Status
Available
Call number
Series
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Collection
Publication
New York : Berkley, c1992.
Description
When ex-lawyer and herb-shop proprietor China Bayles's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide, China looks behind the quaint fa�ade of her new home of Pecan Springs, Texas, and takes a suspicious look at everyone. And though she finds lots of friendly faces, China is sure that one of them hides the heart of a killer. Nominated for both an Agatha and an Anthony Award, Susan Wittig Albert's novels featuring China Bayles have won acclaim for their rich characterization and witty, suspenseful stories of crime and passion in small-town Texas.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Clara53
Very readable mystery, the first in the series, with mostly unpredictable twists and turns. What made me relate to it even more was the fact that the mystery takes place in the area close to which I recently moved (a Librarything friend suggested this author having learned of my new location, and I
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am glad she did). The protagonist, China Bayles, having gotten tired of being a high-shot lawyer in a big city, settles down in Pecan Springs (not far from Austin), a small town with an unmistakably rural Texas feel, and while finding great relief in tending to a small herb growing business and shop, she stumbles upon and solves a mystery that makes her use her skills as a lawyer and investigator (her tending to herbs was another perk for me - to be interested in the book and, possibly, in the series). Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is the first book in a series featuring China Bayles, our first person narrator, who quit her high-powered job as a criminal defense attorney to become the owner of a herbal store in small-town Pecan Springs, Texas. Next door is one of her best friends, Ruby, who owns a New Age store. Their
The style was smooth enough, but not distinctive, nor was there enough wit, humor or charm to distinguish this book. I'll give it points for keeping me turning the pages and keeping me guessing. Nevertheless, I won't be picking up another book in the series. This just didn't have anything that makes me feel I'll remember this months later--the characters and setting were too generic, too stereotyped, the lines of good and bad too off the shelf liberal/progressive (rich developer = evil; environmentalist/feminist = good), and the legal and herbal angles weren't absorbing enough to make me feel I had a peek into a different world.
So, good enough if you've picked this up to divert for a few hours--for me, not enough to invest more time in this world.
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friend, Jo, is found dead an apparent suicide but things aren't as they seem, and soon there are several suspects for her murder. The style was smooth enough, but not distinctive, nor was there enough wit, humor or charm to distinguish this book. I'll give it points for keeping me turning the pages and keeping me guessing. Nevertheless, I won't be picking up another book in the series. This just didn't have anything that makes me feel I'll remember this months later--the characters and setting were too generic, too stereotyped, the lines of good and bad too off the shelf liberal/progressive (rich developer = evil; environmentalist/feminist = good), and the legal and herbal angles weren't absorbing enough to make me feel I had a peek into a different world.
So, good enough if you've picked this up to divert for a few hours--for me, not enough to invest more time in this world.
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LibraryThing member madamejeanie
China Bayles gave up her high stress law practice in Austin, Texas, a few years ago
and came to quiet little Pecan Springs, a small touristy town in east Texas
and opened an herb shop. When China's friend Jo dies of an apparent
suicide, things just don't add up for China and her best friend,
Wilcox. With some determined sleuthing and a couple of strokes of sheer
luck, they uncover some old skeletons in Jo's closet that reach all the way
to New York City and Washington, D.C.
This series is comfortable enough and the characters interesting enough to
hold my interest, but there's really nothing about it that makes it stand
out for me. I found it just a bit irritating that Albert found it necessary
to describe in detail what each and every person was wearing in each and
every scene. I really don't care if someone's scarf matches their lipstick.
But other than that, it's an okay book.
and came to quiet little Pecan Springs, a small touristy town in east Texas
and opened an herb shop. When China's friend Jo dies of an apparent
suicide, things just don't add up for China and her best friend,
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RubyWilcox. With some determined sleuthing and a couple of strokes of sheer
luck, they uncover some old skeletons in Jo's closet that reach all the way
to New York City and Washington, D.C.
This series is comfortable enough and the characters interesting enough to
hold my interest, but there's really nothing about it that makes it stand
out for me. I found it just a bit irritating that Albert found it necessary
to describe in detail what each and every person was wearing in each and
every scene. I really don't care if someone's scarf matches their lipstick.
But other than that, it's an okay book.
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LibraryThing member neverlistless
A lawyer gives up the cut throat lifestyle and open up her own herb shop. A close friend's apparent suicide doesn't sit well with her so she starts an investigation!
This was just so warm and cozy - especially if you like to read about herbs.
This was just so warm and cozy - especially if you like to read about herbs.
LibraryThing member IceQueenTN
So far I am liking this series. China is an intelligent ex-attorney, who now has her own herb store, and helps solve local mysteries.
LibraryThing member hjjugovic
I've already read other books in this series, but I particularly enjoyed this first one. I lvoe how the author sets up so many of the characters in books to come. This book is lighter on herb lore than some (something I missed) but the plot is better. I recommend this series and plan on reading
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them all myself. Show Less
LibraryThing member TracyK1
I liked this book. It is the first in a series and it is great fun. The main character is a woman who was a lawyer and quite her job and has an herb shop is a small town in Texas. Great mysteries and fun!
LibraryThing member cyderry
This book is the first in the China bayles series. China is an attorney who has given up the high paced legal jungle to pursue the quiet town living of an herbalist. That's what she says, but she gets caught up in the investigation of a murder which the police see as a suicide of one of her best
The story is well woven around the characters in the small town of Pecan Springs, TX. What amazes me is the way the writer leads the reader down a path leaving subtle clues but misdirecting you in other areas so that when the resolution comes to light, you say to yourself - DAH! I should have seen that, but everything points that other way. Definitely a series I want to continue.
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friends. The story is well woven around the characters in the small town of Pecan Springs, TX. What amazes me is the way the writer leads the reader down a path leaving subtle clues but misdirecting you in other areas so that when the resolution comes to light, you say to yourself - DAH! I should have seen that, but everything points that other way. Definitely a series I want to continue.
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LibraryThing member SlySionnach
Maybe living this close to a major city has given me a kind of distant interest in small-town-folk. But more likely, some of Miss Albert's characters just annoyed me. Especially China.
China Bayles has left her law practice to open up a herb store in a fictional small town in Texas. Her best friend,
A murder occurs - one of China's neighbors. As the details flood in, all is now how it appears at first. Something lurks underneath the mourning and the sad faces, bringing about a few twists that aren't to be expected. Though I did figure out the first problem, the second one took me awhile to deduce.
My main problem is that China was always there. Yes, for a mystery, you do need this. If the sleuth isn't at the scene of the crime, how is the reader supposed to know? And yes, most of the time, there was good reason. But there were too many things that Just-So-Happened that it stood out to me while I was reading. Thank god the Police Chief, Bubba, also found some of these things a bit perplexing.
But it's certainly not something so grating that it stops me from wanting to read more about China Bayles. She may not be the first detective on my list to read, but she's on there.
China Bayles has left her law practice to open up a herb store in a fictional small town in Texas. Her best friend,
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Ruby owns the New Age store (and she is so stereotypically "New Age" that it actually hurts to read sometimes). Candace writes for the local newspaper and there's even a "big evil corporation" vibe in the guise of Arnold S (I cannot spell that name and the book is at home). The rest of the town around her is quaint in an almost amusing way, but that's a point in her favor.A murder occurs - one of China's neighbors. As the details flood in, all is now how it appears at first. Something lurks underneath the mourning and the sad faces, bringing about a few twists that aren't to be expected. Though I did figure out the first problem, the second one took me awhile to deduce.
My main problem is that China was always there. Yes, for a mystery, you do need this. If the sleuth isn't at the scene of the crime, how is the reader supposed to know? And yes, most of the time, there was good reason. But there were too many things that Just-So-Happened that it stood out to me while I was reading. Thank god the Police Chief, Bubba, also found some of these things a bit perplexing.
But it's certainly not something so grating that it stops me from wanting to read more about China Bayles. She may not be the first detective on my list to read, but she's on there.
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LibraryThing member wakela
This is one of the books that I had purchased through abooktrader.com. It was a great read. The characters were so wonderful. I really loved China's friend Ruby. She was a treat. I actually have friends like her.This story kept me guessing with all the twists and turns. I will definitely be looking
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for more of her books.I highly suggest this book! Show Less
LibraryThing member benfulton
It's almost surprising to me how good some of these gimmick mystery series are. There are a lot of lousy ones, to be sure, but many have solid characters, a good plot, good pacing, and enough twists in the puzzle to make it not too easy to solve.
This is one of the better ones. China Bayles'
This is one of the better ones. China Bayles'
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transformation from high-powered lawyer to small-town shop owner is just about believable. The final identity of the murder seemed a bit unlikely, but I thought the motives fell into place nicely. I found the amount of fictional star power rolling through the tiny town to be a bit hard to stomach. Oddly, the smalltown characters seemed a bit more real to me than the millionaires and big-city types, but maybe that was just me. Definitely worthy of reading a few more if I find them. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
This mystery series is set in a small suburb in Texas, and the townspeople know one another. But knowing your neighbors does not stop murder, especially when money is involved. The story begins with the death of a woman dying with cancer. But as the story progresses, the suicide develops into
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murder. But the crazed killer cannot stop at one murder, and before the book is finished more murders litter the herb garden. The story is interesting with the talk of herbs and spices, but the characters are a little flat. I especially liked the ponderings of the mother/daughter relationship, which redeemed the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member fordbarbara
Like the first 8 or so of the series, then she lost me.
LibraryThing member readingwithtea
"Or did he just say to her, 'My dear Ms. Gilbert, I really think it would be extremely helpful if you took these pills so my corporation and I can make a cool five or ten million dollars on this airport deal'?"
You guys! I have a new mystery series! In my usual overenthusiasm about discovering a
Aaaaaaanyhow.
So China Bayles has quit her toxic lawyering in Houston for Mean Nasty Companies and retired to a little place called Pecan Springs (how could anything bad happen in a town called Something Springs? Only good things spring, like winter and bunnies and Slinkies) where she has bought a herb shop called Thyme and Seasons (har har puntastic) and her shop-neighbour is a crazy new Age lady called Ruby, and she has a little cottage behind the shop and thus General Happiness. Except! Drama! Lo, for China's friend Jo has died. Terminally ill already, she seems to have hastened her end with some friendly little white pills and a quarter gallon of Bloody Mary. But that wasn't like Jo. Has there been a Misdeed here? Has there?
I love a single lady investigator (Vic Warshawski, Kinsey Millhone and Amelia Peabody, after a manner, look over my shoulder as I type this). Even better one who's not actually an investigator but gets Caught Up In Things. Throw in the crazy neighbour (Vic and Kinsey each have one of those too) and a smattering of one-liners and puns, and I'm in heaven. It's quite cozy, in that there's only 3 bodies, and while two of them are covered in blood, there aren't any violent knife-wielding men tying our heroine up in a dark room and waiting for the rats... no, China and Ruby solve their mystery over tea and cornbread. There's quite a lot of obvious misdirection, but I didn't guess the baddie, so that's fine with me!
What more do you want? GO BUY THIS SERIES. Now. I'll wait for you to read some and come back and discuss.
Also - what's not to love about that 80's cover?
You guys! I have a new mystery series! In my usual overenthusiasm about discovering a
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long series, I have tried to track down the full series - I wanted to get them in audiobook for the gym, but only about half of the China Bayles series has been done in audio, so I'll be switching it up. Aaaaaaanyhow.
So China Bayles has quit her toxic lawyering in Houston for Mean Nasty Companies and retired to a little place called Pecan Springs (how could anything bad happen in a town called Something Springs? Only good things spring, like winter and bunnies and Slinkies) where she has bought a herb shop called Thyme and Seasons (har har puntastic) and her shop-neighbour is a crazy new Age lady called Ruby, and she has a little cottage behind the shop and thus General Happiness. Except! Drama! Lo, for China's friend Jo has died. Terminally ill already, she seems to have hastened her end with some friendly little white pills and a quarter gallon of Bloody Mary. But that wasn't like Jo. Has there been a Misdeed here? Has there?
I love a single lady investigator (Vic Warshawski, Kinsey Millhone and Amelia Peabody, after a manner, look over my shoulder as I type this). Even better one who's not actually an investigator but gets Caught Up In Things. Throw in the crazy neighbour (Vic and Kinsey each have one of those too) and a smattering of one-liners and puns, and I'm in heaven. It's quite cozy, in that there's only 3 bodies, and while two of them are covered in blood, there aren't any violent knife-wielding men tying our heroine up in a dark room and waiting for the rats... no, China and Ruby solve their mystery over tea and cornbread. There's quite a lot of obvious misdirection, but I didn't guess the baddie, so that's fine with me!
What more do you want? GO BUY THIS SERIES. Now. I'll wait for you to read some and come back and discuss.
Also - what's not to love about that 80's cover?
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LibraryThing member carolvanbrocklin
Get an editor who can come up with some different ways of presenting the same scene over and over with different characters. "But I know who did the murder!" She and she and she said....
Boring--wish it weren't since I did like the main character.
Boring--wish it weren't since I did like the main character.
LibraryThing member djenczyk
I had a hard time getting into this book. I suppose part of it had to do with reading a book that is over 20 years old. It's hard for me to immerse myself on the story when the characters are doing things that just aren't done anymore. (Calling information, using a phone book, etc) It seems silly
I'm glad I finished the book. There was a few times the story dragged and I thought I was wasting my time. I couldn't figure out who it was until near the end. That is always good with these kinds of books.
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to write it but it's true. Maybe I should just pretend it is a period mystery. I'm glad I finished the book. There was a few times the story dragged and I thought I was wasting my time. I couldn't figure out who it was until near the end. That is always good with these kinds of books.
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LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: China Bayles is an escapee from the realms of the world of law. She's started her own herb business and is quite content, at least until one of her friends commits suicide. However, the friend's daughter believes it was murder. China reluctantly gets involved, uncovering secrets that
Review: This cozy mystery is set in the Hill Country of Texas and has a host of vivid characters. The plot is nicely convoluted, leading the reader to think the solution is apparent but it's not.
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threaten to change the lives of several of the people in the small town.Review: This cozy mystery is set in the Hill Country of Texas and has a host of vivid characters. The plot is nicely convoluted, leading the reader to think the solution is apparent but it's not.
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LibraryThing member Matke
Tired of straining your brain on those worthy but weighty tomes? Feeling blue and not ready for anything remotely resembling "serious"?
Well, here's a book (and series) for you. Set in West Texas, this easy-going, light-hearted series of mysteries is just the thing for those difficult times when
There's nothing arcane or "woo-woo" here to put off the reader who avoids fantasy. Just pleasant mysteries solved by a lawyer who has left that career to run an herb shop. Interesting, amusing, and delightfully relaxing, these books will soon work their way into your heart.
Well, here's a book (and series) for you. Set in West Texas, this easy-going, light-hearted series of mysteries is just the thing for those difficult times when
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nothing seems to suit, every book is too hard or too sappy, and life is just weighing you down.There's nothing arcane or "woo-woo" here to put off the reader who avoids fantasy. Just pleasant mysteries solved by a lawyer who has left that career to run an herb shop. Interesting, amusing, and delightfully relaxing, these books will soon work their way into your heart.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
As cozy mysteries go, this was better than many. China Bayles has given up a high profile career as a defence attorney to simplify her life in a smaller town. She now grows herbs and sells them to the residents of Pecan Springs. This book introduces many of the town's residents as well as sudden
As much as I wanted this book to grow on me, I'm afraid it didn't. Not a bad mystery or story, but the characters are missing a certain "zing" that I want. China is remote and although she cares deeply about her neighbors, I could not care much for her. Possibly because this is early in the series this will change. The herb lore, nuggets of law and other details were interesting to read, the murder scene must have been described well because it made me nauseous, and I am not tender in that regard. Although the amateurs are meddling where they shouldn't, it doesn't seem too ridiculous. There is a respect for the professionals, even if there isn't much trust. I hope that changes in future novels as well.
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death.As much as I wanted this book to grow on me, I'm afraid it didn't. Not a bad mystery or story, but the characters are missing a certain "zing" that I want. China is remote and although she cares deeply about her neighbors, I could not care much for her. Possibly because this is early in the series this will change. The herb lore, nuggets of law and other details were interesting to read, the murder scene must have been described well because it made me nauseous, and I am not tender in that regard. Although the amateurs are meddling where they shouldn't, it doesn't seem too ridiculous. There is a respect for the professionals, even if there isn't much trust. I hope that changes in future novels as well.
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LibraryThing member mazda502001
This is the first in the China Bayles series. It is a cozy murder/mystery and is quite entertaining.
Back Cover Blurb:
Susan Wittig Albert's series features ex-lawyer and herb shop proprietor China Bayles. When China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide, China looks behind the quaint facade of
Back Cover Blurb:
Susan Wittig Albert's series features ex-lawyer and herb shop proprietor China Bayles. When China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide, China looks behind the quaint facade of
Show More
Pecan Springs and takes a suspicious look at everyone. And though she finds lots of friendly faces, China is sure that one of them hides the heart of a killer..... Show Less
LibraryThing member nx74defiant
A nice little cozy mystery. I figured out one of the main clues very early on. I was getting annoyed that the main character took so long to figure out what I did.
LibraryThing member CherylGrimm
A retired NY lawyer takes over a herbal shop in Texas, thinking life will be stress free until a good friend is found dead in her home, presumed by suicide. Secrets are uncovered, deaths add up along with the suspects and motives. There is romance, herbal tips, legal jargon, an adept "familiar" and
I admit figuring out the culprit long before I should have, but then I was looking to.
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even a car chase. The first in the herbal mysteries, of which I will read all.I admit figuring out the culprit long before I should have, but then I was looking to.
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LibraryThing member kmajort
A. McL starting a cozy mystery book club at the library, thought this would be a good start as intro to cozies. (anyone who's read Miss Marple or Brother Cadfael, as I have, has read a cozy...) This book club will deal i themes - good idea, since the stories are not incredibly deep.
LibraryThing member ThoughtsofJoyLibrary
As an attorney in a prestigious Houston, TX firm, China Bayles realizes she desires the laid back lifestyle of a small town and finds it in Pecan Springs, TX. Revitalizing a past passion, she opens an herb shop and enjoys the eclectic community, until the death of a good friend. China, with some
Thyme of Death is the first in the China Bayles series. I had a good feel for the setting and enjoyed China. Even though she left the high-powered attorney lifestyle, she continued to retain her law-like mind, which I liked. I also liked learning little tidbits about the herbs. However, there were parts of the plot that I wasn't interested in that caused a minor division, but for the most part it was an enjoyable read. I will pick up the second in the series titled Witches' Bane with the hope that my acquaintance with China deepens. (3.75/5)
Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy...
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prodding from her next door business owner, Ruby, do some amateur sleuthing to get answers.Thyme of Death is the first in the China Bayles series. I had a good feel for the setting and enjoyed China. Even though she left the high-powered attorney lifestyle, she continued to retain her law-like mind, which I liked. I also liked learning little tidbits about the herbs. However, there were parts of the plot that I wasn't interested in that caused a minor division, but for the most part it was an enjoyable read. I will pick up the second in the series titled Witches' Bane with the hope that my acquaintance with China deepens. (3.75/5)
Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy...
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LibraryThing member JanetArmentani
Where have I been? This series started in 1991, and I've just come across it! Loved it! The characters are great and so was the story. I guess I have to add the other 17 books in the series to the TBR pile!
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1993)
Agatha Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1992)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1992
Physical description
245 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
0425140989 / 9780425140987