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.

I love this series. As this is a duplicate of a book I have already read, I am passing this one along.
Adding to bookpatch's Mostly-Oldie-But-Cozy Bookbox.

Received through the cozy bookbox. Thanks, LoriPed, have wanted to read this series for some time now!

I liked the intelligent characters, and the way the author had them share information with each other seemed very genuine.

However, as I was reading this book, I realized that the story I really wanted to hear was China's personal journey from slick defense attorney to small-town proprietor. The author gives us tiny glimpses of it, but I kept wishing she had started the series a little earlier in the lives of her characters instead of presenting Pecan Springs and company as a set piece. Perhaps another book in the series dives into her past?

Altogether, though, well done. Thanks for sharing!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Releasing into Trekwoman and Sweet Pickle's "Food, Glorious Food!" bookbox.

I took this from the Food, Glorious Food Bookbox today. It's headed next to my school OBCZ. Lots of teachers have voiced an interest in reading mysteries. They may like this one.