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Bretta Solomon #1
Roots of Murder
A PERFECT ARRANGEMENT-FOR MURDER...
Now that she's a widow, and given up recreational eating, Bretta Solomon has made The Flower Shop her whole life. But for the newly svelte Bretta, the flower business in River City, Missouri, is more than just wreathes, zinnias, or roses. It's about people, joy, grief, and love. And now, it is also about murder...
Isaac Miller was a quiet Amish farmer found dead in his own field of carmine asters, baby's breath and statice. When Isaac's brother, suspicious of the authorities, asks Bretta to intervene in the investigation, she enters the world of the devout, isolated Amish, their not always-so-understanding neighbors, and a thorny patch of deals between flower growers and purveyors. Soon, Bretta knows that someone wanted something that Isaac had kept secret. But finding out what that is will mean weeding out some dangerous truths from some deadly lies-and cutting a killer down to size...
Now that she's a widow, and given up recreational eating, Bretta Solomon has made The Flower Shop her whole life. But for the newly svelte Bretta, the flower business in River City, Missouri, is more than just wreathes, zinnias, or roses. It's about people, joy, grief, and love. And now, it is also about murder...
Isaac Miller was a quiet Amish farmer found dead in his own field of carmine asters, baby's breath and statice. When Isaac's brother, suspicious of the authorities, asks Bretta to intervene in the investigation, she enters the world of the devout, isolated Amish, their not always-so-understanding neighbors, and a thorny patch of deals between flower growers and purveyors. Soon, Bretta knows that someone wanted something that Isaac had kept secret. But finding out what that is will mean weeding out some dangerous truths from some deadly lies-and cutting a killer down to size...
246 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
8 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 8, 2018
Bretta Solomon is a florist still suffering the sudden death of her cop husband 15 months prior as she struggles with her conscious in making money off of other families deaths, via the floral arrangements ordered and sold.
When a local Amish friend calls to ask her assistance in looking into the suspicious death of his brother, aka her flower supplier, she agrees to give it her best. Delving into the quiet ways of the secluded Amish does not offer up much in the way of clues, so extenuating associations must be her sources.
Placing herself in several dangerous situations (as any sleuth would do) she digs and annoys with little in the way of assistance. Even the brother is reticent in offerings, but there when needed.
Not as cozy as most mysteries, it still tingles with excitement. A cast of potentials keep us guessing until the last scene.
When a local Amish friend calls to ask her assistance in looking into the suspicious death of his brother, aka her flower supplier, she agrees to give it her best. Delving into the quiet ways of the secluded Amish does not offer up much in the way of clues, so extenuating associations must be her sources.
Placing herself in several dangerous situations (as any sleuth would do) she digs and annoys with little in the way of assistance. Even the brother is reticent in offerings, but there when needed.
Not as cozy as most mysteries, it still tingles with excitement. A cast of potentials keep us guessing until the last scene.
December 17, 2010
A cozy small-town murder mystery centered around flowers. Not really gardening, as the cover states.
Bretta Solomon has recently lost her husband. She runs one of the small town's flower shops with a friend. When her flower supplier, an Amish man named Isaac, whose brother bought Bretta's family farm in the next town, dies under mysterious circumstances, Bretta is both saddened and alarmed. Isaac's brother, Evan, begs her to find out what happened, and Bretta is pulled into a mystery where half the people involved are Amish, with customs she doesn't understand, and the other half have their own host of secrets.
I loved the characterization in this book. Everyone from Bretta, who can't open the door to her old bedroom she shared with her late husband and face the memories inside, to Leray, the redneck who wants in on the flower industry, to Margaret, the quiet woman who scavenges for pumpkins and subscribes to an Amish magazine to keep in touch with that part of her community, really stood out as unique and individual. I also enjoyed some of the minor characters: Sam, Cecil, Cleome and Lois. Everyone was vivid.
The plot felt a little simple, in regards to what Bretta did to learn who did what, etc. The actual killer and their motive was well done, but it was ridiculously easy to see coming due to some poor foreshadowing. Bubbles' intro into the story felt highly random, and yet since it was there, it couldn't be, so overall the Bubbles story line felt forced. I highly enjoyed the side-plot that dealt with what Isaac had in his grow house, and the glimpse of Amish life was well-presented with both pros and cons that realistically affected the characters.
The writing was very good. I enjoyed the clear description that took time to involve me fully without making the plot drag. Small details were effortlessly included throughout, making every setting vivid. The details of running a flower shop and of the Amish characters' lives were made both informative and interesting.
Bretta Solomon has recently lost her husband. She runs one of the small town's flower shops with a friend. When her flower supplier, an Amish man named Isaac, whose brother bought Bretta's family farm in the next town, dies under mysterious circumstances, Bretta is both saddened and alarmed. Isaac's brother, Evan, begs her to find out what happened, and Bretta is pulled into a mystery where half the people involved are Amish, with customs she doesn't understand, and the other half have their own host of secrets.
I loved the characterization in this book. Everyone from Bretta, who can't open the door to her old bedroom she shared with her late husband and face the memories inside, to Leray, the redneck who wants in on the flower industry, to Margaret, the quiet woman who scavenges for pumpkins and subscribes to an Amish magazine to keep in touch with that part of her community, really stood out as unique and individual. I also enjoyed some of the minor characters: Sam, Cecil, Cleome and Lois. Everyone was vivid.
The plot felt a little simple, in regards to what Bretta did to learn who did what, etc. The actual killer and their motive was well done, but it was ridiculously easy to see coming due to some poor foreshadowing. Bubbles' intro into the story felt highly random, and yet since it was there, it couldn't be, so overall the Bubbles story line felt forced. I highly enjoyed the side-plot that dealt with what Isaac had in his grow house, and the glimpse of Amish life was well-presented with both pros and cons that realistically affected the characters.
The writing was very good. I enjoyed the clear description that took time to involve me fully without making the plot drag. Small details were effortlessly included throughout, making every setting vivid. The details of running a flower shop and of the Amish characters' lives were made both informative and interesting.
October 9, 2018
Nice light read. I could identify with the main character, Bretta. I enjoyed learning a little more about the Amish people and flowers
October 12, 2020
Good but a little too sad for me
November 13, 2021
Nice, cozy mystery with believable characters, especially the protagonist, Bretta Solomon, who was so down-to-earth and likable.
October 17, 2008
This is a book about friendship and three women from different circumstances who have a gradening business. When the ex-husband of one of the friends turns up dead in the gardening bed they are working on, all clues point to the friend. Of course, there are many suspects, many motives, involvement by the police, etc., but when it comes down to it, can you trust your friend or not? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read the next one.
June 21, 2013
Kinda cute - it's the first in a series about a woman that owns a flower shop, lost her husband a little over a year prior and lost a lot of weight in the process. She's good friends with someone in the Amish community who bought her childhood home. Bretta is curious and wants to help her amish friend find the person who murdered her brother. The funniest part was when she filled her gas tank for $12!
August 31, 2010
Bretta, a widow, is running a flower shop in a small town. When a local Amish supplier of her flowers is murdered, she gets drawn into the investigation.
I found Bretta to be a bit abrasive and not very compelling. The story itself had a few interesting turns, but it was too predictable. Plus, there were some very "preachy" parts that got on my nerves.
I found Bretta to be a bit abrasive and not very compelling. The story itself had a few interesting turns, but it was too predictable. Plus, there were some very "preachy" parts that got on my nerves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2013
This was a good, weekend read, about a florist who is newly widowed in a small town. She is known for "helping" her husband, who was a detective and her busybody ways are still kicking. She has some dealings with the Amish in Missouri, a flower wholesaler, farmers and a funeral director. All in all, Roots of Murder is an entertaining mystery.
February 12, 2013
I'm tearing through this series. Sad that Harrison hasn't published a new book since 2005! I find the protagonist funny and sharp. The mysteries are fun to read and VERY quick. I wish she would write more!
Read
February 3, 2009F Har
August 14, 2009
writing style is ok
Want to read
August 24, 2009Garden Mystery #1
April 12, 2011
Great find for me - a new "detective" series to read! Enjoy the gardening / florist theme and the character is someone I could call a friend.
February 13, 2013
I read this book ten years ago, but just this morning found the concise note I wrote when I finished: 'Too much metaphor and simile use, but not a bad book.'
February 1, 2014
JANIS…WHERE DID YOU GO??? I loved all the books in this series…come back and tell us more about Britta….
January 25, 2016
Iwill definitive contin this series
January 24, 2017
The opportunity for a great cozy is here in this storyline, but the characters are too one-dimensional and the dialogue to predictable. Falls flat when it could have soared.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews