What do you think?
Rate this book
Kendra Clayton Mystery #2
Tangled Roots
For Kendra Clayton life is good—for about five minutes. Thenher sweetie, lawyer Carl Brumfield, leaves town to help out his sisterin Cleveland. Her soon-to-be-married best friend picks out a hideousbridesmaid's dress for her to wear (a sequined Smurf-blue nightmare witha bow on the butt). The work she loves as a part-time GED instructorturns into the job from hell when a retired kindergarten teacher with thepersonality of a piranha becomes her new boss.
And to top it all off, Detective Trish Harmon of the Willow, Ohio,police department shows up at her class looking for Kendra's favoritestudent, a troubled young man named Timmy who has been straighteningout his life.
A pretty local beautician is dead, and Timmy is suspect numberone. When he later shows up at Kendra's apartment begging for help, it'sonly one more step before Kendra's back on the road to trouble again,trying to find the real killer, stepping over the line from a nice safe lifeinto danger…and getting tangled in the deadly roots of desire.
And to top it all off, Detective Trish Harmon of the Willow, Ohio,police department shows up at her class looking for Kendra's favoritestudent, a troubled young man named Timmy who has been straighteningout his life.
A pretty local beautician is dead, and Timmy is suspect numberone. When he later shows up at Kendra's apartment begging for help, it'sonly one more step before Kendra's back on the road to trouble again,trying to find the real killer, stepping over the line from a nice safe lifeinto danger…and getting tangled in the deadly roots of desire.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
60 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Angela Henry
29 books277 followersAngela Henry is an Amazon Charts bestselling and award-winning author of twisty mysteries, thrillers, and urban fantasy. A retired library reference specialist, she’s the author of the Kendra Clayton mystery series and the Xavier Knight series, as well as the thrillers The Perfect Affair, Her Pretty Lies, The Family Lies, and The Paris Secret. She also writes middle-grade fiction as Angie Kelly. Angela lives in Ohio with her husband and their spoiled Chiweenie, Gidget.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 6, 2017
Kendra has all the skills it takes to be a detective but enjoys her job as a literary teacher too much. She's solving crimes just like Jessica Fletcher and she doesn't have a television show.
In Tangled Roots, Inez Rollins is murdered. She's a hairstylist in the local hair salon. Unfortunately for Kendra, her friend Timmy gets blamed for the murder. Never one to not help out a friend, Kendra goes on the prowl to get to the bottom of the mystery.
The storyline ry is funny, full of energy and worth reading. Looking forward to book three.
In Tangled Roots, Inez Rollins is murdered. She's a hairstylist in the local hair salon. Unfortunately for Kendra, her friend Timmy gets blamed for the murder. Never one to not help out a friend, Kendra goes on the prowl to get to the bottom of the mystery.
The storyline ry is funny, full of energy and worth reading. Looking forward to book three.
December 22, 2020
Angela Henry's writing was excellent in Tangled Roots. Rarely do I read books in only 2 days. From start to finish, this second installment in the Kendra Clayton series was a page-turner. The story was riveting and fast-paced, with a very complex murder tale. I laughed out loud at the humor in the book (See the highlights). I could even detect a bit of character growth in the teacher/sleuth Kendra Clayton, who was a common bore in the book 1. Despite some reservations about the muck and stereotypes in the story (I thought this was a cozy mystery.), the terrific writing in itself earned the book 4 stars. Hopefully, Henry will smooth things out in the final 3 installments.
4 stars
4 stars
February 11, 2015
Loved it
Great suspense. Gotta love Kendra nosey self!! So much shocking stuff going on and she puts all the pieces together. Can't wait for book three in the morning.
Great suspense. Gotta love Kendra nosey self!! So much shocking stuff going on and she puts all the pieces together. Can't wait for book three in the morning.
April 6, 2021
I've loved this series since high school
Kendra Clayton became a mystery favorite when I snagged a copy of The Company You Keep when I was a teen. As an adult I've carried these stories with me and they continue to make me gasp and crack up laughing. In addition to them being a fantastic read Ms. Angela has a way of slipping in good wisdom that I've come to cherish and keep in mind in my own life.
This is not my first or fourth read but I thought it deserved a good review to encourage others to read it as well. It's my hope that the series continues and that all of the books will be narrated in the future like the debut to the series.
We don't have enough quality African American leads in mystery that are smart, funny and enjoyable so I cherish the authors who've delivered content I can enjoy for years to come!!
Thank you Ms. Angela for being one of my 'Mystery Aunties'
Kendra Clayton became a mystery favorite when I snagged a copy of The Company You Keep when I was a teen. As an adult I've carried these stories with me and they continue to make me gasp and crack up laughing. In addition to them being a fantastic read Ms. Angela has a way of slipping in good wisdom that I've come to cherish and keep in mind in my own life.
This is not my first or fourth read but I thought it deserved a good review to encourage others to read it as well. It's my hope that the series continues and that all of the books will be narrated in the future like the debut to the series.
We don't have enough quality African American leads in mystery that are smart, funny and enjoyable so I cherish the authors who've delivered content I can enjoy for years to come!!
Thank you Ms. Angela for being one of my 'Mystery Aunties'
March 19, 2017
Never want to put this down
Just when I think Kendra Clayton is already the most well rounded and deeply evocative protagonist, Angela Henry makes her even more compelling. Kendra is real, flawed, and likeable. She has moments of selfishness and moments of great sacrifice to help others. Tangled Roots is the perfect title for how convoluted some family trees can be and a pun at the same time because of the hair salon and braids of the characters. I've already purchased the rest of the series because I know I'll devour them too.
Just when I think Kendra Clayton is already the most well rounded and deeply evocative protagonist, Angela Henry makes her even more compelling. Kendra is real, flawed, and likeable. She has moments of selfishness and moments of great sacrifice to help others. Tangled Roots is the perfect title for how convoluted some family trees can be and a pun at the same time because of the hair salon and braids of the characters. I've already purchased the rest of the series because I know I'll devour them too.
February 9, 2024
I love this series
Can’t wait for the next one because she definitely delivers I love the relatable characters and the fast paced action
Can’t wait for the next one because she definitely delivers I love the relatable characters and the fast paced action
September 12, 2025
Tangled Language
I wish I did not have to waste twenty words to simply express how much profanity there is in this attempt at writing.
I wish I did not have to waste twenty words to simply express how much profanity there is in this attempt at writing.
March 4, 2021
Obsession with the reverend.
It was a fun read until I started getting tired of the woman's obsession with the reverend. Almost every female character is obsessed with this guy.
And what do two of these supposedly admiring females do? Have affair with his brother. That's a part I couldn't understand.
The reverend is no saint either. He's had his share of affairs, marries shortly after his wife is dead saying she suffered from disease for sometime before her death, is trying at every given chance to kiss the protagonist. But, he's still shown in as good light as possible.
The protagonist should've found him repulsive, but is instead irresistibly attracted despite having a boyfriend.
I couldn't connect with any of the characters in this novel. And after reading two of the novels in this series, I really wanted to like it.
But, by the end, this author's own obsession with this eponymous character and lazy writing got to me.
It was a fun read until I started getting tired of the woman's obsession with the reverend. Almost every female character is obsessed with this guy.
And what do two of these supposedly admiring females do? Have affair with his brother. That's a part I couldn't understand.
The reverend is no saint either. He's had his share of affairs, marries shortly after his wife is dead saying she suffered from disease for sometime before her death, is trying at every given chance to kiss the protagonist. But, he's still shown in as good light as possible.
The protagonist should've found him repulsive, but is instead irresistibly attracted despite having a boyfriend.
I couldn't connect with any of the characters in this novel. And after reading two of the novels in this series, I really wanted to like it.
But, by the end, this author's own obsession with this eponymous character and lazy writing got to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2011
Who would kill a local beautician who is also the daughter of a well-known clergy? In the book, Tangled Roots, GED Teacher Kendra Clayton is reluctantly pushed into an informal, investigative role to clear the name of one of her beloved students. The stage is set for a witty and clever suspense novel filled with memorable characters and unexpected twists.
Henry creates relatable characters that exist in every African American community. There’s Kendra, who is an educated yet down-to-earthwoman who seems to be too inquisitive for her own good; Timmy, a knuckle headed brother who can’t seem to stay out of trouble; Morris Rollins, a smooth talking preacher who all the ladies seem to love; and Shanda, a smart-talking college student who seems to be in the middle of all the murder drama. But is everything as it seems?
With murder on the menu, Kendra can’t just sit back and remain focused on her simple life of part-time teaching and restaurant hosting. She is determined to find out what is really going on Willow, Ohio before an innocent man goes to jail or she, herself, ends up in jail or dead, too.
Henry delivers a humorous and satisfying read, enjoyable right down to the last page.
Henry creates relatable characters that exist in every African American community. There’s Kendra, who is an educated yet down-to-earthwoman who seems to be too inquisitive for her own good; Timmy, a knuckle headed brother who can’t seem to stay out of trouble; Morris Rollins, a smooth talking preacher who all the ladies seem to love; and Shanda, a smart-talking college student who seems to be in the middle of all the murder drama. But is everything as it seems?
With murder on the menu, Kendra can’t just sit back and remain focused on her simple life of part-time teaching and restaurant hosting. She is determined to find out what is really going on Willow, Ohio before an innocent man goes to jail or she, herself, ends up in jail or dead, too.
Henry delivers a humorous and satisfying read, enjoyable right down to the last page.
August 22, 2012
This was a fun read. I love Angela Henry's simple yet entertaining writing style. I was drawn to Kendra's sassy nature and inner commentary. Initially I was dizzy with trying to keep up with the numerous characters and their back stories. As the book went on, I became more familiar and engrossed. The storyline definitely kept me guessing almost to the very end. I mistakenly thought I was reading the first book in the series until Kendra started alluding to things that happened in the past, but in a way that didn't spoil, but made you want to immediately pick up the previous book. Wish it was available as an e-book. I definitely intend to read the entire series.
August 27, 2016
Not sure why I couldn't get into this book, but it wasn't to my liking. None of the characters seemed interesting or likeable. Some of it may be that I am not familiar with that culture, but characters like the philandering, megachurch pastor just came across as a stereotype. Are we really interested in a book where this pastor is condoned in the community for his outrageous behavior?
Sorry, just couldn't get into it.
Sorry, just couldn't get into it.
January 8, 2015
This one was better than the first one. I found myself actually liking the main character a little this time and enjoying the story.
However, it had some weird wrong letter issues and misplaced paragraphs. They are perhaps some sort of conversion issue (like a printed version was scanned to create the ebook and the character recognition software screwed some stuff up), but still very annoying.
However, it had some weird wrong letter issues and misplaced paragraphs. They are perhaps some sort of conversion issue (like a printed version was scanned to create the ebook and the character recognition software screwed some stuff up), but still very annoying.
February 12, 2014
A bright and upcoming new author is Angela Henry
I love to read everything and I just discovered Angela Henry when I read her first book The Company You Keep. Now I'm on book number 3. This woman can WRITE. She keeps you glued to the pages and is funny to boot. Keep email comin girl.
I love to read everything and I just discovered Angela Henry when I read her first book The Company You Keep. Now I'm on book number 3. This woman can WRITE. She keeps you glued to the pages and is funny to boot. Keep email comin girl.
July 28, 2014
I bought this one back in February and just got around to reading it yesterday. It is surprisingly good. The social structure of the black characters is both interesting and believable, and carries out the mystery plot very well. Warning to Cozy friends -- there is language that keeps it out of the Cozy genre, but not so much as to take away from a good story.
August 14, 2016
I found this book to be a real page turner. There were a few editing errors in the e-book copy that I read, but the story was good. Just when you thought you knew what was going on Angela Henry takes you on yet another twist or turn. This was the first book I've read by Ms. Henry. Now I'm eager to read more!
February 18, 2014
Deserving five star READ
plor develops on each page until stunning conclusion constant unexpected story development.Great start to new year.don't skip chapters or you will miss story line.
plor develops on each page until stunning conclusion constant unexpected story development.Great start to new year.don't skip chapters or you will miss story line.
March 21, 2014
liked it and want to read the next one to see what more does Reverend Rollins has in store for Kendra & Carl...and maybe Kendra's buddy Lynette will get married in the 3rd one and hope Kendra & Carl get married soon so that she can make Lynette wear something hideous as her bridesmaid dress :P
July 28, 2011
I love this series and the main character. Some of her escapades are so hilarious that you find yourself laughing hysterically when trying to read them to other people!
April 26, 2012
Fantastic book...loved it!
February 25, 2014
very good
March 19, 2014
Definitely twiste
good mystery, almost read 90% before I fingered the murderer, bang up ending was a surprise. looking forward to reading all of this series books
good mystery, almost read 90% before I fingered the murderer, bang up ending was a surprise. looking forward to reading all of this series books
August 12, 2016
Fun & entertaining whodunit. Kendra is a likable heroine, and there were some clever plot twists. Definitely a great beach read.
October 9, 2014
This one just couldn't hold my attention. I found it to be much less engaging than the first book in the series.
February 25, 2015
exhausting
The story dragged on slowly. I started to quit reading it but I hung on and finished it. The last couple of chapters was ok
The story dragged on slowly. I started to quit reading it but I hung on and finished it. The last couple of chapters was ok
September 15, 2017
A good story, but I'm starting to see that the main character is not the brightest bulb. How many times can you be threatened/attacked and not let someone know what's going on?
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews