Trouble in Spades: A Nina Quinn Mystery

By Heather Webber

Landscaping is Nina Quinn's business, but trouble seems to be her middle name. Saddled with a recently expelled, faithless local–cop husband, a teenaged terror of a stepson, and the yappiest, most unhousebreakable Chihuahua in captivity, Nina needs a respite –– and the backyard makeover she's undertaking for her sister Maria and Nate, Maria's fiance, may do the trick.

But, of course, Nate vanishes mysteriously, and Nina's gardening magic inadvertently turns up a corpse. And with a thief on the prowl who's preying on the neighborhood elderly, a suspicious Pandora's Box of a package arriving on her doorstep, and yet another body inconveniently turning up, Nina's going to have to dig into her community's dirtiest little secrets to regain her peace and sanity –– if she can manage to stay alive long enough to enjoy it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 17, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061754784

Heather Webber

HEATHER WEBBER is the national bestselling author of more than thirty novels--including Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, the Lucy Valentine novels, and the Nina Quinn Mysteries--and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She loves to spend time with her family, read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, watch cooking competition and home improvement shows, and bake. Heather lives in southwestern Ohio and is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews for Trouble in Spades

[cougargirl1967 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loving this series!

[maref_17 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second installment of the Nina Quinn series brings us more mystery, humor, suspense, and family craziness. The story well paced, the mystery quite satisfying, and the characters just too much fun to miss. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to truly enjoy a romp of a cozy!

[robindejarnett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book introduces Nina's sister Maria - and she's a crack up!More complicated and more suspenseful, I think, this book is a perfect summer read. The switch to Avon was a good one - this book is more polished and complete than the first one (under Harper Collins).Heather Webber does a great job in creating interesting characters - Brickhouse Krause is a kick. Nina's relationship with her ex is aggravating - but probably realistic. He's just a snake...Starting the series from this book is fine - I think it's a better place than where I first took it on (in book 3).

[susiesharp_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This second book starts off right where the first book ended with the impending wedding of Nina's siter Maria,the problems start when the groom goes missing, and the dead bodies start piling up. Of course with dead bodies comes dealing with her cheating ex which leaves Nina feeling a bit out of sorts.This is a fun cozy mystery the supporting charcters are so funny I love her neighbor Mr.Cabera & his girlfriend Brickhouse Krauss, we also get to know more of Nina's family in this one. Nina's sister Maria is a spoled brat and at times will get on your nerves but she also had me laughing alot. I did figure this one out awhile before Nina did but that didn't stop me from enjoying this book and looking forward to the next one.If you like Stephanie Plum or Goldy Schultz you'll enjoy this series.

[helcura_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A disappointment. Weaker than the first book in the series, which wasn't all that strong, this book is tedious. The character of Maria is particularly annoying and the charm that is supposed to make people willing to put up with her whining is not apparent in the story.Webber can have a nice touch with personal relationships, though, and the secondary relationships in the story are interesting. Not really worth reading, unless the secondary character relationships interest you.