My first foray into the world of China Bayles, former lawyer turned herb shop owner, was a pleasant one. Coming into a series half way is usually not how I like to read mystery series but I did start with this, the ninth book in the series.
It's Christmastime in Pecan Springs, Texas and China is busy preparing her shop, Thyme for Tea, for the holidays but she’s got a big problem on her hands. Her main supplier of mistletoe, Carl Swenson, is dead, a victim of a hit and run accident. Prime suspects are China’s friends, the Fletcher sisters, who were engaging in a battle for property lines with the mistletoe man.
China tries to help the Fletcher sisters and their beloved aunt, who pipes up with tales of alien abductions every so often, from ending up in jail. Along the way she’ll also have to uncover why her best friend is acting so strangely.
While I appreciated China’s character and thought it was interesting when she grapples with remaining independent even though she’s newly married, I thought overall the story was predictable.
It is an easy read but I don’t find it a compelling enough reason to start back in the beginning of the series. If you are a fan of cozies though then you might find this enjoyable. I think I’ll stick with the mysteries she pens under her Robin Paige name. Those are really quite good.
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Added 12/06