Bound in Botany: Some Roots Tangle in the Shadows (Root & Vein Trilogy, Part II)
Author: A.M. Walker
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
Synopsis
Still grieving the loss of her brother, Monica refuses to accept that everything happened the way people claim it did.
When she discovers the notes Matt left behind, filled with observations and growing suspicions about Emily, she becomes convinced there's far more to the story than anyone realizes.
Determined to uncover the truth, Monica begins her own investigation, one that unexpectedly leads her to Miss Volkova. As the older woman encourages Monica to sharpen her instincts and trust her doubts, the line between determination and obsession begins to blur.
The closer Monica gets to the answers she's searching for, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
My Thoughts
After finishing Rooted in Silence, I was curious to see where the story would go next, and I actually think I enjoyed this installment a little more.
This time, the focus shifts to Monica as she struggles to come to terms with her brother Matt's death. Unable to accept everything at face value, she begins reading through the notes he left behind, notes documenting his growing suspicions about Emily.
Convinced there are still unanswered questions, Monica decides to investigate for herself.
I really enjoyed the change in perspective.
Following Monica as she slowly pieces together the mystery gave the story a different feel from the first book, and I found her investigation engaging from beginning to end. I also liked watching her develop an unexpected friendship with Miss Volkova, who continues to be one of the most intriguing characters in the series.
She has a quiet, mysterious presence that makes every scene she's in just a little more interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her encourage Monica to trust her instincts instead of accepting the obvious explanation.
That said, I still found myself struggling with the characters' motivations.
As Monica becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth, her actions gradually shift into obsession. While I understood the direction the author was taking, I personally had a difficult time fully connecting with some of the choices she made.
Just like in the first book, I found myself wishing for a stronger psychological foundation behind those decisions. I think that would have made the tension feel even more convincing and the emotional impact even greater.
Final Thoughts
Bound in Botany is an enjoyable continuation of the Root & Vein Trilogy that expands the mystery while introducing a new perspective through Monica's investigation.
Although I still struggled with some of the characters' motivations, I found the mystery compelling enough to keep reading, and I have to admit...
The opening pages of Book Three were more than enough to make me want to find out how this trilogy ends.
⭐️ 3 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to A.M. Walker for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
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