Dead
Man's Bones
A China Bayles mystery, No. 13
By
Susan Willig Albert
China
Bayles has taken time out from her Thyme and Seasons herb shop to
landscape the Merrill Obermann Community Theater, donated by the
Obermann sisters: Jane, an overbearing autocrat and her retiring
sister, Florence. They made the donation with the condition that
the first production was to be a play written by Jane about their
father. The production is filled with problems, all created by Jane's
interference, which has created many hard feelings. Outstanding
is Gabe Dixon, handy man whose father had worked for the Obermanns
for years. He felt they owed his father.
China's
stepson, Brian, is working at the Mistletoe Springs Cave archaeology
site, supervised by Alana Montoya, member of the Central Texas State
University faculty. In exploring the cave, Brian stumbles on a skeleton
that proves to be from the no-so-distant past rather than from prehistoric
times.
Jane
shoots and kills Gabe in what she alleges is an attempted robbery.
But China feels there are too many unanswered questions behind the
home invasion. A subsequent autopsy on the discovered skeleton provides
evidence pointing to Obermann family secrets.
This
is another unique mystery centering on the character of China Bayles,
a caring sensible woman. Her relationship with her husband, McQuaid,
and his son, Brian, and with her best friend, Ruby, concerns about
her love life gone awry, and her compassion for Alana Montoya, all
make her a person we can relate to. The plot is well constructed.
The story moves at an even yet suspenseful pace, giving the reader
a feeling of participation in the suspense and the unfolding of
the mystery.
There
are chapter headings with information about the herbs that are involved
in the story. Also included are a number of mouth watering recipes
using various herbs.
A
pleasant relaxing book with no violence, no graphic sex, and no
"adult" language.
China
Bayles' Book of Days
(NonFiction)
Reviews of other titles in this series
Mistletoe
Man #9
Dilly
of a Death #12
Dead Mans
Bones #13
Bleeding
Hearts #14
Spanish
Dagger #15
Nightshade
#16
Wormwood #17 [review
1] [review
2]
Mourning
Gloria #19
Cat's Claw
#20
Widow's
Tears #21
Death
Come Quickly #22
Bittersweet
#23
Blood
Orange #24
The Last Chance Olive Ranch #25 [review
1] [review
2]
Queen
Anne's Lace #26
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