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China Bayles #22
Death Come Quickly
Herbalist and ex-lawyer China Bayles is back. In Death Come Quickly, a friend’s murder may be the key to solving a fifteen-year-old cold case…
When China’s and Ruby’s friend Karen Prior is mugged in a mall parking lot and dies a few days later, China begins to suspect that her friend’s death was not a random assault. Karen was a filmmaker supervising a student documentary about the fifteen-year-old murder of a woman named Christine Morris and the acquittal of the man accused of the crime. Is it possible that the same person who killed Christine Morris targeted Karen?
Delving into the cold case, China learns the motive for the first murder may be related to a valuable collection of Mexican art. Enlisting the help of her San Antonio lawyer friend Justine Wyzinski—aka the Whiz—China is determined to track down the murderer. But is she painting herself into a corner from which there’s no escape?
When China’s and Ruby’s friend Karen Prior is mugged in a mall parking lot and dies a few days later, China begins to suspect that her friend’s death was not a random assault. Karen was a filmmaker supervising a student documentary about the fifteen-year-old murder of a woman named Christine Morris and the acquittal of the man accused of the crime. Is it possible that the same person who killed Christine Morris targeted Karen?
Delving into the cold case, China learns the motive for the first murder may be related to a valuable collection of Mexican art. Enlisting the help of her San Antonio lawyer friend Justine Wyzinski—aka the Whiz—China is determined to track down the murderer. But is she painting herself into a corner from which there’s no escape?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
140 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
121 books2,381 followersSusan is the author/co-author of biographical/historical fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. Now in her 80s and continuing to write, she says that retirement is not (yet) an option. She publishes under her own imprint. Here are her latest books.
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
August 8, 2023
Death Come Quickly by Susan Wittig Albert.
I really enjoyed reading this adventure. China and ruby's friend Karen was mugged in the parking lot. Unfortunately she later dies from her injuries. China dives head first in to a homicide but is she able to overcome her emotions regarding the death of her friend? Then a cold case rises to the surface which needs immediate attention. Are these cases connected.
This book was as good a place as any to start on my journey with The china Bayles series.
I really enjoyed reading this adventure. China and ruby's friend Karen was mugged in the parking lot. Unfortunately she later dies from her injuries. China dives head first in to a homicide but is she able to overcome her emotions regarding the death of her friend? Then a cold case rises to the surface which needs immediate attention. Are these cases connected.
This book was as good a place as any to start on my journey with The china Bayles series.
August 10, 2016
This is the latest in the China Bayles cozy mystery series. It is set in Texas hill country and has lots of herbal lore/information. I used to really like this series, but I have not enjoyed the last two additions. This one just seemed to ramble on with too many extraneous characters and too much extraneous information.
May 31, 2015
This one was a bit of a departure from what I have come to expect from this series and I don't blame the author for trying something new, plus, keeping a long running series fresh has got to be a challenge. However, I did miss some of the trademark elements that has made this series standout from others.
Herbs were not really that much a part of the story, and much of the fun with cozies is catching up with familiar characters who feel like old friends or even family, but this time China went solo for the most part, although we do meet up with a character who has appeared in other installments. But, the whole story felt like it had gone “off script”.
However, by the end of the book, I did have to grudgingly admit, the story wasn't half bad after all. I love solving cold case crimes and also have an interest in art related crimes, so although this one is not my favorite from this series, and it took me a long time to finally get fully invested in it, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I do hope the next installment is back on its usual path and we see China back on the home front. I do recommend this one to longtime fans, but if you aren't familiar with the series, you may not want to start with this one.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews.
Herbs were not really that much a part of the story, and much of the fun with cozies is catching up with familiar characters who feel like old friends or even family, but this time China went solo for the most part, although we do meet up with a character who has appeared in other installments. But, the whole story felt like it had gone “off script”.
However, by the end of the book, I did have to grudgingly admit, the story wasn't half bad after all. I love solving cold case crimes and also have an interest in art related crimes, so although this one is not my favorite from this series, and it took me a long time to finally get fully invested in it, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I do hope the next installment is back on its usual path and we see China back on the home front. I do recommend this one to longtime fans, but if you aren't familiar with the series, you may not want to start with this one.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews.
July 23, 2014
China Bayles, where have you been all my life? I can’t believe that you’ve been solving mysteries in twenty-three other books, and I’m just now discovering you. Shame on me.
China Bayles, Texas ex-lawyer turned herbalist, is shocked when a good friend, Karen Prior, is mugged and savagely beaten in the far reaches of the local shopping mall parking lot. And saddened when Karen dies of her injuries.
It seems like a senseless act of violence, until China discovers that Karen, a filmmaker and professor at the local university, was supervising a documentary about the almost fifteen-year-old murder of fine art collector Christine Morris.
When a family friend, a student who is working on the documentary project, is also mugged, China can’t stay on the sidelines.
Author Susan Wittig Albert has crafted an excellent, well-plotted, intelligent mystery that was a pleasure to read, all the way to its surprising climax.
Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author of “Class Reunions Can Be Murder”
China Bayles, Texas ex-lawyer turned herbalist, is shocked when a good friend, Karen Prior, is mugged and savagely beaten in the far reaches of the local shopping mall parking lot. And saddened when Karen dies of her injuries.
It seems like a senseless act of violence, until China discovers that Karen, a filmmaker and professor at the local university, was supervising a documentary about the almost fifteen-year-old murder of fine art collector Christine Morris.
When a family friend, a student who is working on the documentary project, is also mugged, China can’t stay on the sidelines.
Author Susan Wittig Albert has crafted an excellent, well-plotted, intelligent mystery that was a pleasure to read, all the way to its surprising climax.
Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author of “Class Reunions Can Be Murder”
May 3, 2014
China Bayles never fails to entertain. This latest book in one of my all-time favourite series is another winner. In it we've got dual story lines and dual murders as well as art fraud and building code boondoggles. You couldn't ask for more excitement. Then add lots of valuable and interesting herb lore and throw in a few really good recipes and you've got vintage China Bayles. I have loved this series for a number of years now and look forward to each new book in the series. China's family is growing through the years, but her friends are just as endearing as they were from the first book. Ruby Wilcox and Sheila Dawson (Smart Cookie) are perennial favourites. I love China's sense of humour and her dry wit. I love reading about her life in Pecan Springs, Texas. It's like catching up with old and dear friends every time I read a new China Bayles book. Keep 'em coming Susan. I can never get enough.
March 7, 2020
Not really sure why this doesn't *quite* reach the usual 3-stars of this series. Maybe it was that a lot was tell, not show? Well, except for the mountain lion thing; glad that was a 'tell.'
I do like these books, and I used to have nearly all of the pbs; nowadays I choose to borrow from the online library, since it's easier to see the larger print. But the recipes! YAY, recipes!
I credit Ms Albert's early books for our own interest in culinary and fragrant herbs. We still have some of the original plants, and still enjoy snipping our own herbs for cooking.
I do like these books, and I used to have nearly all of the pbs; nowadays I choose to borrow from the online library, since it's easier to see the larger print. But the recipes! YAY, recipes!
I credit Ms Albert's early books for our own interest in culinary and fragrant herbs. We still have some of the original plants, and still enjoy snipping our own herbs for cooking.
March 15, 2025
Every time I read a book from this series, I'm reminded of why the series is one of my favorites. I love China, Ruby and the rest of the supporting cast. They work well together, they have each others' backs, but they're real, sometimes fallible people too. I was surprised to realize that Brian is now old enough to head off to college, and hope for frequent visits home so he can continue to be part of these stories.
The murder in this book happened very early on, so there was a lot of time left to investigate the death of China and Ruby's friend. The victim was well-liked and respected, so there weren't many suspects at first, but as the investigation continued, more names were added to the list. I wasn't surprised when the culprit was revealed, at the resolution of a couple of past crimes or at the motives for all of them.
I look forward to returning to Pecan Springs to see what happens next with China, Ruby, McQuaid and the rest.
The murder in this book happened very early on, so there was a lot of time left to investigate the death of China and Ruby's friend. The victim was well-liked and respected, so there weren't many suspects at first, but as the investigation continued, more names were added to the list. I wasn't surprised when the culprit was revealed, at the resolution of a couple of past crimes or at the motives for all of them.
I look forward to returning to Pecan Springs to see what happens next with China, Ruby, McQuaid and the rest.
October 27, 2022
Lots of interesting information about Mexican Folk Art - I spent more time Googling the artists than I did reading the book! I tried to find a Maria Izquierdo painting with the books title, but couldn’t - maybe Ms Albert just made it up.
I’m getting a bit weary of all the pregnancy/babies, isn’t Sheila a little old for this. I know China is!! I find Baby Grace a boring distraction in every book. I don’t think Kinsey or VI are saddled with kids!! The author seems to idolize those two characters, as she mentions them in every story.
This was one of the better stories, I wonder what #23 will be like - I’ll let you know!!
I’m getting a bit weary of all the pregnancy/babies, isn’t Sheila a little old for this. I know China is!! I find Baby Grace a boring distraction in every book. I don’t think Kinsey or VI are saddled with kids!! The author seems to idolize those two characters, as she mentions them in every story.
This was one of the better stories, I wonder what #23 will be like - I’ll let you know!!
October 4, 2018
Cozy mysteries aren't usually my thing, but when I received this as a gift I thought I would try it. When I started it I also didn't realize that it was book twenty-two in a series. While I did feel a little out of the loop when it comes to the main cast of characters, this was still quite good.
April 1, 2015
DEATH COME QUICKLY was sent to me by the publisher to review and is the first book I’ve read in the China Bayles series. I’ll admit that when I purchase books, unless it’s a series I already know, the cover is what draws me in. Don’t get me wrong, the covers in this series are beautiful, they’re just not the cozy covers I’m used to, so I never gave them a chance. Well, I’m happy the chance was given to me.
I enjoyed the way Ms. Albert started each chapter with “Herbs of Good and Ill Omen”. It was extremely interesting to learn about the beliefs associated with all the different plants me mentioned.
I really liked the character China. She’s a wonderful protagonist. I felt a connection with her right away. All the characters in the story are incredibly well written and so multidimensional.
The story itself is extremely compelling. Very detailed and intriguing. It had much more happening than the back cover description alone would lead you to believe. And it as a pleasant surprise to find recipes at the end of the book.
I now know what so many other readers before me already knew. . . . Susan Wittig Albert is a great author and she now has a new fan of the China Bayles series in me.
I enjoyed the way Ms. Albert started each chapter with “Herbs of Good and Ill Omen”. It was extremely interesting to learn about the beliefs associated with all the different plants me mentioned.
I really liked the character China. She’s a wonderful protagonist. I felt a connection with her right away. All the characters in the story are incredibly well written and so multidimensional.
The story itself is extremely compelling. Very detailed and intriguing. It had much more happening than the back cover description alone would lead you to believe. And it as a pleasant surprise to find recipes at the end of the book.
I now know what so many other readers before me already knew. . . . Susan Wittig Albert is a great author and she now has a new fan of the China Bayles series in me.
May 9, 2014
It was definitely enjoyable to cozy up with the latest China Bayles. As a mystery, it was rather transparent - at least to me, but China is such an engaging character. If you haven't read any of the previous books, it helps to read a few although Ms. Albert does recap when necessary. China Bayles is the owner of an herb shop in a small town in Texas. She's also an avid gardener and former attorney. Her close friend is Ruby who shares some of the space in the building with a job that offers such things as tarot cards, ouija boards and crystals. China is the no nonsense, former attorney with her feet firmly planted on the ground. Ruby, her sidekick and partner in crime solving, is her total opposite. In this latest addition to the series, a local university professor and art specialist is murdered. At first it seems as if she might be the victim of a mugging. However, it soon is obvious that it is murder. This was enjoyable, not a page turner, but the kind of book you can relax and enjoy because you're getting together with an old friend.
May 25, 2014
This is my first China Bayles book. It concerns a cold case and a recent murder, of Christine Morris and Karen, respectively. It shares the same memes as my previous cozies. There are two ways in which it deviates from the usual order of things. Firstly China, the heroine, conducts, long, long interviews with cooperating persons of interest. This keeps the interest high. Those parts of the book deserve 4 stars. The second thing is the mild and protracted ending. The key person to unlocking the mystery surrenders peacefully. And the murderers get their desserts off screen.
One thing that grabbed my attention is how upper middle class everybody seems to be. Everyone who is not a policeman is very well groomed and taken care of. That might be a recurring style of the author, and it might be a device to make the book more cozy. But it's something that jumped out of the page for me. Poirot books too deal with even more elitist people, but Agatha Christie had the knack of not pushing it in our faces. Altogether I'm glad to have read this book, and I want more of the same.
One thing that grabbed my attention is how upper middle class everybody seems to be. Everyone who is not a policeman is very well groomed and taken care of. That might be a recurring style of the author, and it might be a device to make the book more cozy. But it's something that jumped out of the page for me. Poirot books too deal with even more elitist people, but Agatha Christie had the knack of not pushing it in our faces. Altogether I'm glad to have read this book, and I want more of the same.
May 2, 2014
I did think that China Bayles was a little slow on the uptake in this one. So was Ruby for that matter, but it's more likely that possibilities involving criminal behavior wouldn't occur to Ruby than that China, the former attorney, would be clueless about such an issue.
I also wanted to see more about Mexican art which was supposed to be a focus of this novel. That theme caused me to want to read this particular book, but there wasn't enough of the content that interested me.
I also wanted to see more about Mexican art which was supposed to be a focus of this novel. That theme caused me to want to read this particular book, but there wasn't enough of the content that interested me.
December 10, 2018
As with most "cozy" mysteries, half of this concerns mundane things that have little to do with the mystery--in this case, the day-to-day lives of protagonist China Bayles' family, co-workers and friends (as well as life in Pecan Springs, Texas). The mystery concerns the murder of a documentary filmmaker, which has some intriguing elements to do with art fraud but is not exactly a nail-biter. A pleasant way to pass the time and not much more.
October 7, 2014
You can ALWAYS count on Wittig Albert to weave a great story with China Bayles and her gang. Reading these is seriously like coming home for me. Just settle in and enjoy a good book.
September 19, 2019
The shopping mall was originally built in the 1970s, when Pecan Springs was still hardly more than a small town on the lip of the Balcones Escarpment, at the western edge of the Texas hill Country.
China is back with a cold case and an new case involving a friend. The friend is supposedly mugged but events point to a deeper reason. When the friend dies from her injuries China enters full sleuth mode to find the killer.
This was a hard one for me. I never quite connected with the new characters. The cold case did not excite me as much as I would have liked.
I always enjoy the introductions to the chapters with information about various herbs and plants. That never disappoints. I felt there was too much sideline information that almost seemed like filler. I started skimming over the Texas legal codes.
I felt like I needed a bit more of the family unit which was not here. I would have liked to see more about Howard Cosell. He was such a big part of McQuaid and Brian's life before China.
The art forgery was interesting. I was a bit surprised by the artist that was involved. China's trip to Houston was a bit confusing and caused me a bit of distress.
This is a great series although this is not my favorite. I still highly recommend it.
China is back with a cold case and an new case involving a friend. The friend is supposedly mugged but events point to a deeper reason. When the friend dies from her injuries China enters full sleuth mode to find the killer.
This was a hard one for me. I never quite connected with the new characters. The cold case did not excite me as much as I would have liked.
I always enjoy the introductions to the chapters with information about various herbs and plants. That never disappoints. I felt there was too much sideline information that almost seemed like filler. I started skimming over the Texas legal codes.
I felt like I needed a bit more of the family unit which was not here. I would have liked to see more about Howard Cosell. He was such a big part of McQuaid and Brian's life before China.
The art forgery was interesting. I was a bit surprised by the artist that was involved. China's trip to Houston was a bit confusing and caused me a bit of distress.
This is a great series although this is not my favorite. I still highly recommend it.
September 17, 2022
I’m tired of all the redundantcy ( yeah, I made that up. Lol). So much background information each time that is not necessary, the clothes people are wearing, eye and hair color and on and on. No meat in these books which isn’t all bad, but too repetitive. I miss the herbal lore also. But I will keep reading the series!
This one one involves a cold case that ties in with a fresh murder, art, and an old flame in China’s past.
This one one involves a cold case that ties in with a fresh murder, art, and an old flame in China’s past.
April 12, 2021
One of Susan Wittig Albert's best China Bayles mystery stories and I've read them all. Full of suspense regarding a murder involving Mexican art, as well as numerous interesting herbal details regarding plants of good or ill omen.
The herb that gives us the title of this book is Herb Robert, also known as death come quickly or cranesbill.
The herb that gives us the title of this book is Herb Robert, also known as death come quickly or cranesbill.
June 21, 2017
Easy read.
August 18, 2023
This mystery kept my interest and moved right along. A nice summer read.
November 4, 2019
Another titillating installment in the China Bayles series. Art forgery, murder, bribery, and slumlording all come into play and are dealt with as only Bayles seems to be able to do. Ex-defense lawyer cum herb shop owner, she keeps her wits tuned as she calls upon old and new comrades and sleuths her way into deeply held secrets and uses unending chutzpah to get to the core of injustice.
September 24, 2016
This volume is 22nd in the China Bayles Mystery Series, and to my opinion, still maintains the quality of the first 21.
China Bayles, a former Defense Attorney, now happy married owner of multiple businesses built around Herbs and plants, is shocked to learn a friend has been mugged, and that it might be related to a 14 yr old murder cold case.
Ruby Wilcox, China's BFF (Best Friend Forever,) shares the shock and it worsens when the ladies learn their friend has died and it is a homicide. What is going on? Is there a link to a college class/students doing a project that spans back to the cold case?
Ms. Albert is excellent at blending in the background of the city she lives in (Pecan Springs, Texas,) the history of the people involved, and Chapters are headed with useful information regarding plants and, in this episode, herbs. It surrounds the topic of truth and deceit, good and evil, and Justice or Not!
I was very caught up in the book, while wanting to be asked to dinner...read it and you will see. Some recipes are included for...me? Yes, my ego is willing to accept that...LOL.
A very good read to enjoy.
China Bayles, a former Defense Attorney, now happy married owner of multiple businesses built around Herbs and plants, is shocked to learn a friend has been mugged, and that it might be related to a 14 yr old murder cold case.
Ruby Wilcox, China's BFF (Best Friend Forever,) shares the shock and it worsens when the ladies learn their friend has died and it is a homicide. What is going on? Is there a link to a college class/students doing a project that spans back to the cold case?
Ms. Albert is excellent at blending in the background of the city she lives in (Pecan Springs, Texas,) the history of the people involved, and Chapters are headed with useful information regarding plants and, in this episode, herbs. It surrounds the topic of truth and deceit, good and evil, and Justice or Not!
I was very caught up in the book, while wanting to be asked to dinner...read it and you will see. Some recipes are included for...me? Yes, my ego is willing to accept that...LOL.
A very good read to enjoy.
April 9, 2014
DEATH COME QUICKLY is the 22nd (!!) book in the China Bayles mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert. I love Pecan Springs and DEATH COME QUICKLY takes us back to Pecan Springs and the whole gang is there. Yippee! China and McQuaid, Ruby, Smart Cookie (Sheila) and Blackie, Brian and Caitlin. After twenty two books, I feel like I know them all and feel slighted if I don't get to visit with them. Karen Prior, a friend of China and Ruby, is mugged in a mall parking lot. Two days later, she dies. Karen was working with students at the local college. They were working on a documentary about the murder of Christine Morris -- a cold case. With a little investigating, it becomes clear that Karen Prior wasn't "just" mugged, but murdered and the two murders are linked. Murder, cold cases, art, herbs, chickens -- a little of everything in this one including lessons on the law. I did know who did the foul deeds early, but that didn't stop me from enjoying my visit with all my "friends". Welcome back to Pecan Springs!
June 16, 2018
China is still sticking her nose into police investigations and catching the criminals. This one starts with a mugging that turns deadly, or maybe it isn't a mugging. Maybe it's the key to a cold case or two. In any case, this one has references to several places I loved when we lived in Texas.
I always enjoy going back to a nice cozy type mystery. They are just like comfortable jammies and chocolate chip cookies. Of course this one has recipes for fancier food which I entertain making for about a half a second and then move on to something else. Like the rest of my summer library book stack which makes me think of those huge piles of Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twins that I read in the summer between third and fourth grade.
Also milestone for me. This is the 1700th book I have recorded reading on goodreads. Too bad it wasn't around during that long ago summer or we could all see what I thought of Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Tolling Bell. (Truth be told I liked Trixie Belden mysteries better, but they all prepared me for enjoying a relaxing Susan Wittig Albert or Sue Grafton.)
I always enjoy going back to a nice cozy type mystery. They are just like comfortable jammies and chocolate chip cookies. Of course this one has recipes for fancier food which I entertain making for about a half a second and then move on to something else. Like the rest of my summer library book stack which makes me think of those huge piles of Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twins that I read in the summer between third and fourth grade.
Also milestone for me. This is the 1700th book I have recorded reading on goodreads. Too bad it wasn't around during that long ago summer or we could all see what I thought of Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Tolling Bell. (Truth be told I liked Trixie Belden mysteries better, but they all prepared me for enjoying a relaxing Susan Wittig Albert or Sue Grafton.)
May 30, 2015
I am a big fan of the China Bayles series but unfortunately I was disappointed by this book.
It starts of in a good way, with the regular re-cap for new readers.
But I felt it lost momentum.
There was not as much depth in the characters to me. It felt very unfinished.
I usually love the inserts before each chapter begins but I felt like these were just thrown in because it was tradition not for added knowledge which dive tails with the story.
I guess what I'm saying is this story didn't seem to have heart. But maybe it was just a book to set up the next story ark for the three main characters as they move into a new stage of life.
I hope so at least!
It starts of in a good way, with the regular re-cap for new readers.
But I felt it lost momentum.
There was not as much depth in the characters to me. It felt very unfinished.
I usually love the inserts before each chapter begins but I felt like these were just thrown in because it was tradition not for added knowledge which dive tails with the story.
I guess what I'm saying is this story didn't seem to have heart. But maybe it was just a book to set up the next story ark for the three main characters as they move into a new stage of life.
I hope so at least!
September 28, 2016
If you have ever read any of Susan Witting Albert's China Bayles books, you will enjoy this one from 2014. The ex-lawyer, not herb and flower expert and store owner just can't seem to get involved in any murders that happen in Pecan Springs and in this story, she is no different.
This time, a friend is mugged and dies. Its enough to make China want to help her family and soon she is in the thick of a definite, if undefined, mystery. But make no mistake, once China and her friend Ruby get started, its like a dog with a bone and it doesn't rest until she has gathered enough clues and connections.
This is fun, light reading at its best. A joy to imbibe.
This time, a friend is mugged and dies. Its enough to make China want to help her family and soon she is in the thick of a definite, if undefined, mystery. But make no mistake, once China and her friend Ruby get started, its like a dog with a bone and it doesn't rest until she has gathered enough clues and connections.
This is fun, light reading at its best. A joy to imbibe.
April 22, 2014
I have been enjoying Ms. Albert's books for many years. Recently, I find myself gritting my teeth and forcing myself to turn the page. Ms. Albert's habit of using nicknames in an unrelenting manner has become distracting. Maybe it is age, maybe it is that I know female lawyers, shop owners and law enforcement and know that incipient names like Smart Cookie would not be uttered let alone 10 times in the space of 5 pages.
The stories build beautifully it is the cutsy that is killing it for me.
The stories build beautifully it is the cutsy that is killing it for me.
September 11, 2022
One of her better books.
April 5, 2018
I usually really love this series. Death Come Quickly is still a very good book. I did find that it was very complicated with so many characters. It found that I had to really think about who someone was even though I was familiar with the other characters. There was one cold case, one new murder and an assault plus a number of teenagers to keep track of. It just seemed like it needed to be pruned a bit.
April 5, 2014
Art Forgery and a Double Who Done It
In the closely knit town of Pecan Springs, it isn't difficult for China
Bales to get involved in the mysterious murder of a local woman. Events from the past
including another cold case murder of a woman everyone loved to hate, makes for a complex plot for China to solve.
In the closely knit town of Pecan Springs, it isn't difficult for China
Bales to get involved in the mysterious murder of a local woman. Events from the past
including another cold case murder of a woman everyone loved to hate, makes for a complex plot for China to solve.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews