Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Wittig Albert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2006 | Series: China Bayles Mystery

When her teenage son discovers some skeletal remains of the suspicious kind, lawyer-turned-herbalist China Bayles finds herself hunting a killer from the past--who is about to strike in the present.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Albert's assured 14th outing for China Bayles (after 2004's A Dilly of a Death), the herbalist and ex-lawyer is worried about the effect of the poor tourist trade on her Pecan Springs, Tex., herb shop, tea room and New Age store owned jointly with her best friend, Ruby Wilcox, when her 14-year-old stepson, Brian, announces a disturbing discovery: while on an archeological dig in a cave, he found a skeleton with its skull bashed in. Analysis later shows that the bones are about 30 years old. After a leading citizen shoots dead an apparent intruder in self-defense, China begins to suspect there's a link between this incident and the past murder. In her own quiet way, China pursues the truth. China's warmth and sensitivity toward Ruby's new boyfriend, the new professor at the local university and others will endear her to readers, while her investigative skills make her a leader among female sleuths. Fascinating information about herbs and tempting recipes round out this leisurely cozy with a Southwestern flair. (Apr. 5)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

China Bayles is always trying to teach us stuff: it's not annoying at all but somehow soothing and fascinating. The ex-attorney turned herbalist in the Texas town of Pecan Springs loves to talk about the plants and herbs she grows; she loves to share recipes and run her business (herb shop, tearoom, catering) with her friend and partner, Ruby; and she loves the opportunity to enjoy her spouse and teen stepson. In this gently narrated cozy, a skeleton in a cave allows China to think about archaeology, forensics, love affairs, immigration, and secrets from the past. Meanwhile, two elderly and reclusive sisters, one imperious and the other frail, the last of their family, donate a building, the funds for its renovation, and property for a community theater, with the stipulation that a play written about their father must be the first production. These events turn out to be intimately connected to the body in the cave, and it makes for an enjoyable journey as China makes the necessary connections one by one. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425204251
• ISBN-13: 978-0425204252
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My husband Bill and I live on 31 acres in the Hill Country of Central Texas, and have longhorn cows, chickens, and geese, as well as the wild things that roam the meadows and woods. Our best buddies are our two dogs (Mr. Toro and Miss Molly Maquire) and our cat, Shadow. I garden for food (passionately) and am concerned about issues of global warming and energy depletion. You can find out more about all this in my memoirs: Together, Alone: A Memoir of Marriage and Place; and An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days.

I've been writing professionally for over 25 years, after a stint in higher education as a professor and administrator. When I first started writing full time, I worked in the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series--yep, you got it: I am both Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon! (How cool is that?) In the years I was writing young adult novels, with Bill or by myself, I wrote over sixty books. In addition, Bill and I wrote a series of Victorian/Edwardian mysteries together, as Robin Paige.

I am currently writing two mystery series: the China Bayles herbal mysteries and The Darling Dahlias, about a Southern garden club in the 1930s. You might also enjoy my eight-book series, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. Another in-the-works project: a book about Rose Wilder Lane and her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Writing is not only my work, but my passion, and I am unspeakably grateful for the opportunity to follow my bliss.

I am an active member (and the founder) of the Story Circle Network, an international nonprofit organization that supports women who want to write about their lives. We offer the May Sarton Women's Memoir Award, publishing opportunities, workshops, online classes and writing circles, an editorial service, and lots of opportunities to connect with other women. I am the Coordinating Editor of SCN's book review website (the largest/oldest women's book review site on the Internet) at storycirclebookreviews.org. Check us out!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thyme & Seasons, September 18, 2005

By 

Elizabeth Slater (North Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles Mysteries #13) (Hardcover)

14th in the China Bayles series, China and Ruby (China's best friend and business partner) are catering at the opening of a theatre. When China's stepson finds skeleton with its skull bashed in, the duo quietly start investigating without stepping on the toes of their friends - the police chief and the sheriff - who are on the outs with each other. When there is another death in town, China suspects that the two deaths are related. Albert includes - as usual - several interesting recipes and tidbits about herbs, especially the one included in the title. I buy Albert's books in hardback - and continue to enjoy all three of her mystery series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good as usual, May 17, 2005

By 

Coppertop (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles Mysteries #13) (Hardcover)

I really like this book, although I was a little sorry with how some of the characters were left at the end of the book (Brian's professor lady mainly). But the book was fast paced and interesting. I figured out the bones pretty quickly, but still got some surprises in the mix!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NICE ADDITION TO A GREAT SERIES, August 27, 2005

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles Mysteries #13) (Hardcover)

This is a long running series and there is a reason for it.. the books/stories are good, well written and just fun to read. I enjoyed this current additon to this already popular. I did not feel it is the best of the bunch, but am not complaining. It was fun to read and left we wanting yet another of the author's offerings. Ms Albert is a good story teller and has developed a very nice group of characters. China Bayles fans will enjoy this work even though it is a bit different. Recommend it highly. Enjoy!