Very good

This instalment of the China Bayles' mysteries moves somewhat out of the cosy genre and into the cold, hard world of personal tragedy, although I guess further stories will tell what the eventual outcome is. Another dimension is added to the series, with China questioning a lot more about her relationship with McQuaid and kicking herself for her complacency, especially in the face of betrayal, secrecy and life changing injury. ( )

I did not like this book. You would think that with the setting of an herblore shop next door to a new age shop, and the lead character being the owner, that more interesting things would jump to the page in the writer's imagination. I never understand, in any of Wittig-Alberts' China Bales series, why the main character is so dismissive of her "friends" and their interests. The reader gets the feeling that China doesn't really like or respect her friends, and she too frequently refers to them as "weird." She comes off as cynical and bitter, and the plots are too contrived for me to suspend my disbelief. I find myself not caring about what happens to China, or her friends, and can never finish the book. I won't be picking up this author's books again. Very dissappointing for a series of cozy murder mysteries named after magical plants. I expected so much more. ( )

When a local retired Texas Ranger is found shot in the stomach by his wife's
gun, all signs point to suicide, but some of the facts are elusive and just
aren't adding up. China Bayles, owner of Thyme and Seasons, the local herb
shop, is a former criminal defense attorney just trying to make a quiet life
for herself in a small Texas town, and when an old friend/rival from law
school taps her to help do some investigating into the hours leading up to
the cop's death, China is reluctant to jump in with both feet. She's
finally made up her mind to accept the next marriage proposal from her
live-in lover, McQuaid, and doesn't want anything to distract from her
domestic life. But, things aren't what she thought they were, even between
her and McQuaid, and the lies and deceptions threaten to infiltrate and
destroy what she's come to think of as her domestic tranquility. It will
take all of her strength and an alliance with the object of McQuaid's
betrayal to find the answers before life as she knows it comes to an end.

This series is really enjoyable for me. The backstory is gripping and isn't
just stage setting. China is one of the best characters in mystery fiction,
IMO, because she's clever, talented, brave, and sometimes she makes
mistakes. I really enjoyed this episode, and I'm really anxious to read #7
now because this one ended with a cliffhanger. It gets a very strong 5. ( )

A murder on a former Texas Ranger, a marriage that's not what it seems, corruption in the police force, and a reporter that's on to a story. Those are the ingredients that make up the mystery in this flaming China Bayles book.

But, that's not all that's going on. Because just when China decides she's ready to commit to something more with McQuaid, she overhears a shoking conversation. Her world is crumbling down around her, and she throws herself into finding the murderer and solving the other mysteries to forget. But then, disaster strikes...

Yes, this book is equal parts mystery and personal China stuff, and that makes it all the more powerful. It's a great sixth book in a great series. I higly recommend it, but be warned. This book's personal relationship side won't make much sense if you haven't read the other books. Not that that's such a punishment to do first! ( )