What do you think?
Rate this book
China Bayles #17
Wormwood
Evil can worm its way into the purest of hearts...
China Bayles needs rest, and a historic Shaker village in Kentucky seems the ideal place for it. There she can learn about the intriguing, dwindling Shaker culture and its medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, the village is plagued with misfortune and strife. China wonders if, with the help of some age-old journals full of scandal, she can get to the bottom of it. But after a shocking death occurs during her stay, China will plunge into the archives of another time to connect the sins of the past with a modern-day murder.
China Bayles needs rest, and a historic Shaker village in Kentucky seems the ideal place for it. There she can learn about the intriguing, dwindling Shaker culture and its medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, the village is plagued with misfortune and strife. China wonders if, with the help of some age-old journals full of scandal, she can get to the bottom of it. But after a shocking death occurs during her stay, China will plunge into the archives of another time to connect the sins of the past with a modern-day murder.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2009
110 people are currently reading
919 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
120 books2,377 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
August 4, 2012
Although I'm a couple of years behind, I've read all the China Bayles Mysteries up to this one. The reason I mention that is so that I can tell you this one is different. As far as I can remember, I don't believe the author has ever included parts of the book from a viewpoint different than China Bayles. In this book we alternate between current time and what was happening in 1912 in the same area of northern Kentucky where China was visiting.
China's friend, Martha Edmond, invited her to go to Kentucky where she was offering a couple of one-day workshops on Shaker herbs at Mount Zion Shaker Village. Of course regular readers would know that the trip was a ruse to get China off on her own so she could solve the eventual murder without the help of her husband McQuaid, the former Houston policeman, who is now a part-time criminal justice professor and private detective. China, a retired attorney, now owns an herb shop called Thyme and Seasons in Pecan Springs, Texas. China did call McQuaid a few times and requested his help once even though she didn't always do what he said.
I enjoyed learning about the Shakers and I liked the way author Albert let us look at the past through the eyes of the people who lived at that time. She could have just as easily had the current-day characters read us the journals as was done more near the end of the book, but it wouldn't have been as realistic and interesting.
China's friend, Martha Edmond, invited her to go to Kentucky where she was offering a couple of one-day workshops on Shaker herbs at Mount Zion Shaker Village. Of course regular readers would know that the trip was a ruse to get China off on her own so she could solve the eventual murder without the help of her husband McQuaid, the former Houston policeman, who is now a part-time criminal justice professor and private detective. China, a retired attorney, now owns an herb shop called Thyme and Seasons in Pecan Springs, Texas. China did call McQuaid a few times and requested his help once even though she didn't always do what he said.
I enjoyed learning about the Shakers and I liked the way author Albert let us look at the past through the eyes of the people who lived at that time. She could have just as easily had the current-day characters read us the journals as was done more near the end of the book, but it wouldn't have been as realistic and interesting.
October 12, 2022
“A whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on!” China has ventured away from Pecan Springs to Mt Zion, Kentucky. She is the guest of the Shaker community to assist in workshops involving herbs. That is just the beginning.
The Garden of Eden this place wasn’t!! Murder and mystery abound. The stories were told in a now and then format - an insightful look at the Shaker faith. I learned a lot and found their practices rather odd! They follow the Bible, but all remain celibate, ignoring God’s words to “go forth and multiply.”
No wonder they died out.
I followed all the clues along the way and wasn’t surprised by the outcomes, but I really enjoyed this adventure - no Ruby, McQuaid or Brian for a nice change. Of the 17 I’ve read so far this is my favorite in the series.
Off to #18 Holly Blues.
The Garden of Eden this place wasn’t!! Murder and mystery abound. The stories were told in a now and then format - an insightful look at the Shaker faith. I learned a lot and found their practices rather odd! They follow the Bible, but all remain celibate, ignoring God’s words to “go forth and multiply.”
No wonder they died out.
I followed all the clues along the way and wasn’t surprised by the outcomes, but I really enjoyed this adventure - no Ruby, McQuaid or Brian for a nice change. Of the 17 I’ve read so far this is my favorite in the series.
Off to #18 Holly Blues.
May 1, 2009
I was warned by someone not to expect great things from Wormwood, and I'll admit that for a second there at the beginning I was worried they would be right. But then the story managed to find the right balance [or maybe I got used to the quirks of this particular book:] and I pretty much raced through to the end.
I'm curious as to whether there will be any real fallout from China's dream [mostly I want to know if we'll get to find out Ruby's reaction:]and I can't say I'm terribly surprised about the Caitlin situation.
I'm curious as to whether there will be any real fallout from China's dream [mostly I want to know if we'll get to find out Ruby's reaction:]and I can't say I'm terribly surprised about the Caitlin situation.
October 27, 2019
China Bayles takes what she hopes to be a two week R&R trip to a Shaker community with the intent of a few herbal workshops and a little assistance to a friend in some sleuthing need.
A departure from most of Albert’s books, in that it’s a combination of China’s narration and actual 1912 Shaker letters, journals and incidents, primarily in the Mount Zion community.
It’s fascinating, in that we are given a summarized history of the Shakers (originally the Believers) and their (mostly) demise. Some, fictional, but based on facts. Dual story lines that are relative to each other, even given the 1800 timeline to closely present.
Not my favorite in the series, as I missed the regular cast of characters, but enjoyed the departure for what it was.
A departure from most of Albert’s books, in that it’s a combination of China’s narration and actual 1912 Shaker letters, journals and incidents, primarily in the Mount Zion community.
It’s fascinating, in that we are given a summarized history of the Shakers (originally the Believers) and their (mostly) demise. Some, fictional, but based on facts. Dual story lines that are relative to each other, even given the 1800 timeline to closely present.
Not my favorite in the series, as I missed the regular cast of characters, but enjoyed the departure for what it was.
August 29, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
Unlike most other books in this series, this one took a bit to get into, probably because of the alternating time periods. The story looks at China's life in contemporary times and a Shaker community in the early 1900s, and it was a bit slow at first. Once it picked up, though, it was hard to put the book down.
It was relatively easy to see what was coming in the Shaker timeline, and as the book progressed, I was starting to figure things out in China's contemporary timeline as well. Here's hoping China's return to Pecan Springs will also return to a format that I've come to expect from this series.
Unlike most other books in this series, this one took a bit to get into, probably because of the alternating time periods. The story looks at China's life in contemporary times and a Shaker community in the early 1900s, and it was a bit slow at first. Once it picked up, though, it was hard to put the book down.
It was relatively easy to see what was coming in the Shaker timeline, and as the book progressed, I was starting to figure things out in China's contemporary timeline as well. Here's hoping China's return to Pecan Springs will also return to a format that I've come to expect from this series.
April 16, 2022
China is in Kentucky to help out a friend while they’re staying in a former Shaker dwelling/museum. There’s 2 mysteries, one present and on past. Can China shake out the truth before another murder is committed?
November 1, 2009
It's hard to imagine that this is book #17 in the China Bayles series. On the one hand, we've become quite familiar with China, McQuade, and the assorted cast of characters who people her herb shop and the small Texas hilltown of Pecan Springs. On the other hand, Wormwood is proof positive that you can teach a familiar character and series "new tricks." Specifically, this story represents a slight departure from the other entries in the series as China spends some time in a former Shaker community cum would-be tourist attraction and alternating chapters open with a snippet from a community member's 19th-century journal or other primary source. These then alternate with the 21st-century story and (eventually) mystery in which China becomes enmeshed while on her sidetrip to help a friend in Kentucky. (It wasn't a precise back-and-forth akin to People of the Book, but it was successful in juxtaposing past and present as you worked your way into the story.) The mystery itself, was somewhat tepid--by which I mean pretty darn predictable. That said, it really was the veneer of Shaker social history that made it so entertaining. Also, there's a nifty little detail at the end of the story (no, she's not pregnant--there is no shark-jumping here) that promises lots of new twists and turns ahead.
I liked the story and found it a clever deviation that Susan Wittig Albert inject her own personal interest in wanting to explore Shaker culture history into the storyline. My thinking is: whatever keeps it fresh for Susan Wittig Albert cannot help but be good for both China Bayles and her readers.
I liked the story and found it a clever deviation that Susan Wittig Albert inject her own personal interest in wanting to explore Shaker culture history into the storyline. My thinking is: whatever keeps it fresh for Susan Wittig Albert cannot help but be good for both China Bayles and her readers.
July 4, 2009
This latest installment in the China Bayles saga finds China heading out to Kentucky with a good friend to conduct herb lectures at a former Shaker village - now a reconstruction a la Williamsburg. China's personal life is in turmoil. Her half-brother who she only recently found out about was killed just weeks ago. His daughter is now in the care of her mother's sister, but that aunt is not looking very healthy and there is a foreshadowing of serious trouble from that quarter on the horizon. China's friends and family urge her to take the trip and she does.
Of course, once she gets there, she learns pretty quickly that things are not all serene and peaceful there either. Dirty tricks are being played, such as a barn burning, and there is an undercurrent of uneasiness and suspicion. Very soon after her arrival, the situation escalates to murder.
Meantime, China is having troubling dreams which seem somehow related to the Shaker village's past. Are they also related to the village's present troubles?
As always in these books, there is a lot of interesting herb lore included and at the end of the book, there are several recipes using herbs.
I found the story a bit slow-moving although it did pick up some steam towards the end. It was an enjoyable read but not my favorite of this series.
Of course, once she gets there, she learns pretty quickly that things are not all serene and peaceful there either. Dirty tricks are being played, such as a barn burning, and there is an undercurrent of uneasiness and suspicion. Very soon after her arrival, the situation escalates to murder.
Meantime, China is having troubling dreams which seem somehow related to the Shaker village's past. Are they also related to the village's present troubles?
As always in these books, there is a lot of interesting herb lore included and at the end of the book, there are several recipes using herbs.
I found the story a bit slow-moving although it did pick up some steam towards the end. It was an enjoyable read but not my favorite of this series.
March 24, 2010
This is one of the amateur sleuth series that I never tire and have never been disappointed. China is resourceful and smart. Each time I read one of this series, I want to go live in the part of Texas where Pecan Springs is located. I want to grow more herbs and raise goats and spin yarn and..and..and....well, you get the idea.
This story doesn't take place in Pecan Springs, rather China goes to Kentucky to a Shaker village of Mount Zion to help a friend conduct some herbal workshops and maybe help solve some issues that seem to be occurring. The problems of the present seem to be intertwined with those of the past of the Shaker village.
There is plenty of herbal lore to keep the fans of the series happy and the mysteries (past and present) are presented in a superb manner as we've come to expect from Susan Wittig Albert.
This is the first I've listened to or read of the series that is told by multiple voices and takes place in the past as well as the present. Julia Gibson is perfect for China and the present and Linda Stephens and Ed Sala are the epitome of the Shaker past.
Multiple past and present Shaker sparkly diamonds.....
This story doesn't take place in Pecan Springs, rather China goes to Kentucky to a Shaker village of Mount Zion to help a friend conduct some herbal workshops and maybe help solve some issues that seem to be occurring. The problems of the present seem to be intertwined with those of the past of the Shaker village.
There is plenty of herbal lore to keep the fans of the series happy and the mysteries (past and present) are presented in a superb manner as we've come to expect from Susan Wittig Albert.
This is the first I've listened to or read of the series that is told by multiple voices and takes place in the past as well as the present. Julia Gibson is perfect for China and the present and Linda Stephens and Ed Sala are the epitome of the Shaker past.
Multiple past and present Shaker sparkly diamonds.....
March 30, 2013
In this 17th book in the China Bayles series, China has been convinced by friends and family to take a vacation. She is visiting a friend and helping out with a few workshops at a Kentucky Shaker village. What China does not suspect is that her friend has asked her there to also do some investigating into some potentially shady practices at the village. The director wants to add to the village by putting in a fancy spa, but others feel that this may put the enterprise on shaky ground. Told in parallel with the historical events of the village that are being uncovered by the research staff, we see some interesting comparisons between the difficulties that the Shaker community had and the modern day challenges. When a suspicious death occurs, China finds the urge to investigate irresistible. As usual, the author elevates the "cozy mystery" to something deeper and more complex, sharing with the reader many of the details of the Shaker way of life. The end leaves us with a teaser on a dramatic change in China's own life.
November 3, 2015
This book was quite different from others I have read in this series. The location is Kentucky, and the setting is a Shaker village. China agrees to accompany an old friend from Mississippi to help teach workshops on herbs and assist with some sort of problem in the Shaker community. Of course there were many new characters in this story and a multitude of problems including murder, arson, theft, and residents very unhappy with the plans for future development of the Shaker community to make it become more productive financially. I liked the alternation between the history of this group and the current situation. China was suposedly on this retreat to rest but was quickly involved in so many of the Shaker problems that she got little rest. She was alert to what people said and did and soon began to figure out the problems.
August 25, 2014
China Bayles has traveled to Mississippi to visit New Zion, a Shaker community with her friend Martha. This story entwines two separate stories. In one, China and Martha have to deal with the modern problems of the day. An arson fire has damaged a barn and killed valuable horses, money has been stolen from the organization's files and the murder of the accountant. The other story is the story of New Zion and the Shakers who lived there. There was the same kind of mystery going on then and China, looking on from the future, figures everything out of course.This was a good installment in this series.
January 1, 2015
#17 in the China Bayles series. China is the proprietor of an herb shop in Pecan Springs, TX but manages to get involved in murder on a regular basis.
China Bayles travels to a historic Shaker village in Mt Zion, KY with a friend of her mother's. The community is having problems with arson, theft and murder. Flashbacks to the early 1800's show the real Shaker community having the same problems. Book is actually two similar short pieces with periods a century apart. Shaker lore adds interest.
China Bayles travels to a historic Shaker village in Mt Zion, KY with a friend of her mother's. The community is having problems with arson, theft and murder. Flashbacks to the early 1800's show the real Shaker community having the same problems. Book is actually two similar short pieces with periods a century apart. Shaker lore adds interest.
February 28, 2021
There's a lot of Shaker history in this one - herbology more than furniture, of course. At first, I didn't care for the shifts between past and present because there seemed to be twice as many people to keep track of, and being in the same area, some had the same last names. After a bit, the important ones rose to the top, and things got easier to follow. Definitely one of the better ones in the series. I was surprised because it takes place far from the familiar characters. Mystery in the past and mystery in the present were both well done.
October 23, 2015
I originally read this book from Oct. 17-24, 2013. I listened to this book again as I am doing the China Bayles series in order. This book is told in two parts, one taking place in the now when China goes to a Shaker village in Kentucky and the other in a flashback to 1912 from the archives when the village was also in an uproar. The audio version also introduces several narrators making it an interesting listen.
August 12, 2017
You wouldn't need to have read any of Albert's other China Bayles mysteries to appreciate this story, which weaves a contemporary mystery at a former Shaker village with an historical one back when the village was still in operation. I love all things Shaker (hence my IG loveanddelight) and the dual mysteries keeps the narrative fresh.
February 28, 2021
I worthy addition to Albert's oeuvre. Alternating chapters are devoted to a Shaker society of 1912, and the same settlement in the present, with murder and mystery in both settings. I learned a lot about the Shakers. All of Albert's books in this series have herbal lore throughout.
August 24, 2019
Fascinating!
January 15, 2020
interesting info regarding Shakers
July 10, 2022
I liked it. I’ll be reading more from this author!
August 12, 2022
Ex-lawyer China Bayles finds herself in more than the usual hot water when she leaves her business and her family for a two week trip to a historic Shaker village in Kentucky. Now an herbalist and owner of a busy herb shop in the town of Pecan Springs, China is there is relax after the death of her brother, as well as to help a fellow herbalist teach some workshops at the village.
But when China meets up with her friend Martha, China discovers that not only is she there to help out with the workshops, but to help figure out what is happening at the Shaker village. Things have been happening, including the burning of a stable with horses inside. And soon, China is as suspicious of things as Martha.
Along with China's investigations, readers are treated to some background on what shaker life was like. Wittig Albert uses her experiences visiting Shaker villages as well as research to create truly realistic Shaker characters through a series of letters, diaries and narration that helps shape the main story. As Wittig Albert herself writes "many of the incidents described in the book actually took place at one or another of the Shaker villages.
What we have are chapters in current day as well as back in time to 1912 with the two tales dovetailing in ways not expected. It makes for not only an enjoyable lesson in Shaker life but two intriguing stories.
Like all of the China Bayles stories I have read, I find her a strong character who remains always true to how she was portrayed in the first couple of books — her life changes but the essential woman is true. And I think that is why I keep returning to this series. Because the mysteries are fun to read and always satisfying, and China Bayles never drives me nuts by suddenly going from a down to earth, no nonsense character to a twit — it has happened, trust me on that one. So with good characters and mystery, I couldn't ask for more.
But when China meets up with her friend Martha, China discovers that not only is she there to help out with the workshops, but to help figure out what is happening at the Shaker village. Things have been happening, including the burning of a stable with horses inside. And soon, China is as suspicious of things as Martha.
Along with China's investigations, readers are treated to some background on what shaker life was like. Wittig Albert uses her experiences visiting Shaker villages as well as research to create truly realistic Shaker characters through a series of letters, diaries and narration that helps shape the main story. As Wittig Albert herself writes "many of the incidents described in the book actually took place at one or another of the Shaker villages.
What we have are chapters in current day as well as back in time to 1912 with the two tales dovetailing in ways not expected. It makes for not only an enjoyable lesson in Shaker life but two intriguing stories.
Like all of the China Bayles stories I have read, I find her a strong character who remains always true to how she was portrayed in the first couple of books — her life changes but the essential woman is true. And I think that is why I keep returning to this series. Because the mysteries are fun to read and always satisfying, and China Bayles never drives me nuts by suddenly going from a down to earth, no nonsense character to a twit — it has happened, trust me on that one. So with good characters and mystery, I couldn't ask for more.
December 10, 2024
I used to read this in order but as years went by not so much so I plopped into this one having missing major life events. No problems since it brings you up to speed but doesn't belabor the point. China needs a break according to her friends and family. Her friend Martha has just the thing: helping her at a herb workshop in a Shaker village in Kentucky. Martha's Aunt Charity had bee a Shaker there but left for reasons the family never knew and she'd like to learn why.
However, that wasn't all Martha wanted. She waits until they're on the road to tell China that Rachel Hart is now CEO and president of the board running the village (a clear conflict of interested, though she inherited ownership) and she thinks Rachel is up to something illegal. China reluctantly agrees to help.
It's told in dual time lines, China's and Aunt Charity's from the early 1900s as the Shakers were fading out as a religious group. I'll be honest I was not nearly as captivated by the Shakers are Albert clearly was when she researched this. Also I'm not a fan of the dual time frame trope so I was bored with a lot of that (which is sad because I am a history buff)
It takes over a third of a book before there is even a mystery. Turns out Martha was right about embezzlement going on and someone has killed to stop the investigation, one of Martha's friends being the victim.
At least China is aware she can't quite go bumbling into this because law enforcement might frown on it and thankfully the book steered away from the Andy Fife level of incompetence we usually see given to rural cops (but it did toe the line). The mystery wasn't bad. The end was unbelievable...for both mysteries (though Charity's wasn't much of a mystery). Was not a fan of how that wrapped it.
Still over all it wasn't bad and I still like China as a sleuth.
However, that wasn't all Martha wanted. She waits until they're on the road to tell China that Rachel Hart is now CEO and president of the board running the village (a clear conflict of interested, though she inherited ownership) and she thinks Rachel is up to something illegal. China reluctantly agrees to help.
It's told in dual time lines, China's and Aunt Charity's from the early 1900s as the Shakers were fading out as a religious group. I'll be honest I was not nearly as captivated by the Shakers are Albert clearly was when she researched this. Also I'm not a fan of the dual time frame trope so I was bored with a lot of that (which is sad because I am a history buff)
It takes over a third of a book before there is even a mystery. Turns out Martha was right about embezzlement going on and someone has killed to stop the investigation, one of Martha's friends being the victim.
At least China is aware she can't quite go bumbling into this because law enforcement might frown on it and thankfully the book steered away from the Andy Fife level of incompetence we usually see given to rural cops (but it did toe the line). The mystery wasn't bad. The end was unbelievable...for both mysteries (though Charity's wasn't much of a mystery). Was not a fan of how that wrapped it.
Still over all it wasn't bad and I still like China as a sleuth.
October 10, 2024
Shaker history told through journals, running parallel to a real time story linking murders, scandal, and uncovering both a new crime and an old shaker secret. Family is not always safe.
3 -stars
Loved the history, struggled with the amount of intervention and boarder line tampering the main character China Bayles does while interferes with the ongoing and newly discovered crimes. Solving the crime herself and handing over the information at the end to law enforcement even going as far as interrogating a suspect herself.
Although her husband is a police officer, China herself is a lawyer and should know better than to mess with official evidence.
I enjoyed the shaker history and stories uncovering its cult like control over members and how many of the members are able to pull the wool over the eyes of many of the leaders. Not only are we given a real time murder and intertwined scandal but also enjoy the old shaker scandal playing out linking both events to one particular family that has been involved with the Shaker Culter in a finical scene for many generations. Wrapping up the family's history and financial intervention for good.
3 stars for a great mystery and lots of cult like history from the shakers, would have loved a more realistic boundary set for the main characters playing detectives.
Amanda R.
3 -stars
Loved the history, struggled with the amount of intervention and boarder line tampering the main character China Bayles does while interferes with the ongoing and newly discovered crimes. Solving the crime herself and handing over the information at the end to law enforcement even going as far as interrogating a suspect herself.
Although her husband is a police officer, China herself is a lawyer and should know better than to mess with official evidence.
I enjoyed the shaker history and stories uncovering its cult like control over members and how many of the members are able to pull the wool over the eyes of many of the leaders. Not only are we given a real time murder and intertwined scandal but also enjoy the old shaker scandal playing out linking both events to one particular family that has been involved with the Shaker Culter in a finical scene for many generations. Wrapping up the family's history and financial intervention for good.
3 stars for a great mystery and lots of cult like history from the shakers, would have loved a more realistic boundary set for the main characters playing detectives.
Amanda R.
February 25, 2019
A mystery. A cozy mystery starring an herb shop owner. Set in a Shaker community museum.
Not at all bad for what it is! Nobody was stupid. The herb and history bits were not wrong.
There was very little that was completely and utterly unbelievable. As a herb fan and a reader of mysteries, I'd say that's above average already.
There were very few hateable characters, and, at least in this volume, the investigator's personal angsts were not center stage. The main character had a non-PI background, and she used it appropriately (*gasp*!). I didn't love China Bayles, but I enjoyed the mystery, so I'll probably read others in the series. I was a bit put off by the introduction, which included all sorts of characters that series readers wanted to know about but really didn't offer me much except an info-dump. The style, alternating the modern investigator and mystery with flashbacks from the Shaker community and tid-bits of 'newspapers' and 'journals' can be hard to pull off, but Albert managed it, leaving me more connected with the long-ago Shakers (especially Sister Charity!) and the friend from the modern museum board than with her heroine.
Not at all bad for what it is! Nobody was stupid. The herb and history bits were not wrong.
There was very little that was completely and utterly unbelievable. As a herb fan and a reader of mysteries, I'd say that's above average already.
There were very few hateable characters, and, at least in this volume, the investigator's personal angsts were not center stage. The main character had a non-PI background, and she used it appropriately (*gasp*!). I didn't love China Bayles, but I enjoyed the mystery, so I'll probably read others in the series. I was a bit put off by the introduction, which included all sorts of characters that series readers wanted to know about but really didn't offer me much except an info-dump. The style, alternating the modern investigator and mystery with flashbacks from the Shaker community and tid-bits of 'newspapers' and 'journals' can be hard to pull off, but Albert managed it, leaving me more connected with the long-ago Shakers (especially Sister Charity!) and the friend from the modern museum board than with her heroine.
March 20, 2025
This one helped me remember why this is one of my favorite series (I know... everyone says that) even though I have not read any books from it in a while. I have always loved China, whom I think is one of the smartest MCs in cozy mysteries, and her friends. But the story here, the combination of the Shaker past and the modern timeline intertwined, is thoroughly enjoyable to me. Yes, some of the Shaker story got a bit draggy, and while I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen in both sagas, that twist at the end of both still surprised me. While it wasn't the usual Bayles' format, I do like the series books written with the flashback component. Still a fave and I will definitely be back to Pecan Springs.
November 7, 2020
I liked the format of this novel. It had two stories in two timelines going on at the same time. The two stories took place in the same locale as China visits a Shaker village in Kentucky and then becomes embroiled in dirty tricks happening there that are eerily reminiscent of the earlier timeline. It was fun to read the two stories simultaneously and see how the historical people's story dovetailed with the modern story of financial misbehavior and murder. I like the China stories and it was fun to have her travel to a new locale, but once again, I miss McQuaid when he's just a couple phone conversations. Also, no Ruby or other locals that make the books interesting.
February 1, 2019
Skip this one
Probably my least favorite of all of the China Bayle’s books. If you have a strong interest in the Shakers you might enjoy this book I tired of it quickly. Switching between historical troubles at the village and contemporary troubles made the story feel disjointed. Few of the usual characters play much of a part in this story. They are missed as the characters introduced have little of the depth usually found in China Bayle’s stories. Lack of interesting characters, along with a slow and tedious storyline combine to make this a book to miss.
Probably my least favorite of all of the China Bayle’s books. If you have a strong interest in the Shakers you might enjoy this book I tired of it quickly. Switching between historical troubles at the village and contemporary troubles made the story feel disjointed. Few of the usual characters play much of a part in this story. They are missed as the characters introduced have little of the depth usually found in China Bayle’s stories. Lack of interesting characters, along with a slow and tedious storyline combine to make this a book to miss.
August 7, 2021
Ugggh. This one was a struggle. I love this series but I don’t care much for Shaker history or the whole every other chapter backstory. I enjoy that in historical fiction or non fiction but this was just awkward. McQuaid licks her and she raves about how bad she wants her body and their crazy sec life- which has never been mentioned that I recall or care about- just not what I was expecting from this series I normally listen to while cleaning the house in the background w the kids. I only cared about the niece story line and no one fro pecan springs is in it. A dud in my opinion.
October 10, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this - like Albert's style and the story was good with a little bit of a surprise ending. Thought I had it all figured out, but I didn't!
Skimmed through a lot of the herbal info just because I'm not that interested in what hundred things herbs can help with (a hundred years ago). A little disconcerting going back and forth from a non-linear 1912 to present day - pretty much two different stories connected by a thin thread.
That said, it was an easy and enjoyable read and I would pick up another in the series.
Skimmed through a lot of the herbal info just because I'm not that interested in what hundred things herbs can help with (a hundred years ago). A little disconcerting going back and forth from a non-linear 1912 to present day - pretty much two different stories connected by a thin thread.
That said, it was an easy and enjoyable read and I would pick up another in the series.
May 16, 2020
3.5 stars. I like these China Bayles books, they've always got something interesting going on. This one had a lot of history about the Shakers that I didn't know. And I liked how the past and present got all tangled up together. Because I haven't read all of this series in order (just as I find them here and there) I don't really get all the backstory and relationships, but they are good mysteries anyway!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews