Rueful Death by Susan Wittig Albert
>> Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Series: #5 in the China Bayles Series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 275
Challenges: TBR 2008 Alternate #2, A-Z Reading #16 (R title)
This is just an enjoyable series. I like China and the supporting cast of characters. This book takes the reader away from Pecan Springs and some of the regular characters, but unlike some series, the feel and nature of the series is not completely lost when the normal setting is changed.
China decides to join her friend Maggie on a 2 week retreat to the convent where Maggie (a former nun) used to live. It turns out to be far from the restful getaway that China was expecting. She arrives to find herself recruited to investigate a series of arsons at the monastery, and possibly even more disturbing, a series of anonymous and not so vaguely threatening letters to the nuns that had to be sent by one of them. There is a rift between the recently merged orders of nuns and the political, personal and possibly murderous tension is not helping resolve any of the issues.
Along the way, China meets up with a former boyfriend and begins to question her relationship with McQuaid.
It was nice to have the series take a bit of a break from the familiar eccentrics of Pecan Springs, but I did miss Ruby and her well intentioned and often misguided meddling as well as some of the other recurring characters. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Pecan Springs.
China decides to join her friend Maggie on a 2 week retreat to the convent where Maggie (a former nun) used to live. It turns out to be far from the restful getaway that China was expecting. She arrives to find herself recruited to investigate a series of arsons at the monastery, and possibly even more disturbing, a series of anonymous and not so vaguely threatening letters to the nuns that had to be sent by one of them. There is a rift between the recently merged orders of nuns and the political, personal and possibly murderous tension is not helping resolve any of the issues.
Along the way, China meets up with a former boyfriend and begins to question her relationship with McQuaid.
It was nice to have the series take a bit of a break from the familiar eccentrics of Pecan Springs, but I did miss Ruby and her well intentioned and often misguided meddling as well as some of the other recurring characters. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Pecan Springs.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
7 comments:
It's great to see this series still going strong. Vickie kindly sent me the first one, so I hope to get to it soon.
This is one my of my favorite cozy series. I like the fact that it's not all that cozy, rather rough and tumble at times.
I have this one on Mt Git'r'Read and it's making its way to the top of one of the stacks.
Susan Wittig Albert asked me (along with 43 other folks) to be her friend on goodreads. Okie doke. I bought a book yesterday from another of her series Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. No idea if I will like it, but thought I'd give it a shot.
Anyway, good to know you liked it and I will move it even closer to the front of the shelves....
Joy: I think this is one of my favorites of the lighter mystery series. I really like the character of China.
Vickie: Yes - this one really should be read in order - there are developing backstories. This one was better than most for the 'leaving the normal setting' thing. Some series really don't hold up when they do that, but this one does. Oh and Susan Wittig Albert also befriended me on Goodreads - just as I was getting ready to start this one :-)
I've read all but the last two of this series and enjoyed them all. How can you not like a character named China Bayles? I also have by her about Holly How. Also unread. Someday.
Framed - you're one who got me started on this series - thanks!!
Your review puts my in the mood to read another one of these. I think I'm on book 3 or 4. Luckily, it's written down so I can find out.
Booklogged - they are nice to pull out every once in a while, aren't they?
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