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Kate Collins: Goddess of Greene St. Mysteries

Statue of Limitations (A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery Book 1) So, for the second time, I’m writing about a Kate Collins’ series in my posts about the most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series. Last time (five years ago — time flying is more than an old cliche!), I wrote about her Flower Shop Mystery Series, more specifically, the first book in that series, Mum’s the Word. You can read that post if you click here. As you might guess, I liked her earlier series quite a lot. Many other readers did too — enough that several books from that series were made into mystery movies shown on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. (This was back when that channel showed a decent selection of original mystery movies.)

Anyway, enough about the past. This time I am writing about Kate Collins’ Goddess of Green St. Mysteries. The first book in the series is Statue of Limitations. Athena Spencer is the sleuth. She is a young(ish) single mother who has recently been divorced and has lost her job with a big city newspaper. So, she has returned to her small-town roots where her big Greek family runs both a diner and a garden center.

She works at the garden center but also spends a lot of time at the diner run by her grandparents in the town’s Little Greece section of the small town of Sequoia picturesquely set on Lake Michigan. She also writes, anonymously, a blog that features in a slightly veiled fashion her family.

The three blocks or so of Little Greece are threatened with destruction by the rich family in the town who presumably owns or controls that property. And, a statue that her grandfather bought from the rich family has brought an attractive, mysterious stranger to town searching for the authenticity and origin of the ancient statue. 

Before you know it, a murder has occurred. And the earlier death of the older member of the wealthy family is also considered suspicious. Of course, Athena is directly involved in trying to stop the demolition of Little Greece. She also gets involved in trying to solve the mystery of the two murders because the handsome stranger who Athena has just met (and seems more than a bit smitten by) is considered the prime suspect by the police.

Athena’s official boyfriend — formerly a lawyer, but now working as a law clerk for some reason — is also involved in the mystery — as are most of the people in the town it seems. This is truly a small tourist town setting, and it is quite worthy of being considered a Cozy Mystery.

Kate Collins’ is a fine writer who brings Athena and her big Greek family to life. This series already has three books, and I am looking forward to reading the other two. If you are looking for a Cozy series that has a lot of heart, look no further than the Goddess of Green St. Mysteries.

If you’re interested in seeing other most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, please visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.

Comments

  2. I have had the good fortune of reading all 3 books in this series and really enjoyed them! I found them hard to put down and could picture the garden shop, little town & crazy Greek family quite clearly! The mystery remained challenging till the end!

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  3. I started reading her last series because of your post 5 (OMG!!) years ago. I will add this to my list. Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  4. I love this series and have recommended all three books. In fact, I like it better than the Flower Shop series (which I also enjoy). It’s a series filled with varied and engaging personalities. The stories and subplots are quite dynamic — all the tools needed for an enjoyable read.

    In the last paragraph of the third book, ‘Big Trouble in Little Greektown’, there’s a HUGE clue to an exciting read in the next book. Hint: To understand this last paragraph you should read some of the Flower Shop series.

    The next (4th) book is ‘Gone, But Not For Garden’, release date is 1/31/23. I can hardly wait!! I am sooo looking forward to it. 🙂

    Reply

      • It’s easy to ‘catch up’ with the Goddess of Green St. series since there’s only 3 books so far. You’ll ‘understand’ the last paragraph in the 3rd book because you have read some (even one) of the Flower Shop series.

        THEN, most likely you, too, will be looking forward to the 4th book in Collin’s new series. (I just call it the ‘Greek’ series :).

        Reply

  5. Karen T. I loved Kates Flowers Shop Mysteries. I also have read her new series all 3 and I know there will be more, Athena and her Greek family are charming, love her blog. Keep on writing Kate and we will read.

    Reply

  6. Thanks for bringing this new (to me) author to my attention. I just ordered one of her audiobooks from my local public library and am happy to see that many more await me. You have added pleasure to my life.

    Reply

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