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Murder Takes Root

The Gardener Mysteries, Book 2

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About this listen

 Steph Williams is excited to get her hands stuck into her latest gardening project. This time, she's been commissioned by Lady Clara of Ashford Manor to restore the stately gardens to their former glory.

But the estate is thrown into chaos when a dead body is discovered in one of the rooms. The police rule it as suicide, but Steph's convinced they're barking up the wrong tree. She knows the deceased and it could only be one thing: murder. And Steph is no wallflower - if the police won't listen, she will have to dig out the truth herself.

As Steph tries to get to the root of the matter, with the help of her trusty hound Mouse, she discovers that the manor staff hold secrets of their own, and soon she's not sure who she can trust. But one thing is for sure - she's not going to let the murderer lead her up the garden path...©2024 Rosie Sandler (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK Amateur Sleuths Cosy Crime Crime Fiction Murder Mystery
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This is one of the best vocal performances on Audible. Really beautifully read and with some great character voices.

A super second instalment to the story of Steph the gardener and Mouse, her adorable dog. We move to a classic country house location for a whodunnit style tale that’s full of well drawn characters and has a very enjoyable plot. Enough complexity for the mystery to hold and to keep you guessing but not so much as to have you rewinding to work out who everyone is. The key to this series is how much we like Steph and, whilst she takes a few silly risks, I am always rooting (sorry, pun unintended) for her. She’s clever and (mostly) sensible as well as having an interesting past and enviable skills as a horticulturist. I’m not very knowledgeable about plants but love the garden descriptions and details about the work Steph is doing; they are very diverting, transporting you to stunning landscaped gardens, a maze and the sweet smell of fresh air. The food descriptions are also really well penned and made me hungry for some country house kitchen cooking.

I thought Lady Clara and Jamie were particularly well written characters this time. I’m so looking forward to the third instalment. Really hoping to learn more about Steph’s birth parents and her ex-husband’s whereabouts.

An excellent story beautifully told

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Not a bad story, but heavily padded with so much repetition of her going in and out of her rooms and the staff dining room. It all drags on a bit.
Scots accent isn’t Edinburgh.
Why does she never let her dog out first thing? It must have an amazing bladder.
Not sure why she deems it necessary to racially profile the characters - doesn’t add to the story at all.

Not a bad story but long winded

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Yet another great story in this series perfectly read by the narrator. I can't wait to listen to book 3 .

Great cosy murder mystery

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Like the details of the story telling and the narrative was also good. Nice to listen to whilst gardening!
Defiantly like the series of books

Nice pace

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I loved this second book. I think it was better than the first. You end up getting so invested in the different characters. Of course Mouse stole the show again!

Another Blooming Lovely Listen

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