Q&A with Susan Wittig Albert discussion

I may be asking for it here--but I'm curious. My own personal favorite is BLOODROOT, because it gave me a chance to explore China's personal history. But some readers found that there was too much history--they preferred a simpler story. I'm always fascinated by what readers like, and don't.

So which book in the series is your favorite? Which one could you have done without?

Oh, that's a tough one!!! Every book has included a great mystery and with each story you develop the characters even more. With that being said, I definitely couldn't do without any of them, so I don't have a least favorite.

The first book to come to mind as a favorite is Rueful Death. I absolutely adore Pecan Springs, but it was nice to see China get away to a different setting for awhile. The story was great and I also loved all the tips about garlic since I'm a huge garlic lover!!

I liked China's get-away, too, Kimberly. The monastery in Rueful Death has some important things in common with a monastery where I've done frequent retreats. And yes, garlic is good--for all kinds of good reasons. We're also huge garlic fans at my house.

I especially liked getting a glimpse into one of China's past romantic relationships in that book. We haven't seen much of that side of her--yet.

Arrgh! It's too hard to choose one! I guess if I would have to choose, it would be one of the first four books, Indigo Dying, or Bloodroot. Or the one where Ruby meets the daughter she gave away for adoption. (I cannot remember which book it was.)I also liked the book where Ruby made it possible for China's tea room.

I have been reading the China Bayles series since shortly after it began, and I read mostly library copies so I don't have books to refer to. (AND I am over-50 so my memory is not what it used to be!) I have you down as one of my "author alerts" at my library--which means that they automatically reserve a book for me when it comes out. (I expect to get Nightshade shortly: I am #13 out of 17 people who have it requested. The library typically buys one book for every 5 or 6 author alerts. I LOVE the author alert system!)

I love to read series mysteries with well-drawn characters--I almost feel as if the characters become my friends; and I enjoy seeing them grow and change. I would love to be a mix of China and Ruby, and have my own store. I am fascinated by the herbs, but not really into growing my own.

I think the reason Indigo Dying sticks in my mind is because I was fascinated by the process of dyeing.

I always like finding out my favorite character's personal history, because it enriches my knowledge of the character. So, China going back to her home roots, and Ruby finding out about her grown daughter really resonated with me.

The one book that I could do without is "China Bayles' Book of Days." I might've felt differently if I had my own copy to refer to daily, though.

By the way, I'm so excited that you are here on Goodreads now. Thanks for all the joy you brought into my life. (Did that sound too cheesy?)

I can't say a least favorite -- I agree that each I've read is satisfying in its own right. I love the descriptions of the area/setting and the bits of history about it which are dropped into place. I enjoy the characters and the mystery set out in each volume. I am crazy about the herbs and the recipes and lore which you (and China) offer up in each case.

A favorite is also difficult but as you already know, Bloodroot is high on my list because it explored China's genealogical background and featured her family members. I am a genealogical "nut" to a certain extent -- and I love to expound upon utilizing that interest to teach history when given the chance. What I found interesting in addition was the medical history which arises when one knows one's genealogical history in more detail. Bloodroot threw these things into the already wonderful mix of herbs and mysteries and produced one of the best China Bayles books I've read!

I found and read two or three of these as an antidote to reading romance type when I wanted lighter reading. I hadn't been reading mysteries for quite a while for some reason. By the third one, I was pleased to find the information on the general setting was teaching me a bit about the area where I was just beginning to explore -- the edge of TX hill country. I was spending chunks of time there in our house during the two years my husband was working in Austin. This is a long story -- it began with five years in Belgium and a year in Taipei and then two in TX -- and we have a house there now as a result. The plan is that we are to move back to that house as soon as I can make that happen. THUS -- China Bayles books are a sort of tie to my life to come when we are fully retired and living in that beautiful area full-time. Meanwhile our renters are enjoying it -- sigh.

I also loved Thyme of Death because it not only got me hooked on reading fun, light mysteries, but it got me interested in growing herbs. I first read the book in college and you should have seen the entryway to our apartment. We had containers everywhere and surprisingly they did really well. After we moved into our first home, my husband made me an herb garden on the side of our house. I love being able to walk outside and grab some fresh herbs to cook with. It has really become a passion of ours!!!

I truly enjoy all of your books because I picture the places that China goes to. There are several descriptions that remind me of areas I have visited between Austin and San Antonio. For McQuaid, I see the college that he works at, as SWT where I graduated from. Pecan Springs is a typical little Texas town. I believe there was one book that mentioned a little bookstore with a side staircase and it reminds me a quaint little bookshop on the square in Georgetown. I just think that it's neat to have all of these mental images as I read, even though everything is imaginary!

sfdreams -- I think you would also love the Book of Days if you had a copy -- I treated myself to that one just to have it where I could dip into it at will and that is the perfect way to peruse that book. Maybe you should put it high on your Christmas list or birthday wish list and see if that works. It is such interesting background reading!

I have always been interested in growing herbs -- but I'm not very successful at it -- still all the information on them and uses for them keep me interested and I'm always glad when the uses are not all about food and so on but include things like the dyeing which was mentioned.

Kimberley -- I love your description of how you visualize the places -- I agree it keeps the books very close when one can attach a picture to its places -- and as you point out -- they need not be the actuqal spot just one which evokes what is described for you.

I would definitely have to say that my favorite piece of fiction is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Being a romantic at heart, there is nothing more enjoyable than good literature, a fabulous heroine, and a decent love entanglement filled with suspense and class.

My favorite was Bloodroot. I never knew about Huntington's disease until I read the book. In all the books I love that you have the resources, references and recipes. It is all so informative.

Bleeding Hearts was a little tough to read, but only because of how close it hit home to me personally.

My mother is an avid believer in herbs and their remedies so when I read the books I feel closer to home. My family lives in South Africa and I live in the States.

I am looking forward to the next book!

I like all the books for different reasons. But four stick out. "Rueful Death" because of the interplay between the different ambitions of the two cliques of nuns. Otherworldly focus doesn't inhibit worldly ambition, evidently. "Bleeding Hearts" seems quite topical the attention given to wandering husbands and predators who target vulnerable children. I really liked Jake. She was wonderfully aware of what was going on, knew it wasn't her fault but didn't quite know how to handle it. "Indigo Dying" shares a common theme (or sub-theme): the past sins and secrets that come back to bite. I also love the lore of old time crafts like spinning, weaving and dyeing. "Spanish Dagger" also carries that theme along with the corruption and destructive competition that flows from the structure of our drug enforcement laws.

If it's cheesy, I LOVE it, and you're welcome! I'm loving being here on Goodreads and meeting so many friends.

I liked Indigo Dyeing a lot, but felt that I really short-changed the dye workshop scene. I wanted to do more with that, but the plot kind of got in the way, and I felt the necessity of moving the story along. If you'd like to see a REAL indigo dyeing session (not my make-believe one), Yarn Harlot has a great 3-part workshop on her blog. It's worth reading all the way through it: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archive...

susan

Well, Dottie, all I can say is, come back to TX as soon as you can and see if you can find a place out in the country. As China keeps saying, urban sprawl isn't making the Hill Country any prettier. I'm glad that the setting of the books interests you--I love playing with that aspect of the project.

susan

I'm surprised that so many Goodreaders like Bloodroot--the comments on Amazon were fairly negative. I listened to the audiobook last month and really liked it. But it was dense: all that personal history.

Yes, Bleeding Hearts WAS tough. Many of us have been in that situation. Me too.

susan

SWT isn't imaginary, Kimberly! And it's exactly where McQuaid teaches. I was in administration there in the 1980s, and I used it as a model for Central Texas State University. And of course, San Marcos and Pecan Springs have a lot in common. :)

susan

My sheep-obssessed, spinning, dyeing, knitting, and weaving younger daughter LOVES yarn-harlot's site -- heh. Thanks for the link.

And while China Bayles series is the one of yours with which I'm familiar, I suspect others are into your other series -- the Beatrix Potter countryside series. I'm wondering if those who are reading that series would have favs or recommend which books to read first for one reason or another.

I've looked at one or two of those and figured one day I'd jump into them -- sooner or later. But for now -- I'm a China Bayles fan through and through.

Mmmmm....I see that I have to learn how to use this comment box. I thought it would connect with the post I was commenting on, but it doesn't. I'll do better tomorrow!

Yep -- the comment just tacks on the end of the thread, Susan. But it works out fine actually. And never fear -- I'm coming back and reclaim my TX house ASAP -- I was the one who was the "question mark" about whether we were going to move into the TX house when we actually retired but I made that decision and sprang it on my husband before he began being "retired" or before he decided to retire for real -- the job ended and he has made the shift to actually "living" retired (unless he finds a really fantastic job that lures him back into the work force and I'm thinking that won't likely happen).

Our TX house is rented out for now but in about a year we should be ready to move back. It isn't in the country but close enough we can drive there with very little expenditure of time or energy and I can get to everything I need easily without messing on the big highways -- that was my standard of measurement. Coming from many years in SoCal -- I've had enough of driving and then some. I have a great little independent bookstore and wine-bar/shop -- a little cafe -- a hair salon -- doctors and dentists -- and the great local library along with supermarkets and small stores and a farmers' market and major shopping all in a five mile radius -- grand TX living if you ask me! And deer grazing in the front yard morning and evening.

ETA -- and I'm with China -- which is why I'll never buy a lot and build a house -- there are plenty of houses already so why take up more land with yet another one!

Oh how neat. Go bobcats!!! See I was picturing the right Quad and buildings all along. We lived in San Marcos for 4 years before moving here to Round Rock.

I'm having so much fun reading everyone's thoughts. Thanks for starting the group!!!!

I have a confession to make. My answer to which is your least favorite/most favorite is...I don't know! To be honest, I read a lot (15-20 books/month) and many of these early China Bayles books I read years ago and since so many plots and so much information has come in front of my eyeballs since then, I can't remember what happened in which book! ::sheepish grin::

Looking back on the previous books, I tend to look at them as a whole compendium rather than as individual books, and think of them as a "series." I do know that there are entries in the series that I liked better than others, but aside from the last couple, I can't pull up enough details in my foggy brain to say definitively which plots were in which books and which my favorites were--some of them I read before I started keeping my book journal back in 2004 so it wouldn't even help me much to refer to that.

I do remember after reading Thyme of Death that I actually didn't *like* China very much--I thought she was a bit of a cold fish. I liked the premise for the series though (I make handmade soap so I was quite interested in the fact that China had herbal soaps in her shop!) so I bought the next one and read on, and then I was well and truly hooked. I have been very pleased to see her grow and develop as a person as the series has gone on and now she's one of my favorite fictional characters.

I'm glad I can get this comment in right after Spuddie's thoughts about series: <>

As a writer, I really love the series form, because it gives me a chance to create characters and develop them in different plot situations, from book to book. China has been around a long time--16 books. You'd be pretty tired of her by now if she stayed the same person she was when you first met her 16 years ago. I agree with Spuddie that she was a bit cold fish-ish in that first book--by design.

My idea was that (if the series sold enough books to pick up another contract, past the first 3-book contract), China would change and grow with each book. Each mystery would teach her something about herself, and we'd learn something about her (and maybe about ourselves).

At the time, that was kind of a risk, because the other series characters we loved (Sherlock, Nancy Drew, Kinsey Milhone, Adam Dalgleish)don't change much. They live in fictional time. China lives in a quasi-real time (much slowed down), and she changes, as do her friends. I'm glad it's worked out.

So for me, this series is like one long, long novel with (currently) 16 chapters. And each chapter represents a step in the education of China Bayles.

Speaking of chapters, if you'd like to read the first chapter of NIGHTSHADE, you'll find it on my profile page.

Susan, you're right--it can be risky starting out with a rather 'bare-bones' character with hopes of developing them as time goes on. I can't tell you the number of mystery series that I've given up on after just one or two books because the main character just didn't capture my attention...of course, some of those are very popular series, so it's not like my lack of enjoyment seems to have affected the author's success much. :-D

Of course there's more to liking a book (or not) than just the characters, too; there's the author's writing style, the whole premise for the book, the supporting cast, etc. that go into making a decision whether to read on in the series, but for me, characters are a biggie. That, and whether the book is a thinly disguised romance pretending to be a mystery. I hate those--another reason why I like China so much, I think...she's certainly no longer a cold fish, but neither does she get breathless and have the tingles when a man merely looks at her, nor have her head turned by gleaming, rippling muscles! ::grin::

With strong characters in place, I can even let plotting (or lack of it!) go by the wayside. I frequently figure out 'the bad guy' way ahead of time--more often just some instinct than anything, nothing based on actual clues or sleuthing ability--I'm kind of like Mr. Monk in his TV show when he looks at someone 10 minutes into the show and says, "That's the guy." LOL The odd thing is, if it's an interesting story and the characters are strong, knowing Whodunit by page 60 doesn't bother me.

I just wanted to add, also, another thing I enjoy about the herbal mysteries is that I always learn something practical--I don't grow herbs myself (I have a brown thumb!) but I am interested in their various uses and like using them in cooking, so I'm always looking at the recipes. I also have liked learning things about some of the other 'crafty' stuff presented--the papermaking stuff out of Spanish Dagger, for example, I found fascinating!

Cheryl

The last book I read in the series was Love Lies Bleeding so I'm not very far. And it doesn't help that I only read the last two in order! I discovered the series by picking up Witches Bane at a library book sale. I liked it and at the next sale I picked up Rosemary Remembered. I was at Half Price Books and found Rueful Death. I have filled in the holes thanks to the library. Rosemary Remembered was one of my favorites. I think it was because I was getting more into the series and things were making more sense to me. I didn't like Rueful Death as much because I missed the rest of the Pecan Springs folks (namely McQuaid), but it was interesting to learn more about her past. I was very disappointed in McQuaid in Love Lies Bleeding, and was a little ticked at China for her reaction, but then again, the heart makes people do crazy things. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and I'll make sure I read them in order!

Amy makes a really good point about series books. <>

Series books carry a double burden. Each book has to stand by itself (that's what the central mystery is--a standalone story), but it also has to take its place in the series and tell the continuing stories of the main characters. That's where it helps to read the books in order. (Most readers find that hard to do, although I've met some who say they never start a series until they at least have the first 3-4 books.) Some writers develop the central mystery better; others do a better job with the continuing stories.

In the last three books of the series (Hearts, Dagger, Nightshade), I tried something else. There is a peripheral plotline in Hearts (the story of China's father) that becomes an important plotline in Dagger and then becomes the central story in Nightshade. I enjoyed having the luxury of using three books to develop a plot. I hope readers don't have too much trouble with it. Another risky bit of business!

It is hard for me to choose a least/most favorite. I will think about it but I just wanted to say that I am a librarian in a Botany Library and it is just so great to find a series that merges my love of mysteries with interest in botany.

I really love to read about how the characters use the plants in traditional pursuits like medicine, fabric dyeing, and even poisons!

I think as a culture we have sadly gotten away from knowledge of the natural world. Many people don't know what is even growing in their backyard anymore! Your books kind of open a window to readers about how cool plants are and the myriad uses they have.

Susan -- I think your "risky business" ideas may contribute to the popularity of China Bayles books actually. It is obvious to readers that the author -- YOU -- is/are giving them credit for being able to pick up those very things which you are allowing to flow from one book to another. Plus it leaves us wanting to know where that paticular bit of the story will go in the next volume almost as much as we enjoy following the points to solve the mystery within each volume.

Lisa -- you know -- so many people never encounter nature at all anymore let alone learn anything of what is around them if they have backyards. Growing up in a small town/rural area we all learned a bit about the plants, trees and bits of nature which we had around us. either the family had knowledge that was passed along or the programs kids were involved in -- scouts, 4-H or whatever would teach nature programs. School did a bit of it. Now it's more removed from experience and often dry and not hands-on. That is definitely a big part of the appeal in China Bayles books for me.

I have a few that really have stuck with me over the years - for the humor of it, "A Dilly of a Death". "Chile Death" because I learned a lot about my husband's favorite flavoring agent. For the pure story, "Bloodroot". And the one that was all short stories that wove together at the end, that was great!

Ah, the short stories! That was An Unthymely Death. Thanks for reminding me--I'll put that, and the Book of Days, on the bookshelf.

I have a confession about chiles. I'm one of those people with too many taste buds. I just cannot deal with hot chiles. (Odd thing: I love mustard, the hotter the better. Has to do with where on the tongue the receptors are, I've read.) So at our house, Bill, our resident chilehead, cooks up the hot stuff, while I stay with the mild.

I am so happy to read Spuddie's comments. I too read quite a few books, especially series. I forget the plots of individual books but as a whole I know and understand what is happening with the characters. I often read a book that I do not know is a series and then I seek out the oldest and read them in order if possible.
China Bayles books are excellent and it is nice to learn something every now and then.

It's a lot easier to find the older books now that we have online bookstores. I'm a fan of older British mysteries, and I spent YEARS haunting garage sales, looking for the Miss Silver books!

I wanted to comment on something Spuddie said: <>

One of the interesting things about writing mysteries is that the audience is so varied, from people like Spuddie who read a LOT of mysteries and can have a feeling for who might be the villain, to people who don't read much and are fooled by practically anything I do to conceal the villain's identity. There are people who want a serious mystery, and people who don't give a flip whether there's a mystery at all! I try to aim for the middle. It's always a challenge.

I have loved each and every one of the China Bayles series. The character development is just wonderful and the history of the main character is important to that development.

I have a deeper love of gardening with particular focus on herbs thanks in part to these books.

Each one is a favorite at the time I am reading it, I don't have a least favorite.

I feel the same way as Lee--each book is great because of the character development. I have read your books more thsn once for that reason. I just ignore things like Leatha's comment in Witches Bane that Aunt Tullie died before China was born then she appears in Bloodroot as very much alive. It's fiction! I really liked Love Lies Bleeding because of the intensity of feelings but I,too, was a bit dismayed by the way China and McQuaid dealt with (or not) his infidelity. But that's also life.

The herbal aspect has been a real education for me and I actually planted herbs last summer. I was encouraged by the comment from a Michigan reader that they survive our winters. Once you've snipped your own fresh herbs to use in meal prep you never want to go back to the bottled stuff. I froze what was left of mine last year.

Thanks for your very intelligent and fascinating books--including the Beatrix Potter series and the Victorian series. Also your non-fiction books have meant a lot to me this year.

Ooh, yes, dear Aunt Tullie. Dead, and then so very much alive. Sigh....

That was a huge lapse--I didn't pick it up until a careful reader asked me about it a couple of years after Bloodroot came out! Part of the problem (no excuses here, just a lame explanation) was that the early books were written in Wordstar. After we moved to Word, it was a while before I could get everything converted (my son finally did it for me), so I could do a serious text search.

Now, when I'm working with a character/setting/plot element from early books, it's easier to be consistent. Which is not to say that lapses like these won't happen again.

Glad you're enjoying the other series as well, Jinni!

I guess y'all have noticed that I don't spend as much time on Goodreads as I could! So much to do, so little time!!

Anyway, Thanks Susan for the link to the Yarn Harlot. I have bookmarked it so that I can read it thoroughly when I have the time. I also sent the link to a friend of mine--he is a yarn harlot too--he got me hooked on the Monica Ferris and Maggie Sefton series.

I am one of the people who ONLY read series in order! (Well, I have made an exception once or twice in my life.) Does that make me obsessive-compulsive??? Hmmm....

The problem is, I keep finding new series that I like! LOL. (see again my comment on time above.)

I may have to check out Texas as a possible place to relocate to, though I doubt that there is many raw vegan restaurants in TX, and that has become big in my life recently.

Sfdreams, next time you come to Austin, check out Whole Foods or the West Lynn Cafe, or (China's favorite) Mother's Cafe, on Duval.

China's series is one that rewards reading in order, because of the growth of the characters--not just China, but Ruby, Sheila, etc. I tell people, "You don't have to," but if you're already compulsive about reading in order, well, why not? Get the first two or three, see if you like them, and then go for the rest.

I don't know if I've ever read a BAD China Bales book, but I would say that I have a favorite for sentimental reasons. Dilly of a Death was the first one I ever read, just about three years ago. I picked up the book in a bookbox (from bookcrossing) and set it aside.
However, when I finally picked it up, I had the worst time trying to put it down. I loved the characters and how they draw you in. The interactions with China and her family are some of the best written, most believable in the genre. It's hard to read a book and the characters aren't balanced. But China Bayles books are very well balanced. And recipes! How awesome is that? And I don't even cook.
Apart from reading some of the cat who series when I was a teenager, I hadn't ever read anything considered 'cozy.' And I don't mean that as a dig, but now I'm a full out fan of the cozy mystery-type books. And I'm always on the lookout for more China Bayles. I'm usually the first in the queue at my local library when they come out in hardcover, and then I usually pick them up later in paperback.
Seriously, a great series. And I continually tell all of my friends or people interested in reading a good mystery to pick up a China Bayles book.

Nicole -- I'm also quick to sing the praises of this series to anyone who shows even a slight interest in mysteries -- and to people who don't, actually. I recommend them frequently.

Hi Susan! I love all the books because China has the life I want; the herb shop, Victorian house, hunky younger man! I liked Bloodroot the best but more because of the Deep South connection. I loved the history, grand homes, and mentality that is so different than anywhere else in the US. I agree that China wasn't terribly likable in the beginning but now I'm finding she has some terribly thick moments as in, "Who's Jackie that's being bothered by the coach?" while at the same time, "I wonder why Jake, a young pretty girl, is so terribly upset?" And she's more of a prude than she used to be. You and I both know that sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! Spanish Dagger is probably my least favorite just because it seems like there was less action and more introspection. But all in all, fabulous series!!!

Favorite was Mistle Toe Man. I loved the craziness of the sisters and the hidden secrets. Not a big fan of indigo dying - was missing the regular characters in the books and had a difficult time getting into it.