Chile Death

China Bayles #7

by Susan Wittig Albert

Ex-lawyer turned herbalist and amateur sleuth China Bayles attends a chili cookoff where a womanizing judge dies of an allergic reaction to peanuts. And since everyone knows peanuts don't belong in a bowl of Texas chili, China knows something suspicious is afoot...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crime

306 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Susan 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

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This wasn’t my favorite of the series so far, but I enjoyed it. The recurring characters keep bringing me back to this series and I always learn more about one or more herbs on the way. Have already requested the next book in the series from ILL!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me much longer to finish than it should because I've never warmed to the character of China Bayles and after any gap in reading the books it gets harder to re-join her. I've never been able to relate to her, from her big-city, hard-bitten, fast-track lawyer persona to the small town herb store owner, there's always been a disconnect. I find China as prickly as a Texas cactus and about as welcoming. I've found her difficult, irascible, ungrateful, stubborn, cold and inflexible. Perhaps because it's been a while since I've read any of the other books, I've just forgotten her positive qualities or character progression. What I keep coming back for is the setting, the herbal knowledge and recipes included in the book. The peripheral characters can be quite amusing and enjoyable as are some of the activities but I always feel like China, as she walks among them, seems to look down on them and their foibles. That is another thing I dislike about her. This particular story doesn't dispel that feeling for me. Set during a chili cookoff, a man is killed by peanuts and it all goes downhill from there. China is also trying to get her boyfriend/fiance' to recover and get out of a nursing home and becomes embroiled in scandalous happenings there too. That the two stories tied together was foreshadowed and I had a good idea who it might have been early on. I also thought China treated her "best friend" appallingly (I don't think I'd want China Bayles for a friend) and kept pushing away anyone who wanted to help or be kind to her all in the name of her "independence". Still, as I said, there are great swaths of information and recipes about chili and chile that I enjoyed very much. I'll keep hoping for more from China and will probably keep reading the series but it can be a real struggle.

[Lizzytish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike is trying to recover from his near miss with death and being paralyzed. What better way than to be a judge in a chili contest. Until someone dies from sampling the chili. Then there’s a side story of a flakey nursing home director. Of course China and Ruby are on the trail.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

China Bayles, herb shop owner, is dealing with the recovery of her (soon to be fiancé) ex-cop’s live-in partner in life. He, Mike MacQuaid, is just trying to regain movement in his limbs. A set up left him a quadriplegic via a bullet to his spinal cord, and while thankful just to be alive, they are both dealing with the uncertainty of their shared future. That and the upcoming Chile cook-off, which MacQuaid has served as a judge years gone by.

Then China’s estranged mother decides she’s going to come in and help at the house and take care of McQuaid’s teenage son while China tends to her business and McQuid. Add in her best friend wins the lottery to the tune of 2 million and wants to realize China’s dream of opening a tea room in the back of their adjoined businesses. Not to mention possible shady doings going on at the nursing home where McQuaid is doing his rehabilitation.

Many twists and false leads, some laughs and plenty of suspense with death by peanuts, bed hopping, tax evasion, estate division, and tons of chili.

Each chapter is preempted with a relevant quote from sourced pepper, chili, and such.

As a bonus you will get some good chili recipe tips, as well as the history of chili and chili cook off‘s, pepper growing tips, recipes, and resources.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me forever to get into this book. It starts off with a bang when McQuaid gets shot down on the job and may be paralyzed. Her mother, Leatha, comes in to save the day but China has a love/hate relationship with her mother so that adds stress. But when one of the judges dies at the chili contest, it gets Mac's attention like nothing else would. The deceased had a lot of enemies so China puts the pieces together while putting together her new column for the newspaper. It took forever for the death to happen but once it did, the mystery moved along and was quite entertaining but the slow start kept me putting the book down in favor of others.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just more of the same. This one read more like a Darling Dahlia story with China Bayles characters. Every book ends with the reader left hanging so you have to get to the next installment. I think there are 25 books in this series, not sure I’ll get through all of them.

[Jill Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. China Bayles is back to continue her story. While her fiance Mike McQuaid is recovering from being shot and having to do physical therapy, there's still a chance that he might not ever walk again. China is standing by his side.

Mike is asked to be a judge in the town's chili cook-off, he's at first reluctant to do it because he's afraid that everyone will stare at him, feel sorry for him, but China encourages him to do it. She's already going to be there since she's going to be writing a story for the local newspaper about the cook-off, gathering the recipes from the contestants, and incorporating about the peppers and other spices and herbs that people put in their chili. Once they arrive, Jerry Jeff Cody another judge for the contest comes to talk to Mike about a problem that he is having, someone is threatening his life. Mike and China think that he's making it up since he's in the middle of a divorce and his soon to be ex-wife is trying to get more than her fair share. While Jerry Jeff is telling Mike and China why he feels his life is endanger, his soon to be ex walks up and starts threatening him with the assumption that she knows where he's hiding his money that he hasn't disclosed to the lawyers. Before she leaves she tells him that she will be getting more than he's willing to part with over his dead body.

Once the judging of the contest start Jerry Jeff start choking and the other judges think he acting like the chili is way to hot for him, soon he collapses and it's Mike that steps in and tells them to call the ambulance. Jerry Jeff is dead.

Naturally China starts her own investigation along with Mike and her trusted side kick Ruby. But while China is helping with Jerry Jeff's case, a nurse at the nursing home where Mike is recovering comes to her and asks for her help, since China is an ex-lawyer. The nurse explains about a situation that she saw between the nursing homes director and another patient. China gets involved with that as well, and she gets Mike to help her since he's recuperating there. China has her hands full with these two case and trying to keep Mike's spirits up and she knows that with him helping it will make him feel more useful.

The author has a way of pulling you into the story and keeping you entertained all the while your trying to figure out who the murder is. This is the seventh book in the series and with each book, you get to know more about China along with Mike. However, Ruby wasn't in the story much and we didn't get to learn more about China's herbalist. This book was centered more around Mike's recovery and the Chili cook-off, which I was fine with that, not every book has to be centered around China's shop and herbs. It was refreshing to see China out and about in her sleepy little town of Pecan Springs, Texas. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this installment of this series. It helped to continue the personal relationship between China and McQuaid. The way they found the killer and the twists and turns along the way made me wonder if I had guessed right.

The descriptions of all the different chilies seemed to be a bit much…I don’t see how knowing all about the different chilies helped the story any.

Did the description of the barn that was falling apart really have to take up three pages? I would think that the author could have made it very clear that the barn was falling apart without having to take up so many pages.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

I read the first few books in this series quite a few years ago and thought I'd pick up where I stopped with an audiobook from the library. The story felt short and formulaic and didn't really keep my interest. I remember liking the idea of her herb shop and gardens and they really didn't figure into this book. I'll try the next book before I abandon the series.

And the author is the narrator. She did okay, but I couldn't help but think that I might've enjoyed it more in the hands of a professional narrator.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I don't know. I still just don't really like China. The author seems to want to make her hard and prickly, but then she does things that just don't seem to be in character. I still can't forgive her for the last book and all that crap with McQuaid and his cheating. It was nice to see a little thawing between China and Leatha, but I just don't know. Also, I could care less about chiles or chili. Meh.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining. Not too mind bending. Another of those authors who seem to have come out of the Rocky Mountain school of writers. Pick a theme (B&B, caterer, or chili peppers), pick a heroine or hero (ususally heroine), have them solve mysteries in and around their community. Makes me think I could actually write one of these. Hum. Who of my friends can I kill off?

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shorter than usual book that moves the romance between McQuaid and China along, as well as offering insight into chili cooking competitions and herbs that help with memory problems. Ruby and China also make some progress on China's tearoom ideas.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmmm..... not much more then a throw away vacation read.

[Kelly Is Brighid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dependable, predictable. When you want to read yet not be challenged.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

China Bayles is going through a difficult time in her life. Mike McQuaid is recovering from life threatening injuries he received while working a case with the Texas Rangers. He had been asking China to marry him, but now that she realizes how much she loves him, Mike is no longer interested in exchanging vows, or much of anything else for that matter.
It is time for the annual chili cook-off. McQuaid grudgingly agreed to be one of the judges- a job he has performed in past years. On their way to the judging tent one of the other judges confides in Mike that someone has been threatening to kill him and he would like to discuss it after ward. Less than thirty minutes later Jerry Jeff Cody lies dead on the ground from an allergic reaction to peanuts in one of the chili contest entries. Working to solve this case helps bring McQuaid out of the depression he was in as he continues to go through the grueling physical therapy necessary to get back on his feet.

[chai_coffee_books ☕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

China Bayles, former criminal attorney and current owner of the herb shop “Thyme and Seasons” in Pecan Springs, Texas, is helping soon-to-be fiancé, Mike McQuaid, recover from a near-fatal gunshot wound, while also landing a part-time job as columnist for the Home and Garden page in the local newspaper.
The plot revolves around chili cook-offs and hospital-related thefts. During a chili cooking competition in Pecan Springs, one of the judges, Jerry Jeff, dies from heart attack, and autopsy reveals that it was brought on by an allergic reaction to peanuts in his chili. Mike suspects that “there’s more in this than meets the eye.” China teams up with Mike and her friend and soon-to-be business partner, Ruby Wilcox, to investigate Jerry's death and thefts in the hospital where Mike is recuperating.
Although the plot drags in some places, the cooking of chili, information on Chile peppers, and China’s snippets on herbal esoterica, were well researched.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

China Bayles is a former Houston attorney who has opened a successful herb shop in Pecan Springs in the Texas Hill Country. She and Mike McQuaid have been together around 5 years raising McQuaid' s 12-year-old son, Brian. McQuaid was shot while on temporary assignment with the Texas Rangers and is now undergoing extensive rehab so that he might learn to walk again. China visits him every day at his rehab center and the two of them have become quite involved with the daily goings on at The Manor, his rehab facility, making friends with many residents and staff there. They particularly become involved when one of the nursing aides they think is very good is accused of theft and is fired. McQuaid begrudgingly agrees to judge a local chili contest where one of the other judges is murdered by someone putting peanuts in his chili, a substance to which he was highly allergic. Great descriptions of the local characters and the natural beauty of Texas.

[Fredell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this installment of the China Bayles Mystery series. It was #7 in the series, but somehow I had missed it.
As usual, China gets caught up in an unexplained/seemingly natural death. It turns out to be murder, when the victim, who was allergic to peanuts, succumbed after having tasted chili laced with peanuts. His "heart attack" was definitely NOT natural. With her friends and neighbors, China investigates and comes up with several suspects. She slowly whittle the list down to a few. Only to discover that an unexpected killer emerging.
The twists and turns in this novel made for a great summer read and made me want to continue my reading affair with Wittig Albert's female sleuth.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
When JJ Cody falls over gasping for air as a judge at the local chile cook off, everyone thinks he's just joking about how hot the chile is. Unfortunately, JJ isn't joking, and ends up dead. Everyone thinks heart attack, until the medical examiner rules asphyxiation due to a peanut allergy. This is just the thing to get McQuaid's juices running, since he is in rehab from being shot in the neck. He has been trying to do the noble thing, and push China away, which is odd, because up until now, she's been the one dragging her heels. Lots of suspects, and more about China's relationship with her mom.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read this book for myself and again for my book club. I enjoyed it each time, but I agree that if you haven’t been following the saga of China Bayles’ business, friendships, family relationships, and love life throughout the series, you will have to read between the lines to catch up.

The town of Pecan Springs is out in force in this book, too, so be prepared: there are something like 50 different characters who show up, either at the chile contest or the nursing home, the police department or the various shops and restaurants in town.

I did admire how the author came up with two barely related mysteries and made finding the facts about one the key to solving the other.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

A China Bayless Mystery. Took until chap. 6 for murder to occur; lots of characters; the most interesting info. was about chilie recipes at beginning of each chapter. Lots of other bks. written but no need to read them—this one was a nice contrast to Gwen’s dense book; I really didn’t have to struggle to get through it, I just didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Via Friends of Library sale, 1998, hardback (with Madison Co. Library notation “withdrawn” throughout the book); 306 pgs.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles mystery series is really entertaining. Book 7, Chile Death, has China busy visiting her almost fiance, Mike McQuaid, at Manor nursing home where he is rehabing from being partially paralyzed in the line of duty. China's friend, Ruby, has just won the lottery and now she's ready to talk about opening a tearoom with China, and Pecan Springs, Texas is gearing up for the annual chili contest. There is a murder to solve, problems at the nursing home, and a visit from China's mom, Leatha. This book kept me guessing until the end!

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It started out slow and dreary. Albert was presenting China's state of mind concerning McQuaid being in a rehabilitation center for the injuries he sustained in the previous book in the series. This showed Albert's weakness as a writer. She doesn't do real world serious writing very well. However, once she allowed China and McQuaid to bounce back from their world being upset by his injuries, things picked up and the story was much more entertaining. The last book I read in this series was back in October so it was great to get back into China's world.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If she keeps posting recipes I may end up buying all the books and creating a massive library of my own. China's main squeeze is recovering from a life altering injury and giving our girl the cold shoulder. Add in some eccentric characters and you have a convoluted mystery.

There are several murders that add to the plot along with many twists and turns and an almost permenant end to our main character.

I am adding this to my personal library to peruse the linament recipe....the chili recipes can all go to hell. They are too spicy for me!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It is chock-full of information on Chile peppers of all kinds and includes recipes, even for Chile cookies. Jalapeño container 55,000 of burn units ( my own term) while habañeros contain 500,000 heat units. I believe it! I used to think Habañeros were the hottest, but now I know better. But I refuse to test try.
This chili book is all about murder and romance as well what more can a person ask for in late-night reading. Will China and McQuaid ever get married, or will they part ways?

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella storia, con due distinti misteri che non riuscivo a capire come fossero collegati fra loro, ma ero sicura che lo fossero. E più o meno avevo ragione. Alla fine mi sono resa conto che avevo sospettato del colpevole giusto all'inizio della storia, ma poi non lo avevo più considerato. Mi piace come sta evolvendo la vita privata della protagonista sebbene alcune cose le sapessi già perché ho già letto un paio di libri successivi (ehm... Di solito seguo l'ordine delle serie, ma mi servivano per delle challenge...).

[Jaime Ann Sanborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook, as I had done with the previous six. The author decided to narrate this one which was a total disappointment. She did no voices and I missed the charming personalities that the original narrator had given each character’s voice. Also, this was an abridged audiobook that was only 2 hours long. In those two hours, the author managed to destroy the plot line of China Bayles. I was so disappointed by this story. I am going to try the next one to see if there is any redemption.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

China Bayles succeeds in getting boyfriend Mike McQuaid to be a judge at the annual Chili Cook-off despite his recovering and his depression after his shooting. When a judge has an allergic reaction to one of the entries and dies, amateur sleuth and herb shop owner China, along with McQuaid and her friend, Ruby, want to know who did it. I really like this series and I love the relationship between China and McQuaid. This series is about 20 years old but don't let that stop you from enjoying!

[Muffin Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

China is my girl! Another good one in this series. China cares for her boyfriend (who becomes her fiancee in this on - aww) as he recovers from being shot in the last book. She then finds herself looking for a murderer at a Chile cook-off and dealing with some shady business at the nursing home her man is in.

Good stuff - China winds up breaking her leg at the end and rooming with her man in the care facility. Oh, she solves the mystery too.