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kimlb's review
After realizing from reading reviews that this title in the series focused on a different character other than China, (and my least favorite character at that) I decided to take a pass. Too many books too little time to waste time on the ones I know won't interest me.
mg_in_md_'s review
3.0
While I'm late to this series, I've enjoyed spending time in Pecan Springs, Texas with China Bayles and the supporting cast of characters. This offering in the series focuses on one of those supporting characters, Sheila Dawson, the newly installed local police chief. The story is set shortly after Dawson takes over as the local chief and focuses on how she handles her first high-profile murder case as the chief while navigating the challenges of overseeing a male-dominated force. Her decision to manage the force differently than her predecessors is questioned, even by those closest to her, but it is clear she is intent on staying true to herself as she establishes herself in this new role. Long-time fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy getting to know Dawson a bit better while still spending time with China. As is always the case, the book also includes several mouthwatering herb- and spices-infused recipes at the end.
I selected this as my pick for the 2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge advanced prompt "a book from a series with more than 20 books."
I selected this as my pick for the 2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge advanced prompt "a book from a series with more than 20 books."
tobyyy's review
3.0
A new to me mystery plot (at least in the details), with an interesting set of characters, set in a cozy town in Texas. This was the first I’ve read of the China Bayles series and it was pretty enjoyable. I liked the alternating chapters with Sheila and China, but I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot of character development, starting as I did with book 20 in the series.
khaleesiwest's review
4.0
I really enjoying reading Shelia’s POV. It was nice change of pace and a more extensive look at that side of the crime coin in the cozy mysteries.
k_lee_reads_it's review
2.0
"Police Chief Sheila Dawson believes the death of Pecan Spring's computer guru, Larry Kirk, to be a suicide, perhaps triggered by his painful divorce. Further investigation reveals that Kirk's death wasn't self-inflicted. And the truth is reinforced by her friend China Bayles' news-Larry recently asked her for legal advice in regards to a stalker."
The China Bayles books are cozy mysteries set in the Texas Hill country. Until this one, they were all told by China. In this book Albert deviated from her pattern and put alternating chapters in from China's first person point of view and third person about Sheila Dawson. That was fine with me.
The reason I'm giving this 2 stars is two fold. One - this is a series and therefore a reader does expect to put up with some amount of review of the series, but by page 75 I was skipping whole pages in the China voice, because I just couldn't stand to read stuff I knew already. Two - that tired mystery plot has been used by everyone.
The China Bayles books are cozy mysteries set in the Texas Hill country. Until this one, they were all told by China. In this book Albert deviated from her pattern and put alternating chapters in from China's first person point of view and third person about Sheila Dawson. That was fine with me.
The reason I'm giving this 2 stars is two fold. One - this is a series and therefore a reader does expect to put up with some amount of review of the series, but by page 75 I was skipping whole pages in the China voice, because I just couldn't stand to read stuff I knew already. Two - that tired mystery plot has been used by everyone.
wildflowerz76's review
3.0
As this series progresses, it becomes less and less cozy mystery. This book was MOSTLY from Sheila's POV. China didn't seem to do a whole lot, except inexplicably plunging herself into a potentially dangerous situation needlessly. There were a lot of different things going on in this book that seemed weird and disjointed. Since I'm not buying these, but getting them from the library, I'll continue to read, but I'm getting more and more annoyed, it seems.
nonna7's review against another edition
3.0
If you are a long time reader of Ms. Albert's China Bayles series, you'll notice a slight change. This book is written from Sheila Dawson's perspective. Sheila is the first female head of the Pecan Springs Police Dept and has recently married the former sheriff, Blackie. He resigned his position and decided to go into business with China's husband as a private detective. Dawson is finding it a little daunting at times to navigate the political ins and outs of a small town as the first female head of the police department.
When a local man is found murdered, she assigns the case to one of the detectives. Her next in command (and also the one she bested when she got her job) is taking some well-deserved time off. She also takes the unusual step of assigning herself as second to the detective to whom she has assigned the case. When a local computer shop owner is found dead in his home, it initially looks like suicide. However, things don't add up.
The case soon takes quite a few twists and turns. I enjoyed this book, although I have mixed emotions about the book being written from a different character's point of view.
It could be that China's character has run its course. She is happily married. She and her husband have adopted her niece, plus his own son is a senior in high school. Both kids call her Mom. There's no more conflict there, whereas there's still plenty of possibility for conflict in Sheila's life. We'll see. I'm not a fan of the author's newer series nor of the other older series she writes. This was an interesting read, but the herbal angle really didn't have much to do with anything in this book. We'll see how the series progresses.
When a local man is found murdered, she assigns the case to one of the detectives. Her next in command (and also the one she bested when she got her job) is taking some well-deserved time off. She also takes the unusual step of assigning herself as second to the detective to whom she has assigned the case. When a local computer shop owner is found dead in his home, it initially looks like suicide. However, things don't add up.
The case soon takes quite a few twists and turns. I enjoyed this book, although I have mixed emotions about the book being written from a different character's point of view.
It could be that China's character has run its course. She is happily married. She and her husband have adopted her niece, plus his own son is a senior in high school. Both kids call her Mom. There's no more conflict there, whereas there's still plenty of possibility for conflict in Sheila's life. We'll see. I'm not a fan of the author's newer series nor of the other older series she writes. This was an interesting read, but the herbal angle really didn't have much to do with anything in this book. We'll see how the series progresses.
kketcham327's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
A little too much from Sheila's point of view for me. I like China Bayles books because they AREN'T about COPS....but at least Sheila seems to be a good person.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia and Animal death
cjeanne99's review against another edition
2.0
China and Sheila Dawson are both featured in this story of the death of Larry Kirk and the arrest of George Timms while uncovering a stalking and extortion plot.
True - China had a little different voice in parts of the book - but I was fine with it. Loved Sheila's decisions and standing on her own.
I don't think China made good choices when going to George Timm's house - and the mountain lion scenario is not believable. Otherwise - a decent China Bayles' read.
True - China had a little different voice in parts of the book - but I was fine with it. Loved Sheila's decisions and standing on her own.
I don't think China made good choices when going to George Timm's house - and the mountain lion scenario is not believable. Otherwise - a decent China Bayles' read.