Thyme of Death: A China Bayles Mystery

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Summary: Totally Refreshing New to me Series
Review: I read a lot of mysteries, and it takes a good series to grab my attention. This one is different and quirky enough that it's a pleasure to read. The setting in small town Texas is great, and if anyone is interested in herb folklore and eccentric people this series should satisfy that craving.Ruby is a delight. Not to mention China herself. The book is an uncut gem.

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Summary: China Bayles mysteries
Review: I think Susan Wittig Albert did a wonderful job with this book. I enjoyed the characters, and the fact that China was able to quit her job as a lawyer and open a small shop in a small town and leave the big city rat race for life at a slower, quieter pace. I enjoyed the writing, the closeness of the characters, and the information that the author gives regarding the various subjects. I will definitely continue on with this series.

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Summary: A great first mystery!
Review: I think Susan Wittig Albert did a wonderful job with this book. I enjoyed the characters, and the fact that China was able to quit her job as a lawyer and open a small shop in a small town and leave the big city rat race for life at a slower, quieter pace. I enjoyed the writing, the closeness of the characters, and the information that the author gives regarding the various subjects. I will definitely continue on with this series.

Rating:
Summary: China Bayles' debut novel
Review: In China Bayles, Susan Albert has created an independent, likeable character. China becomes a lawyer because she wants to emulate her father but then finds that she does not enjoy the life-style of a big-city attorney. In a complete about-face, she moves to the small town of Pecan Springs, Texas, where she purchases an herb shop. Albert's descriptions of the countryside between Austin and San Antonio, and the kind of people that would inhabit a small Texas town are right on, and they provide a great setting for this series. One of China's friends in Pecan Springs is Jo Gilbert, a woman who is concerned with the environment and who is spearheading a move to prevent the building of a regional airport. When Jo's daughter finds her dead, the police assume that it is a suicide. China cannot believe that her friend would take her own life and she sets out to prove that it is a murder instead. She begins an investigation that leads her to everything from disgruntled developers to lost love. Along the way, she enjoys romance with Professor Mike McQuaid, and introduces us to several of the town's more colorful characters. This is the beginning of a very promising series.

Rating:
Summary: China Bayles' debut novel
Review: In China Bayles, Susan Albert has created an independent, likeable character. China becomes a lawyer because she wants to emulate her father but then finds that she does not enjoy the life-style of a big-city attorney. In a complete about-face, she moves to the small town of Pecan Springs, Texas, where she purchases an herb shop. Albert's descriptions of the countryside between Austin and San Antonio, and the kind of people that would inhabit a small Texas town are right on, and they provide a great setting for this series. One of China's friends in Pecan Springs is Jo Gilbert, a woman who is concerned with the environment and who is spearheading a move to prevent the building of a regional airport. When Jo's daughter finds her dead, the police assume that it is a suicide. China cannot believe that her friend would take her own life and she sets out to prove that it is a murder instead. She begins an investigation that leads her to everything from disgruntled developers to lost love. Along the way, she enjoys romance with Professor Mike McQuaid, and introduces us to several of the town's more colorful characters. This is the beginning of a very promising series.

Rating:
Summary: Finally. Gutsy female heroine w/ a softer, gentler herb side
Review: Of course when you read murder mysteries by the pound it takes a great one to catch your attention. Love this character. How many of us women have led busy, hectic, gutsy lives and even gone on to post-graduate school to enhance that way of life, and woke up one day and decided that life was too short and moved on to a kinder more gentler way of life. And what more kinder and gentler than Herbs. But then, there is alway good and evil and there must always be love.

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Summary: China Bayles mysteries
Review: Page turners, quick easy to read mysteries.

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Summary: Wonderful mystery with well developed characters.
Review: Susan Wittig Albert writes in a friendly style and provides well developed characters for an enjoyable read. The author is able to tie in the title herb (Thyme) with the plot in a subtle way. If you like this one, check her other books too

Rating:
Summary: Flawed start to intriguing series..
Review: Susan Wittig Albert's "Thyme of Death" is the first of the critically acclaimed China Bayles series. Basically, it is good, but it is also quite flawed, so it only gets three stars.(The sequel to this book is better). China, a former lawyer who burned out, is now a herb store owner in Hill Country Texas(an area of Texas north of San Antonio and west of Austin). One of her friend's Jo Gilbert dies in an apparent suicide, but China's best friend, Ruby Wilcox, sees foul play. Soon, China and Rudy find out about the secret life of a popular actress on a children's program(a Barney clone). Murder and theft are committed, and China has to unravel all the lies being told. She solves the mystery, but justice isn't complete, as a murderer is brought to justice, but the evidence of another murder is destroyed.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed start to intriguing series..
Review: Susan Wittig Albert's "Thyme of Death" is the first of the critically acclaimed China Bayles series. Basically, it is good, but it is also quite flawed, so it only gets three stars.(The sequel to this book is better). China, a former lawyer who burned out, is now a herb store owner in Hill Country Texas(an area of Texas north of San Antonio and west of Austin). One of her friend's Jo Gilbert dies in an apparent suicide, but China's best friend, Ruby Wilcox, sees foul play. Soon, China and Rudy find out about the secret life of a popular actress on a children's program(a Barney clone). Murder and theft are committed, and China has to unravel all the lies being told. She solves the mystery, but justice isn't complete, as a murderer is brought to justice, but the evidence of another murder is destroyed.