Chile Death (Abridged): A China Bayles Mystery Audiobook

" In this murder mystery, China Bayles investigates the death of a chili contest judge who accidentally (??) ingests peanuts and suffers anaphylactic shock. There are twists and turns and some yummy-looking chili recipes, probably not for the faint of heart (or tongue). "

" love the recipes in the books! "

" Another good installment in the China Bayles series. The ending was a bit more contrived than normal for Albert, but not pushing the bounds of cozies. "

" All of the China Bayles series books are written with a conversational style, and endearing sincerity. The characters are both loveable and believable as are the places. Albert describes things well enough to give you a picture for your mind's eye without allowing the descriptions to overtake the storyline. If you've never lived in Central Texas trust me when I tell you that this is as close as you can get without moving here! These books are a comfortable, easy read - equally good for rainy days, and excuse to stay in the air conditioning, or by the fireplace. "

" a little too convoluted or something "

" This book took me much longer to finish than it should because I've never warmed to the character of China Bayles and after any gap in reading the books it gets harder to re-join her. I've never been able to relate to her, from her big-city, hard-bitten, fast-track lawyer persona to the small town herb store owner, there's always been a disconnect. I find China as prickly as a Texas cactus and about as welcoming. I've found her difficult, irascible, ungrateful, stubborn, cold and inflexible. Perhaps because it's been a while since I've read any of the other books, I've just forgotten her positive qualities or character progression. What I keep coming back for is the setting, the herbal knowledge and recipes included in the book. The peripheral characters can be quite amusing and enjoyable as are some of the activities but I always feel like China, as she walks among them, seems to look down on them and their foibles. That is another thing I dislike about her. This particular story doesn't dispel that feeling for me. Set during a chili cookoff, a man is killed by peanuts and it all goes downhill from there. China is also trying to get her boyfriend/fiance' to recover and get out of a nursing home and becomes embroiled in scandalous happenings there too. That the two stories tied together was foreshadowed and I had a good idea who it might have been early on. I also thought China treated her "best friend" appallingly (I don't think I'd want China Bayles for a friend) and kept pushing away anyone who wanted to help or be kind to her all in the name of her "independence". Still, as I said, there are great swaths of information and recipes about chili and chile that I enjoyed very much. I'll keep hoping for more from China and will probably keep reading the series but it can be a real struggle. "

" The last couple of these have been a little darke than the previous ones in teh series. Good story. "

" I learn a lot about plants when I read SWA's mysteries. There is also humor of the "Alice at Mel's Diner" variety and a homey feel that I'm welcome to visit Thyme for Tea in Pecan Springs, Texas anytime. "

" Okay for a light read. "

" One of the most creative murder weapons ever! "

" Another book in the China Bayles series. I didn't guess the murderer, which is always a good thing in a mystery. I missed Brian in this book. I don't like it when all characters aren't involved. It was a good read and I was very happy with the end. "

" Ex-lawyer turned herbalist and amateur sleuth China Bayles attends a chili cookoff where a womanizing judge dies of an allergic reaction to peanuts. And since everyone knows peanuts don't belong in a bowl of Texas chili, China knows something suspicious is afoot... "

" Another great read in this series. I don't like hot (as in spicy) dishes, but this nearly made me want to try some. Good read. "

" Very good story with a surprise ending. Peanuts in Chili? Who would've thought?! Yuck. Lol "

" It would appear as though Susan Wittig Albert is working a lot of the bugs out of the China Bayles backstory by this one. It was a good one, with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. "

" You never know what you will find in a bowl of Texas chili, wow! Loved this book because it is Texas tradition to have these cook offs & so competitive! Another excellent read! "

" Learned a lot about chile peppers--history, uses, and recipes. I'm going to try a chocolate cake with a dash of cayenne pepper. "

" This series keeps getting better and better. Enjoyed this one very much. "

" I'm enjoying the books in this series---some a little more than others. "

" this was a great read. It actually was more of a mystery than the other books. I really enjoyed it. "

" Learned a lot about peppers and chili "

" This was a lighter-hearted installment. McQuaid is recuperating and starting to join back into everyday life by judging an annual chili fest. There's a death, an investigation, and romance is back on track. A quick, easy read. "

" Learned a lot about chile peppers--history, uses, and recipes. I'm going to try a chocolate cake with a dash of cayenne pepper. "

" a little too convoluted or something "

" This is a serious chili cookoff! Fairly interesting murder investigation combined with personal relations. "

" Another great read in this series. I don't like hot (as in spicy) dishes, but this nearly made me want to try some. Good read. "

" Learned a lot about peppers and chili "

" fun to read. easy,fast and enjoyable. kinda like a soft pillow "

" a very relaxing writing style and unsuspected ending "

" This was a lighter-hearted installment. McQuaid is recuperating and starting to join back into everyday life by judging an annual chili fest. There's a death, an investigation, and romance is back on track. A quick, easy read. "

" Local chili judge is poisoned with peanuts in chili. Good read. "

" This one is probably my fav SWA -- it kinda reminds me of Do-Dat-BarBQ... feel free to ask me what that is :-) S "

" love the recipes in the books! "

" these books are short, light reading, murder mysteries in a central Texas setting. The main character is a herb shop owner in a little town that reminds me of Wimberley. Each book in the series has an herb or spice in the title. "

" This was an exceptionally good one and just when I had made a pot of chili, too. I did add beans to mine, but wondered how the Texas kind would be without it. Suspenseful, good story. One of my favorites in the series. "