Roots of Murder [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Janis Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

The flower shop in River City, Missouri, is Bretta Solomon's whole life. Widowed more than a year ago when her cop husband died of a heart attack, Bretta has thrown herself into her florist business and her place in this small, rural midwestern community. And her diet--she's lost a lot of weight in the intervening year. If only she could shed her grief in the same way.

When Bretta reads in the newspaper that Isaac Miller, an Amish farmer who supplied some of her most beautiful flowers, has died under mysterious circumstances, she's shocked and saddened. But her shock turns to curiosity when Isaac's brother, Evan, a friend of hers since his family bought her parents' farm in the neighboring Woodgrove, calls and asks her to help him learn more about his brother's death.

Bretta's life becomes a whirlwind of mystery and mistrust. Everybody is a suspect--from the Amish bishop, Eli Detweiler, to the eccentric neighbor, Sam Kramer, to the flower wholesaler Leray Hodges. Bretta must race against the clock to find Isaac's killer and protect his beautiful garden from destruction before she becomes the next victim.

Janis Harrison's debut is a charming cozy mystery about a woman with a real talent for digging around.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A genial balance of gardening and murder, Harrison's debut introduces River City, Mo., flower-shop owner Bretta Solomon. When Bretta is contacted by a local Amish man, Evan Miller, about his brother's unexpected death, she calls on the skills she honed with her recently deceased cop husband. Evan's brother, Isaac, was the best local flower grower, and his blooms were always in demand. Lately, Isaac had been poring over books and propagating chrysanthemums, nothing that should have resulted in his murder. With little to go on, Bretta decides to meet with those involved in the local flower trade. She discovers a greedy trucker who delivered Isaac's flowers and a peculiar broker who sold them to the shops. She is perplexed by Isaac's neighborsAone hates the Amish community, another has a wayward goat that destroyed much of their crop. As she sleuths, Bretta meets the newly elected Amish bishop, who disapproved of Isaac's use of his fertile field to grow flowers instead of wheat. All the while, Bretta also stews over the tragic death of three teenagers who drove off a dangerous curve near the Amish property. Knotting these disparate ends together, Harrison gives readers a winning look at what promises to be an intriguing cozy series marked by quick pacing, engaging characters and a touch of romance. Agent, Lori Pope of the Faith Childs Literary Agency
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Widow Bretta Solomon, owner of a flower shop in River City, MO, shows herself to be outspoken, stubborn, and rather reckless when she investigates the death of an Amish flower grower. The victim's brother asks for her help, but cultural differences still get in the way, as does a local "power" struggle over control of the victim's prize plants. Advertised as a "cozy," this first novel delivers as promised: small-town ethos, a few strange characters, mixed-up police, and a determined sleuth. Recommended for larger collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078623914X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786239146
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,235,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like mysteries and gardening, you'll love this book!, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roots of Murder (Gardening Mystery) (Hardcover)

I found "Roots of Murder" to be a very enjoyable read, with lots of interesting characters from formerly over-weight florists to Amish farmers. The story keeps moving along, with no long dry spells like some mysteries. This book reminded me of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone series.I am looking forward to Bretta's next adventure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nevermind the Bad Critiques, March 4, 2004

By 

Temple Swann (Arkansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roots of Murder (Gardening Mystery) (Hardcover)

Nevermind the bad critiques, folks. Janis Harrison's first Bretta Solomon mystery is a delight, even if you don't like gardening! I, personally, never understood how anyone could enjoy getting one's hands utterly filthy. But JH makes it sound like fun.
An Amish man, Isaac Miller is found murdered in his fields of beautiful flowers, these flowers which Miller sold to local florists, including Bretta Solomon. When Isaac's brother Evan asks Bretta to investigate, find out why Isaac was murdered, Bretta is just a bit reluctant at first, but then dives into the investigation, taking you along for the ride.
Having read "Lilies That Fester" first, I'm not exactly reading these in order, but I'm so excited about JH writing more; something in her books, her style of writing maybe, or maybe something in Bretta herself that makes me feel comfortable, like I've known her for a long time. Snuggle up with "Roots of Murder", a cozy in which you are sure to delight!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Believable characters and events make for great reading, August 4, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Lee' Summit, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roots of Murder (Gardening Mystery) (Hardcover)

Harrison has written a mystery full of believable characters and events which kept me reading until I finished the book in one day. Her description of "Missouri rural life" is right on, I could see each farm as Bretta Solomon drove up to it, be it clean as the Amish or with retired machinery covered with weeds. The plot is developed and played out magnificently with excellent detail. I truly enjoyed the authors use of typical rural Missouri language "peppered" throughout the novel to make it more believable. Definitely a must read. I look forward to future readings from this author!!!