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Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles #13)
by
Susan Wittig Albert (Goodreads Author)
""A leader among female sleuths.""?Publishers Weekly Susan Wittig Albert's exciting mysteries have been praised as "unique" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) and "fascinating" (Booklist). Now, a dead man's bones are uncovered-and Texas ex-lawyer and herbalist China Bayles must dig into a pair of murders separated by time but connected by motive... When China's teenage son finds...more
ebook, 304 pages
Published
April 4th 2006
by Berkley
(first published April 4th 2005)
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"Dead Man's Bones" by Susan Wittig Albert
(from the back cover)
China Bayles already has her hands full balancing her job, her family, and her friends' romantic entanglements. Then her teenage son finds some skeletal remains during a local cave dig--remains from a not-so-distant, not-so-accidental death. This disturbing development doesn't distract China from happier events, like the opening of a new community theater donated by the elderly Obermann sisters. Unfortunately, haughty Jane Obermann h...more
(from the back cover)
China Bayles already has her hands full balancing her job, her family, and her friends' romantic entanglements. Then her teenage son finds some skeletal remains during a local cave dig--remains from a not-so-distant, not-so-accidental death. This disturbing development doesn't distract China from happier events, like the opening of a new community theater donated by the elderly Obermann sisters. Unfortunately, haughty Jane Obermann h...more
Another book in the China Bayles, former lawyer, now owner of an herb shop in Texas.
Bayles has married her former detective boyfriend and is living with him and his teen-age son. The son finds a skeleton during a local cave dig, while China and her friend Ruby are caught up in the restoration, opening and first play at a theater donated by the elderly Obermann sisters.
A fast easy read, not really mysterious but entertaining. If you're looking for a book to keep you at the end of your seat, this...more
Bayles has married her former detective boyfriend and is living with him and his teen-age son. The son finds a skeleton during a local cave dig, while China and her friend Ruby are caught up in the restoration, opening and first play at a theater donated by the elderly Obermann sisters.
A fast easy read, not really mysterious but entertaining. If you're looking for a book to keep you at the end of your seat, this...more
I skipped "Dilly of a Death" by accident, but Albert does a pretty good job of catching you up with what you might have missed that you need to know so I didn't feel lost. For some reason though I didn't connect with this story as much as other books of the series. I did have the mystery more or less figured out very early on (perhaps that was why I was a little less enthralled?). Despite that, I'm hoping to go back to Dilly of a Death if I can find it locally sometime soon and plan to continue...more
This was a great little mystery! I picked this book up at the library to read on vacation, but didn't have time. Once home I decided to go ahead and read it. I'd never even heard of Susan Wittig Albert nor her China Bayles Mysteries prior to picking it up. China is a family woman, ex-lawyer, small town business owner and part time accidental sleuth. I thought it sounded like a good combination for a book and it was. Albert's seemingly effortless gift for descriptive writing pulled me in from the...more
Mar 22, 2013
Eddy Allen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction-and-westerns
Susan Wittig Albert’s exciting mysteries have been praised as “unique” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) and “fascinating” (Booklist). Now, a dead man’s bones are uncovered—and Texas ex-lawyer and herbalist China Bayles must dig into a pair of murders separated by time but connected by motive… When China’s teenage son finds some skeletal remains during a local cave dig—remains that show a not-so-accidental death—it’s a disturbing development. But China doesn’t let it distract her from the opening of...more
Post Listen Review: Man what a bad book this was. This is the only mystery I can think of where I was hoping the amatuer detective would get shot before the mystery was solved so I didn't have to hear the ending. This book had the most bland and boring main character ever. She is happily married and seems to run an herb shop in her spare time but occasionally solves mysteries. The mystery itself wasn't very mysterious and I didn't really care who did it anyway. There never seemed to be a sense o...more
Jan 07, 2011
Jasmine Giacomo
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contains-sociopath
China Bayles is at home in Pecan Springs, working with Ruby in their herbal shops. A new playhouse has been erected, and is putting on its first performance, starring Ruby in a play written by the rich donor of the playhouse itself. Meanwhile, China's stepson, Brian, discovers a set of bones in a remote cave near town.
Alas, while the premise of the plot promised awesomeness, the delivery fell flat. Much of the story was given over to daily life details, such as Ruby's mysterious new boyfriend, w...more
Alas, while the premise of the plot promised awesomeness, the delivery fell flat. Much of the story was given over to daily life details, such as Ruby's mysterious new boyfriend, w...more
2.5 stars
This is a lighter mystery, with little action, no danger to the protagonist, and a slueth who never hits a dead end. Oh yes, and there is no twist to the case at all. Absurdly easy to solve, I had identified the killer(s) and motive by the first third of the book. I kept reading in hopes of something more, and because the prose is light and easy - just what I was in the mood for. To be fair, it's not unbelievable that it takes the protagonist the rest of the book to line up evidence and...more
This is a lighter mystery, with little action, no danger to the protagonist, and a slueth who never hits a dead end. Oh yes, and there is no twist to the case at all. Absurdly easy to solve, I had identified the killer(s) and motive by the first third of the book. I kept reading in hopes of something more, and because the prose is light and easy - just what I was in the mood for. To be fair, it's not unbelievable that it takes the protagonist the rest of the book to line up evidence and...more
(3.5 stars) This is the 14th book in the China Bayles series. China's adopted son discovers a skeleton while at an archeological dig. However, the bones are much more recent than the dig. China is dealing with some economic and staffing issues with the tearoom. Meanwhile, Ruby is playing a part in the community theater in a play sponsored by 2 town heiresses about their father. The play is dreadful, but Ruby plays up the comic elements and steals the show. When a man ends up dead in connection...more
Great book & I love how she descrbes the growth of her characters in a way that does.not bore you. I never thougt she would be a good mom but she is. China is full of surprises. Love ALL her books. To the haters, I think you do not understand the whole series & how China has evolved &.that.she.is very real to herself & admits her faults. We all have them. Loved it.
The character in this mystery series is China Bayles, a Texas ex-lawyer and now herbalist, who digs into murder, past and present.
This time her teenage son discovers some skeletal remains while on an archeological dig. Some bones are from the past, but the others are not so distant.
It appears that the wealthy Obermann sisters have something to hide.
This time her teenage son discovers some skeletal remains while on an archeological dig. Some bones are from the past, but the others are not so distant.
It appears that the wealthy Obermann sisters have something to hide.
The Pecan Springs Community Theater Group has a new home, thanks to the donation from the reclusive Obermann sisters. However, this being Pecan Springs and home to China Bayles and her sidekick,Ruby, things are never that simple. A plot with twists and turns is launched when China's stepson finds a skeleton while exploring a cave near Mistletoe Creek. A long ago crime and a two recent ones are finally all tied neatly tied together. In addition to fast paced story, one learns a bit about herbal l...more
The mystery was even easier to parse than usual, but it was still pleasant to spend a few hours of reading time in Pecan Springs. I've started #15 in the series (my library doesn't have #14 as a downloadable), but after that I think I'll take another break from the China Bayles books for a while.
Easy read, although it took me awhile to get into it. Fluff mystery, but fun. Interwoven in the story were uses for herbs, medicinal and culinary, plus recipes, which added an interesting touch. I plan to go back and read the series from the start.
This was a gentle mystery, with an interesting character, China, as the woman who solves the crime. It was not the first in the series - I just picked it up from the library as the cover intrigued me.
It was a good one to listen to, rather than read, and so I will probably listen to some of the others in the series.
It was a good one to listen to, rather than read, and so I will probably listen to some of the others in the series.
I listened to this book on a Playaway, I think they are called, from my local library. The reader wasn't bad, the mystery part I figured out early on but still found the story and characters enjoyable.
Lois Lowry created with The Giver a totally new society which she followed through with all of the subsequent books. Her themes and ability to make the reader think is beyond compare. A great read.
I enjoy this whole series of "herbal" mysteries featuring China Bayles, herb shop owner and amateur detective. She includes recipes for various herbal foods along with the story. Very fun!
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Jan 25, 2013
Mary Rohrbeck
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
series-china-bayles
This book was a little hard to get through at some points but I like her topics and writing so I pushed on and finished and liked it when it was all said and done.
Another great mystery by Albert, this one concerning a skeleton found in a cave. Lots of herb history included for bone health.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I really love this cozy mystery series. One of the reasons it is a standout for me amongst all the cozies I have read is that the protagonist, China Bayles, is described as "short and stocky, with a preference for jeans, tees and anything wash-and-wear." How refreshing! I get a little tired of the tall, willowy heroines who never gain weight and are beautiful even without makeup! Additionally, Susan Albert is a skilled author who really knows how to hold the reader's interest right to the end of...more
this was a great read. I like the story and the characters all have a great relationship.
One of my favorite authors. Have read all of her book in the series and this did not disappoint!
I enjoy the China Bayles books. This one isn't the best one I've read, but it was a fun read.
More predictable than most of the series, but still enjoyable.
Even better than some of the others in the series.
Thoroughly evil old rich bitch kills 4
Apr 11, 2012
Annie Michelle
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thriller
a great China Bayles mystery
Fun to read
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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...
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
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