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Thyme of Death (China Bayles 1)
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Manufacturer: Berkley
Author: Susan Wittig Albert
Publisher: Berkley
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price: $7.99
You Save: $ ( % )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Berkley
Author: Susan Wittig Albert
Publisher: Berkley
Average Customer Rating:
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Thyme of Death (China Bayles 1) Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780425140987
ISBN: 0425140989
Label: Berkley
Manufacturer: Berkley
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 320
Publication Date: 1994-03-01
Publisher: Berkley
Studio: Berkley
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780425140987
ISBN: 0425140989
Label: Berkley
Manufacturer: Berkley
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 320
Publication Date: 1994-03-01
Publisher: Berkley
Studio: Berkley
Editorial Review of Thyme of Death (China Bayles 1)
Nominated for both an Agatha and an Anthony Award, 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.
In her first mystery, China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide. China searches behind the quaint façade of Pecan Springs and takes a suspicious look at everyone. Though she finds lots of friendly faces, China is sure that behind one of them hides the heart of a killer.
In her first mystery, China's friend Jo dies of an apparent suicide. China searches behind the quaint façade of Pecan Springs and takes a suspicious look at everyone. Though she finds lots of friendly faces, China is sure that behind one of them hides the heart of a killer.
Customer Reviews of Thyme of Death (China Bayles 1)
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Fell flat
Review: This mystery just fell flat for me. The heroine, or protagonist, China Bayles was so contrived. I didn't relate to her at all, nor any of the other characters who seemed very wooden and one-dimensional to me. I forced myself to finish it because of the author's reputation. But I was still disappointed in the end. There was a bit of anti-gun sentiment that was gratuitous I didn't appreciate. I've been reading a few mystery novels lately, and and to my disappointment, the China Bayles/Wittig Albert one did not hold up. I still prefer authors Candace Robb, Aaron Elkins, Nancy Atherton & Elizabeth Peters for mysteries.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Homespun Murder
Review: 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.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: One of the strongest mystery series
Review: The first book I read in this series was SPANISH DAGGER, which was published in 2007. DAGGER sent me back to this one, the very first from 1992, and I was not disappointed. In fact, THYME OF DEATH proved to be a compelling and sophisticated page-turner. The themes are contemporary and relevant, and China Bayles and the city of Pecan Springs, Texas are very memorable.
Among other interesting layers of plot and character development, THYME OF DEATH speaks to the value we place in our friends and the close relationships we form with friends and family over time (relationships, in fact, are the heart of this whole story). It's a book that also encourages us to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us, and not wait until it is too late.
Albert's book also addresses contemporary social issues such as sexual identity; health and illness; celebrity fame, fortune and greed; and the environment, but never are these topics treated in a "preachy" way. Everything works together to keep the pages turning and the reader racing toward the satisfying end.
This is the second book I've read in this series in as many weeks, and I plan on reading all of them. I highly recommended this most interesting and well-plotted novel.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Just not interested
Review: The plot was fine and it did keep me reading until the end (I hate giving up on a book) but I really hate being hit over the head with the feminist, lesbian, do-gooder greenie stuff so I probably will not read another China Bayles mystery again.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: thyme of death
Review: This book truly was better than the average cozy. The main character, China Bayles, has much room to grow, which I am sure happens throughout the series. The plot was actually well written and interesting. China didn't jump to conclusions, which is probably because she is an ex-lawyer. Too many times in cozies, the heroine jumps to a conclusion, early on, that the reader knows is erroneous. China is actually a smart and real heroine.
The information about herbs was the icing on the cake and made the series that much more enjoyable. Definitely recommended for lovers of cozies.
Review Summary: Fell flat
Review: This mystery just fell flat for me. The heroine, or protagonist, China Bayles was so contrived. I didn't relate to her at all, nor any of the other characters who seemed very wooden and one-dimensional to me. I forced myself to finish it because of the author's reputation. But I was still disappointed in the end. There was a bit of anti-gun sentiment that was gratuitous I didn't appreciate. I've been reading a few mystery novels lately, and and to my disappointment, the China Bayles/Wittig Albert one did not hold up. I still prefer authors Candace Robb, Aaron Elkins, Nancy Atherton & Elizabeth Peters for mysteries.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Homespun Murder
Review: 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.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: One of the strongest mystery series
Review: The first book I read in this series was SPANISH DAGGER, which was published in 2007. DAGGER sent me back to this one, the very first from 1992, and I was not disappointed. In fact, THYME OF DEATH proved to be a compelling and sophisticated page-turner. The themes are contemporary and relevant, and China Bayles and the city of Pecan Springs, Texas are very memorable.
Among other interesting layers of plot and character development, THYME OF DEATH speaks to the value we place in our friends and the close relationships we form with friends and family over time (relationships, in fact, are the heart of this whole story). It's a book that also encourages us to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us, and not wait until it is too late.
Albert's book also addresses contemporary social issues such as sexual identity; health and illness; celebrity fame, fortune and greed; and the environment, but never are these topics treated in a "preachy" way. Everything works together to keep the pages turning and the reader racing toward the satisfying end.
This is the second book I've read in this series in as many weeks, and I plan on reading all of them. I highly recommended this most interesting and well-plotted novel.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Just not interested
Review: The plot was fine and it did keep me reading until the end (I hate giving up on a book) but I really hate being hit over the head with the feminist, lesbian, do-gooder greenie stuff so I probably will not read another China Bayles mystery again.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: thyme of death
Review: This book truly was better than the average cozy. The main character, China Bayles, has much room to grow, which I am sure happens throughout the series. The plot was actually well written and interesting. China didn't jump to conclusions, which is probably because she is an ex-lawyer. Too many times in cozies, the heroine jumps to a conclusion, early on, that the reader knows is erroneous. China is actually a smart and real heroine.
The information about herbs was the icing on the cake and made the series that much more enjoyable. Definitely recommended for lovers of cozies.