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China Bayles #1
Thyme of Death
Susan Wittig Albert's novels featuring ex-lawyer and herb-shop proprietor China Bayles have won acclaim for their rich characterization and witty, suspenseful stories of crime and passion in small-town Texas. Now, when China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide, China looks behind the quaint facade of Pecan Springs. Though she finds a lot of friendly faces, China is sure that one of them hides the heart of a killer.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
63 people are currently reading
6388 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
119 books2,368 followersSusan is the author/co-author of biographical/historical fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. Now in her 80s and continuing to write, she says that retirement is not (yet) an option. She publishes under her own imprint. Here are her latest books.
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 546 reviews
July 14, 2008
Oh, I should have listened to my friend Terri and started reading these in 1992 when this first one was published! There are now 16 books in the series so far and I guess I aim to read them all, plus any more that Susan Wittig Albert writes.
I found a couple of weird claims. 1. barbiturates referred to as over the counter sleeping pills (this taking place in the U.S. circa 1992), and 2. a road that’s referred to as 80 miles long that stretches 60 miles to the south and 35 miles to the north. But I quibble.
I really enjoyed this mystery book; the main protagonist’s voice reminded me somewhat of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone, and that’s a compliment from me. I’m particularly hoping to learn more about herbs in the other books in this series. The main character owns a herb business and grows herbs in her garden.
I found a couple of weird claims. 1. barbiturates referred to as over the counter sleeping pills (this taking place in the U.S. circa 1992), and 2. a road that’s referred to as 80 miles long that stretches 60 miles to the south and 35 miles to the north. But I quibble.
I really enjoyed this mystery book; the main protagonist’s voice reminded me somewhat of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone, and that’s a compliment from me. I’m particularly hoping to learn more about herbs in the other books in this series. The main character owns a herb business and grows herbs in her garden.
November 4, 2010
This is the first book in a series featuring China Bayles, our first person narrator, who quit her high-powered job as a criminal defense attorney to become the owner of a herbal store in small-town Pecan Springs, Texas. Next door is one of her best friends, Ruby, who owns a New Age store. Their friend, Jo, is found dead an apparent suicide but things aren't as they seem, and soon there are several suspects for her murder.
The style was smooth enough, but not distinctive, nor was there enough wit, humor or charm to distinguish this book. I'll give it points for keeping me turning the pages and keeping me guessing. Nevertheless, I won't be picking up another book in the series. This just didn't have anything that makes me feel I'll remember this months later--the characters and setting were too generic, too stereotyped, the lines of good and bad too off the shelf liberal/progressive (rich developer = evil; environmentalist/feminist = good), and the legal and herbal angles weren't absorbing enough to make me feel I had a peek into a different world.
So, good enough if you've picked this up to divert for a few hours--for me, not enough to invest more time in this world.
The style was smooth enough, but not distinctive, nor was there enough wit, humor or charm to distinguish this book. I'll give it points for keeping me turning the pages and keeping me guessing. Nevertheless, I won't be picking up another book in the series. This just didn't have anything that makes me feel I'll remember this months later--the characters and setting were too generic, too stereotyped, the lines of good and bad too off the shelf liberal/progressive (rich developer = evil; environmentalist/feminist = good), and the legal and herbal angles weren't absorbing enough to make me feel I had a peek into a different world.
So, good enough if you've picked this up to divert for a few hours--for me, not enough to invest more time in this world.
December 27, 2023
3.75 stars. A promising start to a new (to me) series. I like the characters and Albert’s writing, as I’m also enjoying her series featuring her take on Beatrix Potter.
This one almost reads like Sue Grafton fan fiction in some ways, as the amateur PI reminds me a lot of Kinsey Millhone. She’s a lawyer turned herbalist, both of which career paths I find interesting, so I’ll definitely continue with the series.
It takes place in Texas, which isn’t a plus for me, but it’s a long series with easy to acquire library downloads, and I do enjoy this author’s work, and the background stories of the main and minor characters.
This one almost reads like Sue Grafton fan fiction in some ways, as the amateur PI reminds me a lot of Kinsey Millhone. She’s a lawyer turned herbalist, both of which career paths I find interesting, so I’ll definitely continue with the series.
It takes place in Texas, which isn’t a plus for me, but it’s a long series with easy to acquire library downloads, and I do enjoy this author’s work, and the background stories of the main and minor characters.
October 21, 2015
I so enjoy this type of book and was excited to start this series.
But I hadn't even made it past the first chapter before the "f"
word arrived. Boy, was I bummed..
I'm no prud, but as a Christian I do like books without the "F"
word in it, or the Lord's name being taken in vain, etc.
I'm always greatly disappointed, and amazed, when someone who
has several degrees under their belt, can't think of a polite
way to express themselves, without having to stoop to vulgar
teen talk...
Will never pick up a book by this author again...
But I hadn't even made it past the first chapter before the "f"
word arrived. Boy, was I bummed..
I'm no prud, but as a Christian I do like books without the "F"
word in it, or the Lord's name being taken in vain, etc.
I'm always greatly disappointed, and amazed, when someone who
has several degrees under their belt, can't think of a polite
way to express themselves, without having to stoop to vulgar
teen talk...
Will never pick up a book by this author again...
August 11, 2018
It was okay. Nothing spectacular, but not boring either. China is a former lawyer who now runs an herb shop. Her friend has died of a suicide, but no one believes that. Then stuff and people begin spiralling after that. I found China to be a flat character. Not really an emotional person at all. With everything that is happening, her character seems to be on an even keel with no variation at all. She was a bit stiff and it just seemed to kill the excitement of the story. The side characters had more emotions and reactions than she did. I'm hoping in the next books, she grows and becomes more of a full character.
March 20, 2008
Former Texas Lawyer turned herb shop owner China Bayles is not having a good week. It started out ok but it went straight downhill. First her good friend Jo Gilbert dies and it looks like suicide. But China and her friend Ruby donot buy it. Yea Jo was sick but she was a fighter and would not have given up. Then during the one night that week she might get to spend some good quality time with Mike McQuaid, Roz Kotner returns to town and wants to stay in China's guest cottage. After that someone breaks into Jo's house. Then 2 more bodies are found. Definetly a bad week. But what is really going on in this quite little Texas town and what does it have to do with Jo's death???
Lydia was right I really enjoyed this book. China Bayles is offically one of my favorite ameatuer dectives. China is a fun slightly complicated and flawed character that is a joy to read. Throw in her freespirted, newage best friend and a cute excop turned professor and your in for a good time.
Lydia was right I really enjoyed this book. China Bayles is offically one of my favorite ameatuer dectives. China is a fun slightly complicated and flawed character that is a joy to read. Throw in her freespirted, newage best friend and a cute excop turned professor and your in for a good time.
January 7, 2011
I liked this book, very easy to read and kept my interest. However, saying that, I found that if I put it down, I wasn't very anxious to pick it up again, but once I did, I enjoyed reading it.
The beginning of the book felt a bit dated with reference to the fashions of the time and some of the slang, plus it seemed like all the people in town had worn something green at one time or other in the book! The author pulled a few unfair punches toward the end of the book by giving information that only China knew and shared with the reader only when she was explaining how she figured who the killer was. The climax of the book presented a really huge, unbelievable coincidence and had me saying to myself -- really????
I may or may not read further books in this series.
The beginning of the book felt a bit dated with reference to the fashions of the time and some of the slang, plus it seemed like all the people in town had worn something green at one time or other in the book! The author pulled a few unfair punches toward the end of the book by giving information that only China knew and shared with the reader only when she was explaining how she figured who the killer was. The climax of the book presented a really huge, unbelievable coincidence and had me saying to myself -- really????
I may or may not read further books in this series.
February 23, 2020
The world building of Pecan Springs and its inhabitants is cozy wish fulfillment. It was so lovely to hear about China’s herb shop, cooking and fun friends. Her crime investigation also seemed plausible with her law background. The plot kept me guessing. Albert mostly treated her complex characters with respect and nuance, with the exception of Constance who is fat-shamed. That and McQuaid, the love interest, were the only things that bothered me. The first chapter is clunky with introducing characters and their backstories, but the charm of Pecan Springs won me over. I immediately picked up the second book in this series.
March 23, 2021
See full review at http://books-n-music.blogspot.com/201.... Albert is one of my absolute favorite writers! I intend to read them all...eventually! Love China and the "supporting" characters. Well paced action and good characterization. This is my second China Bayles mystery...of many!
March 7, 2008
Super start to this cozy series. Love learning something new as I read. Nice thing is this is more than a 'cozy' cozy. No fuzzy little tugs of the heart. This is real life. Good and bad and in between.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2008
This is first in the China Bayles series. I absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down until I finished. Easy reading but lots of fun from beginning to end.
May 29, 2015
I don't know how many times I've checked this book out from my local library, but until this week I'd never read it. I'm sorry to say that I was missing out! I enjoyed this mystery enough to look for the second book.
I liked China, she was a strong, intelligent character, but yet I didn't "click" with her character, I don't know what it was but I just couldn't seem to relate with her at all. At times she was also arrogant. However, I immediately clicked with the rest of the characters, from Ruby to Meredith, to Mike.
The mystery was excellent, it was really the highlight of this story. It not only had a well-thought-out ending but it had enough clues and fake clues to throw me for a loop. I really enjoyed it. The setting was also excellent, I loved the herb shop and China's home in it, it was all very well described and I could picture it easily.
This was a decent book that I enjoyed, however it was on the line between cozy and non-cozy to me, a few scenes didn't follow the "cozy-mystery" definition of very little sex and/or blood and gore. Not that the book was bad in any way, but I just expected it to be a little bit different.
Overall a very good book with a few small things I didn't like. I'll be looking for the next one soon.
I liked China, she was a strong, intelligent character, but yet I didn't "click" with her character, I don't know what it was but I just couldn't seem to relate with her at all. At times she was also arrogant. However, I immediately clicked with the rest of the characters, from Ruby to Meredith, to Mike.
The mystery was excellent, it was really the highlight of this story. It not only had a well-thought-out ending but it had enough clues and fake clues to throw me for a loop. I really enjoyed it. The setting was also excellent, I loved the herb shop and China's home in it, it was all very well described and I could picture it easily.
This was a decent book that I enjoyed, however it was on the line between cozy and non-cozy to me, a few scenes didn't follow the "cozy-mystery" definition of very little sex and/or blood and gore. Not that the book was bad in any way, but I just expected it to be a little bit different.
Overall a very good book with a few small things I didn't like. I'll be looking for the next one soon.
May 16, 2011
Susan Wittig Albert is a talented writer--everything is well done: characters, plot, dialog, description, clues, pacing, style. So why didn't I like this book more? Well, maybe it is just too "modern" for me. I don't like my heroine behaving the way China Bayles does. I am irritated at her for treating sexual relationships with such casual disdain that she uses her boyfriend for physical gratification at the same time as she is manipulating things so that he cannot push her for a permanent commitment. In my opinion, he should dump her and get someone who puts greater value on all moral values, not just the ones she finds convenient.
Admittedly this is a very small part of the book. But it put a pall over the whole story for me.
Admittedly this is a very small part of the book. But it put a pall over the whole story for me.
February 9, 2017
I am a fan of Cozy Mysteries and thought that with the 'herbalist' theme it would fit nicely into that genre. I was mistaken. This book was more 'rough' ala Sue Grafton or Janet Evanovich but not as sophisticated in the writing (I am not a big fan of either of those either).
The 'mystery' was very thin and obvious clues were missed - I had it figured out while the heroine was still blundering around. She was not particularly likeable.
I didn't care for the gratuitous swearing either.
The 'mystery' was very thin and obvious clues were missed - I had it figured out while the heroine was still blundering around. She was not particularly likeable.
I didn't care for the gratuitous swearing either.
May 23, 2013
Would have been a great story except for some of the storyline dealing with homosexuality, sex. Included foul (to me) language.
Too bad. I love this author's Beatrix Potter series which carries none of the above - just good story telling.
Too bad. I love this author's Beatrix Potter series which carries none of the above - just good story telling.
August 15, 2022
Since my reviews of Ms Albert’s Darling Dahlias are less than flattering, I was pleasantly surprised reading the first installment of China Bayles. This was written 30 years ago when the author was in her early 50’s (so was I.) She has created a fun character with spunk and determination. She reminds me of Liz from the other books. Many other similarities, but written with a much younger approach to things.
May 10, 2020
I'd put my savings into a century-old stone building that housed an herb shop with the clever name of Thyme and Seasons Herb Company. Everybody in the law firm knew I'd gone nuts. Me, I knew I'd gone sane.
March 15, 2018
This series of books are about an herbalist that has interesting adventures based in the Austin area. Lots of great information about herbs and recipes with herbs in them.
March 14, 2024
Fun fast cozy mystery written in 1992. March 2024 group read in the Cozy Mystery Corner group. The ending was very predictable. I will not read more in this series.
October 22, 2018
I was hoping for a more interesting story.
July 27, 2022
a little dated since it was written in the 90s, but I really enjoyed the writing and the characters and will be reading the second book. I hope I continue really liking it because contemporary cozies are just getting worse and worse these days!
May 6, 2008
Well, I finally did it. I jumped into yet another series of books that everyone said would have me hooked before I finished book one. Guess what? They were right.
I spent a couple of weeks (keep in mind I get to read a chapter every couple of days) reading THYME OF DEATH, the first in the China Bayles mystery series written by Susan Wittig Albert. China is a really neat character, a little bit of fun wrapped up in a serious package.
The story comes together in a nice little homespun package of quirky characters and murderous double-dealing. What I like best about this book is that Ms. Wittig has a flair for the dramatic and this makes the story all the more fun to read.
With dead bodies popping up like weeds in a cleverly designed garden, Susan Wittig Albert's THYME OF DEATH is a breath of fresh air that is the beginning of what I can only assume is a mysterious bouquet of death and delight. I will be working my way through each one.
I spent a couple of weeks (keep in mind I get to read a chapter every couple of days) reading THYME OF DEATH, the first in the China Bayles mystery series written by Susan Wittig Albert. China is a really neat character, a little bit of fun wrapped up in a serious package.
The story comes together in a nice little homespun package of quirky characters and murderous double-dealing. What I like best about this book is that Ms. Wittig has a flair for the dramatic and this makes the story all the more fun to read.
With dead bodies popping up like weeds in a cleverly designed garden, Susan Wittig Albert's THYME OF DEATH is a breath of fresh air that is the beginning of what I can only assume is a mysterious bouquet of death and delight. I will be working my way through each one.
December 26, 2011
Pecan Springs, Texas is a nice place to live. At least China Bayles thinks so. Coming from a former lawyer that is high praise. After leaving the law she became a resident of Pecan Springs and the owner of Thyme and Seasons. Everything is going along pretty well until a good friend is found dead of an apparent suicide. Ruby, who shares the other half of the shop, is adamant that Jo would never kill herself and she is going to investigate whether China believes her or not.
China goes about her business, but begins to believe that Ruby might be right.
I really enjoyed this first installment of the China Bayles series. It was well written and the characters are well developed. Looking forward what other adventures arise in Pecan Springs, Texas.
China goes about her business, but begins to believe that Ruby might be right.
I really enjoyed this first installment of the China Bayles series. It was well written and the characters are well developed. Looking forward what other adventures arise in Pecan Springs, Texas.
August 10, 2017
See the big plot twist involves a bisexual woman falling in love with a lesbian and being killed over it. The love affair wasn't the exact reason behind the murder but it's there as the big damn red homophobic/biphobic herring. Pages and pages and pages are wasted on China reeling from the revelation that some of her friends were closer than she knew and then idling imaging what their relationship must have been like. Ugh. Just stop and make the book fifty pages shorter, please.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
October 25, 2016
These mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert are very personable who dunits. The main character, China Bayles is a no nonsense snoop. Each book centers around some herb and includes recipes for cooking, medicinal use, and beauty.
December 16, 2016
This book started out as a mystery but the sex and F...bombs took away from the tale. I think this author will not be on my list to read from now on.
September 16, 2018
I wanted to like it, but everything was not right -characters not possible to like, crime strony quite slow and not interesting, solution not convincing, weird comments...
February 6, 2021
Good mystery with useful herbal lore thrown in. As the story goes on and the deaths accumulate, a sleepy town gets pretty exciting.
September 29, 2025
I dove into Thyme of Death via audiobook, ready for a cozy mystery with some herbal charm, and while it wasn’t bad, it didn’t exactly blow me away either. Susan Wittig Albert spins a story that’s solid but feels long and drawn out, stretching the plot thinner than it needed to be. Still, it kept me listening, so it’s got that going for it.
The mystery itself is decent, with a few twists that try to keep you guessing, which I appreciated—good mysteries need those curveballs. Problem is, I pegged the killer well before the big reveal, so the payoff wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped. The story’s attempts at misdirection are fun, but they didn’t quite land with the punch I wanted.
The female main character, China Bayles, has a solid backstory as a former lawyer turned herbal shop owner, which gives the book a nice grounding. I liked learning about her past—it added some depth to the small-town vibe. But China herself? Kinda bland. She comes off robotic, handling everything with this detached, almost mechanical vibe that made it hard to connect with her. There’s not much emotion to latch onto, which left me wanting more from her as a protagonist.
Aimed at adults, Thyme of Death is a cozy mystery that’ll appeal to folks who like their sleuthing low-key with a side of herbal lore. It’s not a page-turner, but it’s got enough intrigue to keep you curious, especially if you enjoy small-town settings and a slower pace. I’m curious enough about the series to probably pick up the next book, hoping China gets a bit more spark and the mysteries get tighter.
Final Thoughts: Thyme of Death is a decent, if long-winded, cozy mystery with some fun twists but a predictable killer and a bland, robotic main character. Worth a read if you’re into the genre, but don’t expect fireworks.
The mystery itself is decent, with a few twists that try to keep you guessing, which I appreciated—good mysteries need those curveballs. Problem is, I pegged the killer well before the big reveal, so the payoff wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped. The story’s attempts at misdirection are fun, but they didn’t quite land with the punch I wanted.
The female main character, China Bayles, has a solid backstory as a former lawyer turned herbal shop owner, which gives the book a nice grounding. I liked learning about her past—it added some depth to the small-town vibe. But China herself? Kinda bland. She comes off robotic, handling everything with this detached, almost mechanical vibe that made it hard to connect with her. There’s not much emotion to latch onto, which left me wanting more from her as a protagonist.
Aimed at adults, Thyme of Death is a cozy mystery that’ll appeal to folks who like their sleuthing low-key with a side of herbal lore. It’s not a page-turner, but it’s got enough intrigue to keep you curious, especially if you enjoy small-town settings and a slower pace. I’m curious enough about the series to probably pick up the next book, hoping China gets a bit more spark and the mysteries get tighter.
Final Thoughts: Thyme of Death is a decent, if long-winded, cozy mystery with some fun twists but a predictable killer and a bland, robotic main character. Worth a read if you’re into the genre, but don’t expect fireworks.
July 21, 2019
I enjoyed this one and am on the list for China Bayles #2.) Almost a cozy, but there's enough lust and heavy breathing and bodies to tip it more toward a mystery thriller.
China is the proprietor of an herb shop in a Texas town called Pecan Springs. (Fredericksburg-ish with all the German names.) She's convinced that a terminally ill friend did NOT take her own live and there are more bodies. All sorts of complications and a breezy writing style sold me. This one was written about 25 years ago, but except for the pleasant lack of cell phones, it's right up to date.
China is the proprietor of an herb shop in a Texas town called Pecan Springs. (Fredericksburg-ish with all the German names.) She's convinced that a terminally ill friend did NOT take her own live and there are more bodies. All sorts of complications and a breezy writing style sold me. This one was written about 25 years ago, but except for the pleasant lack of cell phones, it's right up to date.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 546 reviews