Florist Grump is the seventeenth book in the A Flower Shop Mystery series.

I really love this series. Well written stories, with fascinating characters that you just want to sit down and visit with.

Abby and Marco have been married for seven months and have loved every day and they are having their dream house built. That's the plus side, on the down side, they living at Abby's parents' home till their house is completed. Now Abby loves her parents, but it is difficult to move back into their and your room is still decorated like it was when you were a teen. To say nothing about privacy. Marco is doing his best to keep her focused.

One morning, Abby and Seedy, her rescue dog, were on their way to the Old World Deli to get breakfast sandwiches for everyone at Bloomer's, Abby's florist shop. On the way back to Bloomer Abby sees some commotion by the courthouse, but just figures that they are setting up for the press conference that's going to start soon, but as she nears Bloomers she notice another crowd and a couple police cars and Detective Reilly talking to Marco. She learns from them that a deceased man has been found sitting on the steps of the courthouse with his head in his hands, apparently having been strangled. As the police begin to investigate, they are drawn to suspect a man named Jingles. Jingles is an extremely quiet man and earns a living by cleaning the windows of the shops downtown. It seems the two had worked together and Jingles has lost his business because of the dead man. But Jingles doesn't want to share with anyone his past and will make Abby and Marco investigation that much harder.
Fortunately Abby has a wonderful staff at Bloomer's so that allows Abby to have more time to investigate. Grace is there to serve her tasty scones and to brew a delicious pot of tea and of course to offer the perfect quote to fit any situation. Lottie, who had previously owned the florist shop understands what needs to be done and when and how. And the newest employee Rosa Marin. Rosa tends to be rather outspoken, but she does an excellent job with flower arrangements and sometimes Abby might think too good a job. Abby is lucky to have such a hard working team and she knows it. And Jillian!!! Well Jillian's is back and she now has a beautiful daughter, Harper Abagail Lynne Osborne or just Halo.

So looking forward to my next visit to the quaint town of New Chapel. ( )