Susan Wittig Albert As China Bayles

If you like mysteries, you will love this series. If you like herbs, you will love this series. Susan is a wonderful authoress. The "Herbal Mysteries" as I call them occur in a mythical town of Pecan Springs located halfway between San Antonio and Austin. Each book has a special herbal theme. This delightful series about China Bayles a burned-out lawyer turned herb shop owner turned mystery solver is captivating! Not only do you get to read a mystery, but you also learn lots of herb lore as well. However, China makes sure, in a letter to you, that you read up on herbs or consult someone who is knowledgeable about them before using the information you learn in the books. I second this as herbs can be dangerous when improperly prepared or with certain medications. You will also find lots of herbal craft ideas in several of the books (An Untymely Death is one that contains a lot of herbal crafts and health care products).

The major characters are China of course (a strong, independent woman who almost let her independence cost her a warm and wonderful relationship), McQuaid (her main squeeze and a former policeman), his son Brian (an active teenager with a penchant for lizards and spiders), Ruby (China's physic best friend and business partner), The Whiz (a former colleague of China's who shows up in every book just when a legal eagle is needed) and in most books her friends the police chief and local sheriff.

Below you will find links to China Bayles Mysteries (in no paticular order) in eBay's Review section. Take time to read the reviews (mine and other's) and also VOTE! Check back and see if I have added any new books (I will list them as I read and review them).

You can read more information about China at Susan's website, aboutthyme!