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Topic: Kate Collins Flower Shop series a disappointment to you?

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ksugreat avatar
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Subject: Kate Collins Flower Shop series a disappointment to you?
Date Posted: 10/11/2008 6:16 PM ET
Member Since: 7/4/2006
Posts: 2,329
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I was really excited when I found all 6 of these books at a library book sale but was very disappointed when I read the first one.  I thought Abby was kind of whiny and did ridiculous things that put herself in danger unnecessarily.  Anyone else have this problem?  I might try the second one, but if I can't get into it any more than the first I'm just posting all of them.  Sigh... I'll continue looking for a new series to enjoy.

thebookpimp avatar
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Date Posted: 10/11/2008 6:24 PM ET
Member Since: 5/27/2006
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I really like this series.  I'd give the next one a try before you post all of them.

NellieBly avatar
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Date Posted: 10/11/2008 9:55 PM ET
Member Since: 11/24/2005
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Last Edited on: 2/21/10 12:44 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Doughgirl avatar
Date Posted: 10/11/2008 10:27 PM ET
Member Since: 11/11/2005
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Nope. It's one of my favorite series.  And that fact totally surprised me.   Like you, Marilyn, I'm older and have problems relating to many chick-litty type books with young characters who are just wayyyyy to shallow for me.

But the main character in the Flower Shop Mysteries doesn't seem flightly or shallow to me.   She made some moves in her life that seemed pretty mature.  She realized that she will never be a lawyer and dropped out of law school.   She broke off her engagement to a man she didn't love.   And she bought into the flower shop for two good reasons - to help out a good friend and because she loves flowers.  So she's finally doing something she loves and being responsible about it to boot.   I love her family, her friends, her roommate and her boyfriend.  All seem like good folks to me.  And I like backstory.  I get frustrated when there isn't enough!

There are times when she does things that seem silly or stupid, but no series is perfect LOL.  And I put a lot of that down to her enthusiasm and age.

Yup - different strokes for different folks.   But do give the next one a try.  If you don't like it then go ahead and post the series.  It should move off your bookshelf pretty fast :-)

cyfan avatar
Date Posted: 10/11/2008 10:44 PM ET
Member Since: 8/7/2008
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I just finished the first book in the series -- Mum's the Word.  I'll admit, it isn't the best mystery ever, but found it an enjoyable read.  But that is what I was in the mood for -- something light and a little fun.

stacy270 avatar
Date Posted: 10/12/2008 1:13 PM ET
Member Since: 7/8/2006
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I didn't really care for teh first one but I liked teh second one.Thought the third one was ok and will probably read the rest at some point but tehre are so many better ones to choose from:)

Stacy

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Date Posted: 10/12/2008 3:17 PM ET
Member Since: 9/23/2006
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I shouldn't comment on this particular series since I didn't try it.  (I did look at some reviews before rejecting it though.)

Bearing that in mind, but I don't know if it's my age or what, but I've been very disappointed in most of the series books lately.  One problem is that the characters seem so dumb!  If they didn't start out that way, after several books, I am thinking:  "Okay lady, someone has tried to kill you like 12 times now.  Don't you think it's time to smarten up a little?"  I've quit reading them. 

This is an issue not found only in "cozies" either.  (Sorry for the quotes but I still think of Miss Marple and Miss Silver as my cozies.)

I would love a decent gardening series, BTW, but no one seems to be able to write one.  I enjoyed the Rosemary & Thyme television series but with a couple of exceptions, the mysteries weren't much. 



Last Edited on: 10/12/08 3:18 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 10/12/2008 8:54 PM ET
Member Since: 7/31/2006
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I've read the first 2 and have about 2-3 more at least in my TBR. I was disappointed. I don't like how she criticizes people and dont like how she uses people she knows(like that attorney and the PI). I wasn't caring too much by the end of the 2nd one to care if she got killed or not. so I'm stuck in limbo trying to decide if I should push on with them or not :-(  I usually like cozies..and the cooking class mysteries didn't pick up for me til the 3rd one though they're still not my favorites either. The tea shop mysteries by Laura  Childs caught my interest and held it even though the mystery itself isn't my favorite part..I Just love reading about the teas and stuff! her scrapbook mysteries didnt' interest me with the New Orleans setting. I just read the first in a new series'Corpse Pose' a nd that one did catch my interest and keep it..same with the psychic eye and ghost hunters though the last psychic eye was disappointing to me.

but nope I'm not thrilled with the flower shop mysteries though I don't hate them per se..just have too many other books to read and will probably come back and try the 3rd and see how I feel. It took me a while to warm up to  'the thin woman' by dorothy cannell but once I did I really enjoyed it so we'll see!

Diana, I love the Rosemary & Thyme series! Are there still just 3 seasons? I guess I need to check if a 4th has come out.I'm still watching them but want to stretch it out to last longer LOL!

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Date Posted: 10/12/2008 9:49 PM ET
Member Since: 1/21/2008
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I read the first 2 in the series and they were ok. I tried to read the third one and just couldn't get into it mostly because of Abby's stupid cousin who is seeming to have a bigger part in the stories than she used to. I didn't finish it and swapped it pretty quickly. I won't be reading any more of them.

Cozies are hit and miss with me. It drives me crazy to try and read a series of 5 or 6 books where nothing ever resolves between the heroine and her boyfriend so she can go about solving silly mysteries.  I better stick to straight romance to get my HEA, I guess... :)

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Date Posted: 10/13/2008 11:31 AM ET
Member Since: 9/23/2006
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Susanna, there are only the 3 seasons of Rosemary & Thyme and I gather that's all there will be.  I stretched them out this summer too because it was much nicer to look at England than miserable PA :)

It might be the last show but it has a dreadful example of both gun handling and childcare, lol.  I really thought there was a plot twist re the baby but maybe it just cost a lot to keep it on camera.  I don't usually notice those things but but that one was bad!  I still enjoyed the show very much.