Holly Blues

March 1, 2010
The arrival in Pecan Springs, Tex., of Sally Strahorn, the insecure ex-wife of China Bayles's husband, PI Mike McQuaid, leads to trouble in Albert's sprightly 18th China Bayles mystery (after 2009's Wormwood
). Against her better judgment, herbalist and tea-shop owner China takes pity on Sally, who's just lost her home and suffers from split personality disorder, and offers her a place to stay. Soon enough, a stalker targeting Sally makes threatening calls to China, and the police suspect Sally of involvement in a murder. With Mike away on business, China again turns sleuth to determine what connection the stalker might have to the deaths of Sally's parents almost 10 years earlier—and to prevent any harm to herself or her children. More than once China and her best friend, Ruby, dress up as Sesame Street characters to disarm suspicion. Series fans will enjoy catching up with old friends, though newcomers are likely to find the soap-operish family relationships of less interest.

In the eighteenth China Bayles mystery, the story centers on her husband's ex-wife, who arrives in Pecan Springs with no money or job but plenty of trouble, including a stalker and a police investigation. Albert's direct style, appealing directly to the listener, is well suited to audio. Julia Gibson delivers a light Southern accent that keeps the story firmly rooted in the small Texas town that China and her circle of family and friends inhabit. Gibson and Tom Stechschulte read alternating chapters, from the viewpoint of China or her husband, respectively. The majority of the narration falls to Gibson, whose smooth, inviting speech contrasts sharply with the deep, gruff voice of Stechschulte. Gibson adds a touch of humor and lightheartedness to China's dialogue, which complements the dramatic passages. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine