Hemlock

It‘s always interesting to help China solve her mysteries and the extra herb knowledge is often useful!!

For me this book was a bis disappointment. The 2 stories somehow don't fit adn I found it boring.

I have enjoyed this series in the past, but this one was very disappointing. There really isn’t much of a plot and the main character isn’t much of an investigator. She exhibits little insight and apparently needs to be told things more than once before they register. Instead of taking obvious steps - such as looking at online sellers for missing books - she spends time reading a student’s “novel” which is basically a slightly rewritten Wikipedia entry. The botanical and historical material is dry and very repetitious.

I’ve read every China Bayles book. When China leaves Pecan Springs, we lose so many old friends in the story. No Ruby? No McQuaid? No Smart Cooke or Blackie? I had no affinity for the characters, nor the stolen book. The fiction within the story was the more interesting tale. China herself felt a bit ridiculous, not her usual strong character. Another big storm, this time snow. Finishing the book was a slog of indifference. I miss the sparkle of close friends in Pecan Springs, a world Wittig Albert made so real.

I have read the entire China Bayles series. It took me two days to finish this latest one. I live in Texas but grew up with snow, so I enjoyed the juxtaposition of spring and winter. Fearful for China's safety, I couldn't believe she opted to drive back up a mountain in a blizzard instead of staying at a B&B in town. I enjoyed the introduction of Spock the parrot and hope he returns in the next adventure. I want to see if he liked horseback riding enough to ask for his own horse! This is one of my favorite series, and Hemlock is one of my favorite books. There is always something to be learned, such as the differences between hemlock and Queen Anne's lace.