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Nina Quinn #7
The Root of all Trouble
When a spring storm rolls through Freedom, Ohio, landscape designer Nina Quinn expects to get her hands dirty with the mess left behind.
But after high winds uproot a tree, revealing the corpse of a man inside its rotted hollow, Nina quickly realizes that cleaning up after Mother Nature’s fury is the least of her worries.
It soon becomes clear that there is no lack of suspects in the man’s untimely death. As a shady contractor and philanderer, he’d angered a lot of people before he disappeared, including some of Nina’s closest friends.
With the help of her police detective ex-husband, a mysterious coroner’s investigator, her formerly-felonious employees and her zany neighbors, Nina sets out to uncover a killer...before another victim ends up planted six feet under.
But after high winds uproot a tree, revealing the corpse of a man inside its rotted hollow, Nina quickly realizes that cleaning up after Mother Nature’s fury is the least of her worries.
It soon becomes clear that there is no lack of suspects in the man’s untimely death. As a shady contractor and philanderer, he’d angered a lot of people before he disappeared, including some of Nina’s closest friends.
With the help of her police detective ex-husband, a mysterious coroner’s investigator, her formerly-felonious employees and her zany neighbors, Nina sets out to uncover a killer...before another victim ends up planted six feet under.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2013
57 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Heather Webber
29 books4,134 followersUSA Today bestselling author Heather Webber loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book. *Heather also writes under the pen name Heather Blake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 4, 2018
I'm really hoping that she picks this series up again. I came to it late. Just finished this last book, and truthfully, there was a lot that was left a little too open in the ending.
Such as :
Such as :
July 14, 2014
This is a series where I always look forward to the next one. Nina is in trouble as usual. Her love life is in turmoil. Riley is still the favorite stepson. What a neighborhood she live in. I would love to live there.
May 24, 2021
I was sad to see that this was the last one. Since it was published in 2013, I assume that Heather Webber is finished with the series. There are unanswered questions or things that wasn't resolved and I would like to have even a novella to tie up some loose ends. I will miss Nina and her coworkers/family/friends.
May 8, 2024
I arrived to this book 11 years too late to demand book #8. There is a secondary, personal mystery for Nina in this book, something so unfathomably miraculous that it would have made for a great continuation of the series. Alas...(sobbing sounds).
May 19, 2018
I'll miss this series. I enjoyed it a lot. I don't think it was intended to end here; there are some subplots that haven't been wrapped up. But sometimes that's the way it goes.
January 23, 2020
My favorite so far. It can't be the last one in the series!
November 16, 2022
4 1/2 stars just due to the very slow start. I really loved this series. I wish it would continue.
January 30, 2023
It needed a definite ending if it were to be the last of this series.
January 10, 2025
3.75. Oh Nina. I’m going to miss you. Such great characters. I wish there was more to your story
June 23, 2013
I'm so happy that Heather Webber decided to keep the Nina Quinn series going by self-publishing it, because it's one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
The side characters were cute, the mystery intriguing, and the hints of romance make me want to read the next book immediately! I never thought I would be able to forgive Kevin's cheating, but I'm slowly starting to come around. With more time (and lots of groveling on his part), I think I could accept him as a love interest for Nina again.
I read this with PB, and he figured out two of the "minor" mysteries before I did, and said the book was a bit too predictable for him. I didn't feel that way at all, however, and wouldn't have figured out the other mysteries beforehand if he hadn't told me.
I did feel like this book was a bit slower to get started than previous ones, and there was a lot of time spent in the first quarter of the book just showcasing her friends' quirkiness. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the side characters, but I think it could have been toned down a bit. (And how come every woman introduced in the first few chapters was large breasted?? Seriously - Delphine, Plum, and Honey are all described that way!)
I hope Ms. Webber has more Nina books planned for the future!
The side characters were cute, the mystery intriguing, and the hints of romance make me want to read the next book immediately! I never thought I would be able to forgive Kevin's cheating, but I'm slowly starting to come around. With more time (and lots of groveling on his part), I think I could accept him as a love interest for Nina again.
I read this with PB, and he figured out two of the "minor" mysteries before I did, and said the book was a bit too predictable for him. I didn't feel that way at all, however, and wouldn't have figured out the other mysteries beforehand if he hadn't told me.
I did feel like this book was a bit slower to get started than previous ones, and there was a lot of time spent in the first quarter of the book just showcasing her friends' quirkiness. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the side characters, but I think it could have been toned down a bit. (And how come every woman introduced in the first few chapters was large breasted?? Seriously - Delphine, Plum, and Honey are all described that way!)
I hope Ms. Webber has more Nina books planned for the future!
July 29, 2013
Landscape designer, Nina Quinn of Freedom, Ohio drives through a torrential storm to arrive at her house and find a crime scene opposite. Nina's friends, Perry and Mario are busily fixing up their new home and did not expect to find a body uprooted by the storm.
Finding good help has been a problem for Nina and friends. Nina, believing that all souls deserve a second chance, hires ex-cons to start them over in life. However, even Nina is concerned when she learned a 'shady contractor, and philanderer,' Joey Miller was employed as project manager for her friends home, and then when he goes missing???
The giant Ash tree is felled by the storm and clutched in it's roots is the missing Joey. Suspects are plenty and colorful as Nina works with her family and friends to quickly solve this crime.
This novel has humor, suspense, twists of storyline, and characters that you won't easily forget. Romance is an underlining theme but does not go smoothly for anyone. Then, finally, just who is the new Coroner Assistant? And, why does he look so familiar to Nina?
I truly love this series. It has been in e-format but luckily, for me, Ms. Webber published some print copies. I'm glad because I want this one on my bookshelves to re-read in the future.
Finding good help has been a problem for Nina and friends. Nina, believing that all souls deserve a second chance, hires ex-cons to start them over in life. However, even Nina is concerned when she learned a 'shady contractor, and philanderer,' Joey Miller was employed as project manager for her friends home, and then when he goes missing???
The giant Ash tree is felled by the storm and clutched in it's roots is the missing Joey. Suspects are plenty and colorful as Nina works with her family and friends to quickly solve this crime.
This novel has humor, suspense, twists of storyline, and characters that you won't easily forget. Romance is an underlining theme but does not go smoothly for anyone. Then, finally, just who is the new Coroner Assistant? And, why does he look so familiar to Nina?
I truly love this series. It has been in e-format but luckily, for me, Ms. Webber published some print copies. I'm glad because I want this one on my bookshelves to re-read in the future.
May 31, 2013
This series should be required reading to all authors who want to write cozy mysteries. The thing that makes a mystery “cozy” is a loveable cast . The elements that makes a mystery good are intrigue, action and drama. If you want to add a romance into the mix then it is IMPERATIVE that the characters be likeable and have chemistry . This is a series that has all of that! Everything about this series is done beautifully and to perfection. Normally when I am reading ( I am OCD) I am constantly looking at ways to make the story better. I would change this ,or I would change that. My favorite reading times are when I can completely relax and enjoy the story because there is NOTHING I would change. This is that kind of series. From the first page of book one until the last page of what I believe is now book 7. I have been absolutely and completely entertained.
Kudos!
This is not only a must read series ,but, like I said before should be required before an author is allowed to start writing a “cozy “.
Kudos!
This is not only a must read series ,but, like I said before should be required before an author is allowed to start writing a “cozy “.
January 9, 2014
All the work set to go on the next makeover is put on hold following a storm and a dead body is found when cleaning up an uprooted tree. It seems that the murder is solved until a second person is murdered and others injured. Nina, along with her husband and her cousin, Ana, investigate to find the real murderer. Nina is smart and likable amateur sleuth. The relationships between the characters are believable with conflicts and secrets. Nina seems to think there is something very familiar about the coroner, yet another mystery that she has to figure out as well.
Although this is the latest in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Webber spins a good tale with strong and interesting characters so I strongly recommend you start at the beginning (A Hoe Lot of Trouble) and read the others in the series first.
This review was posted on my blog at christanardi.blogspot.com
Although this is the latest in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Webber spins a good tale with strong and interesting characters so I strongly recommend you start at the beginning (A Hoe Lot of Trouble) and read the others in the series first.
This review was posted on my blog at christanardi.blogspot.com
April 25, 2013
I read all of the Nina Quinn series years ago and was a little sad when Heather Webber (Blake) abandoned Nina to write other series. Even though I love all of Heather's characters, Nina was my favorite. Then, because good things come to those who wait (and stalk on Facebook), a new Nina Quinn showed up available for my Nook.
Nina Quinn is a master gardener who transforms yards while the owners are gone for the day. She hires ex-cons recommended by her parole officer cousin and they are all a loyal family. As a favor to her across the street friends, Nina plans to re-do their backyard until a tree falls down in a storm and a body falls out. Nina is sure that her cop ex-husband has arrested the wrong person and sets out to figure out the mystery.
I recommend that you read all of this series in order. The characters are just that, characters and the mysteries are not that easy to solve.
Nina Quinn is a master gardener who transforms yards while the owners are gone for the day. She hires ex-cons recommended by her parole officer cousin and they are all a loyal family. As a favor to her across the street friends, Nina plans to re-do their backyard until a tree falls down in a storm and a body falls out. Nina is sure that her cop ex-husband has arrested the wrong person and sets out to figure out the mystery.
I recommend that you read all of this series in order. The characters are just that, characters and the mysteries are not that easy to solve.
October 9, 2023
Loved it. It fits all my needs as a reader of cozy mysteries. I enjoyed the first Nina Quinn book although I did not love, but it had something that brought me back to the series and I am glad that it did.
For me relationships and humor are key to enjoyment even more than a well-developed mystery. This book had it all. I wasn't sure that had I figured out the person responsible for the murder figured out before Nina got it, and I couldn't get it all worked out until she gave it to me.
It would be so easy for these books to tip from humorous to silly, but Webber knows her characters and leaves me laughing without cringing. Some silliness can work, but it really has to fit for me to enjoy it. I found myself reading the series out of order, and this was not a good series to make that choice, but I am willing to go back and catch up. That alone speaks well for the writing.
For me relationships and humor are key to enjoyment even more than a well-developed mystery. This book had it all. I wasn't sure that had I figured out the person responsible for the murder figured out before Nina got it, and I couldn't get it all worked out until she gave it to me.
It would be so easy for these books to tip from humorous to silly, but Webber knows her characters and leaves me laughing without cringing. Some silliness can work, but it really has to fit for me to enjoy it. I found myself reading the series out of order, and this was not a good series to make that choice, but I am willing to go back and catch up. That alone speaks well for the writing.
November 6, 2013
This has always been a favorite series of mine but, by far, this particular book is my favorite. And I can honestly say I've never loved an ending as much as I did the final chapter of The Root of All Trouble. This author has always given us terrific stories and great conclusions that not only wrap up the current threads with a satisfying air, but also give an inkling to the threads to come. This book is no different--just better. The baddie was as sympathetic as villainous, the baddie's co-conspirator is hiss-worthy once the denouement occurs, and Nina Bo-bina and company get our resounding cheers and smiles (and tears that the final page is once again here). I want a new Nina Quinn every week!
Usually I wait for print copies to come out, but this time I couldn't and bought the Kindle copy that came out early. I'm glad I did.
Usually I wait for print copies to come out, but this time I couldn't and bought the Kindle copy that came out early. I'm glad I did.
November 18, 2024
When a spring storm rolls through Freedom, Ohio, landscape designer Nina Quinn expects to get her hands dirty with the mess left behind.
But after high winds uproot a tree, revealing the corpse of a man inside its rotted hollow, Nina quickly realizes that cleaning up after Mother Nature’s fury is the least of her worries.
It soon becomes clear that there is no lack of suspects in the man’s untimely death. As a shady contractor and philanderer, he’d angered a lot of people before he disappeared, including some of Nina’s closest friends.
With the help of her police detective ex-husband, a mysterious coroner’s investigator, her formerly-felonious employees and her zany neighbors, Nina sets out to uncover a killer...before another victim ends up planted six feet under.
But after high winds uproot a tree, revealing the corpse of a man inside its rotted hollow, Nina quickly realizes that cleaning up after Mother Nature’s fury is the least of her worries.
It soon becomes clear that there is no lack of suspects in the man’s untimely death. As a shady contractor and philanderer, he’d angered a lot of people before he disappeared, including some of Nina’s closest friends.
With the help of her police detective ex-husband, a mysterious coroner’s investigator, her formerly-felonious employees and her zany neighbors, Nina sets out to uncover a killer...before another victim ends up planted six feet under.
April 18, 2015
I totally love the Nina Quinn series. First came Lucy, then Nina...
I read the whole series and I love all the characters and events. I realized I like Kevin with Nina as well and that is so strange. Recently I reread the first book and I really disliked Kevin. He cheated on Nina with his colleague and it was not just a one time thing. He actually moved in with Ginger. I thought he could never be redeemed. But now I am really starting to feel different about him.
I don't know how Heather did that. Cheating is something that is so difficult to overcome in a marriage. How can you ever trust someone again?
And I noticed Seth might be someone of importance to Nina. I am so looking forward to the next book. And I hope Nina will be pregnant soon! :-)
I read the whole series and I love all the characters and events. I realized I like Kevin with Nina as well and that is so strange. Recently I reread the first book and I really disliked Kevin. He cheated on Nina with his colleague and it was not just a one time thing. He actually moved in with Ginger. I thought he could never be redeemed. But now I am really starting to feel different about him.
I don't know how Heather did that. Cheating is something that is so difficult to overcome in a marriage. How can you ever trust someone again?
And I noticed Seth might be someone of importance to Nina. I am so looking forward to the next book. And I hope Nina will be pregnant soon! :-)
April 24, 2013
Nina Quinn is one of my favorite characters and I love this series. The only problem with this latest addition is that it is too short. It is fun and the mystery keeps you guessing. If you haven’t read any books in this series I would highly recommend that you start with the first one (A Hole Lot of Trouble) and make you way through to this one. You won’t be disappointed, and if you have an e-reader they are priced just right. Heather Webber has a way with words and she draws you into her stories, leaving you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next installment of Nina Quinn.
May 10, 2013
I loved this book, especially when they found the body after the tree had blown down. Her employees, her neighbors and her friends are outstanding and interesting. Never know what is going to happen or how they are going to react. And Kevin (Dectective Kevin Quinn) is just yummmmm! And in this one her sister is pregnant which is a whole new set of problems. Her old friend that for the past 20 years she has thought was dead is the new coronor. Nine is under just a bit of stress and she might be just a bit cranky. Now Kevin is moving in next door, with Riley, I cannot wait for the next book!
May 22, 2013
Another fabulous story by Heather Webber. I waited anxiously for The Root of all Trouble to be released and now I am anxiously waiting on the next one! Heather's Nina Quinn series is one of my favorites and I hope she keeps writing more of them. The characters are funny, lovable and truly feel like they are my friends and family.
May 23, 2013
Imagine my surprise when I found out there was a new Nina Quinn book! For some reason I thought the series was over...I was so happy! And this book did not disappoint! I love the entire series, and I loved finding out what all the characters were up to now. A sweet cozy mystery with real love able characters. Can't wait for the next one...
July 9, 2014
I loved this book. Maybe more than some of the others. It really stayed with me. I loved the high emotions in this book. It kinda shocks me but i think i loved Kevin best in this book. He was so all American male complected. I'm excited to see where this next book will take us. I <3 the new neighbor!
February 26, 2015
First...this is definitely my fave book. WHY is it the last one?! The mystery was really solid and the drama kept me from putting the book down. And although my moral compass wants me to dislike Kevin, I can't. He's great and he messed up...but you know, 'second chances.' I just need to know what happens; an epilogue of sorts. I just want something! I may have to write a letter...
June 29, 2013
This was a great read. Perfect blend of mystery, humor and romance. The characters are well developed and the story flows at a good pace. The Nina Quinn series gives me such a sense of comfort and never disappoints.
May 3, 2013
I really enjoy this series and this was a very good addition. The actual murder mystery was good (I didn't guess the twists to the murder) and all the relationships between the characters were excellent. Fun easy read.
June 3, 2013
My last Heather Webber book!!! Push your agenda on someone else! I read the 6 other Nina Quinn books and most of the Lucy Valentine. This story was about her homosexual neighbors and their love problems more than the mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews