Murder Takes Root

by Rosie Sandler

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Murder Takes Root is the second gardener cozy mystery featuring Steph Williams by Rosie Sandler. Released 3rd April 2024 by Bonnier on their Embla Books imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series (there's a 3rd due out from the same publisher in 1st quarter 2025) are also available on KU.

This is a well written, eminently readable, action driven cozy murder mystery. It's got a sympathetic amateur sleuth who's a gardener to the rich and privileged in the main role, a varied selection of quirky-to-downright-dislikable suspects, murder, blackmail, and lots of fun facts about gardening and plants. It's abundantly clear that the author is a keen horticulturalist or employs a stable of fact checkers/researchers.

The setup mechanic of the series is appealing and fresh; each new book will be set in a new place with the same main character in new gardening situations and with new mysteries to figure out. 

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.