Lavender Lies

China Bayles is portrayed as a sassy, lively, downright irreverent private investigator. She solves the murder of a local real estate broker just in time to marry the local police chief. A former attorney, China is depicted with tough, clipped tones when necessary, with a businesslike voice if the occasion demands, and with winsome charm when she needs information from area locals. The listener is drawn into China's world only to be sorry when the story ends. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine

February 15, 2000
China Bayles is a week away from marrying her beloved fianc, the interim police chief of Pecan Springs. However, the murder of Edgar Coleman puts a damper on her plans, so China decides to help her husband-to-be solve the crime. Edgar, who was known for his shady deals and philandering ways, had many enemies, so China and her friend Ruby decide to investigate, and what they turn up adds more suspects to the list and more possibilities that China will miss her honeymoon. Can Ruby and China solve the murder? Will China still get married? Lavender Lies is a simple but fun story with little gore and lots of plot twists that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Albert does a fine job reading her own work, a tape that should find a home in most mystery collections.--Danna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress

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