This book is the first in the China bayles series. China is an attorney who has given up the high paced legal jungle to pursue the quiet town living of an herbalist. That's what she says, but she gets caught up in the investigation of a murder which the police see as a suicide of one of her best friends.
The story is well woven around the characters in the small town of Pecan Springs, TX. What amazes me is the way the writer leads the reader down a path leaving subtle clues but misdirecting you in other areas so that when the resolution comes to light, you say to yourself - DAH! I should have seen that, but everything points that other way. Definitely a series I want to continue. ( )

The whole plot seemed contrived, particularly getting China involved in solving it and keeping the police out of solving it. The characters are all small town busybodies with little charm, all of them very much right out of small-town character casting. Despite the chief of police being described as smart and competent, he’s just as quick to declare a murder solved and get back to watching his Sunday football game as any caricature ever was.

I suppose I should have guessed this was just a step above "cozy" when I realized it was the first in a series about an herb shop owner who solves crimes. My personal feeling is that if you have random people solving crimes, they should have a black van and be four people on the run from the U.S. military.

Full review at my blog: http://reading.kingrat.biz/reviews/th... ( )

As an attorney in a prestigious Houston, TX firm, China Bayles realizes she desires the laid back lifestyle of a small town and finds it in Pecan Springs, TX. Revitalizing a past passion, she opens an herb shop and enjoys the eclectic community, until the death of a good friend. China, with some prodding from her next door business owner, Ruby, do some amateur sleuthing to get answers.

Thyme of Death is the first in the China Bayles series. I had a good feel for the setting and enjoyed China. Even though she left the high-powered attorney lifestyle, she continued to retain her law-like mind, which I liked. I also liked learning little tidbits about the herbs. However, there were parts of the plot that I wasn't interested in that caused a minor division, but for the most part it was an enjoyable read. I will pick up the second in the series titled Witches' Bane with the hope that my acquaintance with China deepens. (3.75/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy... ( )

I liked this book. It is the first in a series and it is great fun. The main character is a woman who was a lawyer and quite her job and has an herb shop is a small town in Texas. Great mysteries and fun! ( )

I've already read other books in this series, but I particularly enjoyed this first one. I lvoe how the author sets up so many of the characters in books to come. This book is lighter on herb lore than some (something I missed) but the plot is better. I recommend this series and plan on reading them all myself. ( )