Rating: 
Summary: This book made me a fan...
Review: As a mystery writer myself, I am very picky about the ones that I read--just personal tastes cropping up. This is the first China Bayles book I've read and I really enjoyed it. I have to say, this was the first mystery I've read in several months where I finished it in one day because it pulled me in so quickly. I am on my second China Bayles book now, and plan on reading the whole series. I like the characters, the writing is mature and the book well-written. Very well done.
Rating:
Summary: This book made me a fan...
Review: As a mystery writer myself, I am very picky about the ones that I read--just personal tastes cropping up. This is the first China Bayles book I've read and I really enjoyed it. I have to say, this was the first mystery I've read in several months where I finished it in one day because it pulled me in so quickly. I am on my second China Bayles book now, and plan on reading the whole series. I like the characters, the writing is mature and the book well-written. Very well done.
Rating:
Summary: CHINA'S SYNDROME
Review: As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I do my best to read a wide variety of mystery fiction to see which books succeed and which books fail in this literary genre. If a book fails, I'll never review it. There are already plenty of faceless reviewers who get their kicks panning books while hiding securely in cyberspace. Susan Wittig Albert's MISTLETOE MAN succeeds masterfully on its terms. China, a former lawyer, is operating an herb shop in a New Ageish Texas town. Her source for mistletoe gets murdered, and China, in conjunction with her assortment of friends and associates, set out to solve this cozy mystery. Ms. Albert's style is light and breezy. Her story is entertaining. I recommend MISTLETOE MAN highly.
Rating:
Summary: CHINA'S SYNDROME
Review: As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I do my best to read a wide variety of mystery fiction to see which books succeed and which books fail in this literary genre. If a book fails, I'll never review it. There are already plenty of faceless reviewers who get their kicks panning books while hiding securely in cyberspace. Susan Wittig Albert's MISTLETOE MAN succeeds masterfully on its terms. China, a former lawyer, is operating an herb shop in a New Ageish Texas town. Her source for mistletoe gets murdered, and China, in conjunction with her assortment of friends and associates, set out to solve this cozy mystery. Ms. Albert's style is light and breezy. Her story is entertaining. I recommend MISTLETOE MAN highly.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, But Never Fluffy
Review: As with any of the China Bayles mysteries, "Mistletoe Man" provides just enough background on the main character, China, to create a comfort level for someone new to the series.I enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed the eight prior mysteries. While I'll agree with another reviewer that it was light on action and heavy on relationship development, this is not a bad thing! Susan Wittig Albert writes of friendships, family ties and other relationships with depth and intricacy. Readers should never fear "fluff" when reading her mysteries. The tremendous amount of herbal information in each book would be enough to draw gardening enthusiasts; that the stories centered around the herbs are entertaining, thought-provoking and complex makes this appealing to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Good friends make good business
Review: China and Ruby are again having a wonderful time with their combined efforts. You will also have a wonderful time reading about the things they do and how they stir their creative juices in business as well as adventures. I enjoy their relationship as well as how they deal with family. I also like the herb information and how the author work this continuing thread.
Rating: 
Summary: China investigates the death of the mistletoe man
Review: China Bayles is in the middle of decorating her home for the holidays and is feeling overwhelmed with her new roles of wife and mother, and with opening up of a new tea room with her friend Ruby. As if this isn't enough, she's run out of wreaths and has to make a trip to the country to pick up new ones from the two sisters who make them for her. While she is visiting with them she discovers that they are having problems with their neighbor Carl who supplies China with mistletoe for her herb shop. She also discovers that they are caring for their elderly aunt, who thinks that she is being pursued by Klingons. When Carl is killed by a hit-and-run driver China suspects one of the neighbor woman hit him on purpose. Further complications occur when China's best friend Ruby, begins acting strangely and refuses to talk to China about what's bothering her. Her last problem is her new cook at the tea room, who seems to have a problem with larceny. Albert does her usual fine job of weaving a mystery around the professional and personal life of China Bayles. Although the killer seems to confess too easily to China in the end, this is still a good addition to the series.
Rating:
Summary: The death of China's mistletoe supplier opens a can of worms
Review: China's mistletoe supplier is a surly loner who raises goats in the Texas hills. He is found dead on the side of the road next to his brand new $20,000 truck. There seems to be many more mysteries around this neighborhood other than the identity of the murderer. As usual, Ms. Albert writes a really strong mystery with vivid and colorful characters. There is more than one mystery involved as well as China's worry over the strange behavior of her best friend Ruby. Great book, enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: The death of China's mistletoe supplier opens a can of worms
Review: China's mistletoe supplier is a surly loner who raises goats in the Texas hills. He is found dead on the side of the road next to his brand new $20,000 truck. There seems to be many more mysteries around this neighborhood other than the identity of the murderer. As usual, Ms. Albert writes a really strong mystery with vivid and colorful characters. There is more than one mystery involved as well as China's worry over the strange behavior of her best friend Ruby. Great book, enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: Grat mystery -story is well crafted
Review: Four months have passed since the wedding that almost was not, but China Bayles and Mike McQuaid are settled into marital bliss. China is slowly overcoming her fears of marriage and commitment while still running her herb shop, Thyme and Seasons. She is also working on a new business venture with her partner Ruby Wilcox. They think that Thyme for Tea, an authentic tea shop in the heart of Texas is a sure winner. Meanwhile, Mike continues to heal from injuries suffered a year ago and is writing the definitive history of the Texas Rangers (law enforcement not baseball). For no apparent reason, Ruby turns ice cold towards China while two lizards belonging to Mike's son disappears down the drainpipe. Finally, someone runs over China's mistletoe supplier with the evidence pointing towards the family in a land dispute with the victim. China likes the alleged perpetrators, flower growers who provide her with Christmas wreaths. She drags Ruby with her and begins sleuthing, not yet aware that their initial findings make things worse for the flower growing family. One of the most endearing and personable amateur sleuths is China Bayles, a person that readers feel they know and like. In every novel in the series, best-selling author Susan Wittig Albert makes China and her support cast feels like neighbors. MISTLETOE MAN is a complete package that deals with new marriages, estranged friendships, and the maturity that one person cannot save the world but can make it a bit better for everyone. The personnel side enhances a fantastic mystery filled with curves that leave the reader guessing until the end, a trademark of Ms. Albert. Harriet Klausner
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