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China Bayles #15
Spanish Dagger
Between the herb shop, the catering business, and now a weekend paper-making class, China Bayles and her friends have as much work as they can handle. Of course, that doesn’t stop the rest of their lives from going on—or coming to an end, as the case may be. Meanwhile, China’s half-brother is opening up old wounds, trying to investigate their father’s supposedly accidental death. Although she can’t stop her husband from taking the case—after all, he’s a P.I. who hasn’t had a bite in months—China can at least put the unsavory business out of mind by gathering supplies for making paper. But in a patch of yucca plants (which make great paper), she finds a body—cause of death unknown. Many residents of Pecan Springs live seemingly simple lives that hide complex and dangerous pasts. And now, while unraveling secrets that hit close to home, China must set the record straight—and find a killer.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2007
111 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
120 books2,375 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 - 29 of 133 reviews
October 23, 2019
Whew! That was some ride. Definitely the most intense installment in the China Bayles series so far.
China Bayles is an ex-lawyer that runs an herbal gift shop in Pecan Springs. Ruby Wilcox is her BFF and partner in an upscale tea room, as well as owner of adjoined new age shop. Together, they help the local authorities solve crimes. Sometimes, they are even asked to. China is married to an ex-homicide detective who has started his own private investigation business.
Ruby has been dating an evasive fella for several months and decides to break it off when he proves to laconic for her emotional needs. When he no-shows to pick up some remnants, it’s annoying. When he’s found dead a few days later, it’s devastating. Theories swirl as to just who this reticence man was and when a woman, who has business ties with him, is also found dead, those theories get investigated.
The general cast of characters play their part along with the supporting roles to dice things up a bit.
Consensus leans towards drugs, given it was secretly known he worked in narcotics previously. So when a purported task force officer starts snooping around, it’s all hands on deck to dig out the reasons.
This book had me up til 2am reading to its climatic reveal. The introduction of Rambo, the oh so talented Rottweiler, was a pleasant surprise.
This is the 2nd of 3 in what was intended to be one, but just couldn’t jam it all in. I’m glad Albert didn’t and even more so that I have all 3. So this review will be short so I can get started on the 3rd.
Each book has herbal tips and lore related to the titled plant, as well as recipes of mentioned meals and resources for further herbal ingestion.
China Bayles is an ex-lawyer that runs an herbal gift shop in Pecan Springs. Ruby Wilcox is her BFF and partner in an upscale tea room, as well as owner of adjoined new age shop. Together, they help the local authorities solve crimes. Sometimes, they are even asked to. China is married to an ex-homicide detective who has started his own private investigation business.
Ruby has been dating an evasive fella for several months and decides to break it off when he proves to laconic for her emotional needs. When he no-shows to pick up some remnants, it’s annoying. When he’s found dead a few days later, it’s devastating. Theories swirl as to just who this reticence man was and when a woman, who has business ties with him, is also found dead, those theories get investigated.
The general cast of characters play their part along with the supporting roles to dice things up a bit.
Consensus leans towards drugs, given it was secretly known he worked in narcotics previously. So when a purported task force officer starts snooping around, it’s all hands on deck to dig out the reasons.
This book had me up til 2am reading to its climatic reveal. The introduction of Rambo, the oh so talented Rottweiler, was a pleasant surprise.
This is the 2nd of 3 in what was intended to be one, but just couldn’t jam it all in. I’m glad Albert didn’t and even more so that I have all 3. So this review will be short so I can get started on the 3rd.
Each book has herbal tips and lore related to the titled plant, as well as recipes of mentioned meals and resources for further herbal ingestion.
August 11, 2008
Oh China, what has happened to you?
You've gone from an interesting, three-dimensional character to a busybody who somehow ramrods her agenda down everyone's throats.
The plot of this book wasn't half-bad (though the various drug agencies had me confounded), but China's attempts at mystery solving (telling the chief of police what she'll do and what she won't, inserting herself in investigations, giving a possible killer her home address???) were baffling. I am all for suspension of disbelief, but this was ridiculous.
Bring back the old China. Please!
You've gone from an interesting, three-dimensional character to a busybody who somehow ramrods her agenda down everyone's throats.
The plot of this book wasn't half-bad (though the various drug agencies had me confounded), but China's attempts at mystery solving (telling the chief of police what she'll do and what she won't, inserting herself in investigations, giving a possible killer her home address???) were baffling. I am all for suspension of disbelief, but this was ridiculous.
Bring back the old China. Please!
October 5, 2022
I’m moving right on to this book, the next in the series, because the previous episode just left the reader hanging. Since I was without power for three days I was glad I had all these China Bayles books on hand. Easy to pick up and put down because the author repeats everything over and over. She also always rehashes the previous book and gives away the entire plot and the conclusion, it’s why I suggest you read them in order!
A new found relative and China’s father’s mysterious death had me reading still without power!!
A new found relative and China’s father’s mysterious death had me reading still without power!!
April 3, 2022
So much going on in China and Ruby’s life. Ruby’s dealing with her mom who has dementia, McQaid is off investigating for china’s half brother, China is setting up a paper making workshop when, gasp, she finds a body among the Yuccas. It’s a prickly situation, but China must make a stab at it.
August 13, 2020
Definitely one of the best in the China Bayles series.
September 1, 2025
Despite everything, a relative wants to find out what happened to his father. This opens a canof worms. Then the sleuth finds a body in the yucca plants.
Very judgemental.
Very judgemental.
August 13, 2014
Spanish Dagger appears to be the first of a three book enstalment by Susan Witting Albert.
In this book..... we really learn more about the relationship between China and her half brother Miles.
Also Colin, Ruby's boyfriend is found murdered by China and her friend. There is a huge background surrounding Colin... and I think this book is just starting to give us a hint of what he was really about.
We learn more about Sheila, and her interactions with the police department.
This was all in all a very good start for a three book trilogy of sorts. Again...... I love Susan Witting Albert, so I will trust her judgement. (she warned us at the beginning of her plans....) So I will look forward to hopefully learning more about China's mother and father.... and how their marriage sustained such long term adultery.
Again......a great read for fans of China Bayles
In this book..... we really learn more about the relationship between China and her half brother Miles.
Also Colin, Ruby's boyfriend is found murdered by China and her friend. There is a huge background surrounding Colin... and I think this book is just starting to give us a hint of what he was really about.
We learn more about Sheila, and her interactions with the police department.
This was all in all a very good start for a three book trilogy of sorts. Again...... I love Susan Witting Albert, so I will trust her judgement. (she warned us at the beginning of her plans....) So I will look forward to hopefully learning more about China's mother and father.... and how their marriage sustained such long term adultery.
Again......a great read for fans of China Bayles
October 31, 2015
This book cleared up questionable information about Ruby's boyfriend Colin and dealt with a new issue of Ruby's mother's declining health. During Ruby's absence to care for her mother, China became involved in investigating two murders. McQuaid was gone, looking into China's father's 16-year-old death and employed by her step-brother. Brian was busy, so most of this book centered around China alone with some participation by police chief Sheila. It was interesting, well written, and held the reader's attention. I enjoyed it.
December 8, 2017
I think I have found a new mystery author to read! This is book 15 in a series of apparently 26 books currently. The author is a former English professor with an apparent love for all things botanical. I enjoyed the character of China Bayles, a lawyer turned independent business owner, whose curiosity and concern for her friends puts her in the midst of solving the murder of her best friend's former lover. As she uncovers the truth about several characters who are not what they seem to be, she ultimately discovers the truth about the murder.
March 2, 2013
With each entry, this series gets stronger and new layers of China Bayles are revealed, like peeling an onion. A solid story with solid writing, and I'm really looking forward to the blossoming of the continuing storyline dealing with the truth behind China's father's death. A great read all the way around.
December 20, 2016
This series is my literary comfort food.
A fun and interesting mystery set in Pecan Springs. I'll admit, I waited a bit to read this one cause I thought it would be book one of two about the mystery surrounding China's Father. Not so much. Yet again, I kick myself for waiting. Oh sure, there were breadcrumbs leading to the next book. But this one was a mystery in it's own.
Loved it!
A fun and interesting mystery set in Pecan Springs. I'll admit, I waited a bit to read this one cause I thought it would be book one of two about the mystery surrounding China's Father. Not so much. Yet again, I kick myself for waiting. Oh sure, there were breadcrumbs leading to the next book. But this one was a mystery in it's own.
Loved it!
August 23, 2008
Always love Susan Wittig Albert, even try some of her recipes on occasion. She paints such a good picture of her life in a small Texas town, and all the additional information about herbs is fascinating.
August 29, 2010
Another mind-blowing China Bayles mystery. It saddens me that I'm drawing close to the "end" (most recent release) of the books. Only three to go before I've caught up and must join the ranks of those who wait restlessly for the new novel! I'm such a huge fan of Susan Albert.
November 6, 2010
I wish the Whiz would make another appearance and that problems would not be solved by killing off the problematic partner in a relationship or crime. I'm getting so that I recognize the clues too early in the book and so at the end don't feel satisfied with the result.
February 26, 2012
Love the entire series. Poor Ruby, she always falls for the wrong man. Got to love her spirit. I never knew so much about herbs & never thought I would be interested.but China & the gang makes it real & fun! To the shelf!
August 9, 2007
i really like this author- not your ordinary mystery book. i am into herbs and she incorporates a different herb into each murder mystery.
October 25, 2012
Books in this series get better as they go along. Almost to the end of them but looking forward to future character developments and more heart tugging stories.
July 12, 2013
Love these mysteries!
July 6, 2015
This was a decent read, though the identity of the killer came out of nowhere. China was rather bossy and annoying in this one, including a few TSTL moments. Overall I enjoyed it well enough.
July 27, 2017
Love all the information given on the different plants through out the book. Love the twist she throws in during th story.
October 25, 2022
China Bayles is back with another murder mystery on her hands. As she is helping her friend Carole gather yucca leaves for a papermaking workshop, she discovers the body of Ruby's ex-boyfriend, Colin. Ruby, in the meantime, is out of town dealing with her elderly mother as she tries to get her into a nursing home.
As if all that was not enough, China's newly found half-brother wants to find out what really happened when their father drove off a bridge to his death sixteen years before. While China wants nothing to do with this situation, her retired cop husband, now a PI, decides to investigate.
Author Susan Wittig Albert deftly weaves the several storylines together for a solid tale of misguided love and betrayal. How she comes to find out who killed Colin and why is, of course, at the root of Spanish Dagger. While I have read this series from the beginning, I am just now catching up with the latter books. It seems each book was written with more depth and deeper characteriation than earlier books.
Every time I open another China Bayles mystery, I feel like I am returning to old stomping grounds and catching up on what has been going on in my absence. As usual, China and her family and friends keep things interesting in Pecan Springs, Texas.
If you love a good mystery but haven't yet read any of the China Bayles series, you can jump in anywhere. Each book stands alone while you can also go back to the beginning and get the deeper background of her family and relationships. Either way, you will be rewarded with another great mystery.
As if all that was not enough, China's newly found half-brother wants to find out what really happened when their father drove off a bridge to his death sixteen years before. While China wants nothing to do with this situation, her retired cop husband, now a PI, decides to investigate.
Author Susan Wittig Albert deftly weaves the several storylines together for a solid tale of misguided love and betrayal. How she comes to find out who killed Colin and why is, of course, at the root of Spanish Dagger. While I have read this series from the beginning, I am just now catching up with the latter books. It seems each book was written with more depth and deeper characteriation than earlier books.
Every time I open another China Bayles mystery, I feel like I am returning to old stomping grounds and catching up on what has been going on in my absence. As usual, China and her family and friends keep things interesting in Pecan Springs, Texas.
If you love a good mystery but haven't yet read any of the China Bayles series, you can jump in anywhere. Each book stands alone while you can also go back to the beginning and get the deeper background of her family and relationships. Either way, you will be rewarded with another great mystery.
January 23, 2019
This sucked. Not only was the story incredibly implausible in places, the writing was padded with so much historical and plant information, I found myself skipping paragraphs in order to keep the plot moving. There is also a great deal of padding when it comes to describing the clothes people wear and how those clothes provide clues of the person's character. What an insult! If China Bayles is an alter ego of the author, she is a judgmental know-it-all.
I was so disappointed by the decline in the quality of the writing. One example: "Forget it, Smart Cookie," I said firmly. "My house. My rules." Dear God in heaven. That is something you would read in a class of aspiring writers held in a local community center. What is with the Smart Cookie and The Whiz and Big Red Mamma nicknames? I find things like this to be an insult to my intelligence. What has happened to Albert? These books used to be very entertaining and smart. The IQ of the past two or three books in this series has plummeted drastically. And, the plots are getting thinner and thinner while the padding about local history, plant information and unnecessary details about clothes and how what people wear and how they look indicates what type of person they are almost drives the reader into a catatonic state!
I will pick up the next book in this series but it may be the book that makes me decide to give up on China Bayles as a character and Susan Wittig Albert as a writer.
I was so disappointed by the decline in the quality of the writing. One example: "Forget it, Smart Cookie," I said firmly. "My house. My rules." Dear God in heaven. That is something you would read in a class of aspiring writers held in a local community center. What is with the Smart Cookie and The Whiz and Big Red Mamma nicknames? I find things like this to be an insult to my intelligence. What has happened to Albert? These books used to be very entertaining and smart. The IQ of the past two or three books in this series has plummeted drastically. And, the plots are getting thinner and thinner while the padding about local history, plant information and unnecessary details about clothes and how what people wear and how they look indicates what type of person they are almost drives the reader into a catatonic state!
I will pick up the next book in this series but it may be the book that makes me decide to give up on China Bayles as a character and Susan Wittig Albert as a writer.
November 7, 2016
50 States and at least 50 Authors 2016 Reading Challenge. TEXAS.
China's half brother, Miles, is investigating the death of their father and asks for McQuaid's help. Ruby's mother has been showing signs of dementia and personality changes. Ruby is busy moving her mother into an assisted living facility. China and a visiting handicraft teacher discover the body of Colin Fowler near the railroad tracks in town. Is his murder related to his previous undercover work as Dan Reid? Was he still undercover while in Pecan Springs? Was his time in prison part of his undercover work? So many questions.
China's half brother, Miles, is investigating the death of their father and asks for McQuaid's help. Ruby's mother has been showing signs of dementia and personality changes. Ruby is busy moving her mother into an assisted living facility. China and a visiting handicraft teacher discover the body of Colin Fowler near the railroad tracks in town. Is his murder related to his previous undercover work as Dan Reid? Was he still undercover while in Pecan Springs? Was his time in prison part of his undercover work? So many questions.
August 17, 2020
The story thread begun with Miles Danforth continues in this novel but not much progress is made except that once again, McQuaid disappears from the novel as he becomes the investigator for China's father's death. But the story thread introduced previously of Ruby's mysterious boyfriend becomes the focus of this novel. It's an interesting and involved story with lots of red herrings that keep it intriguing. I liked the story because I always like the characters & the town of Pecan Springs. It's fun to visit there & I'm rather enjoying the extended visit by reading several volumes in order. One of the fun things of reading an older series is that you can binge.
May 4, 2022
Spanish Dagger by Susan Wittig Albert is #15 in the China Bayles series. I know that I've read this book before, but I love the China Bayles series, so I picked it up at the library. Ruby, China's best friend and business partner, had to go to Fredericksburg to deal with her mother who has dementia. While Ruby is away, her former boyfriend is found murdered. Now, of course, China is the one to find the body and she finds a way to get involved in the investigation.
I love the town of Pecan Springs and all of the characters in the book. This is a great cozy mystery especially if you live in South Central Texas.
I love the town of Pecan Springs and all of the characters in the book. This is a great cozy mystery especially if you live in South Central Texas.
October 1, 2017
A good, solid, interesting cozy with multiple characters and false leads. Always fun to read, especially to learn more about plants and herbs. In this story, one of China's friends, Ruby, is dealing with her elderly mother who is showing definite signs of dementia and in the midst of this, finds out that her ex-boyfriend has been murdered. While Ruby is dealing with Mom, China is on the hunt to find out the background of the ex and what would cause someone to want him dead. Who was he — was he good or bad? A drug dealer or an agent on the hunt for drug dealers?
May 21, 2018
China Bayles's life in Texas, is never dull! In this installment of Susan Wittig Albert's mystery series, China and Shelia are the only ones available in Pecan Springs to solve two murders. Ruby is 60 miles away in Fredericksburg, tending to her "forgetful" mother while McQuaid is in Houston working on a case. I enjoyed reading Spanish Dagger and learning more about China and her world. As in the rest of the books in this series, there are interesting secondary characters and a who dunnit & why to solve. This series never disappoints!
April 1, 2020
Back at it again! Albert brings her A game to this one and China barrels through this convoluted mess like a bull in a "China" shop!
Ruby finally gives that deadbeat the heave-ho and as much as he tries to come back every once in awhile for a booty call - Ruby gets sick of being stood up - she has her bat-shit crazy mom to deal with so she gets out of town.
While gone - China discovers that the deadbeat has been murdered. A secret identity comes to the surface and the local nursery turns out to be nursing some illegal herbs..
Ruby finally gives that deadbeat the heave-ho and as much as he tries to come back every once in awhile for a booty call - Ruby gets sick of being stood up - she has her bat-shit crazy mom to deal with so she gets out of town.
While gone - China discovers that the deadbeat has been murdered. A secret identity comes to the surface and the local nursery turns out to be nursing some illegal herbs..
February 2, 2021
While China's best friend, Ruby Wilcox, is in Fredericksburg tending to her ailing mother, a shocker occurs. Ruby's on again, off again boyfriend, Colin Fowler, is murdered, and of course, China and a friend are the ones to find him. Along with this mystery, China's newly found half brother is nagging at her about the circumstances of their father's death, and hires McQuaid to find out what happened.
Good story, and as usually, red herrings, but little clues along the way, so the reveal isn't the shocker it could have been.
Good story, and as usually, red herrings, but little clues along the way, so the reveal isn't the shocker it could have been.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 133 reviews