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A review by mg_in_md_
Bittersweet by Susan Wittig Albert
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.