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Epicurus.com - Nightshade: China Bayles #16 (China Bayles Mystery)
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List Price: $23.95
Our Price: $16.29
Your Save: $ 7.66 ( 32% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780425219560
ISBN: 0425219569
Label: Berkley Hardcover
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 304
Publication Date: 2008-04-01
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Studio: Berkley Hardcover
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Editorial Reviews:
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China's herb shop and catering business may be thriving, but she's still reeling from her father's death, and not even remotely interested in her half-brother Miles's investigation into that event. China's husband, on the other hand, has no such qualms. And when fate forces her to get involved as well, China realizes it's time to bring the past to light-or else it will haunt her the rest of her life.
But China and McQuaid discover that Miles may have been keeping as many secrets as he seemed determined to uncover. How deep do the layers of secrecy go? And who has a stake in concealing the truth after sixteen years?
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not a favorite in the series
Comment: I believe the changing tenses detract from the book in a significant way. I was so busy noticing the jarring change from first to third tense, that I could hardly concentrate on the plot. Please go back to the old style...it works well.
I enjoy the series as a whole, but hope that this style will not be chosen for the next book or I may have to pass on it. The only other minor issue I see with the series, is the words and actions of the character's step son. I've known a lot of 15/16 year olds, but none who behaved in such a saintly way. In my opinion, the conversations the step son engages in, don't even remotely resemble those of real life teens.
I am a fan of Albert's writing, but sure hope the next book is easier reading.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not her best
Comment: I've just finished reading 'Nightshade' which appears to be the final book in the series featuring China Bayles' half-brother Miles. It also features, in minimal fashion, the other characters in the series - Ruby and her daughter, Smart Cookie, Cass and Brian. And here is the weakness in this book. We expect to read more about these characters because they are the strength of the China Bayles books.
Not this time. This time we are into a whole new set of characters, most of them quite nasty. Even the more sympathetic characters are not fully realized, which might have balanced the story.
The upside of all this is that we get an insight into Texas politics during the 20th century. Wow! How naive were the rest of us! Wonderfully interesting.
Another plus is the lawyerly (sorry about that - I had to coin my own word) dialogue, especially as she confronts the old man. Strong, vivid dialogue - this is one of the writer's strengths.
This was not, in my opinion, one of this writer's better books. I didn't feel that the characterization was up to her usual standard and her use, in some chapters, of the omniscient viewpoint didn't quite cut it.
I look forward to reading more about the usual gang of women in her next book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wittig Albert Hits This One Out of the Park
Comment: Finding Your Roots Online
Although I like Wittig Albert's early China Bayles books the best, I was relieved to see her getting back into her "old" form with Nightshade. The story caught my interest in the first few pages and kept it til page last. Generally, it's not necessary to read this series in order, but Nightshade is the third in a trilogy, starting with Bleeding Hearts; in this one instance I would recommend picking up the other two books first, otherwise you won't get the full impact of the mystery surrounding China's deceased dad. Kudos on this one - two thumbs up.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good summer Read!
Comment: The Nightshade family of plants includes benign, decorative and toxic members. In this latest offering in the China Bayles series, seemingly benign questions lead to uncovering a toxic combination of greed and secrecy that place China and her immediate family on a dangerous path.
Nightshade completes the story line that began in Albert's book, Bleeding Hearts, and continued in Spanish Dagger about China Bayles' relationship with her deceased father. Although the author reassures the reader that it isn't crucial to the story's enjoyment to have read the other two books, it does provide considerable background and makes the reader aware of the emotion China has allowed herself to feel over the loss of her father. Not wanting to revisit the topic, China keeps her half-brother at arm's length for as long as possible, but is finally forced to deal with Miles Danforth's suspicions about their father's accident.
When Miles hires China's husband, McQuaid, to assist him in his investigation, China takes part reluctantly in the search for her father's missing car, only to discover that Miles may know more than he is telling about the entire situation. In addition, China finds herself interacting with her father's old legal associates, whose current actions provide even more fuel to the investigative fire.
China is also charged with breaking the news to her partner and friend, Ruby, about a substantial inheritance from her recently deceased boyfriend. While it would seem good news, Ruby is overwhelmed with caring for her mother, who is ill with Alzheimer's and still dealing with the loss of her man. China knows she needs to address the situation with care and concern, hallmarks of her character that set these books apart from run-of-the-mill mystery series.
The author provides several chapters told from McQuaid's point of view. This additional voice was a bit odd for me in the beginning, but as the story progressed I looked forward more and more to McQuaid's take on the unfolding events.
Add this one to your summer reading stack and you won't regret it. Better yet, get the three books and invest some quality time getting acquainted with China Bayles.
Armchair Interviews agrees.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Late Start
Comment: #16 is not a good time to start reading a series, you spend too much time trying to figure out the back story. This is especially true of a title that is the end of a trilogy within the series.
The writing is crisp, with a fine story flow. Now I must go back and read some earlier titles to identify all the fascinating characters who operate around the herb shop.
A good cozy mystery with plenty of action provided by China Bayles's husband who is working a case provided by China's half-brother. The ending had few twists or surprises, just straight forward investigation.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarUnder the Liberty Oak
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