Once again, Kate Collins had presented us with a dynamic drama that continues to be fresh, lively and full of hope.

The fast-paced read pulled at my emotional strings as Abby took a stand determining to right a wrong. The author does a great job in moving the story along with the written words that put me right there with Abby. With the comedic antics of cousin Jillian, this was a pure delight to read. Rounding out the cast was the appearance of Maureen, her lovable mother, her her co-workers Grace and Lottie and we can not forget Marco who stands side by side with Abby. As always, the series continues to get better and better and I enjoy my visits with Abby and her friends. This is the best one yet and I’m eager to read Florist Grump in this terrific and first-rate series.