Nightshade: China Bayles #16 (China Bayles Mystery)

China Bayles said all along that she didn't want to become involved in investigating the sixteen-years-past death of a father she never could seem to please. She would like nothing better than to have the past and its painful memories stay dead and buried. Recent events, however, have turned up not only a half brother she never knew, but letters and other evidence that point to the possibility that her father was murdered. When her half-brother is killed under suspicious circumstances, it is up to her husband, McQuaid, to convince her to investigate further and even to narrate part of the story--a new twist. Gladly, we meet old friends from Albert's prior stories as we visit Pecan Springs and China's herb shop and catering business, but the subtle twists and turns of her new investigation soon drag a reluctant China on a journey into the past. In this third book of a trilogy (first came Bleeding Hearts and Spanish Dagger), the door is closed on China's complex relationship with her father and maybe on some cold cases from her past as well. This doesn't happen without a lot of pain and soul-searching on China's part. What is it about fathers and daughters? As in the prior fifteen books in Albert's herbal mystery series, we learn many interesting facts, uses, and mis-uses for plants. In this case, the often deadly nightshade genus is featured. The origins will surprise you, though, as they can be found in most people's everyday diet. Readers will be eager to try the herbal recipes and will be entertained from page one through to the surprise ending. Whether you are a long-tern fan of the series or this is your first Albert read, you'll enjoy China's latest exciting and suspenseful adventures. by Rhonda Esakov for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women

Nightshade is the 16th China Bayles mystery and the first in which we hear her husband, McQuaid's,POV. Although the tense changes, I did not find it all that distracting and it was great to know what he thinks and feels about China.This book is the third in the trilogy that began with Bleeding Hearts with the discovery of China's half brother and his interest in their father's death. I liked that Ms Albert took this long to develop the story so that we had a feeling for China's aversion to it but an understanding of why she ultimately gets involved. The China Bayles mysteries are exceedingly well written and, in my opinion, the best of the genre with the amount of research that is involved and the inclusion of Ms Albert's knowledge of herbs and their uses. And the recipes that are included make your mouth water! Who could ask for more? I highly recommend reading all 16 books, preferably in order, because of the character growth and the new characters that appear now and then.

If you have not read the China Bayles series, I suggest that you get started, and quickly. This is by far the best of the 16 or so books in this wonderful series. It also the last of the trilogy of books about China Bayles' family secrets, and her father in particular. For that reason, I wouldn't suggest starting here. These books progress and the characters develop in each book, so the only way to truly enjoy this series is to start with the first one "Thyme of Death" and read on from there. I envy you your journey into the fascinating world of China and her friends! I really don't want to say too much about the story in this book because it would give too much away, but once you have gotten to "Bleeding Hearts", which is the first of the three books in the mini-trilogy about China's family's past, you will want to read "Spanish Dagger" and this book very quickly in order to get to the heart of the whole story. This book has lots of wonderful herb lore too, and some fascinating recipes at the end. I cannot wait for another China Bayles' book, and hate that it will be at least another year for me to touch base with China and her friends.

If you haven't read the China Bayles books - please start, but NOT here. This is the culmination of the mystery surrounding China's family and it is the best of all of her stories. The characters are fleshy, the story line is full of mystery - just enough of Ruby and plenty of food. Your mouth will water with the succulent dishes AND the murder mystery. Ms. Albert is a superb writer. I look forward to each book and try to take my time - but in a day or two the read is over and I am waiting again for the next book. Buy the first book and don't stop until Nightshade. This is an excellent series of books written by a skilled author.

Recently, China Boyles learned she had an illegitimate half-brother Miles sired by her father on his secretary Laura who worked in his law firm. He never knew the man he called uncle was really his dad until his biological father died leading to Miles finding letters written to his mother. They implied he was in danger and so were Laura and Miles. Miles believes that the car accident that killed his father was in reality a murder. China is not interested in reconnecting with her past to find out if her father was murdered but her husband McQuaid, now a private detective, is very interested for numerous reasons. When Miles thinks he located the car that his father died in, he asks McQuaid to meet him at a designated spot. When he doesn't show up, China and McQuaid learn he was killed in the garage where he parks his car for work. McQuaid is determined to carry on with the investigation and when he goes to the location of where the car is supposed to be the woman who is holding on to it looks like she is dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. McQuaid is sure that it was attempted murder and when he pools his information with the info on the tape Laura made that China found, they go to confront someone who might have the answers not knowing that China is in danger of getting shot. NIGHTSHADE is one of the best books in the China Bayles series. The story is told in the first person POV from the perspectives of China and McQuaid allowing fans for the first time to understand how he thinks. They will love what they learn especially how he sees his wife and his feelings about her that he is too macho to articulate. The mystery is well thought out and the killings in the present have roots in the past. Susan Wittig Albert always delivers a fantastic mystery. Harriet Klausner