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China Bayles #19
Mourning Gloria
Another herbal treat from national bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert.
While Pecan Springs, Texas bustles back to life in the warmth of spring, one woman's life is tragically brought to an end. Herbalist (and former lawyer)China Bayles happens upon a burning house trailer and hears a woman screaming for help. The evidence leaves no doubt that it's arson homicide.
Jessica Nelson, an intern-reporter at the local paper, is assigned to cover the story. But she's gotten herself too deeply involved. When Jessica disappears, China is determined to find her, before she becomes headlines herself.
While Pecan Springs, Texas bustles back to life in the warmth of spring, one woman's life is tragically brought to an end. Herbalist (and former lawyer)China Bayles happens upon a burning house trailer and hears a woman screaming for help. The evidence leaves no doubt that it's arson homicide.
Jessica Nelson, an intern-reporter at the local paper, is assigned to cover the story. But she's gotten herself too deeply involved. When Jessica disappears, China is determined to find her, before she becomes headlines herself.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2011
127 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
120 books2,378 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 222 reviews
April 5, 2011
I grade on a 1-10 basis and this one was a solid 9. Love this series and this one was not a disappointment! China is such a great character. She's strong and I love how she's feeling her way along, figuring out how to be a mom to Caitlin. Great book.....great series!
December 28, 2015
Good series! Real people!
June 28, 2011
Sigh, another series I'm tired of. Not that the China Bayles books have ever been favorites of mine, but I think even fans would say that the plot is lackadaisical and the writing is slack in this one. China is driving home one night and sees a trailer fire on the side of the road. But there's a woman trapped in the fire, and China can't get her out. Later she learns that it's a case of arson murder. Meanwhile, the local newspaper's summer intern Jessica gets the story, and because of elements in her own history becomes determined to find the killer. Then Jessica disappears, and China frantically hunts for the young woman. Oh, and China's adopted daughter gets a cat.
July 25, 2017
Apparently I am in the minority for liking this book. It followed the same path as previous books by this author so I am not sure why other people didn't like it. I enjoy reading about different herbs and in this case they were hallucinogenic herbs which I found doubly interesting. I didn't guess who the killer was until I was told and that was mainly because the character wasn't even mentioned until the book was nearly done. I look forward to the next in the series!
April 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book!1 This was the first I had read by this author and you can bet I will be reading a lot more of her books..I enjoy the small town atmosphere that is surrounded by mystery and suspense..Would highly recommend this book!!
October 19, 2022
Well, Ms Albert recouped herself with this episode of the China Bayles series - it was pretty good. She introduces some new characters, which is always nice for a change. But as usual everything is repeated over and over and over and over - hey, I got it the first time.
But……her editor is a disaster. The biggest error was regarding Truman Capote and “In Cold Blood.” Author states it was written in the 1950’s - the crime didn’t even take place until 1959 and the book was first published in 1965. Haven’t they ever heard of fact checking? I knew it was wrong even before I verified it with Google - I’d read it in 1966!
It says the victim’s mouth is taped so tight that it hurts, but she is still able to do yoga breathing to calm herself? I’d like to see her exhale through a taped up mouth!! And please, stop giving the cats milk, it is not good for them, as most cats are lactose intolerant.
But……her editor is a disaster. The biggest error was regarding Truman Capote and “In Cold Blood.” Author states it was written in the 1950’s - the crime didn’t even take place until 1959 and the book was first published in 1965. Haven’t they ever heard of fact checking? I knew it was wrong even before I verified it with Google - I’d read it in 1966!
It says the victim’s mouth is taped so tight that it hurts, but she is still able to do yoga breathing to calm herself? I’d like to see her exhale through a taped up mouth!! And please, stop giving the cats milk, it is not good for them, as most cats are lactose intolerant.
April 25, 2022
I liked this book much more when I originally read it. Now, it seems rife with fluffy BS and pandering to anti-GMO conspiracists. The story itself is OK.
July 28, 2021
It's always enjoyable to return to Pecan Springs, Texas & have a look-in at all our old friends. China & McQuaid are doing well, their son Brian is a senior in high school & they are now the adoptive parents of her 11-year-old niece, which is turning out to be a good experience for all. Ruby is helpful & supportive as China helps Jessica, the intern reporter, whose experiences take center stage in this outing. She is following a story that turns ugly as China is increasingly drawn into the investigation of a murder. Since McQuaid seems to always be out of town on PI cases during crucial times, he's of no help to her as she follows the trail of kidnapping & murder. It's all well-plotted with an interesting setting in the Texas Hill Country, lots of info about psychoactive plants, & quirky characters making appearances. And some traction on the romance between the sheriff & the police chief.
November 15, 2021
It's been awhile since I've read one of these and for the first half I was really excited to see all the characters and be part of the world again. Unfortunately, the actual mystery itself was very meh — we didn't really now the victim and weren't given enough info to feel any connection to them or even the reporter. It made the resolution carry little weight and almost feel like an afterthought.
All that said, it won't be nearly as long before I give another one of these a chance.
All that said, it won't be nearly as long before I give another one of these a chance.
April 3, 2011
Spring is in the air (or at least the calendar says so) and it’s the perfect time to pickup the latest installment in the China Bayles Mystery series, MOURNING GLORIA.
Herbalist China Bayles has her hands full between operating her herb shop, participating in the weekly Farmers’ Market, planning a psychoactive plant seminar for the local garden club, and of course, caring for her ever-growing family. This doesn’t even include the slew of usual activities going on in Pecan Springs. The last thing China needs is to get involved in something else.
On her way home one evening, China passes a burning house trailer. Remembering the trailer is vacant, China stops anyway and calls 911. She then hears a woman cry for help. As China tries to get inside the burning trailer there’s an explosion. When the fire is finally out, firemen find a body that has been shot and bound before being burned.
Learning the fire was an arson/homicide China can’t get the cries for help out of her head. Meanwhile, Jessica Nelson, a new intern reporter for the local newspaper begins covering the case. The story becomes personal to Jessica who lost her entire family to a fire and now she’s determined to find out why this killer did what he did.
When Jessica disappears after leaving a frantic message on China’s answering machine, China is compelled to find her. She fears Jessica has gotten too close to the killer for her own good.
Author Susan Wittig Albert weaves an assortment of plausible suspects into the story keeping the reader on their toes for clues as China closes in on the killer. In addition, China’s personal life is integrated in such a way readers can feel they’re in her shoes (so to speak).
MOURNING GLORIA is the 19th installment in the China Bayles Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. The author gives just enough background details so a new reader doesn’t feel lost and a returning fan doesn’t think, ‘I know all this already, get on with the story.’ The returning fans renew old friendships with lovable characters and places, while new readers get to know them.
Most of the chapters begin with a bit of information about various herbs and plants. In addition, readers are treated to a number of delicious recipes and herbal mixtures in the back of the book.
As China searches for Jessica, the killer’s reasons for his actions becomes clearer and more deadly. This is a suspenseful, fast pace mystery that will be hard to put down until you know why Jessica is MOURNING GLORIA.
Herbalist China Bayles has her hands full between operating her herb shop, participating in the weekly Farmers’ Market, planning a psychoactive plant seminar for the local garden club, and of course, caring for her ever-growing family. This doesn’t even include the slew of usual activities going on in Pecan Springs. The last thing China needs is to get involved in something else.
On her way home one evening, China passes a burning house trailer. Remembering the trailer is vacant, China stops anyway and calls 911. She then hears a woman cry for help. As China tries to get inside the burning trailer there’s an explosion. When the fire is finally out, firemen find a body that has been shot and bound before being burned.
Learning the fire was an arson/homicide China can’t get the cries for help out of her head. Meanwhile, Jessica Nelson, a new intern reporter for the local newspaper begins covering the case. The story becomes personal to Jessica who lost her entire family to a fire and now she’s determined to find out why this killer did what he did.
When Jessica disappears after leaving a frantic message on China’s answering machine, China is compelled to find her. She fears Jessica has gotten too close to the killer for her own good.
Author Susan Wittig Albert weaves an assortment of plausible suspects into the story keeping the reader on their toes for clues as China closes in on the killer. In addition, China’s personal life is integrated in such a way readers can feel they’re in her shoes (so to speak).
MOURNING GLORIA is the 19th installment in the China Bayles Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. The author gives just enough background details so a new reader doesn’t feel lost and a returning fan doesn’t think, ‘I know all this already, get on with the story.’ The returning fans renew old friendships with lovable characters and places, while new readers get to know them.
Most of the chapters begin with a bit of information about various herbs and plants. In addition, readers are treated to a number of delicious recipes and herbal mixtures in the back of the book.
As China searches for Jessica, the killer’s reasons for his actions becomes clearer and more deadly. This is a suspenseful, fast pace mystery that will be hard to put down until you know why Jessica is MOURNING GLORIA.
November 12, 2013
We aren't mourning anything or anyone, really. We're talking about plants. Once in awhile we refer to the mystery of how and why the woman who was screaming in the trailer while it burned to the ground with her inside it was killed, but the murder is peripheral. The subject should scream with urgency, but it gets lost among the minutiae.
I have never abandoned a book from this series before. I was just about out of light reading (both mentally and physically; I prefer a fictional pocket paperback for bedtime), and I found this for a buck at a local charity shop. Now I know why someone gave it away.
The characterizations are descriptive enough, and I have read enough of the series, that I should have bonded with them by now, but they feel contrived and a little bit wooden. The one that has been best developed, in my own thinking, is the character of Sheila "Tough Cookie" Dawes. Ruby has always felt a little cartoonish to me, and though China voices how she feels about this, that, the other, I never feel it along with her. The writer's voice is either a chilly one, or else she's phoning it in.
I have a general rule of thumb when it comes to crime thrillers and mysteries, even cozy mysteries: if the book has recipes in it, it isn't a focused plot line. Don't buy books that have recipes unless you're buying a cookbook. It was good advice, and I should have listened to my inner voice here.
I found a second book by this writer at the same charity store, and it is from a second series that I've never read. I will try it; you never know. After all, I already gave them a buck for it; what more have I got to lose? But China Bayles and I are breaking up. It's so over.
I have never abandoned a book from this series before. I was just about out of light reading (both mentally and physically; I prefer a fictional pocket paperback for bedtime), and I found this for a buck at a local charity shop. Now I know why someone gave it away.
The characterizations are descriptive enough, and I have read enough of the series, that I should have bonded with them by now, but they feel contrived and a little bit wooden. The one that has been best developed, in my own thinking, is the character of Sheila "Tough Cookie" Dawes. Ruby has always felt a little cartoonish to me, and though China voices how she feels about this, that, the other, I never feel it along with her. The writer's voice is either a chilly one, or else she's phoning it in.
I have a general rule of thumb when it comes to crime thrillers and mysteries, even cozy mysteries: if the book has recipes in it, it isn't a focused plot line. Don't buy books that have recipes unless you're buying a cookbook. It was good advice, and I should have listened to my inner voice here.
I found a second book by this writer at the same charity store, and it is from a second series that I've never read. I will try it; you never know. After all, I already gave them a buck for it; what more have I got to lose? But China Bayles and I are breaking up. It's so over.
May 3, 2015
Spring is in the air and so is murder. China drives by a burning house trailer and hears someone trapped inside. The trailer explodes before China can help and she knows she needs to find out what happened and who was inside. As well as what happened to the missing reporter who was investigating on her own.
The sheriff and the police chief are both friends and know that China has a knack and her ear to the ground, so they caution her to be careful as they know she is going to investigate as only she can.
It's done with common sense, not goofily as often presented in other amateur sleuth/cozy mysteries (of which I only sample one and done as a rule). It's part of what keeps me coming back to the series. I typically weary of a series when it gets into the teens, but it is doubtful I will ever say that about my visits with China Bayles. I want to live in Pecan Springs, meet all of the characters, eat at the diners and dives, and play in the dirt in China's herb gardens. Each read or listen is a comfy visit home, albeit a gritty visit.
I don't read or listen to the series in order and it doesn't seem to matter. The reader gets caught up fairly quickly.
Definite recommend.
The sheriff and the police chief are both friends and know that China has a knack and her ear to the ground, so they caution her to be careful as they know she is going to investigate as only she can.
It's done with common sense, not goofily as often presented in other amateur sleuth/cozy mysteries (of which I only sample one and done as a rule). It's part of what keeps me coming back to the series. I typically weary of a series when it gets into the teens, but it is doubtful I will ever say that about my visits with China Bayles. I want to live in Pecan Springs, meet all of the characters, eat at the diners and dives, and play in the dirt in China's herb gardens. Each read or listen is a comfy visit home, albeit a gritty visit.
I don't read or listen to the series in order and it doesn't seem to matter. The reader gets caught up fairly quickly.
Definite recommend.
July 14, 2018
. I have been reading this series from its onset and I love it. One feels at home with the crew: China, a former lawyer who owns an herbal shop in the small Texas hill country town (fictional) of Pecan Springs, her friend the daffy Ruby, her husband, a former cop named Mac and his son Brian as well as her adopted daughter Caitie and all the rest. Each book is named for some type of herb or plant and Wittig Albert confers a lot of interesting flora information throughout as well as recipes. The back stories are interesting, but don’t overwhelm the mystery aspect which is always well-done. The characters are more developed than in the usual cozy—in fact, China would hardly fit that appellation, being rather hard-headed and sensible. Mourning Gloria, which focuses on the drug trade, and includes the Morning Glory species as producing a compound similar to LSD, is also named for the murder victim, a young woman called Gloria. Wittig Albert, a former college professor and university president, lives in the hill country with her husband, the writer Bill Albert who co-authors a Victorian mystery series with her.
April 5, 2011
This is the 19th book in the China Bayles series and another very enjoyable book from Albert.
China is nearing home and notices a mobile home on fire. Approacing the door of the home she hears the cry of a female, then an expolsion rips the the home. The only clue the police find is a braclet with the initials G. G.. China mentions the event to an intern, Jessica, at Pecan Valley's newspaper. She lost her parents and twin sisteres in a houe fire. She feels she can get closure for her own loss and just might be able to get a story that will help her secure a good reporters job. Then Jessica goes missing trying to track down the story and possibly the killer. China has a phone message from Jessica begging for help. China must now start to backtrack Jessica's movments so she find Jessica before it is to late.
Of course there is lots of information on Morning Glory's and recipes too.
China is nearing home and notices a mobile home on fire. Approacing the door of the home she hears the cry of a female, then an expolsion rips the the home. The only clue the police find is a braclet with the initials G. G.. China mentions the event to an intern, Jessica, at Pecan Valley's newspaper. She lost her parents and twin sisteres in a houe fire. She feels she can get closure for her own loss and just might be able to get a story that will help her secure a good reporters job. Then Jessica goes missing trying to track down the story and possibly the killer. China has a phone message from Jessica begging for help. China must now start to backtrack Jessica's movments so she find Jessica before it is to late.
Of course there is lots of information on Morning Glory's and recipes too.
September 14, 2013
If you like mysteries, you'll like the China Bayles series. If you like herbs and gardening and a bit of her friend Ruby's mysticism and aromatherapy, you'll like "Mourning Gloria."
If you're stuck for what to read next, start with book one, "Thyme of Death", and get to know China and her best friend Ruby who will lead you on a merry chase for days to come. This is 19th in the series.
Former lawyer turned herbalist and owner of Thyme and Seasons China Bayles notices flames as she drives home. She stops to investigate,(as is her way), sees a trailer blazing , climbs the hill to see if anyone is inside when the trailer explodes.
Jessica Wilson, an eager young intern for the Pecan Springs, Texas, newspaper the Enterprise, jumps at the chance to cover the story. Then she disappears.
None of the above is a spoiler as it appears on the back cover. Enjoy reading this series. I'm a picky reader and highly recommend the series.
If you're stuck for what to read next, start with book one, "Thyme of Death", and get to know China and her best friend Ruby who will lead you on a merry chase for days to come. This is 19th in the series.
Former lawyer turned herbalist and owner of Thyme and Seasons China Bayles notices flames as she drives home. She stops to investigate,(as is her way), sees a trailer blazing , climbs the hill to see if anyone is inside when the trailer explodes.
Jessica Wilson, an eager young intern for the Pecan Springs, Texas, newspaper the Enterprise, jumps at the chance to cover the story. Then she disappears.
None of the above is a spoiler as it appears on the back cover. Enjoy reading this series. I'm a picky reader and highly recommend the series.
May 11, 2012
I always enjoy Susan Wittig Albert's mystery series about former-lawyer-turned-herb-shop-owner, China Bayles. Mourning Gloria does not disappoint.
As China is driving, she sees a trailer home on fire. She stops to help and hears someone inside, calling for help. To her horror, the trailer is consumed by flames before she can help the victim. As China deals with the day-to-day chores of her store, selling at a local farmer's market, and young Caitlin's violin talent and new kittycat pet, she also deals with a local reporter who has disappeared while investigating the arson/homicide of the trailer fire.
A solidly written book with characters that pulled me in and held me there. The solution to the mystery didn't knock me flat, but otherwise the puzzle kept me wondering and anticipating. An absolutely enjoyable and fulfilling read. Which reminds me, I missed a few books in the China Bayles series. Must get them!
As China is driving, she sees a trailer home on fire. She stops to help and hears someone inside, calling for help. To her horror, the trailer is consumed by flames before she can help the victim. As China deals with the day-to-day chores of her store, selling at a local farmer's market, and young Caitlin's violin talent and new kittycat pet, she also deals with a local reporter who has disappeared while investigating the arson/homicide of the trailer fire.
A solidly written book with characters that pulled me in and held me there. The solution to the mystery didn't knock me flat, but otherwise the puzzle kept me wondering and anticipating. An absolutely enjoyable and fulfilling read. Which reminds me, I missed a few books in the China Bayles series. Must get them!
October 30, 2019
As with all the books in this(thankfully long) series, a plant (herb) play heavily into the story line. Be it via its actual role or in the many herbal tips and lore involving it.
In this escapade, a college student is burned alive in an abandoned trailer that is happened upon by ex-lawyer cum herbal store owner, China Bayles. Hearing the woman’s final pleas for help haunt her into finding the how & later, who to the death.
Add in an eager reporter, who soon finds her self at bat for the next extinction, and it’s a race to find them both before another homicide needs investigated. Following the reporters trail, Bayles soon has the possible murder suspect within reach and after a brief hostage stand-off, the reporter emerges with quite the story to tell.
Quite a suspenseful, fast-pace read with possibly a nod to the former Mrs Tiger Woods, (*g*) there are enough sidelines to expand your engagement.
In this escapade, a college student is burned alive in an abandoned trailer that is happened upon by ex-lawyer cum herbal store owner, China Bayles. Hearing the woman’s final pleas for help haunt her into finding the how & later, who to the death.
Add in an eager reporter, who soon finds her self at bat for the next extinction, and it’s a race to find them both before another homicide needs investigated. Following the reporters trail, Bayles soon has the possible murder suspect within reach and after a brief hostage stand-off, the reporter emerges with quite the story to tell.
Quite a suspenseful, fast-pace read with possibly a nod to the former Mrs Tiger Woods, (*g*) there are enough sidelines to expand your engagement.
May 31, 2011
I love Pecan Springs and China and her friends and family so much that I have to keep telling myself that this is fiction. These characters are so real, and Pecan Springs seems like an actual town. I absolutely love this series to pieces! I look forward to each new book with bated breath. I like the links to food, drink and gardening as well. Each book teaches me things in these three areas. In this book China is trying to find a young reporter who has disappeared while searching out a story about a body in house trailer fire. China happens upon the fire scene right after the fire is started and actually hears a young woman crying for help. The fire is so hot that China can't get to the girl. China also is trying to find out what happened to the young woman. Darn it anyway. Now I have to wait for another year to read another China Bayles story.
June 5, 2016
Another investing slice of small town life with a twist from Susan Witting Albert. China Bayles, former lawyer not owner of Thyme and Seasons, is busy with Saturday farmers markets, the store, its tea shop and the addition of her niece, Caitlin. Her husband is off working as a private investigator and everything seems normal until one evening, China comes across a burning trailer. She hears someone cry for help but is unable to get into the trailer before it blows up. And suddenly, because this is China Bayles, she's getting involved in a murder. An this time, there is an eager young journalist who may become the next victim.
June 9, 2011
Pretty darned good book! Learned more than I ever wanted to know about psychoactive plants. Albert definitely does her homework before writing.
The plot was enthralling and tightly crafted. I really bought into the idea that China would feel responsible for finding Jessica.
What I didn't like was the way the kids are conveniently parked elsewhere, or out of the picture. Not very practical. I also raised my eyebrows at China's sudden tendency to "talk Southern" with poor grammar and double negatives. Where the heck did that come from?
All the same, a strong book. Two thumbs up!
The plot was enthralling and tightly crafted. I really bought into the idea that China would feel responsible for finding Jessica.
What I didn't like was the way the kids are conveniently parked elsewhere, or out of the picture. Not very practical. I also raised my eyebrows at China's sudden tendency to "talk Southern" with poor grammar and double negatives. Where the heck did that come from?
All the same, a strong book. Two thumbs up!
August 13, 2011
A well crafted thriller, wonderful writing and pacing. Loved it! I liked the setting in the hill country near Austin, the plant lore and the small business background, the friendships in the heroine's life. This is the first book I read from this author and I loved the neat writing and the rhythm of her prose, the way she relates to the children and the pets, just a lovely person altogether.
A good story against the backdrop of drug dealing from Mexico into Texas and a very plausible setting in a campus town.
A good story against the backdrop of drug dealing from Mexico into Texas and a very plausible setting in a campus town.
March 3, 2021
Good mystery (didn't figure out whodunnit) but it was a bit on the too detailed side when it came to the murder. Or maybe the particular style of murder just really got to me?
As the series goes on, the herbal lore seems to be more confined to the chapter heads. I'm hoping to get back to a little more of China talking about her plants.
The background stories are interesting - so Caitlin is going to raise chickens?
And I wonder how Sheila and the sheriff are going to work out, as well as Ruby and Hark.
As the series goes on, the herbal lore seems to be more confined to the chapter heads. I'm hoping to get back to a little more of China talking about her plants.
The background stories are interesting - so Caitlin is going to raise chickens?
And I wonder how Sheila and the sheriff are going to work out, as well as Ruby and Hark.
July 5, 2011
I have read every title in the China Bayles mystery series and have really enjoyed each one, including Mourning Gloria. Since I live in Texas, I am very familiar with the Hill Country which is where most of the stories take place. The characters now feel like old friends.
If you enjoy "cozies", you will enjoy Albert's China Bayles series. She writes other series that you would most likely enjoy, also.
If you enjoy "cozies", you will enjoy Albert's China Bayles series. She writes other series that you would most likely enjoy, also.
September 24, 2022
Back in Pecan Springs. Of course there’s a murder. And herbs. I enjoy the interesting tidbits about herbs and reading the recipes. The murder was ok. So the real question is, will Blackie and Sheila tie the knot? Are we going to be reading about chickens? I love Pumpkin. I think I read this series more for the herbs and the characters than the murders 😊
October 20, 2017
Interesting story line! Love China and her adventures.
January 1, 2018
A most excellent 5 star read! I hadn't read a "China Bayles" book in a long time but it was just like bumping into an old familiar friend...:)
January 18, 2018
I enjoyed the story but I was also intrigued about morning glories. Albert blends herb lore with rich storytelling to create a rich tapestry well worth exploring.
March 23, 2020
Wonderful as always! Love visiting Pecan Springs. If you live in the Texas Hill Country and you like cozy mysteries you should be reading this series!
September 6, 2017
This is the nineteenth edition of the China Bayles Mystery series. I am just trying to catch up with the books that I haven't read in this wonderful group of books.
While Pecan Springs, Texas bustles back to life in the warmth of spring, one woman's life is tragically brought to an end. Herbalist (and former lawyer)China Bayles happens upon a burning house trailer and hears a woman (Gloria) screaming for help. She tries to enter the burning trailer, but is injured herself. As a result she becomes involved in solving this arson homicide.
And then, Jessica Nelson, an intern-reporter at the local paper, is assigned to cover the story. But she's gotten herself too deeply involved. When Jessica disappears, China is determined to find her, before she becomes headlines herself.
Ms. Albert had the reader considering several suspects, and ended up becoming very engrossing I read it every chance I got. As usual, the presence of information, details and herbal remedies aided in the enjoyment of this installment of the series.
While Pecan Springs, Texas bustles back to life in the warmth of spring, one woman's life is tragically brought to an end. Herbalist (and former lawyer)China Bayles happens upon a burning house trailer and hears a woman (Gloria) screaming for help. She tries to enter the burning trailer, but is injured herself. As a result she becomes involved in solving this arson homicide.
And then, Jessica Nelson, an intern-reporter at the local paper, is assigned to cover the story. But she's gotten herself too deeply involved. When Jessica disappears, China is determined to find her, before she becomes headlines herself.
Ms. Albert had the reader considering several suspects, and ended up becoming very engrossing I read it every chance I got. As usual, the presence of information, details and herbal remedies aided in the enjoyment of this installment of the series.
February 7, 2018
(3.5 stars) This is the 19th book in the series. China spots a trailer on fire, and hears screaming inside. Unfortunately, she is too late to help the victim. When a young journalism student interning for the local paper is assigned to the story, she has a personal connection due to losing her own family in a fire. Jessica is determined to find out what happened and finds herself in deep trouble. She reaches out to China, but then disappears. China does everything she can to help find out what happened, aiding as much as she can in the investigation. She finds herself digging into a situation involving possible smuggling and hallucinogenic drugs. Outside of the investigation, the sheriff and the chief of police are finally going to tie the knot, but it will involve one of them leaving the police force.
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