Picture an Indiana storyteller who swapped classroom chalk for cozy mysteries that bloom with charm—meet Kate Collins! A New York Times bestselling author, Collins has captivated readers with her Flower Shop Mysteries, where florist Abby Knight solves crimes with wit and heart. Her journey from elementary school teacher to mystery maven is as delightful as her novels.
Born and raised in Hammond, Indiana, Collins grew up one block from humorist Jean Shepherd, whose stories sparked her love for storytelling. With a master’s degree from Purdue University, she’s crafted a world where small-town secrets and floral arrangements intertwine, earning her a devoted following in the cozy mystery genre.
The Making of Kate Collins
Kate Collins, born Linda Tsoutsouris, started her career teaching elementary school in Northwest Indiana. After six years, the birth of her first child prompted a pivot to writing. She began with humorous children’s stories for magazines, moonlighting as a legal secretary to pay the bills. In 1995, under the pen name Linda O’Brien, she sold her first historical romance novel, launching a career that would soon embrace her true passion: mysteries. Her Irish and English heritage inspired her pseudonym ‘Collins,’ a nod to her roots and a clever bookstore shelving strategy next to Michael Connelly.
Kate Collins’s Unforgettable Stories
Collins’s Flower Shop Mysteries, set in the fictional New Chapel (a stand-in for Valparaiso, Indiana), star Abby Knight, a law school dropout turned florist with a knack for sleuthing. The series kicked off with Mum’s the Word (2004), where Abby tracks a hit-and-run driver, only to stumble into a murder case. Its blend of humor, romance, and suspense hooked readers, landing it on bestseller lists. Slay It with Flowers follows Abby as she juggles wedding plans and a corpse, while Dearly Depotted dives into a deadly wedding crash. Her latest, A Vase in the Window (April 2025), sees Abby and her husband, Marco, unravel a neighbor’s shooting.
Collins’s style is quintessentially cozy: lighthearted yet gripping, with small-town settings that feel like home. Her playful titles, like Night of the Living Tomato Plant, reflect her gardening passion and whimsical wordplay. She also ventured into the Goddess of Greene St. Mysteries, featuring single mom Athena Spencer, blending family dynamics with crime-solving. Three Flower Shop novels were adapted into Hallmark movies in 2016, starring Brooke Shields as Abby, bringing her stories to a wider audience.
Why Kate Collins Matters
Kate Collins has carved a niche in cozy mysteries, offering readers an escape into New Chapel’s quirky, flower-filled world. Her ability to weave humor, romance, and intrigue has made her a staple for fans seeking heartwarming yet thrilling tales. With over 20 Flower Shop Mysteries and a growing Goddess of Greene St. series, her work continues to inspire cozy mystery lovers, proving small-town stories can have big impact. Her books’ presence on the New York Times, Barnes & Noble, and Independent Booksellers’ lists underscores her influence.
- Born: Hammond, Indiana
- Key Works: Flower Shop Mysteries, Goddess of Greene St. Mysteries
- Notable: New York Times Bestseller, Hallmark movie adaptations
Ready to cozy up with a mystery? Snag Mum’s the Word and dive into Kate Collins’s blooming world of suspense and charm!