WORMWOOD: China Bayles #17 - Susan Wittig Albert, narr Julia Gibson, Linda Stephens, Ed Sala

From the back of the BOCD: Susan Wittig Albert has won critical acclaim and a devoted following for her China Bayles mysteries starring a beloved herb shop and tearoom owner. In WORMWOOD, Shaker traditions mingle with murder in a case requiring all the wits the author's plucky heroine can muster.

A Kentucky Shaker village seems just the place for China to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. And getting a chance to assist with a local herbal workshop is exactly the kind of thing China relishes. Meeting with the kindly villagers, China might rightly suspect that her peaceful surroundings would be the last place on Earth to happen upon violence. But when a death occurs, China's only chance to solve the crime may lie in the history of the village.

Albert succeeds magnificently with a tale China's fans are sure to eagerly devour. Narrators Julia Gibson, Linda Stephens, and Ed Sala give voice to the author's heroine with a narration of the highest quality.

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This is one of the amateur sleuth series that I never tire and have never been disappointed. China is resourceful and smart. Each time I read one of this series, I want to go live in the part of Texas where Pecan Springs is located. I want to grow more herbs and raise goats and spin yarn and..and..and....well, you get the idea.

This story doesn't take place in Pecan Springs, rather China goes to Kentucky to a Shaker village of Mount Zion to help a friend conduct some herbal workshops and maybe help solve some issues that seem to be occurring. The problems of the present seem to be intertwined with those of the past of the Shaker village.

There is plenty of herbal lore to keep the fans of the series happy and the mysteries (past and present) are presented in a superb manner as we've come to expect from Susan Wittig Albert.

This is the first I've listened to or read of the series that is told by multiple voices and takes place in the past as well as the present. Julia Gibson is perfect for China and the present and Linda Stephens and Ed Sala are the epitome of the Shaker past.

Multiple past and present Shaker sparkly diamonds.....

A DILLY OF A DEATH: A China Bayles Mystery - Susan Wittig Albert

From the back of the book: In her latest mystery, A DILLY OF A DEATH, national bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert has crafted "more than just a whodunit...readers will relish this more-sweet-than-sour adventure." (Booklist) Lawyer-turned-herbalist China Bayles becomes immersed in a local mystery -- and to find clues, she'll have to scrape the bottom of the pickle barrel.....

China Bayles is in a pickle. The daughter of her best friend Ruby has turned up on her doorstep, pregnant and in need of a place to live. And her otherwise sensible husband McQuaid has announced that he's bored with teaching--he wants to try his hand as a private eye. His first client is Phoebe the Pickle Queen, owner of the biggest little pickle business in Texas. According to Phoebe, her plant manager is embezzling, and she wants McQuaid to "follow the money." Meanwhile, Pecan Springs is hosting the annual Pickelefest--and this year, China and Ruby are on the planning committee, along with Phoebe. But just days before the festival starts, the Pickle Queen disappears. Some say she sold her business and split; others think the answer may lie with her missing boyfriend. It's up to McQuaid and China to search for the Pickle Queen--and for clues in a case that promises to leave a very sour taste.

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I know when I pick up one of the China Bayles mysteries, I am going to be in for a very good story, superbly drawn characters and very intriguing mystery. I was very pleased with my choice of picking this one up at the time I did. I needed a cozy mystery during the crazy holiday season that begins to pick up in November and this was the perfect choice. I say cozy only in that it fits the requisite not a crime solver lead character who solves the mystery. China Bayles mysteries are grittier than most cozies, so maybe we should add the label of amateur sleuth.

I love learning as I go of the herbal lore that Susan Wittig Albert puts in each book. Ruby is my favorite character due to her off the wall, yet fairly focused outlook on life. I felt for her in this book since her recently turned up daughter, Amy, who she gave up for adoption when Ruby was young, is herself now pregnant and Ruby is trying to instill her thoughts on Amy. Amy is rebelling and Ruby is beside herself. China is trying to help as a best friend should, but Ruby is hesitant to take the help since China has never been in her child-bearing shoes.

The mystery of the disappearing Pickle Queen is part of the book, the rest is the ongoing dynamics of the rest of the characters. And the herbal lore I love.

Four pickled beans.....

CHILE DEATH - Susan Wittig Albert

From the back of the book: China Bayles is looking forward to the annual chili cook-off in Pecan Springs. And when the event arrives, she takes along her fiance, giving both of them a nice break from China's visiting (i.e. meddling ) mother. But then cook-off judge Jerry Jeff Cody dies of allergic reaction --to a peanut. Everyone knows peanuts don't belong in a bowl of Texas chili...and China knows something suspicious is afoot. Now, with rumors flying about foul play--and whispered stories about Jerry Jeff's womanizing ways--things are heating up all over.....

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Just when I think I've read my favorite China Bayles mystery, I read one more that is just about perfect to take its place...INDIGO DYING is going to be my favorite for a little while longer, but this one is a very close second. I always learn a ton of fab info from this series and this one was all about chiles in all forms, hot icing on the mystery that keeps the reader guessing throughout. China admits her foibles and her strengths. I like how human she is. I love the relationship between China and McQuaid, it's like a real couple with arguments and love and friendship.

Ruby is my favorite character, still. She is who I want to be when I grow up....she's colorful, smart, and funny.

Five smokin' hot beans.....

INDIGO DYING: A China Bayles Mystery - Susan Wittig Albert

Really having a banner five bean book reading time of it lately. Susan Wittig Albert is always a win and INDIGO DYING is now my most favorite of the China Bayles series. I keep her books on my shelf as a treasured sweet. Along with a fab mystery to enjoy, I learn something new in herbal lore.
This weekend is the Colors to Dye For workshop and art fair in Indigo. China and her friend Ruby will be staying with their friend, Allie, who raises angora goats, cards and spins her own wool and then dyes and creates weavings.
China and Ruby are on their way to the small (read VERY small) town of Indigo where Allie lives. It was once a ghost town that is being brought back to life with a passionate cadre of artists.
There is one person standing in the way of the thriving of the town, Casey Ford. He has lived in (and owns most of) the town forever and has decided to sell his mining rights. Once he signs the rights, the town will be plowed under. Casey hasn't made any friends in the past and definitely hasn't with this bombshell. When Casey winds up dead from a shotgun blast and no one is coming forward to help find the killer. China and Ruby take on the task and find the town full of dark secrets.

Five indigo blue beans......

And the bookmark.....