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Blood Orange (China Bayles Mystery Book 24) Kindle Edition

by Susan Wittig Albert (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 764 ratings
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In the newest China Bayles Mystery in the New York Times bestselling series, China comes to the aid of a nurse who ends up in the hospital...
 
It’s mid-April in Pecan Springs, and China is renting her guest cottage to Kelly Kaufman, who needs a temporary place to live as she contends with a very acrimonious divorce from her husband Rich. One nasty point of dispute is her part ownership of the Comanche Creek Brewing Company, which she is refusing to sell.
 
At the same time, as a nurse employed by a local hospice, Kelly has discovered instances of suspicious practices. Even more disturbing, she suspects that a patient was murdered. Kelly’s knowledge could be dangerous, and she wants to get guidance from China on what to do.
 
But on her way to China’s house, Kelly is forced off the road and critically injured, putting her in a medically induced coma. Now it’s up to China to determine who wanted her out of the picture. Was it her soon-to-be ex? His new lover—who happens to be the sister of China’s friend Ruby? Or someone connected with the corruption at the hospice?
 
China owes it to her friend to uncover the truth—but she may be putting her own life at risk...
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  1. Book 24 of 29
    China Bayles
  2. Print length
    316 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Berkley
  6. Publication date
    April 5, 2016
  7. File size
    1361 KB
  8. Page Flip
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  9. Word Wise
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  10. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again murder and small-town life go hand in glove in Albert's enchanting 24th China Bayles mystery (after 2015's Bittersweet). Hospice nurse Kelly Kaufman, who has been renting China's guest cottage in Pecan Springs, Tex., while going through a bitter divorce, disappears one day, but she later phones China to say that she needs the herbalist's help with a situation involving murder. While driving to meet China, Kelly has a car accident that leaves her in a coma. Police chief Sheila Dawson suspects it was no accident, and China begins to dig for more information. One obvious suspect is Kelly's husband, Richard, who's involved romantically with the erratic and ebullient sister of China's best friend and business partner, Ruby Wilcox. In addition, rumors about a disagreement between Kelly and hospice owner Marla Blake raise a red flag. China can't resist a mystery, even when it puts her in grave danger. Snippets of plant lore will please botanists. (Apr.)\n

Review

Praise for Susan Wittig Albert’s New York Times Bestselling China Bayles Mysteries
 
“Blood Orange has all the elements of a good cozy...fun and engaging characters, a solid mystery, and unique lore that pulls you into the mystery.”—Fresh Fiction

“Engrossing...China continues to appeal with her herbal information and savvy sleuthing.”—Booklist (starred review)
 
“[China Bayles is] such a joy…An instant friend.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times bestselling author
 
 “One of the best-written and [most] well-plotted mysteries I’ve read in a long time.”—Los Angeles Times
 
“[Albert] consistently turns out some of the best-plotted mysteries on the market.”—Houston Chronicle

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B011IUSTP8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (April 5, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 5, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1361 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 764 ratings

About the author

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Susan Wittig Albert

Susan Wittig Albert

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As a writer, I work in three genres, mystery, historical fiction, and memoir. My mysteries include the China Bayles Herbal Mysteries and The Darling Dahlias, about a Southern garden club in the 1930s, as well as an eight-book series, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the 12-book series that my husband Bill Albert and I coauthored under the pseudonym of Robin Paige.

My historical fiction includes THE GENERAL'S WOMEN, a wartime romance about Ike's love affair with Kay Summersby; LOVING ELEANOR, about the intimate friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok; and A WILDER ROSE, about the mother-daughter team that produced the Little House books. A WILDER ROSE is currently under option for film.

Bill and I live in the Hill Country of Central Texas, where I write, garden, raise chickens, and practice the fiber arts. You can find out more in my two memoirs: TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE; and AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS.

www.susanalbert.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
764 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D. M. Read
5.0 out of 5 stars "Blood Orange" is Susan Wittig Albert's Best Yet!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2016
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Susan Wittig Albert has outdone herself--again! This was an absolutely riveting read. I don't know which I enjoyed more, the discussions of herb lore that preceded each chapter, China's account of everyday life in the mythical Pecan Springs (how I wish it really existed), or the story itself. The three in combination are a powerhouse! I was swept along to the point that I hated when Real Life interfered and I had to put my Kindle down.

Although China, the narrator, is thoroughly grounded in the modern philosophy of rationalism, she is still open to ideas beyond her ken--to wit, her friend Ruby's connection with spirituality. I like and appreciate that in a character. I won't go into details of the plot for fear of unwittingly dropping a "spoiler," but I will say this: the reason I prefer reading novels written by women is that the characters display more warmth, understanding, and sympathy than characters in books written by men (at least, in my experience). Susan Wittig Albert excels in creating sympathetic characters, many of whom seem so real they could almost be one's next-door neighbors. Well done, Ms. Albert, and may I say I'll be standing in line for your next one?
7 people found this helpful
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Crystal Toller
4.0 out of 5 stars China Bayles Series
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020
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This book deals with the death of a former hospice nurse who rents the bed and breakfast behind China's shop. When China gets a call from the hospice nurse before she dies she teams up with another hospice nuse, Lara Metcalf and crime reporter, Jessica Nelson to discover what the hospice nurse, Kelly Kaufman was working on. This was a very interesting and informative read. I learned a lot about Medicare rules for hospice that I had never considered before and had not been aware of those rules. Another great addition to the series.
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Kathy Brauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Close call for China
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021
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While worrying because McQuade is chasing bad guys in Mexico, China must track down the reason for her guest's apparent abduction and murder. Having found herself in a tight spot due to following up on a whistle-blower situation she comes to terms with his need to pursue occasional risky cases.
Tightly plotted and realistic without being entirely pessimistic, and including enticing tidbits about brewing, this story is yet another of Sue Albert's enjoyable *and * educational reads. Well worth the time.
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GrandmaHeather
5.0 out of 5 stars China is Drawn Into Murder and Fraud
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016
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I have read all of Susan Wittig Albert's "China Bayles" mysteries. I love her main character. Watching China evolve and fall in love with Mike McQuaid and become a mother to his son, Brian, and then adopt her niece, Catie, and love mothering her...well it's been so cool. The mysteries are always so well done, and China's part in solving them makes for interesting reading. Her friend, Ruby, is so easy to like and fun to read about. Sheila, the chief of police, is a good friend as well as a "smart cookie". This fictional town of Pecan Springs sounds like a great place to live. This mystery involves a nurse, a hospice care facility, a suspicious death and fraud. I read this straight through and enjoyed every bit of it.
2 people found this helpful
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Elizabeth A. Ellsworth
4.0 out of 5 stars It was ok.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
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A bit predictable, but it was ok.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Four Wheeled Deadly Weapon in Blood Orange
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017
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I cannot believe this is the 24th installment of China Bayles and I've read every one of them. I did sort of binge read three a few years ago and realized that isn't the way to go --at least for me. I got really tired of the character and her ditzy friend, Ruby. I let the series go for a year and now read the books several months apart. It makes it more like revisiting with friends who live a bit distant and not seen very often. Much more interesting that way--sort of catching up. This episode was particularly interesting--maybe because I'm an older citizen--really, older not like poor Mrs Mueller, who is described as an old woman because she is in her late 60's--REALLY???? Here we have Medicare fraud, hospice and some shady medical professionals. Also, though I've been to Texas many, many times I have not noticed a proliferation of orange vehicles. Will have to keep my eyes peeled this winter while visiting. Understand the connection to Long Horns but maybe the vehicles only come out for homecoming in the Fall. Anyway, the story, the recipes and blood oranges are all very delicious this time around. I'll be checking out #25 for my Texas travel.
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Nancy
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice easy to read mystery.
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2018
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It was nice to visit Pecan Springs again. Nice easy to read mystery. Wouldn’t mind seeing more from McQuaid and Blackie.
Gave it a 3 Star because I could see where this was going. I like it better when I can’t guess.
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babe47
5.0 out of 5 stars She keeps getting better and better
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2016
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I became a fan of Susan Wittig Albert with her very first China Bayles Mystery years ago. I continue to be an avid fan of this series.
She keeps getting better and better. With each book there is so much you learn about herbs written in an interesting way to inspire you to try some of the ideas. You feel you know these characters, the town, and wish you lived there. I would love to shop at China's Thyme and Seasons and Ruby's Crystal Cave and of course eat at the Tea Shop. This is a series that is well developed, interesting, and events which will make you hold your breath. Susan Wittig Albert enriches my love of herbs with her series. Even if you don't care for herbs, you will be glad you tried this series.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Union
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and recipes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2018
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Any book by Susan Wittig Albert makes for great reading. I was sorry to hear of her passing away this year. Her books and recipes were thoroughly enjoyed
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Fuchs Joan
5.0 out of 5 stars Rasant und sehr detailliert
Reviewed in Germany on April 24, 2017
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In diesem Buch erfährt man extrem viel über das Amerikanische Gesundheitswesen, hier im Rahmen von Hospiz-Rechnungen und was sich damit alles "anstellen" lässt. Sehr eindrücklich. Die Story darum ist auch sehr spannend und detailliert gestaltet, einige falsche Fährten, aber eine rasante, stimmige Auflösung. Die Frau versteht ihr Business!
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Sophie
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2016
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Excellent to spend time with China and her friends. I love these books!
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