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Cat's Claw (China Bayles #20)

by Susan Wittig Albert (Goodreads Author)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 604 ratings · 116 reviews

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.

As a police chief in a male...more

Hardcover, 305 pages

Published March 6th 2012 by Berkley Hardcover (first published March 1st 2012)

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May 05, 2013 Aurian Booklover rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book starts with a gathering of the Texas Star Quilting Club, some old ladies of Pecan Springs, who are experts at gossiping and watching their neighbours. And lately, they have had their eyes on Larry Kirk. He is going through a divorce, as he is a work-a-holic, and his wife has found a new lover. But recently, a lady has been showing up at his house, especially when he is not at home. So what does that mean?
And then Larry Kirk is found murdered. Do those old ladies actually have clues to...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Leya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-book

Susan Wittig Albert is one of those authors that I make a point to read. I loved her historical mystery series that she co-wrote with her husband, the books were published under the name of Robin Paige. I adore her Beatrix Potter Cottage series. I know she has a new series, the Darling Dahlias, which I haven't had the pleasure to read, yet. But my favorite has always been her China Bayles series, set in the fictional town of Pecan Springs, TX. So let's just say I was a little surprised when I pi...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Judy Goodnight rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

With this book, the author makes a major change in the format of the series. Up to this point in time, the stories have been, by and large, told to us through the viewpoint of the main character, China Bayles. In Cat's Claw, the story alternates between China and Pecan Springs Police Chief Sheila Dawson.

On the one hand, this approach has much in its favor. Whenever you have an amateur sleuth in a continuing series, it starts to strain believability as the number of murders piles up over the cou...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Connie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the latest book in the Pecan Street Mystery series. I have enjoyed reading each of the books in the series as well as the Darling Dahlias Mysteries by the same author.

The books are easy, entertaining "cozies" that normally feature China Bayles, who is a criminal defense attorney turned herbalist and shop/tearoom owner along with her "New Age " friend and business partner, Ruby Wilcox. The books always seem like the adventures of "Lucy and Ethyl" with a slight mystery twist and a Texas se...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another great story in the China Bayles series. Did like the changed point of view. Now we get to see and learn more info about Sheila.

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.
As a police chief...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Lain rated it 2 of 5 stars

What the heck has happened to China? She used to be one of my favorite "cozy" amateur sleuths, but in this book she's short-tempered, pessimistic, and at times downright nasty. She is absolutely inexcusably rude to Ruby, my favorite character of all time. She expresses nothing but doubt about the marriage of Blackie and Sheila. And she is condescending and snotty regarding the women's quilt club that helps solve the mystery.

If the chapters hadn't alternated with her perspective and Sheila's, I m...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Sofia Wren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series follows ex-lawyer and amateur sleuth China, who also happens to be an herbalist. The series has followed China through now twenty novels of murder mystery interwoven with excerpts from herbal books, recipes, and facts thrown into the mix. I love herbs, and so I love these books which keep me turning pages like a mad woman. You will tear through them in no time. I am in the middle of a six day work week myself, and finished the book by day four.

This book...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Grey853 rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I suppose the author might be launching a new series with the character of Sheila Dawson. This book is about half China, half Sheila. I really enjoyed the parts with China. That character really resonates with me. I enjoy her perspective and cozy descriptions of the plants, her shop, her relationships. It's all golden because even when she finds a dead body, there's a rush of energy that just doesn't come through with the Dawson sections.

The character of Sheila Dawson leaves me cold. That part...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Larraine rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 hea...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Shirley Schwartz rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the China Bayles series. i would have to say when pressed that it's one of my favourite mystery series. And now Ms. Albert is highlighting different Pecan Springs characters in some of her books. This is the 20 book in this series. Yes, we still have China, and a little bit of Ruby, but the main character in this book is Sharp Cookie, Sheia Dawson, Pecan Springs' Police Chief. It is refreshing to have a different viewpoint and a different narrator. And I've always like Sheila in this seri...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-crime-fict-etc

The China Bayles series isn't the first thing I head for when I get a gift certificate, but it is good, comfortable prose for these chilly January nights. This story is slightly different from her previous ones, which were written entirely in first person. Her (actual) spouse wrote the third person portions, but the voice is so seamless that either they think a lot alike, or Albert did some serious editing. At any rate, I can truthfully say that the combination works well.

This story takes us bac...more The China Bayles series isn't the first thing I head for when I get a gift certificate, but it is good, comfortable prose for these chilly January nights. This story is slightly different from her previous ones, which were written entirely in first person. Her (actual) spouse wrote the third person portions, but the voice is so seamless that either they think a lot alike, or Albert did some serious editing. At any rate, I can truthfully say that the combination works well.

This story takes us back and forth between Bayles and her friend, the new police chief, Sheila ("Tough Cookie" to her pals). As usual, she puts in a lot of herbal information and local central/west Texas flavor. I could live without all the herbal stuff. Those who live closer to the area may find it interesting; since the FDA does not regulate the uses of herbs, and Albert has apparently followed the advice of her publisher or attorney by adding the disclaimer that just because she is telling us the uses of these herbs doesn't mean we should go out and USE them, I find it a jarring break in the story line. One other, more minor complaint is that she spends a little too much time on setting. We are going to arrest the villain, but first we have to take in every decorating detail of the building as we enter. Again, it slows down the pace. I don't know whether she and her spouse came in under length and she had to pack in filler, or what, but no one gives a rat's behind about the white wicker and the ivy when we're chasing a criminal.

That said, I think Albert has done a reasonably good job of developing parts of her main characters. The relationship between herself and Ruby is the nicest surprise. Ruby used to be over-described to the point where it felt stilted, but now it is clear that although she is pretty strange looking, China loves her for the same reason I love my own (in some cases) strange friends: because they have been by my side forever, we've been through a lot together, and just as with family, we've hit a point of unconditional acceptance. Somehow, she entered this essential sense smoothly this time, and it felt right in a way it never did before.

There are also some great metaphors: I love the one where Sheila (maybe this is the spouse's metaphor?) puts her worry over her husband's travel into an unsafe part of Mexico into a box, and places it at the back of her mental shelf. All of us have to do that with our work sometimes, and I thought it was particularly well done.

The plot itself is interesting, well-paced, and has a plausible ending. In this one, thank goodness, Bayles is not put into a ludicrous (for a small business person/former attorney), dangerous situation, is not stalked, kidnapped, attacked, or held at gunpoint. The reader's buy-in is not strained by a lack of credibility. The story makes sense.

Social issues are occasionally included, and they are built into the narrative in a way that, again, is smooth and uncontrived. I liked the concern over wildlife habitat being converged on by burgeoning development; I wasn't crazy about the complaints that law enforcement hasn't sufficient power (I am from Seattle; the SPD is currently being monitored by the FBI for its profiling and gratuitous use of deadly force). Whine, whine. The term "lawyering up" hits my buttons. Does everyone have the right to call an attorney if they find themselves in legal jeopardy? Of course they do. I have never been arrested, but if I were, I'd want an attorney, along with the presumption of innocence till proven guilty. Requesting legal representation is not sleazy or a sign of dishonesty, or a lack of moral character. Okay, I'm done with that; thanks for letting me rant a bit.

There's one place she redeems herself: we see (in the third person portion, at first) a group of senior citizens, ladies who meet to quilt and "gossip" (I'm not sure when chatting becomes gossip, or when concern becomes snooping, but whatever it is, they're doing it). Just as she seems as if she may be creating an ageist stereotype, it turns out that what they have observed turns out to be of great use. They are not a pack of prying old hens (the stereotype) after all, but they are curious, have extra time, and realize it when their combined information looks like something the police should know. (I have neighbors like that, too, and have learned to appreciate them!).

All told, if you want a low-stress, easy read to fall asleep with, this little novel is a better-than-average choice. It won't make the blood pound in your veins and keep you awake; it isn't too hefty a tome to hold in one hand (or in your e-reader, which is how I read it). If money is tight, wait a bit, and it will turn up in a used bookstore, because Albert's work will continue to sell well, at least in major cities and their surrounds. (less)

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Apr 23, 2012 Dorothy rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of cozy mysteries

Shelves: cozy-mysteries

Occasionally, it is good to be able to read a book that is totally undemanding, one that doesn't require the brain to exert itself overmuch but can let it figuratively relax and enjoy the ride. That's what books like those in Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles herbal mystery series are like for me. Cat's Claw is the twentieth in that series and I confess that I have read and enjoyed them all. They speak to several of my interests - gardening, native Texas plants, herbs and herbal lore - and they...more Occasionally, it is good to be able to read a book that is totally undemanding, one that doesn't require the brain to exert itself overmuch but can let it figuratively relax and enjoy the ride. That's what books like those in Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles herbal mystery series are like for me. Cat's Claw is the twentieth in that series and I confess that I have read and enjoyed them all. They speak to several of my interests - gardening, native Texas plants, herbs and herbal lore - and they are set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, among my favorite spots in the state. Picking up one of her books is a bit like putting on my favorite robe and slippers and sinking into my favorite chair. It's all about comfort.

That being said, the last few books in this series have grown a bit stale, stodgy and predictable, and the character of China Bayles seems a lot less fresh and interesting to me than she was ten or fifteen volumes ago. Maybe Albert was feeling that way, too, because in this book, she's taken the focus off the Bayles character just a bit and redirected it toward the Pecan Springs police chief Sheila Dawson. Dawson has been a character in the series for a while now and it seems that Albert may be interested in steering the arc of these stories more in her direction. Much of this story is told from her perspective, although China Bayles still gets her two cents' worth in, also.

The main mystery here involves the death of Pecan Springs' computer guru, Larry Kirk, who is found shot to death in his kitchen. He has a gun still in his hand and at first it looks like suicide, but some things just don't add up. For one thing, Larry hated guns and was a staunch anti-gun advocate. For another, he seemed an easy-going type, very unlikely to have taken his own life. When Sheila discovers that the gun was in the wrong hand - right, although Larry was left-handed - that pretty much clinches it. The autopsy report confirms it. Sheila has a murder on her hands.

As the investigation develops, there are suspicions that blackmail may have played a part in the murder. When a customer of Kirk's, a Pecan Springs bigwig named George Timms is discovered to have broken into Kirk's computer shop and then goes missing, Sheila suspects a connection. Then Timms, too, is found dead and a search of his house turns up some very nasty secrets, a possible incentive for blackmail. But how is this related to Larry Kirk's death? Or is it?

As a still relatively new police chief and a female one in the domain of the good old boys at that, Sheila Dawson is under a lot of pressure to solve the mysteries and bring the perpatrator(s?) to justice. Somehow the reader never is in any doubt that she will be able to do just that. (less)

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Nov 15, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this series. It is one of a few series I read mixing murder mystery and the culinary world. China Bayles, Hannah Swenson (Joanne Fluke) and Goldie Schulz (Diane Mott Davidson) are this foodie's alter egos in wonderfully fun romps through their small towns, their kitchens and their circles of friends, some of whom haplessly become victims and suspects at alarming frequencies! This particular work is told from two character's POV. China, the owner of Thyme and Seasons Herb Shop, the other S...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Diane Majeske rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Pecan Springs, Texas, most everyone knows Larry Kirk - he's the local computer guru. So when he's found shot dead in his kitchen - an apparent suicide - the news has everyone abuzz, from the elderly ladies at the Texas Star Quilting Club to China Bayles, the owner of Thyme and Seasons herbal shop. But China, a former lawyer, was fairly good friends with Kirk - and she knows he was worried about a stalker; he'd recently sent her an e-mail asking for legal advice.

Soon she and police chief Shei...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Albert makes a switch to letting Pecan Springs' police chief Shelia Dawson tell this story. China Bayles is present, and makes a contribution to solving the case, but she is not front and center. Also, there is more emphasis on police procedure. The mystery has a number of strands which are all woven together. As always. the reader gets a sense of the Texas Hill Country, as well as herbal lore and, in this one, there is quite another, non-herbal meaning to the title Cat's Claw.
Albert's China B...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Mysterious Ed rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: law-enforcement, cozy-mystery, plant-centric

In China Bayles #20, a shift in focus from China to Sheila Dawson, police chief, gives Susan Wittig Albert the opportunity to breathe new life into the series.

China Bayles comes to the aid of her friend Sheila Dawson, the female police chief in Pecan Springs, Texas. Larry Kirk, the local techie, is found dead in his kitchen. It may be suicide, since he was in the midst of a difficult divorce, but China tells Sheila that he had asked her for help dealing with a stalker. Other evidence casts doubt...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Kristen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, mysteries

"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 fro...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

This current novel in the wonderful series of Pecan Springs Mysteries is set from the viewpoint of Police Chief Sheila Dawson. To me, this was an excellent change in writing direction. China Bayles is still very prominent, as she would be, being Sheila's friend. Now, we can have a wider range of stories from the wonderful mind of Ms. Wittig Albert.

A Pecan Springs resident has comitted suicide...or has he? Police Chief Dawson uses this case to get back in the field for a bit. What she begins to s...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

Larry Kirk, Pecan Springs computer expert has been found dead in his home. It looks as if he has committed suicide but Police Chief Sheila Dawson thinks it may be a homicide. The victim was going through a divorce, which could be the reason for his depression, but Sheila and her friend China Bayles begin to look into the case. It seems that the victim was being stalked by someone. His computer shop had been broken into by a local man who was spotted by the security camera. The local ladies quilt...more

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May 22, 2012 Janice rated it 4 of 5 stars

A lovely quick read, but a change in main character that threw me at first, it turned out okay. See, an old dog can learn new tricks. Some very interesting facts about herbs that have hooks/barbs. A lot of medicinal uses for them. This author is very knowledgable about herbs and plants and I appreciate learning in such a nice format. And the cover of the book is luscious, really an eye catcher. Many characters and I managed to keep them straight in my head, kudos for the author and means my brai...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Deedee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Once again another fun read by Wittig Albert! She doesn't seem to lose pacing, character strength, or believability with each subsequent book in this series like so many other authors have. her hubby is part of the story this time too with a bit of anxious moments throughout to keep us turning pages until the end. Her family has grown, evolved, and moved in new directions making these additional people populating the stories with subplots, tidbits about their past experiences that only serve to...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Susan Lundy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

You've come a long way, baby. Twenty one years after I read the first China Bayles Texas Hill country book, I read the 20th, and China hasn't seemed to age nearly as much as I have in the two decades. The titles are always some sort of play on words regarding spices..and this time I really enjoyed researching cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa)because initially I just thought she re-named the more common Texas "weed" known as Devil's Claw (Proboscidea parviflora). As I read her description I realized...more

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May 05, 2012 George rated it 5 of 5 stars

#20 in the China Bayles mystery series. Though composed of the same characters, locations, plant mentions, a murder mystery and recipes in this series this is different in that instead of China carrying the load and solving the mystery, China's good friend and police chief Shelia Dawson carries the load. China discovers a body and contributes towards the solution, but it is Sheila who solves it and carries the load here and around half the story follows Sheila in her efforts.

An interestin depart...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Deb rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books-read

I really enjoy the China Bayles series, and I know I can count on a cozy read. This was no exception. Cat's Claw was a bit different as the story was told mostly from Sheila Dawson's perspective. One of Chief Dawson's neighbors has apparently committed suicide and a Pecan Springs bigwig is about to be arrested for extortion. Dawson's 2nd in command still resents the fact that he didn't get the job and she did. I enjoyed the change of perspective. I felt Ruby got very short shrift in this outing...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Eddy Allen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-and-westerns

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Mar 12, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

In this twentieth China Bayles mystery, Albert switches back and forth between a first-person account by China and a third-person account by Sheila "Smart/Tough Cookie" Dawson, China's friend and the Pecan Springs police chief. This technique allows interesting insights into Sheila's thoughts and actions, as well as the plot, but can be a little hard to follow. And I missed having more of China and her friend Ruby. As always, the story is good but this one is a little more graphic than some entr...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

This is the 20th book in the series; I've read them all. It was easy to read, comfortable as I know most of the characters. This WAS different in that part of it was told from the point-of-view of Sheila Dawson, aka Smart Cookie, the police chief. It actually made it easier since she is orderly, logical. But so is China. It's a straight, cozy mystery. No paranormal or romance, really. This sort of story engages my mind, but doesn't draw much of my heart.

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Mar 10, 2012 Robin Webb rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a great addition to the China Bayles series! In Cat's Claw, Susan Wittig Albert allows Sheila Dawson (aka Tough Cookie, Smart Cookie)to have a voice. Instead of the usual first person narration of China, she uses Sheila in most of the chapters. And although China plays an important role, she is not the "star" this time. You don't need to read the other books in the series to understand what's going on and who-is-who(although you should)! 5 stars!!!

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Mar 16, 2012 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

A burglary suspect, possible blackmail, and a suicide, or is it murder? Police Chief, and good friend of China Bayles, Sheila Dawson is on the case. An entertaining tale featuring herbs, of course, but also a group of little old lady quilters and a mountain lion. The story is told mostly from the perspective of Chief Dawson, along with China and with bit parts by Ruby, McQuaid and the kids.

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Mar 06, 2012 Holly Mcintyre rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've read all of Albert's Pecan Springs/China Bayles mysteries, but this one just didn't interest me very much. The author tried to liven things up by focusing on a different main character, Police Chief Sheila Dawson, but overall the book just seemed tired. I found the plot especially unconvincing. I think maybe Albert has used up all the good plots available in this small town.

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About Susan Wittig Albert

Susan is the author/co-author of three mystery series and other books.

WIDOW'S TEARS,#21 in the China Bayles series

THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter

THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CONFEDERATE ROSE, #3 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL

DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill...more

More about Susan Wittig Albert...

Books by Susan Wittig Albert

The Tale of Hill Top Farm (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, #1)

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Quotes from Cat's Claw

“Maude regards the ones who don't make it as her own personal failures. "I guess I didn't put enough emphasis on 'until death do you part,'" she says sourly, whenever she hears about the latest divorce. "Sad to say, but some are in it just for the good times. Married folks, they gotta be like that cat's claw acacia I've got growin' in my yard. Gotta grab hard and hold on tight when the going gets rough. Only way to get through the bad times. Grab hard, hold on, and ride. No matter what.” — 3 people liked it

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Cat's Claw (China Bayles #20)

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