Gone But Not For Garden: A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery
By Kate Collins
Kensington
January 24, 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

If Athena Spencer thought she was the only garden shop worker with a sideline as a private detective, so she’s in for quite a surprise when she finds Abby Knight Salvare on her doorstep. Not only does Abby own Bloomers Flower Shop in New Chapel, Indiana, she and her husband Marcus are partners in their own private detective agency. Despite having an alarming amount of experience in both amateur and private investigations, Abby has come to Sequoia, Michigan seeking Athena’s help after Abby’s cousin Jillian is implicated in local murder. It was in the middle of Lake Michigan town’s fashion show that model Carly Blackburn was poisoned, and as a result of their very vocal rivalry Jillian was quickly arrested. Needing a local connection to the bigwigs involved in the murder case, Abby proposes that she and Athena team up to conduct their own investigation and hopefully prove Jillian’s innocence.

Athena can’t help but feel intimidated by Abby and her impressive investigative skills, but Athena has built up her own reputation as the “Goddess of Green Street” following a successful murder investigation. When not delving into the odd murder case through her Greene Street Detective Agency and helping out with her family’s Spencer’s Garden Center, Athena also writes the “It’s All Greek To Me” blog written under the pseudonym the Goddess Anon. While she is able to vent and work through her feelings from living with her very involved Greek family through her blog, her oblivious family delight in reading every post with their own interpretations. As the town mayor and wealthy developers become the primary suspects in Carly’s death Athena, her not-so-silent partner Lila Talbot, and Abby infiltrate the highest offices and attempt to discover who felt threatened by the less-than-trustworthy victim.

What is so fascinating about this fourth of the Goddess of Greene Street Mysteries is how Athena compares herself to Abby, the star of 19th mystery books herself. Abby has established herself as an experienced and very confident private investigator, even though she too was once an amateur garden shop owner much like Athena. Fans will enjoy seeing the return of Abby, flighty Jillian, smoldering Marcus, and of course Abby’s mother and her “unique” artistic creations. Athena’s witty, insightful blog posts entertain both readers and her family, who are unable to see themselves as topics of her musings. Athena’s sister Delphi proves to be nearly as prophetic as her namesake, even though her predictions are never as clear as one would hope. Fans of the Flower Shop mystery series will enjoy revisiting their favorite characters who have been absent for too many years, making this a charming and very entertaining new mystery featuring these smart, independent young women.

When her cousin Jillian is arrested for killing one of the models at a fashion show, where she is the emcee, Abby Knight Salvare enlists the help of Case and Athena from the Greene Street Detective Agency to figure out who actually was the murderer. With very little to go on Abby, Athena, and Case start by interviewing everyone who had access to the backstage.

Carly Blackburn was the model who was killed. Hope Louvain, wife of the police chief was an award winning teacher and also a model at the fashion show, and Eleni Sloan, wife of the mayor and a model at the fashion show.

As Abby and Athena begin their interviews they are hampered by a lot of pushback and threats.

As always with a Kate Collins cozy mystery there are enough suspects to keep the reader guessing until the last chapters. The minor characters are witty and the family dinners are entertaining. Even Abby's mother shows.up with a hand made present for Athena.

I enjoyed this book and these new characters by Kate Collins. The "lessons" in the Greek culture and family make up are great.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. This review contains my thoughts and impressions.

#Athena #Case #Abby #Marco #Jillian #KensingtonPublishing #cozymystery #KateCollins #NetGalley

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Books and to Net Galley for the opportunity of reading and leaving my honest review.

I love the Goddess of Green Street Series and it felt like being at home with the family reading this latest book!! What a clever idea of combining Abby from The Flowerpot Mysteries in saving cousin Jillian with Athena and Case's help!! It was full of twists and turns with an ending that I never saw coming!! Definitely will be recommending this book to my book friends!!!

Someone poisoned Carly! But it wasn't Jillian or so her cousin Abby believes and so she enlists Athena to help her prove it. To be honest I would have been happier if this latest in what I chose to think of a Athena's series had not included Abby. I know I know-Abby has fans and I haven't read that series but for me combining the two women weakened the story. The mystery is standard cozy stuff asn the atmospherics are good. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of both series (and newbies too!)

I can’t say enough how much I love the Goddess of Greene Street mystery series! Kate Collins is a must read cozy author. Gone But Not For Garden is the fourth installment of the series, featuring Athena, Case, Lila, and Athena’s zany Greek family. This book has Athena, Case, and Lila officially opening their detective agency and gaining their first paying clients. However, it’s the unofficial client that the book revolves around. Jillian Ophelia Knight Osborne is up from New Chapel, and accused of murder. And guess who comes to clear her name? Cousin Abby! Does it get better?!?

An interesting cozy. That I wish I had read the first one in the series to set up the characters and the setting first. However it was still a good mystery that was easier to follow even without reading previous books in the series.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. I enjoy this humorouls series based around a large family full of food, love and fun. The author has a horticulture feature in this series which is always interesting and fun to read. In this next in series our two cousins Abby Knight and Athena Spencer join together to solve a murder. The two cousins work together to find clues and interview suspects amid the large family interactions and humor throughout. The sleuth was well crafed and intriquing to conclusion. A enjoyable cozy read I recommend.

Collins took 2 of my favorite series and cleverly rolled them into one fun book. Love the Greek goddess series. Fun twist with a large family setting.

I love of Goodess of Green series and enjoyed some of the Flower Shop series. This book is a sort of cross over as it features characters from both series and it was a very entertaining, compelling, and funny read.
I was hooked since the first pages, had a lot of fun in meeting again Athena's family, and the solid mystery kept me turning pages.
A very entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Athena is back and this time her cousin needs her to figure out the mess she has gotten herself into. Athena jumps in to make sure Jillian doesn't go to prison for a crime she did not commit.
The clueless Jillian is in jail after ignoring orders not to leave town, and she isn’t happy—orange is not her color. Along with her handsome PI partner, Case, Athena starts making inquiries, while tiptoeing around the wives of the town’s mayor and police chief. In the meantime, the two detectives are becoming fast friends. Overall a fun and fast paced mystery.

#GoneButNotForGarden #NetGalley

In this new mystery, Kate Collins pairs up two of her famous detectives - Abby Knight and Athena Spencer. After a model dies mysteriously at a fashion show, Abby comes to town to help clear her cousin’s name. She enlists the help of the local PI, Athena. Together they must follow the clues to free Jillian.

Another good entry in this series!

Kate Collins partners two of her amateur sleuths in this 4th novel of her A Goddess of Greene St. Mysteries. Abby Knight from the Flower Shop Mysteries asks Athena Spencer for help when Abby’s cousin is the primary murder suspect in a Sequoia crime.

Greek family fun and horticultural expertise make an excellent backdrop for Athena and Case to start their new private detective agency. And working with the experienced Abby elevates the mystery and crime-solving activities. Ms. Collins writes an engaging and character-driven cozy that is both intriguing and entertaining.

A "dream duo" - Abby Knight Salavare and Athenia Spencer are on the case when Abby's flighty cousin Jillian is arrested for murdering a model ,at a fashion show, In the cozy lakeside town of Sequoia, Michigan. While Jillian can be a handful, Abby and Athenia know she's not a murderer. So, the hunt begins for a murderer who is willing to kill again to keep their secrets buried.

I love "crossovers" and this is a great one. You don't need to know the backgrounds of the characters as the author skillfully introduces them in the book. Both women are smart and though they have different sleuthing styles, they make a formidable team. Throw in Athenia's "anonymous" daily blog, her loving, loud and fun family, her gorgeous sleuthing partner Case and the surprising hero, Oscar the baby raccoon and you have a mystery that keeps you guessing and grinning!

I hope the "dream duo" gets together again!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Athena Spencer works at her Greek family's garden center along with being a part owner of a detective agency with her boyfriend Case Donnelly.
When a model in a local fashion show is murdered, the emcee Jillian Osborne is the prime suspect due to her past connection with the dead woman, Carly Blackburn. When Athena and Case are hired to prove Jillian's innocence, the investigation turns up more suspects which include the mayor and his wife, the chief of police and his wife and an ex-husband.
Quick read with interesting characters.
#GoneButNotForGarden #NetGalley

I received this advance reader copy via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. This is the fourth book in this series and easily read as a stand-alone. This series is such fun. Athena Spencer, member of a large Greek family, works at the Spencer Garden Center and is now the proud co-owner of the Greene Street Detective Agency. Her co-owners are her partner, Case, and a silent partner, Lila Talbot. Athena and Case’s work in the preceding three books labeled Athena as the Goddess of Greene Street so she’s a minor celebrity in their town. This time, there’s a murder at a local fashion show. Suspects include the mayor’s wife, as well as the wife of the Chief of Police, and the fashion designer. Whew! The author has a separate series whose characters cross over into this book. I didn’t realize that until reading other reviews, so I kept expecting them to be the bad guys! Great plot line and lots of fun, as always.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is a crossover, especially when it involves the major characters from two series that I absolutely love! Kate Collins is a phenomenal author, and I cannot get enough of her books! I was engrossed from beginning to end and was glued to the pages. The characters and story melded together with everyone helping .out wherever and whenever they could. I highly recommend this book, and both of these series!

This is one of my all time favorite series! This addition to it is as fresh and exciting as the first. Very well developed characters. A good solid mystery. You will devour it just like I did!! Thanks#Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

In this further continuation of the Goddess of Greene Street mysteries, Athena gets a new case for her fledgling detective agency. I liked how the author combined characters from her other series in a crossover. It was a rather novel idea. As they investigate it together, it seems that a lot of time passes. I wasn't very surprised by the ending but it was satisfying. Overall an enjoyable read.

Kate Collins has done it again in book 4 of the Goddess of Green Street Mystery Series. Gone But Not For Garden has Athena and Case busy with the opening of a new detective agency.

The case - Abby Knight has hired them to save her cousin who is now a prime suspect in a murder. But it won't be easy. Overall, the story was fun to read and had me guessing until the very end. Love the characters and can't wait for book 5.

Gone But Not for Garden by Kate Collins is book #4 in the Goddess of Greene Street Mystery series. Athena Spencer and Case Donnelly have opened their own detective agency, The Greene Street Detective Agency. Abby Knight Salvare (from this author's Flower Shop Mystery series) goes to them to help her cousin who is a prime suspect in a murder. Along the way Athena and Abby discover that they work well together. This is a tough case as prominent members of Sequoia are potential suspects. I loved all the action and suspense in this book. And I was quite amused with the interactions of Athena's Greek family. This was a fun book to read.