Series
Publication
Berkley (1999), Edition: Berkley Prime Crime Mass-market Ed, 306 pages
Original publication date
1998
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Description
Fiction. Mystery. A richly characterized, witty, and suspenseful story of crime and passion in small-town Texas.
User reviews
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
This is the seventh mystery in the China Bayles, Herbalist, series. China,
who was once a high-powered criminal defense attorney in Houston and now
owns a small herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas, as finally decided to marry
McQuaid, the man she's lived with for some time. But, several months ago he
was shot in the back and is still trying to regain the use of his lower
body. Because he doesn't want to be a burden to China, he refuses to go
home where she will have to take care of him, and instead is convalescing at
one of the local nursing homes. His depression has had her more worried
than his physical handicap, and when some local men talk him into being one
of the judges at the annual chili cook-off, she is delighted to see him
starting to get back into something that resembles a normal life. But then
one of the other judges, Jerry Jeff Cody, dies of an allergic reaction -- to
a peanut. Everyone in Texas knows that peanuts don't belong in chili, and
China and McQuaid knows that something suspicious is going on. Rumors are
flying about Jerry Jeff's womanizing and hotly disputed divorce, and the
list of possible suspects seems to have no end. It isn't just the chile
peppers that are heating things up in Pecan Springs, and it will be a race
to the end with a very good chance that China's entire future will go up in
smoke before she solves this one.
This series just keeps getting better and better. This one was the best
yet. It has excellent characterization, superb dialogue, a complicated
mystery, and just the right amount of suspense with a surprise at the end.
I didn't see it coming! LOL I'll give it a 5.
who was once a high-powered criminal defense attorney in Houston and now
owns a small herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas, as finally decided to marry
McQuaid, the man she's lived with for some time. But, several months ago he
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was shot in the back and is still trying to regain the use of his lower
body. Because he doesn't want to be a burden to China, he refuses to go
home where she will have to take care of him, and instead is convalescing at
one of the local nursing homes. His depression has had her more worried
than his physical handicap, and when some local men talk him into being one
of the judges at the annual chili cook-off, she is delighted to see him
starting to get back into something that resembles a normal life. But then
one of the other judges, Jerry Jeff Cody, dies of an allergic reaction -- to
a peanut. Everyone in Texas knows that peanuts don't belong in chili, and
China and McQuaid knows that something suspicious is going on. Rumors are
flying about Jerry Jeff's womanizing and hotly disputed divorce, and the
list of possible suspects seems to have no end. It isn't just the chile
peppers that are heating things up in Pecan Springs, and it will be a race
to the end with a very good chance that China's entire future will go up in
smoke before she solves this one.
This series just keeps getting better and better. This one was the best
yet. It has excellent characterization, superb dialogue, a complicated
mystery, and just the right amount of suspense with a surprise at the end.
I didn't see it coming! LOL I'll give it a 5.
Show Less
LibraryThing member reeread
At last China and McQuaid decide to get married and set a date but the circumstances leading to the decision have certainly been dire. A murder is committed during a chile cooking competiton - very nearly covered up, but China uncovers much that should have remained hidden, thus putting herself in
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danger from the murderer, sustaining some serious injuries. Show Less
LibraryThing member lahochstetler
China Bayles is a former trial lawyer turned herbalist, and this installment in the series finds her investigating the death of an unpopular insurance salesman with a peanut allergy. During a chili cook-off Jeff Cody ingested some chili laced with peanuts, leading to a quick demise. Some think
During the investigation China is also dealing with her boyfriend's recovery from a gunshot wound. The nursing home where he is recuperating seems suspicious to China, opening another possible mystery. Signs of possible abuse and a very evasive director keep China attuned.
This book is definitely light reading, but it was mostly enjoyable. One of the things I like about this series is that China is a former lawyer, her boyfriend is a cop, and they collectively have more respect for law, police procedure, and due process than one generally finds in a cozy mystery. This is not the sort of book in which a random knitter, barista, antiques seller, or other such character mishandle evidence and take over a murder investigation. That was refreshing. I'm sure I'll read more in the series when I'm looking for light entertainment.
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death is an unfortunate accident, but China is convinced otherwise. During the investigation China is also dealing with her boyfriend's recovery from a gunshot wound. The nursing home where he is recuperating seems suspicious to China, opening another possible mystery. Signs of possible abuse and a very evasive director keep China attuned.
This book is definitely light reading, but it was mostly enjoyable. One of the things I like about this series is that China is a former lawyer, her boyfriend is a cop, and they collectively have more respect for law, police procedure, and due process than one generally finds in a cozy mystery. This is not the sort of book in which a random knitter, barista, antiques seller, or other such character mishandle evidence and take over a murder investigation. That was refreshing. I'm sure I'll read more in the series when I'm looking for light entertainment.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hazysaffron
After the last book in the series this one is a breath of fresh air. China is back to being China the herbalist, entrepreneur, and investigator. Things with McQuaid are finally sorted out and their relationship returns to some semblance of normalcy. I enjoyed the mystery story in this one and it
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was great to see China handle herself in a perilous situation. Show Less
LibraryThing member Judiex
CHILE DEATH, published in 1998, is the seventh of the China Bayles series. While it makes references to events in previous books, it can stand alone and new readers will not feel like they have arrived in the middle of a play they can’t understand because they missed act 1.
The previous book
Further complicating the story is her best friend Ruby winning a $2 million lottery and deciding she wants to invest in a tearoom, attached to China’s herb shop.
China has to face her issues with commitment in this story. McQuaid doesn’t want to get married and become a burden. China doesn’t want to go partners with Ruby in an uncertain business. And her mother begins to interfere with China’s routine and relationships.
The title of the book relates to the annual chile contest. All the contestants are men and making the hottest chile is one of their main objectives. A half hour after the judging begins, one of the judges suddenly jumps up and clutches his throat. At first, those around him think he is just pretending to be overcome by the hot chile. When they realize it is not an act, they call for medical assistance, but it doesn’t help. The cause of death is listed as a heart attack. That is soon questioned and an allergy to peanuts becomes the possible cause.
China, Ruby, and Mike, who is living in a rehabilitation center, become involved in figuring out who put the peanuts into the chile and if it was deliberate. There are several suspects, not all obvious. All are involved in the resolution.
Susan Wittig Albert provides a lot of information about chile at the beginning of each chapter as well as some recipes at the end.
The story is well-written and moves at a rapid pace. For those following the series, it adds important information. Most of it makes sense, but I doubt if someone who knows he is allergic to peanuts would ever agree to be a judge in a cooking contest where there can be a lot of secret ingredients.
The previous book
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ended with China finally agreeing to marry Mike McQuaid. They have been together for a several years and China feels like she is his son, Brian’s mother. Suddenly everything changes when McQuaid is hit by a bullet and becomes paralyzed. His recovery is uncertain. China’s mother, with whom she has a very distant relationship, moves in unexpectedly and uninvited, to help, much to China’s annoyance.Further complicating the story is her best friend Ruby winning a $2 million lottery and deciding she wants to invest in a tearoom, attached to China’s herb shop.
China has to face her issues with commitment in this story. McQuaid doesn’t want to get married and become a burden. China doesn’t want to go partners with Ruby in an uncertain business. And her mother begins to interfere with China’s routine and relationships.
The title of the book relates to the annual chile contest. All the contestants are men and making the hottest chile is one of their main objectives. A half hour after the judging begins, one of the judges suddenly jumps up and clutches his throat. At first, those around him think he is just pretending to be overcome by the hot chile. When they realize it is not an act, they call for medical assistance, but it doesn’t help. The cause of death is listed as a heart attack. That is soon questioned and an allergy to peanuts becomes the possible cause.
China, Ruby, and Mike, who is living in a rehabilitation center, become involved in figuring out who put the peanuts into the chile and if it was deliberate. There are several suspects, not all obvious. All are involved in the resolution.
Susan Wittig Albert provides a lot of information about chile at the beginning of each chapter as well as some recipes at the end.
The story is well-written and moves at a rapid pace. For those following the series, it adds important information. Most of it makes sense, but I doubt if someone who knows he is allergic to peanuts would ever agree to be a judge in a cooking contest where there can be a lot of secret ingredients.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: McQuaid is still healing slowly and has been depressed, but when he becomes interested in the murder of an insurance salesman, his mood and vitality improve. The nursing home in which McQuaid is staying has trouble brewing behind the scenes. One of the patients has been abused and a good
Review: Twisted plots lines make this fun to read and the ending a surprise.
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nurse fired. These two mysteries get McQuaid and China involved and put them both in danger.Review: Twisted plots lines make this fun to read and the ending a surprise.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0425171477 / 9780425171479
Physical description
306 p.; 4.21 inches
Pages
306