THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CUCUMBER TREE - Susan Wittig Albert

From Publisher's Weekly: A small Southern town blooms into life in Albert's nostalgic first in a new Depression-era mystery series. Darling, Ala., is in the midst of financial upheaval surrounding the Darling Savings and Trust, though the ladies of the Darling Dahlias Garden Club are still excited about their clubhouse, an old estate recently inherited from Mrs. Dahlia Blackstone, whose garden includes a possibly haunted cucumber tree, which might shelter a buried treasure. Also distracting the members--especially widow and probate clerk Verna Tidwell; legal secretary and freelance journalist Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lacy, and Mayor Jed Taylor's wife, Ophelia Snow--are a prison break and the disappearance of drugstore clerk Eva Louise "Bunny" Scott, the town tart. After Bunny turns up dead in a wrecked stolen van, the ladies investigate. Veteran Albert (Holly Blues) combines great period detail with surefooted sleuthing that should satisfy fans and attract new ones.

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I listen to audiobooks on a daily basis since I keep one going in the car at all times for my commute and alone errands. I haven't felt like reviewing most of them for a long while, but DARLING DAHLIAS changes that.

I love Susan Wittig Albert's 'China Bayles' series. I've read or listened to most of the series and always have a good time with the folks in Pecan Springs.

Now I get to look forward to spending time with the folks in Darling, Alabama in the 1930's. The Dahlias are a group of ladies who spend time together as a gardening club. Times are tough, but the ladies still enjoy their time and activities.

There are also mysteries aplenty to be solved. Two convicts have escaped the local prison farm, money has gone missing in the town's bank, a woman has been found dead. All of the mysteries make sense, the ladies getting involved in the mysteries are written well, and I found myself intrigued with each character. There are sweet ladies, nice ladies, peppery ladies, ornery independent ladies....all neat to spend time with. That's a good story. And I can highly recommend it.

Five sparkly looking forward to more Darling Dahlias diamonds....

THE TALE OF HOLLY HOW: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter - Susan Wittig Albert, narr Virginia Leishman

From the back of the BOCD: Nationally best-selling author Susan Wittig-Albert delivers her second cozy starring iconic author Beatrix Potter. A clever blend of fact and fiction, THE TALE OF HOLLY HOW brings the endearing, sweet-as-pie children's novelist to life as she helps local law enforcement solve a murder in 1906 England.

Doing her best to move forward after the death of her fiance, Beatrix heads for Holly How farm to visit her herd of Herdwick sheep. But the serenity of the countryside is shattered when she discovers the shepherd has apparently fallen off a cliff to his death. When the evidence of foul play surfaces, Beatrix, justice of the peace Miles Woodcock, and solicitor William Heelis---aided by a gang of furry friends--launch their investigation.

This critically acclaimed tale is a delightful follow-up to THE TALE OF HILL TOP FARM. Any mystery lover or Potter fan will be thorougly entertained by Virginia Leishman's captivating narration.

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Oh boy, how I love this series. It is such a gentle, charming, wonderfully written mystery series. Just a wee bit of fantasy since the animals talk amongst themselves and the reader is in on the conversations and their own investigation.

There are two mysteries going on in the book, each is resolved nicely. I kind of had an idea on whodunnit on one mystery, but I kept reading as the story is just so wonderfully told. And there was the other mystery going on and I didn't figure it out.

I am looking forward to the next in the series, THE TALE OF HAWTHORNE HOUSE, when it comes up either on Mt Git'r'Read or RecordedBooks. Ideally, I'll listen to as many as I can, especially if Virginia Leishman continues to narrate. She has a lovely voice and is perfect for the voice of Beatrix and all of the characters.

Five English countryside beans.....

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.....

THE TALE OF HILL TOP FARM: THE COTTAGE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER Book 1 - Susan Wittig Albert

I am once again very happy to have read a book that is the start of a series. I already love reading Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series. I like learning about herbal lore and gardening along with the mystery.
In THE TALE OF HILL TOP FARM, the reader sees life in a small village in the Lake District through the eyes of the villagers, Beatrix Potter and, my favorite, the animals who live there. There are Miss Potter's pet hedgehog, rabbits, and a mouse; as well as the village cats and dogs, owls, rats, mice and frogs. Almost all have appeared in Miss Potter's children's books as she recollected from previous visits to the Lake District with her family.
The book is a cozy in the gentlest of ways. There is a death and there are mysteries to solve, but all of that is background to the story of the villagers and the countryside.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Four comfy beans.

DEAD MAN'S BONES - Susan Wittig Albert

DEAD MAN'S BONES is one of the lighter of Albert's herbal cozy series. Yes, there is a murder or two both in the past and present, but there is banter in this one and that is not usually in her books as a rule. I liked it, but it took me a bit to get used to it.
China's stepson is working in a cave outside of town. It is an archeological dig, but he finds less than ancient bones in the cave. Who do they belong to?
There is also the town's new theater to christen with a play written by the donor of the building and the $$ to refurbish the much needed play arena. There are hoops to jump, of course. The building used to be the horse stables on the land of the richest woman in town. She is also the meanest, so the hoops and conditions are many and frequent and irritating to say the least.
Then there are the dead bodies and the characters who populate Pecan Springs, Texas. Not all are who they appear to be and the questions don't all get answered, so there is definite reason to continue the series.
Three beans....

So next up....

I began THYME OF DEATH - Susan Wittig Albert as my next purse book. It's for First in Series Challenge, What's in a Name Challenge and should fit the A-Z Challenge as well.
Next audiobook for the car is CIRCLE OF QUILTERS - Jennifer Chiaverini. I love this Elm Creek series. This one is just right after the fun with Dexter. Mellow and soothing with a hint of mystery.
I may take THYME OF DEATH up with me as a bedside book as well as the purse book and maybe I can finish one more for the month of January.