Wormwood (China Bayles Mystery)

Product Details

• ISBN13: 9780425233863
• Influence: New
• Notes: BUY WITH Assurance, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and armed forces to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

Evil can worm its way into the purest of hearts...

China Bayles needs rest, and a historic Shaker village in Kentucky seems the ideal place for it. There she can learn about the intriguing, dwindling Shaker culture and its medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, the village is plagued with misfortune and strife. China wonders if, with the help of some age-old journals full of scandal, she can get to the bottom of it. But after a shocking death occurs during her stay, China will plunge into the archives of another time to connect the sins of the past with a modern-day murder.

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Customer Reviews

A wonderful book
I have read all the books in the China Bayles series, and think this is one of the best. I really enjoyed learning about the "Shakers." Ms Albert's style of going from the past to the present was done very well and added a lot to the story. I certainly recommend this book.

2010-05-06 (Pacific Northwest) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Mystery story and Shaker history
I really enjoy anything written by Susan Wittig Albert. This book only gets 4 stars because China is on a road trip with a friend to a retreat center at an historic Shaker village. I prefer when China is solving mysteries at home in Pecan Springs, with her family and friends we have grown to love and know so well. The novel has a mystery that took me a while to figure out; there is also a history lesson about how the Shakers lived, I enjoyed this and learned a lot. And there is a mystery from the Shaker time, the resolution of that was surprising to me. The author has an email newsletter that has fun facts about herbs and lots of interesting information, if you really enjoy her writing, take a minute to go to her website and sign up.

2010-04-25 | Survivor Fan (Richmond VA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Road trip for China
#17 China Bayles "herbal" mystery, generally set in Texas, but in this book is set in Mt. Zion, KY where China travels with old friend Martha to assist her doing herbal workshops at an old Shaker museum. Or at least that's what China thinks--on the drive there, Martha confesses that she has ulterior motives in asking China along, that there are some problems with the way the Shaker village museum is being run. Martha has ties to the old Shaker village as her Aunt Charity was a Sister in that community for many years, having left abruptly in 1912, not long before it closed down. Martha's also curious about why her aunt departed so suddenly, since she never mentioned anything about it to her family.

She figures that China's cover as an herbalist will work well, even as China the lawyer digs around in the paperwork to find out what is happening legally with Mt. Zion. Since they are well on their way when Martha springs this on her, she reluctantly agrees although she was loathe to leave home for two weeks, with a lot of turmoil there as well. The story is actually two mysteries, one back in 1912 within the Shaker community, the other in modern times, and the narrative of the book goes back and forth between the two.

While I knew a little bit about the Shakers, I found this a fascinating look at their culture and what life was like in one of their communities--certainly not all tranquil bliss like the image they projected! The mysteries themselves were rather easy to work out, but I enjoyed the two storylines entwining, and definitely liked this much better than the last book in the series which was told partly from China's husband McQuaid's point of view. The only thing really missing was China's usual setting back at her herb shop and all her friends and family there--that's two books in a row now where there has not been nearly enough of Ruby, Cass, Brian and his menagerie and the rest of the gang, and I really do hope they are back in the upcoming Holly Blues!

2009-12-25 | Spuddie (Minneapolis, MN, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Where's the mystery?
Love the series but not this book. Sure Pecan Springs is the town I wish I lived in. But Albert showed us in "Bloodroot" that China Bayles can mix herbs and mystery out of PS (and blend some history in for good measure). "Wormwood" has 2 thoroughly predictable "mysteries," herbs definitely take backstage (good grief, her friend even makes the same lunch she served back in "Bloodroot"), and a quite contrived plot device to bring China out of PS and into KY. Also the turn-about in the character of her friend Ms. Edmunds was so drastic. In "Bloodroot," you have a calm and intelligent older woman (same age as China's mother); in "Wormwood" you have someone who acts like she's a few fries short of a full pack herself. Whenever one character said, "Do the [obvious thing that needs to be done]" and the other character says, "Good idea!" I just cringed. And since when did China become a mealy-mouthed little miss with a sheriff? Where's the China of "Mistletoe Man?" I'll keep reading the series; I've read the first chapter of the new book from the website and it already sounds a lot better than Wormwood.

2009-11-02 | BB (NJ, USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 2

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Visit a Shaker Village
"The Wormwoods...belong to the genus Artemesia, a group consisting of 180 species...is remarkable for the extreme bitterness of all parts of the plant." (ref. A Modern Herbal, 1931 by Mrs. M. Griev) The book, Wormwood, by Susan Wittig Albert, may be somewhat of a departure from the normal China Bayles mystery, but it is definitely not bitter in any of its parts as we savor this herbal mystery like a finely brewed cup of tea.

The past few weeks have taken a toll on China; first the discovery of a half-brother she hadn't know about, and then his subsequent tragic murder. (See Nightshade) She is beyond frazzled and as Cass, her business partner and friend puts it, "..the rest of us agree that you have become increasingly egotistical, arrogant, and overbearing, and that you need some time off to regain your humility and sweetness of spirit." Now China is going off on a two week jaunt to visit an historic Shaker Village and teach herbal lore with a friend of her mother's named Martha, whom she met while helping her mother with Aunt Tullie in Jordan's Crossing, Mississippi (see Bloodroot). Little does China know that the easy, relaxing getaway she has planned will turn into another action packed murder mystery that she will be asked to investigate.

Over the years, the character of our heroine has evolved so that a foray on her own without the usual cohorts will show us that a troupe of new characters make for an exciting twist in Albert's writing. Interspersed within the tale are flashes from the lives and journal excerpts of the Shakers who lived at (fictional) Mount Zion, Kentucky. Rich with herbal lore and history, Wormwood gives us a glimpse of Shaker communities that were outwardly portrayed as peaceful, almost like a Garden of Eden. With the finesse of a master composer, Albert has her character plunge into the troubled history of the colony to connect the current day problems with the misdeeds of the past.

Herb fanciers will love the lore and recipes included within the story and followers of the China Bayles series will enjoy a refreshing sojourn into another aspect of her character while meeting new friends that we hope will return to visit in Pecan Springs.

by Rhonda Esakov
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

2009-09-01 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (Darling Dahlias Mysteries)

Product Details

• Notes: BUY WITH Aplomb, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and navy to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Inure: New
• ISBN13: 9780425234457

Description

The country may be struggling through the Great Depression, but the good ladies of Darling, Alabama, are determined to keep their chins up and their town beautiful. Their garden club, the Darling Dahlias, has just inherited a new clubhouse and garden, complete with two beautiful cucumber trees in full bloom.

But life in Darling is not all garden parties and rosemary lemonade.

When local blond bombshell Bunny Scott is found in a suspicious car wreck, the Dahlias decide to dig into the town's buried secrets, and club members Lizzy, Ophelia, and Verna soon find leads sprouting up faster than weeds. The town is all abuzz with news of an escaped convict from the prison farm, rumors of trouble at the bank, and tales of a ghost heard digging around the cucumber tree. If anyone can get to the root of these mysteries, it's the Darling Dahlias.

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Customer Reviews

A Darling Mystery
The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree is a delightful read. Set in the small, fictional town of Darling, Alabama in 1930, it easily draws one into the tone and feeling of the time. Four women of the Darling Dahlias gardening club are drawn together beyond their love of horticulture. They have no idea how to untangle perplexing situations and must discover how to work together to make sure justice is served. As their stories unfold, we become ensconced in the styles and mindset of life in the South during the Depression, including clothing, furnishings, prices and economic challenges. We get a glimpse of women's relationships and roles at work, in their families, and with each other. There are even gardening tips and recipes true to the period. All of which combine seamlessly to entwine rich, well-developed stories, all satisfyingly resolved in the end. I appreciate the research that had to have occurred in order to so fully create the world of 1930 Darling. I look forward to revisiting the period and its inhabitants in future books in this wonderful new series.

2010-08-18 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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I Have a Cucumber Tree in My Yard.
I have a cucumber tree in my yard, but it is a baby compared to the trees in Susan Wittig Albert's THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CUCUMBER TREE. This is a charming cozy mystery for anyone who's tried of noir or thriller mystery titles that feature battered corpses and degenerate murderers.
The way the garden club of Darling, Alabama pull together to endure the trials of widowhood and the Great Depression is a wonderful lesson for our present circumstances.
The characters are vivid personages you will find in any small community. Murder is murder; the guilty must be discovered and the innocent must be vindicated.
A great summer after treat.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

2010-08-12 | Troubadour (Jamestown, KY) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Darling Dahlia's
I really didn't enjoy this book at all! I kept waiting for it to get better but it didn't happen! I've read other books by this author and have enjoyed all of them. I was expecting more story and more plot. It just wasn't there.

2010-08-09 | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 1

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Light reading, nice introduction to a new series
This easy-to-read book is set in a small Alabama town in 1930. The protagonists are a group of women who belong to a garden club in their town. These diverse women are also friends. The first in a new series by this author, the book involves several different mysteries which are treated in a light manner and solved by the end. The interactions of the garden club members among themselves and with other town people give the readers an introduction to their character, their position in the town, their personalities, and their morals. We get to see a nice slice of life in a small southern town the year after the 1929 financial crash. It's interesting to learn the prices of some grocery and other items, club dues, the cost of housing, as well as the cost of other things at that time. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will continue to read the series as the author releases the books.

2010-08-09 (Connecticut) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4

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Wonderful read!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Different from so many of the mysteries on the market. I hope there will be many more in this series.

2010-07-27 | Book Lover (Colorado) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Spanish Dagger (China Bayles Mystery)

Product Details

• Notes: BUY WITH Self-confidence, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and putting into play to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Condition: New
• ISBN13: 9780425220887

Description

While harvesting yucca plants to make paper, China Bayles finds a body-cause of death: unknown. It seems that the simple lives of many residents of Pecan Springs hide complex and dangerous pasts. And now, while also unraveling secrets that hit close to home, China must set the record straight- and find a killer.

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Customer Reviews

i wish i could give more than 5 stars
this is best yet of all the great China Bayles series of books!

i actually gasped at one point - i have never done that before when reading.

the plot and the many subplots are riveting.

i can't wait to read Nightshade.

2010-08-02 (Van Nuys, CA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Another Clever Herbal Mystery
China Bayles is back with another murder mystery on her hands. As she is helping her friend Carole gather yucca leaves for a papermaking workshop, she discovers the body of Ruby's ex-boyfriend, Colin. Ruby, in the meantime, is out of town dealing with her elderly mother as she tries to get her into a nursing home.

As if all that was not enough, China's newly found half-brother wants to find out what really happened when their father drove off a bridge to his death sixteen years before. While China wants nothing to do with this situation, her retired cop husband, now a PI, decides to investigate.

Author Susan Wittig Albert deftly weaves the several storylines together for a solid tale of misguided love and betrayal. How she comes to find out who killed Colin and why is, of course, at the root of Spanish Dagger. While I have read this series from the beginning, I am just now catching up with the latter books. It seems each book was written with more depth and deeper characteriation than earlier books.

Every time I open another China Bayles mystery, I feel like I am returning to old stomping grounds and catching up on what has been going on in my absence. As usual, China and her family and friends keep things interesting in Pecan Springs, Texas.

If you love a good mystery but haven't yet read any of the China Bayles series, you can jump in anywhere. Each book stands alone while you can also go back to the beginning and get the deeper background of her family and relationships. Either way, you will be rewarded with another great mystery.

Spanish Dagger (China Bayles Mystery)

2010-07-03 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4

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Herbal adventure
Spanish dagger is yet another great read from China Bayles, her adventurers in a Texas town full of high adventurers and dangers. Albert is one of my long time favorites, All of her books I wold recommend in a heart beat. Her recipes at the back of all her books are mentioned in the book and are normally a great recipe.
Recommend this book 5 stars

2010-05-23 | Sierras Creative World (Over the Rainbow .. far away) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Spanish Daggar
As with all the China Bayles mysteries, I read almost nonstop. I am originally from Texas, the San Antonio area, and I find all references to the area endearing. Wish there was a Pecan Springs, I wouldn't mind living there.

2010-04-29 (Albuquerque, NM USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Check your credulity at the door
This book is only worth two stars since it was checked out from the local library and the cost of it didn't factor into the equation. No doubt it will attract prior devotees of the China Bayles series who perhaps will believe anything this character does, no matter how unlikely it would be for a former defense attorney to do it. Since this was my first exposure to China, I wasn't as forgiving. It will also attract anyone with an interest in the Southwest or botany with its tidbits of plant lore for local color, and devotees of Southwest cooking will appreciate the recipes.

However, if one has any knowledge of law enforcement and investigation, especially in the southern parts of our border states where drug interdiction is an everyday item on the local news, a major point in the main plot line just won't wash and makes the whole story seem just, well, poorly conceived. The author asks the reader not only to believe a police chief nicknamed Smart Cookie, but to swallow the idea that a drug-sniffing dog at Cookie's police roadblock in central Texas, sans his trained handler who is unfortunately dead, will easily alert to what his counterparts at the federal inspection stations located on every major highway heading north from the Rio Grande Valley, and at the border crossing stations themselves, missed. Please.

Then there's the matter of the lengthy discussion of the forfeiture laws to inform her friend Ruby (and the reader) about governmental seizure of assets used in the illegal drug trade, but winds up the tale by exaggerating the benefit to local agencies by including the value of the drugs intercepted in the booty. Really, Ms. Albert? Do they sell the drugs at the local flea market?

Maybe the author thinks she's still writing for pre-pubescent girls who are not known for their critical reading skills, but these are important errors which should have been caught by a careful editor or technical advisor. Additionally there is the irritating non-resolution of the second storyline begun about the probable murder of China's father 16 years earlier that left me wondering why it was brought up in the first place. The only logical answer is that it is a crass effort to garner customers for the next book.

2010-03-31 (Harlingen, TX) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Bleeding Hearts (China Bayles Mystery)

Description

When local football coach and hero Tim Duffy is accused of improper behavior, lawyer-turned-herbalist China Bayles investigates, following a trail of obsession and murder that may lead to her own doorstep.

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Customer Reviews

Sensitive Subject Handled Well
Anyone who knows anything about Texas knows how important Friday night football is to each community. Add a highly popular winning coach to the mix and you had better tread lightly before you say anything negative. That is the position China Bayles is in when the principal of the Pecan Springs High School comes to her with rumors of sexual misconduct by the beloved and revered coach.

China quietly begins to investigate the rumors and soon finds herself in a much deeper situation than she could have imagined, up to and including accusations of murder and cover-up. As disgusting and heartbreaking as this case is, China is shocked when it hits closer to home than she ever expected.

Susan Wittig Albert continues to grow as an author with every book she writes in this series. Not only does she choose sensitive subjects, but she writes with much more depth than in her earlier books. She continues to write about herbs and the goings-on at Thyme and Seasons Herb Shop while deftly mixing in the rest of the storyline. In fact, their Party Thyme catering and spin-off The Thymely Gourmet both play a part in the plot.

Albert is adept at intertwining story lines, moving new and recurring characters in and out so that readers can keep up with the storyline while also catching up with old friends.

This particular book will long be remembered for the topic and how well the author was able to make her point in a topic too many want to dismiss. This is a must read whether you are a China Bayles fan or not.

Bleeding Hearts (China Bayles Mystery)

2010-07-03 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Excellent novel, innovative, entertaining, interesting
The great thing about BLEEDING HEARTS is that Albert is really expanding her series to new levels. As with every book she tries something new without alienating readers who like China Bayles, Ruby Wilcox and the rest of the gang in Pecan Springs. But although this is an entertaining read, Albert does not view small town life through rose-colored lenses. BLEEDING HEARTS gets to the heart of some deeply disturbing questions that many small towns must face. Further, Albert introduces an interesting back-story about China's personal family history that she carries through the next two books (SPANISH DAGGER and NIGHTSHADE), making this trilogy-within-a-series a compelling and suspenseful enterprise well worth the time of any reader interested in good mysteries and entertaining literature. Bravo.

2009-11-22 (Michigan and Arkansas, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Interesting twist in the backstory
After an anonymous tip from a mysterious caller, the principal of Pecan Springs High School asks China to investigate the background of the new football coach. In an area where high school Friday night football is held in the highest esteem and a winning coach is a bigger celebrity than the governor, China has to tread softly as the allegations of sexual misconduct start bearing fruit. And it doesn't help matters any for her personally when a long forgotten man from her distant past reappears with news that shakes the very foundation of her life.

I read this book slightly out of order, so a new character almost threw me for a loop, but I'm glad if I had to miss a book in the series, that this one wasn't it. The backstory in any series is just as important if not moreso, IMO, as the quality of the mystery itself, and I really do enjoy these characters. This book throws some changes at China, but I have a hunch it will only serve to make this series richer.

2009-08-06 (Johnston City, IL USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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bleeding hearts
"Bleeding Hearts" is my favorite entry into the China Bayles series. Even though the plot is pretty predictable, I found myself still wanting to read to the end. We even get a few more details regarding the Colin mystery. I appreciate that the author keeps this series fresh by introducing us to new characters such as China's half-brother. "Bleeding Hearts" gives China an interesting new asset to her family.

2008-02-18 | sarahlen1980 (Madison, MS) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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A visit with a friend
Reading another China Bayles mystery is like having a cup of China's lemon-lavender tea with the author and China in Thyme for Tea, the tearoom owned and run by China and her seemingly goofy business partner, Ruby, and listening to another of China's intriguing stories. I've read them all, but one does not have to read from book one, Thyme of Death, to make sense of the herbal mystery series. Susan gives the reader just enough information about China's past in each book to either pique one's interest into reading others or to just read on through. Each book of the series revolves around a particular herb, which is part of the title.

My problem with Susan's books is that once I pick them up, I am useless until I turn the last page. Her China Bayles mysteries portray China and Ruby's maturation processes along with mystery, murder, occasional mayhem, the growth of their Pecan Springs, Texas, enterprises, lotsa herb information, and recipes for a great variety of food. What else would one desire for an afternoon or evening [and into the night]? Perhaps a cup of herbal tea and just a bit of chocolate.

Bleeding Hearts continues Susan's tradition of feeding us an amazing amount of esoteric information about the herbs, this time, Bleeding Hearts. However, the sexual misconduct of an athletic coach forms the basis for this realistic story line. The high school principal approaches China with a request to quietly look into an allegation of misconduct of the highly popular coach of Pecan Springs' winning football team. The background of this tale, more serious than many of the China Bayles series, ultimately concerns China's stepson, his good [girl] friend, the apparent suicide of a young woman attending a local college, and the pressures and secrets of the local high society.

The story line is complex and a surprising delicious read. Not only is the recipe for lemon-lavender tea included, but several others, including a healthy dog biscuit recipe [for the overweight Basset Hound of China's household, Howard Cosell]. Alas, I must wait until next April for the next in the series. Or I could pick up one of Susan's Beatrix Potter mysteries or her Victorian series written with her husband under the name of Robin Paige.

Susan Wittig Albert is a friend as well as an outstanding writer. I may be biased; however, I've read some pretty bad books by other friends.

by Judith Helburn
for Story Circle Book Reviews
www.storycirclebookreviews.org
reviewing books by, for, and about women

2007-12-22 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Holly Blues (China Bayles Mystery)

Product Details

• Notes: BUY WITH Self-assurance, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and marines to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Mould: New
• ISBN13: 9780425232606

Description

"In a class with...sleuths V.I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum," China Bayles deals with a most unwelcome guest...

China Bayles is fit to spit when her husband's troubled ex-wife, Sally, shows up at her herb shop, claiming to be broke with nowhere else to turn. China isn't sure if it's the goodness of her heart or the scent of Christmas wreaths, but she invites Sally to stay.

Then China starts receiving menacing calls from an "ex" of Sally's, who seems to have a connection to the murder of her parents nearly a decade ago. With her P.I. husband out of town, it's up to China to weed out the truth behind whatever it is Sally's running from before danger catches up to all of them....

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Customer Reviews

Avoid the audio version....
#18 in the China Bayles "herb shop" mystery series. Pecan Springs is getting ready for Christmas, and China is glad to see an upswing in business at Thyme & Seasons. The poor economy has hit small businesses hard, especially businesses that sell non-essential items, so belts are beginning to tighten a bit in the McQuaid-Bayles household. They are also adjusting to having China's niece whom she and Mike have adopted since the death of her half-brother. This will be Kate's first Christmas with them, and China wants it to be special.

So obviously when Mike's crazy ex-wife Sally--mother to Brian, his teenage son--shows up at the shop, China's not thrilled. Still, in the spirit of the season, she invites Sally, who is once again down on her luck and in trouble, to stay with them over the holiday--much to McQuaid's displeasure. When China makes the invitation, she doesn't realize just how MUCH trouble Sally is in--but of course she finds out before too long.

I started out listening to the audio version of this book and had to set it aside after about 5 chapters and switch to the print version, which I thankfully had on hand. The reader's voice and reading style just annoyed me, plus her voices were terrible and hard to distinguish one from another. The book takes place in Texas and as far as I remember, most of the main characters are native Texans, and yet Ruby was the only one with even a hint of a Texas accent, and it was so overdone and fake sounding it grated on my nerves. I think my enjoyment of the book was somewhat lessened by remembering that voice even when I switched to print. It was a fairly typical visit to Pecan Springs, and I liked the visit with old friends. I will definitely stick to the print version of this series in future, though!

2010-08-23 | Spuddie (Minneapolis, MN, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Series Going Downhill
I have read all the China Bayles books and always looked forward to them, but the past several have been disappointments, none more so than the latest, Holly Blues. As several other reviewers have noted, it reads as if someone else is doing the writing, and there is certainly a lack of decent editing. Too many inconsistencies, too many stream-of-consciousness thoughts that have nothing to do with the plot, the character development (or lack thereof), or anything relevant or interesting to the reader. There was no mystery...I kept reading to see if there were going to be something unexpected, but there wasn't. And China's ramblings--or inner thought processes--were both repetitive and, quite frankly, inane. I really hate when a previously favorite series goes astray, but I'm afraid that's what has happened here. I may not be visiting Pecan Springs again.

2010-06-20 (Baltimore, MD United States) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 2

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Great!
I truly enjoy this whole series. I eagerly await each new title. This one did not disappoint!

2010-06-06 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Herb Lady again
Years ago when I was really into herbs, growing them, enjoying them I cold not get enough of Susan Wittig Albert. She had her own newsletter full of herbal facts and great stories.
Her books are still a delight although I live in Arizona now and I am limited to a greenhouse herbs. I aways enjoy her books. They follow in line from one book to the others.
If, you could go back to the beginning as her life and books are full of characters who are like your next door neighbor.
A delight and she gives recipes in the back of the book. They are always good ones too!

2010-05-23 | Sierras Creative World (Over the Rainbow .. far away) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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I have the Holly Blues
I own every single one of the China Bayles mysteries, most of them in hard cover. This may be the last one I buy. Why? Because I'm halfway through the book and I have put it aside to read something else. Three China Bayles mysteries ago, I would have read it in one sitting and then been disappointed that there was no more to read.

I thought that Wormwood was a disappointment, but every author is entitled to a miss instead of a hit once in a while. It's not that the mystery in Holly Blues is so lame, or that I object to the different points of view in the novel. I do object to sloppiness. Where did Sally really park her car? In the First Congregational Church parking lot? In the Methodist Church parking lot? Both are mentioned as the location of the missing car, and on the same page, no less. Then there was McQuaid's revelation that when he met China Bayles and she said she was about to give up the law to open an herb shop in Pecan Springs, he immediately decided he would move there. Why then did the previous books usually mention China butting heads with McQuaid when she was a Houston criminal lawyer and he a Houston homicide officer?

The burning question in my mind is, who really wrote this book? It is not up to Susan Albert's standards. Or is the author spreading herself too thin with China, the now-defunct Robin Paige series, the Beatrix Potter series, and the new Darling Dahlias? Is this why China now has an herb shop, a tea room, a catering service, gourmet meal service, and a hard and fast rule that her family all sit down to a home cooked dinner together every evening? (What evening would you be available, China?)

2010-05-20 | haunter of library (Houston, Texas United States) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 3

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The Tale of Oat Cake Crag (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P)

Description

The latest tale in the "charming" (Publishers Weekly) Beatrix Potter series!

In the Lake District, noisy test flights of the new hydroplane are disrupting life in the village of Near Sawrey. Miss Beatrix Potter can barely hear herself think-which she needs to do for the new case she's just taken up. Her friend Grace Lythecoe has been receiving some anonymous letters, threatening her good name.

Now Beatrix must proceed quietly, so as not to arouse village gossip. And while her visit to Near Sawrey has proven to be anything but quiet, there is yet another piece of business for Beatrix to address: that of her own future. When she's offered a second chance at love, she decides that sometimes causing a disturbance can be well worth the trouble.

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