Petal to the Mettle

In the quaint town of New Chapel, Indiana, where flower shops bloom and barstools creak with secrets, Abby Salvare has spent twenty-five cases proving petals can hide more than thorns. A florist with a knack for unraveling mysteries, she's back alongside her ex-Ranger husband Marco in A Vase in the Window, Kate Collins' 26th installment of this beloved cozy series.

This time, a single gunshot shatters the stillness of an early summer night, leaving a neighbor dead in his garage and a shadow creeping through the downtown square, smashing floodlights and looting stores. For Abby, it's another bouquet of trouble; for Marco, it's a hunt that hits too close to home. When a friend lands in a detective's crosshairs, Abby trades her pruning shears for a notepad, chasing clues through sunny neighborhoods and dark alleys. Marco, ever the steady hand behind Down the Hatch bar, tracks a thief who's bolder than the storms rolling in. The couple's rhythm is flawless—her intuition, his grit—but New Chapel's latest puzzle is a tangle of feuds, debts, and whispered lies.

A menacing brute lurks in the shadows, a grieving widow guards her truths, and a neighbor's petty games turn sinister. Every lead blooms with questions: Who fired the shot? What's worth stealing in a town this small? And why does a face in the window feel like a silent witness? From Bloomers Flower Shop to the local bar and grill, Abby and Marco sift through red herrings as thunder rumbles closer. The New York Times bestselling author spins a tale that's equal parts cozy charm and heart-pounding stakes. With a storm brewing and secrets unraveling, this adventure proves New Chapel's heart beats strongest when it's tested. Fans will savor the Salvare's latest dance with deception; newcomers will find a town worth rooting for—one petal, one clue, one breathtaking twist at a time.