Per usual I couldn't figure out the who done it until the end… but even if it should be easy for me, the best part of these books are the vivid descriptions of the plants and landscape involved in the story written by this author. That is why, even though I'm a few behind , I will continue to read this series and want the next one as I finish each one! ( )

I love these mysteries. There is always a lot of herbal lore and some great recipes included. ( )

“…let’s take time out for introductions. Some of you already know me and have visited my shop a dozen times or more. Others—well, maybe this is your first visit, and you haven’t a clue to who we are or what we’re talking about. So, my name is China Bayles.”

One of the best parts of Holly Blues, or any of the China Bayles series, is the warm welcome. The reader is immediately drawn into the world of Pecan Springs, China, McQuaid, Ruby, and all of the other folks in this small Texas Hill Country town. Since there is inevitably a time span between releases, this serves to refresh the memory of the regular China Bayles reader; and, if this is the first of the series the reader has picked up—heaven forbid!—there is enough background given that this could be read as a stand-alone book. A very nice touch!

As one might suspect from the title, this story finds China and companions ready to celebrate Christmas. Times are hard in Pecan Springs, as elsewhere in the country, and China is working extra at her herbal shop to bring in much needed revenue. Hubby McQuaid, a private investigator, is off to Omaha despite the calendar, also trying to make the most of every money-making opportunity. At this busiest of times, who should show up but the troublesome Sally, McQuaid’s ex-wife and definitely not one of China’s favorite people. Still, it is the holiday season and China does her best to make Sally feel welcome.

As usual, Sally brings mayhem in her wake, adding murder, threatening phone calls, and tragedy to her list of companions this time. Once again, China, McQuaid, and Ruby have to pool their myriad and varied skills to solve old and new mysteries. The holidays may pass them by if these mysteries and murders aren’t solved quicker than they can say “Grinch”. It’s tough work, but this team is up to the challenge, using McQuaid’s connections, Ruby’s sometimes far-out ideas, and China’s lawyerly and problem-solving skills.

With this book came for me the realization that China has grown in depth of character since the beginning of the series. She has always been a strong and competent woman, a good friend, wife, and business woman. Here, there is softening and mellowing. From a woman who was not sure how to even relate to Brian, her stepson, China has opened her arms and her heart to her orphaned niece, Caitie, reveling in her hugs and cuddles, thankful that they can provide a loving and stable home for her. China seems more rounded and multi-faceted now and the change is pleasant to see.

Just as China and McQuaid have to tough out the hard economic times, they have to learn to cope with a changing landscape. Showing that she is environmentally aware far beyond Pecan Springs and her own gardens, China laments the urban sprawl taking over her part of Texas describing it as “…an ugly octopus of supersized, overpriced McMansions.” As always, Albert’s keen descriptions of place are detailed and right on, be it familiar Pecan Springs, or snowy Omaha. Her research comes shining through, and is another reason her books are so enjoyable to read.

Instead of letting an established series turn stale, Albert has used her considerable skills and imagination to give the reader yet another thriller, with fresh ideas, up-to-date methodology, current social commentary and new depth to her characters and story line. I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next installment!
I received a copy of this book for review from the author, publisher, or publicist. ( )

But not the best in the series. I still enjoyed it. It is a book set around Christmas and I'm reading it in May so that was a little different. I think this would be a pretty good holiday mystery and I may have enjoyed it more if I read it in December. The book isn't much of a mystery but there is quite a bit going on with the arrival of McQuade's ex-wife in Pecan Springs. She has come to ask to stay at China and Mike's house in order to visit her son, but she appears to have secrets that China finds out are pretty deadly. Her arrival brings up the question of a cold case which involved the death of Sally's parents some ten years earlier. China and Ruby set out to find out what happened and to stop a killer. All my beloved characters are here and that is why I love this series so much. Even the inimitable Basset Hound - Howard Cosell plays a big role in the book. I always love another visit to Pecan Springs with China and her gang. ( )

Susan Wittig Albert's newest China Bayles Mystery Holly Blues was just published this month by The Berkley Publishing Group. However, there is no mystery in this book. The main suspect of a murder actually was the murderer. It was very disappointing as I kept waiting for another character to be revealed as the killer.

The story begins with a visit from China's husband's ex-wife Sally Strahorn, who has multiple personality disorder. Her other persona is Juanita. Juanita is a wild woman who has gotten Sally into trouble for most of her life. Sally says she is broke with no car nor job and wants to spend the Christmas holiday with her son Brian, who lives with China and her husband Mike McQuaid. Sally is really trying to hide from Jess Myers, a former love interest but she doesn't want anyone to know. When an anonymous man calls China's unlisted home phone number and asks to speak with Sally, China tries to get his name. The man only says to tell Sally that he has her car. Sally surprises everyone by bonding with China's niece, who came to live with her several months earlier, and by trying to patch things up with Brian. A local bank teller informs China that Sally cashed a $5,000 check drawn on a bank located in Lake City, KS where Sally's sister Leslie lives. China and her friend/business partner Ruby travel to Lake City to talk with Leslie but don't get to see her because she was recently killed. At the same time, McQuaid travels to Kansas City for a private investigator job that he accepted. He and China make numerous phone calls to each other as another person is killed and they strive to solve all of the murders.

Usually McQuaid's PI work, the subplot, is associated with whatever China is investigating. Not this time. There is no relation between the plot and subplot. Also, Juanita never makes an appearance so I don't understand why Sally's multiple personality disorder is even mentioned in the book. With these 2 issues and the lack of any mystery Holly Blues falls short. If you are a fan of the China Bayles Mysteries as I am, it will be fun to be reunited with the characters that we have come to love. There is nothing else to recommend this book for. Albert has now written 2 books in a row that have serious flaws. I won't suggest that the author might be bored with the series because when I posted that a year ago I received an ugly response from her. While I hate to say it, I cannot recommend Holly Blues. ( )