Steph and her big dog, Mouse, are on to a new job at Ashford Manor where she'll be restoring the historic gardens to something resembling their original design. I enjoyed the second Gardener Mystery. The bond between Steph and her dog (the only two characters to return from the first book) is absolutely adorable. Her work in the garden is fascinating. The mystery itself is a unique one. I do miss the unusual setting of the first book and it looks like the third will be set in a new place with new characters.

Murder Takes Root, is the second book in The Gardener Mysteries series, with Seeds of Murder being the first.

In Murder Takes Root, the main character Steph returns, alongside her trusty canine companion, Mouse. Having been employed to restore a set of stately gardens everything seems to be going smoothly, until a dead body is found in one of the rooms. The police seem convinced that it's a suicide, but Steph is not so sure. She sets out to investigate exactly what happened, uncovering a number of secrets around the manor as she does so. Can she prove the death to have been a murder as she suspects, or has Steph been barking up the wrong tree?

I really enjoyed the second installment of this series and felt that it carried on perfectly from the first book, whilst also making sense as a standalone - a tricky balance to reach. We are introduced to a number of new characters- Jamie, Uncle Angus, and Vicky to name a few - who are strong, well developed characters. There are several characters who also return from the first book, and it is lovely to see Steph's parents and brothers through the phone and text conversations that are described. The story is split up to cover both Steph's investigation and her gardening/landscaping role in a way that does not feel lacking - and parts of the two sides do intertwine in ways that you might not initially expect!

Overall I really enjoyed Murder Takes Root, and rated this 4 stars. Looking forward to the third installment!
Thank You NetGalley, Embla Books, and Rosie Sandler for this ARC

This is a great second book in this series. I love gardener/landscaper Steph and her dog, Mouse. The murder in this book almost breaks my heart--I'm so sad at the loss of this particular character. I really care about them. The other secondary characters are strong too, with the exception of one very flat character who--no surprise--ends up being part of the criminal aspect in the book. The relationships between Steph and her brother and his family, Mouse and the older gardener, Mouse and Belle, Steph and Angus, Jamie and his brother...there are so many affirming relationships in this book, and I love them! I also like the realistic portrayal of a caring family dealing with the logistics of having a loved one with autism.

The author does a fabulous job of finding just the right balance between the world of the main character's job and passion and the world of the murder, weaving them both inextricably together. The only thing that keeps this one from being 5 stars is that one guilty party who's too obvious.

Still, I can't wait for Steph's next adventure!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series, the first being Seeds of Murder. It can most certainly be read as a stand alone book although I would recommend the first book as an excellent read as well. Steph and Mouse (her adorable dog) take on another gardening job, this time at Ashford Manor, restoring the gardens to their former glory. The lovely descriptions of the gardening, the wonderful relationship between Mouse and Belle and the gentle investigations of Steph into a murder that the police believe is suicide all lead to a cracking read. And let's not forget Uncle Angus!

This is the second book in the series and is a fun read. It kept me guessing throughout the book. Unusual plot, and interesting characters & setting. Mouse is a complete dear!

This is a series I can get behind on so many levels! I adore cozy mysteries, they are my guilty pleasure and always a good read. My go-to's are usually based in the 1920's or Victorian eras, but can I get behind a gardener, her dog and grandpa? Oh yes! This book is enchanting with a capital EEEEEE!

Steph is commissioned by Lady Clara of Ashford Manor to embark on an immense task;, to reinvigorate the gardens

However, chaos ensues when a dead body isfound in the manor. The police dismiss it as a voluntary unaliving, but Steph, our erstwhile FMC, cannot let it go so easily. She knew the deceased and knew they would not do such a thing and as such, the only answer is... murder! Booo hissssss to the staff getting in the way, what are their reasons??

Steph is so relatable and utterly adorable and the core of side characters are charming, Mouse her dog, her grandfather, even Lady Clara who is a gem!

Recommend highly and will certainly be folllowing this author as a favourite for my cozy mystery fix!

Thank you to Netgalley, Embla Books and Rosie Sandler for this lovely Arc. My review is left voluntarily and all opiions are my own.

What cozy magic was this book written with?! I could not put it down! Murder Takes Root is the second in a series, and can fully be read without reading the first (which I did). Although this book is SLOW (picks up around 40%), it is slow in the most charming, sweet, delightful way possible. There is so much going on that it distracts you from the pace, and I mean that in such a positive way. The FMC, Steph, is juggling a new job, advising her dad with his gardening escapades, keeping in touch with her brother, dealing with her crazy ex, cuddling with her dog Mouse, and solving a murder. There is so much jam packed into this book and I've never really read anything like it. The author did a great job making you truly care for the team of characters (there are a lot!), and I would do anything for sweet old Angus. I saw there was a third book coming out in September and I am eagerly awaiting its publication!

Thanks to Netgalley, Embla books, and the author for this eARC.

#MurderTakesRoot #NetGalley is the second book in The Gardener Mysteries by Rosie Sandler.
As Steph and her dog, Mouse prepare for their next gardening job, she hopes to avoid another murder investigation this time.
Unfortunately, Steph finds herself involved in another murder, this time the victim is a sweet young man, and for some reason, she can't let his death go unsolved.
Working with Lady Clara and her colorful family leads Steph to uncover clues, and slowly she begins to put the pieces together.
This book is wonderful, I enjoyed reading it, especially the parts with Uncle Angus and Mouse's companion, Belle.

Steph is a good character and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Gardener Steph (and her dog Mouse, of course) has been commissioned to restore the historic gardens of Ashford Manor to their former glory. Not that her appointment has put the resident head gardener's nose out of joint...

But the estate is in turmoil when a body is discovered in one of the rooms. The police decide it's suicide, but Steph (knowing the deceased better than they do) knows it's murder.

More than one member of staff is hiding something though...

Excellent - can't wait for the next addition to the series

Murder? Murder takes root...this title is intriguing...a story of murder and mayhem...secrets and lies...deception...trying to discern the ending is not an easy task. This talented author has given us an afternoon of enjoyment while reading this novel. Curl up in a cozy chair...grab a warm blanket...start a blazing fire...get that cup of steaming herbal tea...be transported to the world of the rich and not so rich...garden with the protagonist...all while murder does indeed take root. Thanks Netgalley.