Mistletoe Man
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
In this “intelligently plotted and deliciously descriptive tale” (Publishers Weekly), national bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert tells the story of a woman’s search for justice—and of her struggle to reconcile the demands of her business with the desires of her heart…
Former big-city lawyer China Bayles worked hard to make her Texas herb shop, Thyme and Seasons, a success. Now business is booming at her charming new tea room, Thyme for Tea—but China is too distracted to revel in her latest entrepreneurial triumph. When she’s not trying to spend more time with her new husband and stepson, she’s worrying about her best friend, Ruby, who just hasn’t been herself lately. To further complicate matters, China has to round up a supply of mistletoe, the season’s most popular herb. It seems an easy enough task—until her chief supplier turns up dead…
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"I'll be home for Christmas," croons the old, sweet song. Fans of Albert's herbalist-attorney-sleuth, China Bayles, who have been lauding her spicy mysteries since Thyme of Death nine books ago, will feel they've come home (to delightful Pecan Springs, Tex.) with this ebullient yarn set during the Christmas season. The pace is peppy as a Texas two-step, Albert's dialogue and characterizations put her in a class with lady sleuths V.I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum and her writing sparkles like Rudolph's nose. China has left the chaos of a Houston law firm to buy a century-old stone mansion, which now houses a tearoom (Thyme for Tea), an herb shop (Thyme and Seasons) and a New Age "Cave" run by her best friend, Ruby Wilcox. Business is booming, an inspired new chef has appeared and China's personal life is nearing perfection. But suddenly, Ruby suffers a personal disaster and disappears, while China's mistletoe supplier, cantankerous Carl Swenson, dies in a hit and run. Since the suspects in Carl's death are her flower growers - and friends - she puts on her 10-gallon detective's hat and begins to track the killer. Throughout this intricately plotted and deliciously descriptive tale, China proves herself intelligent, independent, persistent and compassionate. In the tradition begun with Thyme of Death, Albert shows great empathy for the ill - and little patience for layabouts and lawbreakers. This is a funny, human story that will give Albert's admirers a ringing jingle bell romp. 10-city author tour.
