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mg_in_md_'s review
4.0
FirstReads copy to be reviewed
I was lucky enough to receive an autographed FirstReads uncorrected proof copy of this book, which is due out in April 2015. While I was apprehensive about diving into such a well-established series (this is #23 in the China Bayles series), any concerns I had were put to rest before I finished the first chapter. The author did an excellent job of bringing new readers up to speed on key characters and relationships that were necessary to understand this installment, and delivering a page-turning plot that hooked me early on. The story is told in alternating chapters -- one is told in the first person by China Bayles (a former attorney who owns an herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas); the second told in the third person from the perspective of her friend game warden Mackenzie "Mack" Chambers who recently transferred to south Texas.
At the beginning of the book, China is preparing for a Thanksgiving visit with her mother Leatha and stepfather Sam, who are embarking on a new enterprise -- transforming a former game ranch into a vacation retreat for birders in south Texas. Before China heads south, Leatha calls with bad news -- Sam has suffered a heart attack and questions arise about whether the birder retreat will get off the ground. China's and Leatha's relationship is not an easy one, so China is relieved to learn a young woman named Sue Ellen Krause has agreed to help Leatha and Sam. Sue Ellen, however, has troubles of her own. Before she can tell China more, she is killed in a horrible car accident. Meanwhile, a local veterinarian is shot during an apparent burglary. However, Mack believes the veterinarian was murdered and that his death is connected to fawns stolen from a nearby ranch. As the investigations unfold, China begins to wonder if Sue Ellen's death was not an accident and if there is a connection to the stolen fawns Mack is tracking.
I enjoyed not only the characters and mystery, but also the setting and the real issues that were skillfully incorporated into the story, to include some Texas history. As an added bonus, several recipes are included at the end of the book that incorporate herbs featured in the book. I suspect this will be a hit with long-term fans of the China Bayles series, as well as new readers such as myself. I plan on checking out earlier offerings in the series to see how the characters developed and will definitely seek out China Bayles #24 to find out what comes next. Thanks to the FirstReads program for introducing me to this series and also to the author who mailed the signed copy of the book herself -- that extra touch is always meaningful and appreciated by me as a reader.
I was lucky enough to receive an autographed FirstReads uncorrected proof copy of this book, which is due out in April 2015. While I was apprehensive about diving into such a well-established series (this is #23 in the China Bayles series), any concerns I had were put to rest before I finished the first chapter. The author did an excellent job of bringing new readers up to speed on key characters and relationships that were necessary to understand this installment, and delivering a page-turning plot that hooked me early on. The story is told in alternating chapters -- one is told in the first person by China Bayles (a former attorney who owns an herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas); the second told in the third person from the perspective of her friend game warden Mackenzie "Mack" Chambers who recently transferred to south Texas.
At the beginning of the book, China is preparing for a Thanksgiving visit with her mother Leatha and stepfather Sam, who are embarking on a new enterprise -- transforming a former game ranch into a vacation retreat for birders in south Texas. Before China heads south, Leatha calls with bad news -- Sam has suffered a heart attack and questions arise about whether the birder retreat will get off the ground. China's and Leatha's relationship is not an easy one, so China is relieved to learn a young woman named Sue Ellen Krause has agreed to help Leatha and Sam. Sue Ellen, however, has troubles of her own. Before she can tell China more, she is killed in a horrible car accident. Meanwhile, a local veterinarian is shot during an apparent burglary. However, Mack believes the veterinarian was murdered and that his death is connected to fawns stolen from a nearby ranch. As the investigations unfold, China begins to wonder if Sue Ellen's death was not an accident and if there is a connection to the stolen fawns Mack is tracking.
I enjoyed not only the characters and mystery, but also the setting and the real issues that were skillfully incorporated into the story, to include some Texas history. As an added bonus, several recipes are included at the end of the book that incorporate herbs featured in the book. I suspect this will be a hit with long-term fans of the China Bayles series, as well as new readers such as myself. I plan on checking out earlier offerings in the series to see how the characters developed and will definitely seek out China Bayles #24 to find out what comes next. Thanks to the FirstReads program for introducing me to this series and also to the author who mailed the signed copy of the book herself -- that extra touch is always meaningful and appreciated by me as a reader.
kathyintex's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ again enjoyed the ‘who dunnit’ aspect. But way too much unnecessary ’noise’ from other characters and their ‘business’.
canadianbookworm's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2023/09/bittersweet.html
impybelle's review against another edition
4.0
If I'd started this just a smidge earlier yesterday, I would have finished it in one day. As it was, I had to work so I did eventually require sleep.
I'm always a little wary about books in a series that suddenly throw us a new character to follow (China shares the storytelling in this outing) but I enjoyed Mack so that worked out.
I suspect that if you have very strong feelings about invasive species (be they plant or animal), hunting, or possibly drones your feelings on this book might be a little different than mine. They might not. As it is, I was happily along for the ride as the mystery unfolded.
There are a few loose threads set aside for the next book (Ruby's daughter Amy is going to wind up in trouble one way or another and China's stepfather's health is still up in the air) and I'm looking forward to seeing what's up next.
I'm always a little wary about books in a series that suddenly throw us a new character to follow (China shares the storytelling in this outing) but I enjoyed Mack so that worked out.
I suspect that if you have very strong feelings about invasive species (be they plant or animal), hunting, or possibly drones your feelings on this book might be a little different than mine. They might not. As it is, I was happily along for the ride as the mystery unfolded.
There are a few loose threads set aside for the next book (Ruby's daughter Amy is going to wind up in trouble one way or another and China's stepfather's health is still up in the air) and I'm looking forward to seeing what's up next.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 to 4 stars - I enjoy this series and this installment has some very good parts. I enjoyed the character of Mack, China's friend who is a game warden, but there isn't enough time spent on familiar characters and some of the events I would have liked to seen played out toward the ending seem rushed. That was a bit disappointing, but I liked the book overall.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes I feel a bit preached at as I read this series lately. It might just be where I am in life. Or the author might be preachy. I definitely learned about invasive species.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. This was okay, but I'm really not digging this series, the more it goes on. I get that maybe the author gets tired of writing the same thing, but then maybe you should just end the series and start something else. This makes SEVERAL of these books now that barely has the main character in them at all. I've never fully loved these, but since the library had them, I continue to read. I think I'm at the end of the series for now, but meh. Whatever.
nonna7's review
3.0
The latest China Bayles mystery is less of a whodunnit and more of a "what's the back story?" mystery. Winding through the book are observations and discussions of "alient species." From a biological point of view, this means species that don't belong to a specific area. Kudzu is one of the more famous ones. Bittersweet, the title of this book, has a multilayered meaning. When China unpacks a box of bittersweet wreaths to sell in her herb shop, she is delighted with them. However, upon closer look she realizes that the wreaths are made of Oriental Bittersweet, not native American Bittersweet. She doesn't want any of the seeds to somehow be discharged from the berries and take root in the area, so she returns the wreaths. Then we get a lesson on invasive species. Invasive species can be fauna as well as flora. In the case of this book, the invasive species are deer that are not native to TX, but are smuggled in because the mails have bigger "racks." (Antlers) What some refer to as "canned hunting" is, apparently, becoming a very lucrative way to make a living in Texas and other states as cattle ranching and farming become harder and harder ways to make a living. China (and the author) don't like a method of hunting that involves raising animals like cattle, then shooting them in the enclosed area of the ranch. The story takes place just prior to, during and after Thanksgiving. China and her family are visiting her mother, Leatha, and her husband, Sam, at their ranch. They have an ambitious plan to turn their property into a bird watching vacation spot. Sam has a heart attack just before Thanksgiving, but both he and Leatha want the family to come for Thanksgiving anyway. Then there's Mack aka Mackenzie a game warden who is recently divorced and living in the nearby town of Utopia. She loves her job, but is still getting over her divorce. She has been dating Derek, a wealthy, divorced man with two teenaged daughters, who has moved there from Houston and built a beautiful, if over the top, contemporary home on a large property. Although she likes him personally, there just isn't any real sizzle to the relationship, and his daughters won't have anything to do with her anyway. Meanwhile, China is worried about her mother. Sam is not well and both are getting up in age. Can they take care of the business on their own? Leatha has hired a young woman named Sue Ellen to help out for a few months until Sam gets back on his feet. Sue Ellen comes equipped with her own baggage and problems. She is fleeing an abusive husband who might be involved with illegal deer smuggling. During this period, the local vet is found dead. Soon China sees a pattern developing. I actually learned a few things: about invasive species both flora and fauna, the issue of "canned hunting," staying away from Oriental Bittersweet and the many uses of juniper berries.
gothamgal's review against another edition
4.0
I love the China Bayles series for the recipes. There's always a theme and the recipes contained in Bittersweet are no joke! The whole trophy killing slant was a little problematic for me, and i felt like I didn't really want to read this had I considered that earlier.
This was read to satisfy #25 of the LEP Reading Challenge: A book that contains a recipe.
This was read to satisfy #25 of the LEP Reading Challenge: A book that contains a recipe.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
Another installment in a wonderful series about China, a woman who runs an herb shop in rural Texas and who seems to find herself in the middle of murder mysteries. This time she was more on the outskirts of the "action" and only helped out by putting together seemingly unrelated events. My biggest struggle with reading the book was that it takes place over Thanksgiving weekend and I read it over Memorial Weekend. It was a tad confusing!