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Martha's Vineyard Mystery #12
Bloodroot
It's just another day at the dentist's office for Victoria Trumbull when fellow patient, wealthy Mrs. Wilmington, dies. It's an unfortunate, though seemingly not murderous incident, but the receptionist is hysterical, so one of the dental assistants offers to drive her home. But after making a quick pit stop, he finds her body floating in the harbor.
With the police shorthanded due to an upcoming presidential visit, it's up to Victoria to take on the case. As she wrestles with her ex-son-in-law, a $3 million will, and a deadly dental clinic, Mrs. Trumbull discovers that nothing in the case is quite what it seems.
With the police shorthanded due to an upcoming presidential visit, it's up to Victoria to take on the case. As she wrestles with her ex-son-in-law, a $3 million will, and a deadly dental clinic, Mrs. Trumbull discovers that nothing in the case is quite what it seems.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
About the author
Cynthia Riggs
27 books123 followersCynthia Riggs, a tall gray-haired and imposing figure, is a 13th generation Islander, the mother of five and daughter of author and poet Dionis Coffin Riggs and school principal and printmaker Sidney N. Riggs.
With a degree in geology, her own remarkable resumé -- writing for the National Geographic Society and Smithsonian (she spent two months in Antarctica), working in public relations for the American Petroleum Institute, operating boat charters (she lived on a 44-foot houseboat for 12 years), running the Chesapeake Bay Ferry Boat Company, and being a rigger at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard. After enrolling six years ago in the Master of Fine Arts creative writing program at Vermont College, Riggs found yet another calling. She has become a successful mystery writer.
All her mysteries take place on the Vineyard, and all draw from local scenes and fictionalized composites of Island characters. She knows them all well, having been a two-time candidate for West Tisbury selectman ("No, I don't think I'll do that again"), a commissioner on the Martha's Vineyard Commission, a member of what is now the Martha's Vineyard Arts Council, and an active Island voice in both politics and human rights causes.
With a degree in geology, her own remarkable resumé -- writing for the National Geographic Society and Smithsonian (she spent two months in Antarctica), working in public relations for the American Petroleum Institute, operating boat charters (she lived on a 44-foot houseboat for 12 years), running the Chesapeake Bay Ferry Boat Company, and being a rigger at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard. After enrolling six years ago in the Master of Fine Arts creative writing program at Vermont College, Riggs found yet another calling. She has become a successful mystery writer.
All her mysteries take place on the Vineyard, and all draw from local scenes and fictionalized composites of Island characters. She knows them all well, having been a two-time candidate for West Tisbury selectman ("No, I don't think I'll do that again"), a commissioner on the Martha's Vineyard Commission, a member of what is now the Martha's Vineyard Arts Council, and an active Island voice in both politics and human rights causes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 9, 2016
Cynthia Riggs, what have you done with Victoria Trumbull, and who is this doddering imposter?
Although perennially 92 years old, Victoria Trumbull — renowned poet, avid gardener, sage, and West Tisbury’s oldest police deputy — has never been naïve – until now. In Bloodroot, the 12th novel in this usually excellent series, Victoria, a Martha’s Vineyard native, has gone soft — whether it’s in the head readers can decide. Heretofore perspicacious and cantankerous, suddenly, Victoria Trumbull can’t believe that the late Mildred Wilmington’s four obviously selfish, grasping adult grandchildren could have murdered her because “[t]hey seemed perfectly fine to me when we went to the reception” — as if they couldn’t be pit vipers (as Victoria’s granddaughter Elizabeth correctly characterizes them) and put on a show for the length of a reception! Really? Then, even more stupidly, Victoria can’t seem to accept how dangerous Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Lockwood Wolfrich, is. The man verbally abused Elizabeth through most of their marriage, struck her twice, and terrorized and stalked her in Jack in the Pulpit. And what? Victoria’s forgotten all that? Really? Victoria realized what a predator he was then; now she pities the controlling Lockwood, saying, “I feel sorry for him. He’s probably going through a difficult time. He’s an intelligent, well-educated, and clever man.” As if that didn’t describe Ted Bundy or the Zodiac Killer! The Victoria Trumbull of yore — whom I knew and loved — would never have been that feeble-minded or clueless.
Again, Ms. Riggs, what have you done with the real Victoria Trumbull?
To be fair, author Cynthia Riggs, the eighth generation to live in the same Martha's Vineyard homestead, once again creates the most wonderful descriptions of the island, describing its breathtaking natural beauty in such detail that you feel you’re there, that you can actually smell the roses, honeysuckle, and sea that define a Vineyard spring.
Even so, while better than the sub-par Poison Ivy (Bloodroot’s immediate predecessor and No. 11 in the series), Bloodroot can’t compare to Riggs’ usual excellent fare, such as The Cemetery Yew, Jack in the Pulpit, Touch-Me-Not (Riggs’ ninth and best novel), and The Bee Balm Murders. Longtime readers will still enjoy Bloodroot — if grudgingly; however, those new to the series are well advised to start with one of the earlier novels.
And, Ms. Riggs, please bring our Victoria Trumbull back.
Although perennially 92 years old, Victoria Trumbull — renowned poet, avid gardener, sage, and West Tisbury’s oldest police deputy — has never been naïve – until now. In Bloodroot, the 12th novel in this usually excellent series, Victoria, a Martha’s Vineyard native, has gone soft — whether it’s in the head readers can decide. Heretofore perspicacious and cantankerous, suddenly, Victoria Trumbull can’t believe that the late Mildred Wilmington’s four obviously selfish, grasping adult grandchildren could have murdered her because “[t]hey seemed perfectly fine to me when we went to the reception” — as if they couldn’t be pit vipers (as Victoria’s granddaughter Elizabeth correctly characterizes them) and put on a show for the length of a reception! Really? Then, even more stupidly, Victoria can’t seem to accept how dangerous Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Lockwood Wolfrich, is. The man verbally abused Elizabeth through most of their marriage, struck her twice, and terrorized and stalked her in Jack in the Pulpit. And what? Victoria’s forgotten all that? Really? Victoria realized what a predator he was then; now she pities the controlling Lockwood, saying, “I feel sorry for him. He’s probably going through a difficult time. He’s an intelligent, well-educated, and clever man.” As if that didn’t describe Ted Bundy or the Zodiac Killer! The Victoria Trumbull of yore — whom I knew and loved — would never have been that feeble-minded or clueless.
Again, Ms. Riggs, what have you done with the real Victoria Trumbull?
To be fair, author Cynthia Riggs, the eighth generation to live in the same Martha's Vineyard homestead, once again creates the most wonderful descriptions of the island, describing its breathtaking natural beauty in such detail that you feel you’re there, that you can actually smell the roses, honeysuckle, and sea that define a Vineyard spring.
Even so, while better than the sub-par Poison Ivy (Bloodroot’s immediate predecessor and No. 11 in the series), Bloodroot can’t compare to Riggs’ usual excellent fare, such as The Cemetery Yew, Jack in the Pulpit, Touch-Me-Not (Riggs’ ninth and best novel), and The Bee Balm Murders. Longtime readers will still enjoy Bloodroot — if grudgingly; however, those new to the series are well advised to start with one of the earlier novels.
And, Ms. Riggs, please bring our Victoria Trumbull back.
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May 3, 2016The cover caught my eye as this plant has always intrigued me. I was delighted to find this book part of a series that I have been wanting to read. An unpleasant wealthy woman dies in the dentist chair. The office receptionist is later found dead on the edge of the sea. Mrs. Wilmington heirs are all present when she dies. Victoria Trumball is also present. The police are busy with a president's visit and high society's wedding on the Island. Victoria investigates the case. her ex-in-son-law turns up, unexpectedly. Long buried secrets began to emerge that will keep you reading. I will be looking for other Martha Vineyard stories. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
June 1, 2016
Victoria is at the dentist when an unpopular, wealthy woman dies in the next room. Is is a heart attack or something else? Later that same day a worker from the same office drowns. Is it suicide, an accident, or something worse? Are the deaths connected? Victoria takes it upon herself to investigate.
As always in this series, the writing is solid but you have to pay attention. There are a lot of characters and the point of view changes several times. While I liked the book overall, I have to say I was very distressed with how Victoria didn't take her granddaughter's fears of her abusive ex-husband seriously. Several times she defends the man's actions, even to the point of not pressing charges when he comes to her house with a gun to get his wife back. She's incredibly dismissive about what could happen if he comes after her granddaughter again. And it's because of Victoria's irresponsible actions that another woman is nearly killed.
Bottom line, while the book had some interesting points, I really didn't like the story line that was dealing with the stalker ex-husband.
As always in this series, the writing is solid but you have to pay attention. There are a lot of characters and the point of view changes several times. While I liked the book overall, I have to say I was very distressed with how Victoria didn't take her granddaughter's fears of her abusive ex-husband seriously. Several times she defends the man's actions, even to the point of not pressing charges when he comes to her house with a gun to get his wife back. She's incredibly dismissive about what could happen if he comes after her granddaughter again. And it's because of Victoria's irresponsible actions that another woman is nearly killed.
Bottom line, while the book had some interesting points, I really didn't like the story line that was dealing with the stalker ex-husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2019
This was #12 in the series "A Martha's Vineyard Mystery". I'm not a fan of series, but I needed to read this for a challenge on GR and since we have been to Martha's Vineyard a few times, most recently this past summer, I thought it would be interesting to read a mystery taking place there. As with most series I've tried the writing is just not that good. The protagonist is a 92 year old woman, who seemed an unrealistic character to me. I'd like to think it didn't work because I hadn't read the eleven previous books, but I'm more inclined to believe that it was because of the just average writing. I'm fairly certain had I read the first book in the series, I never would have made it through all the others to get to #12.
May 17, 2020
A murder mystery that starts out with a murder in a dentist chair has possibilities, Unfortunately, the charming local of Martha’s Vineyard wasn’t enough to make me like this cozy mystery. The characters had real possibilities, but were not really filled out. I never got to care much about any of them. Not a waste of time, but it could have been much more enjoyable. Other reviewers have commented on delightful characters ---- Perhaps they have read others in this series and thus know more about the characters. I felt the characters needed more development. Maybe delightful if you are already familiar with the series.
January 2, 2018
A fun mystery book with lots of potential suspects & case solved by 92 y.o. amateur detective Victoria Trumbull. I have been to Martha's Vineyard twice, and my mother spent time there as a child. I enjoy the book more because of it's setting on the Vineyard! Cynthia Riggs actually owns a home there she runs as a bed & breakfast for poets & writers. I think my son, Steven, the writer, poet & photographer, might enjoy going there. I know I would enjoy meeting this amazing author.
July 26, 2017
The book was okay. My first read of this series, maybe I'm mising something not having read previous ones. But not draw into the characters, Victoria being 92 yrs old seems all that walking not realistic. But one thing that bothered me not really pretentent to the story was having a 2 yr old playing outside unsupervised! Nanny and/or mom were always inside.
October 26, 2019
When 90+ YO Victoria Trumball's dental visit is interrupted by screams from a nearby patient, who ends up dying, she is unnerved to say the least. Later the same day when the dental receptionist is found floating in the harbor, Victoria decides it is time for her to figure out who killed the patient and receptionist. A host of suspects and a ton of motives! Good mystery read!!!
January 22, 2020
A delightful cozy mystery set on Martha's Vineyard. If you are familiar with the Vineyard, you'll "see" several familiar places. A grandmother is murdered. Is it her dentist? Is it one of the staff? Is it one of the insufferable grandchildren? Leave it to another grandmother to help figure it out. Not a plausible story although entertaining and the scenery is great!
May 9, 2017
Good series. I love Victoria Trumbull, 92 and still a poet and detective with an active life. Setting in Martha's Vineyard. At least 13 books which can be read independently, though I prefer to read series in order.
May 17, 2018
In the beginning, it seemed difficult to keep all of the characters straight but overall, it was an interesting read.
December 24, 2018
I think this is the best one yet. I just love Victoria but I really wish she'd get that toe taken care of. It's been bothering her for way too long.
August 21, 2019
After visiting Martha's Vineyard, I decided to read a few of Cynthia Riggs mysteries. I heard her speak about her writing on a cruise. Light fun.
July 3, 2021
I think this book was presented as being in the fiction genre but the topics discussed felt so real I thought it must be right-around-the-corner.
September 9, 2022
Cynthia Riggs has written a series of murder mysteries set on Martha’s Vineyard where her family has lived for fourteen generations. Each of the books is named for local flora (Deadly Nightshade, Poison Ivy, Bee Balm, Trumpet of Death, etc. ) and the name tells tells you something about the murder. Bloodroot is the 12th in the Martha’s Vineyard murder series and is about a murder which takes place in a dentist’s office!
Quite often Riggs ends her books abruptly in the last few pages with little warning and few clues as to how the plot threads will tie up. Bloodroot is no exception but in this case the ending is smoother and more logical than in some of her other writing.
Not only are there multiple possibilities as to who the murderer might reasonably be, there is a side plot of domestic violence. Riggs gives excellent advice on how to understand the abuser’s mind set but unfortunately underestimates the very real danger. This is shocking and not helpful to anyone facing this situation in real life.
If you can set that aside, the myriad of details about the Vineyard, from places to attitudes to local characters are absolutely true to life. For example, the sleuth Victoria Trumbull is based on Riggs’ mother who was also a poet, lived to be 99, knew everyone and their family history, and lost her driver’s license in her early 90s when she backed into the “meals on wheels” truck! Several other characters and where they go in the different towns are based on recognisable local persons and places.
This is definitely one of Cynthia Riggs’ better books. (I have read them all. ) There are any number of novels which use Martha’s Vineyard as their setting. For authentic flavor this may be the best of the lot.
Quite often Riggs ends her books abruptly in the last few pages with little warning and few clues as to how the plot threads will tie up. Bloodroot is no exception but in this case the ending is smoother and more logical than in some of her other writing.
Not only are there multiple possibilities as to who the murderer might reasonably be, there is a side plot of domestic violence. Riggs gives excellent advice on how to understand the abuser’s mind set but unfortunately underestimates the very real danger. This is shocking and not helpful to anyone facing this situation in real life.
If you can set that aside, the myriad of details about the Vineyard, from places to attitudes to local characters are absolutely true to life. For example, the sleuth Victoria Trumbull is based on Riggs’ mother who was also a poet, lived to be 99, knew everyone and their family history, and lost her driver’s license in her early 90s when she backed into the “meals on wheels” truck! Several other characters and where they go in the different towns are based on recognisable local persons and places.
This is definitely one of Cynthia Riggs’ better books. (I have read them all. ) There are any number of novels which use Martha’s Vineyard as their setting. For authentic flavor this may be the best of the lot.
January 25, 2026
Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either.
March 13, 2016
Victoria Trumbull must go to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth removed. The fact this woman is a grandmother, is beside the point. She has dreaded this visit and each tiny thing connected to the appointment is making her uncomfortable.
When there is suddenly screaming and terrible sounds of someone becoming very ill, Victoria and everyone in the dental clinic come running out to see what is happening.
A patient has been very ill, she is rushed out on a stretcher. The patients all choose to go home before completing the work being done on their mouths. No one wants to be put back in a dentist chair for any more work to be completed. The staff proceeds to clean the clinic with a vengeance. The entire episode has put everyone on edge.
When the police come to seek evidence, there is shock. Why would a woman dying of heart trouble be a reason for the collection of evidence? The staff members are released to go home and put all the upsetting details behind them. On the way, the clinic receptionist is found floating in the water at the edge of the island. Coincidence anyone?
No coincidence here, it appears there have been two murders connected to the dental clinic.
This is the most recent book in a series. I have not read any of the other books in the series. That made my read a little slower at certain points. Since I am unfamiliar with the characters, I had to look back and find out who was who. But, it was not a deal breaker and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries will be willing to read this book for a good plot and the interesting characters.
Victoria is evidently a well known and well loved citizen of her Martha's Vineyard area. When she is asking questions, no one seems to hold back on their answers. There are a large number of possible murderers here. And the motives are many.
The elderly woman who died in the dentist's chair, was a mean and hateful woman. The fact she was also a millionaire is beside the point. She was not well liked. Not by the dental staff, not by her 4 grandchildren, not by anyone.
There is also a secondary story of Victoria's former grandson-in-law who has physically abused her beloved granddaughter. Victoria's attitude was something that I did not
understand nor did I like it.
This book has a great deal going on. This is a quick moving story. The plot is interesting as well as entertaining.
The character development for me was a little difficult. Since I was new to the series, there were things taken for granted, which were unfamiliar to me. It is a well done cozy mystery. I would suggest that maybe for future readers, it might be a good thing to provide a little more background on relationships.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
When there is suddenly screaming and terrible sounds of someone becoming very ill, Victoria and everyone in the dental clinic come running out to see what is happening.
A patient has been very ill, she is rushed out on a stretcher. The patients all choose to go home before completing the work being done on their mouths. No one wants to be put back in a dentist chair for any more work to be completed. The staff proceeds to clean the clinic with a vengeance. The entire episode has put everyone on edge.
When the police come to seek evidence, there is shock. Why would a woman dying of heart trouble be a reason for the collection of evidence? The staff members are released to go home and put all the upsetting details behind them. On the way, the clinic receptionist is found floating in the water at the edge of the island. Coincidence anyone?
No coincidence here, it appears there have been two murders connected to the dental clinic.
This is the most recent book in a series. I have not read any of the other books in the series. That made my read a little slower at certain points. Since I am unfamiliar with the characters, I had to look back and find out who was who. But, it was not a deal breaker and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries will be willing to read this book for a good plot and the interesting characters.
Victoria is evidently a well known and well loved citizen of her Martha's Vineyard area. When she is asking questions, no one seems to hold back on their answers. There are a large number of possible murderers here. And the motives are many.
The elderly woman who died in the dentist's chair, was a mean and hateful woman. The fact she was also a millionaire is beside the point. She was not well liked. Not by the dental staff, not by her 4 grandchildren, not by anyone.
There is also a secondary story of Victoria's former grandson-in-law who has physically abused her beloved granddaughter. Victoria's attitude was something that I did not
understand nor did I like it.
This book has a great deal going on. This is a quick moving story. The plot is interesting as well as entertaining.
The character development for me was a little difficult. Since I was new to the series, there were things taken for granted, which were unfamiliar to me. It is a well done cozy mystery. I would suggest that maybe for future readers, it might be a good thing to provide a little more background on relationships.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2016
Bloodroot by Cynthia Riggs is the twelfth book in the Martha's Vineyard Mysteries. Victoria Trumbull has a painful wisdom tooth and needs to have it pulled. Victoria is waiting at Island Dental Clinic when there is a commotion. Mildred Wilmington, a patient, is dead. The West Tisbury police are called out. The receptionist, Vivian Parsons is very upset over the death and unable to drive home. A co-worker agrees to take her, but he makes a pit stop (for alcohol) along the way. Vivian waits in the car, but she is not there when the co-worker returns. Vivian is later found dead in the water (and it is not an accident). Someone wanted to make sure that Vivian did not talk. What did Vivian know or had she seen something? The investigation is not helped when Dr. Horace Mann (the head of Island Dental Clinic) has the staff clean the clinic before the forensic crew can be called in (very suspicious). Police Chief Mary Kathleen O’Neill and her staff are stretched thin because of an upcoming presidential visit. When it turns out that Mildred was poisoned, Victoria (who is a police deputy of sorts) sets out to figure out who killed the two women. Mildred was a rich woman with four grandchildren. Each one with a motive. But they are not the only suspects. Victoria has also to deal with her Elizabeth’s (granddaughter) ex-husband, Lockwood. Lockwood is a nasty and cruel man. He has decided that Victoria’s home should belong to him. What will Lockwood do to achieve his goal? It is going to be a busy week for Victoria!
This is the first book I have read in this series (I had not heard of the series prior to seeing this book listed). I did not know it was the twelfth book in the series when I agreed to read it. It is extremely confusing at first (and through most of the book). There are a lot of characters (especially from the dental clinic) and suspects (over a dozen). The two murders occur within the first two chapters (a writer should never put the crime right at the beginning of the book). The mystery is complex (which I loved), but the killer was the person I picked out at the beginning. The clues (which we get in the last half of the book) will lead you in the direction of the killer. I liked how the main character, Victoria Trumbull conducted her investigation. I give Bloodroot 4 out of 5 stars. The book has a good pace and is nicely written (which makes the novel easy to read). This book can be read alone. The main characters are easy to keep straight (it was just all the dental staff that made it confusing). I will definitely be reading the other books in this series and look forward to future novels.
I received a complimentary copy of Bloodroot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
This is the first book I have read in this series (I had not heard of the series prior to seeing this book listed). I did not know it was the twelfth book in the series when I agreed to read it. It is extremely confusing at first (and through most of the book). There are a lot of characters (especially from the dental clinic) and suspects (over a dozen). The two murders occur within the first two chapters (a writer should never put the crime right at the beginning of the book). The mystery is complex (which I loved), but the killer was the person I picked out at the beginning. The clues (which we get in the last half of the book) will lead you in the direction of the killer. I liked how the main character, Victoria Trumbull conducted her investigation. I give Bloodroot 4 out of 5 stars. The book has a good pace and is nicely written (which makes the novel easy to read). This book can be read alone. The main characters are easy to keep straight (it was just all the dental staff that made it confusing). I will definitely be reading the other books in this series and look forward to future novels.
I received a complimentary copy of Bloodroot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
December 27, 2016
Title: Bloodroot - Martha's Vineyard Mystery Book 12
Author: Cynthia Riggs
Published: 5-3-2016
Publisher: Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
Pages: 296
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women Sleuths; Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 13: 9781250058683
ASIN: B016I7ZP58
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I received a copy of "Bloodroot" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Description From the Publisher:
It's just another day at the dentist's office for Victoria Trumbull when fellow patient, wealthy Mrs. Wilmington, dies. It's an unfortunate, though seemingly not murderous incident, but the receptionist is hysterical, so one of the dental assistants offers to drive her home. But after making a quick pit stop, he finds her body floating in the harbor.
With the police shorthanded due to an upcoming presidential visit, it's up to Victoria to take on the case. As she wrestles with her ex-son-in-law, a $3 million will, and a deadly dental clinic, Mrs. Trumbull discovers that nothing in the case is quite what it seems.
Bloodroot is the latest in Cynthia Riggs' longstanding Martha's Vineyard mystery series, filled with delightful characters and charming descriptions of the beautiful island.
My Review:
You know how as the time approaches you dread the visit to the dentist more and more. Well the characters in Bloodroot have reason and my fears have only grown. Written with characters that make you stand up and take notice, "Bloodroot" is a fast paced story with a well developed plot that has a few twist and turns that have you engrossed in Cynthia Rigg's every word. This is the first in the Martha's Vineyard series I have read. This did cause a few moments of question, but it did not stop me from enjoying the book. Well written, this is a series I look froward to going back to the beginning to read more about. My rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016I7ZP58/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Cynthia Riggs
Published: 5-3-2016
Publisher: Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
Pages: 296
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women Sleuths; Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 13: 9781250058683
ASIN: B016I7ZP58
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I received a copy of "Bloodroot" from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Description From the Publisher:
It's just another day at the dentist's office for Victoria Trumbull when fellow patient, wealthy Mrs. Wilmington, dies. It's an unfortunate, though seemingly not murderous incident, but the receptionist is hysterical, so one of the dental assistants offers to drive her home. But after making a quick pit stop, he finds her body floating in the harbor.
With the police shorthanded due to an upcoming presidential visit, it's up to Victoria to take on the case. As she wrestles with her ex-son-in-law, a $3 million will, and a deadly dental clinic, Mrs. Trumbull discovers that nothing in the case is quite what it seems.
Bloodroot is the latest in Cynthia Riggs' longstanding Martha's Vineyard mystery series, filled with delightful characters and charming descriptions of the beautiful island.
My Review:
You know how as the time approaches you dread the visit to the dentist more and more. Well the characters in Bloodroot have reason and my fears have only grown. Written with characters that make you stand up and take notice, "Bloodroot" is a fast paced story with a well developed plot that has a few twist and turns that have you engrossed in Cynthia Rigg's every word. This is the first in the Martha's Vineyard series I have read. This did cause a few moments of question, but it did not stop me from enjoying the book. Well written, this is a series I look froward to going back to the beginning to read more about. My rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016I7ZP58/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
September 8, 2016
Initially I almost gave up reading this book because the story telling was pretty dry at the beginning, and there were more than twenty some characters in the first fifteen pages of the book I didn’t know about, since this is the first book in the series I read. It didn’t help that more than half of the characters are not only likeable but the kind of people you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with (Three self-centered grandchildren, who don’t have any redeemable qualities and who contemplate different methods to kill their grandmother who raised them in addition to a violent ex-husband who has turned stalker with violent plans and two dentists who has no character whatsoever ( one cheats on his wife with every female, and the other one is willing to do whatever it takes to find a rich husband). The rest of the characters are not any better, either. In the second half of the book, I enjoyed the story telling, the fact pace, the character development, and the murder mystery with multilayers that kept me guessing. The author did an amazing job of describing Martha’s Vineyard to the point I could visualize the island while reading the story. Personally the ending of the story was not to my liking. The murder mystery has an ending in this book, but I need to read the sequels to find out more about the characters since some of the relationship stories are left open ended. By the way, I can’t help but wonder whatever happened to Dog?
November 26, 2016
My favorite 93 year old sleuth is back in the latest Victoria Trumbull, Martha's Vineyard mystery.
When Victoria goes to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth pulled, she does not expect to be present at the death of a wealthy fellow resident of the island. She has been murdered and Victoria dives into the mystery of who killed her. When later the same day, the dental office receptionist is found dead, floating in the bay, the mystery gets even more perplexing.
The author supplies us with enough characters with motive and opportunity to keep the twists and turns coming until the very end. A Presidential visit to the island adds an additional twist to complicate matters.
Victoria Trumbull is a wise and interesting sleuth.
.
When Victoria goes to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth pulled, she does not expect to be present at the death of a wealthy fellow resident of the island. She has been murdered and Victoria dives into the mystery of who killed her. When later the same day, the dental office receptionist is found dead, floating in the bay, the mystery gets even more perplexing.
The author supplies us with enough characters with motive and opportunity to keep the twists and turns coming until the very end. A Presidential visit to the island adds an additional twist to complicate matters.
Victoria Trumbull is a wise and interesting sleuth.
.
March 17, 2016
Victoria is elderly, a life-time resident of her small island and an honorary deputy. She is at the dentist when the woman in the next room screams and collapses. The patient is a difficult, old, wealthy woman and has four adult grandchildren. One has stayed and take care of (or put up with) the old lady for twenty years. The others got out as soon as possible, but all are in desperate need of money. Did one of them find a way to kill her for their inheritance? Or is someone at the dental clinic involved? Victoria uses her great knowledge of the people on the island to track down the answer. Victoria is a great character; she may be old, but she still does everything but drive!
May 16, 2016
Just because Victoria Trumbull is 92 doesn't mean she's learned to like going to the dentist! She likes it even less when Mrs. Wilmington dies in the next cubicle. The shaken dentists and dental assistants are sure it's a heart attack, but Victoria's police contacts--she knows everyone on Martha's Vineyard--lets her know it was arsenic. The police are busy with security for a presidential visit, so Victoria, who's considered a deputy, decides to investigate both the relationships at the dental office, and Mrs. Wilmington's four grandchildren. Her task is complicated by the presence of the unstable ex-husband of her own granddaughter, who lives with her.
December 14, 2016
If you enjoy snuggling with a cozy mystery book, Bloodroot is for you. It is part of Cynthia Riggs' Martha's Vineyard mystery series and takes place in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.
The poet-sleuth, Victoria Trumbull, is 92 years old, but clearly has not slowed down. The murder happens in a dentist office, behind closed doors with many characters suspected for the crime. Several threads are in the story, though I had no trouble following them.
I was sufficiently surprised by the ending to enjoy the story. Despite never reading a book by Cynthia Riggs, I could following the back story of each of her reoccurring characters.
The poet-sleuth, Victoria Trumbull, is 92 years old, but clearly has not slowed down. The murder happens in a dentist office, behind closed doors with many characters suspected for the crime. Several threads are in the story, though I had no trouble following them.
I was sufficiently surprised by the ending to enjoy the story. Despite never reading a book by Cynthia Riggs, I could following the back story of each of her reoccurring characters.
June 12, 2016
This is the twelfth novel featuring the intelligent, fiercely independent poet/police deputy, Victoria Trumbull. Now 92, she is well respected and well known on Martha's Vineyard where she has lived all her life. All of this is important as she solves two murders single-handedly while the police concentrate on security for the impending summer vacation of the President and his family.
I enjoy this series because of the Martha's Vineyard setting; the plots, however, are a bit of a reach and characters, often caricatures.
I enjoy this series because of the Martha's Vineyard setting; the plots, however, are a bit of a reach and characters, often caricatures.
July 24, 2016
I always enjoy Cynthia Riggs' novels, both for the plot and how beautifully she describes the Vineyard. I feel her love for the island through her detailed descriptions. I found this novel engaging as always but I truly disliked Ms. Trumbull's take on her granddaughter's ex-husband. I don't think it is inline with her character and her normal perception of people. I think that part of the storyline is weak, at best.
December 5, 2016
I love the Victoria Trumbull series, but this one seemed slightly off. Victoria, at 92, is usually hearty and ahead of everyone else; maybe it was her wisdom tooth. In this book she seems to have forgotten that Elizabeth was terrorized by her ex-husband and tries to give him the benefit of the doubt. Fortunately she used her walking stick to good advantage, got rides all over the island, and solved the murders in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2020
Have read every book in Cynthia Riggs Martha Vineyard Mysteries and have never been disappointed. I always feel like I am on Martha's Vineyard and love Victoria Trumbull and her niece. This book was I enjoyed. Involved more characters then her earlier books, but still an interesting story line. Never disappointed.
May 25, 2016
I've gotten used to the quirkiness of this series - after all, the main character is 92 and a native Vineyarder. but this book almost seemed to combine 2 short stories into one novel and both did not fit well together. it was a bit unusual but eventually tied things together near the end.
May 19, 2016
Was a good addition to the series though it spent more time on the other characters then on Victoria.
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