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Susan Wittig Albert

Blood Orange (China Bayles Mystery) Hardcover – April 5, 2016

by Susan Wittig Albert (Author)

328 ratings

Book 21 of 24: China Bayles

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In the newest China Bayles Mystery in the New York Times bestselling series, China comes to the aid of a nurse who ends up in the hospital...

It’s mid-April in Pecan Springs, and China is renting her guest cottage to Kelly Kaufman, who needs a temporary place to live as she contends with a very acrimonious divorce from her husband Rich. One nasty point of dispute is her part ownership of the Comanche Creek Brewing Company, which she is refusing to sell.

At the same time, as a nurse employed by a local hospice, Kelly has discovered instances of suspicious practices. Even more disturbing, she suspects that a patient was murdered. Kelly’s knowledge could be dangerous, and she wants to get guidance from China on what to do.

But on her way to China’s house, Kelly is forced off the road and critically injured, putting her in a medically induced coma. Now it’s up to China to determine who wanted her out of the picture. Was it her soon-to-be ex? His new lover—who happens to be the sister of China’s friend Ruby? Or someone connected with the corruption at the hospice?

China owes it to her friend to uncover the truth—but she may be putting her own life at risk...

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Berkley
Publication date

April 5, 2016
Dimensions

6.37 x 1.2 x 9.37 inches
ISBN-10

0425280004
ISBN-13

978-0425280003
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again murder and small-town life go hand in glove in Albert's enchanting 24th China Bayles mystery (after 2015's Bittersweet). Hospice nurse Kelly Kaufman, who has been renting China's guest cottage in Pecan Springs, Tex., while going through a bitter divorce, disappears one day, but she later phones China to say that she needs the herbalist's help with a situation involving murder. While driving to meet China, Kelly has a car accident that leaves her in a coma. Police chief Sheila Dawson suspects it was no accident, and China begins to dig for more information. One obvious suspect is Kelly's husband, Richard, who's involved romantically with the erratic and ebullient sister of China's best friend and business partner, Ruby Wilcox. In addition, rumors about a disagreement between Kelly and hospice owner Marla Blake raise a red flag. China can't resist a mystery, even when it puts her in grave danger. Snippets of plant lore will please botanists. (Apr.)\n

Review

Praise for Susan Wittig Albert’s
New York Times Bestselling China Bayles Mysteries

“Engrossing...China continues to appeal with her herbal information and savvy sleuthing.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[China Bayles is] such a joy…An instant friend.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times bestselling author

“One of the best-written and [most] well-plotted mysteries I’ve read in a long time.”
—Los Angeles Times

“[Albert] consistently turns out some of the best-plotted mysteries on the market.”
—Houston Chronicle

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; 1st edition (April 5, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425280004
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425280003
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.37 x 1.2 x 9.37 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,004,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,685 in Cozy Craft & Hobby Mysteries
- #18,003 in Cozy Animal Mysteries
- #25,940 in Amateur Sleuths

Customer Reviews:
328 ratings

About the author

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Susan Wittig Albert

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As a writer, I work in three genres, mystery, historical fiction, and memoir. My mysteries include the China Bayles Herbal Mysteries and The Darling Dahlias, about a Southern garden club in the 1930s, as well as an eight-book series, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the 12-book series that my husband Bill Albert and I coauthored under the pseudonym of Robin Paige.

My historical fiction includes THE GENERAL'S WOMEN, a wartime romance about Ike's love affair with Kay Summersby; LOVING ELEANOR, about the intimate friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok; and A WILDER ROSE, about the mother-daughter team that produced the Little House books. A WILDER ROSE is currently under option for film.

Bill and I live in the Hill Country of Central Texas, where I write, garden, raise chickens, and practice the fiber arts. You can find out more in my two memoirs: TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE; and AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS.

www.susanalbert.com

Customer reviews

5 star		69%
4 star		24%
3 star		5%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jeffry S. Snodgrass

Back to her shenanigans!

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2022

Verified Purchase

Fun to keep up with China and this book has her taking chances in her attempts to get to the bottom of things.

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

It’s been a while since I’ve read a China Bayles mystery so I was glad to find this one. When a boarder at her apartment dies in an automobile accident while on her way to China’s home, China believes the accident was murder. Trying to uncover the story she was to hear, China uncovers another murder. As always, the herbal intros to each chapter tie into the story and recipes are attached at the book’s conclusion. And this Texan loves a good Texas author telling a story set in the heart of Texas.

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

While worrying because McQuade is chasing bad guys in Mexico, China must track down the reason for her guest's apparent abduction and murder. Having found herself in a tight spot due to following up on a whistle-blower situation she comes to terms with his need to pursue occasional risky cases.
Tightly plotted and realistic without being entirely pessimistic, and including enticing tidbits about brewing, this story is yet another of Sue Albert's enjoyable *and * educational reads. Well worth the time.

Helpful

Four Wheeled Deadly Weapon in Blood Orange

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

I cannot believe this is the 24th installment of China Bayles and I've read every one of them. I did sort of binge read three a few years ago and realized that isn't the way to go --at least for me. I got really tired of the character and her ditzy friend, Ruby. I let the series go for a year and now read the books several months apart. It makes it more like revisiting with friends who live a bit distant and not seen very often. Much more interesting that way--sort of catching up. This episode was particularly interesting--maybe because I'm an older citizen--really, older not like poor Mrs Mueller, who is described as an old woman because she is in her late 60's--REALLY???? Here we have Medicare fraud, hospice and some shady medical professionals. Also, though I've been to Texas many, many times I have not noticed a proliferation of orange vehicles. Will have to keep my eyes peeled this winter while visiting. Understand the connection to Long Horns but maybe the vehicles only come out for homecoming in the Fall. Anyway, the story, the recipes and blood oranges are all very delicious this time around. I'll be checking out #25 for my Texas travel.

Helpful

D. M. Read

"Blood Orange" is Susan Wittig Albert's Best Yet!

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2016

Verified Purchase

Susan Wittig Albert has outdone herself--again! This was an absolutely riveting read. I don't know which I enjoyed more, the discussions of herb lore that preceded each chapter, China's account of everyday life in the mythical Pecan Springs (how I wish it really existed), or the story itself. The three in combination are a powerhouse! I was swept along to the point that I hated when Real Life interfered and I had to put my Kindle down.

Although China, the narrator, is thoroughly grounded in the modern philosophy of rationalism, she is still open to ideas beyond her ken--to wit, her friend Ruby's connection with spirituality. I like and appreciate that in a character. I won't go into details of the plot for fear of unwittingly dropping a "spoiler," but I will say this: the reason I prefer reading novels written by women is that the characters display more warmth, understanding, and sympathy than characters in books written by men (at least, in my experience). Susan Wittig Albert excels in creating sympathetic characters, many of whom seem so real they could almost be one's next-door neighbors. Well done, Ms. Albert, and may I say I'll be standing in line for your next one?

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Tessie Aroo

This is my last China Bayles novel...

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

I wasn't crazy about the last book in this series, because there was no real mystery and had way more info on deer hunting (legal or otherwise) than I really care about. And, now with this one we again have no real mystery. We might not know exactly who the bad guys are, but it's pretty easy to figure out motive. Other reviewers have pointed out that there's way more detail about China's personal and professional life than necessary. Probably ok if you're new to the series, but it's gotten old and boring. And, the physic stuff was a little overdone and, again, not necessary. I love the fictional town of Pecan Springs and would probably return if the author focused on real mysteries, with real investigations conducted by people who have a real reason to conduct them. Like Sheila, the Chief of Police. Or McQuaid and Black, Private Investigators. Or even, Jessica, the investigative reporter.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

J. Merz

Good as usual

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

I really like this author. It is Always a good read. You’ll enjoy reading this book. It’s hard to put it down.

Helpful

Goewin

Blood Orange squeezed not stirred

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

Another fun visit to Pecan Springs! I've been reading this cozy series since I was a teenager and now I'm in my thirties and teaching my own herbal workshops. I still always look forward to my annual pilgrimage to this small Texas town and its colorful inhabitants.

China takes us on an adventure that snaked through my real life experiences and her meticulous research into the real world application of her subjects makes it even easier to curl up with. I don't have to remind myself to hit the "I Believe" button because I'm too busy hoping my favorite recipes she mentions will be in the back of the book, while the rest of my brain puzzles out 'whodunnit'.

With a pace that was more like a lovely spring drive through a hometown, I was able to enjoy the read and savor flavor, too.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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Union

Great book and recipes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2018

Verified Purchase

Any book by Susan Wittig Albert makes for great reading. I was sorry to hear of her passing away this year. Her books and recipes were thoroughly enjoyed

Fuchs Joan

Rasant und sehr detailliert

Reviewed in Germany on April 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

In diesem Buch erfährt man extrem viel über das Amerikanische Gesundheitswesen, hier im Rahmen von Hospiz-Rechnungen und was sich damit alles "anstellen" lässt. Sehr eindrücklich. Die Story darum ist auch sehr spannend und detailliert gestaltet, einige falsche Fährten, aber eine rasante, stimmige Auflösung. Die Frau versteht ihr Business!

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Sophie

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

Excellent to spend time with China and her friends. I love these books!

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