Reviews

Blood Orange by Susan Wittig Albert

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

4.0

Blood Orange by Susan Wittig Albert is twenty-fourth book in China Bayles Herbal Mysteries. China Bayles is renting Thymes and Seasons Cottage (in Pecan Springs, Texas and behind China’s herb shop Thyme and Seasons) to Kelly Kaufman. China gets a call that Kelly missed an appointment with her attorney and could she check on her. China checks out the cottage. All of Kelly's belongings are still there (including wallet, keys, and car), but no Kelly. It turns out that Kelly knows something that someone does not want getting out. Someone is trying to kill her, so Kelly decided to go into hiding. Kelly wants China to investigate. On her way to meet China to give her information, Kelly is in an accident (well, not really an accident). China wants to find out who is after Kelly. Will she be able to find the culprit in time?

Blood Orange is an engaging novel. There are some slow parts and it does go on a little too long. But, the book contains good characters and a nice setting. Blood Orange is a part of a series, but you can read the novel without having enjoyed the previous books (though you will want to go back and read them). The book contains some interesting information on herbs and their uses (besides cooking). I give Blood Orange 4 out of 5 stars. The mystery was complicated, but I found it easy to solve (I was really hoping for a surprise twist). There are quite a few characters in the novel. I just gave you a description of the main event in the book. There are, though, a couple of different side stories (including China thinking her husband might be off having an affair). You will have to read Blood Orange to find out what it going on in Pecan Springs, Texas.

I received a complimentary copy of Blood Orange from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel!

julieclair's review

adventurous informative mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was #24 in the China Bayles series, but the first one I’ve read. The author did a good job of filling in pertinent past information, so I never felt lost. I enjoyed the mystery, and the bits-and-pieces way clues were revealed. I will read more of this series.

mg_in_md_'s review

3.0

I selected this as my pick for the 2018 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge advanced prompt "a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title." I've read several in this series, though I haven't read any in order. I've found it easy enough to dive right in thanks to the author's recapping of pertinent facts about the main characters and earlier plot lines that provide enough background for new readers without overloading regular readers of the series. This one felt a little flat compared to others I've read in the series, but I still found it to be a quick, pleasant read overall. I enjoy the setting and the main characters, and will continue to dive into the series when I get a chance.

git_r_read's review

5.0

I wish I was smart and analytical as China Bayles. She's blessed with smarts, good friends and family and dogged determination to see the right thing done. This was a busy story with a couple of things going on in what felt like only a few days. China wanted to help her friend who was staying in her cottage and help her friend the sheriff find the evidence needed to put away the bad guys.
I learned a lot about hospices and Medicare fraud. Susan does outstanding research, tells the story with the information gleaned and it is not dull. It's exciting and informative. Key to the story.
I really enjoy the setting. I'm not always a big Texas fan but I could live in Pecan Springs. Eastern Texas, Hill Country....this is a wonderful area. With great people I'd like to know, places to visit, restaurants to eat in. The setting is one of the biggies in my enjoyment of a book or series.
I can definitely recommend this book, this series and this author.

kathyintex's review

3.0

I alternated between liking China, and thinking she was a bit naïve (which seemed off-kilter with her character’s background). All the herb-flower intros were a bit off-putting (to me) at times it felt like the author was just droning on, but this is the first thing I have read from Susan Wittig Albert so, maybe, that is just her shtick - her hook - gimmick. I’ve read many of the culinary mysteries (Goldie) but in them I enjoyed the recipes. So, therein lies the rub. Back to the story: As soon as I heard hospice I knew it would be Medicare fraud, and knowing that, it was an easy leap to the culprits - duh. Having not read any previous ‘China’ novels I was unfamiliar with the characters and their backstories: undercover hubby, friends who share a building that houses a holistic herb shop, tea room, and another retail space - never did understand what the third one was. All that said, Blood Orange was #24, and I have borrowed #23 and #25 to see if any of it starts me on a China Bayles binge.
That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it - for now at least. More later.

writes_and_wrongs's review against another edition

4.0

I can't resist series like this, where the setting becomes another character and reading the books feels a lot like coming home. Pecan Springs has definitely become another home to me, and China, Ruby, et al like extended members of a very large family! I also love reading all the bits and pieces of herblore sprinkled through the book, and the recipes at the end. I'd love to see a collection of the recipes published on their own.

freewings21's review

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Overall I thought the book was pretty good but it took entirely too long to get to the crash that's described in the blurb. Literally a 3rd of the book is build up to the crash. Too much build up imo

wildflowerz76's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this one more than the last several I've read. I'm still happy the library has them, so I don't have to pay for them, though. I probably would have given up on them if I had to buy them. The story in this one was fairly interesting and the woo-woo stuff was kept to a minimum. I didn't really get how McQuaid lying was Chyna's fault or how she can be such an upright citizen and lawyer, but doesn't hesitate much to trespass. But overall this was pretty good.

morticia32's review

2.0

I love China Bayles, but I didn't love this book. It was ok, but I had a hard time getting into it, and sticking with it. I found the sub-plots distracting, between Ramona and McQuaid.

I frankly felt like McQuaid was an ass

Spoiler

for lying to China, while pretty much the rest of the town knew where he was (and then Tough Cookie wouldn't tell China either? Rude.). And then China let him off the hook, basically blaming herself for his behavior. What?? He promised he wouldn't take dangerous cases/go into Mexico again. He broke that promise and lied about it, and it's your fault because you asked for the promise? No, no, no.

As for Ramona, she's narcissistic and is not a nice person and I really don't care what happens to her.

The main mystery was a good one and I would have enjoyed it much more if it had been focused on instead of going off on tangents.

nonna7's review against another edition

4.0

I have always enjoy this series. It's a nice, light respite between reading the newspaper and the darker books that I enjoy. Plus there are always interesting tidbits about herbs and spices. In this case it was about oranges and blood, both the fruit and the colors. Ms. Albert manages to tie things together nicely. China is upset because her husband is on a case and has called to tell her that she won't be able to reach him for a few days. She soon learns that his latest case is a very dangerous one. In the meantime, the guest cottage behind her herb business is being occupied for a short time by a young nurse who is in the middle of a nasty divorce. She disappears, but soon contacts China. She arranges to meet her, but is in a bad accident before she gets there. It turns out it is no accident. A friend of the young woman brings a thumb drive to China. It soon becomes obvious that the young woman was planning on filing a whistle blowing case against her former workplace. I enjoy these books because the author manages to bring together her character's personal life and weave it seamlessly throughout the book. It's a real page turner toward the end especially!