Acts of Violets — Kate Collins

OK, I'll admit it: I, Abby Knight, actually love my hometown's corny annual Pickle Fest--and I've also been hoping the event will drum up business for my flower shop, Bloomers. But when the hired clown is found dead, the festivities screech to a halt....

SWEET OR SOUR?
Abby has been dating Marco--ex-cop, bartender, and all-around hunk--for several months when the Pickle Fest starts. But he's still a mystery to her. And after he disappears for a day, she's stunned to read in the paper: EX-COP QUESTIONED IN MAN'S DEATH. It seems the authorities have found Snuggles the Clown pushing up water-spurting daisies--and Marco was the last person seen leaving Snuggles's house. Abby knows in her bones that he's innocent. But why, when his life is on the line, is Marco being secretive with her? And who is the attractive woman he escorted to the Pickle Fest? To do the legwork, she'll have to delve into the eerie clown underworld, where the smiles are fake and everyone has a trick up his sleeve....